D. Bates insights?

#52
#52
KBVol said:
Heard that "toughness" is an issue. Not saying it's true, think it was being discussed on Swain's show.
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Strange that I never heard that about marquez north when he wouldn't play after practicing all week. Swain never questioned his "toughness".

Some kids are ready to play first day, first year and some are not. Some may never be. Obviously Bates isn't ready so far but he has 3 seasons to make an impact.
 
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#54
#54
Bates was one of my favorite recruits coming in. I really hope he can work through whatever is holding him back
 
#55
#55
utvolpj said:
Jumper also played more than Dormady so I guess he's a bust too. Damn that sucks
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6 or so linebackers play, especially when including special teams.

Under normal circumstances, you play one quarterback except for mop up duty.

apples to oranges.

bottom line, he's being passed on the depth chart by other players who haven't been in the program as long is he not?
 
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#56
#56
99gator said:
6 or so linebackers play, especially when including special teams.

Under normal circumstances, you play one quarterback except for mop up duty.

apples to oranges.

bottom line, he's being passed on the depth chart by other players who haven't been in the program as long is he not?
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Yes, but we like to use injuries as an excuse since he's a legacy
 
#57
#57
LittleVol said:
KB, this is a very fair assesment.

Ask Hubbs, PFort, etc... Bates had a little trouble with the cerebral side of the game. And hes just not a physical guy.

But all ive heard is that he is a great teammate. The guys love him.

Listen, even if he were healthy, NOBODY, is taking Jaylen Reeves-Maybins spot.

JRM is the BEST outside linebacker ive seen since Kevin Burnett. And stat wise he is more productive than he was.

Bates has a lot of athletisicm, but he doesnt have the overall skillset you need.

Sapp and McDowell, and Smith will play before him. And all 3 of those guys are really talented.

Lets hope Dillion gets healthy and creates some more competition.
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I really hate it because I'd really love to see Dillon play and thrive at Tennessee. But I think everything you wrote here is spot on.
 
#58
#58
And unfortunately for Dillon, we already have a few good TE's. That's really the only other position I could see him in.
 
#60
#60
KBVol said:
Huh?
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If Dillon were on the squad during the Dooley era, he probably could have played a less physical position than LB and been alright. But now days our roster just has too much talent for him to try another position.
 
#61
#61
99gator said:
6 or so linebackers play, especially when including special teams.

Under normal circumstances, you play one quarterback except for mop up duty.

apples to oranges.

bottom line, he's being passed on the depth chart by other players who haven't been in the program as long is he not?
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The player used as a comparison doesn't play the same position (unless you think every player listed as a LB is the same). That was the one you should have called out but that wouldn't suit your agenda
 
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#62
#62
utvolpj said:
The player used as a comparison doesn't play the same position (unless you think every player listed as a LB is the same). That was the one you should have called out but that wouldn't suit your agenda
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Who's the one with an agenda here? I don't care if he is a Sam, Will or Mike. Plenty of guys have been asked to not play their optimal position in order to get the best players on the field all the time.

How many times do you see tackles play guard or vice versa in order to get the best five offensive lineman on the field?

How many times do you see guys willing to do whatever the coach asks in order to get on the field?

if he was one of the best 4 or 5 linebackers on the team, hed have played. That's all I am saying
 
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#63
#63
99gator said:
Who's the one with an agenda here?

How many times do you see guys willing to do whatever the coach asks in order to get on the field?
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The agenda is obvious. You like to take swipes at UT and its players and this gives you the perfect opportunity to slide in and do that.
 
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#65
#65
utvolpj said:
The agenda is obvious. You like to take swipes at UT and its players and this gives you the perfect opportunity to slide in and do that.
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I don't think there is anything in my post remotely disrespectful.

From what I can gather, it's not what was written but who it was written by.
 
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#66
#66
I think Bates could still end up being pretty good.

Muschamp (as much as a clusterf*** that he was for us) wanted Bates to be a Gator. He has a good eye for defensive talent.

In fact, he kept wanting to take all of our good offensive recruits (and potential signees) and put them on defense, but that is another topic for another board.

I think people may be underestimating his torn labrum injury. It is not so much as recovering from the injury, but also the fact he is missing time in the weight room. Normally, every big time D1 collegiate athlete starts with a pretty good athletic frame to build upon and he lost that time.

In fact, it probably hindered significantly what he already had built. So he likely started at ground zero when he was medically cleared sans physical therapy training and obviously that is not going to prepare his body for a strength and conditioning program in the SEC.

Now add the fact that others are getting better over that time and those people have not graduated. Short of running HGH during his recovery, Bates has been on a long mental and physical road back to achieving his potential.

Long story short, the shoulder injury set him back quite a bit I'm guessing in terms of training, size, and physicality. Let him get 100% and I think he will be a solid player for UT.
 
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#68
#68
99gator said:
6 or so linebackers play, especially when including special teams.

Under normal circumstances, you play one quarterback except for mop up duty.

apples to oranges.

bottom line, he's being passed on the depth chart by other players who haven't been in the program as long is he not?
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Well said. That comparison made absolutely no sense. And yes, you're correct, we're more likely to see Sapp, McDowell and El. Berry this year at OLB when JRM isn't in there. I personally hope not, hope Dillon gets healthy and finds his way onto the field, but it's looking as if that's not very likely at this point.
 
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#69
#69
He has three full years left. Let's wait and see what happens but I could see him playing a lot his Jr and Sr years.
 
