Only 2 weeks left until Spring practice begins!

#1
goldvol

goldvol

VolNation's Lesser Poobah
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#1
I was curious about how much more we had to wait, and it looks like it begins March 7th, in 2 weeks! I'm glad February is a short month, and I'm looking forward to something positive to talk about. I've been laid up with the flu for almost a week and checking volnation daily.

I'm not completely sold on Shoop, but even if he's only equal to Jancek (most here say he's much better), I do think having a new coordinator will energize the players. I know he won't be bringing an entire shift in idealogy, but just doing different drills with a different voice screaming at you will get you to move a little quicker.

Well, here's a couple questions to get this Spring practice thread rolling, some of which has been discussed at other times and places.
Which newcomers are going to make the biggest impact in the spring? Who's the first to lose a black stripe? What position battles are you looking forward to the most?

Looking forward to your posts, and hoping I made some football junkie a little happier when they realized it's almost time for Spring football!
 
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#2
#2
Guys I'm most looking forward to seeing this spring:

1. Drew Richmond - only real question mark heading into next season is who starts at LT....I'm interested to see if Drew can lock it down

2. Darrell Taylor - lotta buzz about him late last year in practice....will be interesting to see if that continues into the spring and if he can nab a spot in the rotation

3. Kahlil McKenzie - so much expected of him last year, can he start living up to the hype....it'll be interesting to see how much better he's become

4. Rashaan Gaulden - so much hype around him....I'm looking forward to actually seeing him play

5. Austin Smith & Stephen Griffin - two guys I've been high on for the longest time....they might be the two most athletically gifted players on the team....it'll be really interesting to see how much better they are now with a year of experience in the system.....I expect both to be huge contributors next fall
 
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#3
#3
goldvol said:
I was curious about how much more we had to wait, and it looks like it begins March 7th, in 2 weeks! I'm glad February is a short month, and I'm looking forward to something positive to talk about. I've been laid up with the flu for almost a week and checking volnation daily.

I'm not completely sold on Shoop, but even if he's only equal to Jancek (most here say he's much better), I do think having a new coordinator will energize the players. I know he won't be bringing an entire shift in idealogy, but just doing different drills with a different voice screaming at you will get you to move a little quicker.

Well, here's a couple questions to get this Spring practice thread rolling, some of which has been discussed at other times and places.
Which newcomers are going to make the biggest impact in the spring? Who's the first to lose a black stripe? What position battles are you looking forward to the most?

Looking forward to your posts, and hoping I made some football junkie a little happier when they realized it's almost time for Spring football!
Click to expand...

Why are you not completely sold on Shoop? He was the primary reason for any success Franklin had a both Vandie and PSU. You should definitely be sold on him IMHO.
 
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#4
#4
Anybody know anything on Tuttle? I saw him yesterday with a boot and on one of those roller things - putting no weight on it. I know he's out for spring; but does anybody know if they expect him to be back for fall camp?
 
#6
#6
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Guys I'm most looking forward to seeing this spring:

1. Drew Richmond - only real question mark heading into next season is who starts at LT....I'm interested to see if Drew can lock it down

2. Darrell Taylor - lotta buzz about him late last year in practice....will be interesting to see if that continues into the spring and if he can nab a spot in the rotation

3. Kahlil McKenzie - so much expected of him last year, can he start living up to the hype....it'll be interesting to see how much better he's become

4. Rashaan Gaulden - so much hype around him....I'm looking forward to actually seeing him play

5. Austin Smith & Stephen Griffin - two guys I've been high on for the longest time....they might be the two most athletically gifted players on the team....it'll be really interesting to see how much better they are now with a year of experience in the system.....I expect both to be huge contributors next fall
Click to expand...

Big might for number 6. Austin Smith was underrated, but Derek Barnett is more gifted. So is Jalen Hurd. Those two guys are rare talents. And theyre both from Mid-State.

Okay, who do I look to emerge? Watch out for Jack Jones.
Drew is not a lock to start. He will have to earn that spot.

Marquil Orsborne at NB. With Cam probably taking the spring off, Foreman gets reps at the CB spot opposite of Martin. Osbourne will make some noise this spring.

Evan Berry. This will be the MVP of the spring.

Sheriron Jones. Time to see why he came back...

No baseball for Dobbs. Time to get better.

Jauan Jennings begins his routine as the next Quentin Hancock (Spring Monster)... kidding! Jennings and Preston Williams put on a show.

.... Paul Bain will get some work with dismissal of A Johnson. He might even pass Vickers. Seriously.

