Coach Dooley changes offensive philosophy

[Nashvol2]

I didn't see this discussed. Mods please merge if necessary.

I know it's been discussed in the "can we win without a strong running game" threads but I found some things that were interesting in today's media presser that maypoint to the direction that coach Dooley is heading.

When asked about the up-tempo offense, this is what he had to say:

"It is a good question. It is a little bit philosophy and I used to be that philosophy. I am not anymore - I want to score. I did a lot of soul searching in the off season about all that. Defense has to go and stop them, but if you keep scoring it is harder and harder for the other team. I know that because I have been on the other side of it. I am not going to slow our guys down. I want them to play fast and I want them to have fun. If they score, let's go stop them."

The offense enjoying the change:

"I know the offense does. I told Sal [Sunseri] when I hired him that it was going to look a little different than he is used to. Sal understands it - he is in. It is philosophy, doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. But given what we have on our football team I just think that gives us the best chance to win and that is why we are doing what we do. "

Allowing the defense to prepare:

"That was the challenge - how do you have an up tempo offense and still give the defense a chance to go prepare to go play. Time will tell if we got it right. We haven't really changed how we do our practice structure much but we have changed how we do the offense. We could get it done a lot quicker but I am not going to compromise the defense."''

A few things stick out to me about the comments. One, it sounds like Coach Dooley is willing to change. It sounds like he understands what he has with the personel.

Two, it's just my opinion but I think the necessity to win now helped him along the decision making process. I think analyzing your performance, and making adjustments is important in any performance based position. Many coaches are criticized for their in-action and in some cases, for their changes but it sounds like Coach Dooley understands that he will be judged on the teams results.

I've posted before that I thought Dooley wanted to play more 2 tight ends with more single back formations and motion, but atleast for now, he seems to have changed his approach. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years if we have that opportunity.

Dooley said it best, "Time will tell if we got it right." Thoughts?

 

[SmokeySC]

Good post op. We will find out this weekend if our offense will be successful in the sec against a good Florida d. Dooley is right about how we must utilize our weapons and they are at wr. It's on bray now...

 

[chattavfl86]

I didn't see this discussed. Mods please merge if necessary.

I know it's been discussed in the "can we win without a strong running game" threads but I found some things that were interesting in today's media presser with coach Dooley that we point to the direction that coach Dooley is heading.

When asked about the up-tempo offense, this is what he had to say:

"It is a good question. It is a little bit philosophy and I used to be that philosophy. I am not anymore - I want to score. I did a lot of soul searching in the off season about all that. Defense has to go and stop them, but if you keep scoring it is harder and harder for the other team. I know that because I have been on the other side of it. I am not going to slow our guys down. I want them to play fast and I want them to have fun. If they score, let's go stop them."

The offense enjoying the change:

"I know the offense does. I told Sal [Sunseri] when I hired him that it was going to look a little different than he is used to. Sal understands it - he is in. It is philosophy, doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. But given what we have on our football team I just think that gives us the best chance to win and that is why we are doing what we do. "

Allowing the defense to prepare:

"That was the challenge - how do you have an up tempo offense and still give the defense a chance to go prepare to go play. Time will tell if we got it right. We haven't really changed how we do our practice structure much but we have changed how we do the offense. We could get it done a lot quicker but I am not going to compromise the defense."''

A few things stick out to me about the comments. One, it sounds like Coach Dooley is willing to change. It sounds like he understands what he has with the personel.

Two, it's just my opinion but I think the necessity to win now helped him along the decision making process. I think analyzing your performance, and making adjustments is important in any performance based position. Many coaches are criticized for their in-action and in some cases, for their changes but it sounds like Coach Dooley understands that he will be judged on the teams results.

I've posted before that I thought Dooley wanted to play more 2 tight ends with more single back formations and motion, but atleast for now, he seems to have changed his approach. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years if we have that opportunity.

Dooley said it best, "Time will tell if we got it right." Thoughts?

I was watching the end of the LSU-Washington game saturday and the talking heads were saying something along the lines of "Washington knows what is about to happen, they know its going to be a run, but they just can't stop it. LSU is going to run right at them and there is nothing they can do about it."

I think what we may be seeing here at Tennessee is the same as you see at Bama and LSU with their power running game. They pass the ball just enough to make the defense know there is a threat but their bread and butter is the power running game. Our thing is exactly opposite. We will run enough to keep them honest but our bread and butter is passing. It is just how the roster is set up and Dooley knows it. Our best players lend towards the passing attack. Big, athletic recievers. Big, athletic TE with hands. An O-line that is capable of creating holes but is nearly flawless in pass protection. Fast, shifty backs/slot guys. A tall QB with a laser arm and fearless attitude.

They know what's coming. They know Tennessee is about to throw the ball, but they don't know how to stop it. UT is going to throw it all over the field and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

 

[Vol8188]

TO BE GREAT YOU MUST BE DIFFERENT!