#70
#70
99gator said:
Who's the one with an agenda here? I don't care if he is a Sam, Will or Mike. Plenty of guys have been asked to not play their optimal position in order to get the best players on the field all the time.

How many times do you see tackles play guard or vice versa in order to get the best five offensive lineman on the field?

How many times do you see guys willing to do whatever the coach asks in order to get on the field?

if he was one of the best 4 or 5 linebackers on the team, hed have played. That's all I am saying
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I personally think there is too much expectation, due to his namesake and recruit ranking.

He was 4.5 guy when he got here. I wonder if he is that anymore.

He may need a fresh start somewhere else.

There was a kid that just got drafted in the 2nd rd of the NFL draft, who played at Samford! But before that he was Ark St!

Right now, Dillon is not progressing mentally or physically. Players get better by "playing". I think Dillon should go JUCO and then resurface in another conference... say the BIG12, where they throw a lot.

Jalen Hurd
Todd Kelly Jr
Derek Barnett
Roberson
Thomas
Wolf
Evan Berry
Rashan Gualden

are all stars or impact guys on this upcoming team. Only one of them was ranked higher than Dillon.

Legacy or not, we all deserve to carve or own paths. It just hasnt worked out for him.

He has talent, but he needs to play to develop it. He won't play here. If this were 5 years ago... different story entirely.
 
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#71
#71
TCbodybuilder
I think people may be underestimating his torn labrum injury. It is not so much as recovering from the injury, but also the fact he is missing time in the weight room. Normally, every big time D1 collegiate athlete starts with a pretty good athletic frame to build upon and he lost that time
...Long story short, the shoulder injury set him back quite a bit I'm guessing in terms of training, size, and physicality. Let him get 100% and I think he will be a solid player for UT.
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Bingo! We have a winner!
 
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#72
#72
LittleVol said:
I personally think there is too much expectation, due to his namesake and recruit ranking.

He was 4.5 guy when he got here. I wonder if he is that anymore.

He may need a fresh start somewhere else.

There was a kid that just got drafted in the 2nd rd of the NFL draft, who played at Samford! But before that he was Ark St!

Right now, Dillon is not progressing mentally or physically. Players get better by "playing". I think Dillon should go JUCO and then resurface in another conference... say the BIG12, where they throw a lot.

Jalen Hurd
Todd Kelly Jr
Derek Barnett
Roberson
Thomas
Wolf
Evan Berry
Rashan Gualden

are all stars or impact guys on this upcoming team. Only one of them was ranked higher than Dillon.

Legacy or not, we all deserve to carve or own paths. It just hasnt worked out for him.

He has talent, but he needs to play to develop it. He won't play here. If this were 5 years ago... different story entirely.
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Hello Mcfly - he is injured and was before.
 

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#73
#73
99gator said:
6 or so linebackers play, especially when including special teams.

Under normal circumstances, you play one quarterback except for mop up duty.

apples to oranges.

bottom line, he's being passed on the depth chart by other players who haven't been in the program as long is he not?
Click to expand...

Kinda like Malik Foreman huh? He was being recruited over before he even signed. Heard the term "wasted scholarship" more than a few times in reference to him. Good thing the denizens of this board didn't yank his scholarship. Patience bore out a pretty useful piece. Bet there's more than one or two like examples on the Gators roster. :thumbsup:
 
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#74
#74
LittleVol said:
I personally think there is too much expectation, due to his namesake and recruit ranking.

He was 4.5 guy when he got here. I wonder if he is that anymore.

He may need a fresh start somewhere else.

There was a kid that just got drafted in the 2nd rd of the NFL draft, who played at Samford! But before that he was Ark St!

Right now, Dillon is not progressing mentally or physically. Players get better by "playing". I think Dillon should go JUCO and then resurface in another conference... say the BIG12, where they throw a lot.

Jalen Hurd
Todd Kelly Jr
Derek Barnett
Roberson
Thomas
Wolf
Evan Berry
Rashan Gualden

are all stars or impact guys on this upcoming team. Only one of them was ranked higher than Dillon.

Legacy or not, we all deserve to carve or own paths. It just hasnt worked out for him.

He has talent, but he needs to play to develop it. He won't play here. If this were 5 years ago... different story entirely.
Click to expand...

To be fair (and I'm as excited about his potential as anyone), how much more PLAYING has Gaulden done? In fact, Dillon has actually more game reps at his position (Gaulden played ST his freshman year).
 
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#75
#75
butchna said:
To be fair (and I'm as excited about his potential as anyone), how much more PLAYING has Gaulden done? In fact, Dillon has actually more game reps at his position (Gaulden played ST his freshman year).
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I'm not sure. Marginal amount I would guess. And actually that brings up a point. Gualden hasnt played much because of injury, yet still shines in practice. We've never heard that type of talk of Dillon..

Heres what I do know. Gualden was in line to start last year before the injury.
It looks like he will be this year as well.

Dillon was not even in a discussion to start.

Jumper
Bynum
McDowell
Smith
Sapp
Are all ahead of him.

I'm not selfish like most people are on this board when concerning Dillon.

He was a highly ranked legacy that chose to follow in his dads footsteps and represent the good guys. He doesnt need to prove anything. We all know where his heart is.

Same thing for Elliot Berry if he decided to leave.

Maybe Dillon stays and as a 5th year senior finally gets in the rotation or starts.

I think he has a better opportunity somewhere else. Sometimes you just need a new situation.
 
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