Vols Practice Thread #4

#76
#76
DiderotsGhost said:
O-line and WRs are still the two position groups that concern me the most. Theoretically, WRs should be improved this season with JJ back, but we really need a few more guys to step up to be in good shape in the 2-deep. JJ, Callaway, and B. Johnson are solid; Palmer showed some signs of emerging last season, but we need 5th and 6th options at a minimum. Hoping Cedric Tillman, Tyler Byrd, Jordan Murphy, or a few of the others can really step it up. Otherwise, our WR corp is going to be pretty thin. I'm optimistic that we can find some options and happy we got David Johnson as our WR coach, but we'll have to wait and see.

Of course, O-line was a trainwreck last season. Difficult shift philosophy wise, but also not a ton of depth. Our starting lineup sounds reasonable on paper, but feels like an injury or two could be problematic. So hopefully, we see a few guys emerge there, as well.

D-line still a concern, as it's clear the coaches aren't totally sure what the best combo is, or who is the best fit at NT. Hopefully, we get it figured it out. At least we have some talent there.

On the positive side, I'm pretty optimistic about our LBs and DBs. DBs would've probably been our strongest unit this season regardless but with Pruitt around, I'm hoping it becomes even stronger. RBs seem like they could be pretty good, too with Jordan and Chandler in the backfield. If we can solve some of the issues at WR and O-line, we can be much better than expected, but tough to really know how we look until that West Virginia game.
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DG,

I feel like WR is actually one of our best positions. Jennings and Callaway are above average SEC capable, and Brandon looks really consistent. With Palmer, Murphy, Tillman(maybe), and Byrd in the mix, I think we'll be good and have depth there. I could be way wrong, but this group gives me the best confidence on the team, along with RB and last years 3 LBs.

OL is a mystery due to healing injuries and unknown growth in last years players. DL as you say has quality, but could be thin.

My biggest concern on D is the ability of our players to make the transition to a new scheme and philosophy. Can they pick it up in time for UF, or is it Sal revisited?
 
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#77
#77
cHiZzLeVOL said:
Ehh don't group all of our receivers together lol..... only about 2 or 3 of them can't catch a cold.
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Unfortunately, they’re the starting WR’s. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a more overrated group than this wide receiver squad.
 
#79
#79
DiderotsGhost said:
O-line and WRs are still the two position groups that concern me the most. Theoretically, WRs should be improved this season with JJ back, but we really need a few more guys to step up to be in good shape in the 2-deep. JJ, Callaway, and B. Johnson are solid; Palmer showed some signs of emerging last season, but we need 5th and 6th options at a minimum. Hoping Cedric Tillman, Tyler Byrd, Jordan Murphy, or a few of the others can really step it up. Otherwise, our WR corp is going to be pretty thin. I'm optimistic that we can find some options and happy we got David Johnson as our WR coach, but we'll have to wait and see.

Of course, O-line was a trainwreck last season. Difficult shift philosophy wise, but also not a ton of depth. Our starting lineup sounds reasonable on paper, but feels like an injury or two could be problematic. So hopefully, we see a few guys emerge there, as well.

D-line still a concern, as it's clear the coaches aren't totally sure what the best combo is, or who is the best fit at NT. Hopefully, we get it figured it out. At least we have some talent there.

On the positive side, I'm pretty optimistic about our LBs and DBs. DBs would've probably been our strongest unit this season regardless but with Pruitt around, I'm hoping it becomes even stronger. RBs seem like they could be pretty good, too with Jordan and Chandler in the backfield. If we can solve some of the issues at WR and O-line, we can be much better than expected, but tough to really know how we look until that West Virginia game.
Click to expand...

I would expect WRs and QB to be the slowest groups to gel because of the timing issues. Even when the practice on their own in the summer, things get slower with full pads and gear.
 
#80
#80
Pacer92 said:
I know it’s early and no pads, but it’s been quiet on the Greg Emerson front so far..
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VQ and 247 have mentioned a lot over the offseason that ideally he’d probably be best served spending this year redshirting and recovering from the injury he had last year.

I’m not sure our depth will allow for that, but it would be nice if we have the luxury to give him a redshirts.
 
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#81
#81
Ok.. Y'all do me a favor and watch Floridas practice at WR a day or so ago.. I am definitely biased and love UT.. But I personally think our WRs looked much better.. I know.. It's just practice.. But they looked like a hot mess.. Tell me I am not just being biased..
 
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#82
#82
Darth_Shiveman said:
VQ and 247 have mentioned a lot over the offseason that ideally he’d probably be best served spending this year redshirting and recovering from the injury he had last year.

I’m not sure our depth will allow for that, but it would be nice if we have the luxury to give him a redshirts.
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I love the new redshirt rule. They dont have to rush him to be ready to contribute at the beginning of the season.he can take his time and progress. If hes better by the end of the season or incase of a minor injury to DTs in the middle of the season he can play up to 4 games and keep his redshirt. He can get limited game experience and build off of that for his redshirt freshman year if that's what is determined to be best.
 
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#84
#84
VoL The Impaler said:
Ok.. Y'all do me a favor and watch Floridas practice at WR a day or so ago.. I am definitely biased and love UT.. But I personally think our WRs looked much better.. I know.. It's just practice.. But they looked like a hot mess.. Tell me I am not just being biased..
Click to expand...

I predict Florida just falls apart this year. But of course finds a way to beat us by 1 pt anyway. :-/

Please let this be the year it stops and changes beginning in 2018.
 
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#86
#86
livefaith said:
DG,

I feel like WR is actually one of our best positions. Jennings and Callaway are above average SEC capable, and Brandon looks really consistent. With Palmer, Murphy, Tillman(maybe), and Byrd in the mix, I think we'll be good and have depth there. I could be way wrong, but this group gives me the best confidence on the team, along with RB and last years 3 LBs.

