Anybody notice Kongbo ...

#51
#51
With Vereen and Barnett moving on? He may be stay outside opposite Phillips. I also think Eric Crosby will be in the DT mix. Hopefully the spring game provides some clues.

I think Taylor locks up one of the DE spots and Phillips hopefullly the other. Sure seems like Kongbo finally set to stick and stay at DT.
 
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#52
#52
He'll be all over, depending on the package. We have beasts inside. He needs a few more lbs, but no more than 10. Strong DE and fast DT when needed. Again...I give you Malik Jackson.
 
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#53
#53
Maybe he played lights out because it is his last game at DT.

Maybe he is just now getting comfortable with the scheme.

His stats were: 4 tackles 3/1, 2 TFL -17, 1 sack -16, 2 QBHs


I think he goes to DE next year along with Phillips and Taylor, with Butcher providing depth.

DT will be anchored by McKenzie, Vickers and hopefully Tuttle. Assuming Mixon comes back, he will be in the mix along with Alexis Johnson, Picou Quay and perhaps Charles Mosley.

Bain, Benedict, McDaniel and Cave are also on the roster as walk-ons I presume. Bain shows the most promise of that bunch

And then our 2017 Recruits which hopefully we can redshirt a good many.
 
#55
#55
Maybe he played lights out because it is his last game at DT.

Maybe he is just now getting comfortable with the scheme.

His stats were: 4 tackles 3/1, 2 TFL -17, 1 sack -16, 2 QBHs


I think he goes to DE next year along with Phillips and Taylor, with Butcher providing depth.

DT will be anchored by McKenzie, Vickers and hopefully Tuttle. Assuming Mixon comes back, he will be in the mix along with Alexis Johnson, Picou Quay and perhaps Charles Mosley.

Bain, Benedict, McDaniel and Cave are also on the roster as walk-ons I presume. Bain shows the most promise of that bunch

And then our 2017 Recruits which hopefully we can redshirt a good many.
He did play good, but I think that whole offense was effected by fear of Barnett.
 
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#56
#56
I think the entire "malcontent" narrative came from some local reporter tweeting lies about him from the UK game. I watched him from the sidelines more than once during that game, and he was totally focused and active on field and sideline.

Since Hurd was still stinging "almost everyone posting"send to believe it and were ready for him to leave. C'mon folks!
 
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#57
#57
I see him 100% at DE if we get KM, ST, and am back strong. King Kongbo can be a beast for us opposite KP, DM and Taylor.
 
#59
#59
I would keep him at DE on first and second down then slide him to DT on third down. I think KMac, Shy, and Alexis Johnson are better suited to play alongside Vickers on the inside on running downs.

We need Kongbo out at DE since Barnett and Vereen are both leaving. We'll have less depth out there next year.
 
#60
#60
6'6 285....how's that not big enough? Bet he adds 10-15, maybe 20 lbs and sticks at DT. From everything I've heard and read, he's finally adjusted to the idea that DT is the best position for him and he's buying in.

Beyonce is one ham sammich from being a big girl and Kongbo is about one ham sammich away from being a 300 lb DT. I think the training table will help him find that next 10 or 15 rather easily.
 
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#63
#63
I see him 100% at DE if we get KM, ST, and am back strong. King Kongbo can be a beast for us opposite KP, DM and Taylor.

I have to think this season was somewhat humbling for Kongbo as he found out rather early, his athleticism at this level is minimized as most everybody on the field in the SEC has some of that and some even more than he has. Therefore he found out technique does matter. Throw in he had to watch a great DE in Barnett train, practice, and play and seeing what it takes to perform at that level and he had to do some soul searching. Seems he's over that and ready to do what it takes to be great now and I think he'll be a great one for us.
 
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#64
#64
Kongbo has that animal in him something like Barnett does. He's every bit as elite as Garrett imo.
 
#65
#65
I have to think this season was somewhat humbling for Kongbo as he found out rather early, his athleticism at this level is minimized as most everybody on the field in the SEC has some of that and some even more than he has. Therefore he found out technique does matter. Throw in he had to watch a great DE in Barnett train, practice, and play and seeing what it takes to perform at that level and he had to do some soul searching. Seems he's over that and ready to do what it takes to be great now and I think he'll be a great one for us.

