Returning To A Stable Of Prime Thoroughbreds?

#26
#26
This offense is not dependent on a "bell cow" type of back. This offense is built for the "by committee" approach. You need backs that excel in blitz pickup and zone vision. Evans was perfect for this offense. So was E Gray. Those type backs don't excel when they are the feature of an offense, imo. RB's are complimentary pieces for CJH. That being said, I would love to see what Kamara would have done in this offense, but those guys are unicorns.
 
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#27
#27
WoodsmanVol said:
Could it be? Might be just coach-speak, maybe not when one looks at the potential diversity in abilities. But could we be returning to the days we had a stable of waiting, yet willing and able RBs? Where there was no drop off no matter whoever we inserted into a game? Or perhaps I'm probably over-enthusiastic and believing something that isn't there. Would be wonderful to watch the horses galloping to the goal line. To hear the hoofs thunder by the chains, getting more yards than needed for first downs. Imagine! Fury, Flicka, Seabiscuit, and Secretariat all at once.
Source: Vols Should Have Plenty of Depth at Running Back - WDEF
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Star RBs are nice to have but these days aren't necessary for success. As a matter of fact the RBs in the NFL don't get near the money they used to compared to the rest of the team.
 
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#28
#28
SonOfGodVolforlife said:
None of our running backs scream all sec to me. You really need at least one all conference back or at least a couple guys that’s in the mix… hopefully wright can be that guy he’s the only one on the team that I see that can be a difference maker.
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We are months away from having a clue how loud these guys will be on the field. Small and Wright are no longer green. Whitehead is no longer injured but still inexperienced, and JWT is too new to rate but has a more balanced starting point than the rest did upon arrival. The best news is that everybody has a better understanding of how to run the offense, including the QB's, the returning receivers, and the OL. It is way more possible to bring newbies up to speed when many in all the rooms have a year in the system, under a stable staff. Everybody we are discussing is here for the spring and has the summer workouts and concentrated training table and workouts to sync up even more before fall practice and the actual installs for the season begin. Then if we really get to add a few more experienced pieces at key spots from the portal and can fast track them into solid contributors in the fall and early games life can get better and fast. Still no basis for evaluation till the games begin.

Can anybody provide guidance on how many of the 7 offset transfers we have earned to date, do we project to earn all 7, and how many we have used to date with counters, and how many more and when we can use them once earned based on our total counter projections? The portal tool I look at is confusing since it shows schollie and walkon guys, and I am GUESSING that we are on hold till some of our guys that show committed are actually enrolled at D1 schools. I also wonder if a lot of players everywhere are stewing in the portal until guys not only enter the portal but actually fall off the official school rolls as quarters/periods end.

I just don't want to waste time and consternation on false assumptions on my part. If you are stuck at 85 you are stuck I THINK, but I have also heard you just have to meet those numbers on dates certain. Lack of additions could be the product of lack of total counter space (85), or new counter (25) and transfer (7) numbers. Anybody got the goods on where we really are and CAN and WHEN go?
 
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#30
#30
Remy said:
Star RBs are nice to have but these days aren't necessary for success. As a matter of fact the RBs in the NFL don't get near the money they used to compared to the rest of the team.
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OK, thank you. Now, I do believe that my post had naught to do with NFL stuff. OK. My post was asking if the UT is returning to the kind of RB stable we used to have. The article I read had our RB coach seemingly regally lauding our RBs. So I basically posted that it would be nice to have a stable of backs that even if we lost one or two or just rotated them, there would be no drop off in performance. And therein lies the grit and guts of my post. Thanks for the enlightenment just the same.

BUT, if any or all of them get drafted by the NFL, that'd be a bonus for our recruiting, that's for sure.
 
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#31
#31
Sheik Yerbouti said:
Referring to players as “thoroughbreds” feels dehumanizing.
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Oh heil, always somebody who will find fault with anything. It was a figure of speech, Sheik, and not uncommon at that. So if you happen to have a sweetheart and refer to him/her as baby, I doubt they think you're implying they are immature and of limited physical and cognitive ability. But hey! It just wouldn't be VN if we didn't have nitpicking, arguing, and all the other stuff we do here. Long live Volnation, there has been, is, and never will be as dynamic a sports forum as this one! We're unique, whether we want to be or not. Let's hear it for VN!!!!!

 
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#32
#32
WoodsmanVol said:
Oh heil, always somebody who will find fault with anything. It was a figure of speech, Sheik, and not uncommon at that. So if you happen to have a sweetheart and refer to him/her as baby, I doubt they think you're implying they are immature and of limited physical and cognitive ability. But hey! It just wouldn't be VN if we didn't have nitpicking, arguing, and all the other stuff we do here. Long live Volnation, there has been, is, and never will be as dynamic a sports forum as this one! We're unique, whether we want to be or not. Let's hear it for VN!!!!!

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Agreed. Just a figure of speech. One with a long history at that. I assume it was meant as a compliment even. Nevertheless…

I just wonder if we could come up with something better that doesn’t compare people to a collection of horses.

Don’t mind me. I’m not normal, as I keep being told.
 
