Sunday observations...

[tim]

Wasn't there a fourth and short play called that had Neal running outside rather than pushing it up the middle? That was a horrible play call. Even if you fail to convert, you give your big boys a chance to push their d-line back and make that surge.

Designed to go outside? I think if you watch a replay you will see Dooley telling him to go inside after the play. IIRC

 

[Weezer]

What would you have changed? Its been noted that they game planned Amerson. Because he liked to jump underneath routes they planned to go over the top and guess what...they did, repeatedly. He sent the signals in that were responsible for over 300 in the air and 200 on the ground. What in Gods name is wrong with those numbers?

Nothing wrong with those numbers, but that math won't add up against an SEC defense. What makes the SEC dominant? Defense. Heard many commentators point that out over this weekend. NC State had Amerson, but how will we look against teams that have defensive playmakers all over the field? In the SEC, you have to be able to run and pass. Chaney doesn't put much emphasis on the run game. Yes, passing game is our strength, but a good defense can take that away and force us to run. Then what kind of numbers will we put up?

I'm excited about this team and the potential they have, but Chaney will need to adjust his playcalling for SEC play. That's just a simple truth.

 

[Weezer]

he popped it outside as the line caved. Just looked like the right D call at the right time. It happens.

I need to watch a replay of the game, but it seemed the play I'm thinking of already had his momentum carrying him to the edge as he got the ball without a look up the middle. I could be mistaken. If I catch a replay, I'll note the play.

 

[sbigdaddy]

Stop people!!!! Let's stop being blog coaches. Please!!!! Enjoy the win and the running game is better and it's going to better each week. 216 rushing yards. Lane ran between tackles and rushed for 75 yards on 9 carries. Neal did not trust his ability and ran to the side versus running north to south. That will be corrected trust me. But for goodness sake, stop stop being so critical on our team. True Vol 4 life fans support our team no matter what. Stop being Internet coaches. Stop being so critical. It's easy to sit in front of a computer and pass judgement. Get your butts on that field and let's see how you get the job done. Enjoy our team. Dang it!!!
This comment is for all the bloggers that had negative or were so critical on our team. Enough. I am sick and tired of it. If you would like to talk more see me at gate 21 Saturday.

 

[Spartacavolus]

damn, first post is a threat to meet in person. Way to come out firing.

Will this be the first time a firsttime poster gets an email from Freak? I believe he might.

 

[jlf2n]

look at me! look at me!

 

[tnvols72]

wow, first time poster gets banned on his first post ?

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Stop people!!!! Let's stop being blog coaches. Please!!!! Enjoy the win and the running game is better and it's going to better each week. 216 rushing yards. Lane ran between tackles and rushed for 75 yards on 9 carries. Neal did not trust his ability and ran to the side versus running north to south. That will be corrected trust me. But for goodness sake, stop stop being so critical on our team. True Vol 4 life fans support our team no matter what. Stop being Internet coaches. Stop being so critical. It's easy to sit in front of a computer and pass judgement. Get your butts on that field and let's see how you get the job done. Enjoy our team. Dang it!!!
This comment is for all the bloggers that had negative or were so critical on our team. Enough. I am sick and tired of it. If you would like to talk more see me at gate 21 Saturday.

Settle down Beavis, everyone is enjoying this win. It's a message board, where people talk about whatever they would like, so try not to take it so seriously.

 

[NMVol]

For all this saying Neal was running east and west which he did some I would just you all to go back and look at that touchdown run up the middle he had and note his balance up the middle and final burst into the endzone. Not as definitive a situation as some make it plus many of those east-west plays seemed to have been designed that way. Glad to see Lane to well. Both Lane and Neal will continue to get significant carries.

 

[Atzar]

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.

I agree completely. It's one reason why I was really surprised to see Neal take the starting RB job out of training camp.

 

[pimo1]

All of you people hating that we are running so much out of the pistol can thank a certain Mac Book thief for that.

People are fast to complain about something that is happening and never sit back and think that maybe there is a reason it's being done that way other than the coach sucks.

I find it hilarious that people think to power run you have to use a fullback...a certain team that wears crimson runs almost exclusively out of single back and so do some of the best running teams in college and the NFL. Year in year out. And the only real difference between the pistol and single back is where the QB stands and the side the te lines up on.

Saying the pistol requires a more mobile QB is hilarious. The point is (much like the shotgun) to get your QB the ball in his hands without him having to drop back. This is a strategy for passing and a less mobile QB not the latter. That being said there is no play you could run out of single back or shotgun you can't run from the pistol. It could be called a best of both world's.

 

[underscore]

All of you people hating that we are running so much out of the pistol can thank a certain Mac Book thief for that.

People are fast to complain about something that is happening and never sit back and think that maybe there is a reason it's being done that way other than the coach sucks.

I find it hilarious that people think to power run you have to use a fullback...a certain team that wears crimson runs almost exclusively out of single back and so do some of the best running teams in college and the NFL. Year in year out. And the only real difference between the pistol and single back is where the QB stands and the side the te lines up on.

