If Maggit returns, JRM stays, North gets healthy, etc. Do you expect a playoff run

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

It may seem crazy, but let's map this out:

Cam isn't staying, that's pretty obvious. Which essentially leaves us weak in the secondary all-around with the exception of TKJr. Other than the secondary, that leaves us with legit NFL talent at every position (maybe not at placekicker, but we'll see). We have both depth and talent on the lines, stud punter, stud kick returner, kicker who is decent enough, absurdly talented LB Corp, the best running duo (or you could even say trio) in the league, WR threats all over the field, the most underrated TE in the SEC, and a QB that can single-handedly shred your entire defense to pieces.

This is a Bama-esque roster with the recruiting rankings to back that statement up. Personally, I think with this roster we only don't make the playoffs because of coaching.

 

[GBO97]

It's certainly possible; but it's not part of my expectations for next year. There are enough good teams in the SEC and college football that it will be a struggle. And in all honesty, we would need the balls that haven't bounced our way in recent years to start bouncing our way. My expectation is 10 regular season wins, and the death of at least one of the streaks to our major rivals.

 

[bcmbvol]

Regardless of whether or not those guys come back(especially Maggit), my expectation is to be in the conversation after the Florida game. I think the season sets up more favorably than it has in some time. With that said, I won't set my EXPECTATIONS at playoff or bust. That just isn't reasonable.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Regardless of whether or not those guys come back(especially Maggit), my expectation is to be in the conversation after the Florida game. I think the season sets up more favorably than it has in some time. With that said, I won't set my EXPECTATIONS at playoff or bust. That just isn't reasonable.

Why isn't it reasonable though? Not being argumentative, I'm just curious.

 

[madbamahater]

Maggitt is done. I wish him all the best! JRM isn't leaving (shouldn't at least). Don't think North's contribution will be the difference in a playoff run or not, at least let's hope not.

 

[livefaith]

Regardless of whether or not those guys come back(especially Maggit), my expectation is to be in the conversation after the Florida game. I think the season sets up more favorably than it has in some time. With that said, I won't set my EXPECTATIONS at playoff or bust. That just isn't reasonable.

Thanks for the well balanced post. It probably will fly right over the heads of many boarding the hype train though.

 

[triad280]

I expect to be in the conversation regardless of those players. As long as the injury bug doesn't hit us like it did this year

 

[jkleno]

People need to move on past Maggit. There is close to zero chance he gets a 6th year. These threads are reminding me of the "will AJ play in the bowl game" from years ago. Let's move forward please.

 

[livefaith]

Why isn't it reasonable though? Not being argumentative, I'm just curious.

It's not unreasonable to forsee a possible playoff run. Not at all. What is unreasonable is the manner in which you speak of that run.

Your logic looks at a very good roster. It is. But then you make the leap in a "this translates to a playoff run". This is college footba ll. A million miles separate " potential" and "reality". In other words the "ball can bounce" a lot of different ways. So EXPECTING a playoff run but not factoring on all the possibilities that can derail said run is not reasonable.

At the end you say ... "Personally, I think with this roster we only don't make the playoffs because of coaching." ... That is waaaaay to narrow a view on all the possible reasons we don't make it. More than roster quality and coaching quality factor in to such a run.

That's just my $.02.

 

[dbrum5]

I feel that it is very reasonable! We could have very easily been in the playoffs this year if a few things had gone differently. Next year we will be deeper, more experienced and hopefully more hungry!

 

[utvolpj]

A playoff run would require an SEC title and beating bama at least once if not twice. That will be tough without real improvement in things like our passing game

There's quite a difference between possible and expected. They get confused here all the time

 

[1725gatorhater]

We 1st need our coach not to fall apart when we are leading against any big game that we play in.

 

[Stoked]

A playoff run would require an SEC title and beating bama at least once if not twice. That will be tough without real improvement in things like our passing game

There's quite a difference between possible and expected. They get confused here all the time

What if we lose to them in Neyland and beat them in Atlanta? I think most would take that 1-1 record.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

I feel that it is very reasonable! We could have very easily been in the playoffs this year if a few things had gone differently. Next year we will be deeper, more experienced and hopefully more hungry!

Yeah. Like beating Bama not once, but twice.

 

[Voljlt]

It's not unreasonable to forsee a possible playoff run. Not at all. What is unreasonable is the manner in which you speak of that run.

Your logic looks at a very good roster. It is. But then you make the leap in a "this translates to a playoff run". This is college footba ll. A million miles separate " potential" and "reality". In other words the "ball can bounce" a lot of different ways. So EXPECTING a playoff run but not factoring on all the possibilities that can derail said run is not reasonable.

