UT Overrated in 2020 - they aren't wrong...

[Pride85]

You can always tell a real football guy when they say "up the middle"

Hey it was the Band's mantra during several games in the mid 80s. If you sat near the band then you probably heard several chants of "Up the middle, Up the middle, Up the middle, PUNT!" during the 3rd quarter of a lot of games we were up by at least three points going into halftime.

 

[05_never_again]

LOL. No, and I didn't imply as much.. You said JG was a weak spot since he has been here and I just pointed out that our struggles at the QB position since JG has been here isn't on JG alone, starting with Dormady's struggles in 2017.

Dormady also struggled in large part due to a sieve offensive line.

My point is that it's kind of pointless highlighting poor QB play as the reason for a team's struggles when the offensive line and defense were also so poor.

 

[FïreBall]

The hard part about JG is that he is both fairly and unfairly criticized. He deserves heaps of criticism for some of his bonehead plays, holding the ball too long, and just doing things that are inexplicable. On the other hand, he had three years of playing behind an offensive line that was like having cardboard cutouts. Even the lowest caliber teams we played we're tearing through our offensive line like they were toilet paper. He didn't even have a chance to get "2 Mississippi" out before he was plastered on the ground.

I mentioned to my brother that some of the best passes JG made seemed to be when he was getting hit.. Example.. The TD pass in the SC game when his wrist was broken..

 

[BeardedVol]

Dormady also struggled in large part due to a sieve offensive line.

My point is that it's kind of pointless highlighting poor QB play as the reason for a team's struggles when the offensive line and defense were also so poor.

Yet behind the same offensive line, Dormady still didn't take near the number of sacks that JG did, because he didn't have the same proclivity to hold onto the ball too long.

A problem that JG still struggled with 2 years later.

 

[05_never_again]

Yet behind the same offensive line, Dormady still didn't take near the number of sacks that JG did, because he didn't have the same proclivity to hold onto the ball too long.

A problem that JG still struggled with 2 years later.

JG definitely isn't as good as Dormady. He's an OK QB at best even with a good offensive line. I'm just saying that complaining about QB play when the offensive line is that bad is like having a house with a crumbling foundation, but you think the biggest problem is your leaky faucet. I think that's what people were doing in 2018 and early 2019 with JG. JG's poor play was like the 3rd or 4th thing down the list as far as stuff that had to improve, IMO, but it consumed like 95% of what people wanted to talk about.

If our O-line and defense are pretty good, then JG is probably the difference between us being a good team or a great team; I will say that. He'd definitely be a limiting factor. But if O-line play and/or defense are marginal, it doesn't really matter all that much how JG plays, because we aren't going to be good anyway.

 

[FïreBall]

JG definitely isn't as good as Dormady. He's an OK QB at best even with a good offensive line. I'm just saying that complaining about QB play when the offensive line is that bad is like having a house with a crumbling foundation, but you think the biggest problem is your leaky faucet. I think that's what people were doing in 2018 and early 2019 with JG. JG's poor play was like the 3rd or 4th thing down the list as far as stuff that had to improve, IMO, but it consumed like 95% of what people wanted to talk about.

If our O-line and defense are pretty good, then JG is probably the difference between us being a good team or a great team; I will say that. He'd definitely be a limiting factor. But if O-line play and/or defense are marginal, it doesn't really matter all that much how JG plays, because we aren't going to be good anyway.

This year there is finally depth and experience on the Oline, a good core of running backs, WR with speed to stretch the field, 2nd year under Chaney.. I'm curious on the TE in group. With all that said.. JG has the best opportunity this year to put it all together.. GoVols

 

[BeardedVol]

JG definitely isn't as good as Dormady. He's an OK QB at best even with a good offensive line. I'm just saying that complaining about QB play when the offensive line is that bad is like having a house with a crumbling foundation, but you think the biggest problem is your leaky faucet. I think that's what people were doing in 2018 and early 2019 with JG. JG's poor play was like the 3rd or 4th thing down the list as far as stuff that had to improve, IMO, but it consumed like 95% of what people wanted to talk about.

