The Vols Offense

[VOL-uh-tile]

One of my favorite places to read about the Vols is from rocktoptalk on sbnation. They recently came up with an article analyzing what about our offense worked last year. After all, we amassed the 2nd most rushing yards in school history, and scored the 2nd or 3rd most points in the SEC last season.

Well in short, it didn't. They found our efficiency, explosiveness, and drive finishing lacking (based off of the analytics they utilize over there, which I'm not completely sold on).

The greatest assets to our offense they found were Evan Berry and Cam Sutton and lack of turnovers.

The article I'm referring to can be found here: Tennessee's Offensive Calling Card - Rocky Top Talk

I found this information deeply unsettling. It seems we don't have an offensive identity, and rely solely on the talent of our players to grind out yards (looking at Hurd). What does VN think? Does this give you cause for concern in following seasons?

 

[Vol_til_I_die]

Not necessarily. Again, to me, it goes back to having a dominant (I'll even take competitive) O-line and a pass-first multidimensional QB (not knocking Dobbs, either). We all know that it begins in the trenches. Hopefully it all comes together. This season isn't lost yet and hopefully, with recruiting and development, the future doesn't have to seem so bleak.

 

[Vols_14]

We rely a lot on individual talent to make plays. However I think our offense (like most) relies heavily on OLine play. If we have no push up front then our playmakers can't do anything most of the time. But if we protect Dobbs, create running holes and get push on the Oline our playmakers get open and make plays.

 

[VolPack22]

Considering we probably had one of the best starting field positions in the history of the modern era, it's not surprising we put up so many points. With everyone knowing who Evan Berry is now, teams will gladly kick it out of the endzone and start us at the 25 instead of the 40 or 50. It's common sense and Berry will be lucky to have 10 kickoff returns this year because of his season last year. Poorer field position will lead to a lower scoring offense. Honestly I'm surprised we didn't lead the SEC in scoring last year with how great our field position was. Goes to show that we weren't actually that great of a scoring offense and it will show this year more than likely. We just have a lot of talented guys that we consistently underutilize.

 

[ntxVOL]

Our overall scheme is pretty bad IMO.

 

[tallvolball98]

One of my favorite places to read about the Vols is from rocktoptalk on sbnation. They recently came up with an article analyzing what about our offense worked last year. After all, we amassed the 2nd most rushing yards in school history, and scored the 2nd or 3rd most points in the SEC last season.

Well in short, it didn't. They found our efficiency, explosiveness, and drive finishing lacking (based off of the analytics they utilize over there, which I'm not completely sold on).

The greatest assets to our offense they found were Evan Berry and Cam Sutton and lack of turnovers.

The article I'm referring to can be found here: Tennessee's Offensive Calling Card - Rocky Top Talk

I found this information deeply unsettling. It seems we don't have an offensive identity, and rely solely on the talent of our players to grind out yards (looking at Hurd). What does VN think? Does this give you cause for concern in following seasons?

It took an article to show you that? We have seen it for 3 years

 

[TNsnyper20]

So or offense capitalized on good field position and turnovers? Good. That's what it should do.

 

[memtownvol]

Our scheme is horrible. Our line play is horrendous and the play calling is handicapped by both. Who uses a 240 lb battering ram in such a slow developing scheme when running the ball?

 

[fade route]

We don't utilize the middle of the field, everything is on the perimeter and ran east/west instead of vertically.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

The dynamics of team 121 and after will be completely different, to be honest I think it will be a more balanced Offense because Dobbs will be gone.....the next QB will have a better arm who ever wins the position and more time to absorb the scheme, something Dobbs was thrown into vs. getting to absorb over time.

 

[1974Vol]

As long as we have resilience and play complimentary football we will be just fine!

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Find an o-line combo that will give Dobbs time to throw...and attack the middle of the field in the passing game. The offense would look light years better. Dobbs doesn't get enough chances to throw the ball across the middle of the field. Linebackers creep up so much to stop the run that the middle of the field is almost always vacant. Make them have to worry about defending the pass more and suddenly Hurd and Kamara aren't getting met at or behind the LOS.

 

[jakez4ut]

Not necessarily. Again, to me, it goes back to having a dominant (I'll even take competitive) O-line and a pass-first multidimensional QB (not knocking Dobbs, either). We all know that it begins in the trenches. Hopefully it all comes together. This season isn't lost yet and hopefully, with recruiting and development, the future doesn't have to seem so bleak.

so if we change the O line, quarter back, and offensive philosophy, that will take care of the analytics?:blink:

 

[KBVol]

We don't utilize the middle of the field, everything is on the perimeter and ran east/west instead of vertically.

