Sunday observations...

[g8terh8ter_eric]

1. We won. No analyzing it with this observation, just enjoy the win.
2. With that being said, our running game between the tackles is still terrible. They better keep it between the tackles the entire Ga State game, just to prepare for FL. FL has too fast of LBs to go East/West, and it looked like NC State kept at at bay running outside as well.
3. CP84 is the real deal. That kid is going to help us win games, and I hope we get him more than one season.
4. It was great to see Hunter playing the way he played Friday night. I'm glad they targeted him as much as they did, and helped him work off some of the gameday rust.
5. Our defense is going to have to play better. Yes, we had 4 INTs, and yes we pressured their QB all night, but we gave up too many big plays, and that had more to do with communication than anything. Still, good effort as a defensive unit.
6. Our team is most definitely in shape. I can say this is the best conditioned team I have seen play in years. Kudos to Coach Mac.
7. Jim Chaney's play calling is still suspect. There were several times I asked myself what I was watching. I love the fact we can hit the big play down field, but I'm scared too death with what we are going to do in the SEC when faced with 3rd and 5, and no between the tackles running game.
8. Very happy we won in the ATL. Good to get that proverbial monkey off our backs.
9. Bray needs to learn a bit of touch. Throwing it full bore all the time isn't the best practice, and he won't be able to to that at the next level. Hope he gets that down.
10. Eric Gordon has the ability to be a "STAR" this season. Looking forward to his development and to see if he can maintain the tenacity he showed Friday night.
11. AJ, Curt, and Jaq really impressed me playing LB. They will cause problems this year for teams, but we don't have much below them, so health is going to be a big concern with our LB.
12. My heart broke for Lathers getting hurt, but sounds like he will be back for FL. That guy is a VFL.
13. I wasn't all that impressed with McCullers play. He took up a lot of space, but he's not near as aggressive as I thought he might be.

Lots of other observations to tell, but those are some that stuck out most to me. This team answered a lot of questions for us, but still left a lot of them on the table. I think we will know a whole lot more about this team the second half of the FL game.

So, here's to a blowout next week, and Go Vols!!!

:hi:

 

[Lexvol]

1. We won. No analyzing it with this observation, just enjoy the win.
2. With that being said, our running game between the tackles is still terrible. They better keep it between the tackles the entire Ga State game, just to prepare for FL. FL has too fast of LBs to go East/West, and it looked like NC State kept at at bay running outside as well.
3. CP84 is the real deal. That kid is going to help us win games, and I hope we get him more than one season.
4. It was great to see Hunter playing the way he played Friday night. I'm glad they targeted him as much as they did, and helped him work off some of the gameday rust.
5. Our defense is going to have to play better. Yes, we had 4 INTs, and yes we pressured their QB all night, but we gave up too many big plays, and that had more to do with communication than anything. Still, good effort as a defensive unit.
6. Our team is most definitely in shape. I can say this is the best conditioned team I have seen play in years. Kudos to Coach Mac.
7. Jim Chaney's play calling is still suspect. There were several times I asked myself what I was watching. I love the fact we can hit the big play down field, but I'm scared too death with what we are going to do in the SEC when faced with 3rd and 5, and no between the tackles running game.
8. Very happy we won in the ATL. Good to get that proverbial monkey off our backs.
9. Bray needs to learn a bit of touch. Throwing it full bore all the time isn't the best practice, and he won't be able to to that at the next level. Hope he gets that down.
10. Eric Gordon has the ability to be a "STAR" this season. Looking forward to his development and to see if he can maintain the tenacity he showed Friday night.
11. AJ, Curt, and Jaq really impressed me playing LB. They will cause problems this year for teams, but we don't have much below them, so health is going to be a big concern with our LB.
12. My heart broke for Lathers getting hurt, but sounds like he will be back for FL. That guy is a VFL.
13. I wasn't all that impressed with McCullers play. He took up a lot of space, but he's not near as aggressive as I thought he might be.

Lots of other observations to tell, but those are some that stuck out most to me. This team answered a lot of questions for us, but still left a lot of them on the table. I think we will know a whole lot more about this team the second half of the FL game.

So, here's to a blowout next week, and Go Vols!!!

