Very encouraging stats & facts about returning Vols

[ShoalCreekVol]

For the first time since 1996, the Vols return their leading passer in Jarrett Guarantano, leading rusher in Ty Chandler and leading receiver in Marquez Callaway.

Tennessee returns 98.5 percent of its receiving and 86.5 percent of its rushing production.

Receiver Marquez Callaway comes into the season as the leading punt return specialist in the FBS, averaging 13.4 yards per return.

Linebacker Daniel Bituli is the 11th player to lead the Vols in tackles in consecutive seasons. He returns for his senior season this year.

Ty Chandler had two runs of 75-plus yards last year, the first Volunteer since 2006 to do so.

From: Georgia State at Tennessee

 

[Jnunn]

Skill positions are not the issue. We need to return to having dominant offensive lines. Cheney was 100% correct when he said you can't scheme around a bad offensive line, especially in the SEC.

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

Skill positions are not the issue. We need to return to having dominant offensive lines. Cheney was 100% correct when he said you can't scheme around a bad offensive line, especially in the SEC.

Yeah, our interior issues are going to determine the season, but it sure is encouraging to have good veteran experience at the skill positions to help compensate. Gives Chaney a lot to work with. He's the reason I have the most optimism about this season. We finally have a coach capable of scheming to strengths and to hide weaknesses.

 

[VolEngineer]

I dont see how Calloway is getting all of these punt return accolades. Correct me if I'm wrong but I really only remember that one touchdown a few years ago and mostly fair catches. Not saying anything negative about him because he is a tremendous receiver but I dont recall him really ever doing anything as a punt returner.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Not sure how any of this is really supposed to be good considering that we were almost dead last in offense last year...

 

[Jnunn]

Not sure how any of this is really supposed to be good considering that we were almost dead last in offense last year...

Our skill position players are average to above average for the SEC. They are good enough to deliver some wins. The problem with our offense last year was offensive line. We couldn't protect JG on passing plays, and on rushes we had the worst stuff rate in the entire nation (runs stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage). You really can't have an offense if you don't have an offensive line.

 

[GBOTango]

SEC games are won in the trenches. Same skill players as last year won’t help much unless the o line improves a good bit. So goes the line so goes this team.

 

[maotai]

So you are saying we only lose by 6 to Florida?

 

[livefaith]

This is a classic paradox. Are we happy that we've got 90% of last year's offense back. Or are we sad that 90% of last year's train wreck is back?

Could someone tell me how to feel?

 

[BACKDOC]

I saw today where a Fla. journalist picked UT to go 8 and 4. This person has never worked in the state of TN. I liked the optimism.

 

[37620VOL]

Skill positions are not the issue. We need to return to having dominant offensive lines. Cheney was 100% correct when he said you can't scheme around a bad offensive line, especially in the SEC.

Chaney already did that at UT; and Cutcliffe certainly did in 06. But yes, I imagine it makes the gameplanning very difficult and limited. It is possible though.

 

[volroadwarrior]

Return of Kennedy and Trey Smith will really help, but our 2 best tackles are freshmen.

 

[GBOTango]

This is a classic paradox. Are we happy that we've got 90% of last year's offense back. Or are we sad that 90% of last year's train wreck is back?

Could someone tell me how to feel?

How about hoping that the O-line and D-line get better, and happy that we've got a lot of upperclassmen who can ball on offense.

 

[firedog28]

I am still where I have been with this team,The OL & DL will determine how much we have improved.Trey Smith & Kennedy playing more than one game each would be a start. Soloman can lead the DL if he stays healthy!

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Our skill position players are average to above average for the SEC. They are good enough to deliver some wins. The problem with our offense last year was offensive line. We couldn't protect JG on passing plays, and on rushes we had the worst stuff rate in the entire nation (runs stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage). You really can't have an offense if you don't have an offensive line.

We have left last year far behind and moved on to a brand new season.

 

[robow]

Skill positions are not the issue. We need to return to having dominant offensive lines. Cheney was 100% correct when he said you can't scheme around a bad offensive line, especially in the SEC.

As Al Bundy said...you can't scheme around a bad offensive line or cornbread!

 

[PEPPERJAX]

This is a classic paradox. Are we happy that we've got 90% of last year's offense back. Or are we sad that 90% of last year's train wreck is back?

Could someone tell me how to feel?

Music City Bowl.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Not sure how any of this is really supposed to be good considering that we were almost dead last in offense last year...

Lots of room to improve. Alabama can only go down.

 

[1vol8]

I dont see how Calloway is getting all of these punt return accolades. Correct me if I'm wrong but I really only remember that one touchdown a few years ago and mostly fair catches. Not saying anything negative about him because he is a tremendous receiver but I dont recall him really ever doing anything as a punt returner.

He returned a punt last year against Charlotte

 

[VolEngineer]

He returned a punt last year against Charlotte

Forgot about that one. Knew he had one in 2016 or 2017.

 

[1vol8]

Forgot about that one. Knew he had one in 2016 or 2017.

I agree with you though. It’s not that he isn’t good, just hasn’t had many opportunities from my memory. I didn’t really see a threat to score on punts

 

[OneVolNation]

Please don't forget about Darrell Taylor's 8 sacks last season. He's returning to get more!

 

[The Original Fade]

Skill positions are not the issue. We need to return to having dominant offensive lines. Cheney was 100% correct when he said you can't scheme around a bad offensive line, especially in the SEC.

Chaney doesn’t know better than the resident VN experts who discount the Oline struggles in order to take uninformed shots at JG

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

I agree with you though. It’s not that he isn’t good, just hasn’t had many opportunities from my memory. I didn’t really see a threat to score on punts

If we force enough punts, the odds go up.

 

[FLVOL_79]

This is a classic paradox. Are we happy that we've got 90% of last year's offense back. Or are we sad that 90% of last year's train wreck is back?

Could someone tell me how to feel?

Feel sad..