Perhaps 3 reasons whether Bailey…

[volmoon]

I read it. It really is not complex unless one has comprehension issues. It's very simple and straightforward, you said Bailey should not play to protect his "future".

We can agree to disagree. Quarterback development is far more complex than most other positions. And playing a first year 18-year-old freshman who had no Spring, missed weeks of COVID and only practiced with the 1’s for one or two weeks, and then putting him in the starting line up for SEC games was not “good experience.” I like the idea of letting him learn a bit.

 

[volmoon]

Great way to get a cheap PHD.

Agreed, but Milton will break all passing records before he gets a PhD. 😉 From what I read he’s not pursuing a masters now.

 

[sjt18]

Milton is very confident and has no intention of playing three years here. Someone interviewed him and noted that he had a degree from Michigan and asked what grad school at UT was like. His response was that he wasn't really in grad school, but that he was taking some business class to help him understand language that might be used in NFL contracts. I believe that he thinks he's here for 1 year. 2 years would be a setback for him. Unless things go really wrong, Milton will declare for the draft after this year, imo.

He probably needs to work on his back up plan. He's done nothing so far that will get him drafted.

 

[Smokymtnbullet]

Bailey can’t run, and he has the power of a toddler pushing a beachball into a windstorm.

Thank you.I’ve never seen a fan base have such a love affair with a 3rd string QB that no coach has wanted or has confidence in.Even the Knox media speaks that he’s clearly number 3.

 

[Dino0027]

I can see number three as a possibility, but with the struggles at the position it is going to be hard to stick to it, when even with low expectations you want to succeed

 

[sjt18]

We can agree to disagree. Quarterback development is far more complex than most other positions. And playing a first year 18-year-old freshman who had no Spring, missed weeks of COVID and only practiced with the 1’s for one or two weeks, and then putting him in the starting line up for SEC games was not “good experience.” I like the idea of letting him learn a bit.

The very best way to develop a QB is live game experience. If they were thinking along the lines of what you suggest then they would have started HB and never looked back. He is good enough to get them to a bowl this year. Hooker is as well. Milton is convincing me that he is not though he still has the highest physical ceiling. In fact, if you have any inkling at all that HB is the "QB of the future"... you don't bring a guy like Milton in. You specifically go after a QB with HB's skill set to be his back up.

 

[volmoon]

The very best way to develop a QB is live game experience. If they were thinking along the lines of what you suggest then they would have started HB and never looked back. He is good enough to get them to a bowl this year. Hooker is as well. Milton is convincing me that he is not though he still has the highest physical ceiling. In fact, if you have any inkling at all that HB is the "QB of the future"... you don't bring a guy like Milton in. You specifically go after a QB with HB's skill set to be his back up.

Perhaps you’re right. Time will tell.

 

[BanditVol]

The general consensus of fans is that Bailey is not much of a runner and so a bad fit for Heupel's system. I see no reason to question that. I think he enters the portal at some point.

I will allow there is a small chance that he sees the field for a significant amount of time this season. That might require one of Hooker or Milton to be injured and the other to not play well. In which case, somehow he might just prove to be a good fit for CJH's system.

At this point my money is on him entering the portal though, unfortunately.

 

[sjt18]

Perhaps you’re right. Time will tell.

You could misconstrue that I am against HB. I'm not. I'm a Vol fan and want the guy who gives UT the best shot at winning. I'm just trying to "read the tea leaves". I personally do not think that it is the "system" per se that hurts HB. I think it could easily be modified very slightly if he were clearly the best in other ways.

I said before this competition even started that he had to be "perfect" in what he does well- good and consistent decisions, good timing, ball placement, etc. Not perfect in the sense of no physical errors but pretty much so mentally. He had too much of a physical gap to overcome to be anything less vs the other two (or 3 then).

If he gets an opportunity then maybe he turns it on in games in ways the other two cannot. One thing that separates QB's is what happens to them mentally under game pressure. Some guys like JG struggle. They have a tendency to freeze up and slow down their thinking process. They get scared of making mistakes and see phantoms everywhere that inhibit their execution. Some guys get hyper focused with mental clarity. The adrenaline makes them MORE precise and quick with decisions rather than less. IF... he gets his shot that's who I hope he is. Unfortunately you really cannot create that level of stress/pressure/excitement in practice.

 

[PTownVol]

HAHAHA.....Where's all them straws I'm grasping for!

