Let’s get some things straight.

#27
#27
The coaches will earn their money in this current college football landscape. If you don't have a top QB all your receivers will hit the portal. If you don't have a strong Oline the QB's and running backs will fly. If the Dline can't rush the passer all the DB's will exit. Others will be purchased thru back channels. It's like those guys on Ed Sullivan who would spin the plates on sticks and keep them all going. To compete they must do the same and on and on it goes. What a mess.
 
#28
#28
Your Golesh crush and Halzle hatred is becoming absurd and not healthy. I’m f you have issues with Tennessee’s offense, then your issue is with Heupel, because he is involved extensively in all things on the offensive side.
Agree. This is Heupel's offense and it hasn't changed since he's been here. It's only changed because of the player talent he had to work with.

I say that not knowing a lot about it but after reading "The Perfect Pass", a book I've referenced before, I know more about it than I did a few months ago. That book is not only a fun and easy read about the evolution of the passing game starting with Tiger Ellison's "Lonesome Polecat" offense and continuing until a few years ago, it's primarily a history book about Hal Mumme. But Mike Leach is also mentioned a lot. Others like Mouse Davis and even Heupel are referenced.

Some may not know that Heupel was recruited to Oklahoma by Mike Leach who was the OU QB coach at the time. He wasn't so much impressed with Heupel's physical ability as he was with his brain. And he influenced Heupel's present offense.

As I said, it's mainly a history book but easy, humorous reading. However there is technical information and diagrams about about formations, receiver routes, QBs decision making etc.

The thing that impressed me the most was how important it is for the receivers and QB to be on the same page, how quickly the QB and receivers have to react and how the exact same play can look so many different ways depending on how the defense reacts after the ball is snapped.
 
#29
#29
Look, Papa Nic is going to make every excuse in the book for why Nico isn’t at UT anymore. Everyone on the college football planet knows exactly why Nico isn’t here anymore. The media, the other HCs and ADs around the country, the agents and fans everywhere all know. We stood our ground and big Nic didn’t read the tea leaves and had no idea how little leverage he had. He must have seen his son have a record breaking fantastic season while the rest of the realistic college football world saw a 5* have a very average year and end up a middle of the pack SEC QB. That doesn’t exactly put you in the best negotiating position. Let him talk. Let him try to throw shade at Tennessee. It doesn’t matter. Everyone still knows.
Just saw Scott Van Pelt give a good commentary on how this portal team jumping 2x in 4 months is insane and discussed Nico/Tenn. He stated clearly that Nico and his handlers over played their hand...glad he didn't try to deflect and use the dad's excuse about it being the O line and receivers. Everyone knows it was about money and Nico lost.
 
#31
#31
1) Papa Nick for sure screwed Nico. I’ve already mentioned his culture and how your elders can do NO WRONG. BS.

2) I talked about the offense being a problem. And now you saw Basillio talking about that. But guys it’s not an inability to grasp the playbook. Stop kicking the can down the road!! Milton who was no dummy easily grasped the playbook before Nico. There needs to be an infusion of new or old concepts into our scheme. We don’t “hold the cards” on offense anymore. 8 teams last season slowed our offense down in some form of fashion. The jig is up! Heupel knows this which is why Litrell was brought in, and we’ll see how that goes.

3) Nico isn’t a bad kid. He’s TOO loyal to the idiots around him (family). If he were able to get a new agent (break away from family) and if we could get a NEW OC, I would welcome him back for whatever the market says. Which is less than the 2.4 he was due to make. Nico is still a strong armed QB that runs 4.4 and led us to the playoffs only to lose to the National Champions at their house.

4) Heupel wants to win, and I think he’s going to get a guy that doesn’t need much coaching.

5) We can at least get to 10,000!! IYKYK
#2 is just not accurate. We barely ran the "Heupel" at all last season. In fact, in most games, especially big games we went slow and relied on our defense too much. I think Nico might just not be that good. Milton would've had a ton of success in Heupel's offense if he was just a little more accurate. Hooker was SO good because he was incredibly accurate with the football.
 
#32
#32
#2 is just not accurate. We barely ran the "Heupel" at all last season. In fact, in most games, especially big games we went slow and relied on our defense too much. I think Nico might just not be that good. Milton would've had a ton of success in Heupel's offense if he was just a little more accurate. Hooker was SO good because he was incredibly accurate with the football.
Not to mention the fact that receivers were getting open plenty last season. The throws were often not good in these instances, such as the Bama game where a couple specific throws come to mind that would've been a TD. In other cases, passes were dropped. I'm seeing guys split defenses like we did in 22, but the guys weren't executing. We didn't blame Heupels offense when Milton played in 21 and 22 and overthrew wide open guys, but now it's "the jig is up". Defenses didn't make Nico or Milton miss wide iron receivers down the field.
 
#36
#36
I don’t know about you guys but I miss the good ole days where we had Andy Kelly throwing to Carl Pickens and, that was for two years back to back. Plus, three years of Andy throwing to other top receivers or clutch receivers like Cory Fleeming. Man, all this (free agency) BS has destroyed the game!
 
#37
#37
What’s the background story here? First I’m hearing this.
There is no background story. There’s a cover story. He blew off multiple media events. Also blew off multiple autograph sessions. Cole Cubelic was the guy with one interview with him that he blew off.
 
#39
#39
There is no background story. There’s a cover story. He blew off multiple media events. Also blew off multiple autograph sessions. Cole Cubelic was the guy with one interview with him that he blew off.
Interesting

I ask bc there are lies out there saying he asked for a Bugatti. Lies.
 