You touched on something that I think is very important. All those guys saw how Barnett worked. They saw his work paid off. What an example. Barmett did something that not even a 5 star Bama end did. 3 straight years with 10 sacks. I can't see anyone not buying in. Next year will be a fun one!
 
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#67
#67
Jonathan Allen is 6'4, 291 lb.

Malik McDowell is another DL being touted for first round at 6'6 276 lb.

DeMarcus Walker is 6'4 280 lbs.

Don't think weight and size is the issue for Kongbo, just needs to get stronger to hold up on interior.

And it's amazing how a players disposition can change when they actually get to play.
 
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#68
#68
The key to King Kongbo is adding muscle, maybe 10 to 15 pounds and keeping his speed and athletic abilities.

If he's really bought in and understands that his future in the NFL is at DT and that being able to also play DE or a outside LB in a 3-4 system then he's going to become a serious beast for us by next season.

I think Shoop will showcase the different abilities of King Kongbo and will play him at DT and at DE and will create some specific stunts for him to get to the QB from both positions.

We have plenty of really good DE's and having Kongbo ready and able to play both positions and maybe even be able to move him from side to side will have O coordinators getting no sleep trying to figure out how to stop him and our D line.

I also expect Phillips to have a serious breakout season next year.

Keep our kids healthy and I believe Shoop will be able to open up his playbook a lot more too.

VFL...GBO!!!
 
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#69
#69
I like Kongbo. Hope he cranks his motor up and excels next year. I did see him let up a couple times and acted like he was afraid to put his body in a pile. Needs a little more nasty to catch up with Derek Barnett.
 
#70
#70
Bain has shown he can be a help. I've heard that the staff expects the same from Cave. Johnson was the #1 juco DT and Vickers returns. Picou can contribute. If either Tuttle or Kmac are healthy, then no reason to permanently move Kongbo. If both are healthy then even more reason for him to stay at end.
 
#71
#71
Kongbo looked more and more VFL every game in the latter part of the season. Dumped gatorade on Butch so I believe he's got both feet in.
 
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#72
#72
seemed to be playing DT pretty well AND was enthusiastic with the team lifting CBJ into the air at the end! Did not look like a malcontent or transfer to me, and you?

Kongbo has had, and may continue to have a few growing pains. Anyone who looked past his stupid star rating realized that. He has some of the best physical potential we have ever had, but he walked in here with little experience. Plus, he has had too many people telling him how great he can be.

He might be more mature than we think. Maybe some just had a minor issue with his use of social media. Only people I heard fretting about him wanting to play DT was the stinking media. Too many sports writers thinking they are Geraldo Rivera.
 
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#73
#73
Bain has shown he can be a help. I've heard that the staff expects the same from Cave. Johnson was the #1 juco DT and Vickers returns. Picou can contribute. If either Tuttle or Kmac are healthy, then no reason to permanently move Kongbo. If both are healthy then even more reason for him to stay at end.

Now that he has a year in, I could see Kongbo as a utility man. Let him bounce around to all 4 spots on the D line, and maybe step into a LB spot now and again. I think he is athletic enough to do that. I mean, seriously, look how he returned that pick 6.

If you are right about Bain and Cave? And Crosby is what he seems? Yeah, Kong staying inside is silly. Just let him wreck havoc everywhere. Good things happen when they can't keep up with where you are.
 
#74
#74
Laughing AT the axx clowns who used to laugh at Paul Bain! Tickled this kid is a Vol!

Nobody laughed at Bain. You might have saw it that way, but I saw people throwing down a challenge for a unrated guy who transferred in from Tusculum to become greater than his recruitment would foretell.

Axx clowns? That is forking silly.
 
#75
#75
He'll be all over, depending on the package. We have beasts inside. He needs a few more lbs, but no more than 10. Strong DE and fast DT when needed. Again...I give you Malik Jackson.

Taylor Phillips Smith and Kongbo would be strong at DE with Kongbo and Phillips ability to slide inside to DT. I hope Mykelle stays on team, Mixon as well as he can also help at DT.
Shoop should have some fun with the speed of Taylor, Smith, Kongbo, DK, Sapp, Bituli, McDowell etc. Now that they have all cut their teeth for the most part.
 
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