http://rvls.co/1HKWZKJ
Sorry guys, can't get the link to work. Here's the text...
USATODAY SPORTS
JOSH DOBBS, Jr., QB: There are numerous reasons why Dobbs needs to be Tennessee's offensive MVP, but more importantly, the third-year Vol is doing all the things that he needs to do in order to be that person.
More than once this summer, Dobbs has logged extra work with Sheriron Jones and others. He's setting an example for Jones, but Dobbs also is showing he's taking nothing for granted.
Dobbs is extremely comfortable in the playbook, improving his accuracy, mid-range and beyond, and also keenly aware of the fact he must take fewer hits in order to be Butch Jones' first Tennessee quarterback to start every game in a season. So no surprise, Dobbs has watched some video of Russell Wilson, among others, because Wilson has a knack for not absorbing too many clean hits.
Dobbs isn't waiting on a redshirt and isn't looking over his shoulder. Instead, he's more complete than ever before at the quarterback position and those in the program indicate Dobbs is confident in his skills and very comfortable and on the same page with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord. I nearly went with co-MVPs, because I think Jalen Hurd takes another big step forward.
Brent's Selection
For me this one is easy, without Josh Dobbs last season they aren't bowling and without him right now there wouldn't be as much hype surrounding this team as there is. Dobbs isn't perfect and has plenty of room for improvement and how he and new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord mesh is going to be key, but in Butch Jones' offense, Dobbs is a tailor-made fit. Opponents have an entire year to get ready for him and so there's not as big of an element of surprise in him.
But, Iowa had a month to prepare for him and seemingly had little to no answers. A quarterback can't do it alone as Dobbs must get help from his entire receiving corps and the offensive line must continue to grow.
However, when I look at this offense and its depth chart overall, Dobbs is the one player they can ill-afford to lose and to me is the most important or valuable player to the offensive side of the ball.
Rob's Selection
Associated Press
I'm sure this isn't going to be an original thought among our crack staff, but how can you not go with Josh Dobbs after what we saw from him in the second half of last season? He completely turned the offense around after taking over the job full-time and it seems entirely reasonable to think that he's only going to be better after spring practice and an entire offseason to immerse himself into the starter's role.
What Dobbs did last year after ascending to the starting job was even more impressive than it looked on the face of things. Before taking over as the starter he'd never really gotten first-team reps and all the benefit that comes with getting coached like the starter. He's probably had a chance to develop more in the last nine months than he did the first year and a half he was on campus just by virtue of 'being the guy.'
Dobbs has always come across as confident, but he looked even more comfortable in his role as the undisputed leader of the offense this spring. Having some success--especially at quarterback--can have that affect. He's got the confidence of his teammates, and that seems to have only enhanced his confidence in himself.
On the field the next step for Dobbs and this offense is to consistently push the ball downfield and make big plays in the passing game. That will be even more crucial this fall as it's a near certainty that defenses will be looking to slow down a ground game that's now spearheaded by Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, along with Dobbs.
Either Hurd or Kamara could steal some of the spotlight from Dobbs if they put up monster numbers, but the guess here is that the quarterback will be the catalyst for a Tennessee offense that has more weapons in its arsenal than its recent predecessors.
Paul's Selection
USATODAY SPORTS
This one is tough for me because I think Jalen Hurd and Josh Dobbs worked hand-in-hand to make the Vols' offense go over the last 6 games of the season (and if you don't think Hurd deserves that much credit look back at the Vanderbilt game to see just how much Tennessee struggled to move the ball without Hurd).
But, it's just too hard not to give this award to Dobbs. Tennessee doesn't go bowling and have the momentum and expectations without Dobbs. He literally turned everything around for Tennessee last season.
Now, it's about carrying that over, improving, staying hungry and humble. Dobbs and this team certainly have some potential to bring Tennessee back not just into the conversation, but being in games that matter in late October and November.
Dobbs has emerged as the offensive leader for this team ahead of the season and the Vols will go as far as he goes this season.
Austin's Selection
Honestly, there are only a couple of options in this category, but I'll take Jalen Hurd. After being limited in the spring, he'll be plenty amped to get things going next month. I think the offensive line is going to be better and I think that will help the ground game as a whole. They are a year older with more talent in place. Plus they have added the eyes of offensive coordinator Mike Debord. When you couple all of that, then Hurd has a chance to have bigger runs, bigger plays and bigger games in 2015.
The addition of Alvin Kamara was very much welcomed for a guy that saw most every big carry last season. Don't let that fool you though, he will be motivated by Kamara and what the Georgia native is able to do athletically. Tennessee lacked for big-splash plays in the running game last season and I think that changes this year. The coaching staff has been wanting Hurd to expand his leadership role during their off-season strength program and from all accounts he has done that. He'll be the offensive MVP on the field, but I also think he will be one off the field how he leads and works.
Grant's Selection
USA TODAY SPORTS
Jalen Hurd --- It's the obvious answer, and for reasons that no one reading this isn't already aware of. But it's as much about the others around Hurd as it is about Hurd himself. If he runs better as a sophomore in 2015 than he did as the team's leading rusher as a freshman in 2014, he'll open up that much more of the field for Josh Dobbs at quarterback, that much more of the playbook for Alvin Kamara and, obviously, help set up the play-action pass for Tennessee's talented group of receivers.