We cannot take our football team and beat a team like Alabama, by running the football and playing good defense. It would be like taking a high school you knew was out atheleted, in a league of teams that all run the wing t, and deciding that you're going to run the wing t too. You can't beat superior teams, by trying to do exactly what they do. We are not Alabama. We are not LSU. We have to do what we do best.

 

[vol_in_ar]

I didn't see this discussed. Mods please merge if necessary.

I know it's been discussed in the "can we win without a strong running game" threads but I found some things that were interesting in today's media presser with coach Dooley that we point to the direction that coach Dooley is heading.

When asked about the up-tempo offense, this is what he had to say:

"It is a good question. It is a little bit philosophy and I used to be that philosophy. I am not anymore - I want to score. I did a lot of soul searching in the off season about all that. Defense has to go and stop them, but if you keep scoring it is harder and harder for the other team. I know that because I have been on the other side of it. I am not going to slow our guys down. I want them to play fast and I want them to have fun. If they score, let's go stop them."

The offense enjoying the change:

"I know the offense does. I told Sal [Sunseri] when I hired him that it was going to look a little different than he is used to. Sal understands it - he is in. It is philosophy, doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. But given what we have on our football team I just think that gives us the best chance to win and that is why we are doing what we do. "

Allowing the defense to prepare:

"That was the challenge - how do you have an up tempo offense and still give the defense a chance to go prepare to go play. Time will tell if we got it right. We haven't really changed how we do our practice structure much but we have changed how we do the offense. We could get it done a lot quicker but I am not going to compromise the defense."''

A few things stick out to me about the comments. One, it sounds like Coach Dooley is willing to change. It sounds like he understands what he has with the personel.

Two, it's just my opinion but I think the necessity to win now helped him along the decision making process. I think analyzing your performance, and making adjustments is important in any performance based position. Many coaches are criticized for their in-action and in some cases, for their changes but it sounds like Coach Dooley understands that he will be judged on the teams results.

I've posted before that I thought Dooley wanted to play more 2 tight ends with more single back formations and motion, but atleast for now, he seems to have changed his approach. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years if we have that opportunity.

Dooley said it best, "Time will tell if we got it right." Thoughts?

thanks for posting, Saturday will tell alot

 

[Spartacavolus]

TO BE GREAT YOU MUST BE DIFFERENT!

We cannot take our football team and beat a team like Alabama, by running the football and playing good defense. It would be like taking a high school you knew was out atheleted, in a league of teams that all run the wing t, and deciding that you're going to run the wing t too. You can't beat superior teams, by trying to do exactly what they do. We are not Alabama. We are not LSU. We have to do what we do best.

I agree 100%. Don't try to be something we are not. This team may look different in a year or two, and we may have a different philosophy then.
But right now, our best bet is to spread the field and spread the ball around, including hitting some runs. We have a chance to beat many teams with that philosophy. If we slow it down, try to focus on the run, and slow our gazelles down, it will hurt the team, imo.

 

[Rawlsy32]

I agree 100%. Don't try to be something we are not. This team may look different in a year or two, and we may have a different philosophy then.
But right now, our best bet is to spread the field and spread the ball around, including hitting some runs. We have a chance to beat many teams with that philosophy. If we slow it down, try to focus on the run, and slow our gazelles down, it will hurt the team, imo.

Agreed, we don't have the running backs LSWho and Bama have. Not saying ours aren't good. They just aren't on that level yet. No sense in goin with what we aren't that great at, when were doin what were great at and that's spreading the field in the no huddle.

 

[Jake]

Love the thread, love the comments so far and it's just validating what everyone is saying...we are who we are. We aren't trying to be anyone else. The coaches are setting this team up for success by playing to our strengths and letting the law of averages take care of itself.

I can honestly say, in 43 years (25 of actually understanding football) that I cannot recall a team gelling like this one is...from top to bottom. Coaches have bought into the vision and the players are following suit. the energy is positive and the plan is adaptable, which allows a team like ours to fly around and have fun.

This is really cool to watch...we are finally climbing. We knew at some point that we would be back...now let's go smack Florida sober, so we know we are back!!!!

...and so will everybody else!!!

 

[allvol123]

I doubt he changed philosophy as much as he just adjusted to his strengths.

If he had his wishes he would have an offense that performs like Bama.

 

[1world1love]

It is a fair argument to be sure. The objective is to score more points than the other team, not gain more rushing yards. If we are going to give up 30 points to UGA, for instance, then all we need to do is score 31.

The point though, I think, is that any team will have a hard time coming from behind. If we put up 40 points a game, we can win a lot of ball games. Essentially we are gambling that our defense can stop the other team at least one more time than they can stop us.

I like our chances in most games.

