There is one thing that stood out to me, the similarity between height and weight and player types in each bracket is uncannily exact.
Im talking between the #1,#2 WR, and slot, or between the LCB RCB and nickel backs, etc. There is very little deviation in each bracket, but enough differnce between slot receiver to show the ideal use and ideal size.
In fact about the only anomaly in body type across our two deep is Shaq Wiggins, maybe his "lack of culture" simply means doesnt quite fit shoops philosophy, his history of playing mostly press, and need of good tennessee biscuits and gravy to get where he needs to be.
Moseley 5'11 184
Osborne 5'11 185
Shaq 5'10 169
He may have to grow an inch as well.
It does speak to specific and careful recruitment, good strength and condition, and dedication to a position's role and its ideal physical requirements.
It also might help explain why Kyle Phillips is behind Kongbo rather on the side. Hes simply a LE rather than a RE in Shoops defense. Remember how they both filled in at DT last year, again it reflects the continuity of philosophy and having enough depth so that they are not compromising their need for stouter, beefier Left ends. Without Taylor stepping up and other pieces falling in place, well, you dont have that luxury.
I know this is fairly typical and elementary information, but still, it reflects a systematic and organized approach to the entire program and may make some decisions easier to understand.
I deperately wanted Phillips to be a starter, and wanted someone to supplant Jumper. But seeing Bituli NOT at MLB and seeing Bates at MLB makes me wonder. Now, i do see Jumper and Bates as similar in style and skill, so it seems to make more sense than Jumper over Bituli or Sapp. Maybe Kirkland's photographic memory was the key attribute the hardest thing to replace at that position in Shoops defense.
And one casualty of hiring a defense mastermind like Shoop was the specific requirements to certain positions that differed from Jancek's philosophies. So being stuck with Jumper is not much different than Butch being stuck with Worley early on.
Ive been very dismissive of Colton, and questioning of certain personnel decisions...but this depth chart(as well as the quality individuals not included) definitely shows they finally got most of the pieces, and indeed reloaded, rather than rebuilt. Team 121 may just be another brick in Butch's steady ascent, bringing Tennessee back to prominence, and perhaps even another decade of dominance.
Or maybe im just finally figuring out that the coaches indeed know more than me about coaching football, and they knew what they were doing all along, and knew how far they had to go...lol...so I'm putting 100% faith in Butch and Co. From now on.....
.......or at least until the first official mistake of 2017 season is made, and then i may go back to being an irritating, self-appointed, make-believe football guru. Old habits die hard.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!
