Star Thomas looks legit

[LittleVol]

Watching the RB drills, and Star looks very sudden and quick. A lot of are others look great too. Especially Bishop, Lewis, and Baker all look like body builders out there. And they still look quick and athletic.

But Thomas looks a player that once he gets to the second level he could take it the distance!
I love that he’s rocking with #9 jersey as that looks awesome on a RB.

 

[lukeneyland]

I think our running game is going to be monstrous this year

 

[LittleVol]

I think our running game is going to be monstrous this year

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

 

[livefaith]

Every one of those guys looks like Tarzan of the Apes off the front of a movie advertisement. And their feet are quick as lightning and they look fast. I'm pumped about the backfield this year.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

Agreed. Nico's family screwed him big time because this team is loaded. He could have played his way into a heisman trophy and first round selection. Instead he's now rooting away at UCLA for less money. All time screw up.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Agreed. Nico's family screwed him big time because this team is loaded. He could have played his way into a heisman trophy and first round selection. Instead he's now rooting away at UCLA for less money. All time screw up.

Maybe. He did not earn his money last year and it is possible that the pressure to meet 5 star expectations would be too much. Leaving gave him a restart….. always had the athleticism, never demonstrated gamer instincts. Could yet. Not the same California mindset that we got from Casey.

Could not allow his double dip for money, so hoping we find it was win/win or at least a win for us. Can we now run out a field general?

 

[NighthawkVol]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

We heard all offseason that “Heupel really likes this roster.”

We’re going to find out why.

 

[chuckiepoo]

We heard all offseason that “Heupel really likes this roster.”

We’re going to find out why.

It’s “starting to believe” season…

 

[volfan411]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

I agree with you we are a very talented team but until one of the QB's prove they can do it in the SEC that will be our weakness. I am not sure we have a QB on staff who would be in consideration to start at Texas or Georgia but hopefully I am wrong.

We have to hope that one of the QB's can manage the game and get the offense in the right set and get the ball out on time. Hopefully one of the 3 will grow into that role as the season progresses and we become a contender in the end.

 

[thegeneralneyland]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

Screw Nico. Tried to hold the program hostage. He is an extension of his family. Some of the players mentioning a lack of leadership from him, doesn't look good. Does he have talent yes, but outside of the 2nd half of the Bama game last year, I just didn't see much from him. And it took him getting his bell rung in that game to play better. Maybe concussed Nico is better than normal Nico.

 

[apevol]

Screw Nico. Tried to hold the program hostage. He is an extension of his family. Some of the players mentioning a lack of leadership from him, doesn't look good. Does he have talent yes, but outside of the 2nd half of the Bama game last year, I just didn't see much from him. And it took him getting his bell rung in that game to play better. Maybe concussed Nico is better than normal Nico.

i was worried when cooper mays was giving him lukewarm praise as a leader at the beginning of the season but gaslit myself out of it

 

[BruiserVol]

We heard all offseason that “Heupel really likes this roster.”

We’re going to find out why.

What coach isn’t going to say that?

 

[LAVol1]

That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story.

I guess I'll irritate you some more. He is an adult. At some point, a person has to take responsibility for his actions. He whose name shall not be mentioned, was disrespectful and irresponsible in the debacle that culminated in him leaving the program in a lurch, damaging his reputation and future prospects. I get that his dad was the major issue, but the player could have handled the situation much better.

 

[LAVol1]

Agreed. Nico's family screwed him big time because this team is loaded. He could have played his way into a heisman trophy and first round selection. Instead he's now rooting away at UCLA for less money. All time screw up.

Didn't see anything on the field that would lead me to believe that the kid would have had any shot at a Heisman.

 

[LaagerVol]

I agree with you we are a very talented team but until one of the QB's prove they can do it in the SEC that will be our weakness. I am not sure we have a QB on staff who would be in consideration to start at Texas or Georgia but hopefully I am wrong.

We have to hope that one of the QB's can manage the game and get the offense in the right set and get the ball out on time. Hopefully one of the 3 will grow into that role as the season progresses and we become a contender in the end.

That’s part of college football. You change QBs every 1,2,3 years. Georgia is in the same position we are QB wise but everyone just assumes since he is at Georgia he will be good. Alabama is in the same position. If we are being honest, Texas is too, because besides his last name their QB hasn’t proven anything yet either (I’m not saying Arch won’t be any good, just that he hasn’t proven anything yet)

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

Who exactly doesn’t believe that Tennessee is much more than Nico? Tennessee is the school where Peyton Manning and Reggie White played. The stadium was literally built by a general who was undefeated in World Wars and against Bear Bryant.

