Recruiting Forum Football Talk IX

[rikberry31]

Like I said, he gets all the hate. Hyatt had more TDs in 22 than Bowers and McConkey combined, and yet nobody knocks Hooker for having him and Tillman and Bru—nor should they! Hooker was a crazy good college QB. But there’s something about Stetson Bennett that people hate. I don’t get it.

You're right. Kirby made the right choice in choosing Jake From State Farm and Bennett over Fields.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Could it be our turn to have a QB, who was on no one's radar, explode onto the scene like Johnny Manziel or Chad Pennington or. . . Hendon Hooker?

Sure feels like he could be. He has the opportunity to do it. He has the players and coaches around him to do it. Seems like he has the skill and athletic ability. Hopefully the moment isnt too big for him and he's a player that really shines under pressure. I think he will be. He has the experience and it looks like the stars are aligned for something really special.

What comforts me, Enki, is that I don't know anyone who is saying coming into this game that Tennessee doesnt clearly have the advantage at QB. Sure, Joey hasn't played anyone really yet, but neither has Stockton and he looked like hot-baked booty doing it.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

A man says Braylon Staley is really locked in this week. Watch for a big game from him.

 

[DD4ME]

Excited see a lot of wrinkles from us. I think we bring it.

 

[UTSuave’]

GMac is just really good.

I mean we will take that too

 

[Enki_Amenra]

What comforts me, Enki, is that I don't know anyone who is saying coming into this game that Tennessee doesnt clearly have the advantage at QB. Sure, Joey hasn't played anyone really yet, but neither has Stockton and he looked like hot-baked booty doing it.

I think we screwed around and got a top5 QB for this season. . . almost on accident. It really feels like we're watching a plan unfold from some outside force, . . . like it's the universe working magic for Joey and the Vols just happen to be the benefactor.

 

[RandomUTfan]

A man says Braylon Staley is really locked in this week. Watch for a big game from him.

It seems silly right now that so many worried about WR depth being a weakness and we haven't even had to go that deep into our bench to this point this year. If we can get a little lucky with health at that position, it will be a strength.

 

[25vol]

Like I said, he gets all the hate. Hyatt had more TDs in 22 than Bowers and McConkey combined, and yet nobody knocks Hooker for having him and Tillman and Bru—nor should they! Hooker was a crazy good college QB. But there’s something about Stetson Bennett that people hate. I don’t get it.

Who cares at this point. He washed out in the NFL like every other Georgia QB not named Stafford. Pretty obvious guys like Bowers were carrying him hard but he was also reportedly a high (?) functioning alcoholic during his whole career there. Maybe that was his secret to success.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

It seems silly right now that so many worried about WR depth being a weakness and we haven't even had to go that deep into our bench to this point this year. If we can get a little lucky with health at that position, it will be a strength.

Idk why people freak over wr, when we generally only use 4-6 at max on 1st team under Heupel.

 

[SmokinBob]

@SmokinBob is in Michigan taking back what’s rightfully ours.

 

[Visidog]

You're right. Kirby made the right choice in choosing Jake From State Farm and Bennett over Fields.

No argument from me there, though I think that decision was more about team dynamics instead of his assessment of who had more talent. My point isnt that Kirby is some great. QB coach. He isn’t.

 

[SmokinBob]

Heupel hired Smokin’ for retaliatory espionage on Meatchicken, that’s the only logical explanation here.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Idk why people freak over wr, when we generally only use 4-6 at max on 1st team under Heupel.

Everyone freaks out when you see so many transfer out but room had to be made. I never fret about anyone who transfers out because if we really wanted to keep them the resources are available to do it.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

What if your neighbor is building something and the workers show up at 7am, but they don't start swinging hammers til after 8am? Are you mad they're there so early?

 

[DD4ME]

Like I said, he gets all the hate. Hyatt had more TDs in 22 than Bowers and McConkey combined, and yet nobody knocks Hooker for having him and Tillman and Bru—nor should they! Hooker was a crazy good college QB. But there’s something about Stetson Bennett that people hate. I don’t get it.

