Interesting point from Doug Mathews re: OLine

#28
#28
rocytop2624 said:
Zone blocking these guys are trying to learn pro style blocking it's harder but it will get us tough smart lineman in recruiting because they will be NFL ready . If they can pro style block they can do it all.
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What is the difference between the two styles?

Wonder why so many NFL teams zone block if it doesnt work in the pros?
 
#30
#30
BigOrangeTrain said:
Botch wanted undersized, quicker OL. That stuff works in the MAC. Not in the SEC. Mahoney had no idea what he has doing. We dont have many true SEC caliber OL.
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Correct. But if you weigh anywhere from 300 to 328 lbs apiece and can't even muster up enough nasty to find someone to hit when you aren't currently engaged, then you aren't even performing at the MAC level. We graduated a lineman last year who wouldn't block anyone who wasn't in his zone of responsibility even if they were charging within 2 feet of him and there wasn't a single other person to block. And I can't tell you the numerous times we have all seen our OLine looking woefully back over their shoulders flat-footed at Worley, Dobbs, Dormady, and Guarantano after they got mauled, and they didn't even have the decency to turn around and help them back off the turf. Until the whistle blows, they could use those massive sumo frames to block somebody just in case their QB or RB or WR manages to break free in the rare times they manage to escape without blockers. All you're saying is true, but the point being made is that even lack of skills doesn't preclude developing a nasty attitude and headhunting defenders until the play is over.
 
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#31
#31
LibertyVolance said:
Correct. But if you weigh anywhere from 300 to 328 lbs apiece and can't even muster up enough nasty to find someone to hit when you aren't currently engaged, then you aren't even performing at the MAC level. We graduated a lineman last year who wouldn't block anyone who wasn't in his zone of responsibility even if they were charging within 2 feet of him and there wasn't a single other person to block. And I can't tell you the numerous times we have all seen our OLine looking woefully back over their shoulders flat-footed at Worley, Dobbs, Dormady, and Guarantano after they got mauled, and they didn't even have the decency to turn around and help them back off the turf. Until the whistle blows, they could use those massive sumo frames to block somebody just in case their QB or RB or WR manages to break free in the rare times they manage to escape without blockers. All you're saying is true, but the point being made is that even lack of skills doesn't preclude developing a nasty attitude and headhunting defenders until the play is over.
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I agree with everything you said here. I think its the culture and attitude that Butch instilled. Maybe he didnt recruit the right type of guys. Maybe they arent getting coached the right way. I know Smith is an anomaly but he just seemed to have that nasty instinct built in. I know you don't find guys like him in every class. But it just baffles me how the OL at a place like TN has been this bad for this long.
 
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#33
#33
BigOrangeTrain said:
I agree with everything you said here. I think its the culture and attitude that Butch instilled. Maybe he didnt recruit the right type of guys. Maybe they arent getting coached the right way. I know Smith is an anomaly but he just seemed to have that nasty instinct built in. I know you don't find guys like him in every class. But it just baffles me how the OL at a place like TN has been this bad for this long.
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In a sudden flash of absolute brilliance that may very well blind you if you look too close, I think I just stumbled upon the answer Will Friend and Pruitt need to put some toughness in both lines, O and D. They need to contact some Japanese professional Sumo wrestlers and bring them in to teach these linemen how to fire off the line and get some push. Dress them in those Japanese sumo diapers and let them learn to dust talc on their hands and body, raise one big leg up pound it down and then the other, and then charge into one another in a circular ring with full force with the aim of taking them down or forcing them outside the circle. Let the pro sumo wrestlers train them in the offseason until they get the hang of it. Let them learn to grunt and cuss each other in Japanese. Develop a nasty attitude and when it's time to put on pads and cleats, it will be effortless to get some real traction and willingness to knock some people down.
 
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#34
#34
I'm just curious as to what the coaches are thinking... it's so obvious what needs to be fixed... not getting whipped at los, I can't figure it out.

But I agree, Butch didn't understand what it takes to win in the SEC, so the coaches are still trying to keep their heads above the water.
 
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#37
#37
LibertyVolance said:
In a sudden flash of absolute brilliance that may very well blind you if you look too close, I think I just stumbled upon the answer Will Friend and Pruitt need to put some toughness in both lines, O and D. They need to contact some Japanese professional Sumo wrestlers and bring them in to teach these linemen how to fire off the line and get some push. Dress them in those Japanese sumo diapers and let them learn to dust talc on their hands and body, raise one big leg up pound it down and then the other, and then charge into one another in a circular ring with full force with the aim of taking them down or forcing them outside the circle. Let the pro sumo wrestlers train them in the offseason until they get the hang of it. Let them learn to grunt and cuss each other in Japanese. Develop a nasty attitude and when it's time to put on pads and cleats, it will be effortless to get some real traction and willingness to knock some people down.
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I certainly hope they do what you are saying here. Lol
 
#38
#38
shotgun83 said:
I'm just curious as to what the coaches are thinking... it's so obvious what needs to be fixed... not getting whipped at los, I can't figure it out.

