Projected depth chart vs. Bowling Green

#27
#27
It's a solid lineup but, are there any of these players even picked for 3rd team all SEC? Some may just be unproven but have the potential for greatness. However, especially on the defensive side of the ball, there don't appear to be a lot of explosive playmakers or potential high round draft picks.
Think we'll have to live with a "solid across the board" mentality. Football is a weak-link sport after all. Better to not have any major weakness than to have some superstars, but also major weak links.
 
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#29
#29
Is this a hunch or is Davis a relative or friend? It's a message board and so opinions are welcome and encouraged. However, yours is different from every report we've seen so I'm curious as to how you arrived at your theory? I would think that we would want to get the line as much practice as possible against the weak BG team to prepare them for Pitt. Either way, Davis will be needed and play meaningful snaps.
Watch Kyler Kyberson’s podcast. He is former player who gets to watch all of practice. He coached the Mays kids at Catholic. He knows that Cade is better at guard and Cade makes no bones about wanting to play there. Now that doesn’t mean he will play there but Ellerbe is going to give Davis ample time to win the RT spot. Kyberson said that basically. The question is can Davis be adequate at tackle ?. Kyberson thinks if Davis can get there in two weeks and be serviceable that will be the best group. I will take his opinion over the media who doesn’t see anything in practice except warmups. Just saw today where Patrick Brown has named the OL starters. Yea right !! Two weeks before game day Ellerbe, Golesch, Heupel have named starters. The Knoxville media is right about 30% of the time in preseason. And I am not a relative or friend of Davis. Have been following UT football for 50 years and don’t trust the Knoxville media crap during preseason.
 
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#30
#30
Hyatt in the slot? I would say he goes wide and Payton is in the slot, unless CJH is trying to exploit a miss match. I'd say that all the WR corps are "starters" as they will all likely see a ton of playing time.

By some accounts, Warren is performing fantastic and will likely start over Fant and Garland is having a great camp and is pushing to start at one of the LB positions.
Hyatt slot all the way.
 
#31
#31
Hyatt in the slot? I would say he goes wide and Payton is in the slot, unless CJH is trying to exploit a miss match. I'd say that all the WR corps are "starters" as they will all likely see a ton of playing time.

By some accounts, Warren is performing fantastic and will likely start over Fant and Garland is having a great camp and is pushing to start at one of the LB positions.
Some of the reports I've heard is that Hyatt is having difficulty getting off the line with tight coverage, so the coaches think he will make more of an impact inside.
 
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#32
#32
Some of the reports I've heard is that Hyatt is having difficulty getting off the line with tight coverage, so the coaches think he will make more of an impact inside.
I really like Hyatt and always have. However this is one reason I think you could see Calloway or someone else starting ahead of him. He needs to add strength.
 
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#33
#33
I fully expect Jones, Tillman and Payton to have great years in this offense. I'm also excited for all our RB's and Milton. OL needs to gel and stay healthy. 14-0!!!
 
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#34
#34
Watch Kyler Kyberson’s podcast. He is former player who gets to watch all of practice. He coached the Mays kids at Catholic. He knows that Cade is better at guard and Cade makes no bones about wanting to play there. Now that doesn’t mean he will play there but Ellerbe is going to give Davis ample time to win the RT spot. Kyberson said that basically. The question is can Davis be adequate at tackle ?. Kyberson thinks if Davis can get there in two weeks and be serviceable that will be the best group. I will take his opinion over the media who doesn’t see anything in practice except warmups. Just saw today where Patrick Brown has named the OL starters. Yea right !! Two weeks before game day Ellerbe, Golesch, Heupel have named starters. The Knoxville media is right about 30% of the time in preseason. And I am not a relative or friend of Davis. Have been following UT football for 50 years and don’t trust the Knoxville media crap during preseason.

Ainge has mentioned this several times this week. Says Cade is a guard and has a chance to play in the League as a guard. Davis has a chance to get there at tackle, just hope he makes it before the 2nd week.
 
#35
#35
3 of our best players from last year are starting or pushing for starting positions at Oklahoma and another is starting for Alabama. I like the optimism from our fans but that's a lot to overcome. I agree that the defense will be suspect, especially with the type of offense we plan to run. We could see a lot games where the defense is gassed in the second half and gets torched. Hope I'm wrong and I'll be there either way cheering them on.

Morris has a mountain of potential but did he really want to put in the work to be as good as he can be or did he think natural talent would get him by like most HS players do?

Lawrence: I’m sure this one could hurt based on how he plays but again it’s based purely on potential. He could be great he could be average. It worked out for Tennessee though we have guys who want to be here and work and I’d bet there was a reason he left and it wasn’t to follow his buddies.

