Tennessee Final Scrimmage News & Notes

[K-town Vol Fan]

Wr is not one of the top 2 important positions… Qb for sure and trenches is next… I think JA will come along well as the season goes… how many wins will that turn into? Tough to call but I can see anywhere between 7 and 11 likely finishing at 9-3.

I mean it's debatable. Not having an elite WR that can get separation quickly can make it harder for the OL because they have to protect longer.

 

[stolitonic]

My biggest cause for optimism for 2025 has to be the O-Line. They could end up being the strength of our offense. You can win a ton of ballgames with a great O-Line but you aren't winning jack sh*t without one

Hell man, I'll double down on your statement-

If you gave me a choice between having 1997 Manning under center this year for the Vols OR having the undisputed top OL in the country, I'm gonna take the line every time

You give any decent D1 QB an extra second or two each play and they are most likely gonna shred you. Some more than others of course.

You don't need 2019 Joe Burrow back there

 

[CAVPUT]

My biggest cause for optimism for 2025 has to be the O-Line. They could end up being the strength of our offense. You can win a ton of ballgames with a great O-Line but you aren't winning jack sh*t without one

If the OL is the strength considering our RB room, we're playoff bound.

 

[CAVPUT]

The WRs imo are more likely to surprise. But I don't have a whole lot of hope for the QB that threw 24 picks in 2 seasons and has never held an offer from any other SEC school. We shall see. I hope I am wrong.

Well, I don't have faith in the WR room so it's a wash?

 

[ENGRVOL]

Just need 1 or 2 more extra big passing plays from this offense a game compared to last year and we are a playoff caliber team

 

[TechnoVol]

 

[landscapingvol]

The WRs imo are more likely to surprise. But I don't have a whole lot of hope for the QB that threw 24 picks in 2 seasons and has never held an offer from any other SEC school. We shall see. I hope I am wrong.

Only SEC quarterbacks have performed well in the NFL. Oh you are wrong but that’s irrelevant, quarterbacks for lesser teams have to take more chances because they are behind more often than not.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Listed to Swain this morning:

- he was very upbeat about the offense
- lots of passing plays made down the field
- thinks Joey sewed up the starting job
- MM looked good
- Travis Smith looked good
- Amari Jefferson made a great play on a deep pass
- RG was very animated after offense was able to run the ball last time…but said we STILL were able to run the ball

Knowing the defense is above average, these are really good signs

If we can run the ball against a 6 man box, that would be great.

Making the playoffs last year, we could not hit a deep ball or run consistently against a 6+ box. Just being able to do one would be a huge improvement.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

@peppis all jacked up on Mt dew

Peppis?

 

[marcusluvsvols]

I am once again asking for 21 personnel

Me too bro. Me too.

I think we will see a LOT of 12 personnel this year with 2TEs...because we are LOADED at TE better than any team I can remember and I am old.

Would also LOVE to see some 21 personnel with 2RBs and 1TE. We have 5 quality backs that can play in the SEC. Why not get 2 of them on the field at the same time? So much talent in that room

 

[PC Jr.]

It's a real shame this is going to be the deepest and most talented team CJH has had and we're weak at the 2 most important positions. QB and WR. Could be a frustrating year.

You sir, understand. Thank you. This, among other things, is why the Vols are picked to go 7-5 or 8-4 by people who get paid to make predictions. I hope the offense comes together and QBs are decisive and WRs can get off blocks. If so, it could be really fun. Right now, the offense is behind all their main competition (to this point). Joey just hasn’t been here long enough.

 

[joevol33]

Peppis?

You know I'm from Kentucky, and can't spell!

 

[jasonvol18]

The WRs imo are more likely to surprise. But I don't have a whole lot of hope for the QB that threw 24 picks in 2 seasons and has never held an offer from any other SEC school. We shall see. I hope I am wrong.

Neither did Josh Allen, who threw 15 Int's in a season and 21 his last 25 games..No SEC offer. You can't really judge these guys that played on bad teams and were forced to play from behind and throw it a ton in games. May wanna wait and reserve judgement once you've seen him play on a team where he won't have to throw it 40 times a game and play from behind every game.

 

[jasonvol18]

Wr is not one of the top 2 important positions… Qb for sure and trenches is next… I think JA will come along well as the season goes… how many wins will that turn into? Tough to call but I can see anywhere between 7 and 11 likely finishing at 9-3.

What 5 potential losses do you see? Our schedule is as easy as it's ever going to get. We literally play 4 ranked teams( 2 at home, where fans say we will never lose at) and that's if Fla and OU win and actually stay ranked.

