Progress Report,VN style.

#26
#26
I think we're at a C+ with a chance of pulling that to an A by the end of the semester. The coaches lost points early with substitution errors, lack of effective halftime adjustments (or perhaps negative adjustments?), some flaws in the defensive schemes, 1 critical area of special teams play (punt returns) and lack of creativity on offense.

They've gained points, especially in recent weeks in the following areas: moving Wilcox to the booth allowed better managment of the defensive schemes with better overall results (some busts at USCe for example were more on the players); more creativity and risk taking (fake punts, reverse on kick off return); better offensive schemes that take advantage of our strengths; a very well managed QB transition that has worked out much better than anyone imagined; good management of shortages esp DBs, DLine and OLine; better management of the perception of the team outside of the locker room and finally, they seem to be managing the team to peak at the right time--we're getting stronger and better when our opponents are getting weaker or less talented. This should help us end the year on a high note, help recruiting and overall perception of the program. If they keep it up, then I could see them earning an A by the end of the year (which I define as a winning season with the level of talent and shortages in this years team).
GBO!
 
#27
#27
HARTUPM said:
no way Coach Dooley puts young Gumby-esque Gunslinger Bray through the gauntlet of the October schedule, it just wasnt going to happen. Simms got to be the tackling dummy while Bray wrapped his mind around the playbook and got better.
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Read the post....didn't say anything about October just LSU but IMHO not giving Bray more play time in October was a coaching mistake by CDD.
 
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#28
#28
B with a shot at an A

I said before the year if they won 6 games then Dooley should be considered for coach of the year. Were the closing seconds in Baton Rouge a mess? Sure they were. But our Vols had no business being on the field with the Tigers and they almost beat them because of awesome coaching and great preparation. As crazy as it sounds, LSU might be Dooley's best coaching job of the year especially considering what we now know about LSU.

Gotta love the staff's ability to adapt to the personnel on the offensive side of the ball. WR is our strength so we throw the ball.

If the Vols win out and go to a bowl this season has to be considered an A. If we beat Vandy but lose to a Kentucky team who is probably as good or better than us then Dooley still deserves a B.
 
#29
#29
I'm going with a B+ for now, A if we make a bowl, any bowl. I like the way Dooley prioritizes/makes decisions and I like the process that's going on.

The single best thing that the staff could do before the season was to recruit well and additionally, to bring in transfers. I think the staff should get an A+ for these two things. (Malik Jackson, Brewer, and even Gooch have contributed a ton. Now, I know Gooch may not play much in the future, but he was the best we had for about half the season. Darr was also a good pickup - saves a normal recruiting scholly for a punter that can be used for a DT. Even if Palardy winds up punting, I don't think we could rely on Palardy for everything with no backups.)

For the season, there have been obvious ups and downs, but I'm not too concerned with the details just yet. We all (ok, most of us?) knew that we were woefully thin and inexperienced and that no amount of coaching would fix that. But we've gotten better in many areas as the season has progressed and have laid a solid foundation for the future. Coverage teams are better than in 10 years, imo. Also, I think there are signs of stability that will be huge for us. We have not lost guys from last years recruiting class, at least not yet (by contrast, 3 four-stars are gone from UF already).

I think CDD is building something that we can be proud of. We're still one season away from being serious contenders, but I think it's coming.
 
#31
#31
WillisWG said:
Read the post....didn't say anything about October just LSU but IMHO not giving Bray some play time in October was a coaching mistake by CDD.
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I did read the post, I just dont agree with you on Bray seeing the field against LSU. He did get some PT in October, just not very much, and I can agree with you that he should have played more late in games.

By October gauntlet I meant the series of games LSU, UGA, Bama, USC. I didnt think we would see Bray until that run was over and I was surprised to see him as early as the bama game, but I think Ole Dooley had a master plan from the beginning.
 
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#32
#32
B-

They had some chances early to pull out of the depths of football HELL and failed miserably. (LSU esp.)