Because he had every known advantage on the planet. That's all.

It's similar to the hate tossed on Brady before Brady proved how critical he was. Even Bill discounted Brady's importance. Obviously Brady is wildly more skilled and Bill was wrong.
Give Hooker or most highly compentent qb's the advantages Stetson had and they could have earned a ring. Or that is the theory.

 

[LaagerVol]

Here’s an idea - stop pouring time and effort into QBs that are not part of the future here.

Backups are needed. Only having 2 QBs on the roster could be disastrous if injuries mount. Gotta put some time and effort into the 3rd option too

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Everyone freaks out when you see so many transfer out but room had to be made. I never fret about anyone who transfers out because if we really wanted to keep them the resources are available to do it.

I learned not to do that with this staff after watching the defensive backfield vanish like a vampire at dawn, then the younger guys step in and look 10x better.

 

[screenthis]

Excited see a lot of wrinkles from us. I think we bring it.

I agree. I've been pleasently surprised with a more 'open' play book. Do you think that's because Joey 'gets it' more than Milton and Nico and the coaches know it?

 

[DD4ME]

No argument from me there, though I think that decision was more about team dynamics instead of his assessment of who had more talent. My point isnt that Kirby is some great. QB coach. He isn’t.

Kirby's gift is building a system that doesn't depend on a Heisman qb. That then allows him not to bag chase the Nico's and Dylan Raiola's of the world. He's shown he demands a competent, but not elite QB. The question will be does Beck's departure hurt him.

 

[Midas]

Yep I got it at Vols +7 and also got ARK +10 which is down to +7 (no idea where public money is bc haven’t looked) vs Ole Miss.

Niiiice. I never can pull the trigger early in the week for some reason. I always do morning of the game but need to start taking advantage early lines.

 

[rikberry31]

Weird that Nico only looked all-world when wearing pajamas. Maybe it was the pajamas.

Routes on air or 7v7 requires no football knowledge. Turn on the scoreboard and start the clock and the whole world changes.

 

[DD4ME]

I agree. I've been pleasently surprised with a more 'open' play book. Do you think that's because Joey 'gets it' more than Milton and Nico and the coaches know it?

I think they spent all offseason knowing they've been slightly figured out and Heupel can't stand losing.

JA has to execute, but they have to offer him wrinkles to operate 1st.

 

[LaagerVol]

I mentioned the portal. The issue there is you are bringing in a new guy and most evidence shows that a player gets better in Heup's system in the second year. So who is gonna want to transfer here with GMac likely starting and Faizon coming in behind him. You are asking for a guy to come in as a back up. Maybe you can find a guy to do that, but then why not just try and keep Merck who already knows the system and is still likely just the backup?

Agreed. Pay him well. Give him a chance to compete. If it doesn’t go his way he could still transfer after the 2026 season and have 2 years of eligibility left, right?

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

It seems silly right now that so many worried about WR depth being a weakness and we haven't even had to go that deep into our bench to this point this year. If we can get a little lucky with health at that position, it will be a strength.

It's early, but it looks pretty clear our top 3 are better than what we had last year.

Especially with Stayley in the slot. Just about as fast as Squirrel and has more size. Easier for him to get extra yards after the catch since Squirrel, for whatever reason has zero wiggle.

Squirrel was really good at taking those bubble screens and skirtin down the sideline real quick for 1st downs. Did that a lot and nobody really talked about it. With Stayley, he can actually carry a guy for a couple yards and fall forward for a first down in the middle of the field. Biggest guy we have had in the slot.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

I agree. I've been pleasently surprised with a more 'open' play book. Do you think that's because Joey 'gets it' more than Milton and Nico and the coaches know it?

Yes, Joey is a smarter football player than both of them. Processes faster and goes through multiple reads which neither of them ever really did, especially if the defense was disguised at all.