Sorry guys, can't get the link to work. Here's the text...
USATODAY SPORTS
JOSH DOBBS, Jr., QB: There are numerous reasons why Dobbs needs to be Tennessee's offensive MVP, but more importantly, the third-year Vol is doing all the things that he needs to do in order to be that person.
More than once this summer, Dobbs has logged extra work with Sheriron Jones and others. He's setting an example for Jones, but Dobbs also is showing he's taking nothing for granted.
Dobbs is extremely comfortable in the playbook, improving his accuracy, mid-range and beyond, and also keenly aware of the fact he must take fewer hits in order to be Butch Jones' first Tennessee quarterback to start every game in a season. So no surprise, Dobbs has watched some video of Russell Wilson, among others, because Wilson has a knack for not absorbing too many clean hits.
Dobbs isn't waiting on a redshirt and isn't looking over his shoulder. Instead, he's more complete than ever before at the quarterback position and those in the program indicate Dobbs is confident in his skills and very comfortable and on the same page with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord. I nearly went with co-MVPs, because I think Jalen Hurd takes another big step forward.
Brent's Selection
For me this one is easy, without Josh Dobbs last season they aren't bowling and without him right now there wouldn't be as much hype surrounding this team as there is. Dobbs isn't perfect and has plenty of room for improvement and how he and new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord mesh is going to be key, but in Butch Jones' offense, Dobbs is a tailor-made fit. Opponents have an entire year to get ready for him and so there's not as big of an element of surprise in him.
But, Iowa had a month to prepare for him and seemingly had little to no answers. A quarterback can't do it alone as Dobbs must get help from his entire receiving corps and the offensive line must continue to grow.
However, when I look at this offense and its depth chart overall, Dobbs is the one player they can ill-afford to lose and to me is the most important or valuable player to the offensive side of the ball.
Rob's Selection
Associated Press
I'm sure this isn't going to be an original thought among our crack staff, but how can you not go with Josh Dobbs after what we saw from him in the second half of last season? He completely turned the offense around after taking over the job full-time and it seems entirely reasonable to think that he's only going to be better after spring practice and an entire offseason to immerse himself into the starter's role.
What Dobbs did last year after ascending to the starting job was even more impressive than it looked on the face of things. Before taking over as the starter he'd never really gotten first-team reps and all the benefit that comes with getting coached like the starter. He's probably had a chance to develop more in the last nine months than he did the first year and a half he was on campus just by virtue of 'being the guy.'
Dobbs has always come across as confident, but he looked even more comfortable in his role as the undisputed leader of the offense this spring. Having some success--especially at quarterback--can have that affect. He's got the confidence of his teammates, and that seems to have only enhanced his confidence in himself.
On the field the next step for Dobbs and this offense is to consistently push the ball downfield and make big plays in the passing game. That will be even more crucial this fall as it's a near certainty that defenses will be looking to slow down a ground game that's now spearheaded by Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, along with Dobbs.
Either Hurd or Kamara could steal some of the spotlight from Dobbs if they put up monster numbers, but the guess here is that the quarterback will be the catalyst for a Tennessee offense that has more weapons in its arsenal than its recent predecessors.
Paul's Selection
USATODAY SPORTS
This one is tough for me because I think Jalen Hurd and Josh Dobbs worked hand-in-hand to make the Vols' offense go over the last 6 games of the season (and if you don't think Hurd deserves that much credit look back at the Vanderbilt game to see just how much Tennessee struggled to move the ball without Hurd).
But, it's just too hard not to give this award to Dobbs. Tennessee doesn't go bowling and have the momentum and expectations without Dobbs. He literally turned everything around for Tennessee last season.
Now, it's about carrying that over, improving, staying hungry and humble. Dobbs and this team certainly have some potential to bring Tennessee back not just into the conversation, but being in games that matter in late October and November.
Dobbs has emerged as the offensive leader for this team ahead of the season and the Vols will go as far as he goes this season.
Austin's Selection
Honestly, there are only a couple of options in this category, but I'll take Jalen Hurd. After being limited in the spring, he'll be plenty amped to get things going next month. I think the offensive line is going to be better and I think that will help the ground game as a whole. They are a year older with more talent in place. Plus they have added the eyes of offensive coordinator Mike Debord. When you couple all of that, then Hurd has a chance to have bigger runs, bigger plays and bigger games in 2015.
The addition of Alvin Kamara was very much welcomed for a guy that saw most every big carry last season. Don't let that fool you though, he will be motivated by Kamara and what the Georgia native is able to do athletically. Tennessee lacked for big-splash plays in the running game last season and I think that changes this year. The coaching staff has been wanting Hurd to expand his leadership role during their off-season strength program and from all accounts he has done that. He'll be the offensive MVP on the field, but I also think he will be one off the field how he leads and works.
Grant's Selection
USA TODAY SPORTS
Jalen Hurd --- It's the obvious answer, and for reasons that no one reading this isn't already aware of. But it's as much about the others around Hurd as it is about Hurd himself. If he runs better as a sophomore in 2015 than he did as the team's leading rusher as a freshman in 2014, he'll open up that much more of the field for Josh Dobbs at quarterback, that much more of the playbook for Alvin Kamara and, obviously, help set up the play-action pass for Tennessee's talented group of receivers.
Last edited:
