How important do you think it is for a QB to "win the team over"?

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Hopefully by the time Brandon gets here, there will be some kind more clear 'structure', whether it be legislated or marketed, in place and players will understand value of certain positions over others.

That said, my opinion is that even if a guy gets a big money deal to come play he needs to build this kind of chemistry with the team.
We've seen it play out here, other places in college ball, heck even the NFL - how many times have we seen a team pay big money on a QB and the team not go anywhere.
Granted that's not all on the chemistry part of things, but team cohesiveness plays a huge part in success.

If you ever played a sport, EVERYONE understands the value of the "skilled" positions vs others. It's been like that since all these guys got to middle school.

Acting like linemen were somehow shocked that QBs were seen as more valuable for NIL deals is ridiculous. This wasn't their first day playing.

Nico might or might not have been a good locker room teammate. I don't know. I'm doubtful he was as popular as Joe or Hendon based upon what I saw in interviews with players under each QB.

I hope Joey, Merk, and G-Mac are generous and encouraging teammates to guys in the trenches or on the bench but the game is about doing your job. If we have guys under performing because they don't like their money situation vs a QB or whomever, it's not the fault of the QB or RB or WR and those who are unhappy ARE the problem.

 

[camp_steveo]

Team chemistry won't come from gaming and/or dinners, etc. It will come from battling through adversity, whether in game or even in practice, together.

Character and leadership will be revealed, or as the saying goes, "the cream will rise to the top".

They can be buddies or pals, but leaders and followers will come out in the heat of the moment.

I didn't read the article. That's just my opinion based on what I suspect the article is about.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

 

[Skooter]

Here’s an article I came across which includes some of the discussion here. I don’t know who this guy is and seems more of an opinion piece but thought I’d share. The Million-Dollar Quarterback and the $0 Lineman: How NIL Disparity Threatens Team Unity

 

[ftsandersvol]

It’s absolutely important. When you’re in a leadership position, such as QB, on a team you have to gain the respect and friendship of your teammates. You must set the tone once you set foot on the field, and you also need to show them you are a bad*ss that is not going to be intimated no matter who you’re playing.

To get the most out of your teammates, you need them to play with the intensity you exhibit. It’s also extremely important to have their respect in order to jump someone’s *ss that you feel is not playing up to their capabilities.

In order for all this to take place on the field, you have to build those relationships off the field. Once those bonds are built, they are about impossible to break.

I can’t tell you how many ex-teammates I’ve known over the years who told me to just tell them the date, time, and location I need them and they’ll be there suited up and ready to kick *ss.

 

[VolinMichigan]

I think it’s very important that the offense have trust and confidence in their qb. The QB is the leader of the offense, so he needs to LEAD. Guys aren’t going to be led by someone they perceive as not good enough to help them win or believe that he didn’t earn the job. They won’t buy in 100%. They need a guy who’s going to give all he has and leave nothing on the field and lead by example.

 

[VolinMichigan]

I think the players hated Nico.. I'd rather our players like our QB. I think this is great.

I wouldn’t go as far to say they hated him. Maybe they thought he wasn’t worth the amount of NIL money he was getting. They probably lost respect for him when he tried to get more money, but I don’t know how much of that was Nico or his dad. Him sitting out the spring game hurt his status with the rest of the team for sure.

 

[B81]

I think CJH said it best “ it is important for the team to see him win the job, and not just be given it”

 

[VFL-82-JP]

It is important for the QB to lead the team. Perhaps the only position in all of sports where a leadership role is so strongly tied to a specific position. Doesn't have to be the point guard or power forward in basketball, or the pitcher or catcher in baseball, or the goalie in soccer. Only football. The QB has to be at least one of the main leaders of any good team. It's baked in.

And for the QB to be leader of the team, first he must be of the team.

That Joey has so quickly become a full member of the team, that says a lot. That allows him to become its leader.

Looking forward to seeing what the gang can accomplish this fall. Think it's gonna be fun.

Go Vols!

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Extremely important as always

 

[WillisWG]

I remember the story of Peyton taking the field against UCLA in 94, Peyton steps in the huddle and says "I know I'm just a Freshman but follow me and we'll get a touchdown." Kevin Mays said "shut up and call the play" to which Peyton replied "yes, sir"

Lesson learned for Peyton was silent leadership until you earn some respect. Demonstrating through your actions — showing up for the team,  staying humble and constantly striving to improve — you become an effective leader.

Peyton quotes

1. Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing.

2. The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable.

3. If you work hard and you play well, all of those critics will quiet themselves pretty quickly.

4. I've never left the field saying, "I could have done more to get ready.' And that gives me peace of mind.

5. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.

6. It's not wanting to win that makes you a winner; it's refusing to fail.

7. Being there every week for my teammates is really important to me. It's about accountability.

8. Boy, do I hate to lose.

 

[adam.vol]

I saw this article on what Aguilar has been doing, so I thought I'd ask how far do you think this type of thing goes?

I noticed nothing listed had any correlation to football performance or earning respect on the field. It’s talking about entertaining everyone with his time and money.

 

[Volizona]

I remember the story of Peyton taking the field against UCLA in 94, Peyton steps in the huddle and says "I know I'm just a Freshman but follow me and we'll get a touchdown." Kevin Mays said "shut up and call the play" to which Peyton replied "yes, sir"

Lesson learned for Peyton was silent leadership until you earn some respect. Demonstrating through your actions — showing up for the team,  staying humble and constantly striving to improve — you become an effective leader.

