Vols Fall Practice #9

[Fingers]

One group of players working on the side included offensive linemen John Campbell Jr., Gage Ginther and Jeremias Heard. The other group included defensive end Caleb Herring, wide receiver Braylon Staley and Trey Weary and defensive back William Wright. Running back Dylan Sampson continued to be held out and was not in a brace inside before he put one on his knee to go work on the side outside.

Christian Harrison, who is in the mix at Star, was in a red non-contact jersey and had a brace on his left arm, but was going through drills normally with the defensive backs.

On the offensive line, Lance Heard was going through drills normally and lined up first at left tackle for some one-on-one pass-rush drills as we were leaving, and Andrej Karic was in uniform and involved in drills as well.

The wide receivers were more complete, too, with Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Mike Matthews all running routes.

Tennessee’s passing game work was up and down this morning. After working a lot of underneath routes, the Vols did air it out with some deep balls to end the final period. There were a lot of completions, but still too many inaccurate throws and drops considering there’s no defense.

On the deep balls, Nico Iamaleava just overthrew Bru McCoy before hitting Chas Nimrod (who had to slow a little) and Chris Brazzell II for connections. Gaston Moore then hit both Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Kaleb Webb in stride. Jake Merklinger connected with Mike Matthews and Nate Spillman down the seam after missing a walk-on slot receiver down the seam.

Squirrel White was doing routes but had a drop and then Iamaleava threw high and behind him and he couldn’t adjust on a simple out route. Thornton also had a drop. McCoy, Matthews and Nathan Leacock had some nice catches.

McCoy continues to look like he’s getting back in the groove coming off his ankle injury.

p.brown

Wide receiver Bru McCoy seemed to getting more work today than he has all camp long. He was running around and doing everything today with a smile on his face. Remember, he is still not likely to get any work in scrimmages this fall, but he didn’t appear to be held back at all today.Wide receiver Bru McCoy seemed to getting more work today than he has all camp long. He was running around and doing everything today with a smile on his face. Remember, he is still not likely to get any work in scrimmages this fall, but he didn’t appear to be held back at all today.

The other No. 5 (Christian Harrison) was in a red jersey this morning after picking up the start at STAR on Friday night. He was going through everything while the media was on hand, but did have a red jersey on. Cameron Seldon, of course, had a red jersey on. Receivers Kaleb Webb, Mike Matthews and Dont’e Thornton were not in red jerseys and running routes on air with the rest of the group.

Running back Dylan Sampson did not take part in individual period while the media was in attendance. He was of to the side (brace on left knee) hanging out with a trainer. It is not believed to be anything series, but he will not do any scrimmage work this fall before the season.

Though Ethan Davis has come a long way in the blocking side of things, he simply looks awesome running routes. He’s at home there and will be a prime target for Nico Iamaleava this season.

Jermod McCoy had a good scrimmage the other night and it appears he’s leading that corner group. It also helps when you have James Pearce up front wreaking havoc.

Kelsey Pope was giving some 1-on-1 attention to freshman Mike Matthews, who was getting more work today than he has in a while. Brazzell, Thornton and Davis all made some pretty nice catches down the field during routes on air. We thought the quarterbacks had a good day throwing the football. Jake Merklinger looks to be more comfortable and confident at this stage in camp.

e.cain

- 1s: X - Bru McCoy, Y - Squirrel White, Z - Chris Brazzell II, H - Miles Kitselman
- 2s: X - Dont'e Thornton, Y - Chas Nimrod, Z - Kaleb Webb, H - Holden Staes
- 3s: X - Nathan Leacock, Y - Dayton Sneed, Z - Nate Spillman, H - Ethan Davis
- 4s: X - Mike Matthews, Y - Braylon Harmon, Z - Malcolm Kinzer, H - Charlie Browder

Maybe the worst we've seen Nico Iamaleava all fall. Obviously nothing to worry about, but he had a decent amount of throws he'll want back. Sometimes, receivers weren't helping him while other times he was just off the mark. Deep balls weren't too accurate and curl routes sailed on some throws. He mixed in some really nice throws but it was one of his weaker sessions in the few periods we're allowed to see. On a trio of deep balls, he overthrew Bru McCoy, had a nice one to Chas Nimrod and then underthrew Chris Brazzell but he was able to turn around and catch it.