HOWEVER..........they have recoverd nicely and showed some discipline and progress on both sides of the ball and are now showing some recruiting prowess so I will give them props for that.
 
#33
#33
C+ with room to improve that grade before the year is out. But they do look like they are getting better as the season goes along which I haven't seen in a while
 
#34
#34
HARTUPM said:
I did read the post, I just dont agree with you on Bray seeing the field against LSU. He did get some PT in October, just not very much, and I can agree with you that he should have played more late in games.
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my mistake should have written more
 
#36
#36
Very hard to grade the coaches right now. These last four games is really how they should be judged this year. The LSU debacle is on the coaches and would have been huge - of course, you could also compliment them on the fact we actually beat LSU on the field.

Have they played the Bray card right or wrong? IMHO, they've played it right from what I understand behind the scenes (but I feel bad for Simms).

Very tough to grade right now. IMHO, the Kentucky game will actually define the season. I'm assuming KY is bringing their A-game. Can we match and beat it?
 
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#37
#37
C+

The plus is for winning the Ole Miss game by a lot. Other than that, about an average job.
 
#39
#39
Volunteer08 said:
Stupid thread...ask me when they hand us a crystal football. THIS IS TENNESSEE.
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so we should only discuss the progress of the UT football team on a UT football forum once they win the NC? What do you think we should discuss on VolNation then?
 
#41
#41
utvolpj said:
so we should only discuss the progress of the UT football team on a UT football forum once they win the NC? What do you think we should discuss on VolNation then?
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What are our goals here at UT?

1) Beat Florida
2) Beat Bama
3) Play for the SEC Title
4) Play for a National Championship

Fail. Fail. Fail. Fail.

Ok...yeah, for a 4-6 football team who has beaten UT Martin, UAB, Memphis and Ole Miss (who started a QB with concussion symptoms) D. With the way we recruit, those shouldn't even be games.

No excuses IMO. In answering your question...We can talk about dolls, neat gadgets, Christmas gifts, favorite candy etc etc.
 
#42
#42
eeeeerrrh. Cmon guys, you were doing so good. Almost 3 pages of good answers. Back on track.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#43
#43
C+

Positives: Steady improvement in ST's, coverage units especially. DL has been improving with Malik moving inside. Bray.

Negatives: LSU--brings down, an overall great effort by this staff, a full letter grade for that debacle alone. Do we have anyone who can field a punt?? 2nd half collapses.

If it wasn't for the LSU I'd give CDD & co. a solid B. Had we pulled that one out, I think the season is much different and no way does UGA stomp all over us like they did--though we still might not have won.

This is the youngest team I've ever seen UT field. The last two weeks have been the shot in the arm this program needed. I see a very bright future for this team.
 
#44
#44
changing QB's rates an A, making second half adjustments and bringing our kickers along derserves an F. Everything else a sold C
 
#45
#45
D good showing with Fl. 1st half, not bad at LSU. Bad Ga SC AL O UBA. so I had them F- after Oct. came up good last 2 game. will move up to C with win at Vandy, B with UK, A with bowl win.
 
#46
#46
C+. Some of the disclipline that's been lacking in fundamentals (mostly defensively), keeps them from getting a B-.
 
#47
#47
Did anyone else notice Z Rogers as the gunner on punts Sat? I liked it. He blew up one possible return in the 2nd Q.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#48
#48
B+, strong work considering the injuries and depth issues. Would be an A if not for LSU and repeated issues with too many/little men on the field.
 
#49
#49
They're at a solid B so far. Anybody that has a shot at a bowl with this team has done a good job. The players are playing hard and showing improvement, which is really the only measuring stick we have right now. A full grade won't be available for a couple of years.
 
#50
#50
I will give a B due to the steady improvement week over week. Only if we had that LSU game. I think the staff has done a great job (minus a few errors) with what they have had to work with.
 
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