Nakos reporting Aguilar is trending to be named the starter

[kell7517]

Did he sleep with your girl or something? You're ignoring obvious facts.
Protip, if your girl is letting someone smash, she's not your girl. Just let it go. There are a lot of women in the world.

That’s a stupid take and has zero to do what this conversation is about. But you know, I guess you are trying to be cool or something.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Might be out of Heupels hands if Aguilar goes down with an injury. They'd automatically turn to Merklinger. If things go as they've been rumored to have been going for him in camp, Heupel might be forced to play the freshman. You can almost feel it coming.

Man, you must get in your car and picture having a flat and getting sandwiched on the interstate by two semis.

Joking, but Battered Vol Syndrome seems to have completely overtaken you. Scratch the cat's ears...... eh, he'll probably bite you. Pet the dog...... he's likely just rolled in poop.

Cheer up, man. Our Vols, in most sports, are trending upward.

 

[volfever007]

So you’re not saying that Macinyre will leave this offseason?? If I’m misunderstanding what you’re saying then I want to be fair.

Yes, I'm not saying he's leaving this off-season. There were debates on transfers coming next year and some other stuff that we were kinda debating about. No biggie.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Stats can be deceiving. How many of JA's INT were thrown while the team was trailing and desperately needed a big play to get back in the game? How many were due to bad decisions? How many were due to bad throws? How good was his pass protection? How good were his receivers? It could be that no one would have performed much better in the same circumstances as JA.

Lots of teams trailed by a lot, had lousy lines, etc and didn't get a ton of INTs by the QB.

In the end, it's field vision and decision making by the QB that creates most interceptions. Even if you need to take a shot, taking that shot at your own foot isn't a good choice. Even if you're running for your life, throwing it to the other guys isn't the answer.

Josh Heupel's offense is all about the QB making good decisions with the ball.

 

[kell7517]

We don't know that. We see 15-30 minutes of routes on open air from beat reporters. That's it.

That wasn't your hypothetical, you said if things are fairly equal, if should be Merk. If Augilar doesn't have the playbook down (and he's been here since April so it's 6 months), then it's not equal.

April To August is 4 months.

 

[barney]

Because Milton has an absolute cannon and he looked better in practice. I'd say pretty much every head coach would've made the same assessment.

believe it or not, some guys can practice really well when they have a coach standing behind them doing all of the thinking but can't process as well on their own on gameday

 

[jasonvol18]

You'll see another transfer start next year, Merk and GMac will he gone.

Nope..Merk, probably..GMac isn't going anywhere.

 

[volfever007]

Nope..Merk, probably..GMac isn't going anywhere.

Read all the posts before you comment. I didn't say GMac was leaving, if you would've read it all, you would've seen how it got to me saying that. Come on folks, read everything before commenting please.

 

[Skooter]

And by several accounts it is not equal. It has been said on the 247 podcast that the reason for separation is not because Joey has excelled but because Merk has not performed well at all.

People keep forgetting about the running aspect. Merk will only run in emergency circumstances. Defenses know that. JA can and is willing to tuck it and get 6-7 and we have plays called for him to run, obviously meaning every position on defense has to play him differently.

 

[Hairy Vols]

Hold up hoss! Before you start taking personal shots at someone, you should check yourself!

You obviously didn't see my sarcasm when I said "oh that's how this works". I know football bro and me referencing the Hooker vs Milton thing was strictly saying that not everything you see in practice translates to the field.

Since you say you played college football, you should know this. This has nothing to do with trashing Milton or any player. All I said was I feel like Merk would've been the better option based off what we're hearing from the media.

Neither is tearing it up so why play a dude that's only got 1 year and he's done when you can play a dude that has 3 when it's this close, makes no sense to me. If JA was clearly a lot better, I could see it, so before you get all defensive over someone else's opinion, you should probably try to see their point

Maybe the reason your argument came across so weak is because you were not actually there to see what was going on behind the scenes. You filled in the blanks with what you wanted to believe and built it entirely off what the media said. The media was not declaring Merk better, that was just you. Your opinion was not some groundbreaking football insight, it was surface level and short sighted.


