Pruitt Adjusts Practice Reps for QB

[UT_Dutchman]

It feels like Pruitt is ready to yank JG, but is also not crazy about the idea of throwing a Freshman QB into the fire against a stretch that includes Georgia and Bama. I suspect JG remains the starter officially, but has a much shorter leash.




Meh, I doubt Pruitt is this naive. It's just that neither Shrout nor Maurer have particularly looked like a starting SEC QB either. From a pure QB play perspective, Maurer was worse than JG on Saturday. But JG's leadership and communication is terrible. Sure he's a better "passer", but the entire offense looks out of sync with him out there. With Maurer, he made a lot of terrible throws, but the offense actually seemed to be in sync. It's clear that Maurer is a better leader, inspirer, and communicator than JG, but his lack of experience as an SEC QB is also clear as he continually throws passes too low, stares down his receivers, and underestimates the speed of DBs.

It's "pick your poison." Feels like Pruitt is hoping he can get JG "right", but is also desperately trying to get Shrout and Maurer coached up so that one of them can potentially take over.





We tried to get Martinez, but once Frost went to Nebraska, he was gone. Though, there is an irony to Butch Jones failing to recruit a single serviceable QB for nearly 5 years and then managing to find 2 (Martinez and Penix) in his last class. '

Pruitt was also sort of damned by the fact that JG played reasonably well through parts of last season (particularly vs Auburn / Kentucky / SC) so that no grad transfer was interested in coming here this season. We got Chryst last year and JG beat him out. If we had Chryst this year, you can pretty much guarantee he'd be the starter at this point.

It is difficult to think of too many SEC QBs that have regressed as quickly as JG has.

This is all true, CJP has been around long enough to see players practice like Tarzan and play like Jane. We were good on Martinez up until Frost landed at Nebraska, that changed everything.

 

[The Original Fade]

If JG sees the field 1 time against UGA ,the fans should get up and walkout

He’ll most likely get at least the first series

 

[CAVPUT]

Biggest miss/mistake by Pruitt May have been his first recruiting decision. Adrian Martinez was a Vol and would be tearing it up right now in Orange.

UT is developing quite the history of QB mistakes. Hard to fathom how we could be so wrong so often....then again, it's UT.

 

[jwilliams]

The path forward is pretty clear to me... maybe I'm missing something. The season is pretty much shot. Reaching a bowl game is nearly impossible at this point. We should be playing for the future now, and JG isn't part of that, unfortunately for him. If he has pro aspirations, he has a year of eligibility left, so he can transfer and start for Butch at Rutgers, or wherever. Let Shrout or Maurer start the rest of the way. They need the next two or three games to prepare, then they can try to make a run in November to get to 6 wins which, again, is next to impossible at this point. The bowl game doesn't really matter though... it's valuable reps for your young guys.

 

[Sandevol]

Shrout would be best for right now imo. Maurer maybe after another yr in the weightroom to be able to muster the hits from being a running qb and to help his accuracy!

He didn’t make the best throws but did his progressions and stepped up in the pocket like a QB should. I personally would like to see the kid play at least 3 series.

 

[joevol33]

I hope he changes QB's but who knows. Honestly we are all frustrated and any Vol fan still here on volnation and enduring the last decade are true vol fans even though we all don't agree. Can't say we are bandwagon fans.

I'm definitely bandwagon, I'm only here cause we beat UTC!

 

[tenmanjonez]

This whole QB debacle is just another “new to head coaching” growing pain.

My theory (which seems to have some strong evidence to back it up through comments and reports) is that in practice, JG is miles ahead of the other two. Pruitt isn’t experienced enough to realize practice is not the end all, be all.

Y’all know who was an abomination in practice? Josh Dobbs. He caught fire when it was the real thing, Pruitt is having a hard time with this concept.

I think it's fair to struggle with that concept. Volnation tends to not think of the future and only lives extremely emotionally in the moment. Yes, we all, for the most part, want JG gone but you have to think about the impact it makes down the line. We bring in a true freshman qb next year. Chances are if JG doesn't play he leaves (blessing in disguise I know). However, in Pruitt's case, you need ALL the guys you can get to help, especially at the most important position on the field. Pruitt's issue is that we all accepted it was a huge undertaking to turn this program back around, and not even 2 years into it he can't fart without people trying to fire this entire staff because of it. You don't get his accolades prior to Tennessee by not being able to tell who can ball and who can't, regardless of side of the ball or position. People need to stop making a huge deal out of things we all KNEW WERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS WHEN HE TOOK THE JOB. Butch Jones couldn't win with Butch Jones players. WHY DO WE EXPECT PRUITT TO WIN WITH BUTCH JONES PLAYERS? Lol

 

[Ten_Titans]

If JG sees the field 1 time against UGA ,the fans should get up and walkout

In that case I hope you enjoy the pregame lol

 

[jctenn1]

He passed on Kelly Bryant that transferred from Clemson to Missouri. I guess he thought JG was going to be serviceable. If Bailey drops us he needs another grad transfer to compete/backup against Hill.

how do you know that ? Bryant wanted to go where he could play now and have an OC in place..they had Dools and we had no one...
The transfer portal is very tricky..you never now for sure who will be eligible right away to play or not..that is the crooked NCAA job...
so you get a few guys from the portal and have to hope they play right away..it is hit or miss...

