Croom could be 'mismatch problem' for defenses

[kamoshika]

While my confidence in our passing game's ability to exploit matchups is shaky at best, I'm still excited about the possibilities w/ Croom at TE.

"He can be a huge weapon," quarterback Josh Dobbs said Tuesday. "His body type, his expertise coming from the receiver position and moving to tight end, he's very physical, but he also runs very clean routes and he's very good catching the ball in space. We'll definitely be able to utilize him in a lot of ways.

"He presents a lot of matchup issues for the defense, so it's definitely great to add that dynamic to the tight-end room to complement Ethan (Wolf)."

...The trickiest part of the transition for Croom was blocking, and he knew if he could develop into a reliable end-line blocker it would enhance his chances of being the all-around tight end Scott has pushed him to be. So this summer Croom focused on that, and Scott said it produced "major improvements" evident during preseason practices.
Croom could be 'mismatch problem' for defenses | Times Free Press

 

[AF_VOL]

I've been waiting for years to here "Crooooom" in Neyland from 102K fans after a completion. Hopefully he has a break out year.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

If the passing game matures the whole team is a mismatch problem.

 

[Nuctech777]

This guy deserves so much credit for hanging in there and persevering. I wish nothing but success for him and hope that he has a break out year.

 

[livefaith]

I hope Croom has such a good year that he can't afford ($) to hang around. But, I remember him being talked about as a "medical redshirt" possibility if requested. Is my mind playing tricks or is that a real possibility?

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

He's been so dedicated and worked so hard since day 1 he walked on campus.

No player can control if he gets injured no matter who they are, it's football and it happens.

Without so many injuries slowing down his progress the CROOMSTER would probably be in the NFL right now and 1 of our favorite players the last few seasons.

I wish him all the best and I hope he breaks out and lights it up this season.

Go get them big man!

Team 120, climbing the rankings WIN by WIN...VFL...GBO!!!

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Croom switching to TE makes me think of Alabama's stud Howard. I hope it works out the same. He certainly has the talent, and I would love to see Croom succeed after all his hardships. Plus, if Croom has a monster year from the TE position all that does is open up our running game and passing game to the WR's even more. It's crazy how much potential this team has. I just hope they can live up to it.

 

[ntxVOL]

One of the few Dooley recruits left on this team, hope he has a great year.

 

[rbird]

I am really hoping for good things from Croom. He has been a huge mass of unrealized potential for us. Here's to hoping he can really contribute this season.

 

[Biopsyman]

He needs to a better blocker than receiver for our system

 

[08Vol]

Being a good TE in this offense has more to do with run/pass blocking than pass catching. He has the size to be a good blocker and the speed to catch a pass or two a game. With a new R-FR LT and a back up RT for the first few games I have a feeling we won't see Croom on the stat sheet very much. His help sealing the edge may be the key against teams like aTm and Bama.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I feel like we've been saying that about him since he stepped on campus 8 years ago.

 

[fade route]

He was a mismatch for DBs too when he was a WR but he didn't produce much to write home about. Maybe he can turn it around, I don't know.

 

[rickyb712]

i'll agree but the play has to be called to get him the ball.

 

[rocytop2624]

One of the few Dooley recruits left on this team, hope he has a great year.

wow thats crazy i didn't think of that he is the only one left isnt he and he still has another year don't he?

 

[A-RodWiLks]

wow thats crazy i didn't think of that he is the only one left isnt he and he still has another year doesn't he?

No...he does not have another year.

 

[SeniorDrill]

A wide receiver that is big enough to play tight end. The words are all that need to be said.

 

[terrypedigo]

If the passing game matures the whole team is a mismatch problem.

If this team can throw the ball down field this a playoff team, if we can't we are a 9 and 3 team just that simple.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

While my confidence in our passing game's ability to exploit matchups is shaky at best, I'm still excited about the possibilities w/ Croom at TE.

"He can be a huge weapon," quarterback Josh Dobbs said Tuesday. "His body type, his expertise coming from the receiver position and moving to tight end, he's very physical, but he also runs very clean routes and he's very good catching the ball in space. We'll definitely be able to utilize him in a lot of ways.

"He presents a lot of matchup issues for the defense, so it's definitely great to add that dynamic to the tight-end room to complement Ethan (Wolf)."

...The trickiest part of the transition for Croom was blocking, and he knew if he could develop into a reliable end-line blocker it would enhance his chances of being the all-around tight end Scott has pushed him to be. So this summer Croom focused on that, and Scott said it produced "major improvements" evident during preseason practices.
Croom could be 'mismatch problem' for defenses | Times Free Press

Shaky at best?..........you might be a little pessimistic at best........this year's WR group is up there with the best UT has had.

 

[ntxVOL]

wow thats crazy i didn't think of that he is the only one left isnt he and he still has another year don't he?

Besides Croom there is:

Danny O'Brien
LaTroy Lewis
Kenny Bynum
Charles Folger (Walk-On?)

All 5th year Seniors...would be nice for those guys to end their careers at TN on a high note.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Shaky at best?..........you might be a little pessimistic at best........this year's WR group is up there with the best UT has had.

There is talent, experience (in spots), and potential but there is no way they are even close to the best UT has had.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Opposing DCs had better be good at guessing and disguising, that's their only hope to slow down our offense. There will be a huge "mismatch" at many positions and that's against SEC teams.

 

[wolfej]

If this team can throw the ball down field this a playoff team, if we can't we are a 9 and 3 team just that simple.

That is such a useless statement without knowing what you mean by "can throw the ball down field".

Is that a 60% completion percentage? 65%? 70%? Is that with multiple 30+ yard passes a game? Multiple 40+ yard passes a game?

That ambiguous statement could be accurate all the way to completely farcical.

Tl;dr: Platitudes are useless.

 

[Catbone]

He has to stay healthy first

 

[utvols74]

I have felt for some time that all of our TEs have been under-utilized. If Dobbs has trouble with the deep balls, then why not a 5-8 yard flat route or over the middle? Under Saban, Bama has had tremendous success throwing to the TE in clutch situations and their QBs are game-managers at best.