Both true and maddening, especially since the middle of the field is where Dobbs is most accurate and where he's had the most success throwing the ball.

 

[FlyFishnVol]

In addition, I don't want to slam the OL, I believe they are doing the best they possibly can, and I think UT's offense is more complicated from the line perspective, having a running QB does interrupt the line assignments........its anybody's guess what Dobbs will do when he decides to tuck and run.

 

[jakez4ut]

Both true and maddening, especially since the middle of the field is where Dobbs is most accurate and where he's had the most success throwing the ball.

there's no timing to the routes. part of that is the pressure he's had to deal with, i know. but there is no anticipation. 3 steps, throw to a spot, WR go get it.

not sure if that's because he's not reading defenses, not allowed to check at the line, or isn't seeing the coverages...it just ain't happening. my gut says he's doing what he's told to, until it's time to run for his life.

we'll see if it gets better.

 

[Stoked]

As long as we have resilience and play complimentary football we will be just fine!

Resiliency and consistency are key.

 

[Blueticks]

Isn't this scheme we are running the same scheme that struggled to score points against a Sal Sunseri led defense? Don't remember too many other teams that struggled putting points on the board against us that year.
We have the talent now and depth to be a dynamic offense, the only variable in which we lack is a well thought out scheme to utilize the multitude of talent we possess offensively.

 

[photovol]

The Vols have an uncanny ability to make opposing offenses look world class and almost unstopable:blink:

 

[kamoshika]

One of my favorite places to read about the Vols is from rocktoptalk on sbnation. They recently came up with an article analyzing what about our offense worked last year. After all, we amassed the 2nd most rushing yards in school history, and scored the 2nd or 3rd most points in the SEC last season.

Well in short, it didn't. They found our efficiency, explosiveness, and drive finishing lacking (based off of the analytics they utilize over there, which I'm not completely sold on).

Yes, have been saying this for a while. While the basic offensive stats look pretty good on the surface, the devil is in the details: by most measures, we were only a slightly-better-than average offense last year.

We were 72nd in yards per play, in large part due to our lack of explosive plays, while our vaunted rushing game was just 45th nationally in yards per carry. And even though our scoring average looked good, you have to consider that a full 15% of our points (7 TDs & a safety) were scored by our defense & special teams.

And, yes, I'm concerned going forward, especially when I look back at DeBord's numbers at Michigan (with ridiculous talent on hand) and knowing Butch Jones was perfectly OK w/ hiring someone who fielded mostly mediocre offenses...and then I look at how we're performing so far this year.

Interesting piece, appreciate your sharing it.

 

[Aesius]

Both true and maddening, especially since the middle of the field is where Dobbs is most accurate and where he's had the most success throwing the ball.

Yep. The entire second half of the 2014 South Carolina game comes to mind. He threw laser after laser to Pig Howard over the middle that night.

 

[Vol_til_I_die]

so if we change the O line, quarter back, and offensive philosophy, that will take care of the analytics?:blink:

My reply was for his question asking if there was concern for future seasons. But yeah, change all of that and screw analytics.

 

[ALLVOL 4LIFE]

We don't utilize the middle of the field, everything is on the perimeter and ran east/west instead of vertically.

And we never run plays to the wide side of the field with Kamara. Whether it's a run or a screen...short side of the field. How can a guy use his speed as a weapon in a crowded area? Just disturbs me down to my inner core.

 

[VOL-uh-tile]

Thank you all for the input. Several of you think that the OL is the crux of our inefficiency, and while it almost surely is the greatest contributor, I've been throwing ideas around in my head that it may be a bit of a scapegoat.

I followed Matt Johnson (of Bowling Green) all last year. Truly a prolific passer. 2nd most yards in FBS in 2015 (just below 5000). However, he was sacked 36 times. Baker Mayfield was sacked 39 times. Vernon Adams, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Mason Rudolph, and Luke Falk were sacked between 26 and 37 times. These guys were the top passers and yet were getting sacked 2 or 3 times every game.

I'm not sure that this indicates that the OLs were bad, because many of these were definitely pro-style offenses so I understand them holding onto the ball longer, however I can't help but think that at least a few of these OL were underperforming and the QB was succeeding in spite of it.

I for one do believe that Dobbs could/ should be a 3000yd ~60% comp, 25 TD type guy. But I am worried that our offensive scheme may be dysfunctional and doesn't let us play to our strengths.

If you feel I am wrong please tell me, these are just vague impressions based on observation that I have accumulated the past couple years.

 

[ILOVEMYBIGVOLS]

It's sad that everybody can see the deficiencies in the vols offense ,but the coaches can't.