:hi:

Redzone O...Redzone O.....

Once we hit SEC play 3rd and 4 or less cannot be an automatic passing down for UT. Otherwise we are completely one dimensional.

 

[KoachKletus]

Who u trying to kid? Your pissed because you have been so wrong.


EDIT - meant for the OP.

 

[Cartervol]

They're running out of that pistol with no Fullback. They going to be a throw first team it seems. Marlin Lane ran North and South out of it, Neal didn't. I might would change up who starts, but still you need them both.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Redzone O...Redzone O.....

Once we hit SEC play 3rd and 4 or less cannot be an automatic passing down for UT. Otherwise we are completely one dimensional.

Agreed.

 

[Lexvol]

They're running out of that pistol with no Fullback. They going to be a throw first team it seems. Marlin Lane ran North and South out of it, Neal didn't. I might would change up who starts, but still you need them both.

I would rather see Tom Smith and Marlin Lane. Tom can fall forward for Neal's average against NC State. Dervin can be a decent third down back. I think Neal could be much more valuable in the slot. That is just my opinion.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Who u trying to kid? Your pissed because you have been so wrong.


EDIT - meant for the OP.

Look, I gave them as much praise, as I did criticism. The fact you are trying to turn this into a Dooley debate is dumb. We don't know how this team is going to do in the SEC until FL. Also, until they get later into the season, I'm not going to praise or or criticize Dooley much until November. I'm going to do my best to maintain that as well.

 

[Cartervol]

I would rather see Tom Smith and Marlin Lane. Tom can fall forward for Neal's average against NC State. Dervin can be a decent third down back. I think Neal could be much more valuable in the slot. That is just my opinion.

I agree if he keeps running East and West. Honestly i hate that formation. You really can't be a physical running team out of it. It's a read and react style of running. It takes vision by the back, not just run to where the hole is supposed to be. It's slower developing and that usually doesn't work out well against the speed in the SEC.

 

[Lexvol]

I agree if he keeps running East and West. Honestly i hate that formation. You really can't be a physical running team out of it. It's a read and react style of running. It takes vision by the back, not just run to where the hole is supposed to be. It's slower developing and that usually doesn't work out well against the speed in the SEC.

My argument against Neal at RB is that he has no vision whatsoever. Put him in the slot and get him in some open field matchups to optimize his speed.

 

[VOLfrombama]

The fact of the matter is we still need lots of improvement. Yes we won, but we showed a lot of inconsistency and weakness Friday night.

On a good note, it appears that Dooley and Co. are on a mission. CDD appeared to be all business until after the game. He showed a little emotion at the trophy presentation ceremony then he was quickly back to all business. I hope he has complete control of the locker room now.

 

[Cartervol]

My argument against Neal at RB is that he has no vision whatsoever. Put him in the slot and get him in some open field matchups to optimize his speed.

Well if they're going to run out of that, then you certainly have to have vision. I'm not sure they have anybody like that on the roster. Lane was the better back the other night.

 

[Lexvol]

Well if they're going to run out of that, then you certainly have to have vision. I'm not sure they have anybody like that on the roster. Lane was the better back the other night.

Lane slides off of tackles. He was getting at least one or two yards after contact all night. He has some natural RB instincts that Neal doesn't.

 

[underscore]

Both Neal and DY were trying to bounce everything outside instead of taking what was there. I imagine it will be a point of emphasis this week as Graham was a great north and south runner especially in limited space.

I was delighted to see the Vols adjust and bring in the two back set with Lane and finally get a push.

 

[Cartervol]

Lane slides off of tackles. He was getting at least one or two yards after contact all night. He has some natural RB instincts that Neal doesn't.

He looked the part, he needs a spell guy though.

 

[Donvolson]

Vols will destroy Gators this year. All the mistakes the vols made against the wolf crack, (one of the better offenses the vols will see) will be fixed by the time Gators come to town. Mushcramp will likely be coming off a loss to a + m too

 

[KoachKletus]

Look, I gave them as much praise, as I did criticism. The fact you are trying to turn this into a Dooley debate is dumb. We don't know how this team is going to do in the SEC until FL. Also, until they get later into the season, I'm not going to praise or or criticize Dooley much until November. I'm going to do my best to maintain that as well.

