Recruiting Forum Football Talk XIX

[Aesius]

then ryan callahan went to bat hard for matthews. What a joke.

As did Dustin Dopirak. He was ranting about how Brad's mistake wasn't even close to the biggest reporting mistake on the beat since Butch took over. As if that excused it.

And honestly, it probably WAS the biggest mistake. I can't think of any others that were worse. It was so bad North's parents had to call Butch and find out if their son had torn his ACL.

 

[theutvolunteers]

As did Dustin Dopirak. He was ranting about how Brad's mistake wasn't even close to the biggest reporting mistake on the beat since Butch took over. As if that excused it.

And honestly, it probably WAS the biggest mistake. I can't think of any others that were worse. It was so bad North's parents had to call Butch and find out if their son had torn his ACL.

:sick:

 

[bg1968]

Therein lies the proverbial rub. I have been wondering if this schism in predictions may, to some extent, be attributable to generational differences in terms of personal experience with Tennessee's program. Those of us who have witnessed this and every other program rise and fall, not once but twice, have a perspective that is not limited to the worst 5-7 year stretch in the modern era of Tennessee football history. Under the circumstances, your skepticism is understandable but I can assure you that we are turning the corner. The breakout season may occur this year or we may have to wait one more year, but Tennessee most definitely will soon reassume its rightful place among college football powers.

I agree totally, I am old enough to have seen what you are referring to as rise and fall of programs. Even so it has been so long, I am afraid to jump out there and say this is the year.
There is no doubt that we are on the way back to the top though! It may be one more year before we are all the way back if we continue to have injuries. Some people forget just how low we had sunk before Butch arrived, in my opinion! However, one more year of the way we have been recruiting, and I could coach us to a good year. Well, maybe not me but Butch certainly can!!

 

[Volosaurus rex]

In terms of the offensive line and overall depth, the task isn't quite finished, but Butch has recruited his way out of one awfully deep pit.

 

[engineerVOL]

In terms of the offensive line and overall depth, the task isn't quite finished, but Butch has recruited his way out of one awfully deep pit.

He needs to can Mahoney and get a good OL coach in here.

 

[head1]

@InsideUSC Alcohol has been banned from #USC locker room for games this season

LOL either the most useless reporting ever, the most asinine policy announcement ever made by a school, or pregames in USC locker room were awesome prior to now.

****ing Fight On!

 

[nicksjuzunk]

He needs to can Mahoney and get a good OL coach in here.

May be possible, depending on the OL performance this year

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Less than two weeks till kickoff and Bama, UF, South Carolina, and UGA still don't have QB's.

Mark Richt did a press conference where he sounded really worried about getting a starter. It has been played a lot on the radio in Atlanta today.

Richt seeking 'peace' on UGA QB competition - Campus Sports Net

Everyone has been terrible for Bama in practice thus far and Alec Morris may actually win that job.

Report: Alec Morris now leading Alabama quarterback competition

South Carolina may start a true freshman in Lorenzo Nunez.

South Carolina Gamecocks scrimmage recap: Quarterback decision may come mid-week; Steve Spurrier says offense better - Garnet And Black Attack

Florida QB's still struggling in scrimmages.

Florida Gators coach after second scrimmage:

I really hope those teams (especially those in the East) struggle with the QB decision and aren't able to settle in on one before the season starts. Having a little QB controversy could be an x-factor for us in a couple of those games.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

The context is well established in the post. It's what the perception of the program would be given those W/L records.

And no one outside of the fanbase cares if the team has injuries. No one is sympathetic. UF went 4-8 in 2013 due to injuries and Muschamp became a laughing stock. It's the same way that no one cares that you were able to go 9-3 with an easy as pie schedule (Vandy x2) or that you went 5-7 because of a brutal schedule (us in 2013).

The W/L record is all that matters, even if you're fielding a team of walk-ons by the end of the season or playing the School for the Blind every week.

