A silver statistical lining for Josh Dobbs

#1
V

Volosaurus rex

Doctorate in Volology
Joined
Dec 2, 2009
Messages
6,040
Likes
4,255
#1
As we are all painfully aware, Josh Dobbs struggled as a passer this season, which is not surprising for a true freshman, particularly in light of the caliber of competition that he played against. His productivity on the ground, however, deserves further consideration. Even taking sack yardage (-74) into consideration, Josh amassed 189 yards rushing in 4.5 games, for a 5.0 yards-per-carry average (UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football). He finished as the third leading ball carrier this season. If those stats were projected over the course of a season, they would give Josh somewhere between 500-600 yards, which is monumental for a Tennessee quarterback.

I don't believe that we have had a signal caller run the ball that effectively since Jimmy Streater, in 1978, compiled 593 yards on 146 carries (4.1 ave.), for 10 touchdowns (1978 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com). By comparison, Tee Martin ran for 287 and 317 yards, respectively, in 1998 and 1999 (1998 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com and 1999 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com). Similarly, Heath Shuler amassed 286 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1992, his most productive year on the ground (1992 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6 people
#2
#2
The silver lining is whoever is behind center should have a better WR corps next season and another year in this system. I think the offense will be much better next season but we're still young everywhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 people
#3
#3
Still he is no Nick Marshall. He can't get away with using only his legs. The passing must improve or he gets passed up by Ferguson, which is likely in the spring. Remember Ferg was higher on the depth chart before injury.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#4
#4
To use a pro football analogy, Dobbs need to be more like Russell Wilson and less like RG3. He needs his wheels to buy himself more time for down the field passes and busted plays.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#6
#6
I saw a change in Dobbs during the Kentucky game. He took command and made some pretty good throws. Some were bad yes but some were on target with touch. His arm strength appears good as long as he is confident. His legs are underrated. The kid can run. I think next year Dobbs will be much better with Worley and Furgeson on his heels. Optimistic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#7
#7
i don't get the dobbs hate. I don't think those folk have enough objectivity to look at every aspect surrounding Dobbs' first year, and there are many factors. Not one of them really a positive in his favor, with 20+ issues working against him. 60% completion rate and 5 yds a carry might come in handy when a teenager turns 21 and is not playing with MAC players against top 10 teams every week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 people
#8
#8
Exfix said:
Still he is no Nick Marshall. He can't get away with using only his legs. The passing must improve or he gets passed up by Ferguson, which is likely in the spring. Remember Ferg was higher on the depth chart before injury.
Click to expand...

Not true.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#11
#11
Volosaurus rex said:
As we are all painfully aware, Josh Dobbs struggled as a passer this season, which is not surprising for a true freshman, particularly in light of the caliber of competition that he played against. His productivity on the ground, however, deserves further consideration. Even taking sack yardage (-74) into consideration, Josh amassed 189 yards rushing in 4.5 games, for a 5.0 yards-per-carry average (UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football). He finished as the third leading ball carrier this season. If those stats were projected over the course of a season, they would give Josh somewhere between 500-600 yards, which is monumental for a Tennessee quarterback.

I don't believe that we have had a signal caller run the ball that effectively since Jimmy Streater, in 1978, compiled 593 yards on 146 carries (4.1 ave.), for 10 touchdowns (1978 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com). By comparison, Tee Martin ran for 287 and 317 yards, respectively, in 1998 and 1999 (1998 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com and 1999 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com). Similarly, Heath Shuler amassed 286 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1992, his most productive year on the ground (1992 Tennessee Volunteers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com).
Click to expand...

Yes, but if you project his passing stats out what does he end up with? Like 1200 yards and 4 td passes?
 
#12
#12
DaddyChad said:
Not true.
Click to expand...

Both Ferg and Dobbs were listed as second string on the depth chart, but most who have insight into the program believe that Riley would have the first to go in. You could also look at the SC game when Worley got shaken up Riley was the one who warmed up to go in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#13
#13
Exfix said:
Still he is no Nick Marshall. He can't get away with using only his legs. The passing must improve or he gets passed up by Ferguson, which is likely in the spring. Remember Ferg was higher on the depth chart before injury.
Click to expand...

I think if furg is all he is cracked up to be, dobbs has started his last game, unless there is an injury. I wasn't impressed with his passing abilities at all this year..and yes, I know he was a freshman.. but I think he will get recruited over..
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#14
#14
I saw promise also. doesnt seem to have great speed and his throws are wobbly. MIght have been because of the cold. Didnt they say he has trouble gripping the ball in cold. (never played in cold before). Don't they make gloves for QB's now? he might want to experiment with the gloves to see if that helps.

Realistically, I see many problems next year also. We have another tough schedule. We have good talent coming in growing pains will be expected. I hope people arent serious about the winning 8, 9 or more games. Again, another season of 6 wins would be more realistic. But, hey, I'm perfectly happy to be wrong.

GO VOLS !!!!!, Go Team 118

Thank you seniors of team 117. :hi:
 
#16
#16
Would be interesting to know how his stats would look if just a few more times, somebody caught the dam ball?? :banghead2:


.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#18
#18
Tennman said:
I saw promise also. doesnt seem to have great speed and his throws are wobbly. MIght have been because of the cold. Didnt they say he has trouble gripping the ball in cold. (never played in cold before). Don't they make gloves for QB's now? he might want to experiment with the gloves to see if that helps.

Realistically, I see many problems next year also. We have another tough schedule. We have good talent coming in growing pains will be expected. I hope people arent serious about the winning 8, 9 or more games. Again, another season of 6 wins would be more realistic. But, hey, I'm perfectly happy to be wrong.

GO VOLS !!!!!, Go Team 118

Thank you seniors of team 117. :hi:
Click to expand...

Dobbs had an injured hand and also had a bad calf. When I saw him run for the touchdown it was noticeable. I thought he was running grumpy on one of the keepers also when they showed him jogging to the huddle.
 
#19
#19
As Bear Bryant used to say.... "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores".

That will certainly hold true for J Dobbs and the other freshmen on the roster. I think all of us should expect some marked improvement in the sophomores next year. Many of the freshmen were EEs and by next August will have approx. 20 months of conditioning, coaching, practicing, play book consumption under their belt.
 
#20
#20
Dobbs' biggest problem was the guy calling the plays. The KY game was the first time he was really allowed to go downfield. The only conspicuous trouble he had was not enough air under his long balls. Receivers have a hard time finding a flat ball, especially if a defender is in the way, and they have no time to adjust. That can be corrected in Spring practice. I'll be glad when Ferg plays; then he will not be any more magical than the 3 we have seen.
 
#21
#21
roosterjbh said:
Both Ferg and Dobbs were listed as second string on the depth chart, but most who have insight into the program believe that Riley would have the first to go in. You could also look at the SC game when Worley got shaken up Riley was the one who warmed up to go in.
Click to expand...
Again not true. Deerpark has already spoke to this fact. Dobbs was always ahead of Riley on the depth chart.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#24
#24
volstuckinNC said:
So that's why Riley traveled with the team to Oregon and Florida while Dobbs didn't?
Click to expand...

LOL. Dobbs ran the scout team for those games to simulate the opposing team's offense. Riley was third string and worked on the UT game plan. They took the guy that had ran through the game plan. The plan was always to redshirt both of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top