London Vol
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GAME 6 – TEXAS A&M 14 OCT 2023
Before I get lost in a forest of statistics, impressions and opinions I like to ask myself one big question before I go to bed after the game and that question is ‘Overall do I fell Happy or Unhappy?’ and last night it was Happy, so for me it was a positive game and overall the report below should reflect this
Now for the statistics, impressions and opinions bit:
QUARTERBACKS D
I’m sure you already have a polarised opinion on Joe Milton, but for me it was his worst performance of the season. Yes, the numbers were poor, but it was his inability to read the defense resulting in not only a very poor interception (for the 2nd week running) but a lack of vision on a 4th down and then finally not understanding that it was the perfect time to throw a 40 yarder jump ball downfield on the free play, yet he ran out of bounds whilst still being short of the 1st down marker. The grade is higher because he finally showed that he has some “big kahunas” with some runs and there were three “no call” PI calls on long passes that would have changed the evening for Joe and Tennessee. Still Joe IS what he is and he will remain in charge for the 2023 season so I will continue to support him whilst lowering my expectations.
RUNNING BACKS A+
Texas A&Ms Defence were 1st in the SEC having given up a miserly 84 yards a game this season, so to record 232 yards (a whopping 148 yards above that average) puts into perspective that this department achievement and incredibly, this total could have been much higher without the numerous last ditch tackles that A & M made. Yet again, Jaylen Wright, 139 yards at 7.2 ypc, was our best RB (cut and paste for previous reports). Last season Jalin Hyatt’s reputation grew week on week culminating in the Biletnikoff award, maybe history will repeat itself with Wright and the Doak Walker award.
WIDE RECEIVERS D-
Yes, Milton was poor but I actually think these guys were worse (I’m still itching to downgrade this rating further) . From what I could see there was very little separation for Milton to feast on, there were more drops again (I almost woke the rest of the house up with my outburst from the Ramel Keyton drop which cost us a certain 42 yard TD). The only chink of light was Chas Nimrod`s 31 yards from 4 catches which will cement him as Bru McCoy’s replacement for the foreseeable future.
TIGHT ENDS B
McCallan Castle did make a couple of catches this week and was called for a phantom OPI for the second game running and Jacob Warren snared a TD catch of the season, so when you add that to the blocking prowess of both Tight Ends, that my I gave them a B.
OFFENSIVE LINE A
I mentioned earlier that Texas A&M are stout on the D Line stacked with “blue chippers” (it still stings not to see Walter Nolen in Orange), so you must give lots of credit to the O Line for the 232 rushing stats. The only downers were the porous line on a couple of “3rd and shorts”, 3 Sacks of Milton and Ollie Lane`s multiple drawing of the yellow thingy. Overall, the O line is holding up really well this season.
DEFENSIVE LINE A+
Here you will find the stars of the evening (cut and paste for previous reports again) and my MVP for this season James Pearce was almost unstoppable again, recording 1 SACK, 2 TFLs and 5 QBRs. We are watching one of the best Defensive Ends in Tennessee’s illustrious history so enjoy the next season and a half before he is a Top 10 Draft pick. Tyler Baron statistically is matching Pearce with him own 6th Sack of the season and to a man, the Defensive Line wreaked havoc all night. If they can keep this up then we will be “in” every game this season.
LINEBACKERS B+
The Linebackers were solid all night (yep cut and past again). Whilst there were not the Box score stats of other games but the “front four” were so good that the LBS were able to help the secondary and it showed. Elijah Herring started slowly but more than contributed as the game evolved and to think that hopefully Keenan Pili will back this season it is even more encouraging.
DEFENSIVE BACKS A-
The best night of the season in my opinion for the Secondary culminating with two crucial INTs for Kamal Hadden and Gabe Jeudy-Lally to seal the victory. Lally is proving to be an astute Transfer Portal addition and the much-maligned DB coach Willie Martinez deserves credit for Hadden`s growth, who is finally understanding that contributions with his hands and not his mouth is the way to impress.
I still don’t see trips to the SEC Championship Game or the Play Offs this season right now, but the wins against South Carolina, Texas A&M and to a lesser extent Virginia, assure that his season will be fine and could yet get better. This is vital for the 2024 Recruiting Class to stay intact, aligned to the launching of “Nico” the Hype Train is still on track for next season and beyond.
