Jeremy Banks named to Butkus Award watchlist

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
I'm apparently still in offseason form, as I almost referred to him as "James" in the title.




Banks is coming off a breakout 2021 season in which he led the team and ranked second in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation in total tackles with 128 (59 solo, 69 assisted). He averaged 9.85 tackles per game, good for 12th in the nation, and his 128 total tackles were the most by a Vol in a season since A.J. Johnson logged 138 in 2012. Banks produced six double-digit tackle performances, including six out of his last seven contests on the year.

The Cordova, Tennessee, native capped the 2021 season by tying the UT bowl record for tackles with 20 in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Purdue, becoming the first Vol with 20 tackles in a game since Daniel Bituli vs. Georgia Tech on Sept. 4, 2017. Banks also spent plenty of time in opponent’s backfields, finishing the season tied for first on the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He added one interception, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries to his stat line, as well.
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Banks on Butkus Award Preseason Watch List - FreakNotes
 
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#2
#2
A lot of folks bash on Banks for his penalties and personal fouls, but I like to use the analogy comparison of a QB evaluation.
You would love to have a QB that is landing 10 TDs for every 1 Interception.
Same for a LB like Banks...I'll take 10 sacks at negative 5 or 6 yds each for every personal foul.
 
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#3
#3
IndianaVol said:
A lot of folks bash on Banks for his penalties and personal fouls, but I like to use the analogy comparison of a QB evaluation.
You would love to have a QB that is landing 10 TDs for every 1 Interception.
Same for a LB like Banks...I'll take 10 sacks at negative 5 or 6 yds each for every personal foul.
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Banks' ratio is closer to 1:1 than 1:10. :)
 
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#5
#5
IndianaVol said:
A lot of folks bash on Banks for his penalties and personal fouls, but I like to use the analogy comparison of a QB evaluation.
You would love to have a QB that is landing 10 TDs for every 1 Interception.
Same for a LB like Banks...I'll take 10 sacks at negative 5 or 6 yds each for every personal foul.
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He really cleaned up the penalties in the second half of last year while still playing with high energy. I think he has a good year, especially if we have good play at the other LB spot.
 
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#7
#7
IndianaVol said:
A lot of folks bash on Banks for his penalties and personal fouls, but I like to use the analogy comparison of a QB evaluation.You would love to have a QB that is landing 10 TDs for every 1 Interception.
Same for a LB like Banks...I'll take 10 sacks at negative 5 or 6 yds each for every personal foul.
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It's ironic, if you know who Dick Butkus is and what he is known for. Banks fits the profile perfectly. It was once stated during Butkus' playing days that he alone accounted for the majority of the penalties on the Bears defense. So Banks, Butkus the heck out of the opposition. They shouldn't be on the field anyway.

It is possible that Dick Butkus was the meanest, nastiest, fiercest linebacker to ever put on a helmet. More than a quarter of a century after his retirement, there remains the Butkus image: the middle linebacker wrapping up a running back and viciously slamming him to the ground like an unwanted toy. There is also the famous photograph of No. 51 with his lips curled in contempt taken during a game in 1968. Source: ESPN.com: Butkus was one mean Bear
 
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#12
#12
Doberman said:
Banks' ratio is closer to 1:1 than 1:10. :)
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Banks runs a little hot. I get that that is what gets his motor going, but he has to minimize the PFs. Every team knows to talk smack to him to get him fired up and get under his skin. He has to be a team leader and not commit dumb penalties.
 
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#13
#13
Doberman said:
Banks' ratio is closer to 1:1 than 1:10. :)
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I get that - but I'll take it if it sends the message to the opposition that "I'm the baddest dude out here, come at me, I dare you!"

I do agree and would cede the point if Banks can harness his aggression with restraint we could be on the verge of seeing another Al Wilson like LB (not at all comparing or saying Banks is Al, but he could be in the same discussion if he keeps progressing this year).
 
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#19
#19
Sara Clark said:
He improved tremendously in regards to penalties. In the past, I've not been a big fan (penalties, off-field anticks). Last year changed it for me when my husband challenged me on several plays to watch him, only him. Dude is a beast.....
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He definitely was a net positive contributor last year
 
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#20
#20
TNbuc2 said:
You obviously SUCK at math. Don't remember as many as the year went on. Hopefully you can take a class or 2 in math and improve like he did in the penalty department last year.
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I'll meet you after the bell rings --- when you leave your reading and comprehension class.
 
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#22
#22
Sara Clark said:
He improved tremendously in regards to penalties. In the past, I've not been a big fan (penalties, off-field anticks). Last year changed it for me when my husband challenged me on several plays to watch him, only him. Dude is a beast.....
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Yes. The penalties have improved with his experience. If he can get into pass coverage and handle the middle, things will be just fine with JB.
 
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#24
#24
Deservedly so. He'll learn to master that line between being aggressive, and overly so to His team's detrement. I'm proud of the progress He's made on, and apparently off the field. GB🍊
 
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#25
#25
RDU VOL#14 said:
Banks runs a little hot. I get that that is what gets his motor going, but he has to minimize the PFs. Every team knows to talk smack to him to get him fired up and get under his skin. He has to be a team leader and not commit dumb penalties.
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Naw, let him break a few collar and tibilar bones, and the smack talk stops.
 
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