I have read alot of nay sayers , both Vol fans and trolls , talking about 7 wins if we are lucky and that we are gonna get killed by Florida and Bama . I have read Rivals pundits ..well that was horrible. Here are a few reasons I am optimistic :
1) I believe the athletes are there and they have been . I don't think UT is USC in terms of talent and depth , but I beleive there is alot of potential with the guys on the field that was wasted by the previous coaches. There is a ton of speed too .
2) I don't believe the QB'S , any of the three , lack in potential . I know Crompton has been dogged heavily and he did look terrible last season . ALL 3 of them looked terrible at times last season . I find it hard to believe that 3 able bodied , physically talented kids are absolute mush between the ears . I base this on how bad other guys looked in the Clawfense that we saw. The O line gave up 5 sacks in 07 , 25 in the clawfense . Foster had 1000 yards with Cut , Lucas Taylor had 1000 and Briscoe had 600. They disappeared in 08..all of them . I think whoever the starter ends up being will suprise us just like Ainge did when Cutt came home.
3) I think the D will improve ....even though it was ranked #4 in the nation last season . Monte's system is simple , aggressive , and predicated on speed . It punishes opposing offenses by giving them the underneath and then hitting hard . It tries to cause turnovers and it will be good to see UT in the turnover + column . I do not think you will see things that hurt the D , such as prevents with a 6 point lead or the ' Mustang Package ' when translated to English means ' Give up 3rd and Long '
4 ) UT lacks depth on the O line , but I think they have quality . The blocking attack is simple and effective ..it is zone and lets the backs find the lanes . He does not employ alot of different blocking formations ...so it is simple and the O line and backs can play fast without having to think . There are alot less plays , its reads from top to bottom rather than bottom to top . The QB should be able to play very fast .
5) Coupled with a good defense ..the offense need only be moderately productive to get W's . Just look at when the Vols gave up on the Clawfense against Vandy and KY and just lined up and ran the Zone read option . They scored points and won time of possession and won games.
6) Special teams will be vastly improved with Lane opening up the roster for special teams and will a proven special teams guy like Gran running it . Hopefully , no more bad field position and scores given away by 'special needs' teams.
7 ) I think Lane will improve the athletic ability of this team with his enthusiasm and conditioning program . I think turnovers will be eliminated or brought to normal levels ...and if we do lose a game , I would like it not to be due to 3 turnovers. I believe the coaches will make that so .
To sum it up , I think that between Chaney and Lane , two proven offensive coaches , and a stable of good running backs and receivers from recruiting and the bench that this offense will be simple and effective . I believe that of the three QB's , one of the three will rise from the ashes of the Clawfense . I believe turnovers will be eliminated. I think the defense will remain dominant , they will cause more turnovers , and eliminated tactical mistakes . Special teams will become special again . Based on all of this ..I believe the vols will be in every game they play this season .
1) I believe the athletes are there and they have been . I don't think UT is USC in terms of talent and depth , but I beleive there is alot of potential with the guys on the field that was wasted by the previous coaches. There is a ton of speed too .
2) I don't believe the QB'S , any of the three , lack in potential . I know Crompton has been dogged heavily and he did look terrible last season . ALL 3 of them looked terrible at times last season . I find it hard to believe that 3 able bodied , physically talented kids are absolute mush between the ears . I base this on how bad other guys looked in the Clawfense that we saw. The O line gave up 5 sacks in 07 , 25 in the clawfense . Foster had 1000 yards with Cut , Lucas Taylor had 1000 and Briscoe had 600. They disappeared in 08..all of them . I think whoever the starter ends up being will suprise us just like Ainge did when Cutt came home.
3) I think the D will improve ....even though it was ranked #4 in the nation last season . Monte's system is simple , aggressive , and predicated on speed . It punishes opposing offenses by giving them the underneath and then hitting hard . It tries to cause turnovers and it will be good to see UT in the turnover + column . I do not think you will see things that hurt the D , such as prevents with a 6 point lead or the ' Mustang Package ' when translated to English means ' Give up 3rd and Long '
4 ) UT lacks depth on the O line , but I think they have quality . The blocking attack is simple and effective ..it is zone and lets the backs find the lanes . He does not employ alot of different blocking formations ...so it is simple and the O line and backs can play fast without having to think . There are alot less plays , its reads from top to bottom rather than bottom to top . The QB should be able to play very fast .
5) Coupled with a good defense ..the offense need only be moderately productive to get W's . Just look at when the Vols gave up on the Clawfense against Vandy and KY and just lined up and ran the Zone read option . They scored points and won time of possession and won games.
6) Special teams will be vastly improved with Lane opening up the roster for special teams and will a proven special teams guy like Gran running it . Hopefully , no more bad field position and scores given away by 'special needs' teams.
7 ) I think Lane will improve the athletic ability of this team with his enthusiasm and conditioning program . I think turnovers will be eliminated or brought to normal levels ...and if we do lose a game , I would like it not to be due to 3 turnovers. I believe the coaches will make that so .
To sum it up , I think that between Chaney and Lane , two proven offensive coaches , and a stable of good running backs and receivers from recruiting and the bench that this offense will be simple and effective . I believe that of the three QB's , one of the three will rise from the ashes of the Clawfense . I believe turnovers will be eliminated. I think the defense will remain dominant , they will cause more turnovers , and eliminated tactical mistakes . Special teams will become special again . Based on all of this ..I believe the vols will be in every game they play this season .
