Reeves-Maybin confident in Vols' LB depth

#1
kamoshika

kamoshika

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#1
The green noncontact jersey worn by Jalen Reeves-Maybin for Tennessee's preseason football practices last week allowed the star linebacker to keep a closer eye on the reserves and young players at his position.

The senior has liked what he's seen.

Depth behind the starting duo of Reeves-Maybin and Darrin Kirkland Jr. is a question mark going into the season for the Volunteers, who are trying to sort out the position this month.

"It's been a lot of competition," Reeves-Maybin said last week. "A lot of the guys in the room have been there for two or three years, and I can really tell the whole confidence and the way they're playing, the game looks like it's slowing down to a lot of them. They're able to make plays and they're able to talk football like a veteran should."
Reeves-Maybin confident in Vols' linebacker depth | Times Free Press
 
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#2
#2
The way this sounds, the 4-3 two-deep would look like this at LB:

Starters: JRM - Kirkland - Bynum
Two-Deep: McDowell - Jumper - Sapp

Last week, ... Bob Shoop indicated three linebackers — former Baylor School standout Colton Jumper in the middle and Cortez McDowell and Quart'e Sapp at the other spot — had maintained the separation from the rest of the group...and Kenny Bynum may be the choice for Tennessee when it shifts into a more traditional 4-3 defense for the run-heavy opponents on the schedule.
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#5
#5
TAF said:
Bates MUST be a BUST??!!
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A tad premature to label a complete bust, but one has to wonder...

Was high on Gavin Bryant coming in also, but he seems questionable whether he'll ever contribute, as well...
 
#6
#6
TAF said:
Bates MUST be a BUST??!!
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C'MON MAN! He is still just a kid. There has been many that barely seen the field before Junior or Senior year. He may very well be, but I still think it's early. He has played special teams, so he can't be absolutely terrible.
 
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#7
#7
Not to rain on the parade, but all it takes is a freak play like Chubb or cheap clip by a dirty Georgia bulldog lineman to whittle down that depth chart....
 
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#8
#8
Pacer92 said:
A tad premature to label a complete bust, but one has to wonder...

Was high on Gavin Bryant coming in also, but he seems questionable whether he'll ever contribute, as well...
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I thought Bryant was a beast according to his senior highlights too.
 
#9
#9
greenbacknative said:
Not to rain on the parade, but all it takes is a freak play like Chubb or cheap clip by a dirty Georgia bulldog lineman to whittle down that depth chart....
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Cancel the parade. Reality alert. :sad:
 
#10
#10
I really don't think the LB depth is a big of a concern as some are making it out to be. Granted, all we heard about last season was DKJr and JRM. But that's because they are two of the best LBs in the nation. JRM started every game and played the majority of every game. DKJr started 10/13 games and played most of those too. That really only leaves one LB spot for someone to play, and the chances of us having all 3 LB spots filled by stars isn't likely. Kenny Bynum is a solid starter based on what we've heard from camp. Mcdowell, Jumper and Quarte Sapp are all guys who everyone seems to be high on. Then behind them we have Bituli and Blakely, who are also both 4 stars. Gavin Bryant, Elliott Berry and last but not least Dillon Bates who might surprise us. I think we're doing just fine there guys.
 
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#12
#12
Shocked to see no mention of Dillon Bates. He's what... a sophmore or junior?
 
#15
#15
orangebloodgmc said:
Just a Soph (RS), I believe.
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Has to be health right now. I mean I don't think he's taken more than a handful of snaps (total guess) since he got here. I don't think the coaching staff would've offered if ru didn't see the potential there. And I think Bryant just has to be patient. He's been on special teams and I'm sure he's pushed the guys ahead of him. My gues is he may get some looks this year, maybe more next year. Of course, we could debate that ad nauseum
 
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#16
#16
greenbacknative said:
Not to rain on the parade, but all it takes is a freak play like Chubb or cheap clip by a dirty Georgia bulldog lineman to whittle down that depth chart....
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Injuries are a problem for any team in any sport. No point dwelling on hypotheticals.
 
#17
#17
Mabin is a classy kid and would never say he didn't feel confident in the backup LB's......

Not so sure many Vol fans are sharing his confidence in the backup LB's, however.
 
#18
#18
photovol said:
Mabin is a classy kid and would never say he didn't feel confident in the backup LB's......

Not so sure many Vol fans are sharing his confidence in the backup LB's, however.
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I feel pretty good about both McDowell and Sapp. Headhunters.
 
#22
#22
photovol said:
Mabin is a classy kid and would never say he didn't feel confident in the backup LB's......

Not so sure many Vol fans are sharing his confidence in the backup LB's, however.
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Disagree - McDowell and Sapp start for 90% of the teams in the country IMO.

Also if needed I would assume Austin Smith could move back to OLB, where he looked like a beast last year.
 
#24
#24
I'm not concerned about the linebackers. A few behind JRM and Kirkland will emerge and be solid contributors.
 
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