Look for Austin Smith to push Vereen. Kyle Phillips is next man up from Derek B.

Finally, Darrin Kirkland Jr. Really takes the reins of the defense in the spring.

Big Spring. We're the most talented team in the SEC East. Lets see where that goes...
 
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#7
#7
Kristy* said:
Anybody know anything on Tuttle? I saw him yesterday with a boot and on one of those roller things - putting no weight on it. I know he's out for spring; but does anybody know if they expect him to be back for fall camp?
Click to expand...

Him in a boot yesterday, I would say he won't be involved in spring practice. He would need about a two weeks to ween off the boot just to return to day to day activities, like walking.

As for the knee scooter, extended walking in a boot is bad for your knees and back, even if your tanked up on Jack and Cup.
 
#8
#8
Kristy* said:
Anybody know anything on Tuttle? I saw him yesterday with a boot and on one of those roller things - putting no weight on it. I know he's out for spring; but does anybody know if they expect him to be back for fall camp?
Click to expand...

I've wondered about him. Kid was doing good, I hope he's ready by fall.
 
#9
#9
KBVol said:
Why are you not completely sold on Shoop? He was the primary reason for any success Franklin had a both Vandie and PSU. You should definitely be sold on him IMHO.
Click to expand...

Well, there's a few things that have me cautiously optimistic. First, his record as a head coach is dreadful, and it wasn't that long ago. I know, there are some people that are better coordinators than head coaches. However, if he's the genius everyone is saying, why wouldn't he have had even minor success? Second, people are quick to attribute Franklin's success to Shoop, but most of the time it's the head coach, and not a coordinator, who deserves the credit (think Nick Saban). To me, it's just as easy to attribute Shoop's success to Franklin (even though I really can't stand Franklin). Hopefully this is also true with Butch Jones, which would mean our defense would be successful with even a lesser coordinator. Lastly, Shoop hasn't been a coordinator that long, which means his success could also be attributed to any number of factors. I just thought of Jim Chaney as offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Yes, Chaney is decent, but his success under Dooley was due to having a few strong position players (Bray, Hunter, Patterson), and benefited from a terrible defense that allow quick scoring. Does anyone think Chaney is a genius, even though his offense at Tennessee was one is the greatest all time? Hopefully Shoop does well. I thought our defense was lights out the last couple years (mostly). So, I don't expect dramatic improvement with Shoop, but I hope we continue dominating that side of the ball.
 
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#11
#11
LittleVol said:
Big might for number 6. Austin Smith was underrated, but Derek Barnett is more gifted. So is Jalen Hurd. Those two guys are rare talents. And theyre both from Mid-State.

Okay, who do I look to emerge? Watch out for Jack Jones.
Drew is not a lock to start. He will have to earn that spot.

Marquil Orsborne at NB. With Cam probably taking the spring off, Foreman gets reps at the CB spot opposite of Martin. Osbourne will make some noise this spring.

Evan Berry. This will be the MVP of the spring.

Sheriron Jones. Time to see why he came back...

No baseball for Dobbs. Time to get better.

Jauan Jennings begins his routine as the next Quentin Hancock (Spring Monster)... kidding! Jennings and Preston Williams put on a show.

.... Paul Bain will get some work with dismissal of A Johnson. He might even pass Vickers. Seriously.

Look for Austin Smith to push Vereen. Kyle Phillips is next man up from Derek B.

Finally, Darrin Kirkland Jr. Really takes the reins of the defense in the spring.

Big Spring. We're the most talented team in the SEC East. Lets see where that goes...
Click to expand...


Really? Hey do yourself a favor and google this "alexis johnson dismissed." Find anything?
 
#12
#12
UTK said:
Wait, why aren't you sold on shoop exactly?
Click to expand...

Lol, please see the above. Those are just my personal opinions, and I freely admit may be worth peanuts. I'm excited about the spring, and hopefully Shoop ends any hesitation I have (about changing coordinators) during the Florida game.
 
#14
#14
I am keen to see what all of the guys who redshirted in '15 look like this spring (not just Richmond, but Boulware, too). I hope we get to see a healthy Picou out there this spring? Looking forward to seeing a healthy Sanders again, whenever that will be. And this would be a good time for one or more guys to step up at the TE position -- we need more than one or two there.
 
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#15
#15
KBVol said:
Why are you not completely sold on Shoop? He was the primary reason for any success Franklin had a both Vandie and PSU. You should definitely be sold on him IMHO.
Click to expand...

