Which players from last year's 2 Deep will have to fight the hardest not to lose PT?

[Dr Dread]

With fall practice about to start, this team is in n interesting position as it pertains to competition for playing time. Not only do we return the vast majority of our 2 deep from last year, but we also have a considerable amount of unproven talent from the last two recruiting classes ready to fight for significant PT.

Which players from last years 2 deep will have the biggest challenge maintaining or increasing their PT? Which players from the last 2 classes are the biggest threat to supplant someone else in this year's 2 deep?

 

[gmcridley]

I hope Malone steps it up along with Ethan Wolfe.

 

[volinreallife]

McNeil
Randolph
Moseley

 

[Kristy*]

On D, O'brien and Williams are the obvious two with young talent ready to push them for a lot of playing time.

On O, the OL will be open for competition. May there be improvement please. C. Thomas could push Crowder. Robertson and Kerbyson are the only 2 I feel are safe. And even they'll be pushed to be better, hopefully.

 

[Dr Dread]

On D, O'brien and Williams are the obvious two with young talent ready to push them for a lot of playing time.

On O, the OL will be open for competition. May there be improvement please. C. Thomas could push Crowder. Robertson and Kerbyson are the only 2 I feel are safe. And even they'll be pushed to be better, hopefully.

Don't see anyone moving out M. Jackson.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Von Pearson, but that's a different kind of fight than you intended, I'm sure.

Kerbyson and Crowder on the OLine, if someone steps up to push them. That's far from a given, though.

O'Brien or Williams at DT; think KMac is going to make his presence felt sooner rather than later.

I would name some LBs, but face it: last year AJ and JRM had the (normally) two LB spots locked down whenever they were available to play. So AJ's departure is actually freeing up some playtime for others.

 

[Kristy*]

Don't see anyone moving out M. Jackson.

He'll likely win the starting job, agree. But he has plenty of room for improvement. Hope he has an outstanding senior year.

 

[Titans4Vols]

McNeil
Randolph
Moseley

I don't think there's any chance McNeil or Randolph lose playing time. Kelly will see his fair share of snaps, but it will be with McNeil and Randolph on the field with him in a 4-2-5(or 3-3-5 or 4-1-6, or similar variants) type of lineup.

 

[utvolpj]

Have to think Crowder will be near the top of many lists.

 

[volinreallife]

I don't think there's any chance McNeil or Randolph lose playing time. Kelly will see his fair share of snaps, but it will be with McNeil and Randolph on the field with him in a 4-2-5(or 3-3-5 or 4-1-6, or similar variants) type of lineup.

McNeil lost playing time last year. Randolph will this year also.

Berry and Kelly are different animals than their predecessors.

 

[volinreallife]

Have to think Crowder will be near the top of many lists.

No condescension. I'm truly happy

 

[What'sInYou]

McNeil lost playing time last year. Randolph will this year also.

Berry and Kelly are different animals than their predecessors.

Yeah McNeil struggles in coverage occasionally. I think Randolph is solid. Our 2 deep at safety is pretty stellar this year.

I'm interested to see how much RAD4 works himself onto the field. Could push for a spot in shotgun, even though we are already loaded. And Preston Williams.

Edit: I guess RAD4 would be pushing J. Smith, J. Johnson, who are both pretty good.

I agree with Crowder but I think he was missed in the Mizzou game and at least is possibly a constant on the line.

 

[volfan10735]

Have to think Crowder will be near the top of many lists.

the 3 best OL on the team are Crowder, Kerbyson, Jackson

because of their: intelligence, confidence, toughness, work ethic, understanding the CBJ way, character, athletic ability, experience, proven under pressure, game time, adaptation to speed of the game, etc - these are all factors in a successful offensive lineman, some of which are ignored by a few who have never played the OL position. Starting with new guys on the OL is never a good idea, is risky and should be avoided. The experience from last year will pay huge dividends and was demonstrated in the Bowl game (even while playing with significant injuries).

 

[Brave Volunteer]

O'Brien. Not saying he'll be benched or anything but I think he'll definitely have fewer reps this season because K-Mac is just that special.

Also, someone else no one has mentioned is Hurd. If Kamara is everything he's hyped up to be, CBJ and DeBord are going to have a tough time keeping the ball out of his hands.

