'14 JUCO OT Dontavius Blair (UT SIGNEE 12/18/13)

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#1,776
#1,776
VOLorNuttin said:
That logic doesn't even jive with Butch's own words...
"We're going to PLAY (not redshirt) the person who gives us the best opportunity to win"


You don't redshirt a guy that is better than what you currently have. :loco: Good grief, folks.
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It has been stated on this site that Butch and Dobbs' parents had agreed he'd be redshirted this year. After Worley got hurt, his parents gave Butch their blessing to burn his redshirt.
How much truth there is to this? I don't know, but I could see it.
 
#1,777
#1,777
chavisut said:
I don't agree with being more concerned about a team 3 years down the road.
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I think Butch is. Like I've stated numerous times, he trying to build depth for next year and beyond. In his eyes, he's not doing it at the expense of wins this year. Up until Worley's injury, he's felt like playing Dobbs would not effect the win column. Same as with Blair.
 
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#1,778
#1,778
Wickman said:
Exactly. We didn't bring in Blair so he could red shirt. If he can't crack this line-up, he has a long way to go
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Blair was out of shape bad and extremely weak apparently. I remember seeing his pics prior to committing and thinking how much he resembled Notorious BIG. And as for body habitus, that was not a good thing.
 
#1,779
#1,779
InVOLuntary said:
I think Butch is. Like I've stated numerous times, he trying to build depth for next year and beyond. In his eyes, he's not doing it at the expense of wins this year. Up until Worley's injury, he's felt like playing Dobbs would not effect the win column. Same as with Blair.
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While I don't disagree with the bolded, IMO he was wrong on both accounts. So here we are now needing to win 3 of 4. Let's get it done. GBO!
 
#1,781
#1,781
chavisut said:
Getting to 6-6 was never a given.
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Agreed. Georgia, fla, SC, mizzou. Getting one of those was always the key to me this season and now Kentucky playing with some purpose only makes it harder. Have to take care of business now and like the line from The Waterboy, "can't hold anything back"
 
#1,785
#1,785
VOLorNuttin said:
2 more, actually. Cannot afford to have as many busts as we've had with Mahoney, thus far.

People blame Dooley, but look at their 2013 class. They recruited:

Kendrick
Sanders
Weisman

In 2014 class:

Blair
Thomas
Raulerson.

Robertson was a DT recruit, so I'm not even going to count him as an OL for this discussion. Out of ALL their OL recruits, only one...Coleman Thomas, got to start, most of this season.

What does that say about their ability to evaluate, recruit and develop OL? Not very flattering, that's for sure. This is why I think their reasons for not starting Blair are just as bogus as theirs for not starting Dobbs.
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You are already labeling these guys as busts? Seems a little early.

How do you know THEIR reasons for not starting Blair and Dobbs? I am only reading message board talk from fans.
 
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#1,787
#1,787
VOLorNuttin said:
2 more, actually. Cannot afford to have as many busts as we've had with Mahoney, thus far.

People blame Dooley, but look at their 2013 class. They recruited:

Kendrick
Sanders
Weisman

In 2014 class:

Blair
Thomas
Raulerson.

Robertson was a DT recruit, so I'm not even going to count him as an OL for this discussion. Out of ALL their OL recruits, only one...Coleman Thomas, got to start, most of this season.

What does that say about their ability to evaluate, recruit and develop OL? Not very flattering, that's for sure. This is why I think their reasons for not starting Blair are just as bogus as theirs for not starting Dobbs.
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Kendrick and Sanders are Dooley recruits and I believe they were committed before Dooley's last season started. As far as the linemen that this staff has recruited....Most freshmen linemen aren't ready to play physically in their first year especially in SEC. It is no surprise that two freshmen that have started have struggled. The reason for them having to play is a combination of several things like Blair not being the player they thought they had, Gilliam's injury and some guys already on the roster not stepping up and taking a starting spot. The only head scratcher for me is Weisman, i thought he would have taken a starting spot by now or have gotten a lot more playing time than he has. But even still i think its way to early to judge they linemen that this staff has recruited since they are all freshmen and one second year player.
 