I said nothing about Dooley.
You said that we would most likely lose.

You can be excited, and hold a logical thought process that we aren't where any of us truly want to be. That's why it's hard to admit, because of my excitement for the first game, that we will likely lose to NCST Friday, but that's not dampening my mood.

 

[Pump Guy]

I have a feeling that there will not be one single run outside the tackle on Saturday.

 

[Spartacavolus]

I've thought Lane was the back since the spring, and not sure why he went to 3rd string (doesn't matter if 2nd or 3rd, he got more carries than DY). Maybe Neal has shown some things in practice, or has shown a focus and leadership, so he was rewarded after last year. Maybe Lane is a gamer. Some guys just play better than they practice, and vice versa.

It will work itself out, and I'm sure they were putting Neal back out there to force him to run in between the tackles when the game was in hand and he had a really solid td run in response. I just like how Lane finishes. Doesn't look the same running as Hardesty and not as strong, but his lean and spins allow him to get another yard or two many times and we need that yard.

 

[Lexvol]

I've thought Lane was the back since the spring, and not sure why he went to 3rd string (doesn't matter if 2nd or 3rd, he got more carries than DY). Maybe Neal has shown some things in practice, or has shown a focus and leadership, so he was rewarded after last year. Maybe Lane is a gamer. Some guys just play better than they practice, and vice versa.

It will work itself out, and I'm sure they were putting Neal back out there to force him to run in between the tackles when the game was in hand and he had a really solid td run in response. I just like how Lane finishes. Doesn't look the same running, but his lean and spins allow him to get another yard or two many times and we need that yard.

Agree 100%. I have been drilled repeatedly for saying that Lane was MVP of the spring.

 

[BuckheadVol1]

@#7... Chaney is our weakness in my opinion. I do not care what he has done in the past, his play calling and lack of balance is horrible. Big plays are great but the key is when we have to grind it out in SEC play.

 

[stewart6600]

They're running out of that pistol with no Fullback. They going to be a throw first team it seems. Marlin Lane ran North and South out of it, Neal didn't. I might would change up who starts, but still you need them both.

I agree 100%

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

I said nothing about Dooley.
You said that we would most likely lose.

So, basically all you wanted was a "you were wrong post", right?? Who gives a damn!! There are plenty of people wrong on a message board, but I don't a find a use in pointing it out here. I'll give you back a pat on the back though, just so you feel better about pointing it out. Good job.

 

[Spartacavolus]

@#7... Chaney is our weakness in my opinion. I do not care what he has done in the past, his play calling and lack of balance is horrible. Big plays are great but the key is when we have to grind it out in SEC play.

I'm trying to reason with myself on Chaney as well. Honestly, I haven't liked him as much as I would prefer. Then I looked at the record pace before injury last year. Then I get frustrated on his 3rd down calls. Then he lights up the star for the other team for 3 tds in the first half. Then I'm mad because we don't run between the tackles. Then I see 500+ yards, and I don't care if we had long plays or not, that's the game, get yards and score points.

I'm trying to roll with him a little and assume like with any coach, that he will make some bad calls, but our offense is scary to our opponents D and it hasn't been in a long time.

 

[Lexvol]

I'm trying to reason with myself on Chaney as well. Honestly, I haven't liked him as much as I would prefer. Then I looked at the record pace before injury last year. Then I get frustrated on his 3rd down calls. Then he lights up the star for the other team for 3 tds in the first half. Then I'm mad because we don't run between the tackles. Then I see 500+ yards, and I don't care if we had long plays or not, that's the game, get yards and score points.

I'm trying to roll with him a little and assume like with any coach, that he will make some bad calls, but our offense is scary to our opponents D and it hasn't been in a long time.

The pass on third and one early in the game nearly did me in.

 

[Cartervol]

@#7... Chaney is our weakness in my opinion. I do not care what he has done in the past, his play calling and lack of balance is horrible. Big plays are great but the key is when we have to grind it out in SEC play.

His playcalling at times is puzzling. He kept NC State in the game by himself in the first half. Otherwise we would have ran them off the field. Hopefully he doesn't outsmart himself two weeks from Saturday. He did have a few WTF moments Friday night.