What Vols Must Do To Win In 2007

[GAVol]

one last gripe fellow men:
please tell me the last time the loss of a guy like Harrell made THAT much of a dadgum difference in our d-line play. with all our Vol knowledge, surely we can think of a star goin down on the d-line that didn't absolutely tank us the rest of the year on the interior. most of the time the opposite happens for us, am i right? A guy steps up. i dunno, i know he was awesome for us, but come on, we should be deeper than that.

We SHOULD be deeper . . . but we weren't. Harrell goes down. Mapu isn't back to form. McBride has to move back inside . . . By the LSU game it was an accident waiting to happen.

 

[rockydoc]

Hey, I'm signing off. If some one else has some construtive thoughts on how to improve next year, I'm all ears. Otherwise all I hear is "fire Fulmer" (not likely soon) or "everything is going great since we improved so much from 2005".

 

[JAllen18MVP]

Hey, I'm signing off. If some one else has some construtive thoughts on how to improve next year, I'm all ears. Otherwise all I hear is "fire Fulmer" (not likely soon) or "everything is going great since we improved so much from 2005".

I think the simple answer (and correct) is that both lines must improve significantly.

McClendon should help the run blocking, and once Chris Scott puts on the strength that he lost last year he should be darn good tackle. My only question as far as the offensive line goes is Eric Young. He had some great games this year (UGA game) but sometimes he just got completely run over (LSU game).

I think everybody on defense has to get stronger. They were way too weak this year.

 

[jakez4ut]

The O-line problems go back several years to when we went to that zone blocking crap. It may take another year or two to fix that. The only thing I can figure out on the D-line is that injuries mixed with suspensions, busts and non-qualifers has just depleted that position into oblivion.

you just keep making sense...better stop it.:nono:

 

[Liper]

It's almost the same effect as if we were on probation or something.

Yeah, we've had a perfect storm of sorts on the D-line.

Defections, early entries, busts, injuries...

Ell Ash was starting for Houston in their bowl game.

Mapu left college for two years...McDaniel went pro...Harrell got hurt...Bolden was slow coming...Fisher played out of position...It'd be interesting to go back and look at the guys that got kicked off or didn't get in school.

Also, our DE's simply aren't as dynamic as we thought they would be...Mitchell, Reynolds, Ayers.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeah, we've had a perfect storm of sorts on the D-line.

Defections, early entries, busts, injuries...

Ell Ash was starting for Houston in their bowl game.

Mapu left college for two years...McDaniel went pro...Harrell got hurt...Bolden was slow coming...Fisher played out of position...It'd be interesting to go back and look at the guys that got kicked off or didn't get in school.

Also, our DE's simply aren't as dynamic as we thought they would be...Mitchell, Reynolds, Ayers.

and all three at one point or another looked really good, and then they just would kind of disappear...weird. Bolden and Mapu are two guys that it would be nice if they stepped up a notch or two...

good post liper.

 

[JAllen18MVP]

and all three at one point or another looked really good, and then they just would kind of disappear...weird. Bolden and Mapu are two guys that it would be nice if they stepped up a notch or two...

good post liper.

Yea, it seemed like Xavier would have a great play in every game, but other than that he would just disappear. Hopefully he gets a little more consistent, like Parys did his senior year. Ayers just seems like he should have stayed a linebacker to me.

 

[surrealvol]

Where is the intensity...?

 

[OrangeU]

Yeah, we've had a perfect storm of sorts on the D-line.

Defections, early entries, busts, injuries...

Ell Ash was starting for Houston in their bowl game.

Mapu left college for two years...McDaniel went pro...Harrell got hurt...Bolden was slow coming...Fisher played out of position...It'd be interesting to go back and look at the guys that got kicked off or didn't get in school.

Also, our DE's simply aren't as dynamic as we thought they would be...Mitchell, Reynolds, Ayers.

And now my memory has been refreshed. I don't want you guys to think I am bashing Fulmer at all either, I am a big fan of his. A lot of these problems on the d-line couldn't have been forseen and shouldn't be laid entirely on his shoulders. I just hope we can right those two ships before next season, or at least get them on the right heading. thanks for the insight fellas

 

[cotton]

I think the simple answer (and correct) is that both lines must improve significantly.

I think that hits the nail on the head. I've seen enough promise out of the returning D-linemen to believe that will happen on that side of the ball. The O-line needs to get much better over the offseason, although with 4 of the 5 returning, I don't think that is an impossible task.

We are also going to need a playmaker at receiver. Somebody needs to provide the threat of breaking a big play every time he is on the field, as Meacham did this year. If he is back, problem is solved; more likely, someone else will need to emerge.

Finally, our special teams need to improve, mainly in the consistency of play. Last year, they were consistently attrocious. This year, they made great plays and attrocious plays. That is better, but not good enough.

 

[cd12]

I think the number one thing we must do is change the mindset! Its the mental part of our game that must change. Everything else should follow! But it starts with the HC and then trickles down!

 

[VolinArizona]

Honestly, only two areas need to be far better than 2006 for us to win a ton of games - the lines.

If we put a GOOD OL and a GREAT DL out there, we will win 10+ games. Period.

 

[OrangeU]

Honestly, only two areas need to be far better than 2006 for us to win a ton of games - the lines.

If we put a GOOD OL and a GREAT DL out there, we will win 10+ games. Period.

AMEN! Read my post from two pages ago brother. We are preachin' the gospel. LOL :rock:

 

[rockydoc]

Honestly, only two areas need to be far better than 2006 for us to win a ton of games - the lines.

If we put a GOOD OL and a GREAT DL out there, we will win 10+ games. Period.

Hey, you're not asking for much! Five on OL and four on DL that's 9/22 players! If the Houstan Texans had great OL and DL's they would be in the Super Bowl!lol:

Seriously, since '98 it's always something.....last year no QB play....this year no DL....... 2-3 years ago it was a young secondary. What will it be next year? No kicker!!:banghead2:

 

[kptvol]

ps. i can't remember what game, but i'm 99.9% positive ainge actually had a rushing TD this year

Peyton had a few during his UT career. I don't think being more mobile would have made the Vols win any more games while he was here.

 

[volfanbill]

Peyton had a few during his UT career. I don't think being more mobile would have made the Vols win any more games while he was here.

lol.. i had to return to that quote. i was using it mostly as a joke, but my argument is that a pocket passer can still be effective in today's game and win a championship. if ainge of 2006 returns for 2007, ainge will have no blame for lack of a SEC championship or more. just gotta question those around him.

 

[TravisHenryCBlockedMe]

Seriously, since '98 it's always something.....last year no QB play....this year no DL....... 2-3 years ago it was a young secondary. What will it be next year? No kicker!!

No kicker, inconsistent receiver play, two new starting corners, two new starting dt's. Year after that, new qb.

 

[DJ2005]

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE....We have to get rid of someone somewhere be it the offensive line coach ohhh NO EMOTION FULMER ....Somethings gotta change this Johnny Majors style of offensive ball pound the ball up the middle for the first 2 downs and if that doesnt work we are screwed too much money too much everything invested in the UT athletics not to be a top contender like USC is year after year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jjay2518]

I agree the O and D lines are the biggest problem. Other areas on the team can be weak and made up for in other areas, but when the line is bad, it makes the whole team look bad.