At the end you say ... "Personally, I think with this roster we only don't make the playoffs because of coaching." ... That is waaaaay to narrow a view on all the possible reasons we don't make it. More than roster quality and coaching quality factor in to such a run.

That's just my $.02.

Season ending injuries in spring or fall camp can be a major contributor as well on whether this team lives up to potential. Rashaan Gaulden is a good example of that. How might the games against Oklahoma and Florida have been different had we had him back there in the secondary. Not saying it is a total game changer but it contributed to a serious lack of depth when it came to those games and it also impacted experience levels that were actually on the field.

 

[sonofUT62]

A playoff run would require an SEC title and beating bama at least once if not twice. That will be tough without real improvement in things like our passing game

There's quite a difference between possible and expected. They get confused here all the time

We lost by five and left 6 very reasonable points on the field in the kicking game. Hard to blame the Bama loss on the passing game.

 

[utvolpj]

We lost by five and left 6 very reasonable points on the field in the kicking game. Hard to blame the Bama loss on the passing game.

I included other games in that if you'll read it again. Our passing game against bama tried to hand them 2-3 interceptions they just couldn't hold.

Hitting those 2 fg's does not mean we would have won by 1 point. That's not how it works

 

[sonofUT62]

I included other games in that if you'll read it again. Our passing game against bama tried to hand them 2-3 interceptions they just couldn't hold.

Hitting those 2 fg's does not mean we would have won by 1 point. That's not how it works

I'm aware thats not how it works. My point is that we could have beaten ANYONE on our schedule with the passing game just the way it is. Obviously it needs to improve and I think it will, but a better kicking game and improved D could have made the difference in 2-3 more wins for us. Like when the D didn't make a play on the final drive and Bama receivers made two of them.

 

[hndog609]

A playoff run would require an SEC title and beating bama at least once if not twice. That will be tough without real improvement in things like our passing game

There's quite a difference between possible and expected. They get confused here all the time

This. Sometimes I wonder if fan(atic) is just the term used for people that transmogrify the former into the latter.

Now having said that I think it's pretty cool that, if things go our way a bit, it isn't just an insane idea that we could actually be in the playoff conversation given our roster. (if healthy)

 

[Remy]

It may seem crazy, but let's map this out:

Cam isn't staying, that's pretty obvious. Which essentially leaves us weak in the secondary all-around with the exception of TKJr. Other than the secondary, that leaves us with legit NFL talent at every position (maybe not at placekicker, but we'll see). We have both depth and talent on the lines, stud punter, stud kick returner, kicker who is decent enough, absurdly talented LB Corp, the best running duo (or you could even say trio) in the league, WR threats all over the field, the most underrated TE in the SEC, and a QB that can single-handedly shred your entire defense to pieces.

This is a Bama-esque roster with the recruiting rankings to back that statement up. Personally, I think with this roster we only don't make the playoffs because of coaching.

Cam will be on the field for team 120. To think otherwise borders on nonsense. This year he is not a first rounder, perhaps not a 2nd rounder, he will be back. lol, and then coup de grace stabbing the current staff in the back.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

It may seem crazy, but let's map this out:

Cam isn't staying, that's pretty obvious. Which essentially leaves us weak in the secondary all-around with the exception of TKJr. Other than the secondary, that leaves us with legit NFL talent at every position (maybe not at placekicker, but we'll see). We have both depth and talent on the lines, stud punter, stud kick returner, kicker who is decent enough, absurdly talented LB Corp, the best running duo (or you could even say trio) in the league, WR threats all over the field, the most underrated TE in the SEC, and a QB that can single-handedly shred your entire defense to pieces.

This is a Bama-esque roster with the recruiting rankings to back that statement up. Personally, I think with this roster we only don't make the playoffs because of coaching.

I don't know that the playoffs are likely since that means possibly going through Bama twice or whichever team beats Bama for the West.

There is no reason that I can see to expect less than an SEC East division though.

SC, Missouri, and GA are all in a transition phase and, if Jones chokes away another game to Florida, he can expect some serious heat. Especially with them being unsettled at QB with Grier's suspension.

 

[landscapingvol]

It is not a foregone conclusion that Sutton is gone. He is a slightly better version of Devin Hester in terms of his defense and Hester was a late second round pick. If a team is going to use a first round pick on a cb, it is going to be on a lock down cb because they get guaranteed money. A team is not going to use a first round pick on a special teams player imho.

 

[sonofUT62]

Cam will be on the field for team 120. To think otherwise borders on nonsense. This year he is not a first rounder, perhaps not a 2nd rounder, he will be back. lol, and then coup de grace stabbing the current staff in the back.

WTH??:crazy:

 

[sport3500]

Croom and North will bring more depth to the wide receivers next season.

 

[Foster's Tacos]

I hope JRM stays, but I really think he is going to leave