#33
#33
Sheik Yerbouti said:
Agreed. Just a figure of speech. One with a long history at that. I assume it was meant as a compliment even. Nevertheless…

I just wonder if we could come up with something better that doesn’t compare people to a collection of horses.
Don’t mind me. I’m not normal, as I keep being told.
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I'm not normal either, and there are some on VN who with relish the chance and with less than savory comments attest to that. Sheik, my advice to you, me, and these days everybody else, don't wear yourself ragged worrying about every turn of phrase you use. I swear far too many people these days sit back and wait for, hunt for, if none is found, make up an excuse to be offended. I just accept that humans gonna human so just focus on being me, cause I darn sure can't be anybody else. On the other hand, if I intentionally, and unjustly insult someone (and I've done that) I expect to be called out on it, and if true, I'm the first to apologize. Beyond that:

♪ ♪ How you gonna love someone ♫ ♫
When you can't even love yourself?
How you gonna find a home
🎼 When you're always somewhere else? ♩ ♩

♪ ♪ I got to be me, I got to be wild ♫ ♫
I got to be a little crazy
I got to be me, I got to be true
There's nobody else I can be
🎼 If I can be me, then you can be you ♩ ♩
 
#35
#35
NEO said:
Would you prefer “he’s a stud?”
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Heh, heh, Neo you hammered and nailed this.
iu
 
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#37
#37
Vol423 said:
We hear this every spring, but I don't see any difference makers at running back on this team. It's been a really long time since we've had a real difference maker at running back.
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I agree, but our scheme makes up for a lot.

Our top 2 backs last year averaged 5.7 YPC or more. That hasn't happened since 2016 with Kelly/Kamara. And that's if you consider Kelly #2...he had more yards than Hurd, but fewer carries. Hurd was an atrocious 3.7 ypc that season... Before that, you'd have to go well back into the Fulmer days, if it even occurred then.

This scheme is just so fantastic for runners, it can't be mentioned enough.
 
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#38
#38
WoodsmanVol said:
Could it be? Might be just coach-speak, maybe not when one looks at the potential diversity in abilities. But could we be returning to the days we had a stable of waiting, yet willing and able RBs? Where there was no drop off no matter whoever we inserted into a game? Or perhaps I'm probably over-enthusiastic and believing something that isn't there. Would be wonderful to watch the horses galloping to the goal line. To hear the hoofs thunder by the chains, getting more yards than needed for first downs. Imagine! Fury, Flicka, Seabiscuit, and Secretariat all at once.
Source: Vols Should Have Plenty of Depth at Running Back - WDEF
Click to expand...

It's a good group. They're all perfect for this offense (except Whitehead).
Sampson is going to see touches as well.

Sampson and Wright are both lightning! Small is the veteran guy who will be dependable, but those two guys mentiones above will be the "juice".
 
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#39
#39
WoodsmanVol said:
Could it be? Might be just coach-speak, maybe not when one looks at the potential diversity in abilities. But could we be returning to the days we had a stable of waiting, yet willing and able RBs? Where there was no drop off no matter whoever we inserted into a game? Or perhaps I'm probably over-enthusiastic and believing something that isn't there. Would be wonderful to watch the horses galloping to the goal line. To hear the hoofs thunder by the chains, getting more yards than needed for first downs. Imagine! Fury, Flicka, Seabiscuit, and Secretariat all at once.
Source: Vols Should Have Plenty of Depth at Running Back - WDEF
Click to expand...
Thoroughbreds? I'll settle for a hard working, reliable plow mule that can consistently get us short yardage when we need it. Baby steps.
 
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#40
#40
CAVPUT said:
Thoroughbreds? I'll settle for a hard working, reliable plow mule that can consistently get us short yardage when we need it. Baby steps.
Click to expand...

Whatever, as long as they have the attitude of:

I say I'm Runnin' from the devil, tryin' to save my
Soul
He ain't gonna catch me 'cause I'm never too
Slow
I'm Runnin' from the devil, It's gettin' mighty hot
Got to keep on truckin' because I'm on the spot
I've got to get away, I've got to get away (Keep
On runnin')
 
#42
#42
WoodsmanVol said:
I'm not normal either, and there are some on VN who with relish the chance and with less than savory comments attest to that. Sheik, my advice to you, me, and these days everybody else, don't wear yourself ragged worrying about every turn of phrase you use. I swear far too many people these days sit back and wait for, hunt for, if none is found, make up an excuse to be offended. I just accept that humans gonna human so just focus on being me, cause I darn sure can't be anybody else. On the other hand, if I intentionally, and unjustly insult someone (and I've done that) I expect to be called out on it, and if true, I'm the first to apologize. Beyond that:

♪ ♪ How you gonna love someone ♫ ♫
When you can't even love yourself?
How you gonna find a home
🎼 When you're always somewhere else? ♩ ♩

♪ ♪ I got to be me, I got to be wild ♫ ♫
I got to be a little crazy
I got to be me, I got to be true
There's nobody else I can be
🎼 If I can be me, then you can be you ♩ ♩
Click to expand...
Well received. Sorry to drag us off topic.
 
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