Let's talk about the OL for a minute, shall we?

#51
#51
The key is not recruit, recruit, recruit. The key is coaching. Our talent level is just as high or higher than Mo., S.C., Ky. Recruiting is an excuse. We have enough talent to stay with or beat the mid level teams. Recruiting is important to contend against the upper echelon, not mid level. If the OL technique and "IQ" doesn't improve, even the better recruits will not hold up to Fla., Ga., and Ala. Doesn't matter how many Morris' or Wright's you have.
 
#52
#52
Thinking back to the thread where most folks here were saying Cade Mays was a punk, a hothead and would never amount to anything so good riddance. WE NEEDED HIM HERE!!!! Our OL is pathetic as it is now!! Lest you forget, a few weeks ago we managed 20 yards rushing on 26 attempts against Charlotte!!!!!! Mays is just ranked the top freshman OL in the country right now. Will Friend is not going to recruit the talent we need here to be successful on offense. We have to find the right guy and find him in a hurry.
 
#53
#53
Ever since this thread started, I've been thinking about the OL and their troubles. I agree that we need SEC caliber recruits, a bunch. And the S&C needs to have a significant impact in both strength and size. Each and every returning OL needs to have significant gains in every aspect. Also including the new class coming in.

The coaching is another issue. Coach Friend has had success at several coaching stops. UGA being one of those. At first look, he would appear to be the one to fix the problems. I'm just not convinced. Why have we had so many breakdowns and missed assignments? Why is it that DL have gotten to our QBs and RBs untouched? Why haven't they improved over the course of the season? Something is just not right. Even 2* recruits at smaller schools improve and become effective players. They learn and grow. CJP will have some interesting offseason issues to address. I assume he already knows. We'll see.

Good thread with lots of good comments and thoughts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big Al Orange and 1985Vols
#54
#54
orangemadam said:
The key is not recruit, recruit, recruit. The key is coaching. Our talent level is just as high or higher than Mo., S.C., Ky. Recruiting is an excuse. We have enough talent to stay with or beat the mid level teams. Recruiting is important to contend against the upper echelon, not mid level. If the OL technique and "IQ" doesn't improve, even the better recruits will not hold up to Fla., Ga., and Ala. Doesn't matter how many Morris' or Wright's you have.
Click to expand...
I agree that coaching seems to be a problem. Lack of development is evident. Sorry but I need to disagree with the rest of what you said. Our talent level is not "as high or higher than Mo., S.C., Ky". It is not even close. We've got a lot to work on with the "Jimmys & Joes."
 
#55
#55
dduncan4163 said:
The O-Line is atrocious but I'm not ready to blame Friend just yet. Our O-Line was terrible for most of Butch's tenure with the exception being his first year. Dobbs legs made them look WAY better than they actually were. It's just going to take time and new recruits to make our O-Line SEC ready.
Click to expand...
Take Dobbs off Jones teams, I don't think he wins 25%, at best. I hate to constantly belittle our OL, but that's where it all starts. I want Tyler Smith back, sure. I want him healthy 1st. Maybe then our QBs won't be such easy targets. We've been talking about this for too many years now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WhitewaterVol
#56
#56
In OL recruiting, we have kinda reached on a few in-state 'needs development' type players: Calbert, Sanders, perhaps Lane
 
#57
#57
VAVolsFan2009 said:
Ever since this thread started, I've been thinking about the OL and their troubles. I agree that we need SEC caliber recruits, a bunch. And the S&C needs to have a significant impact in both strength and size. Each and every returning OL needs to have significant gains in every aspect. Also including the new class coming in.

The coaching is another issue. Coach Friend has had success at several coaching stops. UGA being one of those. At first look, he would appear to be the one to fix the problems. I'm just not convinced. Why have we had so many breakdowns and missed assignments? Why is it that DL have gotten to our QBs and RBs untouched? Why haven't they improved over the course of the season? Something is just not right. Even 2* recruits at smaller schools improve and become effective players. They learn and grow. CJP will have some interesting offseason issues to address. I assume he already knows. We'll see.

Good thread with lots of good comments and thoughts.
Click to expand...
Agree mostly. But, when has UT ever developed players? Development of players has been a problem for MANY years. But, I do think it has to be coaching for the most part coupled with FB IQ of several players. You can tell them what to do but they have to have the technique and ability to do what they are told.
 