Saying the pistol requires a more mobile QB is hilarious. The point is (much like the shotgun) to get your QB the ball in his hands without him having to drop back. This is a strategy for passing and a less mobile QB not the latter. That being said there is no play you could run out of single back or shotgun you can't run from the pistol. It could be called a best of both world's.

We may be on to something here. Given the NFL is a passing league, yet no one runs the pistol outside of a nitch play. I find that odd. Perhaps they need your expertise and insight.

 

[jortfreeTN]

The only negative about our run game is CP's big run cusions the games stats a bit? Without his 67 yd TD we only ran the rock for 150 yds. This is still an improvement over last year though.

The positive though is Lane did what you are supposed to do and had the best night. The coaches can point to that and show Neal and Young, if you take the short yards early and often you will break a big one.

I think the run game will continue to improve and while we might not have one elite back I think we have 3 pretty strong RBs that will push eachother as the season goes on.

 

[WestTN#1VolFan]

I think it's time for Chaney to be replaced, go ahead and get a new OC while all the other coaches were replaced. Chaney's offense has ran its course in the SEC. Time to get a fresh young guy in there. IMO TIFWIW

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

McCullers value will show up in SEC play. Facing a shotgun qb is not his type of game.
When teams try to line up in the I formation and come at us is where big Dan will shine.

 

[KingtUT]

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:

Here's another observation you should have mentioned...

you were completely wrong about this teams ability to win this game. So what do you do, you come up with a list of everything wrong with the win... nice job

I will give you a little credit for mentioning a few positives, but you still seem to be focused mainly on the negatives. As few quality wins as weve had lately, I would think you could just sit back, put a smile on your face, and enjoy it. JMO

 

[KingtUT]

Nothing like picking on a OC after we put up what should have been 42 points. I could understand if we couldnt put 14 points on the board but thats not the issue here is it?.

 

[Lexvol]

Nothing like picking on a OC after we put up what should have been 42 points. I could understand if we couldnt put 14 points on the board but thats not the issue here is it?.

After re-watching the game, I do think it was called better than I had originally thought. Bray missed on several short throws early...and I mean wide open throws. It was those incompletions that made the game calling seem choppier than it was.

 

[General Jack]

The only big problem I had with Chaney's play calling was the pass on 3rd and 1 in the first quarter... although in retrospect Neal probably would have just bounced outside for a 3 yard loss anyway.

I saw McCullers get a nice push on at least a few occassions while being double or triple teamed, so he was being disruptive. He didn't even take half the snaps I don't think. He's going to be good, did well in his first game IMO.

Glad Palardy was dead on after the first missed PAT. I think it was a bad snap/hold.

Always get nervous when Hunter is running with the ball in traffic. Rather see him streaking down the sideline... but I know we can't just have in running fly routes. I'm going to be holding my breath every time he gets the ball this year.

Anyone else LOVE seeing our DBs actually make the pic when they get their hands on the ball. Man, in the early mid 90s our DBs had hands of stone, seemed like they would drop picks more often than not.... Now our DBs are making tough catches (like Gordon's pick which was truly a thing of beauty).

 

[KeithStone]

I prefer Bray under center or in a proper shot-gun. The pistol, for me, is best suited when you have a mobile QB.

Pistol has nothing to do with the QB's mobility. It is designed to allow the QB to see the field better in passing situations and allow the running back to read the defense and get the ball while moving forward in running situations. I think its an great formation because its unpredictable. You have your power running game and also your shotgun passing game.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[JohnnyBall]

Running game between the tackles isnt terrible..it was average..

you are terrible...

 

[Cartervol]

There will always be a few things they could do better. I'm not sure i've ever heard a coach that said we have nothing to work on.

 

[tvols75]

After re-watching the game, I do think it was called better than I had originally thought. Bray missed on several short throws early...and I mean wide open throws. It was those incompletions that made the game calling seem choppier than it was.

Did you notice there was at least 4 yards for Neal if he had just cut it up? I didn't realize how big of a push the line got most every play. I was even more encouraged the 2nd time I watched it.

 

[Vol logic]

It was not the play calling. I was surprised to see all the runs called on 2 and 3rd down as it has been a while. Every time our backs committed inside they did better and Lane should be commended. Probably only have of the sec have a better defense than we saw on Friday. We have many posters on here who really need to take notes during the game or rewatch, ignorance.

 

[Eddie Vol Halen]

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:

I think this is fairly solid analysis. At the end of the day, we beat a team that was smaller and slower than we were at almost every position.

For me, the most important facet of the game was this team actually came out of the locker room at halftime. In a way, the 2nd quarter fumble was a great piece of adversity for this team to overcome. And they overcame it with some style.

Despite the win, I was ready to jettison Chaney during the game. His philosophy on the running game just seems anathema to Tennessee. However, on reflection:

1. For the first time in the Dooley era, the Vols put together a tough, clock eating, 3rd quarter drive that effectively put a fork in the opposition.

2. Running out of the pistol had to be some sort of subterfuge to confuse Muschamp and Co.

Judgment Day on Jim Chaney is definitely Sep 15th.