Kirkland and Maybin

[illinoisvolfan1]

:lolabove: I laughed 'til I cried..And what's sad is it would be pronounced exactly that way.

I couldn't resist.

 

[1985Vols]

Still, the reason GA ran so well on us had a lot to do with our LBs. I think Jumper and McDowell are doing a good job, but Maybin and Kirkland would have made a huge difference.

Agree I worry the Texas A&M tight end is going to have a field day against our LB"'s

 

[1985Vols]

I give credit to Jumper for his effort but athletically we would be a completely different team with Reeves-Maybin . The fact that we are winning without him. Sutton and Kirkland is pretty amazing.

 

[wmcovol]

Auburn has a good defense and they held aTm down, but on the road. I think our defense can play with auburn level IF the secondary plays decent. Give them another TD for at home and I think the Vols CAN win this thing.

Remember Aggies jokes are not by mistake. Aggies can screw up at their biggest moment.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I am no apologist for Colton ( and do not know his father), but you cannot deny he has been playing lights out the past two games ( leading team in tackles for both outings I believe ).
Both Jumper & McDowell are playing SEC caliber ball currently, but will need to step-up big this weekend. Neither is as fast or talented as the #1's they are replacing, but it could be worse ( we are 5-0).
On a side note, we don't win if Gaulden doesn't bring his game. That guy kept us in the first half.
What really brings a smile to my face, is how our D stepped-up and basically shut down the GA run game after the half ( only allowing somewhere around 35 yards rushing in final 30 mins., unreal how we are able to just take away what teams seemingly have success with).
I am really enjoying this season so far -

The DB's and the DL are doing great. Jumper had an outstanding Florida game. He did lead the team in tackles against Georgia. But, most were from side or behind the runner. He played much better against Florida than Georgia.

Shoops adjusted it at the half. With another guy in the box, we did better against the run in the second half. But, we made a true freshman Georgia tight end look like Jason Whiten.

IMHO, of all the position groups, LB is our weakest bunch heading into the A&M game.

 

[sameolvol]

According to Butch's press conference, Maybin's out for the year and DKjr is a kinda'-sorta'-maybe...day to day at this point. Jumper's ability to set the defense and his football IQ aren't quite as excellent as DKjr's, but they's dang near close..not the athlete, but a bona fide footballer. He's more useful to our D than most realize. He and Cortez played against a very talented UF offense and an under-rated UGA offense. The dawgs block very well, for those who can actually recognize effective blocking, and Shoop had the LBs attacking much better after adjustments in both games. We don't really know how A&M would stack up against teams like UF and UGA (Arky's a different animal, as is UCLA; not very viable measuring sticks) and they had trouble moving the ball on the game chickens. Let's figure Shoop's designing our D with JRM and DKjr participating only as cheerleaders. His Vandy defenses were as stout as any in the SEC and he had far less talent than he's got now. It's UT's offense that'll need to execute from the get-go. Make A&M more one-dimensional and there'll be less pressure on our LBs due to playing more pass rush and less balancing of run/pass. This option makes Knight far more dangerous and allows him more time to run through his progressions. DeBord's been drawing up some excellent schemes on offense. They've only been flubbed up on early due to faux pas' in execution. Work those out and we won't be behind, our defense can stay fresh and the Vols will have a good shot at being 6-0 when the bammer tide rolls into Knoxville. AMIRIGHT?:yes:

 

[TVOL71]

it would definitely be nice but I don't expect either to play. I would have Kongbo lining up in front of center on field goal and extra point tries, though...just a thought.

GO VOLS!

A few weeks back I remember that Arkansas had a lineman who was 6'9" or 6'10" block a filed goal try. I would think it would be good to get a tall basketball player to walk-on to the football team for the sole purpose of trying to block field goals. Seems like that might be worthwhile.

 

[rockytopbilly]

Just talked to an old friend who was on the team recently, and, apparently, "discussing options" means that a medical redshirt is on the table. I guess they look at how many quarters you played, and as long as you played <12 quarters (<1/4 of a 12 game season), you're eligible. I was surprised to hear that. We shall see, but if he's not going to be effective this season, it may be best for everyone. Either way, I hope he gets to do what he wants. Great VFL.

