What's our biggest weakness this fall?

[Giveem6]

At the moment for me it's

In-game coaching
LT
Passing game Coord
QB coach (lack thereof)
ST

ST as in special teams? Didn't we have the two best returners in football last season and they are both back? Pretty sure Trevor Daniel was flipping the field all year and Medley came on strong at the end of the year. Lol what is wrong with volnation today.

 

[omghulkhands]

We have trouble getting all three of these things to work simultaneously

Pass block
WR get open
Make the throw

Seems we routinely let one of those break down

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I'm gonna agree with a lot of folks on here and say passing game.

And yet, even in this area, there's room for great hope.

Josh may not get much better; the years of "vast improvement" are behind him, now he will only get marginally better with more work. And yet, he was never terrible...just somewhat inconsistent, some of the time. I'd call him 75%-80% good, and not likely to get too far beyond that...maybe up to 80%-85%.

Meanwhile, the receivers can get significantly better this year. Josh Malone may never be the superstar we hoped he would be his freshman year, but he came a long ways last fall and can still improve some this year. Along with Josh Smith, we have two experienced and steadfast members of the WR corps. Add to them Preston Williams, who brings a new dimension, and Jauan Jennings, who can be explosive as well, and I think we're going to see significant improvement in (1) getting separation and (2) soft hands making the catch in 2016.

Finally, our line gets a year older. We lose Kerbyson, but everyone else is back, and we have Richmond and others competing to fill the open LT spot. In 2014, this was our #1 weakness...we're coming very close to the point where our OLine may be one of our great strengths. Look for protection to be better this fall.

So that's two of the three components of passing game execution that we can expect to get significantly better.

Still probably our biggest weakness, but it may not be a weakness at all. Here's hoping. Go Vols!

 

[butchna]

I worry that Dobbs will be injured early and Dormady, Jones or whoever won't be able to pick up the slack. We do have more depth at more positions than we've had in years so maybe I am being a NegaVol. But it's always a truth in football on any level - a few key injuries can ruin your season. (I still think 10-2 is realistic.)

I remember the angst and turmoil before last season over Dobbs staying healthy. Some posters practically guaranteeing we would be using our backups...how'd that work out? Any play or freak landing could take out any player, but Dobbs has proven over 3 seasons that it's not a high probability with him. Don't stop fretting on my account tho. :thumbsup:

 

[alltimevol2331]

Everything is pretty solid. Wr must pick it up. Dobbs may not be the best qb but the receivers must run better, stronger routes and make the tough catchable passes. To many easy drops last year. Dobbs will surprise this year. He may not set records but with the use of double tight ends, rolling him out more I think he will set career high passing numbers.

Dt depth.

 

[KBVol]

At the moment for me it's

In-game coaching
LT
Passing game Coord
QB coach (lack thereof)
ST

ST?

 

[pcvols81]

When we get the lead dont get conservative especially in big games.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

How about vs Oklahoma....he was 13-31 passing. Throw in Arky as well where the coaches seemed to get completely away from the run game in the second half and tried to make Josh win it from the pocket....and he didn't/couldn't . He was bad that game.

Unfortunately, I would agree that Jones tends to not let Dobbs throw the ball down the field unless we're down late and forced to abandon the run. However, Arkansas was the exception last year, and Josh failed to deliver.

Arkansas is the only game last year that I would throw out. It was a completely uninspired effort from everyone. I think the Florida loss was still on everyone's mind.


I've watched the Oklahoma game 3 times already. Those incompletions were not Dobbs fault. Its easy to look at the stats and form a conclusion. Watch the film.

Oklahoma started blitzing every down while playing bump n run on the outside in the second half. Our o-line couldn't protect and our receivers couldn't separate.

If you watch the game again, you'll notice most of those incompletions were throws out of bounds or throws into the dirt cause the screen pass was sniffed out.


Oklahoma loss was NOT on Dobbs. It was squarely on Butch Jones and Debord for not adjusting to Oklahoma's defensive adjustments in the second half.

 

[KBVol]

Arkansas is the only game last year that I would throw out. It was a completely uninspired effort from everyone. I think the Florida loss was still on everyone's mind.


I've watched the Oklahoma game 3 times already. Those incompletions were not Dobbs fault. Its easy to look at the stats and form a conclusion. Watch the film.

Oklahoma started blitzing every down while playing bump n run on the outside in the second half. Our o-line couldn't protect and our receivers couldn't separate.

If you watch the game again, you'll notice most of those incompletions were throws out of bounds or throws into the dirt cause the screen pass was sniffed out.