The whole “he had three years left” angle is a fan fantasy, not a coaching strategy. College football is about winning in the moment, not handing out a development scholarship at the expense of the season. Between JA and Merk the better player right now will start.

If the staff believed Milton ran the offense better, commanded the huddle, and gave them the best chance to win, then that was who they put on the field. That is why he got the OG nod over Hooker. And his NFL success compared to Hookers backs that up.


Also, the idea that practice performance does not translate to the field was lazy. Practice was where timing, reads, decision making, and leadership were evaluated without the chaos of a live game. Those reps were where coaches determined if a player could run the system the way they wanted. Dismissing that just because you wanted a different QB ignored how the sport actually worked.


And saying “neither is tearing it up” never helped your point. If one guy was still better in the areas the coaches valued most, he played. That is how it worked at every level.

Also.. I am not defensive at all, friend. I am just giving back the same friendly energy you had for the players and letting you enjoy how it feels on the other side. Nothing personal. We can still be pals but I do suggest you spend a little more time actually watching football and a little less time trusting headlines. It might help you understand things and not fill in the rest! But hey I enjoy fantasy football myself. So no hate. <3

 

[Hairy Vols]

What is embarrassing is you. No one ever doubted Milton had talent. But he couldn’t beat out Drake May at New England and will not take Dak’s position just because of the massive contract. Milton lost his job to Dobbs as a backup. Dobbs is talented as well.

Drake Maye the guys the Pats invested a 3rd overall pick with?

Dobbs is a vet with much more experience than Milton. It makes sense they would rather have him as a backup over Milton.

And Dak is an established NFL QB nobody is likely going to come in and take his job, lol.

So before you call me embarrassing please make one valid point. That was worse than the other kid I'm replying to, lol.

 

[TNHopeful505]

Remember that time you probably thought Milton was better too?

All reports are that Milton was great in practice and that Hooker was not.

You cannot fault Heupel for playing the guy who performed best in practice. Obviously, Hooker was better when the lights came on.

But if you play the guy who wasn't great throughout the week, you're sending the message that practice doesn't matter and that players can slack off during the week and expect to play.

Now, after there is more than enough evidence and trust to say that "this is the guy on Saturdays," it is different. But nobody can or should fault Heup for riding with Milton after even the players themselves said that Milton was better M-F.

 

[IndianaVol]

Lots of teams trailed by a lot, had lousy lines, etc and didn't get a ton of INTs by the QB.

In the end, it's field vision and decision making by the QB that creates most interceptions. Even if you need to take a shot, taking that shot at your own foot isn't a good choice. Even if you're running for your life, throwing it to the other guys isn't the answer.

Josh Heupel's offense is all about the QB making good decisions with the ball.

EXACTLY - Heupel teaches all his QBs that 3 things can happen when you throw the ball and 2 of them aren't good, so be smart about throwing the ball.
Other thing he preaches is consistency.

From the limited amount of tape and practice we have for all of these men while being tutored by Heupel / Halzle the front runner in both categories appears to be Aguilar.
Merk is close second and I feel could keep us afloat if the unthinkable injury happens.

Lot of people on here speculating about transfers next season too.
First, let's get through this season.
Second, IF...HUGE IF...Aguilar happens to petition and get another year (extremely, highly, unlikely) and returns, then G-Mac will hit the portal with Brandon coming in...GMac and Brandon will pretty much be equal at that point.
However, if Aguilar doesn't come back (most likely scenario) then Merk is likely starting next season with GMac and Brandon in reserve - that is a stacked, elite level QB room.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

All reports are that Milton was great in practice and that Hooker was not.

You cannot fault Heupel for playing the guy who performed best in practice. Obviously, Hooker was better when the lights came on.

