Daniel Bituli better be starting at MLB

[illvol]

Dobbs was NFL ready in HS. They didn't develop him. Same goes for the other 5. Raw talent that needed no development.

Confused. Was this supposed to be blue font?

 

[BJWeeks]

Jumper actually had a great season last year

finishing fourth on the team with 61 tackles (37 solo) with 4.0 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, four passes defended, and one QB hurry

 

[KBVol]

CB is the most difficult position.

No, it's not. Mike lb is making the defensive calls, is getting the front 7 lined up...CB does none of that. MLB is both shedding blocks and filling gaps, as well as running sideline to sideline making tackles...he's the heart soul of a 4 man front defense which is what we run. Corner is responsible for covering one guy in man coverage and one area in zone, and supporting the run half the time, on one side of the field....has much fewer responsibilities....not saying it's easy, gotta be a great athlete and competitor. But playing MLB is more difficult and more important with much greater responsibilities.

 

[KBVol]

Jumper actually had a great season last year

finishing fourth on the team with 61 tackles (37 solo) with 4.0 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, four passes defended, and one QB hurry

"Great" season? No. Nobody had a great season on our defense last year....we were the #95th ranked defense in the country. Colton had his good moments and bad moments...nothing "great" about what he or anybody else did last season.

 

[LittleVol]

Lol, he wasn't NFL ready after 4 years at UT, but our offensive playstyle got him drafted.

What??

Dobbs basically spearheaded the program's turnaround starting the South Carolina game his sophomore year.

You get on D4H about not giving the coaches their due for Dobbs and his development. That's fair

But then YOU turnaround and give all the credit to his surrounding players?

Dobbs was probably the 2nd best QB that's ever played at UT.

But keep trashing him...

 

[buckfama]

The same coaching staff that has perpetually underachieved and thought it would fine to do without a strength and conditioning coach last year. That's who you want to trust?

Sorry but Butch Jones is the last coach whose decision-making I would trust. He has continually shown us that he is not to be trusted to make the right decision.

Once again .. it wasn't his decision not to hire one, it was he administration. How many times we gotta tell you morons?

But don't let it change your narrative.. you keep doing you.

 

[BearCat204]

What??

Dobbs basically spearheaded the program's turnaround starting the South Carolina game his sophomore year.

You get on D4H about not giving the coaches their due for Dobbs and his development. That's fair

But then YOU turnaround and give all the credit to his surrounding players?

Dobbs was probably the 2nd best QB that's ever played at UT.

But keep trashing him...

You completely missed the point. Dobbs was good as what Dobbs does, as a college quarterback he was really good and our offensive gameplan played perfectly into what he does well. He wasn't NFL ready coming our of HS (ridiculous) and still isn't NFL ready. 100% disagree with being the 2nd best QB ever to play at UT.....and when did I say a word about surrounding players?

 

[jakez4ut]

Jumper actually had a great season last year

finishing fourth on the team with 61 tackles (37 solo) with 4.0 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, four passes defended, and one QB hurry

i wouldn't call it great, but he did fare better than many on here thought he would.

and while i don't like the vitreal for Jumper as the discussions have been going....the reality is that Jumper is a great guy to have on the roster from a depth standpoint.

i have no problem in saying that.

it's when he HAS to be the starter....it's just frustrating to know that you don't have better options to do that. and that's not Jumper's fault.

LB is one of the few positions we haven't done enough with developmentally or just flat evaluating/recruiting wise. we have had 1 guy each of the last 3 years that everyone would tell you is a "dude"...AJ, JRM, and DK. past that, we've not been very good overall at LB...we've had a bust or two, injuries and just not enough quality depth.

we have talented freshmen that have gotten a lot of praise thru fall camp. but that's wholly different than being a significant contributor come game time. freshmen are what they are....and as has been the case...we need them to grow up fairly quick.

but whatever happens going forward, it's not jumper's fault, and i expect him to play well, and play hard. and he'll be as good as he can possibly be. it's all anyone could/would/should ask.

but he's not a difference maker....that's not untrue, or bashing the kid. i think fans should be proud of him for what he's been able to do. that doesn't mean you place unfair expectations on him.

but like with all things surrounding 121, both before and after this injury, we'll find out one way or the other in a week.