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#41
#41
I hope you’re right about Nico and he comes out of this situation better for it. He obviously has talent and presumably great potential and that is such a shame to waste or better, a shame to not take advantage of. I’ve no love for Nico, but I don’t want to see his potential wasted no matter where he plays.

So is what you’re saying is that you expect CJH to go after a seasoned QB in the upcoming portal to take the reins? I was thinking that Merk would likely have no problem leading the team at QB. He is a talented guy as is your incoming freshman by all accounts I’ve read.
I don't think Hype will go after a starter in the portal. I think he is going with what we have, and get a back up qb in the portal.
 
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#43
#43
1) Papa Nick for sure screwed Nico. I’ve already mentioned his culture and how your elders can do NO WRONG. BS.

2) I talked about the offense being a problem. And now you saw Basillio talking about that. But guys it’s not an inability to grasp the playbook. Stop kicking the can down the road!! Milton who was no dummy easily grasped the playbook before Nico. There needs to be an infusion of new or old concepts into our scheme. We don’t “hold the cards” on offense anymore. 8 teams last season slowed our offense down in some form of fashion. The jig is up! Heupel knows this which is why Litrell was brought in, and we’ll see how that goes.

3) Nico isn’t a bad kid. He’s TOO loyal to the idiots around him (family). If he were able to get a new agent (break away from family) and if we could get a NEW OC, I would welcome him back for whatever the market says. Which is less than the 2.4 he was due to make. Nico is still a strong armed QB that runs 4.4 and led us to the playoffs only to lose to the National Champions at their house.

4) Heupel wants to win, and I think he’s going to get a guy that doesn’t need much coaching.

5) We can at least get to 10,000!! IYKYK
So much fuss over a “game manager”!
 
#44
#44
I don’t know about you guys but I miss the good ole days where we had Andy Kelly throwing to Carl Pickens and, that was for two years back to back. Plus, three years of Andy throwing to other top receivers or clutch receivers like Cory Fleeming. Man, all this (free agency) BS has destroyed the game!
Man,
Those teams were stacked with a bunch of talented players.

Harper, Carter, Mims, Chuck Smith, Cobb-Webb and on and on!

Those Notre Dame games were just crazy.

Got Vols tattoo in 1990.
 
#46
#46
I don't think Hype will go after a starter in the portal. I think he is going with what we have, and get a back up qb in the portal.
I agree, I think his goal will be to add a scholarship QB with a potentially high ceiling to compete, but not with an immediate expectation to start right away. Presumably a guy that truly appreciates the opportunity to play at TN and will buy into CJH’s vision for TN football and be a welcome and positive addition to the locker room.

I think this bc I believe Jake Merklinger will be the starter, and while he will surely have some early growing pains as he gains experience, I believe he will prove to transform this recent unfortunate circumstance into a big positive as the season progresses. Merk will become the leader that you guys need at QB IMO.

I’m not saying this to blow any sunshine at all, this is what I truly believe at this point. In any event, I’m 100% positive that this whole deal with Nico will turnout to be a blessing in disguise for you Vols.
 
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#47
#47
Knowing the playbook and being able to read defenses and make quick decisions within the offense is two different things. We saw him holding the ball but coaches were saying receivers were open. Do I think Heupel needs to tweek the offense a little, yes I do. I do not think there enough dump routes or running backs drifting out of the backfield to help the QB get rid of the ball if down field is covered. It's hard to do motion in a fast tempol offense unless you slow down a little. SEC coaches have seen this offense enough on film they are understanding how to stop it whether they can or not. Kirby figured it out the first time and has held this offense down.
 
#48
#48
I'm a little concerned with the perception that this offense doesn't prepare kids for the league, since that's their ultimate goal. Been hearing it too much from these talking heads. That hurts recruiting. Tennessee could use a few depth pieces here and there especially at receiver, crickets on the portal right now. Kind of weird. Maybe that changes in the next coming days. Hope so. The QB situation right now isn't good. You can go with Merk, but he has hardly any experience and you have a true freshmen behind him that might blow away with a strong wind. We're kind of screwed like they said. Hard to see anyone other than a mobile QB coming in and making any kind of impact.. Whoever it is better have some wheels..
 
#49
#49
#2 is just not accurate. We barely ran the "Heupel" at all last season. In fact, in most games, especially big games we went slow and relied on our defense too much. I think Nico might just not be that good. Milton would've had a ton of success in Heupel's offense if he was just a little more accurate. Hooker was SO good because he was incredibly accurate with the football.
Hooker also had incredibly good instincts for when to escape the pocket and how to read the field. Milton and Nico both struggled with that.
 
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#50
#50
I agree, I think his goal will be to add a scholarship QB with a potentially high ceiling to compete, but not with an immediate expectation to start right away. Presumably a guy that truly appreciates the opportunity to play at TN and will buy into CJH’s vision for TN football and be a welcome and positive addition to the locker room.

I think this bc I believe Jake Merklinger will be the starter, and while he will surely have some early growing pains as he gains experience, I believe he will prove to transform this recent unfortunate circumstance into a big positive as the season progresses. Merk will become the leader that you guys need at QB IMO.

I’m not saying this to blow any sunshine at all, this is what I truly believe at this point. In any event, I’m 100% positive that this whole deal with Nico will turnout to be a blessing in disguise for you Vols.
 

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