Oh NO, Joe! Say It Isn't So!

#1
WoodsmanVol

WoodsmanVol

It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
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#1
We all know Hendon Hooker is the starting quarterback for the Vols. And who knows…true freshman Tayven jackson may earn the back-up spot. Jackson enrolled early this semester, and his skills have impressed his teammates and coaches so far in spring drills.

Said offensive lineman Addison Nichols:”He has done a fantastic job of learning the offense. I see him every night. we’ll sit in there and go over plays. He’ll go over signals. he has done a great job on the field just showing his athleticism. His knowledge of the game, and his ability to learn on his feet.”
Said quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle:”Tayven has been phenomenal. True freshman getting here early. He hasn’t had a missed call in team yet. He doesn’t call. Hasn’t called anything backwards or missed a protection call. He is completely dialed in to what we’re doing.” Source: Vols Freshman QB Tayven Jackson Appears to Shine in Spring Drills - WDEF

As a fan who hopes and looks forward to the prospect of Joe Milton being what he could be, this is both welcoming and shocking news. If he's beaten out by a freshman, I'm afraid that speaks of things that should not be, but simply is. If it is, hopefully, Heupel will not repeat his mistake of inserting the wrong alternate QB for games.
 
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#2
#2
FWIW it’s also been noted a good bit that his throws aren’t the most accurate in the world during spring ball. Granted that a small sample size that the media gets to see. Jackson didn’t throw much in high school (comparatively), he’s super raw with huge upside, but I don’t see him jumping the MiltMan in the pecking order. Milton is also inaccurate, but more experienced…..Granted, he looked green in that last play against Ole Miss, so maybe I’m just totally off base. Either way, too lazy to delete this text and I’ve put too much time into typing it so here ya go.
 
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#4
#4
peaygolf said:
It's early. It's Spring 7-7 crap. Glad he's doing well, but we'll see who comes in first if Hooker goes down. Either way, it's a good sign.
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To take your "spring" thought a little further.
I was thinking as I was reading all the glowing reports on the vas6t improvement of the QB squad that we could have 3 all-Americans on our hands and then I thought - - "everyone is great in spring".:rolleyes:
 
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#5
#5
I wouldn't breath much into it. This is spring ball.

I also don't understand why people hate on Milton so much. He is the back-up QB for a reason. There are not many teams who can stick in the back-up QB and have him perform just as well as the starter. Milton is fine as a 2nd string QB. He makes the right reads, moves the offense, and doesn't put the ball in harms way. He's just very inaccurate on throws longer than 15-20 yards and that is a large part of our offense.
 
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#6
#6
Carp said:
I wouldn't breath much into it. This is spring ball.

I also don't understand why people hate on Milton so much. He is the back-up QB for a reason. There are not many teams who can stick in the back-up QB and have him perform just as well as the starter. Milton is fine as a 2nd string QB. He makes the right reads, moves the offense, and doesn't put the ball in harms way. He's just very inaccurate on throws longer than 15-20 yards and that is a large part of our offense.
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I’ll never forgive him for running out of bounds with zeros on the clock. Never.
 
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#8
#8
I think we will go with Hooker with Milton in mop up duty. Doubt we see Jackson unless there’s an injury. I don’t think Milton is phenomenal or anything but he did make some progress down the stretch imo. Also you know more about what he’s going to give you in a live game than you know about Jackson.
 
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#13
#13
I agree with the sentiment its very tricky to properly assess one's abilities (especially QB's) in the spring. However, this is the way healthy programs work. Multiple "quality" QB's competing every time they step on the field. Clearly, the Vols are trending upward big time at the QB position for the future, so I say.... let 'em sling it and may the best QB win...which will certainly be Hooker this year...but next year spring ball may get entertaining.
 
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#14
#14
Carp said:
In the unlikely event that he comes in for an injured Hooker and beats Bama, UF, or UGA, I imagine you will change your tune.
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I'm all in on Captain Hook, but you know something? I'd sincerely like to see what you suggested actually happen. Best scenario, put him in after, oh say, 3.5 quarters of being slapped around by Bama. And everybody, consigned to yet another lopsided loss to the red algae team. Then just put in Joe to spare the Captain from possible injury in a futile endeavor. And dayum, Joe brings us all the way back for a two point win. Why? Just so I could see what happens on VN as a result. It would be the most entertaining and popular thread since we did that comeback win over Florida during the Lyle Allen era. I want to see that, just for the heck of it.

"To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
And to love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far"
 
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#16
#16
Halzle also had some positive words for Milton in that recent press conference. Just pulling numbers outta nowhere, I feel like about 50% of fans assumed Milton would transfer after losing his starting job. Halzle gave him props for being such a great teammate by wanting to stay here and compete. Milton has all the potential in the world — more than Hooker has in all honestly. I’m my opinion, Milton’s accuracy issues come down to nerves and over-thinking. When he saw a guy open deep, it seemed like he took an extra second to consider the throw. You can’t do that when you play QB at a high level. The greats recognize an open man and throw it immediately. No hesitation. When you do that, the throw is more a result of muscle memory and typically more accurate. Can Heupel/Halzle find a way to fix those accuracy issues? Time will tell. If not, we seem to have another option at hand.
 
#17
#17
If I shot a hole in one on every hole tomorrow, I'd shoot an 18.
maxresdefault.jpg


Sometimes, too much projecting can be detrimental. Imagine my sorrow if I shoot a 75??
 
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#19
#19
Carp said:
In the unlikely event that he comes in for an injured Hooker and beats Bama, UF, or UGA, I imagine you will change your tune.
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True. I don’t imagine we’ll have to worry too much about, however .
 
#21
#21
From some of the practice reports it seems to be Hooker, Milton, and then everyone else from an accuracy standpoint. Obviously Milton has a pretty good hold on the offense at this point (as that wasn't his problem last year). This year is probably a redshirt year for Jackson, he will probably get a few snaps of real action given you can play 4 games.
 
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#22
#22
Doberman said:
I’ll never forgive him for running out of bounds with zeros on the clock. Never.
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Yes I was at the game and in the end zone looking dead in his eyes! You could tell by the look on his face that the moment was too big then he absolutely did the dumbest thing I have ever seen by running out of bounds. At least make them tackle you, throw a couple lateral’s or throw into the end zone! Heupel could pull a miracle with this guy still but I will have to see it to believe it after he looked as lost as could be on that last play
 
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#23
#23
Carp said:
I wouldn't breath much into it. This is spring ball.

I also don't understand why people hate on Milton so much. He is the back-up QB for a reason. There are not many teams who can stick in the back-up QB and have him perform just as well as the starter. Milton is fine as a 2nd string QB. He makes the right reads, moves the offense, and doesn't put the ball in harms way. He's just very inaccurate on throws longer than 15-20 yards and that is a large part of our offense.
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If you watched any of our football games last year, you saw the problem associated with Milton's play. He has athletic potential but makes very bad decisions.
 
#24
#24
VOLINVONORE said:
If you watched any of our football games last year, you saw the problem associated with Milton's play. He has athletic potential but makes very bad decisions.
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Decision making is not the problem he worked the short game very well and ran the offense pretty efficiently his problem was accuracy on the deep ball and missing wide open receivers along with him not liking contact… Milton was also very new in the system I haven’t given up on him and I think he can still be a good Qb if he can just find touch on the deep ball…
 
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