 

[RollerVol]

Dillon Bates was a highly recruited 4*. Yet he has failed to live up to the hype. Also, I dont think Thig is that good of a LB coach to be honest.

well, Dillon has had his share of injuries...seemed just when he was ready...another injury...sure hope he is ready to go, and of course DB who has lot's of upside (just needs more time under live fire)...guess we'll see against the bumble bees...

GO VOLS!

 

[ProudVOLfan]

"Great" season? No. Nobody had a great season on our defense last year....we were the #95th ranked defense in the country. Colton had his good moments and bad moments...nothing "great" about what he or anybody else did last season.

Derek Barnett ring any bells?Just because the unit as a whole didn't perform well doesn't mean an individual didn't have a good year. I also thought Jumper did well enough to not get this kind of criticism but it is Volnation

 

[VolInDayton]

Hopefully Tennessee has a good year this year. Even though I think Dobbs 4 Hiesman is really bad at internet message boards, it would be a shame if he had a stroke.

 

[UT-Rex]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Techfan1 View Post
Has he proven to be as good as Jarrad Davis?

That's who the coaches compared him to last year as a freshmen. Freakish athlete at 6'3" 235 lbs. He's a had year in the system.

No excuse for him to not be out there opening night if DKjr is hurt.

Per 247, DB has already ""admitted the mental side of the game “kept me off the field a lot” last year.""

He also said "Whatever the team wants, I’m going to do.”"

Also,

""Asked whether Tennessee is planning to try playing him alongside Kirkland, Bituli said, “Not that I know of right now. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it later.”

“But I’m just trying to help out my team right now,” Bituli added, “and just trying to stay focused and not listen to outside noise(emphasis by UT-R)”"

As of 7/28, I think he was injured a bit. He'll probably play, or start, when ready. For GT??

I wonder where the "outside noise" is coming from.






http://tennessee.247sports.com/Article/Game-slowing-down-becoming-more-fun-for-Tennessee-Vols-LB-Daniel-52219292

 

[UT-Rex]

Don't know Bituli's 40 time. But on the field he has similar explosiveness. The coaches compared him to Jarrad Davis specifically because of how explosive he was at 6'3" 235 lbs.

The same coach who compared Kirkland to Davis, also said this, about Kirkland AND Jumper:

""Thigpen also suggested that once Kirkland is ready to start, Tennessee will experiment playing both Kirkland and Jumper together — utilizing two vocal middle linebackers on the field at the same time in its 4-2-5 nickel package.

“They’re two really smart players. … Both of those guys have proven they can operate on a high level of intellect on the football field,” Thigpen said.

“Both of them can play in space and both have a lot of really good fundamentals. The fact that both of of them have a chance to be healthy in the future gives us a chance in the upcoming games.”"

Have you confirmed whether or not Thigpen, now, will or will not play both Jumper and DB??




https://www.seccountry.com/tennessee/tommy-thigpen-daniel-bituli-to-see-20-25-snaps-at-south-carolina-compares-freshman-to-all-sec-linebacker-jarrad-davis

 

[KBVol]

Nothing to do with race, everything to do with he's not a SEC caliber football player.

Agree. He can play in the SEC, limited snaps if he has the right personnel around him to help. But he simply can't be counted on as the high end, stud MLB you need to win at a high SEC level and compete for championships with. God bless him though, I appreciate everything he gives to the program and wish him success.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Lol, he wasn't NFL ready after 4 years at UT, but our offensive playstyle got him drafted.

Sure he wasn't. I'm not sure if his only 2 flaws ever improved.

1) He has all the throws, but to hit a crossing player instride, you know that perfect pitch and catch, like they had done it 1000 times over the summer, Bray to Hunter all day long, well that was a weakness. Too many passes not perfect. Perfect is a high bar but come on, many can do it.

2) He was loose with the ball. How many game ending turnovers did he have? Too many. How many times did he fumble? Counting the multitude that we got back. How many times did he throw a pick? Don't count the ones that were perfect throws that bounces off hands and helmets. Or the ones where the reciever ran the wrong route. Or the ones where the line man allows his guy to time a jump and deflect the ball.

If Tomlin can fix that, the Steelers will win many more Super Bowls. If he can. We just get to Mars sooner.

