The team that wore my beloved T on their helmet looked completely out of control on defense from the beginning. Our LB's are not good. Our DB's looked as if they were watching for clouds to make characters and were out of position all day long. They were and are not a very well coached and prepared team. Our DL did not look to bad but had ZERO help when Tebow was hurried. The reason? LB's are horrid.
Our Defensive grade = F (I would give lower but that is as low as it gets)
Our offense started the game moving the ball at will. Then our recievers remembered that they couldn't catch. Our Oline still cannot open a hole that you could slide a sheet of paper through. Every Oline I have ever been associated with prided themselves on run blocking. This Oline seems to be ill prepared and has shown little to no improvement in the run blocking schemes. Pass protection is good. WR on this team baffles me. Rodgers is quick but is not trustworthy. He drops way to many passes to be a starter in this league. It's not even the number as much as it is when he makes the drops. Erik Ainge is a very good QB and makes good decisions. He puts the ball where he should and too often is rewarded with a dropped ball or no blocking down field to assist in YAC's.
Offensive grade = C+
Special teams has been an issue at UT for a very long time. How a team can be good at one aspect and horrible at another baffles me. For years we have had good punters and PK's. But it seems like we rarely have a threat at returns. Our coverage has been bad for so long that I really have nothing to say other than there is not an acceptable excuse.
Special teams grade = D-
Our coaching staff has built a program that has seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lowes. The Head Coach of this team is 100% accountable and responsible for the actions and lack there of, of his team. No matter the team the HC is the top man and the buck stops there. They have a chance to show improvement this season therefore I will not yet say that our HC should be removed. But that would take the kind of coaching that we deserve and expect. The manner in which UT lost the 2 games is what bothers me the most. I knew that we may very well have lost these 2 games, but I would never have dreamed that it would be as bad as it was. I love my UT and will always. But I was embarrassed for all the greats who have donned the BIG ORANGE in years past and gave thier all. I was embarrassed for the millions of fans who pull year in and year out for our School. Those 2 games ARE NOT Tennessee football and I refuse to accept that as such. If our Staff fails to show improvement over last year then I think a change needs to be made.
Over all grade = F
Our Defensive grade = F (I would give lower but that is as low as it gets)
Our offense started the game moving the ball at will. Then our recievers remembered that they couldn't catch. Our Oline still cannot open a hole that you could slide a sheet of paper through. Every Oline I have ever been associated with prided themselves on run blocking. This Oline seems to be ill prepared and has shown little to no improvement in the run blocking schemes. Pass protection is good. WR on this team baffles me. Rodgers is quick but is not trustworthy. He drops way to many passes to be a starter in this league. It's not even the number as much as it is when he makes the drops. Erik Ainge is a very good QB and makes good decisions. He puts the ball where he should and too often is rewarded with a dropped ball or no blocking down field to assist in YAC's.
Offensive grade = C+
Special teams has been an issue at UT for a very long time. How a team can be good at one aspect and horrible at another baffles me. For years we have had good punters and PK's. But it seems like we rarely have a threat at returns. Our coverage has been bad for so long that I really have nothing to say other than there is not an acceptable excuse.
Special teams grade = D-
Our coaching staff has built a program that has seen the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lowes. The Head Coach of this team is 100% accountable and responsible for the actions and lack there of, of his team. No matter the team the HC is the top man and the buck stops there. They have a chance to show improvement this season therefore I will not yet say that our HC should be removed. But that would take the kind of coaching that we deserve and expect. The manner in which UT lost the 2 games is what bothers me the most. I knew that we may very well have lost these 2 games, but I would never have dreamed that it would be as bad as it was. I love my UT and will always. But I was embarrassed for all the greats who have donned the BIG ORANGE in years past and gave thier all. I was embarrassed for the millions of fans who pull year in and year out for our School. Those 2 games ARE NOT Tennessee football and I refuse to accept that as such. If our Staff fails to show improvement over last year then I think a change needs to be made.
Over all grade = F