Looking Ahead

#51
#51
sjt18 said:
Malone is gone. How many PROVEN SEC caliber players are in that list?

UT's OL hasn't been good since Jones arrived.

New QB and RB.

A thin WR group becomes thinner and less talented.

Your ability to only name one TE pretty much says it all.

The only bright spot on UT's D this year was the DE's. The 3 best contributors are gone.

UT had one and maybe two SEC caliber LB's if you count McDowell. Where do you see help next year?

UT was flat out bad at CB without 23 holding down one side.... he's gone too along with Foreman who was possibly the "best of the rest".

UT should be good at safety if Berry returns in good shape.

Jones' recruiting hasn't been as good as we thought considering the holes in next year's two deep.
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Yep. I know many want to think the cupboard is full of stars in the making, but as you've pointed out, that's just not the case. We are losing the backbone of this team and there appears to be little in the way of replacements on the roster. Add to that the fact that this upcoming schedule is a bear....as usual...and it's hard to see more than 7 wins next season. We'll take a step back unfortunately, but I've said over and again that I'll never complain about a winning season and bowl game again.
 
#52
#52
Exiled said:
The Defensive backfield will be lacking next year again, IMO. I'm just not convinced that Martin and Mosley can hold up at CB. Byrd switching would greatly help, I think. But, we'll still be in trouble if the injury bug hasn't gone away.
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I hope Warrior steps up...we're a step slow at both safety slots imo
 
#53
#53
Sarms58 said:
Vickers, Mackenzie, Alexis Johnson andd Tuttle (if ready) should be the 2 deep rotation starting the season...
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I won't be surprised if Tuttle doesn't RS next year and even if he does return, I don't know if he'll ever return to his pre-injury form/level. As for mac, he's an OG playing DT. Johnson is a hope and a dream. Vickers is the only guy that I feel even remotely confident in on that list.
 
#54
#54
NeverWe'llSever said:
Disagree. We beat the best programs in the East this year. If we can stay healthy and there isn't any locker room drama, we may be able to seal the deal.
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For 3 straight years, Jones' team has had much higher than average injury rates. It may be because of his recruiting profile, S&C, techniques, rotation, or something else. Whatever it is... it constitutes a PATTERN of performance.... not an anomaly.
 
#55
#55
CAVPUT said:
Yep. I know many want to think the cupboard is full of stars in the making, but as you've pointed out, that's just not the case. We are losing the backbone of this team and there appears to be little in the way of replacements on the roster. Add to that the fact that this upcoming schedule is a bear....as usual...and it's hard to see more than 7 wins next season. We'll take a step back unfortunately, but I've said over and again that I'll never complain about a winning season and bowl game again.
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I guess I'm just not that "kind". Jones is an underperformer. He's left wins on the field each of his 4 years and it has actually gotten worse as his roster improved in talent, experience, and depth.
 
#56
#56
sjt18 said:
For 3 straight years, Jones' team has had much higher than average injury rates. It may be because of his recruiting profile, S&C, techniques, rotation, or something else. Whatever it is... it constitutes a PATTERN of performance.... not an anomaly.
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Then that is troubling.
 
#57
#57
Will decide how we'll be once OC is settled, DeBord or ???

DE should be solid, if minimal injuries and all current injuries return 100%,
 
#58
#58
NeverWe'llSever said:
Then that is troubling.
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It's reality, but unfortunately, fans will do what fans always do. They'll get the preseason excitement and have over the top expectations. None of this is a bad thing. It's what fans all over the country do, but sometimes you have to accept the reality of the situation.
 
#60
#60
CAVPUT said:
It's reality, but unfortunately, fans will do what fans always do. They'll get the preseason excitement and have over the top expectations. None of this is a bad thing. It's what fans all over the country do, but sometimes you have to accept the reality of the situation.
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The reality of the situation is that Jones should have a one year chance to prove himself.... He's done everything BUT prove he's an SEC caliber coach.
 
#61
#61
sjt18 said:
Malone is gone. How many PROVEN SEC caliber players are in that list?

UT's OL hasn't been good since Jones arrived.

New QB and RB.

A thin WR group becomes thinner and less talented.

Your ability to only name one TE pretty much says it all.

The only bright spot on UT's D this year was the DE's. The 3 best contributors are gone.

UT had one and maybe two SEC caliber LB's if you count McDowell. Where do you see help next year?

UT was flat out bad at CB without 23 holding down one side.... he's gone too along with Foreman who was possibly the "best of the rest".

UT should be good at safety if Berry returns in good shape.

Jones' recruiting hasn't been as good as we thought considering the holes in next year's two deep.
Click to expand...

That's one way to look at it. I bet you are a hit at parties. Lol

I see a team that is SEC Proven besides the QB and backup RB. I feel like we have emerging stars like Kelly and Jennings. Oline is becoming a seasoned group. On defense kongbo is developing nicely and Kirkland is a beast if he stays healthy. Warrior will be a star. Berry is special.

That's my take.
 
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#62
#62
sjt18 said:
UT had one and maybe two SEC caliber LB's if you count McDowell. Where do you see help next year?
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Coming out of spring Sapp was projected as the backup to JRM - "Sapp looks like he could be the next great outside tackler after JRM turns pro." McDowell was bracketed with Sapp backing up JRM at the starting of the season but of course, Sapp tore his ACL in the first game...

If Sapp is healthy, he and Kirkland will probably project as starters with McDowell and Bituli as the backups for the 2 deep...Berry and redshirt freshman Blakely will also compete...Berry doesn't look like an SEC linebacker but he might have some sets he can play in; Blakely (along with Bituli) was a 4 star LB recruit who we managed to redshirt so he could surprise some folks next year...I hope Jumper gets to play in clean up time next year - love his heart but he's not an SEC caliber LB (IMO)...
 