I'd rather go to Mars than anything an NFL.

Give Dobbs 15 years and people will be on Mars.

Dobbs is great at every other aspect of his game.

It's unacceptable to make the right read then misfire.

 

[KBVol]

Derek Barnett ring any bells?Just because the unit as a whole didn't perform well doesn't mean an individual didn't have a good year. I also thought Jumper did well enough to not get this kind of criticism but it is Volnation

I don't think Derek had a great season last year. He got to the qb a lot, played as hard as he always has, he was a stud. But last year wasn't his best year imo. Way too many times he didn't set the edge and play the run well....he's certainly been better his first two seasons. Derek was certainly our best defensive player last season on an awful unit, but many pointed out that his overall game seemed to suffer a bit in his pursuit of the sacks record.

Again, don't misunderstand. Derek Barnett was very good and by far our best defensive player last year ....just didn't have a "great" year imho.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Confused. Was this supposed to be blue font?

Blue font?

 

[KBVol]

Confused. Was this supposed to be blue font?

If it wasn't supposed to be blue font, that one post sets his credibility back about 3 years. The horror stories of Dobbs throwing the football in practice as a freshman from guys like Ainge, Hubbs and Swain are epic. He wasn't ready...there's a reason why he was 4th string.

 

[sjt18]

MLB is the most difficult mental position on D probably followed by safety. CB is a physically difficult position to play but not as much mental.

 

[Volz4lif3]

If Colton Jumper was black and his name was Jamal Jumper but all other measurements and stats were the same, this wouldn't even be a thread.

and you went there with it...

 

[MoreheadVol]

Didn't read everything but I hope Shannon Reid get his shot.. dude is a stud. Sucks for Kirkland but not the end of the world for the defense. Need help from the nickel/SS guys especially against tech. Just hope butch loads the box lol

 

[Iam4utalways]

What??

Dobbs basically spearheaded the program's turnaround starting the South Carolina game his sophomore year.

You get on D4H about not giving the coaches their due for Dobbs and his development. That's fair

But then YOU turnaround and give all the credit to his surrounding players?

Dobbs was probably the 2nd best QB that's ever played at UT.

But keep trashing him...

I know right. Bunch of negavols.

Tomorrow starts Game 1, Game Week!

Fans bashing players.

Come on! I expect better that this.

 

[volfannbama]

CB is the most difficult position.

Im gonna go out on a limb and post some clickbait in the intrnet and say that QB is the most difficult position.

 

[sjt18]

What??

Dobbs basically spearheaded the program's turnaround starting the South Carolina game his sophomore year.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with whether he has the ability to become a great NFL player.

You get on D4H about not giving the coaches their due for Dobbs and his development. That's fair

But then YOU turnaround and give all the credit to his surrounding players?

Dobbs was probably the 2nd best QB that's ever played at UT.

But keep trashing him...

Dobbs was not the 2nd best QB to ever play at UT. He had talents that Jones' system was able to magnify. If you are old enough, imagine Heath Shuler running the same O... and Heath was a very good passer too. Same goes for Tee Martin. Tyler Bray was a head case but he made throws that no UT QB I've seen could make.

No one is "trashing" Dobbs for pointing out the facts of his weaknesses. He was a great player. But he did have weaknesses and some of them are yet to be resolved.... especially throwing the ball.

Dobbs was a great QB for UT. He was an even better person and representative for the program. He was perfect for his time and he did a lot to move UT forward. That does not mean he's without flaws.

 

[Souprmann]

What??

Dobbs basically spearheaded the program's turnaround starting the South Carolina game his sophomore year.

You get on D4H about not giving the coaches their due for Dobbs and his development. That's fair

But then YOU turnaround and give all the credit to his surrounding players?

Dobbs was probably the 2nd best QB that's ever played at UT.

But keep trashing him...

You are unbelievable, Dobbs can hardly throw and can't make reads. The ones straight goosed him in his debut, easiest picks those guys will ever get. The he threw a touchdown against backups with an underthrown ball. Our (stupid) system and his athletic ability made him successful. So many broken plays and scamble opportunities cuz he didn't make reads and find open man. Don't say I'm hating on him either, just logic.