The coaches or the players to blame?

[peerless98]

Players didn't call 2 timeouts on Florida 4th downs to give them time to get together plays

True; however, according to some folks, the timeout prior to the punt we only had 10 players on the field. I say big deal, let them punt, and fair catch it. We needed them the punt. Horrible timeout.

The timeout before the FG attempt according to many was due to the fact that FL had skill position players on the field with an unproven kicker against a D that wasn't prepared for a fake which looked most likely.

 

[thebjd]

Funny you bring up DBs when discussing whether or not it is coaches or players. You know how many times Martinez was fired in the years right before we hired him?

truth

 

[oryankees]

The reason Callaway was open on that play to begin with was because Tennessee was in soft coverage plus the QB had all day to find him (only rushed three). Both Foreman and Moseley were sleep walking on coverage. If you watch the replay you will see Foreman "trotting" as he looks for someone else to make the tackle. Chasing Callaway into the end zone is too little too late. Foreman and Moseley have no business on the field.

Missed that part. Knew coverage was stupidly soft, but didn't notice the trotting and didn't want to relive that crap by watching the replay... The two things I remembered was the soft coverage and Foreman diving after him near the endzone.

At least we agree on the last part though lol

 

[Greatwazoo]

Players want to win. More than we do, they're in it. It is their game. The coaches really need to help them play to win. If the play calling is uninventive, or too conservative, players get that "here it comes again" feeling.

There is a certain coach who is famous for calling impossible 4th down plays. His players buy in big time because taking risks in big games is bold and energizing. It expresses confidence in the personnel on the field and builds them up.

We did not do that. Falling back in a prevent type defense, and putting no pressure on the rookie QB was unwise at best, and after four events you would think someone would wise up. With Barnett, Weatherd, Kirkland and Phillips we have four guys that can fly. I think we gave the offense a vote of "no confidence" by running those stupid plays up the middle at the end, then repeated the mistake of giving a shaky QB way too much time.

Florida's defense was gassed and cramping. We showed no guts. Butch is a great guy and is building talent, but needs to learn from this.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

This is going to ruffle feathers and piss some off because they are sheep. But Derek Dooley had the exact same results as Butch with less talent and a much tougher SEC. So now UT has much better talent and not a competent coach in sight. And no he doesn't need more time and the sample size isnt to small.

 

[volnighthawk]

the coaches will call every play as if they are always behind and must score every time they have the ball. No excuse allowed. More short pass plays and screens need to be called to compensate for marginal offensive line play, plus QB must keep the ball more often on running plays. Vol defense is more than adequate when they can hold major teams to 24 points or less. Vols just need to score more than the other teams. That's just the way it is in "new world football". Now UT...pay me $4M for telling your coaching staff how to be national champs again...next year.

 

[rclaytons13]

Well, coaches didn't help much late. not really debatable.

not being able to stop FL on 4th down...every time....someone needs to make a play. and no one did. i can't put this all on the players. overall, i think they played their butts off.

that said, defensively, we didn't play great, and made a bad UF offense look pretty damn good. no way we should have ever given up 4th and 14.

at the same time, it should have never come down to that.

The reason the we cant make a stop on 4th down is because we go into soft coverage every time on 4th down. Why not do what you did on the previous 3 downs and rush the freaking quarterback. If your in is face he doesn't have time to throw it down field for a 14 yard gain. If someone gets beat one on one is it still not the same result??!!
Its on the coaches to put these kids in position to win. Why do you not go for 2 when everything in the book says you go for 2 in that situation. I knew we were beat at that moment. Why call 2 timeouts on 4th down when FL was going to give you the ball back.
And if anyone thinks Butch was trying to score another touchdown when Hurd scored the last time you are kidding yourself. That was another conservative play call to keep the ball in the middle of the field. The FL player chose the wrong gap or it would have been a 2 yard gain. He was already playing for a field goal there!!!!
I wont even go into the piss poor clock management at the end of the game. We stood there acting like we had all the time in the world on every play. Its on the coaches period. I love what Butch has done for the program and I think he is a great man of character BUT as a "Coach" he has been a great disappointment. I have seen a lot of people compare him to Derrick Dooley, but Dooley had far less talent then what Butch has now.

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

He slowed up when the catch was made and looked like Callaway was pinned in; then he tried to run him down from behind after it was too late.

Good to know I'm not the only one who saw that. 100% effort and they don't score the TD (at least not in that moment).

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

The reason Callaway was open on that play to begin with was because Tennessee was in soft coverage plus the QB had all day to find him (only rushed three). Both Foreman and Moseley were sleep walking on coverage. If you watch the replay you will see Foreman "trotting" as he looks for someone else to make the tackle. Chasing Callaway into the end zone is too little too late. Foreman and Moseley have no business on the field.

Exactly! F'N trotting down the field as if they're playing soccer.

