Oku Sliding?

#26
#26
zjcvols said:
I honestly think Oku needs to drop back down to 185. Isn't he up to 200-205 this year? He just doesn't look comfortable with that extra weight.
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If he drops back down to 185 you can bet the farm that he won't be seeing many carries.
 
#27
#27
Where are the people who assured us that Poole was absolutely no good and that Oku was definitely the #1 guy?

I think Neal is catching Oku because Neal is a better every down RB. Oku is struggling to find his niche. He isn't out-quicking anyone but he can't run through tackles either.
 
#28
#28
PMC2726 said:
I'm a little confused about the RB situation as it stands right now. If Poole is healthy (enough) to play a full game this weekend, and CDD has been pretty vocal about saying that Neal will get some snaps . . . . where does that leave Oku?

CDD had a LOT of public praise for Oku during fall practice; however it seems like CDD has soured on Oku a little -- feels like he is tippy-toeing. Don't really see Oku returning kicks anymore, etc.

I love having a stable of capable RB's, especially if one gets hurt. BUT, I can't see a situation where we have 3 healthy RB's rotating in and out of one game -- it's not like we've got a thunder and lightning type situation -- none of our backs are short down/goal line yardage type bruisers.

Just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts about how this might shake out. By the way -- this is a GREAT problem to have.
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He has not carried the ball very well when he has had opportunities but the major issue is his pass protection. Has been awful with that.. just takes time to get those protection down and execute them for some
 
#30
#30
DaDuRkEr said:
I'm excited about Gerald coming back and hoping that we run a lil G-gun as I doubt anyone has prepared for it. Gerald and Oku/Neale is a nice speed running attack and Gerald is pretty good at his reads. This could be what our running game needs to get its swagger back. A couple nice runs and Gerald back in the huddle!

Go Vols!!!
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the UT running swagger is in NY on CBS every Saturday.
 
#31
#31
Oku is not the problem on kickoffs. I sat in the bleachers the first 3 games of the season and tried to find one running lane on a kickoff and couldn't find one. He's not missing the lane, it's just not there. We block and cover special teams much like a 1A high school team does. We never set up a return nor do we stay in our coverage lanes.

On offense, Oku kinda seems like a back that needs several carries in a row in order to get a big one. As a backup with limited carries, I don't think the system is helping him play up to his potential. He will probably be better as a starter in the future than he is as a backup/change of pace guy this year. Neal looks pretty dang good though. Oku better find a way to step it up a little bit or he may get passed with time.
 
#32
#32
volnation2217 said:
Oku is not the problem on kickoffs. I sat in the bleachers the first 3 games of the season and tried to find one running lane on a kickoff and couldn't find one. He's not missing the lane, it's just not there. We block and cover special teams much like a 1A high school team does. We never set up a return nor do we stay in our coverage lanes.

On offense, Oku kinda seems like a back that needs several carries in a row in order to get a big one. As a backup with limited carries, I don't think the system is helping him play up to his potential. He will probably be better as a starter in the future than he is as a backup/change of pace guy this year. Neal looks pretty dang good though. Oku better find a way to step it up a little bit or he may get passed with time.
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i think this is the best description. kiffin brought him in to be the reggie bush tyrp and i think either the system is helping him or it isnt developed enough to really let him get going
 
#36
#36
volnation2217 said:
On offense, Oku kinda seems like a back that needs several carries in a row in order to get a big one. As a backup with limited carries, I don't think the system is helping him play up to his potential. He will probably be better as a starter in the future than he is as a backup/change of pace guy this year. Neal looks pretty dang good though. Oku better find a way to step it up a little bit or he may get passed with time.
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I think this is a good point. Oku certainly seemed to be jawing a lot last Saturday. Every time he got a little yardage, he got yanked out of the game.
 
#37
#37
LWSVOL said:
He has not carried the ball very well when he has had opportunities but the major issue is his pass protection. Has been awful with that.. just takes time to get those protection down and execute them for some
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Nah, pass pro is all about Effort

He hasnt missed assignments, he has whiffed on blocks completely

little half-assed cut blocks and just barely setting your body in front of a blitzer will get you benched, quickly.

it has nothing to do with size either, Marshall Faulk, Clinton Portis and marcus Allen are some of the best Blitz pick up blockers ever and neither are hulking RBs.
 
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#39
#39
You know Monterio didn't hit the hole like a monster until seems like his senior yr. These guys need to hit like there is nothing to lose, not trying to go for no injuries, i.e. NFL contracts, and actually make it through fricking college first. The NFL contract will take care of itself.
 