Jake Merklinger looked really solid. Especially on deep balls where he hit guys in stride. We saw some other backups not have the arm strength to put the ball out in front on shots down the field but Merklinger mostly had it on the money. Really impressed with the freshman today.

Dont'e Thornton looked really good against air today. His size and speed are absurd when you watch up close. If he can put it together like it looked like he started to before getting hurt last year, he could be a cheat code.

Defensively, Arion Carter was the most vocal I've seen him all fall.

Andre Turrentine had an issue picking up a fumble during a drill and was harder on himself than any of the coaches were.

Edrees Farooq caught an 'interception' against air in the back of the end zone which fired up some of the coaches.

From a distance, I liked what I saw from the running back room. They worked on agility in the back corner before exploding through the simulated line. Khalifa Keith specifically caught my eye. For being such a massive back, he's pretty nimble on his feet and can get going in a hurry. Obviously, play time is for the taking behind Sampson and he could be a name to monitor.

r.sylvia

 

[TAF]

“Praise the Lord Practice”

 

[vols 30]

Concerns about the passing game or nothing to worry about ?

 

[Volfan39]

Concerns about the passing game or nothing to worry about ?

Wouldn’t worry to much. Most of the innacurrate throws have been from backups, and this seems to be the first bad day Nico has had all camp

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I still think Gaston is going to sneak up on the 8 Million Dollar Man.

 

[Volfan39]

I still think Gaston is going to sneak up on the 8 Million Dollar Man.

Not a chance in hell. You think Gaston is gonna start?

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Not a chance in hell. You think Gaston is gonna start?

Start? Game 1, or even by game 3? No. Mostly due to two things. Team politics. Josh's faith and loyalty in Nico. But then reality will exhibit itself. Yeah, my take is contrary to everybody's else's here. But the cracked crystal ball whispered something about system experience, and Hooker-Milton. Now, Nathan, the dog didn't comment, and I wonder why. They usually agree with each other.

 

[Volfan39]

Start? Game 1, or even by game 3? No. Mostly due to two things. Team politics. Josh's faith and loyalty in Nico. But then reality will exhibit itself. Yeah, my take is contrary to everybody's else's here. But the cracked crystal ball whispered something about system experience, and Hooker-Milton. Now, Nathan, the dog didn't comment, and I wonder why. They usually agree with each other.

Huh. Unless Nico gets hurt he will start every single game. And that’s a guarantee. This is a crazy take

 

[JCVol00]

Start? Game 1, or even by game 3? No. Mostly due to two things. Team politics. Josh's faith and loyalty in Nico. But then reality will exhibit itself. Yeah, my take is contrary to everybody's else's here. But the cracked crystal ball whispered something about system experience, and Hooker-Milton. Now, Nathan, the dog didn't comment, and I wonder why. They usually agree with each other.

If Josh thought Nico was not the guy then he would have brought an extra qb in this year. Gaston is a more than capable backup qb, but nico is the best qb on the team by light years

 

[BruiserVol]

I was ignored back on practice #1 when I said Moore looks better than Nico. He just does. Nico might have the IT factor in games with scrambling and just straight up getting it done. I dont know. What I do know is if you watch these practices without rose colored glasses on Nico you will see Moore passes the eye test. His foot work is better, his throws look crisper, and he is hitting receivers without them turning back for the ball. All I’m saying is what I’ve seen. lol. People get super mad because they want Nico to be the savior. They also use the “coach had them behind such and such” excuse when we have seen time and again that doesn’t mean anything. Think Hooker, Kamara, even Wright recently.

 

[MarcoVol]

I still think Gaston is going to sneak up on the 8 Million Dollar Man.

A little early to be drinking

 

[vols 30]

Start? Game 1, or even by game 3? No. Mostly due to two things. Team politics. Josh's faith and loyalty in Nico. But then reality will exhibit itself. Yeah, my take is contrary to everybody's else's here. But the cracked crystal ball whispered something about system experience, and Hooker-Milton. Now, Nathan, the dog didn't comment, and I wonder why. They usually agree with each other.