 

[VFL34]

Unfortunately, this is completely on the coaches at the end. Again, butch is a good head coach and he will have one more year, but his loyalty may break him. He needs someone who can utilize this offensive talent. I understand the logic in hiring who he did but this could be a Dave clawson hire that destroys everything he has built. This loss can be a program destroyer meaning all momentum he has could have been lost. How he results the rest of the year can set Tennessee back far

 

[Volz4lif3]

Unfortunately, this is completely on the coaches at the end. Again, butch is a good head coach and he will have one more year, but his loyalty may break him. He needs someone who can utilize this offensive talent. I understand the logic in hiring who he did but this could be a Dave clawson hire that destroys everything he has built. This loss can be a program destroyer meaning all momentum he has could have been lost. How he results the rest of the year can set Tennessee back far

Yep spot on.. He's lost us as a fan base not all but most. I was really proud of our players yesterday and extremely pissed off at the coaches..

 

[TAF]

Unfortunately, this is completely on the coaches at the end. Again, butch is a good head coach and he will have one more year, but his loyalty may break him. He needs someone who can utilize this offensive talent. I understand the logic in hiring who he did but this could be a Dave clawson hire that destroys everything he has built. This loss can be a program destroyer meaning all momentum he has could have been lost. How he results the rest of the year can set Tennessee back far

Ouch! THAT ^^^ is an indictment...

 

[jenkins76]

He slowed up when the catch was made and looked like Callaway was pinned in; then he tried to run him down from behind after it was too late.

True freshman for Florida making a backbreaking play against a Junior for the Vols. Just can't win for all this youth.

 

[checkerboard16]

Yeah, it's all on the coaches. They missed two critical tackles in the secondary that cost us the first touchdown and the winning touchdown. They didn't put us in position to win when Florida had it 4th and 14 on their own 35.

 

[Wilhelm16]

The job of a coach is to get the very best out of his players. Therefore, even the players' shortcomings route themselves right back to the coaches who put them on the field.

 

[sjt18]

I've seen a lot of different opinions on here mostly consisting of "fahr Butch" and all that non sense.

After watching the game last night there is one thing that really stood out to be. If you check out that Callaway TD you will notice Foreman and Mosely both lose interest/think the play is over/lack of effort resulting in the TD.

The defense let this team down. I saw this on multiple plays. If the defensive players had the 63 mentality, Callaway doesn't score.

I want Butch to be the guy, regardless, he will leave this place more appealing in another coach is hired.

If UT uses its WR's to catch more than 2 passes for 7 yards... those two DB's aren't in a position to lose the game. If on 2nd and 8 needing a drive to end UF's chances, UT had called something beyond 10 yds against a D sold out to stop the run... it is over.

Foreman lost leverage. It was a very bad breakdown... but a very correctable mistake that the player won't deny making.

I have no confidence based on the last 29 games that Jones will consider his end game coaching or coaching not to lose a problem... much less consider correcting it.

 

[sjt18]

the coaches will call every play as if they are always behind and must score every time they have the ball. No excuse allowed. More short pass plays and screens need to be called to compensate for marginal offensive line play, plus QB must keep the ball more often on running plays. Vol defense is more than adequate when they can hold major teams to 24 points or less. Vols just need to score more than the other teams. That's just the way it is in "new world football". Now UT...pay me $4M for telling your coaching staff how to be national champs again...next year.

Very good post. If Jones will change the way he tries to "manage" games then every game on the schedule is a potential win.

I love Dobbs but if he's really that much of a liability in the pass game then maybe they should try Dormady. Dobbs' legs are valuable but not more valuable than all the talent being squandered at WR. If the OL really can't get it done then put the Fr in... it didn't seem to hurt UF.... of course that assumes that the problem is the OL's and not the scheme or coaching.

 

[dillyo51]

I'm putting all the blame on myself for being a Tennessee fan. This crap is starting to affect my health and disposition.

 

[sjt18]

Yeah, it's all on the coaches. They missed two critical tackles in the secondary that cost us the first touchdown and the winning touchdown.

The game should have been out of reach by that point. Jones played hyperconservative with the full intent of having a close game at the end... rather than letting his superior roster go out and win the game for him. Switch coaches... this is a 3 TD win for the Vols.

They didn't put us in position to win when Florida had it 4th and 14 on their own 35.

No. As a matter of fact, they didn't. Foreman lost outside leverage which turned a big play into a back breaker... but UT had gone soft on that play. They rushed 3 and tried to run a picket line behind it to prevent the 1st down. No pressure. They, by design, gave a 1st year QB time behind an inexperienced OL plenty of time to find a crack in the coverage. They gave up the biggest advantage they had vs UF's O because Jones' directive was to play it safe.

How "safe" did that decision seem to be?

Before you claim Jancek made that call... remember who was on the headset. Almost ALL HC's will make that kind of play call or direct the DC what risks to take or at a minimum veto a bad play call. That... was a very bad play call.

 

[sjt18]

Booger's comments just keep ringing true. When the HC coaches not to lose rather than aggressively, he sends a message that causes the players to tighten up and make mistakes.