The Center position...

#1
hdrizzle21

hdrizzle21

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#1
It doesnt seem like Pope is on his way back anytime soon, and Gooch hasn't done much to impress. James Stone has the highest potential, and has been working at this position. Stone is a bright kid, and has all the physical tools. With Fulton looking solid at RG, and Schofield doing well early at LG, is James Stone the OC next year for this team?

I sure hope so. I hope after this week against the lesser teams of our schedule they give him all the center reps in practice. Our O-line could be dirty next year with a full offseason together.
 
#2
#2
yep... bowl practices will help, get the EEs in too... could see maybe another freshman starting for us ( Richardson ? ) barring injuries..hopefully not
 
#3
#3
Crowder coming in next year been mentioned as center. Don't know if he will be an EE, but would think that whoever starts at center next August needs to be here this coming spring.
 
#4
#4
Stone is left handed. Not sure how it will play out with stone moving to center.
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#8
#8
hdrizzle21 said:
It doesnt seem like Pope is on his way back anytime soon, and Gooch hasn't done much to impress. James Stone has the highest potential, and has been working at this position. Stone is a bright kid, and has all the physical tools. With Fulton looking solid at RG, and Schofield doing well early at LG, is James Stone the OC next year for this team?

I sure hope so. I hope after this week against the lesser teams of our schedule they give him all the center reps in practice. Our O-line could be dirty next year with a full offseason together.
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I think Gooch will be a lot better once he has has an entire year in the strength program at UT. I don't think its ability that he is lacking, I think it is quickness and strength which can improve in the offseason.
 
#9
#9
The Gooch will surprise a lot of people next year. Remember what CDD said, they recruited him because of his mobility and athleticism, then he got worried and bulked up which slowed him down. Add to that he's had to learn a new system and step in for Pope earlier than expected and that is a lot for a young man. He's made more than his share of mistakes as a result, but an off season with BW should renew his mobility. Plus he'll have more time to learn the play book and will be ahead of everyone else in terms of leading the line. The Gooch will not disappoint!
 
#10
#10
Crowder is an EE and will help in battling for the starting job. I think it comes down to him and Gooch. Darin has played good and bad this season so I'll withhold judgment since he was expecting to play another year of JUCO ball. I think the line will look like LT James, LG Schofield, C Gooch/Crowder, RG Fulton, RT James Stone.
 
#12
#12
YorkVol said:
The Gooch will surprise a lot of people next year.
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he surprised a certain coaching staff this season. he has not come close to their expectations when he was signed. still hasn't. why Stone is getting another look now with Schofield back (even though they don't like the hand Stone uses).

Keep eyes on the East Tennessee kid for next year... be bad to have a true freshman there but if the best you have, how you have to go.
 
#13
#13
LWSVOL said:
Keep eyes on the East Tennessee kid for next year... be bad to have a true freshman there but if the best you have, how you have to go.
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I wouldn't throw too much hope that direction. He was absolutely dominated by a JR DT from Dobyns Bennett.
 
#14
#14
37620VOL said:
I wouldn't throw too much hope that direction. He was absolutely dominated by a JR DT from Dobyns Bennett.
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wasn't hope statement by me.

wasn't trying to indicate he would be SEC level at all either. just that he has a chance to be the best we have to play position.
 
#15
#15
Do you think the staff thinks Gooch still has potential? Or is he a long shot to be a permanent fix at center?
 
#16
#16
hdrizzle21 said:
It doesnt seem like Pope is on his way back anytime soon, and Gooch hasn't done much to impress. James Stone has the highest potential, and has been working at this position. Stone is a bright kid, and has all the physical tools. With Fulton looking solid at RG, and Schofield doing well early at LG, is James Stone the OC next year for this team?

I sure hope so. I hope after this week against the lesser teams of our schedule they give him all the center reps in practice. Our O-line could be dirty next year with a full offseason together.
Click to expand...

Jim Cheney is the offensive coordinator.

James Stone will be the center by the end of the season and Gooch will be an afterthought.
 
#17
#17
I'd personally like more details on why pope isn't back. Is he going to play again this year?? Is he eligible for a medical redshirt?
 
#19
#19
37620VOL said:
Do you think the staff thinks Gooch still has potential? Or is he a long shot to be a permanent fix at center?
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haven't heard that they feel he has no shot at being an answer in the future. I suspect he has potential for further development. Guess we will see how it plays out.
 
#20
#20
footvoltime12 said:
I'd personally like more details on why pope isn't back. Is he going to play again this year?? Is he eligible for a medical redshirt?
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families / players are protected by laws on disclosure of injuries (HIPPA). UT cannot disclose reasons for a kid being out without the approval to do so of the players or his family.

they are not granting that approval so CDD has to dance around the questions.

It appears to be a long term issue because he has not yet gotten a medical release to resume practicing.
 
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