 

[Coastypop]

There are two ways to win

"Do the same thing everyone else does, but do it better than anyone else or do what no one else"

 

[VOLcomCameron]

I was watching the end of the LSU-Washington game saturday and the talking heads were saying something along the lines of "Washington knows what is about to happen, they know its going to be a run, but they just can't stop it. LSU is going to run right at them and there is nothing they can do about it."

I think what we may be seeing here at Tennessee is the same as you see at Bama and LSU with their power running game. They pass the ball just enough to make the defense know there is a threat but their bread and butter is the power running game. Our thing is exactly opposite. We will run enough to keep them honest but our bread and butter is passing. It is just how the roster is set up and Dooley knows it. Our best players lend towards the passing attack. Big, athletic recievers. Big, athletic TE with hands. An O-line that is capable of creating holes but is nearly flawless in pass protection. Fast, shifty backs/slot guys. A tall QB with a laser arm and fearless attitude.

They know what's coming. They know Tennessee is about to throw the ball, but they don't know how to stop it. UT is going to throw it all over the field and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Best post on Volnation of all time period.

 

[Jake]

I doubt he changed philosophy as much as he just adjusted to his strengths.

If he had his wishes he would have an offense that performs like Bama.

This years team could be teaching Coach Dooley to think outside the box, and it could work.

 

[Dooby15]

Will work fine this year, but we better improve greatly with run game before next season.

 

[NeylandArmy]

I was watching the end of the LSU-Washington game saturday and the talking heads were saying something along the lines of "Washington knows what is about to happen, they know its going to be a run, but they just can't stop it. LSU is going to run right at them and there is nothing they can do about it."

I think what we may be seeing here at Tennessee is the same as you see at Bama and LSU with their power running game. They pass the ball just enough to make the defense know there is a threat but their bread and butter is the power running game. Our thing is exactly opposite. We will run enough to keep them honest but our bread and butter is passing. It is just how the roster is set up and Dooley knows it. Our best players lend towards the passing attack. Big, athletic recievers. Big, athletic TE with hands. An O-line that is capable of creating holes but is nearly flawless in pass protection. Fast, shifty backs/slot guys. A tall QB with a laser arm and fearless attitude.

They know what's coming. They know Tennessee is about to throw the ball, but they don't know how to stop it. UT is going to throw it all over the field and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

A lot kievthe Patriots passing game last year

Kiev = like damn you autocorrect

 

[allvol123]

This years team could be teaching Coach Dooley to think outside the box, and it could work.

It will work to an extent, we'll see how far that is.

Running and defense are proven title winners. Great passing can win a lot of games but when it comes down to it, you are going to need to kill the clock in one or two close games. That is done the majority of the time with running.

 

[Vol8188]

I doubt he changed philosophy as much as he just adjusted to his strengths.

If he had his wishes he would have an offense that performs like Bama.

Is that not a strategy in itself? I know a lot of high school coaches who will change their offense almost every year to try and highlight the skill sets of their athletes (although, I don't necessarily believe in that approach).

 

[1world1love]

This years team could be teaching Coach Dooley to think outside the box, and it could work.

Having a mature QB that can hit a dime from 40 yards away faster than a rb can hit a hole at the line can change your perspective a little bit.

 

[Vol8188]

There are two ways to win

"Do the same thing everyone else does, but do it better than anyone else or do what no one else"

I ad hear to the latter. I think you have to be pretty **** cocky to assume you can do what everyone else does better than they do it, especially if you have lesser talent.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

I doubt he changed philosophy as much as he just adjusted to his strengths.

If he had his wishes he would have an offense that performs like Bama.

Yes...

and yes.

 

[allvol123]

Is that not a strategy in itself? I know a lot of high school coaches who will change their offense almost every year to try and highlight the skill sets of their athletes (although, I don't necessarily believe in that approach).

It is one, not groundbreaking by any means.

Also, somewhat worrisome when considering program building. If he has a philosophy it is disappointing if he can't get it executed.

I think this will be his best year at UT. I think it falters when Bray, Hunter, and Patterson leave.

 

[Spartacavolus]

it would be more disappointing to have only one philosophy and use it no matter what the team dynamic is

 

[vol4life2012]

It is one, not groundbreaking by any means.

Also, somewhat worrisome when considering program building. If he has a philosophy it is disappointing if he can't get it executed.

I think this will be his best year at UT. I think it falters when Bray, Hunter, and Patterson leave.

negavol

 

[johndoevol]

It is one, not groundbreaking by any means.

Also, somewhat worrisome when considering program building. If he has a philosophy it is disappointing if he can't get it executed.

I think this will be his best year at UT. I think it falters when Bray, Hunter, and Patterson leave.

Meanwhile, enjoy the ride :toast:

 

[allvol123]

Meanwhile, enjoy the ride :toast:

I do. I think this team could win 10 regular season games with a little luck.