our future OL depth...yikes!

#1

kamoshika

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#1
Signing only three OL today was a big disappointment. It won't hurt us this season but combined with our complete whiff last year, our future OL depth is looking downright scary.

Dooley's failure to sign even one OL last year may really come back to bite us in 2014: it was negligent at best and stupefyingly bone-headed at worst, especially since we knew we'd be losing four or five OL after the 2013 season. Ideally, Coach Jones wants 15 offensive linemen on the roster.

Barring injury, our backups next year probably won't get a lot of experience playing behind our seasoned veterans and in 2014, it's possible that we'll return only one player (Jackson) who's ever started a game. Here's what we're looking at right now, not including walk-ons (projected starters in blue):

* seniors: Stone, James, Fulton, Bullard
* juniors: Richardson (may declare after next year), Jackson, Pair (non-contributor)
* sophomores: Crowder, Posey, Kerbyson
* true freshmen: Wiesman, Kendrick, Sanders

If Richardson returns, we'll still be thin though he obviously would be a huge plus. But if we have any attrition at all due to quitting, transferring, or injuries, we'll be dangerously thin in 2014 and this could severely hamstring our offense. It's easy to say that we'll just have to sign 6 or 7 guys next year, and that's true. But true frosh OL are very rarely ready to play in the SEC, and juco OL guys usually don't make a big splash their first year, either.
 
#5
#5
It's not hard to understand why CBJ mentioned several times in his press conference that adding more lineman to this class is still a priority.
 
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#6
#6
yeah DT is much scarier - this doesnt really have any effect until 2014 season

if tiny goes thatd be losing 5 OL - we will at that point have 8 guys with time in the program competing for 5 spots - is it perfect, no, but its far better than where we were a few years ago

Crowder, Posey, Kerbyson will be RS juniors

Jackson will be a senior

Wiesman, Kendrick, Sanders will be sophs or RS freshman

Crowder, Posey, Kerbyson, Jackson, Sanders - 1 senior - 3 RS juniors - 1 soph/rs fresh - that doesnt sound bad to me as a starting OL
 
#7
#7
RB is easiest position on the field to have immediate contribution - not worried about RB at all

LB on the other hand is certainly something to worry about
 
#9
#9
If you want depth issues, look at QB. Peterman or Worley to start with freshmen or zero timers behind them.

And this is the main cog in your offense. An injury here and we will be done I feel.
 
#11
#11
If you want depth issues, look at QB. Peterman or Worley to start with freshmen or zero timers behind them.

And this is the main cog in your offense. An injury here and we will be done I feel.



I think we are pretty good at qb.
 
#14
#14
RB is easiest position on the field to have immediate contribution - not worried about RB at all

LB on the other hand is certainly something to worry about


starters A.J.Johnson, Curt Maggitt and whoever between LaTroy Lewis, Bynum, Sapp or possibly even Corey Vereen since he is an EE.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin is a possibility but he will need to add some weight.

Also have Christian Harris, Crump, Fugate and Greg King but that's a wish and a prayer. It will be interesting to see if Justin King moves over or stays with the offense. Also I know it's a stretch but if Tom Smith isn't going to see the field at RB lets see if he can tackle somebody.

Obviously not great but we do have some possibilities and a few bodies.
 
Last edited:
#21
#21
Signing only three OL today was a big disappointment. It won't hurt us this season but combined with our complete whiff last year, our future OL depth is looking downright scary.

Dooley's failure to sign even one OL last year may really come back to bite us in 2014: it was negligent at best and stupefyingly bone-headed at worst, especially since we knew we'd be losing four or five OL after the 2013 season. Ideally, Coach Jones wants 15 offensive linemen on the roster.

Barring injury, our backups next year probably won't get a lot of experience playing behind our seasoned veterans and in 2014, it's possible that we'll return only one player (Jackson) who's ever started a game. Here's what we're looking at right now, not including walk-ons (projected starters in blue):

* seniors: Stone, James, Fulton, Bullard
* juniors: Richardson (may declare after next year), Jackson, Pair (non-contributor)
* sophomores: Crowder, Posey, Kerbyson
* true freshmen: Wiesman, Kendrick, Sanders

If Richardson returns, we'll still be thin though he obviously would be a huge plus. But if we have any attrition at all due to quitting, transferring, or injuries, we'll be dangerously thin in 2014 and this could severely hamstring our offense. It's easy to say that we'll just have to sign 6 or 7 guys next year, and that's true. But true frosh OL are very rarely ready to play in the SEC, and juco OL guys usually don't make a big splash their first year, either.

It is going to be Dooley first year all again in 14. We will be hearing OL Pride. Echo's from Cross eyed Harry
 
#23
#23
I hope that Vol fans will give this Coach more than three years to turn it around.....

If he goes 4-19 in the SEC and literally sabotages recruiting like Dooley did the past two seasons, then I see no reason to keep him.

I want to see a smart team playing to the best of its capabilities and taking care of business against the KY and Vandy's of the world.

Making tangible improvement each year in the form of wins and better recruiting each year is a necessity.

This program has been spinning it's wheels for a decade now, time to start its way out of the ditch.
 
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#24
#24
I'm hopeful that the preferred walk-on OL we got can count for some depth next year. Regardless, i think we'll see a major OL, DL, LB, and RB haul next year.
 
#25
#25
I'm just glad we even got three OL this year. look people...we got asses kicked all last year and became the whipping boy for the SEC. We got a new coach and new system with a lot of uncertainity. That's what recruits were seeing.

Not even the first practice or game and people are throwing their arms up and calling the class a loser.
 
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