Vols Fall Practice #9

Any decent DB, not looking at the ball, is taught to react to a receiver's movements and them slowing, starting to drift back, is a sign the ball is probably going to be in 50-50 territory.

Sure, you could get the PI or they could get the PI. Granted, usually it goes to the offense.

You could also get a turnover or incompletion by the DB making a play.

I don't like balls thrown so the DB only has to turn to have a reasonable shot at the ball. I see your point but I'd never want my QB to err on the side of short throws.
I have seen us and many others get called for PI because they weren’t looking and ran through the receiver. That’s is another thing that I hope our DB’s get better at is looking for the ball. But many don’t do it well. I agree there is a time for an overthrow but most time WR wins 50-50. I would of course prefer he hit the receiver in stride or close to it. GBO
 
No it isn’t. That’s just flat wrong.

There’s a reason teams intentionally under throw the deep ball. There’s a reason announcers consistently said the last 2 years that UT QBs would be better off under throwing.

The WR has the advantage in multiple ways, including the likelihood of drawing PI vs getting called for PI. He has a better bead on the ball. He’s usually taller. DBs can’t touch the WR without turning their heads on time or they’re called for PI.

It isn’t remotely close to 50-50. It’s an integral part of some offenses.
Yep, not sure if planned, but about 90% of Andy Kelly's throws were under thrown. It seemed to work!
 
Good point!! And again I hope JA comes in and is another Hooker but I am remaining optimistic so as to not set myself up for disappointment like some on here.

Look, he’s not Josh Allen & he’s not Hendon Hooker, and that’s ok - maybe. If we can get similar QB play to that past 2 seasons I’ll be happy. You’re not always going to catch lightning in a bottle at QB. Now’s the time to find other ways to win. We did it last year, and I’m hoping for similar results this year.
 
Someone needs to inspect our wide receivers' gloves. The Nike gloves I tried on one time were like glue. There's no way in the world anyone should ever drop a ball wearing those things.


Facts. Also....juggs machines.

I watched a documentary on J.J. Watt. He was a Defensive End...but he stayed after practice EVERY day until he caught 100 balls EACH one-handed. As a DLineman. Thats dedication. Its also why he had interceptions every season and was THE best lineman in the NFL on that side of the ball every year.

It takes dedication. Do you think our WRs would drop as many balls if they stayed an hour after practice every time catching balls from the juggs machine? I bet they would be better. I also think theyre probably worn out right now. We only have 7 scholarship WRs, and all 3 starters have missed practices in fall camp making it worse. Brazzell waited until right before camp to have a "cleanup procedure" for some reason. So he has missed all the team stuff so far making it only 6 scholarship WRs when everyone else is healthy. So these guys are definitely getting a lot of reps...probably more than they want with 3 QBs. It never hurts to work on the machines though...you dont run. You just catch balls from a standing position.

I am worried about WR. Thats our Achilles Heel this season. We need those guys to stay healthy. We need them to grow up fast. We need them to play at an SEC level. I don't know if those things are happening or not. Defense is ALWAYS ahead early in camp and early in the season for that matter. Hopefully these guys step up...and hopefully 1 QB separates himself so he can get most of the reps with the #1s and build some chemistry between QB and WRs.
 
Merk 6/15, Aguilar 16/18 & GMac 12/15 with drops were an issue from the jump. Maybe we're beginning to see some QB separation

We have a visual. Josh Josephs was running on an elliptical in the weight room
I was hoping things would shake out along the lines of experience in the program. But, it’s starting to sound like that may not be the case.
 
You should be. The favorite be the starter threw 24 picks the last 2 seasons and has been on campus for 3 months. It's not good. I was hoping Merk would be able to beat him out, but that's not looking good. Don't see CJH playing a true freshman.
I knew Merk was not going to pan out and I can tell you the exact moment the realization set in. He came in against Kent State during the absolute blasting we gave them. I remember thinking thank God we have Nico for a few years then Brandon will be coming in with some years in the system by then and we will never have to see this guy again hopefully. He looked absolutely abysmal against a team of that low of a caliber.
 
I knew Merk was not going to pan out and I can tell you the exact moment the realization set in. He came in against Kent State during the absolute blasting we gave them. I remember thinking thank God we have Nico for a few years then Brandon will be coming in with some years in the system by then and we will never have to see this guy again hopefully. He looked absolutely abysmal against a team of that low of a caliber.
He was a true freshman seeing his first game action.
 
Merk 6/15, Aguilar 16/18 & GMac 12/15 with drops were an issue from the jump. Maybe we're beginning to see some QB separation

We have a visual. Josh Josephs was running on an elliptical in the weight room
Thanks for the Josh sighting. I always scan the reports looking for him. Do we know anything about his situation?
 
Look, he’s not Josh Allen & he’s not Hendon Hooker, and that’s ok - maybe. If we can get similar QB play to that past 2 seasons I’ll be happy. You’re not always going to catch lightning in a bottle at QB. Now’s the time to find other ways to win. We did it last year, and I’m hoping for similar results this year.
Correct with the RB’s we have and the defense we don’t need a superstar we need someone to manage the game. Make sure we are in the right set and get the ball to where it is supposed to be on time.
 
These reports mean little to nothing. You’d have to have an insider who is in the closed portions to get any real idea.

Someone said the interior OLine got shoved around in the scrimmage. You won’t see that from Hubbs or any of these other mouth pieces. Satterwhite is another example of a developmental player that can’t get with it. A center who struggles with o snap the ball. Seriously??

Pendleton will start and Perry will move to guard.
That’s what I thought when I heard Elarbee say that Satt needed to clean up his snaps. Not a good sign.
 
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Against a team some 6A high school teams in states with good ball would have given a run for their money.
I mean I get what you're saying but imagine the nerves. Imagine being 18 years old and QBing in front of 100k screaming fans. Probably takes some getting used to. It's a lot easier said than done.
 
I knew Merk was not going to pan out and I can tell you the exact moment the realization set in. He came in against Kent State during the absolute blasting we gave them. I remember thinking thank God we have Nico for a few years then Brandon will be coming in with some years in the system by then and we will never have to see this guy again hopefully. He looked absolutely abysmal against a team of that low of a caliber.
You mean when he went 6 of 9 48 with the 2/3 stringers in? Should've pulled right after his 24 yard run.
 
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My question was specifically about White being a disappointment to you. But since you brought it up again, who do you think actually coached up Hyatt, Tillman and McCoy?
I thought it was the guy before Pope, but could be mistaken. I think he was a former RB coach and really emphasized strong hands and possession receivers.
Edit: Kodi Burns in 2021 (experience with WR and RB). Pope took over in 2022.
 
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I thought it was the guy before Pope, but could be mistaken. I think he was a former RB coach and really emphasized strong hands and possession receivers.
Edit: Kodi Burns in 2021 (experience with WR and RB). Pope took over in 2022.
Pope is listed as the Receiver Offense Analyst 21-22 season then AC 22- present. So involved.

I think some forget what the roster really looked like the first two years along with the scholarships reductions. I mean the 21 recruiting class was 17. Signed 2 WRs in Nixon and Merritt both hit the portal in 22. Brought in Payton in 21 then he declares in 22.
 
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I knew Merk was not going to pan out and I can tell you the exact moment the realization set in. He came in against Kent State during the absolute blasting we gave them. I remember thinking thank God we have Nico for a few years then Brandon will be coming in with some years in the system by then and we will never have to see this guy again hopefully. He looked absolutely abysmal against a team of that low of a caliber.
That was a pretty bad outing and did leave an impression.
 
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