Malone 'playing every rep like it's a game rep'

#1
kamoshika

kamoshika

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#1
It was a brilliantly run double-move route.

Tennessee junior wide receiver Josh Malone took two steps inside to fake the slant and got UT senior cornerback Cameron Sutton to bite on it hard. He stopped, shifted his hips and changed direction to turn the route into a fade, brushing off Sutton's attempt to jam him. He turned for what he expected to be a back shoulder throw, but kept his position when the ball went to the front shoulder, leaping and ripping down a touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone to beat Sutton on a one-on-one red zone drill in Saturday's practice.

There is very little that can be extrapolated from such a play at this point in preseason camp...but it was a flash of the kind of wide receiver Malone wants to become.

"It's consistency overall in everything," [Coach] Jones said. "He wants to do it, and he'll do it. I've been proud of him. When a person is driven like he is and wants to do it, usually the results come as well. He's very grounded. He just wants to be the best he can possibly be. I love that in him. I love coaching him."
Josh Malone important for young WR group
 
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#2
#2
I hope he steps up. Recruiting rankings are based on physical ability. But a great receiver has a great competitive spirit. Sometimes those rankings can be a curse. If you're not going to play balls out everyday you're not going to be a great receiver. Maybe he's come to realize now is his chance to make a name for himself. He certainly didn't seem to go after it last year
 
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#3
#3
He has made some nice catches in the past. Just hasn't been aggressive and attacked the ball when he's needed to and had some drops. Seems to be coming around now on his routes and being physical going after the ball. Can't way to see him and PWill do their thang.
 
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#5
#5
Sounds like JM is wanting to play on Sunday's instead of Saturday's next year.
 
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#6
#6
We know how good the running game is, if Malone PW and Smith play like they are and Dobbs improves his deep ball JUST A LITTLE then I think this team finishes top 10 in the country.

To talk specifically about Malone, he was really close to breaking it loose last year. He seems determined to go get it.
 
#7
#7
If this team develops a downfield passing attack it's hard to imagine anybody stopping us. I fully believe we'll be national champions if we can throw the ball down the field
 
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#9
#9
Also, it really would go a long way in the recruiting arena to show some guys that we can coach a guy up to throw the ball deep on a consistent basis and coach some guys up to be able to catch that ball. I'm not saying we don't have quality at the WR and QB position, but results would help a bit in the area.
 
#10
#10
It's refreshing to see our receivers attacking the ball. 'Long time a'comin'. I think there's a dynamic with this team that's going to erase more bad memories than many expect...many homer pundits and a maybe even a small handful of those ubiquitous negavols included. Let's figure the players as a group have accepted many of the mistakes of the past and there's no excuse to be allowed for not attacking the ball; enemy ball carriers and throwers and would-be tacklers, as well. I won't go so far as to predict we've got all the ingredients for another '98 bunch, but 120, I'm absolutely, positively certain that you're ALL gona' let 'er rip for all four quarters. AMIRIGHT?:twocents:

:fireworks::fireworks::fireworks:​
 
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#11
#11
I think Josh will have a good year.
The pressure won't be there like last year.
The wild card is who ever takes the slot position whether it be Smith Jennings Byrd ect.
Personally I feel like they should all play given the right situations.
 
#12
#12
sameolvol said:
It's refreshing to see our receivers attacking the ball. 'Long time a'comin'. I think there's a dynamic with this team that's going to erase more bad memories than many expect...many homer pundits and a maybe even a small handful of those ubiquitous negavols included. Let's figure the players as a group have accepted many of the mistakes of the past and there's no excuse to be allowed for not attacking the ball; enemy ball carriers and throwers and would-be tacklers, as well. I won't go so far as to predict we've got all the ingredients for another '98 bunch, but 120, I'm absolutely, positively certain that you're ALL gona' let 'er rip for all four quarters. AMIRIGHT?:twocents:

:fireworks::fireworks::fireworks:​
Click to expand...
I like the way you talk.
 

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#13
#13
I've been a Malone supporter since he arrived. He just needs a little more dog in him, which it sounds like he is starting to show that. I truly believe he has the talent to put up some monster numbers.
 
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#14
#14
Great to hear, glad he is stepping up and wants it.... those freshman are probably bringing out the best in our more seasoned WR's...
 
#15
#15
Malone must show the intangibles that separate the good receivers from the great, he's now experienced and poised to make his final season one to remember
Go Vols
 
#17
#17
Maybe I'm drinkin' too much of the orange kool-aid, but I honestly think (for first time in 8 years) that we will be in playoffs at the end. There is just too much going our way. When is the last time we could say that? Early 2000's?
 
#18
#18
I hope Josh catches 100 balls for 2,000 yards and 20 tds this year just to shut up all of his haters. Go Josh Malone!!
 
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#19
#19
I really believe this team has just the right amount of vital ingredients to whip some ass this year. They are talented, confident, pissed, hungry, grounded and focused. My Brother and I watched the 98 championship game in a bar called Vinnies Southside...in a sea of FSU fans...we were the only 2 in Orange. I remember how confident I felt about that team that night amid the arrogance and snide remarks. We danced our asses off in front of them that night. Great memories. I have that confidence again. Buckle up...it's gonna be a fun ride
 
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#20
#20
The only thing Josh is missing is that killer instinct because the talent has always been there. Does he have it now? We will have to wait and see...
 
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#22
#22
Bassmaster_Vol said:
If this team develops a downfield passing attack it's hard to imagine anybody stopping us. I fully believe we'll be national champions if we can throw the ball down the field
Click to expand...

Great post and I absolutely agree. If we can get some consistency in the vertical game it will back opposing secondaries back and help our run game and short pass game. If it doesn't improve we will be much easier to defend.
 
#23
#23
I really hope Malone can have a break out year. Maybe the competition with Preston Williams is what he needs to start playing with a bit more fire.
 
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#24
#24
Nocleats said:
Theres a whole bunch of underclassmen Vols with that in mind..
Click to expand...

And that's great for the Vols.

If by the end of the season Hurd, Barnett, Kamara, Kongbo, Malone, Martin, and Wolf declare, you'll know we won the national championship.
 
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