Nico Iamaleava is nothing more than a fly on the ass of a Tennessee walking horse. It’s been said that night, when no one’s around, you can see Nico’s potential get flushed down a drain on a Fayetteville sideline to this day.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

Who exactly doesn’t believe that Tennessee is much more than Nico? Tennessee is the school where Peyton Manning and Reggie White played. The stadium was literally built by a general who was undefeated in World Wars and against Bear Bryant.

Nico Iamaleava is nothing more than a fly on the ass of a Tennessee walking horse. It’s been said that night, when no one’s around, you can see Nico’s potential get flushed down a drain on a Fayetteville sideline to this day.

 

[IndianaVol]

I've said it before - people are going to be surprised with the output of our running game this year.
We'll put up more rushing yards this year than last...and that's saying something with having to replace the SEC's number 1 rusher from last year.

 

[NighthawkVol]

What coach isn’t going to say that?

He didn't say it publicly. The reports came from people around him that, within his circle and from folks around him regularly, he was very pleased with this roster.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Watching the RB drills, and Star looks very sudden and quick. A lot of are others look great too. Especially Bishop, Lewis, and Baker all look like body builders out there. And they still look quick and athletic.

But Thomas looks a player that once he gets to the second level he could take it the distance!
I love that he’s rocking with #9 jersey as that looks awesome on a RB.

He looks to have some wiggle for a bigger back at 6 ft 210 lbs and also shows versatility in being able to catch the ball too. Definitely not great top end speed but fast enough to get big gains if the running lanes are there. Good addition to a healthy group of RBs.

 

[Ten_Titans]

I hope people can see now that Tennessee (because of Heupel) is much more than Nico.
That’s why it irritates me that people are so adamant about bashing the kid when he “helped” not carried but helped us get to our first college football playoff. His dad screwed him. End of story. And Tennessee is still a playoff contender!!

There’s high end talent at EVERY position group.

Not only did we replace a talented player. But we got one who’s more comfortable letting it rip and is cerebral.

“comfortable in his own skin” as @sjt18 put it.

And then you look at Bishop and his transformation. Lewis being a sophomore who played as a freshman- who has true breakaway speed. Then Thomas is a dude that can be a primary back but won’t need to be.

And all of them running behind a massive online.

Defense is again a strong suit! This team is a good team!

Please... His dad did not lock him in his room and force him to hold out of spring workouts... Nor did his dad take his phone and prevent him from communicating with the coaches.

 

[igotworms]

What coach isn’t going to say that?

No, you're right. They suck and heupel is just "coach speaking" to hide that they suck. If only we were all as smart as you

 

[SpookyAction]

Watching the RB drills, and Star looks very sudden and quick. A lot of are others look great too. Especially Bishop, Lewis, and Baker all look like body builders out there. And they still look quick and athletic.

But Thomas looks a player that once he gets to the second level he could take it the distance!
I love that he’s rocking with #9 jersey as that looks awesome on a RB.

Did you, by chance, watch Gordon Solie way back when?
"He's not quick, he's sudden." "Right up there with, "He doesn't have the biggest muscles, but he does have Great Tendon Strength."

 

[LittleVol]

I guess I'll irritate you some more. He is an adult. At some point, a person has to take responsibility for his actions. He whose name shall not be mentioned, was disrespectful and irresponsible in the debacle that culminated in him leaving the program in a lurch, damaging his reputation and future prospects. I get that his dad was the major issue, but the player could have handled the situation much better.

No it couldn’t have.

he’s not of the exact same culture as your average American.
Your parents are everything in his culture.
Sure Nico can think for himself, but at the end of the day he’s on this Earth because of him. That’s their viewpoint. You never disrespect your parents in his culture. It’s like cursing the family if you do….

The coaches knew this- but many fans don’t understand this.

 

[LittleVol]

Please... His dad did not lock him in his room and force him to hold out of spring workouts... Nor did his dad take his phone and prevent him from communicating with the coaches.

You’re viewing this from a western point of view.

Nico is not completely of western culture.
I’ve cursed at my father-n-law and I was in the right for doing so, but in his world I was cursed for doing that.

I’m not talking about What right or wrong, I’m talking about what IS.

You never EVER disrespect your parents in Samoan culture. You dont even raise your voice.