Oklahoma loss was NOT on Dobbs. It was squarely on Butch Jones and Debord for not adjusting to Oklahoma's defensive adjustments in the second half.

So, none of the 18 completions were Josh's fault? How about the pick in OT that ended the game? IMHO, he never should've thrown that ball since Malone wasn't open at all and it was an easy play for the DB to make.

Look, we don't win 9 games last year without Josh. I think he was our offensive MVP hands down, with Hurd a distant second. But he was hesitant and inaccurate vs Oklahoma and just very poor vs Arky when they seemed to give him the game to try and win from the pocket.

You asked for any examples and I gave you 2, and only 2....and I'm sticking by those two, not necessarily as games "he lost with his arm", but games he couldn't win with his arm".

 

[chuck0303]

Holly Warlick

You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

So, none of the 18 completions were Josh's fault? How about the pick in OT that ended the game? IMHO, he never should've thrown that ball since Malone wasn't open at all and it was an easy play for the DB to make.

Look, we don't win 9 games last year without Josh. I think he was our offensive MVP hands down, with Hurd a distant second. But he was hesitant and inaccurate vs Oklahoma and just very poor vs Arky when they seemed to give him the game to try and win from the pocket.

You asked for any examples and I gave you 2, and only 2....and I'm sticking by those two, not necessarily as games "he lost with his arm", but games he couldn't win with his arm".

I never said all those 18 incompletions were not his fault. He missed some throws. The interception intended for North (not Malone) was the worst because he had a player open in the flat and he instead threw to the covered man.

However, if you watch the game again you'll see a majority of those incompletions were throws out of bounds or into the dirt because of immediate pressure.

Debord and Butch Jones lost the game cause they didn't adjust to Mike Stoops halftime adjustments. They kept blitzing and we didn't make them pay.


Arkansas is the only game I have not reviewed after watching live. I was too disgusted with the result. You can beat your drum to that game. I personally like to believe it never happened.

 

[KBVol]

I never said all those 18 incompletions were not his fault. He missed some throws. The interception intended for North (not Malone) was the worst because he had a player open in the flat and he instead threw to the covered man.

However, if you watch the game again you'll see a majority of those incompletions were throws out of bounds or into the dirt because of immediate pressure.

Debord and Butch Jones lost the game cause they didn't adjust to Mike Stoops halftime adjustments. They kept blitzing and we didn't make them pay.


Arkansas is the only game I have not reviewed after watching live. I was too disgusted with the result. You can beat your drum to that game. I personally like to believe it never happened.

You said this.....

"Those incompletions were not Dobbs fault. Its easy to look at the stats and form a conclusion. Watch the film."

Btw, I agree the OU loss was on Jones.

 

[TGVol]

1. Handling expectations
2. Coaching philsophy - must play to win instead of not to lose
3. Can Dobbs pass the ball if/when they stack the line and don't let us run
4. Off the field distractions with various investigations etc.

 

[butchna]

Arkansas is the only game last year that I would throw out. It was a completely uninspired effort from everyone. I think the Florida loss was still on everyone's mind.


I've watched the Oklahoma game 3 times already. Those incompletions were not Dobbs fault. Its easy to look at the stats and form a conclusion. Watch the film.

Oklahoma started blitzing every down while playing bump n run on the outside in the second half. Our o-line couldn't protect and our receivers couldn't separate.

If you watch the game again, you'll notice most of those incompletions were throws out of bounds or throws into the dirt cause the screen pass was sniffed out.


Oklahoma loss was NOT on Dobbs. It was squarely on Butch Jones and Debord for not adjusting to Oklahoma's defensive adjustments in the second half.

If we've already watched that game 3 times, can we watch it one more time and pontificate on how wrong you are? Just askin...cuz I don't know the rules on being a know it all. :hi:

 

[UTVOLS1614]

I have alot of faith in our Wrs. Josh smith has proved he can play at this level. Josh malone and preston williams have as much talent as anyone. after them we still hae jajuan jennings who i think is a legitimate reciever. tight ends we have two guys who have both proved they can play on this level in wolf and croom. OL the 4 returners are definately solid and between booulware jones and richmond we will find oour 5th guy with 2 ready to fill in. Theres no doubt dobbs hurd and kamara are ready to go. So its tought to say what our biggest weakness is. Lets go vols

 

[orangepit]

Is it the arm of Dobbs? I've been in Yankee prison and would like VN opinions and realistic expectations.

Our team heart

 

[ThreatLevelVol]

Field

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

ST as in special teams? Didn't we have the two best returners in football last season and they are both back? Pretty sure Trevor Daniel was flipping the field all year and Medley came on strong at the end of the year. Lol what is wrong with volnation today.