But if you play the guy who wasn't great throughout the week, you're sending the message that practice doesn't matter and that players can slack off during the week and expect to play.

Now, after there is more than enough evidence and trust to say that "this is the guy on Saturdays," it is different. But nobody can or should fault Heup for riding with Milton after even the players themselves said that Milton was better M-F.

My concern with Heupel is that he specifically picked Milton, who is a good QB but not well suited for Heupel's offense.

Heupel picked Nico, who is a good QB but apparently not well suited for Heupel's offense.

Heupel has now picked Merk, who despite a year of being in Heupel's offense doesn't appear ready to forcefully take the QB1 position from a guy with a somewhat spotty resumé who has been in the offense only a couple of months.

Despite this, Heupel wins games so I'm not in a "Fahr Heupel" position. I do scratch my head a little about his QB choices for his offense.

 

[a vol n tears]

I had no concerns about Aguilar at all... until I saw that picture. Just sayinView attachment 763329

Finally, somebody said what I was thinking. Not good or bad but I saw a similarity.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

EXACTLY - Heupel teaches all his QBs that 3 things can happen when you throw the ball and 2 of them aren't good, so be smart about throwing the ball.
Other thing he preaches is consistency.

From the limited amount of tape and practice we have for all of these men while being tutored by Heupel / Halzle the front runner in both categories appears to be Aguilar.
Merk is close second and I feel could keep us afloat if the unthinkable injury happens.

Lot of people on here speculating about transfers next season too.
First, let's get through this season.
Second, IF...HUGE IF...Aguilar happens to petition and get another year (extremely, highly, unlikely) and returns, then G-Mac will hit the portal with Brandon coming in...GMac and Brandon will pretty much be equal at that point.
However, if Aguilar doesn't come back (most likely scenario) then Merk is likely starting next season with GMac and Brandon in reserve - that is a stacked, elite level QB room.

I don't think G-Mac stays if Merk starts in 2026. I think it's very unlikely Brandon is told to sit for 2 years or he might just transfer to start elsewhere.

G-Mac will likely never start at UT if he doesn't in 2026 and he'll transfer. Conversely, if Merk doesn't start this year or in 2026, he'll never start at UT and will transfer.

One (or possibly both if Brandon is the second coming of Peyton and ready to start as a true freshman) will transfer.

 

[volfever007]

Maybe the reason your argument came across so weak is because you were not actually there to see what was going on behind the scenes. You filled in the blanks with what you wanted to believe and built it entirely off what the media said. The media was not declaring Merk better, that was just you. Your opinion was not some groundbreaking football insight, it was surface level and short sighted.


The whole “he had three years left” angle is a fan fantasy, not a coaching strategy. College football is about winning in the moment, not handing out a development scholarship at the expense of the season. Between JA and Merk the better player right now will start.

If the staff believed Milton ran the offense better, commanded the huddle, and gave them the best chance to win, then that was who they put on the field. That is why he got the OG nod over Hooker. And his NFL success compared to Hookers backs that up.


Also, the idea that practice performance does not translate to the field was lazy. Practice was where timing, reads, decision making, and leadership were evaluated without the chaos of a live game. Those reps were where coaches determined if a player could run the system the way they wanted. Dismissing that just because you wanted a different QB ignored how the sport actually worked.


And saying “neither is tearing it up” never helped your point. If one guy was still better in the areas the coaches valued most, he played. That is how it worked at every level.

Also.. I am not defensive at all, friend. I am just giving back the same friendly energy you had for the players and letting you enjoy how it feels on the other side. Nothing personal. We can still be pals but I do suggest you spend a little more time actually watching football and a little less time trusting headlines. It might help you understand things and not fill in the rest! But hey I enjoy fantasy football myself. So no hate. <3

Let's try this again. My thinking is this. You've got 2 guys that are fairly equal based off the media, yeah yeah yeah I know, the media but, one has played college ball for 4 years and has one year left, the other has played about 9 snaps in college ball and been with the program for years so he probably knows the playbook pretty well and has 2-3 years left, yet the dude that has 4 years experience can't really separate himself. I'm going with the stability of the guy that has been loyal for the last 2 years here, plus has multiple years left. Now, I'm not saying Merk is better or JA is terrible. I like stability. Do you see what I'm trying to say here?Now I don't need an 8 page response that I don't know ball or whatever else you got worked up about earlier saying I took shots at players when all I said was some guys are better in games than practice, I know you remember Allen Iverson's rant.