OL is a mystery due to healing injuries and unknown growth in last years players. DL as you say has quality, but could be thin.

My biggest concern on D is the ability of our players to make the transition to a new scheme and philosophy. Can they pick it up in time for UF, or is it Sal revisited?
Click to expand...

I can see it both ways on WRs. We were very bad at WR last season. I'd consider our 2nd worst position group in 2017 (behind O-line, of course).

However, we get JJ back, Marquez Callaway will still be here, Brandon Johnson started emerging at the end of the season, Josh Palmer has shown promise, and some of the new guys could be solid contributors. It could potentially be the most improved position, but feels like guys are still dropping a lot of catch-able passes in practice, all the same. I'm both optimistic and concerned, but guess that's to be expected in the preseason after a 4-8 trainwreck.

But I largely agree with you. And yeah ... I am concerned about the transition to 3-4. Pruitt is a defensive mastermind, so long-term it'll work this time (unlike with Sunseri), but could be a lot of growing pains this season. Not sure we have a true Nose Tackle on the team and it's tough to say how the D-line is going to adjust to the new scheme, even if we do have some talented guys there (like Tuttle, A. Johnson, and K. Phillips).

I'll guess we'll get some answers in about 3 1/2 weeks!
 
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#89
#89
I think one of the biggest issues with wide receiver is that the guys from last year to this point have had to try to practice with like 6 or 7 different qbs from last year to now and i think lacked a lot from both not having much consistency to build on laat year from coaching and playing with 3 different qbs as well as trying to learn new routes and the timing of these new quarterbacks as well. I know you can take a good reciever that was good with one quarterback and put him with a new good quarterback, and he still can be great, but im not sure some of these guys have ever had a real rhythm or consistency since theyve been here because of the changes. Look at jennings for instance, hes played with dobbs and dormady and whoever else in 16, dormady, JG, McBride and whoever else in 17, and the four we have now in 18. He was great with dobbs, but with him only playing part of the first game last year before getting injured, i dont know how much if any of timing he could have down with these new quarterbacks or anything to build off of.
 
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#90
#90
im not too worried about WR. It’s still early in camp and those guys will start jiving as it progresses. If it’s gameweek and they are still dropping as many balls as they are right now...then it might be a problem.
 
#91
#91
DiderotsGhost said:
I can see it both ways on WRs. We were very bad at WR last season. I'd consider our 2nd worst position group in 2017 (behind O-line, of course).

However, we get JJ back, Marquez Callaway will still be here, Brandon Johnson started emerging at the end of the season, Josh Palmer has shown promise, and some of the new guys could be solid contributors. It could potentially be the most improved position, but feels like guys are still dropping a lot of catch-able passes in practice, all the same. I'm both optimistic and concerned, but guess that's to be expected in the preseason after a 4-8 trainwreck.

But I largely agree with you. And yeah ... I am concerned about the transition to 3-4. Pruitt is a defensive mastermind, so long-term it'll work this time (unlike with Sunseri), but could be a lot of growing pains this season. Not sure we have a true Nose Tackle on the team and it's tough to say how the D-line is going to adjust to the new scheme, even if we do have some talented guys there (like Tuttle, A. Johnson, and K. Phillips).

I'll guess we'll get some answers in about 3 1/2 weeks!
Click to expand...
We will be in nickel and dime much more than base D. It’s just the stuff you see nowadays. We will play Mint where we will have a true 0 nose from nickel personnel though.
 
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#92
#92
OneVolNation said:
I noticed that too. The receiver didn't have to turn behind himself to grab it and it was right where it needed to be at the right time.
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amen....hitting T Byrd in stride as well as our other receivers gives them a chance to break it all the way. Hate to see our athletic receivers slow down or turn around to try and make a catch. It can lead to injury also.
 
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#94
#94
LittleVol said:
Despite the reports about TK, i don't see how he won't be a factor. He has had a good career.
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I always felt he has a nose for the ball...knew where the play was going. Good instincts. I think we'll see more of him. In case anyone hasn't noticed,CJP isn't allowing previously injured players to return to full speed too quickly. JJ being one of them. I think this staff is doing a great job with what we have.
 
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#97
#97
Go Vols 5 said:
We will be in nickel and dime much more than base D. It’s just the stuff you see nowadays. We will play Mint where we will have a true 0 nose from nickel personnel though.
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CJP will definitely be mixing it up. Loves to blitz too.
 
#98
#98
livefaith said:
DG,

I feel like WR is actually one of our best positions. Jennings and Callaway are above average SEC capable, and Brandon looks really consistent. With Palmer, Murphy, Tillman(maybe), and Byrd in the mix, I think we'll be good and have depth there. I could be way wrong, but this group gives me the best confidence on the team, along with RB and last years 3 LBs.

OL is a mystery due to healing injuries and unknown growth in last years players. DL as you say has quality, but could be thin.

My biggest concern on D is the ability of our players to make the transition to a new scheme and philosophy. Can they pick it up in time for UF, or is it Sal revisited?
Click to expand...
We have much better athletes across the board on defense than we did in 2012. Not to mention someone much better qualified to teach them.
 
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#100
#100
tbones0711 said:
I always felt he has a nose for the ball...knew where the play was going. Good instincts. I think we'll see more of him. In case anyone hasn't noticed,CJP isn't allowing previously injured players to return to full speed too quickly. JJ being one of them. I think this staff is doing a great job with what we have.
Click to expand...

Correct I don't even think they are allowing JJ to be able to jump... I haven't seen him go up for one ball yet. Seems smart to me. Don't want him reaggravating his knee.
 
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