How much does Shoop help our offense?

[BigOrangeVols]

Slim or none is the answer

 

[namasteVOLfans]

When Jancek was let go and when this hire was made, I kinda wondered if some of it was related to the offense. Perhaps some of the conservatism this year was driven by lack of confidence in the Defense.

Wouldnt it be the opposite? You are more liberal in your offense if you dont think your defense can hold up and you are more conservative in your offensive play calling because you think the defense can get a 3 and out and get the ball back to the offense.

 

[VolsDeep_5]

I don't think an improved defense would make our offense better per se. An improved defense would give our offense more opportunities, better field position, and provide momentum by forcing turnovers. Essentially, it would put our offense in better positions to score.

 

[triad280]

I don't think an improved defense would make our offense better per se. An improved defense would give our offense more opportunities, better field position, and provide momentum by forcing turnovers. Essentially, it would put our offense in better positions to score.

I understand what you are saying, but as far as looking skin deep(stats) it makes our offense look good if they only have to go 20 yards to score... But with a great defense, you can start taking more big play shots down the field because you aren't worried about about the other teams offense scoring... Sure you may have a few more turnovers overall, but you may have a lot more TD's. And then you can start playing a more aggressive defense when the lead gets big, which in turn creates turnovers... They can go hand in hand and affect each other.

 

[Volsick]

I just want to feel confident when the D goes on the field every time.

 

[Spicoli]

He'll point out to Jones & Debord that the middle of the field was open all season, and Wolf should've led the team in receptions. 😉

 

[butchna]

I understand what you are saying, but as far as looking skin deep(stats) it makes our offense look good if they only have to go 20 yards to score... But with a great defense, you can start taking more big play shots down the field because you aren't worried about about the other teams offense scoring... Sure you may have a few more turnovers overall, but you may have a lot more TD's. And then you can start playing a more aggressive defense when the lead gets big, which in turn creates turnovers... They can go hand in hand and affect each other.

We didn't have a championship level of defensive takeaways this season and definitely not enough befitting the athletic talent put out there. We seemed to rationalize it with injuries (Gaulden) and trash Moseley/Foreman, but that didn't explain Sutton not getting his hands on some. We simply weren't aggressive or hungry...we were safe. Our offense didn't get the gift of a short field FROM THE DEFENSE. Without the stellar return game, they would have struggled a lot more IMO.

 

[YorkVol]

Didn't help Penn State's Offence much.

 

[butchna]

That settles it...where's Hoke?

 

[triad280]

Didn't help Penn State's Offence much.

That would be Jimmy Frank's dept...

 

[triad280]

We didn't have a championship level of defensive takeaways this season and definitely not enough befitting the athletic talent put out there. We seemed to rationalize it with injuries (Gaulden) and trash Moseley/Foreman, but that didn't explain Sutton not getting his hands on some. We simply weren't aggressive or hungry...we were safe. Our offense didn't get the gift of a short field FROM THE DEFENSE. Without the stellar return game, they would have struggled a lot more IMO.

Agree... I like watching aggressive defense, especially on the front 7

 

[KBVol]

We didn't have a championship level of defensive takeaways this season and definitely not enough befitting the athletic talent put out there. We seemed to rationalize it with injuries (Gaulden) and trash Moseley/Foreman, but that didn't explain Sutton not getting his hands on some. We simply weren't aggressive or hungry...we were safe. Our offense didn't get the gift of a short field FROM THE DEFENSE. Without the stellar return game, they would have struggled a lot more IMO.

Very well said Butchy. Our lack of ability to create turnovers was probably the most disturbing shortcoming IMO. No strip sacks, no scoop-n-scores, no pick sixes....as you mention, gotta have some of those to be a championship level D.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

We didn't have a championship level of defensive takeaways this season and definitely not enough befitting the athletic talent put out there. We seemed to rationalize it with injuries (Gaulden) and trash Moseley/Foreman, but that didn't explain Sutton not getting his hands on some. We simply weren't aggressive or hungry...we were safe. Our offense didn't get the gift of a short field FROM THE DEFENSE. Without the stellar return game, they would have struggled a lot more IMO.

Penn State had 22 combined turnovers forced and the Vols had 19.

I think the Vols have more talent overall than Penn St and, I expect with his aggressive defenses, the Vols will do a much better job forcing turnovers next season.

Giving the offense a short field and more possessions will invariably help the offense.

Jones did an outstanding job in grabbing Shoop.

 

[EZE]

When Jancek was let go and when this hire was made, I kinda wondered if some of it was related to the offense. Perhaps some of the conservatism this year was driven by lack of confidence in the Defense.

The emphasis on running the football was more driven by two other things:

1. Focus on your strengths. With Dobbs, Hurd and Kamara, we have a very strong running game.

2. Minimize your weaknesses. Dobbs downfield throwing is not great so we very wisely did not revolve the offense around it.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

And how long would it take to make the offense better practicing against his defense, if that's gonna happen?

The biggest help is to get off the field with 3 and outs. We did that very well last year,but not very well on 4th downs. The real improvement i see is getting more turn overs. I expect to see big improvement there. Of course, we don't play NW evry game so I doubt we get 4 ints. every game.