If our O-line and defense are pretty good, then JG is probably the difference between us being a good team or a great team; I will say that. He'd definitely be a limiting factor. But if O-line play and/or defense are marginal, it doesn't really matter all that much how JG plays, because we aren't going to be good anyway.

Oline protection picked up in the second half of 2018, and was actually pretty good through most of 2019. Additional protected time in the pocket is great, but, it seems to have had little effect on JG getting the ball out quicker and on target.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Chaney Runs plays per QB IMO he will manage JG like Fromm his freshman year 19 passes a game he upped that to 24 his Sophomore year JG not there yet but possible. If you look at Chaneys career he evolves from Purdue to Bray at UT etc.. here is his 2 years at UGA W/. Fromm I think our numbers will look similar to these. Of course 10 SEC games vs a schedule with a couple cupcakes need to be accounted for.

We've only averaged between 20-25 pass attempts since Pruitt got here and my guess is that's all we'll ever average with him at the helm. We're going to be defense 1st, Conservative offense 2nd. Gonna be a bunch of ugly wins for a while.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I don’t get where y’all think teams have been stacking the box against us. Maybe you can question JG getting us in the right plays or making changes based on pre-snap. Maybe the lack of a deep threat has allowed safeties to play a step closer to LOS than we’d like, but I don’t think we’re getting defended like we’re running wishbone or something. We’re mainly getting stopped by teams playing 6 and 7 man fronts. That’s all they’ve needed.

Lack of a deep threat and I think lack of a dynamic RB have been a big part of our terrible running game the last 2 seasons.

 

[whodatvol]

Bologna. You can’t lose to Ga St your first game and then finish the season with the execution of the onside kick to finish the last one without being hardened and coached and locked in. The locker room believes. Not to mention the screw job in bama. This team is getting better @ every position every week

 

[GAVol]

Lack of a deep threat and I think lack of a dynamic RB have been a big part of our terrible running game the last 2 seasons.

It’s offensive purgatory. We don’t scare them enough to throw them into backing up and we don’t scare them enough to make them commit extra defenders to stop the run.

 

[k-town_king]

The weak spot has been the QB position period. No one has been able to win the spot over JG, and it isn't because Pruitt and Chaney haven't wanted someone else to wiin it.

Actually, yeah it is.
When Dobbs was QB, some of the better statistical rushing we've ever had were with him as QB. It was because you couldn't load the box and stop us. He would hurt you on scrambles meaning the defense had to account for 11 guys and not just 10. He couldandhurt you enough to respect the pass. A true dual threat. If you're not or can't be that, than you better be able to convert 3rd downs by completion. JG hasn't done either.... so the boxes have been crowded most of the time...with him at the helm.

Ainge said it on his show the other day.

The thing that hurt JG most was a lack of running game. He even said no qb with that poor of a running game is going to be successful.

Jg does have issues but the lack of run game was worse.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

It’s offensive purgatory. We don’t scare them enough to throw them into backing up and we don’t scare them enough to make them commit extra defenders to stop the run.

I think we change it up a bit this year. Chaney is going to attack the LBs with speed this year, I think Ty is going to be a weapon in the passing game from the running back position. Beckwith at 6'5 230+ running a 4.5 from the HBack/Slot position is going to be a matchup nightmare for opponents defensively.

 

[k-town_king]

Yet behind the same offensive line, Dormady still didn't take near the number of sacks that JG did, because he didn't have the same proclivity to hold onto the ball too long.

A problem that JG still struggled with 2 years later.

JG definitely isn't as good as Dormady. He's an OK QB at best even with a good offensive line. I'm just saying that complaining about QB play when the offensive line is that bad is like having a house with a crumbling foundation, but you think the biggest problem is your leaky faucet. I think that's what people were doing in 2018 and early 2019 with JG. JG's poor play was like the 3rd or 4th thing down the list as far as stuff that had to improve, IMO, but it consumed like 95% of what people wanted to talk about.

If our O-line and defense are pretty good, then JG is probably the difference between us being a good team or a great team; I will say that. He'd definitely be a limiting factor. But if O-line play and/or defense are marginal, it doesn't really matter all that much how JG plays, because we aren't going to be good anyway.