I get what you're saying, but you're overestimating the importance of fan perception. If we lost Dobbs week 1 and still went 7-5, then that would be a pretty good coaching job IMO with a true freshman under center. Experts would take notice of that. People playing close attention would take notice of that. Sure, maybe a few coaches use it against us negative recruiting, but it won't change TOO many recruits minds (not the ones whoa are seriously considering us and paying close attention at least).

I don't think that scenario would slow down our momentum for 2016 much at all. Muschamp was still able to sign a top 10 recruiting class after that 4-8 season. Almost all of our expected key contributors for 2016 are currently on the roster. Who cares if the mouth-breathers on SECrant keep naysaying? None of that would change the fact that the 2016 roster is shaping up to be the most talented and experienced one we've had over a decade. All that will have changed is that some fans got their panties in a wad because they thought a team with one of the weakest OLs in college football would win 10 games.

 

[JAllen18]

The OK game will tell a lot about this season. That game will really show everyone around the country if Tennessee is for real or not. Can they beat a really good team in Neyland in a sold out venue with everyone watching? Beat OK and I think you set up to have a very good year. I'll continue to say it 9-3.

 

[Catbone]

He needs to can Mahoney and get a good OL coach in here.

We'll see after this year

 

[orange parmejohn]

The OK game will tell a lot about this season. That game will really show everyone around the country if Tennessee is for real or not. Can they beat a really good team in Neyland in a sold out venue with everyone watching? Beat OK and I think you set up to have a very good year. I'll continue to say it 9-3.

The atmosphere on game day is going to be absolutely electric.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

We'll see after this year

I feel like you and I are often on the same page here, Catbone (though I'm slightly more optimistic predicting 8 wins). What would it take to convince you that Mahoney deserves to stick around this season?

For me, I'm not really sure there's any specific stat I could point to since Dobbs is a pretty good sack-eraser at times, but I'd say under 30 would be a step in the right direction. And I'd have to see a lot less of our RBs getting hit at/behind the line of scrimmage.

If Kerbyson has really taken the step forward that the media is suggesting he has, that would be a good sign too. 3 years ago, I'd never have believed somebody if they told me that Kerbyson would be a solid LT one day.

 

[vol2002]

Question for the forum: when Tennessee is back, does it look more like Alabama under Saban or UGA under Richt?

Based on our past history, I lean towards it looking more like UGA under Richt, with maybe an extra SEC Championship or two, and hopefully playing in at least one title game in the next 5-10 years. But I get a sense in all these debates about expectations that some posters think it should look like Bama under Saban.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Question for the forum: when Tennessee is back, does it look more like Alabama under Saban or UGA under Richt?

Based on our past history, I lean towards it looking more like UGA under Richt, with maybe an extra SEC Championship or two, and hopefully playing in at least one title game in the next 5-10 years. But I get a sense in all these debates about expectations that some posters think it should look like Bama under Saban.

Honestly, I'd be happy with being like Richt's term at UGA as long as we could actually sneak a playoff birth and/or championship in at some point. If Richt had just won one championship, he wouldn't catch all the flak he does.

 

[Jwill10ut]

Or Coach Sark be like:

.

Or he will load up pregame looking like this

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

The atmosphere on game day is going to be absolutely electric.

Yes, it is! I have my tickets and can't wait!!

 

[Ashevillevol]

May be possible, depending on the OL performance this year

Maybe it isn't the coach Maybe the players are just not as good as we would hope they would be They are all trying their best and this is what we have

 

[The Breakerboy]

Question for the forum: when Tennessee is back, does it look more like Alabama under Saban or UGA under Richt?

Based on our past history, I lean towards it looking more like UGA under Richt, with maybe an extra SEC Championship or two, and hopefully playing in at least one title game in the next 5-10 years. But I get a sense in all these debates about expectations that some posters think it should look like Bama under Saban.

We'll look like Miami under Butch Davis talent wise. These teams will be more athletic than the other two programs. On the field will see soon enough but I think we'll be closer to Saban results. These defenses will be nasty.