I think that the QB issues we have with Milton and that he had at UM are between the ears. Not that he can't process and run the offense, but I believe he gets so entirely amped up in the games, things don't go well and then he is filled with doubt and he panics. You can't convince me that Milton has been over-throwing receivers like this in practice and Heupel just decided to roll with it anyway. I believe he has the same issue that JG had, gifted athlete with a big arm, but shrinks from the spotlight as soon as the game starts.

I'm not a QB specialist and I don't know if you can fix that issue. But pretending that there is some grand scheme to save Bailey for next season is nuts. College football is a WIN NOW proposition, planning to win later is planning to get fired.

 

[sjt18]

The general consensus of fans is that Bailey is not much of a runner and so a bad fit for Heupel's system. I see no reason to question that. I think he enters the portal at some point.

I will allow there is a small chance that he sees the field for a significant amount of time this season. That might require one of Hooker or Milton to be injured and the other to not play well. In which case, somehow he might just prove to be a good fit for CJH's system.

At this point my money is on him entering the portal though, unfortunately.

If he gets a chance... big if... then he will have a chance. If he proves he's the guy who can make the right decisions and put the ball on time and target then he will be the "perfect fit" for Heupel's O. Those things are more meaningful than being a runner. But he apparently hasn't proven that in practice.

 

[NEO]

they want to set him up to win when he steps on the field. they want a good recruiting class, and put him a position to succeed. so r.e.l.a.x.

Or they are trying to pull a Freshman 5 star who starts day one and playing a guy with multiple years of eligibility left is gonna hurt that if he does well.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Actual video of Smokey Saturday after Milton’s third straight “miss”

 

[volmoon]

You could misconstrue that I am against HB. I'm not. I'm a Vol fan and want the guy who gives UT the best shot at winning. I'm just trying to "read the tea leaves". I personally do not think that it is the "system" per se that hurts HB. I think it could easily be modified very slightly if he were clearly the best in other ways.

I said before this competition even started that he had to be "perfect" in what he does well- good and consistent decisions, good timing, ball placement, etc. Not perfect in the sense of no physical errors but pretty much so mentally. He had too much of a physical gap to overcome to be anything less vs the other two (or 3 then).

If he gets an opportunity then maybe he turns it on in games in ways the other two cannot. One thing that separates QB's is what happens to them mentally under game pressure. Some guys like JG struggle. They have a tendency to freeze up and slow down their thinking process. They get scared of making mistakes and see phantoms everywhere that inhibit their execution. Some guys get hyper focused with mental clarity. The adrenaline makes them MORE precise and quick with decisions rather than less. IF... he gets his shot that's who I hope he is. Unfortunately you really cannot create that level of stress/pressure/excitement in practice.

You were clear. Good explanation. Likewise, I’m not all about Bailey. I’m just hungry for someone who can command an offense with a solid passing game so we can effectively run the ball too.

 

[BanditVol]

Or they are trying to pull a Freshman 5 star who starts day one and playing a guy with multiple years of eligibility left is gonna hurt that if he does well.

Milton has two more years after this season, so I don't think that's it at all.

And if so, it would be a truly stupid strategy. CJH needs to get off to as good a start as he can. Would he really bench his best QB just to get a recruit in Season 1? Sorry that's just nuts.

 

[NEO]

Milton has two more years after this season, so I don't think that's it at all.

And if so, it would be a truly stupid strategy. CJH needs to get off to as good a start as he can. Would he really bench his best QB just to get a recruit in Season 1? Sorry that's just nuts.

I don’t know anymore.

Our last 3 coaches couldn’t make the right choice ever so I am just jaded I guess.

Hell, didn’t even Dobbs only get in because Worley got hurt? Our coaches seem to love the better qb being in the bench.

 

[Rooster1]

I can't read today's knoxnews article on the QB competition, anyone have the cliffs?

 

[EZE]

Sorry, but #3 is laughable and delusional all at the same time. If he’s the best option, he would be playing. Period.

 

[VolunteerNut]

HB is our best bet for down the field passes. Sorry the coaching staff doesn't see it but the only way HB sees the field is both quarterbacks have broke legs. Don't give me Pruitt didn't like him wasn't played. kid stuck it out. Went through another coaching change and stuck it out. I'm telling you if this kid transfers and goes on to be all world then CJH has egg on his weasel face. I'm not sold on this staff and not on CJH. I hope Lincoln leaves for the NFL and Oklahoma pays CJH to come home. I'll help him pack. He can take White with him. Two of the worst hires UT has made in years and while I was a fan of Fulmer and Pruitt I'd take them over these clowns any day. FLAME AWAY!