Gray: The guy who brought the most to the table by paying his way in. Personally, I wouldn’t trade what we have now for 1 player. I truly believe Tennessee has a embarrassment of riches so to speak and Gray isn’t even a T25 RB…
 
#36
#36
Tillman might start at WR, otherwise offense looks about right.

DL seems wrong from what I’ve gathered

DE - Baron
DL - Terry
DL- Butler
DE - Byron Young
 
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#37
#37
Ainge has mentioned this several times this week. Says Cade is a guard and has a chance to play in the League as a guard. Davis has a chance to get there at tackle, just hope he makes it before the 2nd week.
Those guys (Kyberson) also said Carvin and Spraggins look like the best offensive linemen. Probably explains why Cade is at RT to get the best 5 on the line
 
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#39
#39
One thing I like the most is that this is a veteran group. If you remember the first year of each coach after Fulmer inherited an awfully young roster. This is the best first year roster that I can remember although I’m not saying they are going to be world beaters. But there is talent and experience (not a single freshman starting) on this team, so I believe the biggest question will be how quickly they learn the system on each side of the ball and how quickly can they gel together. I think that will determine how successful we are this year.
 
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#40
#40
Seeing the defense on paper makes me feel somewhat better. Some guys will have to steal some minutes though.
To be fair, it's pretty much the same defense we have been trotting out there the last 3 years. I expect they won't hurt themselves with penalties, as they have plenty of experience. They should be alright, LB being the obvious sign of concern, particularly depth.
 
#41
#41
To be fair, it's pretty much the same defense we have been trotting out there the last 3 years. I expect they won't hurt themselves with penalties, as they have plenty of experience. They should be alright, LB being the obvious sign of concern, particularly depth.

if it’s the same defense we’re screwed and they all need to be fired immediately.
 
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#42
#42
3 of our best players from last year are starting or pushing for starting positions at Oklahoma and another is starting for Alabama. I like the optimism from our fans but that's a lot to overcome. I agree that the defense will be suspect, especially with the type of offense we plan to run. We could see a lot games where the defense is gassed in the second half and gets torched. Hope I'm wrong and I'll be there either way cheering them on.
False narrative by a mile
 
#43
#43
Some of the reports I've heard is that Hyatt is having difficulty getting off the line with tight coverage, so the coaches think he will make more of an impact inside.

That's interesting. I tend to think that you got to be tough and compact to play in the slot, in case you get hammered by a crossing LB. Hyatt is just so tall, thin, and lanky. One big hit and he could be done for the season.

The coaches would certainly know better than me. Didn't Hyatt play wide last year?
 
#45
#45
Losing Lawrence hurt.. not feeling great about our safeties. There's definitely talent on this roster tho

Flowers had a strong season last year. McCullough....wouldn't be upset if Slaughter got a chance at that spot..
 
#46
#46
That's interesting. I tend to think that you got to be tough and compact to play in the slot, in case you get hammered by a crossing LB. Hyatt is just so tall, thin, and lanky. One big hit and he could be done for the season.

The coaches would certainly know better than me. Didn't Hyatt play wide last year?
He played both slot and flanker.

That TD against Bama he scored from the slot.
 
#47
#47
That's interesting. I tend to think that you got to be tough and compact to play in the slot, in case you get hammered by a crossing LB. Hyatt (6'0", 175lbs) is just so tall, thin, and lanky. One big hit and he could be done for the season.

The coaches would certainly know better than me. Didn't Hyatt play wide last year?

Heisman Trophy Winner, DeVonta Smith from Bama, now in the NFL, says hello

Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 174 lbs

sure he wasn't in the slot much, if any, but you can't hit what you can't catch

Speed Kills

Go Vols !!
 
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#48
#48
False narrative by a mile
What part do you not agree with? The talent loss isn't really disputable considering Morris and Lawrence are starting for the #2 ranked team and Henry is starting for the #1 ranked team. Grey is second string to one of the best RB in CFB. It's not really accurate to say that those players weren't very good anyway when they went to the top teams and won starting positions.
Do you think the defense has more depth than expected and won't get tired from the high tempo offense we plan to run?
 
#49
#49
Yep, and Young over Baron is doubtful. A lot of it is situational and all these dudes are going to play. Pretty solid list though.

Actually, you’re right…I think Young will have a bigger impact over the course of the season, but Baron probably starts Game 1.
 
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#50
#50
if it’s the same defense we’re screwed and they all need to be fired immediately.
Same people with more experience theoretically. Scheme plays a role by all means, plus motivation. I mean we'll see how they do, but it is more or less than the same crew that started last year.
 

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