 

[jarnol32]

Let’s roll. I hope Joey A. lights it up!

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Let's try this again. My thinking is this. You've got 2 guys that are fairly equal based off the media, yeah yeah yeah I know, the media but, one has played college ball for 4 years and has one year left, the other has played about 9 snaps in college ball and been with the program for years so he probably knows the playbook pretty well and has 2-3 years left, yet the dude that has 4 years experience can't really separate himself. I'm going with the stability of the guy that has been loyal for the last 2 years here, plus has multiple years left. Now, I'm not saying Merk is better or JA is terrible. I like stability. Do you see what I'm trying to say here?Now I don't need an 8 page response that I don't know ball or whatever else you got worked up about earlier saying I took shots at players when all I said was some guys are better in games than practice, I know you remember Allen Iverson's rant.

I think it will come down to execution for Heupel, not stability. If Merk, as reported, still hasn't gotten as good of a grasp of the playbook expected after a year, then maybe his execution of the offense isn't quite up to what Heupel wants this year.

If Joey A does pick up the playbook quickly AND executes the offense efficiently and better than Merk, he starts.

Given the time each has been in the system, Merk should have the leg up but again, I have seen reports that there was some disappointment that Merk didn't have the playbook nailed down yet and that might be affecting his execution.

This is why Heupel gets paid the big bucks:
Do you take the guy who has seen the offense for a year+ and hope it clicks in real games better than practice
OR
Do you take the guy who has starting experience elsewhere but has had very limited time with your playbook.

In the end, who can execute the offense better?

 

[volfan411]

I don't think G-Mac stays if Merk starts in 2026. I think it's very unlikely Brandon is told to sit for 2 years or he might just transfer to start elsewhere.

G-Mac will likely never start at UT if he doesn't in 2026 and he'll transfer. Conversely, if Merk doesn't start this year or in 2026, he'll never start at UT and will transfer.

One (or possibly both if Brandon is the second coming of Peyton and ready to start as a true freshman) will transfer.

I agree with this. Someone stated yesterday that Gmac loves UT and would never transfer but no way he sits on the bench because he loves UT. I agree if he doesn't start in 2026 he will never start and will transfer out.

 

[Zues1]

Shocked I tell ya

 

[CAVPUT]

Man, you must get in your car and picture having a flat and getting sandwiched on the interstate by two semis.

Joking, but Battered Vol Syndrome seems to have completely overtaken you. Scratch the cat's ears...... eh, he'll probably bite you. Pet the dog...... he's likely just rolled in poop.

Cheer up, man. Our Vols, in most sports, are trending upward.

Well....

- I have been hit by a pickup truck.
- A dog has bitten me in the keester.
- I got cat scratch fever from a cat we once had.

Got loads more, but these relate to your post specifically.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I agree with this. Someone stated yesterday that Gmac loves UT and would never transfer but no way he sits on the bench because he loves UT. I agree if he doesn't start in 2026 he will never start and will transfer out.

He's too good to just sit his whole college career and I'd not fault him (unless he went to FL or AL) for transferring.

Kiffin might lure him to Ole Miss, which wouldn't be optimal, but if he can't start here he should take care of himself.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Well....

- I have been hit by a pickup truck.
- A dog has bitten me in the keester.
- I got cat scratch fever from a cat we once had.

Got loads more, but these relate to your post specifically.

Have you thought about writing country music?

 

[CAVPUT]

Have you thought about writing country music?