The Vols will be better than expected if (-----).

#28
#28
Teeman said:
Good points. I was just focusing on Jimmys and Joes, but you are correct on all points.
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Like you said tho, the list is long. I may be putting too much stock in him, but I'm really excited about CRG and his impact. I obviously don't think he is the "cure all" but if he does what I hope he does, it will add a much needed improvement.
 
#29
#29
Vfl2407 said:
Fill in the blank, Vols will be better than expected if ____.

Here's mine:
if, Dormady or JG takes full command in fall practice, Tuttle's recovery improves dramatically over the summer, Chandler is a reliable number 2 RB, and Wiggins solidifies a vastly improved backfield.
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the coaching improves. that has held them back for at least the last two years. If it doesn't improve they will still lose games they should not and that will keep them from matching expectations. The talent has not been an issue, even with all of last seasons injuries they lost games they should have won.
 
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#31
#31
-Limited injuries
-Oline play
-Coaches properly develop QBs
-Secondary much improved
-Linebacker corp plays above
expectations
-Coaches have to be much, much better
all around

So lots of variables.....
 
#32
#32
OP can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he meant other than the head coach.
We all know who that is, his style and what everyone thinks about him.
I personally am curious about what people think on the rest. Positions, position coaches, etc.. What will it take?
 
#33
#33
LWSVOL said:
the coaching improves. that has held them back for at least the last two years. If it doesn't improve they will still lose games they should not and that will keep them from matching expectations. The talent has not been an issue, even with all of last seasons injuries they lost games they should have won.
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Agree.

He made a couple of really good moves on D with coaches.



The other side in this order for me.
OL
QB
OC/Staff
 
#34
#34
LWSVOL said:
the coaching improves. that has held them back for at least the last two years. If it doesn't improve they will still lose games they should not and that will keep them from matching expectations. The talent has not been an issue, even with all of last seasons injuries they lost games they should have won.
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Yes. It's kinda complicated. But, essentially everything that has been either an excuse or a legitimate reason needs to not be an excuse or valid reason. Whether controllable or not. Excuses are controllable things. Valid reasons can be somewhat controlled by properly making adjustments and appropriate decisions from the coaching staff.

In short.....stop with the repetitive coach speak and just improve coaching abilities.
 
#35
#35
Tennessee's offense won't be better than last year imo but that's okay. Our defense will be.

Tennessee will be better IF defense is the strength of the team.

We will still win games, it will just look much different than last year.
 
#36
#36
VolFreakJosh said:
Yea, Gruden who has zero college experience as a HC will magically make us better and win an National Championship first year on the job.
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If you think he wouldn't be better than what we have you need to come back to planet Earth. Also, OP nor post you responded to said anything about a natty.
 
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#37
#37
vols 30 said:
I'm sure they were faking. But that was not the main reason it was close.
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First game of the season...break the rhythm. Sutton helped with the early fumble, but this was classic rope and dope...Ali would have been proud.
 
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#39
#39
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Appy State was losing in the trenches and used a strategy of faking an injury on practically every play in the second half as a bush league response. If they would have lined up and played instead of lying down it wouldn't have been close.
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Wow. App State held us to less than 3 yards per rush just by laying down and faking injuries? Helluva strategy, guess it worked....guess we just tripped over them for 4 quarters? We should maybe try that this year.
 
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#40
#40
Remy said:
The Vols will be better than expected IF in every facet and play of the game they are physical and fast. Team 120 played most of their season on their heels and were often physically whooped. THAT part had nothing to do with injuries, watch early in the season App State game in the trenches for example.
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Yes, they have to be more physical at the point of attack. I think they will on offense with the addition of Trey Smith and a year older for the other guys, but they must be on defense, at all three levels. If they are, we will be ok, if not, it could be the 6-6 5-7 year some are projecting. And of course, they have to be healthy. It's time for someone else in the SEC to be ravaged with injuries besides us!!
 
#43
#43
KBVol said:
Wow. App State held us to less than 3 yards per rush just by laying down and faking injuries? Helluva strategy, guess it worked....guess we just tripped over them for 4 quarters? We should maybe try that this year.
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Yeah, never mind stalled drives due to bad C/QB exchanges, or costly defensive penalties on 3rd down...let's just throw it all on App St. defenders stopping the clock.:thud:
 
#44
#44
A little complicated to answer this question. Because of the parts.

First, what do we mean by "expected"? Some (media and VolNation members alike) have said Tennessee is expected to win only 6 or 7 games this coming year. Others expect 8 or 9 wins. That's a pretty broad band, 6 to 9 wins.

So when we say "better than expected," do we mean 8 wins (for those who expect 6-7)? Or do we mean 10 wins and a run at Atlanta?

I'm going to give my opinion both ways.

We'll do better than the 6-7 win expectations some folks have if: we show up to play. Period. Team comes to the season hungry, and we'll win more than 7. New QB and all.

We'll do better than expected by those who predict 8-9 wins if: okay, this one's more complicated. A few things have to happen:

-- new QB has to come on strong, starting early. Entirely possible, but not guaranteed.
-- OLine is as strong as they should be after three years of growing together.
-- DLine and LBs stay healthy.
-- DBackfield gets their act together (finally).
-- Team stays mentally focused and mentally tough through the season. No Hurd-style schisms, either.

I think those are the keys to a 10-2 regular season. Possible, for sure. Likely? No, I think it's a stretch to call all that likely. But definitely possible.
 
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#45
#45
For me, all of the specific items mentioned already can be summed up into.... team chemistry.

While I'm excited about most all the coaching changes, and can see potential from a personnel standpoint, it's a lot to put together in a single off season.

So, for us to have a better than expected season, the chemistry between coaches & between players...has to look like year 2 together instead of year one.

All the specifics mentioned in this thread... improved coaching, o line, qb, wr, defense, s&c, etc...I think will be a direct result of how good or bad we have been in establishing that chemistry, trust, & communication.

Lots of new faces on and off the field.
 
#46
#46
Boca Vol said:
Yeah, never mind stalled drives due to bad C/QB exchanges, or costly defensive penalties on 3rd down...let's just throw it all on App St. defenders stopping the clock.:thud:
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Yeah, App State players faking a injury 2-3 times and evidently a fumbled punt with 12:39 left in the first quarter. Just too much to overcome for one of the 2 teams favored to play in the SEC Championship game vs a great Sun Belt conference team. Good bit of revisionist history going on today.

Fact is, we simply weren't physically or emotionally ready to play that game and App State manhandled our OL for most of the game.
 
#47
#47
K-town Vol Fan said:
I think CFA will be the #2 RB.
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Ha ha, if UT must depend on CFA to be the second team RB behind Kelly, the offense, specifically the running game is in real trouble. He looked terrible in the Spring Game, and he's small, too small to be in the SEC. He needs to RS this year and add as much size and muscle as possible if he ever wants to be a quality SEC RB.
 
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