Players stepping up in 2013

#1
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valoisvol

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#1
I just took a look at the 2013 Roster for defense. What is going to decide whether UT will have a good defense will again determine if certain players will reach their potential or will they be scout players for the rest of their time at UT. The players I see that will most determine that are listed below. If these guys can perform at a higher level, I think we may be OK. Does anybody know if we can expect good things from these players? Will they perform? Has anybody close to the program have any thoughts?

Latroy Lewis
Tino Thomas
Cody Blanc
Channing Fugate
Kenny Bynum
Christian Harris
Jacque Smith
Marlon Walls
Allen Carson
Dan O'Brien
Trev Salsbury
Dan Hood
 
#2
#2
I would say its a different set of players that will determine if we are successful - if our DC can get these guys in good spots to make plays and get them to reach their potential then we will be good - if not, then more of the same

DL
Mccullers
Couch
Jwilliams

LB
CM
AJ

DB
Bmoore
Brandolph
Lmcneil

its great to have depth and all - but what i think we really need are impact players - this is the group that has the ability to be those types of players - if they play to that level I think this defense could be really good - if they don't then nothing the other guys do will be able to make it up and we will struggle again

EDIT..and I really hope I can put Vbell in this category, we shall see on that one
 
#4
#4
Every player on the roster must step up here's how.

1. drive (desire)
2. discipline
3. personal responsibility
 
#6
#6
Guys.. what it comes down to next year is simple for me.. can the defense grow up, guys like AJ, CM who now have 2 years of exp. become all-sec caliber players..

and am I the only one worried about the offense? I mean, There isnt a Qb or Rb on the roster that puts a smile on my face when I go to bed at night... we will have talented guys playing at WR and TE for us this year.. but with ZERO expierence.. our OLINE may be the best in the conference though.. so go figure..
 
#7
#7
Except for the secondary, I believe our first team players are good enough to compete. The OP is correct in wondering if the depth is good enough to stay with SEC competition. I believe that is a real weakness that CBJ has to deal with. It is really important on defense against the fast pace offenses like Oregon as well as the power teams who can wear down the starters if they don't get adequate relief.
 
#8
#8
CTVolsfan14 said:
Guys.. what it comes down to next year is simple for me.. can the defense grow up, guys like AJ, CM who now have 2 years of exp. become all-sec caliber players..

and am I the only one worried about the offense? I mean, There isnt a Qb or Rb on the roster that puts a smile on my face when I go to bed at night... we will have talented guys playing at WR and TE for us this year.. but with ZERO expierence.. our OLINE may be the best in the conference though.. so go figure..
Click to expand...

I agree with your observation on the lack of experience on offense. But a talented OL will really help get the younger guys through a lot. A new system could also have an effect, but not sure if good or bad.
 
#9
#9
CTVolsfan14 said:
Guys.. what it comes down to next year is simple for me.. can the defense grow up, guys like AJ, CM who now have 2 years of exp. become all-sec caliber players..

and am I the only one worried about the offense? I mean, There isnt a Qb or Rb on the roster that puts a smile on my face when I go to bed at night... we will have talented guys playing at WR and TE for us this year.. but with ZERO expierence.. our OLINE may be the best in the conference though.. so go figure..
Click to expand...

I don't really dislike our rbs as much you do. They aren't terrible and I think they will get the job done.
 
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#10
#10
volroadwarrior said:
Except for the secondary, I believe our first team players are good enough to compete. The OP is correct in wondering if the depth is good enough to stay with SEC competition. I believe that is a real weakness that CBJ has to deal with. It is really important on defense against the fast pace offenses like Oregon as well as the power teams who can wear down the starters if they don't get adequate relief.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
#12
#12
lovavol said:
if he can stay healthy, and maybe listen to his coaches....well his new coaches, last years were bad for all
Click to expand...

I do think he showed some good athleticism at times last year - hopefully under a new regime many of these guys will get close to their potential

i also remember the leap Zrogers made from his junior year to his senior year - if we have a few guys that make that kind of leap it would be nice since we actually do have a lot of SR's this year for the first time in a while
 
#13
#13
volroadwarrior said:
Except for the secondary, I believe our first team players are good enough to compete. The OP is correct in wondering if the depth is good enough to stay with SEC competition. I believe that is a real weakness that CBJ has to deal with. It is really important on defense against the fast pace offenses like Oregon as well as the power teams who can wear down the starters if they don't get adequate relief.
Click to expand...

While I totally agree with you about our secondary I think we still have some hope there. I really don't believe our secondary players last year were as bad as the stats show. To me, part of the problem was the scheme we were running. On a lot of plays the players looked confused as to their assignments. I put most of the blame on Sal and his system.

My hope is with better coaches, who can design a defense around our players, we will be much better. We will see!
 
#14
#14
Perhaps I'm wrong, but if the same players play with the same motivation, speed, discipline etc. BUT they're in a 4-3 instead of a 3-4 they HAVE to be better. Our defense was ranked#30 in 2011 - #118 in 2012. So by switching back, we'll improve.

Now, if we can also get guys to make the leap from the Soph/Junior years to Junior/Senior years like Z Rogers did last year, we'll be really competitive.
 
#15
#15
valoisvol said:
I just took a look at the 2013 Roster for defense. What is going to decide whether UT will have a good defense will again determine if certain players will reach their potential or will they be scout players for the rest of their time at UT. The players I see that will most determine that are listed below. If these guys can perform at a higher level, I think we may be OK. Does anybody know if we can expect good things from these players? Will they perform? Has anybody close to the program have any thoughts?

Latroy Lewis
Tino Thomas
Cody Blanc
Channing Fugate
Kenny Bynum
Christian Harris
Jacque Smith
Marlon Walls
Allen Carson
Dan O'Brien
Trev Salsbury
Dan Hood
Click to expand...

I agree with you a team is only as good as it's weakest link. We need to make sure we have bench production and depth. There is nothing worst than a team that competes in the first half and dies from depth issues.
 
#17
#17
I would change the OP list to Hood, Walls, Smith, Clark, Carson, Williams, Ayres, Crump, King, Propst, Sapp, Brewer, Coleman, Gordon, and Moore. These guys will all be juniors and seniors. It's now or never for some of them. The other players on the OP list are either coming off serious injuries or are inexperienced.
 
#19
#19
I think Dooley bet the farm on switching to the 3-4, hoping that he had the personnel that could keep us competitive. I think he thought he had enough pieces so he could buy time to recruit more for that scheme. Unfortunately, he ran out of time and lost the bet.
 
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