I think we've found the identity Butch has been seeking....

#1
'Boro-vol

'Boro-vol

The one, the original. Accept no Substitutes.
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#1
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good....and that looks to be the situation here. The breaks have gone against us for years....phantom catches in the end zone, balls bouncing the wrong way, bad calls, etc. However, at least through two games, the breaks are going our way. I know it takes a little of that for every team to achieve their goals, but we are cashing in at an alarming rate. At some point doesn't talent have to take over?

I'll take it, but I'm ready to see more.
 
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#2
#2
We must come out with our hair on fire next week and don't stop until the clock strikes zero. It must be a total domination on both sides of the ball. Then I will feel only just slightly better about the Florida game.
 
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#4
#4
Good win. Offense has to be better.


I'm gonna need an explanation on why Jones isn't starting Jack Jones fairly soon.
 
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#5
#5
Boro, I do agree that we're starting to see our identity on defense. Here's what it's looking like, to me: we start frenetic, a bit disjointed, and then--after Shoop's brain has time to analyze the opposing offense in real time--we come on like gang-busters. We go opportunistic, forcing turnovers and mistakes. Will lead to some cardiac moments in the big games, but still might work even there.

And our offensive identity was largely established before the season even started, given the Dobbs-Hurd-Kamara three-headed beast. But we're still in flux with the OLine and with the passing game...saw flashes of a true downfield threat last night. Still anemic, doesn't feel like we can quite trust it yet, the ground game is still our best friend, but there are flashes of it emerging. So in that one piece, I don't think we yet have our identity.

The one sad part in all this is that we don't (yet) have the same special teams identity we had last year. Serviceable, but nothing explosive to date. That may have been unique to Team 119. Or maybe it will return with a BANG! during the Florida game. Only time will tell on that score.

But I agree with you, Team 120's identity is truly beginning to emerge. And luck -- or forcing luck to turn our way through opportunistic play -- does seem to be part of it.

Go Vols!
 
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#8
#8
A ridiculous amount of things went right for us. V tech was owning the T.O.P. just like app st did, had they not shot themselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers they would've taken us to the wire I suspect. Overall still a lot of question marks with the oline, passing game and now potentially at lb if Kirkland is out. Kamara needs to get more touches out there, as well. Hopefully that is addressed next week.
 
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#9
#9
VOL 4 Life 83 said:
We must come out with our hair on fire next week and don't stop until the clock strikes zero. It must be a total domination on both sides of the ball. Then I will feel only just slightly better about the Florida game.
Click to expand...

We typically underperform against lesser talented teams so I'm not expecting what you're hoping for.
 
#10
#10
We are not a good team...whether it's coaching or talent, we lack something. I really hope Butch saves some of that magic fumble dust for Florida!
 
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#11
#11
'Boro-vol said:
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good....and that looks to be the situation here. The breaks have gone against us for years....phantom catches in the end zone, balls bouncing the wrong way, bad calls, etc. However, at least through two games, the breaks are going our way. I know it takes a little of that for every team to achieve their goals, but we are cashing in at an alarming rate. At some point doesn't talent have to take over?

I'll take it, but I'm ready to see more.
Click to expand...

98 Ark vs Tenn
 
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#12
#12
Guys, my post started out a little tongue in cheek. I'm ecstatic about the win. After a large part of the last decade I never take a win for granted....especially one as high profile as this. But this win makes me uncomfortable. I came up with the Vols in the 80's with the hard nosed, blue collar Majors teams...and during Fulmer's decade of dominance. Thats not what I'm seeing with this team in so many facets. The bright spot is that, truly, our luck seems to have changed in spite of ourselves. Like I said, I'll take it and be thankful, but there is much to be concerned about, unless our luck holds out for 12 more games. This one was pivotal...we had to have this win. The score, thankfully, was lopsided...so many of the shortcomings will be masked by the drive by sports media, and we'll reap the benefits of playing on the national stage. Make no mistake though, we were lucky.
 
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#13
#13
VFL-82-JP said:
Boro, I do agree that we're starting to see our identity on defense. Here's what it's looking like, to me: we start frenetic, a bit disjointed, and then--after Shoop's brain has time to analyze the opposing offense in real time--we come on like gang-busters. We go opportunistic, forcing turnovers and mistakes. Will lead to some cardiac moments in the big games, but still might work even there.