JG had better passing numbers as a freshman paying the tougher end of the schedule with the exact same team.

JG is and was much better. Throwing up a prayer because you are scared of the hit and technically taking less sacks is not a good thing when you are just throwing incompletions and turnovers.

 

[BeardedVol]

JG had better passing numbers as a freshman paying the tougher end of the schedule with the exact same team.

JG is and was much better. Throwing up a prayer because you are scared of the hit and technically taking less sacks is not a good thing when you are just throwing incompletions and turnovers.

What does any of that have to do with him still holding the ball too long, after 4 years in a DI college program?

 

[TennMan101]

Hard to argue w/facts. This is where the Bailey factor will be interesting. If/When JG does JG things do we take our lumps w/the future and get him experience? Do we see a situation similar to last year where we work him in throughout the year? All depends on JG I suppose. Hope he steps up and has a great year.

I believe we could have a potential Jake Fromm/ Joe burrow type QB in HB! He has all the intangibles and has been working towards this since he was in Middle School. He'll take his lumps in the beginning, but I believe we have another great UT QB that may end up having a street named after him, when it's all said and done.

 

[GAVol]

I think we change it up a bit this year. Chaney is going to attack the LBs with speed this year, I think Ty is going to be a weapon in the passing game from the running back position. Beckwith at 6'5 230+ running a 4.5 from the HBack/Slot position is going to be a matchup nightmare for opponents defensively.

I'd love to see it. It been awhile since we've been able to stretch a defense.

 

[08Vol]

I've posted it 100 times. JG needs to be better, but we're on a 3 year run of finishing in the bottom of the league in rushing. Don't tell me it's all a QB problem.

JG just isn’t very good. After 2 seasons as the starter he has only thrown for 28 TDs. Joe Burrow hit that mark in his 1st 7 games last year. But Burrow was elite, let’s compare him to Kyle Trask, a backup that only played due to injury. Trask started 10 games and passed for 24 TDs in those games. JG has only thrown 3 TDs in one game in his UT career, against FCS Chattanooga. Trask threw at least 3 TDs in 4 games last year, all P5 opponents.

 

[Behr]

We shouldn’t be ranked till we beat a big boy aka Florida, Georgia or Bama

I've heard preseason rankings don't mean crap and are dumb. So what difference does it make if we are? Just curious.

 

[08Vol]

I think folks are forgetting that we will field one of the best offensive lines in the conference this year. That will help JG tremendously.

They had potential to be good when Mays was penciled in. Without him they will continue to be mediocre. Lot of that falls on Friend but I don’t see Pruitt ever getting rid of him.

 

[08Vol]

I believe we could have a potential Jake Fromm/ Joe burrow type QB in HB! He has all the intangibles and has been working towards this since he was in Middle School. He'll take his lumps in the beginning, but I believe we have another great UT QB that may end up having a street named after him, when it's all said and done.

Those are 2 VERY VERY different QBs

 

[Pride85]

Yet behind the same offensive line, Dormady still didn't take near the number of sacks that JG did, because he didn't have the same proclivity to hold onto the ball too long.

A problem that JG still struggled with 2 years later.

But during that year, JG had better stats including 2 interceptions versus six. QD didn't get sacked as much because he bailed when the flood came his way. He couldn't take the hits, so he quit and ran away to another school. Please don't use someone that completely quit on the team to try and bash his backup.

 

[Tnman1]

I hate it, but I'm expecting mediocrity again this year. I do think TN is filling in nicely with elite talent. That being said, TN will not be elite, until the QB position is resolved.

 

[TennMan101]

Those are 2 VERY VERY different QBs

Burrow ran a 4.7 40 and Fromm ran a 5 flat , which makes burrow a little more versatile. Yes, Fromm struggled his junior year, but before that, he was amazing. He beat Jacob Eason out of a starting position as a true freshman. Eason was no pushover, either.

 

[tnutater]

Retarded statement.

We will not be ranked where we want to be until we beat all three.