 

[Catbone]

There is no way he redshirt and comes back

 

[rockytopbilly]

There is no way he redshirt and comes back

I would think that is everyone's (including my) initial reaction, as well; however, after my friend started explaining it, it makes more sense than I first thought. If he has surgery now, there is little to no chance an NFL team is going to take a chance on him, and maybe even less so if he tries to play through the injury (especially if it's at a poor level) and postpones the surgery.

I don't know what the best route is, but I hope that he gets the chance to go with whatever he wants. He's earned that. I could see it either way.

 

[ChattaTNVol]

Just talked to an old friend who was on the team recently, and, apparently, "discussing options" means that a medical redshirt is on the table. I guess they look at how many quarters you played, and as long as you played <12 quarters (<1/4 of a 12 game season), you're eligible. I was surprised to hear that. We shall see, but if he's not going to be effective this season, it may be best for everyone. Either way, I hope he gets to do what he wants. Great VFL.

This tweet from Jalen during spring practice started the handwringing.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin
&#10004; &#8206;@Finally_Maybin

It pours when it rains

2:42 PM - 22 Mar 2016 · Knoxville, TN, United States

At the time Butch said both JRM and Bates who also was having shoulder surgery should be back by June.

From Bleacher Report:

Fans refreshing message boards and Twitter didn't see any concerns alleviated when they saw a cryptic tweet from JRM himself earlier in the day.

I'm disappointed for Jalen. There was a some concern raised here in this forum and elsewhere in August when Jalen told the press that he wasn't sure if his shoulder was ready to go. Grant Ramey had this story on the interview:

KNOXVILLE — Jalen Reeves-Maybin this week offered candor when the topic of his surgically repaired left shoulder was brought up.

When the senior Tennessee linebacker and team captain was asked, did he know that it was back to 100 percent?

"I still don’t know," said Reeves-Maybin in a worrisome response the week before Tennessee opens its season at home against Appalachian State on Sept. 1.

"You can’t simulate once you get in a game and once you go. I haven’t had to hit anybody at full speed yet. It’s something I have to put my faith in. I trust our training room and our strength staff and things like that."

//

Rest assured, Reeves-Maybin said he’s ready to play. Coach Butch Jones said without hesitation on Tuesday that his linebacker is 100 percent healthy.

//

Throughout preseason camp he budgeted for how much hitting he needed to be doing. Sometimes he took the non-contact out of the green non-contact jersey.

"I’m a pretty smart practice player," he said. "I think I was able to handle it fine. Some guys, green jerseys don’t mean nothing to them. I think I was able to handle it well. I started easing my way back into hitting, and I think it worked out good for me."

"I’m not really concerned about it. But like I said, you just don’t know. I’m not going to baby it when it’s time to go. I’m just going to test it."

Vols' Jalen Reeves-Maybin on shoulder: 'Not going to baby it'

I've seen some posts here and there seemingly disappointed that Bates hasn't been all-world at LB and I've been puzzled by that as well. Maybe Dillon is battling some of the same issues that befell JRM. Whatever the situation - here's to hoping both can eventually truly get back to 100% healthy.

 

[butchna]

If you listen to the press conference. Butch said they would present some information to JRM and let him decide what he wants to do.

Ken Norton Jr played more than half an NFL Super Bowl season for the Cowboys...torn biceps and all. Played great and played more seasons. It's a risk...but not unprecedented. Not clear yet what JRM's injury is and his particular risks.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

The way to beat an offense like this, is to keep them off the field, long drives, eating up the clock places a lot of stress on a offense to perform and take risk. I think Shoop is going to play with his DL and Nickle Back to give the LBs help.

Go Vols!

 

[MOTOVOL]

Didn't Al Wilson have the same issues his senior year? He missed some games and if I recall he played in the games we just had to have him.

 

[Fullfillmer]

Anyone wonder what happened to Bates ??? He looked like he played fine to me against FL.

Not to put him down but I watched him on one play against Fla. and he was literally blocked for 12 - 15 yards down field. He never was able to shed his block - he absolutely got trucked. I don't know what he did the rest of the game but it was striking how far he was blocked downfield on that play.

 

[wmcovol]

Every injury & situation is different. I'd never question JRMs commitment. You can't play with a torn labrum. Partial tear, maybe but if it's gone, he's done.