 

[FiremedicVOL127]

Biggest miss/mistake by Pruitt May have been his first recruiting decision. Adrian Martinez was a Vol and would be tearing it up right now in Orange.

I agree, but didn't Martinez decide to go to Nebraska on his own? If I remember Pruitt and staff continued to recruit him but he chose to flip die to liking Butch or something. I'm probably wrong there's so much to try to keep up with anymore.

 

[LargeOrange1]

I have not seen anything from the other 2 QBs to think that they are the answer. Did you guys see something different or is it just that you want a change for better or worse?

JG has checked out mentally......he has zero confidence.....he is not a leader.......he does not instill a desire to win in his teammates. Time to move on.

 

['Boro-vol]

I think it's fair to struggle with that concept. Volnation tends to not think of the future and only lives extremely emotionally in the moment. Yes, we all, for the most part, want JG gone but you have to think about the impact it makes down the line. We bring in a true freshman qb next year. Chances are if JG doesn't play he leaves (blessing in disguise I know). However, in Pruitt's case, you need ALL the guys you can get to help, especially at the most important position on the field. Pruitt's issue is that we all accepted it was a huge undertaking to turn this program back around, and not even 2 years into it he can't fart without people trying to fire this entire staff because of it. You don't get his accolades prior to Tennessee by not being able to tell who can ball and who can't, regardless of side of the ball or position. People need to stop making a huge deal out of things we all KNEW WERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS WHEN HE TOOK THE JOB. Butch Jones couldn't win with Butch Jones players. WHY DO WE EXPECT PRUITT TO WIN WITH BUTCH JONES PLAYERS? Lol

We were sold on him being a better COACH. However I don't see any COACHING. We've regressed since the Kentucky game.

I honestly don't expect miracles. I thought 6 wins and a bowl would have been exceptional this year...and would have been more than enough to keep me quiet. All I want to see is visual improvement, even in losses, on the field. What we have been given has not reflected that. To me that only falls on coaching....player development, utilization, and scheme. See Mel Tucker at Colorado for an example.

 

[Gandalf]

It feels like Pruitt is ready to yank JG, but is also not crazy about the idea of throwing a Freshman QB into the fire against a stretch that includes Georgia and Bama. I suspect JG remains the starter officially, but has a much shorter leash.




Meh, I doubt Pruitt is this naive. It's just that neither Shrout nor Maurer have particularly looked like a starting SEC QB either. From a pure QB play perspective, Maurer was worse than JG on Saturday. But JG's leadership and communication is terrible. Sure he's a better "passer", but the entire offense looks out of sync with him out there. With Maurer, he made a lot of terrible throws, but the offense actually seemed to be in sync. It's clear that Maurer is a better leader, inspirer, and communicator than JG, but his lack of experience as an SEC QB is also clear as he continually throws passes too low, stares down his receivers, and underestimates the speed of DBs.

It's "pick your poison." Feels like Pruitt is hoping he can get JG "right", but is also desperately trying to get Shrout and Maurer coached up so that one of them can potentially take over.





We tried to get Martinez, but once Frost went to Nebraska, he was gone. Though, there is an irony to Butch Jones failing to recruit a single serviceable QB for nearly 5 years and then managing to find 2 (Martinez and Penix) in his last class. '

Pruitt was also sort of damned by the fact that JG played reasonably well through parts of last season (particularly vs Auburn / Kentucky / SC) so that no grad transfer was interested in coming here this season. We got Chryst last year and JG beat him out. If we had Chryst this year, you can pretty much guarantee he'd be the starter at this point.

It is difficult to think of too many SEC QBs that have regressed as quickly as JG has.

This almost exactly mirrors my own thinking on the matter. I think Pruitt would gladly pull JG but doesnt want Maurer to get his confidence destroyed (maybe like JG did) against the hardest part of the schedule. Maurer is also just not ready for primetime. He was a project with high upside but needs time to mature. He may have to get a baptism of fire though and if he survives and gets his feet under him, he could serve well and give Bailey time to get acclimated to compete.

 

[Byrddog]

It should be abundantly clear to Pruitt that JG can not lead this team. The question remains can one of the young guys get the job done. Well they can't from the sidelines. The way I see it he has no choice but to pick one and put him on the field and stick with him. Sure there will be growing pains but do it this year when there is little hope of winning. Get the guy gameday experience for next season. If one is a realist it is difficult to see a winning chance other than UAB and Mizzu. Pruitt must show he has the guts to make changes otherwise his days are numbered. These are dark days as a Vol fan and the team and fans need something to cling too for the future. The status quo is not enough now. The coaches have been shaken up regularly in recent years it is time for player change. You can only polish a turd so many times before it loses its luster and this team right now is as dull as any team in the nation.