And our offensive identity was largely established before the season even started, given the Dobbs-Hurd-Kamara three-headed beast. But we're still in flux with the OLine and with the passing game...saw flashes of a true downfield threat last night. Still anemic, doesn't feel like we can quite trust it yet, the ground game is still our best friend, but there are flashes of it emerging. So in that one piece, I don't think we yet have our identity.

The one sad part in all this is that we don't (yet) have the same special teams identity we had last year. Serviceable, but nothing explosive to date. That may have been unique to Team 119. Or maybe it will return with a BANG! during the Florida game. Only time will tell on that score.

But I agree with you, Team 120's identity is truly beginning to emerge. And luck -- or forcing luck to turn our way through opportunistic play -- does seem to be part of it.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...

I would also agree with both you and 'Boro but the identity I see emerging is one of "don't flinch." These guys on 120 while we have people on VN in near riot and melt down, abandoning their posts, and running for the hills screaming like meemies just keep grinding and finding a way to turn adversity into a win for themselves. I ain't happy with some of the things going on, especially offensively, but the best steel is forged in the hottest fires and these kids are 2-0. Who am I to say them nay??? GBO!!
 
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#14
#14
We do play up or down to our competition. Gosh I hate that. So far I haven't seen a run through. Gotta dominate from beginning to end to be champions. Everyday
 
#15
#15
Hopefully we don't take Ohio lightly after this game and having UF the following week. Their defense sucks but they can put up points. If we come out like we did against Appy St we will be in another dog fight. I'm hoping this game made the light bulb turn on in our guys head and show them they can dominate teams if they just play with passion like they did after the first quarter.
 
#16
#16
'Boro-vol said:
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good....and that looks to be the situation here. The breaks have gone against us for years....phantom catches in the end zone, balls bouncing the wrong way, bad calls, etc. However, at least through two games, the breaks are going our way. I know it takes a little of that for every team to achieve their goals, but we are cashing in at an alarming rate. At some point doesn't talent have to take over?

I'll take it, but I'm ready to see more.
Click to expand...

:good!:
 
#18
#18
With this Oline and Dobbs not reading defense, 8-4 at best too many times last night they stacked the box and Dobbs ran the play as called? He missed on read option several times. He's a great running back not a QB
 
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#19
#19
WestGaVol said:
With this Oline and Dobbs not reading defense, 8-4 at best too many times last night they stacked the box and Dobbs ran the play as called? He missed on read option several times. He's a great running back not a QB
Click to expand...
Definitely missed the read where he gave it to Hurd.. Herby even said he missed that one. He would have walked into the end zone untouched. He's still making mistakes that you would think he'd be past at this point. The read is on him. He misses it way too many times.
 
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#20
#20
VOL 4 Life 83 said:
We must come out with our hair on fire next week and don't stop until the clock strikes zero. It must be a total domination on both sides of the ball. Then I will feel only just slightly better about the Florida game.
Click to expand...

Agree, but you know they'll let them hang around for awhile.
 
#22
#22
What's encouraging is that or defense, after starting badly in both games, really came on after the first quarter and played stout as the game went along. It will be the strength of this team.

On offense, our play-calling is TERRIBLE--so freakin' predictable and repetitive--and our OL is not very good, so we rely on individuals to make plays. We will not bet bama with this offense and maybe not florida either.
 
#23
#23
Seems that Shoop is running a base defense to see what App at and VTech would do with it, then adjust and get the stops we need.

Once we get our feet under us we start going for the strip. It appears going for the strip is part of our tackling DNA.

Plan A.
 
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#24
#24
All of you complaining about Dobbs 'missing options' should realize that that play doesn't always have the option for Dobbs to keep.

It's a simple zone read dive play. It looks the same as a read option on purpose.
 
#25
#25
ButchPlz said:
All of you complaining about Dobbs 'missing options' should realize that that play doesn't always have the option for Dobbs to keep.

It's a simple zone read dive play. It looks the same as a read option on purpose.
Click to expand...

I'm honestly curious, Plz -- if it includes no keep/handoff option, why are you calling it a zone read? If there's no decision to make after the snap, there's no need to "read" the defense. That would just be wasted time and effort. Right?

Please explain.
 
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