Will Tennessee ever have a running game?

#1
M

Miavol

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#1
I am certainly not a person to jump ship when the going gets tough. However, until Tennessee can recruit at least one top five running back with the size, strength and speed to compete in the SEC we are going to remain a middle of the pack team. I have not seen anything out of Poole, Lane or Neal which makes me believe we are going to have reasonable running game this year. After recording the first three games and focusing on the running plays our backs just cannot hit the seams fast enough or with power to make the running game work. Lane has some ability in the open field but cannot get past the line of scrimmage. With Hunter out for what may be the remainder of the season the diminished deep threat is just going to make the running game more difficult. I am not say we are going to fall apart. I believe we have some fine young talent at receiver. I believe the player with the most talent is Arnett and he is a true freshman and will need time and first team reps. Remember Hunter and Da Rick had talent last year but did not carry the load at receiver. All of the ranked and completive teams in the SEC have at least one premier running back which the team can count on to carry the load and loosen up the running game. Until we get a premier back we will continue to struggle. I am not sure who is the best recruiter on this staff be Dooley better get some big time backs this year or the DD show could end up moving to a new location. Which would not like to see as I believe he is a very sincere coach and will stay at Tennessee as long as he is welcome.

:whistling:
 
#5
#5
You've got to remember Poole still went over 1k yards last year and was the first person to rush for more than 100 on Alabama in quite a while. He has just over 200yds this year so far, despite the performance today, which isn't much different than last years. There's obviously issues in the run game and be sure the coaches know that. They'll be working on it through the rest of the season.
 
#6
#6
bham_orange said:
I don't think Hershel Walker or Bo Jackson could run behind our run blocking.
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They could not nor could anyone else. The poster made a good point of a genuine need of a tough running back, but the OL had problems opening a hole against Montana and Cincy. The Vols haven't had a physical run-blocking kind of OL in several years. Arian Foster gave it all he had, but he has probably found Nirvana since leaving UT.
 
#9
#9
With Lane seeing a little bit of playing time now... would it hurt to see a two back set?

Atleast then we could try some play action and dump off to the other back and some pitches to the outside.

Obviously we can't run behind the o line, but we do know poole can run once he gets passed the LOS.
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#10
#10
MRobVFL said:
With Lane seeing a little bit of playing time now... would it hurt to see a two back set?

Atleast then we could try some play action and dump off to the other back and some pitches to the outside.

Obviously we can't run behind the o line, but we do know poole can run once he gets passed the LOS.
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Personally I think Poole is too slow getting started and seeing the hole (if there is one). But I think using both Lane and Neal (as a flanker back) might well make something happen if our OL would learn to run block. Fla uses the little scatbacks fairly well at times by using their speed and getting them outside the tackles and in some daylight. Neither Demps nor Rainey are exactly power RBs, but they do well with draws, screens, quick outs with some blocking.
 
#11
#11
I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that Poole will not run for 1K this year and neither will Lane. I like Poole, but if he won't or can't step up, why not go all the way down the depth chart and see if someone can click. The problem is much bigger than Poole, but he's too tentative.
 
#12
#12
It is light years more important that we upgrade our o-line, d-line, lb's and special teams. Upgrading at tailback is the least of what would help us at this point.
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#13
#13
Still got a sophomore oline playing against juniors and seniors. And it's the SEC.
If you don't see running backs running through holes next season, it'll be time to worry.
 
#14
#14
calban said:
Still got a sophomore oline playing against juniors and seniors. And it's the SEC.
If you don't see running backs running through holes next season, it'll be time to worry.
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Actually....florida is very young like us. They had no problem rushing against us.
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#16
#16
Strizzle said:
Actually....florida is very young like us. They had no problem rushing against us.
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They started a Jr, R-Sr - 2 R-SO and a R-Fr.
We started 3 True sophomores and substituted with freshman.
One year's difference is big in line play.Our young guys are still shedding baby fat.
We don't have the luxury of red shirting lineman to let them mature right now.
 
#18
#18
I would love to see CDD send out the offensive starters Vs Buffalo and the OLine consists of Tiny, Jackson, Crowder, (Stone or Fulton), and Posey. Put Austin Johnson at Fullback, Poole at Tailback and just slam it down the field and see what happens. 2nd series Lane gets to carry it. Send a message to the other Oline starters that what they have been doing is not acceptable. Sub back in the starters and see who wants to step it up and who wants a freshman to take his job.

Yes, I realize burning redshirts to prove a point is not the best idea. This team needs players now...not concerns on who will still be here 4 years from now. JMO
 
#19
#19
I think that UT needs to rethink its direction in recruiting the class for 2012.We need to focus completely on the o-line and d-line.The o-line that we have is as bad as i have seen in a long time.Not one of them can run block at all.They all seem to be soft.Run blocking requires being tough and nasty and attacking the defender.These guys are content to lean on people and fall down.The center cant snap the ball to the qb.This is a disaster.Poole is very average but Adrian Peterson couldnt run behind this weak ass line.Brays quick release makes the pass blocking look better than it really is.I know they are young but they are also mediocre.
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#20
#20
Unfrozen Caveman said:
I think that UT needs to rethink its direction in recruiting the class for 2012.We need to focus completely on the o-line and d-line.The o-line that we have is as bad as i have seen in a long time.Not one of them can run block at all.They all seem to be soft.Run blocking requires being tough and nasty and attacking the defender.These guys are content to lean on people and fall down.The center cant snap the ball to the qb.This is a disaster.Poole is very average but Adrian Peterson couldnt run behind this weak ass line.Brays quick release makes the pass blocking look better than it really is.I know they are young but they are also mediocre.
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While I don't think CDD would rethink those commitments they have already accepted...I could see them looking back over the OLine guys still available. I thought we would take 2 maybe 3 in this class. I would be looking for a recruit who plays center at a high level to add to the bunch now. Maybe we can get Tom Smith to talk to Ty Darlington. They played at the same HS and Oklahoma has Ty, the #3 C in the nation as well as the #2 C in the nation. Tennessee did not offer him, as I would think they felt OK with our current situation at Center.
 
#21
#21
Poole put up big yards against inferior defenses. He never produced against good teams. Kinda like Bray did last year. If Hunter had not gone down, I think Bray would have put up big numbers again. We need a speed back like that Rainy kid and a stud back who is not afraid to hit the line of scrimmage. When the hole is there, Poole is not quick enough to get to it.
 
#22
#22
orangegrass said:
Poole put up big yards against inferior defenses. He never produced against good teams. Kinda like Bray did last year. If Hunter had not gone down, I think Bray would have put up big numbers again. We need a speed back like that Rainy kid and a stud back who is not afraid to hit the line of scrimmage. When the hole is there, Poole is not quick enough to get to it.
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Funny, I think 162 yards VS Oregon, 117 VS Bama, and 109 VS LSU....is pretty solid. The problem is the OLine and blaming the RBs is not going to fix it.
 
#23
#23
PaceFLVol said:
Funny, I think 162 yards VS Oregon, 117 VS Bama, and 109 VS LSU....is pretty solid. The problem is the OLine and blaming the RBs is not going to fix it.
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Are you defending poole? The o-line sucks but poole runs with no vision and no instinct.Poole and the o-line suck equally.
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#24
#24
Unfrozen Caveman said:
Are you defending poole? The o-line sucks but poole runs with no vision and no instinct.Poole and the o-line suck equally.
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Yes I am. I think Poole does just fine and is a solid back. Much like ANY back....if he can't get at least enough blocking to get a step out of the backfield....they are going to look bad.
 
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