#1,788
#1,788
CABVOL said:
It has been stated on this site that Butch and Dobbs' parents had agreed he'd be redshirted this year. After Worley got hurt, his parents gave Butch their blessing to burn his redshirt.
How much truth there is to this? I don't know, but I could see it.
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Someone on VN said they were sitting behind Dobbs parents at the game Saturday night. Wonder if they said anything or how they reacted to him playing?
Just a guess on my part, I'd say the reason they were at the game is because they knew Josh was going to play.
 
#1,790
#1,790
After seeing how the staff planned to redshirt Dobbs even though he is clearly the best QB on the team, I have no doubt in my mind that Blair is not a bust and will be starting next season at LT
 
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#1,791
#1,791
VeryBest said:
You are already labeling these guys as busts? Seems a little early.

How do you know THEIR reasons for not starting Blair and Dobbs? I am only reading message board talk from fans.
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It's way too early to label them as busts. Those lineman are freshman and sophomores. The offensive line is the most difficult position to contribute at early in your career. Even guys who are 5 star/blue chip recruits struggle early on and none of these guys were on that level coming out of HS. They shouldn't have to be starting yet (especially in the SEC), but they have had to out of necessity. Of course they're going to struggle, I'm not sure why anyone would expect anything else. And they're weaknesses have been highlighted by a QB who holds on to the ball too long, and who can't play out of the pocket so we couldn't role him out or move the pocket to help them out in pass protection. You see how much better they looked when we have a QB back there that can do those things. To say they're busts already is ridiculous imo.
 
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#1,792
#1,792
Many have wondered what happened to Dontavius Blair. Did coaches lose faith in him and why did he fall into a black hole?

Looks like Butch and coach Mahoney decided to give him a whole year of development by red shirting him. They are real happy about his progress now.

See offensive line section in this article
Offensive Practice Notes and Observations: 11/19 | RTI
 
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#1,793
#1,793
ZoeVol said:
Many have wondered what happened to Dontavius Blair. Did coaches lose faith in him and why did he fall into a black hole?

Looks like Butch and coach Mahoney decided to give him a whole year of development by red shirting him. They are real happy about his progress now.

See offensive line section in this article
Offensive Practice Notes and Observations: 11/19 | RTI
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Indeed...

Offensive line: This group got in some extended reps with Don Mahoney before working with the entire offense against the scout team. There wasn’t a lot to report from this group, but it did appear that Dontavius Blair was having a good day. The staff elected to redshirt Blair this year in an attempt to have him ready by next season, and the JUCO junior drew some heavy praise from Don Mahoney after several reps today for his effort and toughness.
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Great to hear.
 
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#1,796
#1,796
ZoeVol said:
Many have wondered what happened to Dontavius Blair. Did coaches lose faith in him and why did he fall into a black hole?

Looks like Butch and coach Mahoney decided to give him a whole year of development by red shirting him. They are real happy about his progress now.

See offensive line section in this article
Offensive Practice Notes and Observations: 11/19 | RTI
Click to expand...


I know it's become a mantra for UT fans to say this over and over and over....but this time I mean it! This team is going to be so much fun to watch next year!!
 
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#1,797
#1,797
Love to hear that. People were calling this guy a bust way too early. I know you recruit Juco guys to come in and start immediately but some times it doesn't work out that way and guys need time to develop and that appears to be the case with Blair. I think a year of work in the S&C program, working on his technique, and learning the system is going to have Blair looking like a different guy and the player we were all hoping that he would be. I think he will be the starting LT next year for us.
 
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#1,799
#1,799
With how it's played out now, I would start Blair at RT next year. He's best suited there anyways. The kids a great run blocker. He was in Juco. He's really athletic for a guy his size, and he'll get down field and block in the run game. I'd keep Kerbs at LT, and move Blair to LT in 2016. Hopefully by then Kendrick, Jones, Thomas, etc can take over RT. I still think Thomas is our best option for a long term C solution, but we will see. It'd be awesome if Thomas could get a redshirt and come 2016 be competing for the starting C position, with Weisman being his only competition.
 
#1,800
#1,800
We'll know where he really is in a matter of months, when Spring practice rolls around. Hopefully, he steps up and plays like the Blair we thought we were going to see, when he first signed.
 
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