 

[BanditVol]

I don’t know anymore.

Our last 3 coaches couldn’t make the right choice ever so I am just jaded I guess.

Hell, didn’t even Dobbs only get in because Worley got hurt? Our coaches seem to love the better qb being in the bench.

I get your point, but the OP was implying it was deliberate. That simply wouldn't make any sense.

I expect Hooker to start the next two games and do much better than Milton, but we will see.

 

[BanditVol]

HB is our best bet for down the field passes. Sorry the coaching staff doesn't see it but the only way HB sees the field is both quarterbacks have broke legs. Don't give me Pruitt didn't like him wasn't played. kid stuck it out. Went through another coaching change and stuck it out. I'm telling you if this kid transfers and goes on to be all world then CJH has egg on his weasel face. I'm not sold on this staff and not on CJH. I hope Lincoln leaves for the NFL and Oklahoma pays CJH to come home. I'll help him pack. He can take White with him. Two of the worst hires UT has made in years and while I was a fan of Fulmer and Pruitt I'd take them over these clowns any day. FLAME AWAY!

You were or were not a fan of Pruitt and Fulmer????? I think you meant "were not".

Two games in, I'm going to give it a minute.

Bailey may be the best "downfield passer" as you say, but he isn't very mobile and CJH seems to prefer mobile QBs.

Additionally, Bailey didn't exactly burn it up last year when he had his chance.

I don't have anything against him and hope he gets a shot, but if he doesn't fit the offense, he doesn't fit the offense.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Last year was a COVID year so no one burned eligibility.
Bailey could redshirt this year (while appearing in 4 games.)
Bailey could then have 4 years of eligibility remaining. Could be the starter 2022 - 2025

Technically, Milton could go pro at any point now considering he's already graduated... so guessing exactly when Bailey could take over is a crapshoot.

He can go try out, he isn't getting drafted at qb the way it stands today. No doubt he will be invited to try out somewhere, can he play another position if he can't get better with accuracy. At this point he isn't accurate enough for the nfl.

 

[photovol]

Milton is very confident and has no intention of playing three years here. Someone interviewed him and noted that he had a degree from Michigan and asked what grad school at UT was like. His response was that he wasn't really in grad school, but that he was taking some business class to help him understand language that might be used in NFL contracts. I believe that he thinks he's here for 1 year. 2 years would be a setback for him. Unless things go really wrong, Milton will declare for the draft after this year, imo.

Milton looks NoWhere ready for the NFL, I’m not even sure he’s ready for the SEC

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

plays this weekend or not. If it is the first reason, we‘re doomed. 😊

1. The game is closer than it should be.
2. Bailey isn‘t going to play at Tennessee this season and maybe never again. If he doesn’t play for any reason other than the following reason, look for one more QB in the portal. However, I’m becoming very suspicious that if he doesn’t play, the reason may be #3.
3. Bailey is the future, and they want Bailey to have time to develop more. If so, Bailey may have been told (at the outset of the season) that he may only play if injuries require it. Further rationale… The other two QBs are journeyed seniors. At this point (and perhaps previously known by staff) both appear unlikely to be the QB of the future. Most expectations for the 2021 Vols are 5-7 or 6-6. Why risk the 19-year-old’s future while implementing a new offense when year-one expectations are low? As we know, he didn’t have Spring 2020. He played C+ to B+ in four games later that season. And then came a whole new offensive system.

That’s my wild wondering QB thought for this week.
What do you think?
Flame away. 👊🏼

As far as reason #3 goes, Milton has 2 years of eligibility after this year, and Hooker has 1. Heupel has a Year Zero to play a freshman and lose with him if he’s the future. Remember, he can play 4 games and still redshirt. So there’s no reason not to play him if he’s in the plans.

I’m more likely to believe he’s overrated. Remember Chaney went hard after Haynes King even after Bailey committed. He couldn’t beat out JG and the 2 journeymen ahead of him.

 

[agVOL90]

How can Bailey be the "future" when his style is polar opposite to the direction our offense has been clearly turned toward?

Don't get me wrong, I think he probably should have been the starter on day on. Unless there are injuries (always hoping not regardless ) I predict the next time he sees the field he will be wearing colors other than orange.