 

[LandonVFL]

I could see Vereen being in for a fight at DE with all the young guys we've got coming in.

 

[DL916]

the 3 best OL on the team are Crowder, Kerbyson, Jackson

because of their: intelligence, confidence, toughness, work ethic, understanding the CBJ way, character, athletic ability, experience, proven under pressure, game time, adaptation to speed of the game, etc - these are all factors in a successful offensive lineman, some of which are ignored by a few who have never played the OL position. Starting with new guys on the OL is never a good idea, is risky and should be avoided. The experience from last year will pay huge dividends and was demonstrated in the Bowl game (even while playing with significant injuries).

Uhhh what? There are plays from last year where Kerbyson did not even touch the guy he was supposed to block. He relied on Hurd to chip block a lot of guys and push them inside where he could get his hands on them.

Crowder got ran over time and time again.

What's this athletic ability you speak of?

I appreciate the effort they've put in but those 2 aren't very good and would have a hard time getting playing time on teams that are good in the SEC. In a couple of years they wouldn't be able to make 3rd team for our OLine if recruiting keeps going.

 

[Kristy*]

the 3 best OL on the team are Crowder, Kerbyson, Jackson. . .

I thought Robertson was the best, most consistent O-lineman last year. My list would be Robertson, Kerbyson, Jackson. Then Crowder 4th. I think Center is Crowder's to lose, but if Thomas is really a natural there, then I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen this year.

 

[Biopsyman]

Williams is a starter at DT against BG... Book it

 

[ATLVols]

the 3 best OL on the team are Crowder, Kerbyson, Jackson

because of their: intelligence, confidence, toughness, work ethic, understanding the CBJ way, character, athletic ability, experience, proven under pressure, game time, adaptation to speed of the game, etc - these are all factors in a successful offensive lineman, some of which are ignored by a few who have never played the OL position. Starting with new guys on the OL is never a good idea, is risky and should be avoided. The experience from last year will pay huge dividends and was demonstrated in the Bowl game (even while playing with significant injuries).

Crowder is a great kid, but nowhere close to SEC starting material. Experience is huge, but it doesn't help if you get blown off the ball so much. We need someone else to step up.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

the 3 best OL on the team are Crowder, Kerbyson, Jackson

because of their: intelligence, confidence, toughness, work ethic, understanding the CBJ way, character, athletic ability, experience, proven under pressure, game time, adaptation to speed of the game, etc - these are all factors in a successful offensive lineman, some of which are ignored by a few who have never played the OL position. Starting with new guys on the OL is never a good idea, is risky and should be avoided. The experience from last year will pay huge dividends and was demonstrated in the Bowl game (even while playing with significant injuries).

I appreciate all they've given to the program, but from the way LWS has talked, the coaches have been hoping for younger guys to step up and take spots from at least 2/3 of the guys you just mentioned. I doubt the coaches would want them replaced if they were our best linemen.

 

[UT-Rex]

O'Brien. Not saying he'll be benched or anything but I think he'll definitely have fewer reps this season because K-Mac is just that special.

Also, someone else no one has mentioned is Hurd. If Kamara is everything he's hyped up to be, CBJ and DeBord are going to have a tough time keeping the ball out of his hands.

Why, I'll pretend I never Hurd you suggest such a thing.

 

[photovol]

The Oline is still a huge concern for 2015, until proven otherwise.

 

[volfan10735]

Crowder is a great kid, but nowhere close to SEC starting material. Experience is huge, but it doesn't help if you get blown off the ball so much. We need someone else to step up.

Getting blown off the ball was a false statement by someone on Volnation - not a reality. The drop back pass and setup against the nose was probably lacking on about 5 plays all season that I recall but to say 'blown off the ball' is definitely not true. Agree that he is a great kid, but SEC starting material is actually what he is also.

 

[volnashun]

I appreciate all they've given to the program, but from the way LWS has talked, the coaches have been hoping for younger guys to step up and take spots from at least 2/3 of the guys you just mentioned. I doubt the coaches would want them replaced if they were our best linemen.

Replaced ? No
Challenged? Yes

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Replaced ? No
Challenged? Yes

No. LWS said the staff would rather not be playing those guys period, but nobody seems to be stepping up to take it from them.