I am like you Shoop help JF at Vandy to 3, 9 wins season's, with our talent look out, the man can coach.
 
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#16
#16
LittleVol said:
Big might for number 6. Austin Smith was underrated, but Derek Barnett is more gifted. So is Jalen Hurd. Those two guys are rare talents. And theyre both from Mid-State.

Okay, who do I look to emerge? Watch out for Jack Jones.
Drew is not a lock to start. He will have to earn that spot.

Marquil Orsborne at NB. With Cam probably taking the spring off, Foreman gets reps at the CB spot opposite of Martin. Osbourne will make some noise this spring.

Evan Berry. This will be the MVP of the spring.

Sheriron Jones. Time to see why he came back...

No baseball for Dobbs. Time to get better.

Jauan Jennings begins his routine as the next Quentin Hancock (Spring Monster)... kidding! Jennings and Preston Williams put on a show.

.... Paul Bain will get some work with dismissal of A Johnson. He might even pass Vickers. Seriously.

Look for Austin Smith to push Vereen. Kyle Phillips is next man up from Derek B.

Finally, Darrin Kirkland Jr. Really takes the reins of the defense in the spring.

Big Spring. We're the most talented team in the SEC East. Lets see where that goes...
Click to expand...

Question(s) ... what do you guys see as ideal position for Jack Jones -- OG or OT? Same question for Chance Hall.
 
#17
#17
I'm looking forward to seeing what our new guys can do on the field, especially Alexis Johns...

...What?

Oh, really.

Never mind.
 
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#19
#19
As far as Shoop and his coaching, he lead PSU as the #1 ranked 4th down defense in the nation last year. How do you think our season may have been different if we had had the #1 ranked defense on 4th down? Take a second and google what our 4th down defense was last year, and I think it will become more clear as to why a change had to be made, or you can just think back to the UF and OU games.
 
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#20
#20
I assume the days format will be similiar with last years format. I hope the QB's get to air out a few to the WR's to add some excitement to the day. Realistic attendance guesses?
 
#21
#21
Excited to see:

Shy Tuttle

Alexis Johnson

Christmas Giles

Derek Brown

Our DT finally has the depth to win the SEC.
 
#22
#22
goldvol said:
Well, there's a few things that have me cautiously optimistic. First, his record as a head coach is dreadful, and it wasn't that long ago. I know, there are some people that are better coordinators than head coaches. However, if he's the genius everyone is saying, why wouldn't he have had even minor success? Second, people are quick to attribute Franklin's success to Shoop, but most of the time it's the head coach, and not a coordinator, who deserves the credit (think Nick Saban). To me, it's just as easy to attribute Shoop's success to Franklin (even though I really can't stand Franklin). Hopefully this is also true with Butch Jones, which would mean our defense would be successful with even a lesser coordinator. Lastly, Shoop hasn't been a coordinator that long, which means his success could also be attributed to any number of factors. I just thought of Jim Chaney as offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Yes, Chaney is decent, but his success under Dooley was due to having a few strong position players (Bray, Hunter, Patterson), and benefited from a terrible defense that allow quick scoring. Does anyone think Chaney is a genius, even though his offense at Tennessee was one is the greatest all time? Hopefully Shoop does well. I thought our defense was lights out the last couple years (mostly). So, I don't expect dramatic improvement with Shoop, but I hope we continue dominating that side of the ball.
Click to expand...

He was a first time HC at COLUMBIA. George Seifert went 3-15 at Cornell...winning record and 2 Super Bowl wins with the 49ers. Couple that with Belichick and you realize the value of judging a coach on ONE experience. The better one's learn from it. And Wade Phillips is an example of valuing a brilliant coordinator and average HC. We're in great hands...you'll buy what's left...later on.
 
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#23
#23
butchna said:
He was a first time HC at COLUMBIA. George Seifert went 3-15 at Cornell...winning record and 2 Super Bowl wins with the 49ers. Couple that with Belichick and you realize the value of judging a coach on ONE experience. The better one's learn from it. And Wade Phillips is an example of valuing a brilliant coordinator and average HC. We're in great hands...you'll buy what's left...later on.
Click to expand...

Holy crap, you're still alive?






:) Welcome back.
 
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#24
#24
Catbone said:
Excited to see:

Shy Tuttle

Alexis Johnson

Christmas Giles

Derek Brown

Our DT finally has the depth to win the SEC.
Click to expand...

I'm excited to see Shy Tuttle as well. Played very well last year before a Georgia lineman dove at his ankle. If this was an attempt at sarcasm, it was pretty weak.
 
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