But I agree, Butch didn't understand what it takes to win in the SEC, so the coaches are still trying to keep their heads above the water.
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It has to be tough. The playcalling is so handicapped by the lack of talent. Of course, mix that together with rookie play callers and you get what we have now.
 
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#39
#39
Spook1 said:
Coach Doug Mathews really did not have anything good to say about the blocking of the offensive line. The radio guys of Tim Priest constantly mentioned that the Georgia offensive line was knocking the Vols defensive line backwards. Pure and simple, Georgia has Sam Pittman as their offensive line coach, probably the best in American. Pittman had been brought to UT by Coach Dooley and was very happy at UT. Butch Jones cut him loose...dumb move to cut loose the best offensive line coach in America. Mathews was not impressed with the play calling of the offensive coordinator either.
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CBJ didn't know shinola about line play, or much else if you want to be realistic. Used vacuum cleaner sales, maybe.
 
#42
#42
I don't understand why we are using zone blocking. Serious question, how come we are using this style vs gap?
 
#43
#43
D-rock said:
Jennings looks slow to me this year. He looks like he lost a step or is not explosive. Not sure why it seems that way to me, but it does. Still like him because he works hard and gives it his all.
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Your comment harkens back to defenses jamming us up tight making it tougher getting the ball to Jennings. Not a speed receiver, he is swarmed in tight coverage. Until we stretch the field and back the DBs up, they will continue to cover Jennings and Callaway in tight coverage. When either snags a pass, you notice they are swarmed immediately. They don't have Stallworth, Nash, or Price speed to catch it short and turn it into a big gainer. Mathews admitted we aren't going to complete half those long throws, probably less, but you have to make the throws several times a game to keep a D honest. If you remember, we had the same trouble last year. Defenses are just able to bring everybody up and cramp us within a 10 yd rectangle.
 
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#44
#44
Throwing down the field kills two birds with one stone. It slows the press coverage outside and keeps safetys from creeping up to stop the run.
 
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#45
#45
GRN1926 said:
I don't understand why we are using zone blocking. Serious question, how come we are using this style vs gap?
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I thought someone more knowledgeable might answer your question for both of our benefits. But here is what little I know of our current blocking scheme. We are now running less zone and transitioning to more power and gap blocking. Zone blocking usually utilizes lighter, more agile linemen which Butch recruited and deployed. The transition is likely causing some confusion because it's new and some of them aren't physically naturals for power/gap blocking. Can anyone offer a more educated answer? We were still using some zone blocking in Aug drills during the transition but adapting more power blocking into the scheme as fall drills progressed. That's what little I know. Are we still using any zone blocking? I don't know. I would think not and the transition is done. One blocking system is enough for these guys to keep in their heads.
 
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#46
#46
Crazy Ivan said:
I'm more concerned right now with the OL consistently blocking at the LOS than downfield.
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Considering the OL issues now after 5 games, makes me question how much worse was this group at the beginning of fall camp.
 
#47
#47
GetYouSomeofThat said:
What is the difference between the two styles?

Wonder why so many NFL teams zone block if it doesnt work in the pros?
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I'm sure it does work on some teams that have the personnel (lighter and more agile blockers), but these guys are professionals that can practice it all day long without time limits. But the teams that deploy zone blocking in the pros, draft those lighter, agile linemen to fit their scheme.
 
#48
#48
We used to find the big nasty Olineman in the late 80's and the 90's. Heck we had some come out of Tennessee that weren't even very highly rated but were tough as nails. My hometown's own Harry Galbreath was a freakin 2 star out of high school and after a red-shirt year he came out starting and started his entire career before going to the pros. We used to be better at developing and finding quality O-lineman. When Fulmer was O-line coach we rarely missed on players at that position, even the backups were good enough to plug in for a game at a spot and hardly miss a beat. I could name a ton of them, but not tonight it's too late. I think the big problem there is the lack of a permanent S@C coordinator, Jones had 4 in 5 years and let his players do it by themselves 1 year with probably our most talented team. I think that was a big part of the problem. GBO!
 
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#50
#50
Just the overall lack of physicality is concerning, but it's seems it's been that way for a while. Good to great offensive line play has been a hallmark of UT football as long as I can remember. Football,more often times than not, is won up front. The teams with the best o-lines and d-lines will be the better teams.
 
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