Peyton quotes

1. Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing.

2. The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable.

3. If you work hard and you play well, all of those critics will quiet themselves pretty quickly.

4. I've never left the field saying, "I could have done more to get ready.' And that gives me peace of mind.

5. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.

6. It's not wanting to win that makes you a winner; it's refusing to fail.

7. Being there every week for my teammates is really important to me. It's about accountability.

8. Boy, do I hate to lose.

I remember but I think it was Jason Layman and the actual conversation was a little more colorful

 

[WillisWG]

I remember but I think it was Jason Layman and the actual conversation was a little more colorful

Could've been Layman and yes it was more colorful

 

[rocketskates]

I think the players hated Nico.. I'd rather our players like our QB. I think this is great.

And even if they didn't hate Nico, constantly hearing from his dad about how he needed to be surrounded by "more talent" and basically calling the current players not good enough isn't very well received (especially when there more than a few times that the receivers had the DBs beaten and Nico would overthrow them). I think it's great that Joey is doing everything right so far. I hope that it translates on the field; not only do we benefit from it as a fanbase it's a heck of a redemption story. It would also be pretty sweet if we told Nico to kick rocks and end up getting the better part of the deal.

 

[WillisWG]

UniTed

Tennessee Football Quarterbacks, Offensive Linemen Meet for Pre-Camp Dinner | Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee football quarterbacks Joey Aguilar, Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre went out to dinner with their offensive line.

www.rockytopinsider.com

With fall camp just a week from getting underway, Tennessee football’s trio of scholarship quarterbacks and members of its offensive line got together for a dinner on Wednesday evening.

The Knoxville Mexican restaurant ‘Celestina’ hosted the team and posted pictures with the attending members on its Instagram.

 

[Other_Guy]

I think there's something to it. Build camaraderie with the guys, especially the ones protecting you.

Some may wonder if it's performative but he has a much smaller window to get to know/bond with a bunch of teammates.

 

[sjt18]

That's a good question. There has to be respect. It is better if they have "love" too but the necessary thing is respect.

Years ago Heath Shuler got his dream NFL team. He had been a Redskins fan since he was a toddler. His agent held him out trying to get a better contract. When he arrived, he had a cookout and tried to mend bridges with his teammates. But then, he didn't practice up to the level of his draft pick or contract. He was slow to get up to NFL speed and complexity. A 7th round pick was practicing better. Desmond Howard, who I still can't stand, publicly called Heath the worst QB he'd ever played with.

There was no respect. Most people couldn't help but like Heath but lack of respect knee capped him.

I think there was some of the same with Nico. If you are going to get $2 million/yr... and be quiet if not stand offish... and get unearned media love... you'd better play like an all conference guy and make those around you better. Nico never did.

 

[EZE]

It’s more important that you win them over with your performance on the field. Players need to believe their QB can get it done when it matters.

We did not have that last year.

 

[Remy]

It’s more important that you win them over with your performance on the field. Players need to believe their QB can get it done when it matters.

We did not have that last year.

THIS! We've seen rah rah pounding the chest guys successful at QB, like Tebow. Then we've seen guys that are quiet and just do things the right way and get things done and teammates would walk through fire for them, guys like Casey Clausen. Guys at QB have to be trusted to lay it all on the line to get it done and actually play that way.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

It is important, but you could “win the team over” while being unable to play dead.

If a QB doesn't win th e the team over, it is unlikely he will succeed in the really tough games. However, he must be able to play the game better than either Nico or Joe if the team is to win 10-12 games.

 

[barney]

I saw this article on what Aguilar has been doing, so I thought I'd ask how far do you think this type of thing goes?

This talk around the qb position has always been a little weird to me. Of course you need to be a strong and vocal leader but that doesn’t always mean being the most popular guy in the room. And I don’t think it makes a difference on gamedays.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

This talk around the qb position has always been a little weird to me. Of course you need to be a strong and vocal leader but that doesn’t always mean being the most popular guy in the room. And I don’t think it makes a difference on gamedays.

That's when leadership is at its MOST important.

But at that point, it has to be instinctual, ingrained. You can work at leadership during the week; in the heat of battle, or in this case on Saturday, it just has to be there.

 

[bpalmer28]

IMO there’s a good chance a team rallies around an underdog leader who didn’t sign for 8M. There was little chance of no jealousy within our program or any others if an 18 yr old comes in and gets paid like Nico did. You have upperclassmen who’ve put in the sweat and blood who make a fraction of that. It’s impossible for jealousy about $ among 100 18-23 yr males not to exist with the landmark deal he got. Then the clothing line etc.

I kinda agree but it’s doable. Cam Ward, DJ Lagway and Arch Manning are big money guys who seem like inspirational players

 

[vavolfan6]

I think it demonstrates confidence and leadership. Aguilar expects to be the starter and is showing that through his actions.

I also think it is even moreso important considering the circumstances. Nico lacked vocal leadership in and outside of the locker room. Aguilar is helping unite the team and inspire them even as the media doubts the team this season. He is making himself the type of leader you want to go to war for and fight beside. Someone the players can be proud to play with. So I think his actions carry some extra positive meaning because of how things have played out.