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#64
#64
Sarms58 said:
Coming out of spring Sapp was projected as the backup to JRM - "Sapp looks like he could be the next great outside tackler after JRM turns pro." McDowell was bracketed with Sapp backing up JRM at the starting of the season but of course, Sapp tore his ACL in the first game...

If Sapp is healthy, he and Kirkland will probably project as starters with McDowell and Bituli as the backups for the 2 deep...Berry and redshirt freshman Blakely will also compete...Berry doesn't look like an SEC linebacker but he might have some sets he can play in; Blakely (along with Bituli) was a 4 star LB recruit who we managed to redshirt so he could surprise some folks next year...I hope Jumper gets to play in clean up time next year - love his heart but he's not an SEC caliber LB (IMO)...
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Sapp tore his acl in game 3 vs Ohio, just sayin. Also, are we sure he was ahead of McDowell to start the season? I know he was in the mix but I recall it being McDowell who came in vs App State and played big (9 tackles vs Sapp's 1) when JRM was ejected.
 
#65
#65
CAVPUT said:
I won't be surprised if Tuttle doesn't RS next year and even if he does return, I don't know if he'll ever return to his pre-injury form/level. As for mac, he's an OG playing DT. Johnson is a hope and a dream. Vickers is the only guy that I feel even remotely confident in on that list.
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Not sure on Tuttle's injury and I've definitely thought he might have to sit out...hopefully he can play again one day. But if he can't the other three can. Mackenzie is a big body and while he doesn't get the penetration he does plug the middle - big drop off after he went out. He'll be solid at DT...Bama offered Johnson so there's some talent there...not sure if he was really injured or if there were some political reasons for not playing him this year...and Vickers is solid...

As this year quickly proved, you just can't have enough depth on the DL - especially DT...I rarely put any hope in incoming freshmen but Eric Crosby at least has the size to step in a be a backup in the rotation for DT...Quay Picou needs more beef to play much but he's quick and gets good penetration...I'm not really on the Paul Bain bandwagon but maybe he can work himself into a third string slot...
 
#66
#66
BiGdNtN said:
Losing seniors and early draft guys is tough but I know it's part of it. Thinking ahead, what's your opinion on our offense next season? Starting 11? Also, any recruits make immediate impact?
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Not in the starting 11 but Eric Crosby at DT already has the size to play...he's listed at 295...if we are still thin next year he might get some reps as a freshman...but I'd hope we redshirt him...
 
#68
#68
Vols_74 said:
That's one way to look at it. I bet you are a hit at parties. Lol

I see a team that is SEC Proven besides the QB and backup RB. I feel like we have emerging stars like Kelly and Jennings. Oline is becoming a seasoned group. On defense kongbo is developing nicely and Kirkland is a beast if he stays healthy. Warrior will be a star. Berry is special.

That's my take.
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hubspot-orange-kool-aid-man.png


What exactly would you say was proven by the backups that were able/forced to play this season? Especially on defense.
 
#69
#69
BeardedVol said:
hubspot-orange-kool-aid-man.png


What exactly would you say was proven by the backups that were able/forced to play this season? Especially on defense.
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They proved they could beat Florida and Georgia. That's a good start. Fact is we don't know how next season will go. Vols have lost great players and "unproven" players step up the next year to have an amazing year. I'm not writing off team 121.
 
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#70
#70
Vols_74 said:
They proved they could beat Florida and Georgia. That's a good start. Fact is we don't know how next season will go. Vols have lost great players and "unproven" players step up the next year to have an amazing year. I'm not writing off team 121.
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Not writing them off is one thing. Acting as if team 121 is sure to dominate is pure orange delusion at its best. Especially after the way this season played out.

Team 120 is literally the most talented team that Butch Jones has ever coached, and I'd wager that he'll never coach one as talented again.
 
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#71
#71
BeardedVol said:
Not writing them off is one thing. Acting as if team 121 is sure to dominate is pure orange delusion at its best. Especially after the way this season played out.

Team 120 is literally the most talented team that Butch Jones has ever coached, and I'd wager that he'll never coach one as talented again.
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Please show me where I said we would dominate? Team 121 should be a dangerous team in my opinion. No doom and gloom, chicken little whining here.
 
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#72
#72
Vols_74 said:
Please show me where I said we would dominate? Team 121 should be a dangerous team in my opinion. No doom and gloom, chicken little whining here.
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Because on Volnation objectively looking at the effects of attrition, and strengths and weaknesses of the team is "chicken little whining".
 
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#73
#73
BeardedVol said:
Because on Volnation objectively looking at the effects of attrition, and strengths and weaknesses of the team is "chicken little whining".
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You claimed I said we would dominate and also posed a pic of the kool aid guy when I posted what I thought about next season and you call that "objectively looking ahead". All the while you accuse me of doing exactly doing what you are doing.

It's all go tho bro. I will admit I'm a sunshine pumping, koolaid drinking, posiVol. I am not ashamed. I look forward to next season.
 
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#75
#75
its hard to anticipate what freshman will make an immediate impact but keep an eye out for crosby being in the 2 deep early on.

hoping the defense looks something like this

De- taylor, smith
dt-kmac, johnson, crosby
dt- tuttle (if healthy)vickers, kongbo
de- phillips, kongbo
LB- DK, colton
LB- mcdowell, bituli( 3rd linebacker ), berry, sapp
NB- gaulden, abernathy
CB- osborne, martin
cb- moseley, buchannon
s- TK, griffen
S- warrior, abernathy, berry ( all will play)
 
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