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

What 5 potential losses do you see? Our schedule is as easy as it's ever going to get. We literally play 4 ranked teams( 2 at home, where fans say we will never lose at) and that's if Fla and OU win and actually stay ranked.

Potential losses
Uga
Bama
Florida
Ou
Cuse

I think we beat OU and Cuse… Florida in the swamp it has to happen some day but I’ll never count it as a w until it happens… I think we get UGA at a great time at home I just don’t know what the Qb situation looks like and Kirby has heups number and always has his team amped to play us… bama at bama is tricky because I think we can go toe to toe with them but on the road in sec is tough… I’m leaning 9-3 but really want 10-2 and another playoff berth.

 

[wmcovol]

I know it's not really necessary as proven by last year's team, but selfishly I'd love to see some sparks return on offense ala '21 or '22. Hey maybe we can score on defense right? Running game should be good again.

If you can talk SEC DCs to cover the slot guy with a slow footed safety, you can have it.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Neither did Josh Allen, who threw 15 Int's in a season and 21 his last 25 games..No SEC offer. You can't really judge these guys that played on bad teams and were forced to play from behind and throw it a ton in games. May wanna wait and reserve judgement once you've seen him play on a team where he won't have to throw it 40 times a game and play from behind every game.

Josh Allen is what you'd call an outlier. Your orange tinted glasses are showing.

 

[SpookyAction]

Looks like the Defense has a shot at being Elite.

Secondary is deeper than most realize

D Line is the most talented and deepest it's been under Heup.

LBs flying around and tackling well

The 0-Line is coming together nicely and has a shot to be among the best in the SEC especially at run blocking.

TEs are the most talented and deepest they've been under Heup and among the strongest in the SEC

WR still the big question mark of the team.

Joey is improving practice to practice.

I think the TEs were ready for a bigger role in the passing game last season. I want to see them used as weapons this year. A TE or two having a big season would be better for recruiting TEs.

 

[VolKnight9]

The WRs imo are more likely to surprise. But I don't have a whole lot of hope for the QB that threw 24 picks in 2 seasons and has never held an offer from any other SEC school. We shall see. I hope I am wrong.

You have to take a whole lot more into account than just the fact that he threw 24 picks. Go watch App State ball games last year and you’ll see exactly why he threw a lot last year. He had zero o-line. When that happens, you’re literally running for your life every play and mistakes will be made. I don’t care if it’s Peyton Manning out there playing QB. You can’t be running for your life every play and expect to keep the interceptions at a minimum.

 

[BigOrangeCrush32]

I want to see the triple option or veer in 4th down or goal line. We have 3 studs and JA looks like a perfect candidate for the option game. Just as a GL or 4th down choice. Not all game.

 

[Rocky Top T]

What people don't understand is going to Gainesville and Tuscaloosa is different than playing them at Neyland. We haven't won at neither place in about 22 years. Also, Georgia is better than us and Oklahoma will be much better. 8-9 wins would be very good season.

 

[LittleVol]

What people don't understand is going to Gainesville and Tuscaloosa is different than playing them at Neyland. We haven't won at neither place in about 22 years. Also, Georgia is better than us and Oklahoma will be much better. 8-9 wins would be very good season.

No failure in that logic.

However, I’m going to just let the chips fall where they may.

Screw record predictions! Line up against the Vols and PROVE you can beat them!!

 

[NighthawkVol]

I mean it's debatable. Not having an elite WR that can get separation quickly can make it harder for the OL because they have to protect longer.

It’s not debatable. No one in the football business would claim that WR is a top 2 important position. Not even close.

WRs aren’t prioritized in the NFL draft. They’re not prioritized in terms of pay. QB, OT, CB, Edge, and DT are all more important. Those positions are bigger draft priorities and get paid more.

Here’s a link to the average NFL salaries by position: ESPN.com: NFL - Defense gaining on NFL payroll scale

That’s telling as to which positions are most important.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

I think our D will be a solid unit, but for this guy to say it has a chance to be the best we've ever had at Tennessee is quite pre-mature. I'm not even sure right now they're top 10 in the country next year. Maybe top 15. We still have some good players on the DL but a lot of unproven guys are being relied upon to pick up the slack left by the several we lost to graduation/NFL. Again I think they'll be good. But how good is yet to be determined. DB still has some good players starting, but a lot of unproven guys as back ups. LBs should be solid. We'll see.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

It's a real shame this is going to be the deepest and most talented team CJH has had and we're weak at the 2 most important positions. QB and WR. Could be a frustrating year.

Not worried at all. We will be a very good team on both sides of the ball.