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I happened to be in Academy Sports yesterday and saw a guy in there wearing a UT sweatshirt. You see them out in Oklahoma, but generally not that often. So I of course compliment him on his wise choice of apparel and ask where he is from. Surprised to find he isn't from Tennessee but was recruited by UT before deciding on Oklahoma where he played WR. Anyway, never caught his name, but the subject turned to football and the state of UT's program. In short, he's an OU fan because he played there, but keeps up with UT as much as he can.
On Worley: Said he wasn't a bad QB but seemed too hesitant in his throws. Good game manager, but needs more decisiveness.
On Dobbs: Good QB that with seasoning will make a great option QB. Said he needed to get confidence in throwing the long ball especially with talented receivers UT has, but will only get there through practice and game time. Also said he's "got some serious zip" on his passes that the receivers need to take into account.
On the receiver corps: Said Pig, North, Croom and Downs should be the only ones tossed to each and every pass play. Said Smith should be sitting on the bench until he finds his hands. But overall said UT had about the best group underclassman receivers in college right now and will be serious threats when they get to Junior and Senior marks.
On Coaching: Said the play calling was a little bland, but with a change in offensive strategy play calling should be simple as the entire team has to have it down before getting more complicated. Says Butch is the kind of coach the players can respond to and play for far more than Dooley and Kiffin. Also said we should have given Fulmer another year to see what would have happened had we pulled in Boyd or Petty (he was recruited when Fulmer was in charge). But also said Butch should have slowly incorporated the read option rather than pulling all stops to get it done this year.
On the defense: Said the most critical problem was a lack of speed and not enough depth at the critical positions. Said he feels AJ should be playing above where he is since he appears to have a lot more talent that isn't showing up on the field. But did say "Big Dan is a scary dude" and Sutton was going to be "a beast" by the time he is a junior. Potential high first round draft pick if he keeps up with what he is doing now.
Overall said the program was about where it could be expected to be with the coaching changes, strength of schedule and lack of recruiting. But also said it could be quickly turned around with the addition of a few key elements, some motivation and changing the mindset of where UT football is today.
I know, cool story bro...
But interesting to hear the perspective from a former player on the outside that appears to have kept up.
On Worley: Said he wasn't a bad QB but seemed too hesitant in his throws. Good game manager, but needs more decisiveness.
On Dobbs: Good QB that with seasoning will make a great option QB. Said he needed to get confidence in throwing the long ball especially with talented receivers UT has, but will only get there through practice and game time. Also said he's "got some serious zip" on his passes that the receivers need to take into account.
On the receiver corps: Said Pig, North, Croom and Downs should be the only ones tossed to each and every pass play. Said Smith should be sitting on the bench until he finds his hands. But overall said UT had about the best group underclassman receivers in college right now and will be serious threats when they get to Junior and Senior marks.
On Coaching: Said the play calling was a little bland, but with a change in offensive strategy play calling should be simple as the entire team has to have it down before getting more complicated. Says Butch is the kind of coach the players can respond to and play for far more than Dooley and Kiffin. Also said we should have given Fulmer another year to see what would have happened had we pulled in Boyd or Petty (he was recruited when Fulmer was in charge). But also said Butch should have slowly incorporated the read option rather than pulling all stops to get it done this year.
On the defense: Said the most critical problem was a lack of speed and not enough depth at the critical positions. Said he feels AJ should be playing above where he is since he appears to have a lot more talent that isn't showing up on the field. But did say "Big Dan is a scary dude" and Sutton was going to be "a beast" by the time he is a junior. Potential high first round draft pick if he keeps up with what he is doing now.
Overall said the program was about where it could be expected to be with the coaching changes, strength of schedule and lack of recruiting. But also said it could be quickly turned around with the addition of a few key elements, some motivation and changing the mindset of where UT football is today.
I know, cool story bro...
But interesting to hear the perspective from a former player on the outside that appears to have kept up.
