The season rests on Bray and Neal

#1
Aesius

Aesius

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#1
Losing DR hurts big time.

But, as someone pointed out already, Bray has the ability to make even inexperienced receivers look good. Remember how, as a freshman, he made fellow freshmen JH and DR look like upperclassmen?

With a great QB throwing to them, receivers don't have to rely as much on their experience and knowledge of the playbook to get to the ball--but they do have to catch it.

I think if Croom can get healthy by the Florida game, DR's absence might not even be felt, especially if the run game improves.

Which brings me to Neal. The guy is probably the best athlete on the entire team. I think he has the potential to be in the top half of the conference for rushing this year--maybe even the top five. If that happens, our passing game will take a backseat to what's happening on the ground.

Feel free to bump this thread if we look like garbage after NC State, but I think Bray and Neal will more than make up for the loss of one WR.
 
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#2
#2
Aesius said:
Losing DR hurts big time.

But, as someone pointed out already, Bray has the ability to make even inexperienced receivers look good. Remember how, as a freshman, he made fellow freshmen JH and DR look like upperclassmen?

With a great QB throwing to them, receivers don't have to rely as much on their experience and knowledge of the playbook to get to the ball--but they do have to catch it.

I think if Croom can get healthy by the Florida game, DR's absence might not even be felt, especially if the run game improves.

Which brings me to Neal. The guy is probably the best athlete on the entire team. I think he has the potential to be in the top half of the conference for rushing this year--maybe even the top five. If that happens, our passing game will take a backseat to what's happening on the ground.

Feel free to bump this thread if we look like garbage after NC State, but I think Bray and Neal will more than make up for the loss of one WR.
Click to expand...

Bump thread now. This is just another way of saying what has already been said 100 times since 10am this morning.
 
#3
#3
And Lathers, and McCullers, and PWag, and Sentimore, and the OL, Justin Hunter, and CP, and Rivera, and everyone.

Look, it's been a while since we could lose our best player and be pissed about it, but still be able to point to quality all over the field.
 
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#7
#7
Someone told Da'Rick "There's no 'I' in Team" and his response was "Yeah, but there's a ME"...

We all know this sucks, but if you guys remember, the '98 Championship team during that year was not heralded as having any 'all world' individual players, but when they played together, the impact was greater than any individual player could've made. If you remember, they were characterized by the media as having a 'blue collar' work ethic, and in the end it payed off. This didn't mean they didn't have any special players on the team; they did, but it wasn't about an individual, it was about the team.

Here's to believing that this team can work together with that same 'blue collar' mentality and get the job done. I say 'eff' all the negativity and approach it like the players who were interviewed today have. Time and time again I heard them say that it was unfortunate, but they were going to continue to work hard and that one player wouldn't determine THEIR outcome...
 
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#10
#10
Most important unit is OL. Most important single player is McCullers. I believe this was true at 9:00 this morning and still true now.
 
#12
#12
BigOrangeFanatic said:
Exactly right.

:good!:
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Agree 100%. Right now both are BIG ????????????? as to how well they will do.

As far as defense, I just dont see them being that good in the secondary. Teams are going to throw all over us.

Plus another factor is that we just dont know how good Justin Hunter will be. Sure, we know 1 year ago he was one of the best, but sometimes players dont play the same after knee operation. So do though..so fingers crossed hes in the do..lol
 
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#13
#13
As a HUGE Peyton Manning fan that has never missed his games, i have learned a lot about QB's. If your QB is good enough and can rally the Offense he can make all his playmakers better. Thats what seperates a Great QB from average QB play. I heard Bray at Media days mention that Zach dosen't get enough credit and that he runs the best routes better than any WR on the team. TIFWIW- but if Zach can do that and hang onto the ball then he's going to be valuable with Hunter and Patterson on the outside. Go Vols!!!
 
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#16
#16
wouldn't be surprised if some players are quietly discussing a sense of relief.

Acts get old in the locker room, even if you support your teammate.
 
#17
#17
#1ManningFan said:
As a HUGE Peyton Manning fan that has never missed his games, i have learned a lot about QB's. If your QB is good enough and can rally the Offense he can make all his playmakers better. Thats what seperates a Great QB from average QB play. I heard Bray at Media days mention that Zach dosen't get enough credit and that he runs the best routes better than any WR on the team. TIFWIW- but if Zach can do that and hang onto the ball then he's going to be valuable with Hunter and Patterson on the outside. Go Vols!!!
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm sayin!
you couldn't ask for a better slot receiver
I really hope our base offense is 3 wide with hunter, patterson and rogers on the inside.
we can be just as explosive with those 3 and throw in rivera. were still set!:rock:
 
#19
#19
I wish I felt this way about Rogers. The offense will definitely not live up to expectations if it hinges on Zack Roger's success.
 
#20
#20
#1ManningFan said:
As a HUGE Peyton Manning fan that has never missed his games, i have learned a lot about QB's. If your QB is good enough and can rally the Offense he can make all his playmakers better. Thats what seperates a Great QB from average QB play. I heard Bray at Media days mention that Zach dosen't get enough credit and that he runs the best routes better than any WR on the team. TIFWIW- but if Zach can do that and hang onto the ball then he's going to be valuable with Hunter and Patterson on the outside. Go Vols!!!
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm sayin!
Zach Rogers will make a great slot receiver.
I really hope our base offense is 3 wide with hunter, patterson out wide, rogers on the inside.
we can be just as explosive with those 3 and throw in rivera. were still set!:rock:
 
#21
#21
Yeah, but Bray has the best chemistry with Da'Rick. Hunter and CP have not always been 100% and they've practiced workarounds, but Da'Rick has been Bray's go-to guy. You don't just replace that in eight days. It puts a lot more pressure on Bray, takes a relief valve away from Hunter and CP and dials it up for Neal, who has been prone to fumbling in critical situations. We have a lot of talent, and they will work around it, but it will matter.
 
#22
#22
LA Vol said:
Yeah, but Bray has the best chemistry with Da'Rick. Hunter and CP have not always been 100% and they've practiced workarounds, but Da'Rick has been Bray's go-to guy. You don't just replace that in eight days. It puts a lot more pressure on Bray, takes a relief valve away from Hunter and CP and dials it up for Neal, who has been prone to fumbling in critical situations. We have a lot of talent, and they will work around it, but it will matter.
Click to expand...

Can you say "Hit Nail on Head" lol
 
#23
#23
LA Vol said:
Yeah, but Bray has the best chemistry with Da'Rick. Hunter and CP have not always been 100% and they've practiced workarounds, but Da'Rick has been Bray's go-to guy. You don't just replace that in eight days. It puts a lot more pressure on Bray, takes a relief valve away from Hunter and CP and dials it up for Neal, who has been prone to fumbling in critical situations. We have a lot of talent, and they will work around it, but it will matter.
Click to expand...

His loss will be felt for sure, but unless the next receivers in line are completely incompetent, it won't affect the offense too terribly.

Hunter and CP will still find ways to get open, and hopefully the third man will simply be able to catch the ball when it's thrown to him.
 
#24
#24
Nc state will lock down hunter and our passing game will depend on CP. I don't care what anyone says there is no way he is ready for this 8 days from now.
 
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