 

[RollerVol]

This whole QB debacle is just another “new to head coaching” growing pain.

My theory (which seems to have some strong evidence to back it up through comments and reports) is that in practice, JG is miles ahead of the other two. Pruitt isn’t experienced enough to realize practice is not the end all, be all.

Y’all know who was an abomination in practice? Josh Dobbs. He caught fire when it was the real thing, Pruitt is having a hard time with this concept.

didn't it used to be that the ones that practiced better got the start...see how really confusing and frustrating that can be for a coach to see JG light it up in practice but turn "deer in the headlights in a game"...

PS. JG may start but he may be replaced about as quickly..make no mistake Coach Pruitt wants to win but it also shows that he's given JG all the chances he can...he's trying to be as fair as possible to to 4th year junior...I believe the gloves have come off...

GO BIG ORANGE!

 

[90 Vol]

I have not seen anything from the other 2 QBs to think that they are the answer. Did you guys see something different or is it just that you want a change for better or worse?

I saw 3 points on the board from a Maurer led drive in the short time he was in the game. JG still got the lions share of the snaps in the Florida game and we had 0 points to show for it. Otherwise, the sample size was too small to compare Maurer to JG just by looking at raw QB stats.

 

[BigBadVol]

Why aren't any of you guys coaching in college football? I mean you all are such experts. Maybe you could put your resume in at TN and show them how it's done.

 

[90 Vol]

Why aren't any of you guys coaching in college football? I mean you all are such experts. Maybe you could put your resume in at TN and show them how it's done.

Maybe I'm confused but I thought the Volnation Football forum was a place for fans to discuss Tennessee football.

 

[DowsaTV]

Watching JG run out on the field is worse than watching the punter run out.

 

[NATHAN05]

I hope he changes QB's but who knows. Honestly we are all frustrated and any Vol fan still here on volnation and enduring the last decade are true vol fans even though we all don't agree. Can't say we are bandwagon fans.

 

[tnmarktx]

During his presser today he said he was adjusting reps but later on answering questions he said all QB's get the same amount of reps with 1s.

It's hard to know what's true. All of the things Pruitt was supposed to be as a HC, he has not delivered. We don't play great defense, we are not physically dominating. They are good at indoctrinating players and at least half of the fanbase. I mean, who knew that all 11 players had to do exactly right or everything is screwed. I've been hearing that for over a decade now. All these teams that have success can't have 11 guys doing it perfect every time. The next 4 years can't get over fast enough. We'll either endure 4 more losing seasons, or Pruitt will realize that he sucks and reinvent himself as a coach. At least if it's the earlier, maybe the fanbase will be united again. Hopefully, the university will start caring about football and luck into hiring a good coach.

 

[thegasman54]

During his presser today he said he was adjusting reps but later on answering questions he said all QB's get the same amount of reps with 1s.

What would you like him to say? Really think he is goin to say to the media how he really feels ?

 

[VOL_Lyfe]

If JG sees the field 1 time against UGA ,the fans should get up and walkout

Prepare to "un-azz the AO" then

 

[NighthawkVol]

Saw this somewhere:
Pruitt Adjusts Practice Reps for Vols' Quarterbacks | Rocky Top Insider

Insanity is no longer cause as he is no longer doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome.

The power of the bench is now being applied. He might be showing that he has standards about the product he puts on the field.

All good signs.

I know this isn't a point that appeals to many fans, but if you're trying to change a culture of losing, it's hard to throw freshmen in against Georgia, Alabama, etc. so they can get beat to a pulp and ALSO become players who are used to losing. We're not going to win the October games. It might be better to start the youth movement in November, beginning with UAB.

 

[JacketVol]

I think it's fair to struggle with that concept. Volnation tends to not think of the future and only lives extremely emotionally in the moment. Yes, we all, for the most part, want JG gone but you have to think about the impact it makes down the line. We bring in a true freshman qb next year. Chances are if JG doesn't play he leaves (blessing in disguise I know). However, in Pruitt's case, you need ALL the guys you can get to help, especially at the most important position on the field. Pruitt's issue is that we all accepted it was a huge undertaking to turn this program back around, and not even 2 years into it he can't fart without people trying to fire this entire staff because of it. You don't get his accolades prior to Tennessee by not being able to tell who can ball and who can't, regardless of side of the ball or position. People need to stop making a huge deal out of things we all KNEW WERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS WHEN HE TOOK THE JOB. Butch Jones couldn't win with Butch Jones players. WHY DO WE EXPECT PRUITT TO WIN WITH BUTCH JONES PLAYERS? Lol

I get this and agree to a point but can’t get past the feeling and what my eyes saw at the GSU game. Win that one and things though not good, still would feel differently.