#58
#58
I certainly agree that our OL has been the weakest link and I don’t think many dispute that. But the OL is a delicate thing. I’ve seen basically the same personnel from one year or even in the same year go from atrociously bad to being pretty good. So many factors come in to play for the OL that aren’t necessarily an issue with other groups. It’s a team within a team and their play is CRUCIAL on EVERY play. Now I’m not predicting this “team” of OL will suddenly be like the old Nebraska or Oklahoma OL’s next year but I think there will be much improvement and I agree that Wright and Morris would be day one starters. JMO
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big Al Orange
#60
#60
A big part of our offensive line problem is signing smaller guys and planning on bulking them up. IMO, it is much easier to recruit big guys and slim them down while adding strength.
 
#61
#61
It looks to me like every team lays there ears back on the very first series of plays and comes at who ever is in the backfield playing Q'back like they stole there lunch money. They did yesterday and took JG's head off of his shoulders. Again JG never saw him coming. The DE was in the backfield before the running fake was made. CBS had a perfect replay of the mess. That being said, who is responsible for that. It's not like we are playing W. Virginia the first game of the year.

Maybe we should script plays for the first series just to see how bad a mood our opponents are in. What happened to JG yesterday was a crime. Thanks Coach H. and Coach F. Something to consider Coach P. Coach H., your learning curve is going to get someone killed. If we don't have either the talent or coaching talent, you might want to take that into account.
 
#63
#63
dduncan4163 said:
The O-Line is atrocious but I'm not ready to blame Friend just yet. Our O-Line was terrible for most of Butch's tenure with the exception being his first year. Dobbs legs made them look WAY better than they actually were. It's just going to take time and new recruits to make our O-Line SEC ready.
Click to expand...

Nailed it!
 
#66
#66
S&C is needed, but that is not the reason for whiffing or basically missing the assignments. These linemen are big men, not little kids. If they would get in the way they would be 100% better. No way Tenn's O Linemen are not at least as good as ETSU, UTEP, and Charlotte. Also practicing for a month of Fall camp and 12 weeks of the season should remove the learning excuse. No more blaming Jones for the O Line whiffing on blocks. We blamed Jones first few seasons on Dooley, Dooley's first few years on Fulmer, and now blaming Pruitt's season on Jones. I can't figure it out
 
#67
#67
No, not talking about the offensive line. I will next year when Richmond is gone and Morris, Wright, and Co. Anchor the line.
 
#68
#68
Serious question: are they trying for the 4 games or less redshirting of Carvin? Seems like he was playing well early in the season, but they are not starting him now, so, trying to redshirt?
 
#71
#71
dduncan4163 said:
... Dobbs legs made them look WAY better than they actually were. ...
Click to expand...
Dobb's legs were an indication of how bad our OL actually was. He made great plays because he had no desire to go through what JG is living through this year. Dobbs' ability to take a S*** Sandwich and turn it into a Ribeye Dinner hid how bad the OL has really been.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big Al Orange and dduncan4163
#72
#72
OrangeSquid said:
Dobb's legs were an indication of how bad our OL actually was. He made great plays because he had no desire to go through what JG is living through this year. Dobbs' ability to take a S*** Sandwich and turn it into a Ribeye Dinner hid how bad the OL has really been.
Click to expand...
Yup
 
#73
#73
The line issues on running plays are simply them being too light in the rear and poor technique/ footwork. Pass blocking and not knowing who to block are IQ issues meaning its not a physical nor is it a talent thing when u don't know who to block. Now, IMO never ever should the rb be required to pick-up a guy blitzing the gaps between the tackles unless its play-action because they simply dont have the size to do so. It seems like our OL fails on 1 basic principal 1st and foremost.......protect the inside gap!

This stuff we're seeing falls completely on Friend.
 
#74
#74
** Side Note** i was on campus and talked to CJP and CWF along with some other guys and checked in on the kids from NPA. Trey Smith will be oing to a specialist in I think was Philly This specialist is known for fixing reoccurring blood clots. If I recall correctly he will be going this wk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaUndergroundMan and orangebloodgmc
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top