Your take is contrary to everyone else. It's also idiotic

 

[Volfan39]

I was ignored back on practice #1 when I said Moore looks better than Nico. He just does. Nico might have the IT factor in games with scrambling and just straight up getting it done. I dont know. What I do know is if you watch these practices without rose colored glasses on Nico you will see Moore passes the eye test. His foot work is better, his throws look crisper, and he is hitting receivers without them turning back for the ball. All I’m saying is what I’ve seen. lol. People get super mad because they want Nico to be the savior. They also use the “coach had them behind such and such” excuse when we have seen time and again that doesn’t mean anything. Think Hooker, Kamara, even Wright recently.

But is has been well documented that Nico is significantly better in 11 in 11 work. So why does it matter what happens at the start of practice? But when the actual game type situations start Nico is better than Moore according to everyone

 

[BruiserVol]

Wouldn’t worry to much. Most of the innacurrate throws have been from backups, and this seems to be the first bad day Nico has had all camp

Nope. This makes the third practice noted consecutively I’ve read where Nico has struggled with throwing routes.

 

[Volz4lif3]

Start? Game 1, or even by game 3? No. Mostly due to two things. Team politics. Josh's faith and loyalty in Nico. But then reality will exhibit itself. Yeah, my take is contrary to everybody's else's here. But the cracked crystal ball whispered something about system experience, and Hooker-Milton. Now, Nathan, the dog didn't comment, and I wonder why. They usually agree with each other.

crazy talk

 

[Volfan39]

Nope. This makes the third practice noted consecutively I’ve read where Nico has struggled with throwing routes.

Don’t give a **** about how they throw routes on air. Nico has been stated to do better when the whistle actually blows. That’s all I care about

 

[vols 30]

A little early to be drinking

He's just senile. He does his best to sound smart.

He also thought we made a mistake hiring CJH at the time. He has a long history of bad takes

 

[BruiserVol]

Don’t give a **** about how they throw routes on air. Nico has been stated to do better when the whistle actually blows. That’s all I care about

Except you literally said first bad day he’s had all camp. It’s not true. That’s the only thing I was trying to point out.

 

[Volfan39]

Except you literally said first bad day he’s had all camp. It’s not true. That’s the only thing I was trying to point out.

Yeah you got me on that. But the point still stands, Nico has been said to be better in actual game like situations than Moore. Some players just aren’t good practice players. Hooker and dobbs we said to be pretty bad practice players if I remember correctly. Sometime players just turn it on in a game.

 

[BruiserVol]

Yeah you got me on that. But the point still stands, Nico has been said to be better in actual game like situations than Moore. Some players just aren’t good practice players. Hooker and dobbs we said to be pretty bad practice players if I remember correctly. Sometime players just turn it on in a game.

I can agree on that, which is why my post about Moore included that maybe Nico is just a baller on game day. Some people are. Just like some people are bad at taking tests then you get out in the field with them at work and they are the best worker you’ve been around. We will have to wait and see. I pray he’s good. We have done a lot of talking. I’m sick of people joking about “next year” at work and family events.

 

[AlsaceFreak]

I still think Gaston is going to sneak up on the 8 Million Dollar Man.

Gaston is a good #2 QB. I still think we could have won the Florida game with him at QB last year.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Message boards are fun.

 

[NighthawkVol]

p.brown







e.cain









r.sylvia

Good to hear some good reports on Keith. I’ve been waiting for that.

 

[utvolpj]

I think you all fail to realize these guys got super insider access and watched the scrimmage last night. If you don't have that access you should shut it and listen to those expert opinions

 

[Volfan39]

I can agree on that, which is why my post about Moore included that maybe Nico is just a baller on game day. Some people are. Just like some people are bad at taking tests then you get out in the field with them at work and they are the best worker you’ve been around. We will have to wait and see. I pray he’s good. We have done a lot of talking. I’m sick of people joking about “next year” at work and family events.

I don’t even think Nico has to be heisman level good. I just think he has to be moderately better than Joe, and we will be good. The defense take a step this year in my opinion