Outside of place kicking we were the best in college football. When your kicker only makes 65% of field goals and can't hit from 40+, it's an issue.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Outside of place kicking we were the best in college football. When your kicker only makes 65% of field goals and can't hit from 40+, it's an issue.

I think you're mis-remembering what Medley did last year.

Sure, he had a slump in the first half of the year. Was just 9 of 17 through the 'Bama game, and only hit one FG of 40+ yards. He contributed his part to the Oklahoma and Florida losses (along with several other players and coaches). Not very good at all.

But the second half of the season, the final six games, he went 12 of 14, including a 47-yarder and 3 from 44 yards. He was 4 of 5 (80%) from 40+ in those six games.

The kid just started the season with a slump. No biggie, it happens, sophomore slumps are a thing, esp. among kickers. He was back to excellence by the end of October.

Overall, our ST was most definitely not a weakness in 2015. In fact, it was one of our great strengths.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

I think you're mis-remembering what Medley did last year.

Sure, he had a slump in the first half of the year. Was just 9 of 17 through the 'Bama game, and only hit one FG of 40+ yards. He contributed his part to the Oklahoma and Florida losses (along with several other players and coaches). Not very good at all.

But the second half of the season, the final six games, he went 12 of 14, including a 47-yarder and 3 from 44 yards. He was 4 of 5 (80%) from 40+ in those six games.

The kid just started the season with a slump. No biggie, it happens, sophomore slumps are a thing, esp. among kickers. He was back to excellence by the end of October.

Overall, our ST was most definitely not a weakness in 2015. In fact, it was one of our great strengths.

I hear ya but 9 of those remaining 14 field goals were from 34 yards or less. He also missed a 31 yarder in there.

A good field goal kicker should be automatic from 44 yards or less and be able to make half of their kicks from 45+. 5 of 12 from 40+ won't cut it. 2 of 7 from 45+ and 0-3 from 50 won't either.

I like Aaron but he has done this each of the last two years. He is erratic till after the Bama game and then suddenly starts hitting.

 

[2ez2dv8]

ST as in special teams? Didn't we have the two best returners in football last season and they are both back? Pretty sure Trevor Daniel was flipping the field all year and Medley came on strong at the end of the year. Lol what is wrong with volnation today.

Yes

No argument there Berry proved to be an elite KO returner, Sutton shined on PR as well but if it were up to me Daniel is '15 ST MVP

 

[2ez2dv8]

ST?

Yeah, I'm projecting more present day and going into the fall. Barely into Spring Practice and with little over five months until ASU ST specifically is "at the moment" more a concern than a "weakness (this fall)".
In brief, most if not all remember it was not long ago that for years ST's were a basically liability. Elder changed that now his loss leaves a vacuum and I am curious to see how the unit as a whole performs. Individually, I am remain confident in Berry and Daniels ability and even hold out hope that this will be the year Medley puts it all together

 

[KBVol]

Yeah, I'm projecting more present day and going into the fall. Barely into Spring Practice and with little over five months until ASU ST specifically is "at the moment" more a concern than a "weakness (this fall)".
In brief, most if not all remember it was not long ago that for years ST's were a basically liability. Elder changed that now his loss leaves a vacuum and I am curious to see how the unit as a whole performs. Individually, I am remain confident in Berry and Daniels ability and even hold out hope that this will be the year Medley puts it all together

I've heard Doug Mathews say that Jones has and will continue to handle the primary coordination of the specials teams. Special teams has been a huge bright spot and strength of the team each of the last two seasons. While I can somewhat understand your concern about Elder's departure, I fully believe our STs will continue to be outstanding this year and can become elite if Medley can finally show some consistency beyond 40 yards.

 

[Spawn]

Minimum of 10 - 2 record. Passing and field goal accuracy needs to improve.

 

[NashVol11]

I think you're mis-remembering what Medley did last year.

Sure, he had a slump in the first half of the year. Was just 9 of 17 through the 'Bama game, and only hit one FG of 40+ yards. He contributed his part to the Oklahoma and Florida losses (along with several other players and coaches). Not very good at all.

But the second half of the season, the final six games, he went 12 of 14, including a 47-yarder and 3 from 44 yards. He was 4 of 5 (80%) from 40+ in those six games.

The kid just started the season with a slump. No biggie, it happens, sophomore slumps are a thing, esp. among kickers. He was back to excellence by the end of October.

Overall, our ST was most definitely not a weakness in 2015. In fact, it was one of our great strengths.

I agree with you except for the bolded part. If anything, kickers are less prone to sophomore slumps than other positions, because no one is gameplanning to stop them.