#40
#40
Oku put on too much weight. Why he focused on putting weight instead of getting even faster I have no idea.
 
#42
#42
volwarrior33 said:
Oku put on too much weight. Why he focused on putting weight instead of getting even faster I have no idea.
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Sounds like an excuse for a guy that has yet to show a lot. I would assume he bulked up because he knew our blocking wasn't going to give him the holes a quick back needs. That and he probablly wanted to be an SEC caliber power runner. Needs to figure it out though if he doesn't want to be #3.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#43
#43
volwarrior33 said:
Oku put on too much weight. Why he focused on putting weight instead of getting even faster I have no idea.
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I don't understand why people think that adding MUSCLE slows you down. I promise he isn't slower than he was last season. I would say with the added muscle came more speed. 185 is too small for a SEC RB unless you have Jeff Demps type speed which Oku doesn't.
 
#44
#44
RECON said:
OKU is much like Walker.......a bit overrated.
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:) That's hilarious! Who "rated" Chris Walker? Never mind. Don't answer that. He's gone in less than 3 months and it won't matter. Good grief...what an amazing ride it has been!

So sad that Chris chose UT because of the family atmosphere and the "amazing fans" 4 years ago! Gosh we should have taken away a couple of his "stars" and no one would have expected him to do much at UT! The truth of the matter is that if you knew Chris Walker the way I knew Chris Walker you would be able to see the young man who has given his all for Tennessee since the day he stepped foot on campus. He's the same 9-year old kid who walked around telling everybody that he was going to play for Tennessee when he grew up.

Sadly, winning cures everything and if we were 4-0 and not 2-2 I would not be responding to this thread about Chris being overrated. Finally sick to death of our guys (not just Chris) being beat down because they are doing what the coaches tell them to do. Chris did not choose the path. His coaches, all THREE of them, chose it for him. Yet he did not complain and certainly did not give up when the going got tough. You cannot tell me that Chris has gone backwards after the year he had last year playing the final six games of the season with an injured back. That is not an excuse; it's a fact! The media doesn't report that our guys are being asked (and expected) to do things outside of the norm for the position they play. No one is more frustrated about what has been reported as "a lack of production" by Chris and his fellow d-lineman than Chris. He never visioned his career at UT ending this way. As a parent, my heart hurts for my son. Playing for the Big Orange meant so much to him. He won't have a legacy as a player, he won't make the highlight reel, he will never come back as a legend of the game but he WILL HAVE A DEGREE. My proudest moment will be December 11th when he walks across the stage to shake the hand of whom ever is handing it to him. Our mission will be accomplished.
 
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#45
#45
Brothermom said:
:) That's hilarious! Who "rated" Chris Walker? Never mind. Don't answer that. He's gone in less than 3 months and it won't matter. Good grief...what an amazing ride it has been!

So sad that Chris chose UT because of the family atmosphere and the "amazing fans" 4 years ago! Gosh we should have taken away a couple of his "stars" and no one would have expected him to do much at UT! The truth of the matter is that if you knew Chris Walker the way I knew Chris Walker you would be able to see the young man who has given his all for Tennessee since the day he stepped foot on campus. He's the same 9-year old kid who walked around telling everybody that he was going to play for Tennessee when he grew up.

Sadly, winning cures everything and if we were 4-0 and not 2-2 I would not be responding to this thread about Chris being overrated. Finally sick to death of our guys (not just Chris) being beat down because they are doing what the coaches tell them to do. Chris did not choose the path. His coaches, all THREE of them, chose it for him. Yet he did not complain and certainly did not give up when the going got tough. You cannot tell me that Chris has gone backwards after the year he had last year playing the final six games of the season with an injured back. That is not an excuse; it's a fact! The media doesn't report that our guys are being asked (and expected) to do things outside of the norm for the position they play. No one is more frustrated about what has been reported as "a lack of production" by Chris and his fellow d-lineman than Chris. He never visioned his career at UT ending this way. As a parent, my heart hurts for my son. Playing for the Big Orange meant so much to him. He won't have a legacy as a player, he won't make the highlight reel, he will never come back as a legend of the game but he WILL HAVE A DEGREE. My proudest moment will be December 11th when he walks across the stage to shake the hand of whom ever is handing it to him. Our mission will be accomplished.
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That was one person's opinion. I don't think many UT fans would say Chris is overrated. I know I wouldn't.
 
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