 

[WarMachine]

SIAP - From "Ranking top 10 Returning SEC Players"

1. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

The nation’s best cornerback put on an impressive display last season as he finished with a grade of 96.7 overall, allowing only 29 receptions into his coverage on 66 attempts for only 266 yards (9.3 yards per reception), one touchdown and eight passes defensed. Opponents had an NFL passer rating of 41.6 when throwing into his coverage, including a similar 49.5 rating against Power 5 opponents. Hargreaves’ lone negative game in coverage came against Alabama when he and No. 4 overall pick Amari Cooper went head-to-head for much of the game. It was one of the better battles of the season, with both players having their moments, but Hargreaves more than held his own against the nation’s best receiver.

3. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

The most impressive freshmen edge rushers in the nation resided in the SEC a year ago, and it’s a virtual toss-up between Barnett and Myles Garrett, but it’s Barnett’s all-around game and his work against better competition that gives him the slight nod here. He finished at 83.2 overall, including an 88 grade against the run that leads all SEC edge rushers heading into 2015. He picked up 47 total pressures, second to only Garrett among freshmen (more on that in a minute), including 11 sacks, nine hits, and 27 hurries. It’s rare to see a true freshman step in with such competence against the run, especially for a defensive lineman in the SEC, making Barnett’s first season all the more impressive and his future all the brighter.

5. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

The second-best corner in the conference, Sutton put together an impressive sophomore campaign with raw coverage numbers similar to Hargreaves. His overall coverage grade of 87.8 ranked second as he allowed only 43.3 percent of passes to be completed into his coverage (29-for-67) for 356 yards to go with interceptions and 10 passes defensed. One of the things that kept him out of Hargreaves’ league was his tackling — he missed 11 on only 44 attempts — but his coverage skills are too good to keep him off this list.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/08/16/ranking-top-10-returning-players-in-sec/

Good analysis for why Hargreaves is ranked higher, but also statistical reasoning behind why Cam is only slightly behind in coverage.

 

[justwatch123]

The OK game will tell a lot about this season. That game will really show everyone around the country if Tennessee is for real or not. Can they beat a really good team in Neyland in a sold out venue with everyone watching? Beat OK and I think you set up to have a very good year. I'll continue to say it 9-3.

While I agree this will be a huge game and can be a springboard for the season I just don't think this game will factor into what our team will look like in October. I think to be 9-3 ita the Arkansas Missouri and Florida games that we absolutely have to win to be 9-3.

 

[WriterVol]

Sweet. We need to have a Volnation tailgate.

:good!:

 

[jave36]

SIAP - From "Ranking top 10 Returning SEC Players"







https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/08/16/ranking-top-10-returning-players-in-sec/

Good analysis for why Hargreaves is ranked higher, but also statistical reasoning behind why Cam is only slightly behind in coverage.

They never take into account Suttons run D

 

[Nashvegas31]

Question for the forum: when Tennessee is back, does it look more like Alabama under Saban or UGA under Richt?

Based on our past history, I lean towards it looking more like UGA under Richt, with maybe an extra SEC Championship or two, and hopefully playing in at least one title game in the next 5-10 years. But I get a sense in all these debates about expectations that some posters think it should look like Bama under Saban.

Bama like under Saban. Butchs work ethic and mentality is not that of an underachiever. He refuses to be one so I don't see his team being one. He is building a team loaded with NFL potential across the board. Richt can be very loose and let things slip which causes his usual let down game that cost them a shot. It keeps happening every year. With Butch, I see a guy that if it happens once he be damned if it happens again

 

[vol2002]

We'll look like Miami under Butch Davis talent wise. These teams will be more athletic than the other two programs. On the field will see soon enough but I think we'll be closer to Saban results. These defenses will be nasty.

Now that's some optimism! I hope you're right! Would be fun to watch.

I'm more talking about expectations for Tennessee generally to measure Butch's success relative to our history. Of course, if he has us rolling like Miami in its prime, then I'm all for it. But that's not going to be my baseline expectation for him based on our past.