1974Vol
4 * 2011 QB
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2009
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I haven’t posted since the game in order to get somewhat removed emotionally from Saturday so as to try and say a few things logically. I was somewhat of a sunshine pumper based on the expectation (hope) that Tennessee could do a couple of things significantly better than they did. They don’t say the game is won in the trenches for no reason. So here are the reasons why the game got out of hand.
No consistent pressure on Grier especially after the rain delay
The Vols got some pressure on Grier early but after the rain delay our D line just couldn’t pressure him at all. When Tennessee blitzed UWV picked it up and made the Vols pay. Best example is when the Vols came on a corner blitz from the left side and left Flowers alone at safety on Sills. UWV’s RB stoned the CB blitzer and we got no pressure on Grier. I’m sure Flowers was thinking that Sills would cut off his route having seen the blitz in order to help his QB have a target so Flowers sat on the route and allowed Sills to run by him. You still have to stand in and make the throw which Grier did for the TD. On the whole our young DB’s played better than most here have given them credit for. When you are playing a QB and receivers with the talent of Grier and Company if you can’t pressure the QB at all it’s going to be a long day no matter how good the DB’s are. Before the game I thought Tennessee could at least get Grier off his spot way more often than they did and make him throw on the run, something he’s not good at. That didn’t happen and the result was 400+ yards passing.
Lack of consistent push by the OL
Based on how some not particularly explosive teams like Kansas ran the ball on UVW last year, I thought we could run the ball almost at will and run clock. That really only happened on the Vol’s first TD drive. Not putting it all on the OL, there was some lack of execution in some critical situations by JG. That 3rd down situation where we had the screen called was a TD the way it was blocked but JG overthrew the back. The 4th down on the last drive was overthrown as well. Our receiver had a step on the DB so on 4th down you have to give him a chance to make a play. Not dumping on JG but he has to make those plays if you’re going to even stay in a game like this.
I wouldn’t say our OL and DL were dominated but they were outplayed. Given that Grier is a difference maker the Vols have no offensive counter for, we had to win the game in the trenches to have a chance to win. Not to pump sunshine but had UVW had your normal run of the mill QB this game would have been closer. Some of those TD throws he made were elite NFL caliber throws.
In summary we got beat at the LOS. I’m hoping part of this especially on D was new scheme because the quality of OL DL we’re looking at in SEC play is only going to get better. Here are a couple more hopes. I’m sure hoping UVW is a quality football team that is going to give Oklahoma a run for their money in the big 12. I’m also hoping we do what good teams do which is get significantly better each game especially from game 1 to 2. We’ll see.
No consistent pressure on Grier especially after the rain delay
The Vols got some pressure on Grier early but after the rain delay our D line just couldn’t pressure him at all. When Tennessee blitzed UWV picked it up and made the Vols pay. Best example is when the Vols came on a corner blitz from the left side and left Flowers alone at safety on Sills. UWV’s RB stoned the CB blitzer and we got no pressure on Grier. I’m sure Flowers was thinking that Sills would cut off his route having seen the blitz in order to help his QB have a target so Flowers sat on the route and allowed Sills to run by him. You still have to stand in and make the throw which Grier did for the TD. On the whole our young DB’s played better than most here have given them credit for. When you are playing a QB and receivers with the talent of Grier and Company if you can’t pressure the QB at all it’s going to be a long day no matter how good the DB’s are. Before the game I thought Tennessee could at least get Grier off his spot way more often than they did and make him throw on the run, something he’s not good at. That didn’t happen and the result was 400+ yards passing.
Lack of consistent push by the OL
Based on how some not particularly explosive teams like Kansas ran the ball on UVW last year, I thought we could run the ball almost at will and run clock. That really only happened on the Vol’s first TD drive. Not putting it all on the OL, there was some lack of execution in some critical situations by JG. That 3rd down situation where we had the screen called was a TD the way it was blocked but JG overthrew the back. The 4th down on the last drive was overthrown as well. Our receiver had a step on the DB so on 4th down you have to give him a chance to make a play. Not dumping on JG but he has to make those plays if you’re going to even stay in a game like this.
I wouldn’t say our OL and DL were dominated but they were outplayed. Given that Grier is a difference maker the Vols have no offensive counter for, we had to win the game in the trenches to have a chance to win. Not to pump sunshine but had UVW had your normal run of the mill QB this game would have been closer. Some of those TD throws he made were elite NFL caliber throws.
In summary we got beat at the LOS. I’m hoping part of this especially on D was new scheme because the quality of OL DL we’re looking at in SEC play is only going to get better. Here are a couple more hopes. I’m sure hoping UVW is a quality football team that is going to give Oklahoma a run for their money in the big 12. I’m also hoping we do what good teams do which is get significantly better each game especially from game 1 to 2. We’ll see.