Yes, I went to bed Happy
GO VOLS
Before I get lost in a forest of statistics, impressions and opinions I like to ask myself one big question before I go to bed after the game and that question is ‘Overall do I fell Happy or Unhappy?’ and last night it was Happy, so for me it was a positive game and overall the report below should reflect this
Now for the statistics, impressions and opinions bit:
QUARTERBACKS D
I’m sure you already have a polarised opinion on Joe Milton, but for me it was his worst performance of the season. Yes, the numbers were poor, but it was his inability to read the defense resulting in not only a very poor interception (for the 2nd week running) but a lack of vision on a 4th down and then finally not understanding that it was the perfect time to throw a 40 yarder jump ball downfield on the free play, yet he ran out of bounds whilst still being short of the 1st down marker. The grade is higher because he finally showed that he has some “big kahunas” with some runs and there were three “no call” PI calls on long passes that would have changed the evening for Joe and Tennessee. Still Joe IS what he is and he will remain in charge for the 2023 season so I will continue to support him whilst lowering my expectations.
RUNNING BACKS A+
Texas A&Ms Defence were 1st in the SEC having given up a miserly 84 yards a game this season, so to record 232 yards (a whopping 148 yards above that average) puts into perspective that this department achievement and incredibly, this total could have been much higher without the numerous last ditch tackles that A & M made. Yet again, Jaylen Wright, 139 yards at 7.2 ypc, was our best RB (cut and paste for previous reports). Last season Jalin Hyatt’s reputation grew week on week culminating in the Biletnikoff award, maybe history will repeat itself with Wright and the Doak Walker award.
WIDE RECEIVERS D-
Yes, Milton was poor but I actually think these guys were worse (I’m still itching to downgrade this rating further) . From what I could see there was very little separation for Milton to feast on, there were more drops again (I almost woke the rest of the house up with my outburst from the Ramel Keyton drop which cost us a certain 42 yard TD). The only chink of light was Chas Nimrod`s 31 yards from 4 catches which will cement him as Bru McCoy’s replacement for the foreseeable future.
TIGHT ENDS B
McCallan Castle did make a couple of catches this week and was called for a phantom OPI for the second game running and Jacob Warren snared a TD catch of the season, so when you add that to the blocking prowess of both Tight Ends, that my I gave them a B.
OFFENSIVE LINE A
I mentioned earlier that Texas A&M are stout on the D Line stacked with “blue chippers” (it still stings not to see Walter Nolen in Orange), so you must give lots of credit to the O Line for the 232 rushing stats. The only downers were the porous line on a couple of “3rd and shorts”, 3 Sacks of Milton and Ollie Lane`s multiple drawing of the yellow thingy. Overall, the O line is holding up really well this season.
DEFENSIVE LINE A+
Here you will find the stars of the evening (cut and paste for previous reports again) and my MVP for this season James Pearce was almost unstoppable again, recording 1 SACK, 2 TFLs and 5 QBRs. We are watching one of the best Defensive Ends in Tennessee’s illustrious history so enjoy the next season and a half before he is a Top 10 Draft pick. Tyler Baron statistically is matching Pearce with him own 6th Sack of the season and to a man, the Defensive Line wreaked havoc all night. If they can keep this up then we will be “in” every game this season.
LINEBACKERS B+
The Linebackers were solid all night (yep cut and past again). Whilst there were not the Box score stats of other games but the “front four” were so good that the LBS were able to help the secondary and it showed. Elijah Herring started slowly but more than contributed as the game evolved and to think that hopefully Keenan Pili will back this season it is even more encouraging.
DEFENSIVE BACKS A-
The best night of the season in my opinion for the Secondary culminating with two crucial INTs for Kamal Hadden and Gabe Jeudy-Lally to seal the victory. Lally is proving to be an astute Transfer Portal addition and the much-maligned DB coach Willie Martinez deserves credit for Hadden`s growth, who is finally understanding that contributions with his hands and not his mouth is the way to impress.
I still don’t see trips to the SEC Championship Game or the Play Offs this season right now, but the wins against South Carolina, Texas A&M and to a lesser extent Virginia, assure that his season will be fine and could yet get better. This is vital for the 2024 Recruiting Class to stay intact, aligned to the launching of “Nico” the Hype Train is still on track for next season and beyond.
Yes, I went to bed Happy
GO VOLS
