AJ criticism

[govols/cc]

AJ was offered by Kiffin.

That's what I thought & he just stuck with Dooley after Kiffin bolted. After Wilcox bolted & surprisingly nobody wanted our D coordinator job (sarcasm) he settled on Sal & thus produced the worst defense in Tennessee history.

 

[Lifesabutch]

He maybe our best LB but that aint saying much. He has a lot of improving to do. He does a good job, I just dont see great.

I hope you are being sarcastic...

 

[walkenvol]

What round then?

Al Wilson was the last pick of the 1st round. How do you think AJ compares to Al?

Lenard Little was a 2nd rond pick. How does AJ compare there?

Not intended as a knock, but I'd guess AJ as a middle round type pick based on not having displayed elite physical abilities that were displayed by Wilson and Little during their TN days. I see AJ more on the level of a Westmoreland or Thompson who both had NFL careers. He's a fine college player and appears to be a leader who brings his all every game.

 

[Jackcrevol]

just win.

 

[thebjd]

Al Wilson was the last pick of the 1st round. How do you think AJ compares to Al?

Lenard Little was a 2nd rond pick. How does AJ compare there?

Not intended as a knock, but I'd guess AJ as a middle round type pick based on not having displayed elite physical abilities that were displayed by Wilson and Little during their TN days. I see AJ more on the level of a Westmoreland or Thompson who both had NFL careers. He's a fine college player and appears to be a leader who brings his all every game.

I have no idea where he goes. Mayo went high and AJ is comparable to him. It depends on what teams need. I would guess 2nd round.

 

[james_govols]

If the rest of the team played with as much heart as AJ we could possibly win at least 6 games.

This is a praise to AJ btw.

 

[Rudy123]

He is the inside LB, he would not look as slow if we had DE's that turned the play back inside or at least slowed it down.

We see him chasing a lot because he is the only one near the ball. He is one man without a lot of help, he never takes a snap off and truly gives his all.

I hope he comes back for his senior year and has some speed on the outside to help him out.

Lay off the kid, he doesn't have much help.

No worries! He will return for his senior season. He reminds me ALOT of Herman Lathers. He plays hard but he can't do pass coverage very well.

If you will recall, Herman played well in the senior bowl in Alabama, but he still wasn't drafted or even called as a free agent.

I don't see much interest in A.J. should he want to leave a season early.

He stays!

 

[Jake]

I think AJ is a beast within his abilities...and I'd take 10 more just like him. He's ALWAYS around the ball.

And I totally agree that if he played with ends that contained the outside...he wouldn't look nearly as slow.

 

[NashVOL93]

yes sir he was . Dooley eluded to the conversion to a 3-4 at his initial PC and mentioned it several other times , and then converted to it .

He recruited AJ in 2011 along with a couple of other very tall heavily built LBs. You would not receruit LBs or the 6'3 230 lb variety for any other reason ...certainly not 43 backers

He then recruited Mccullers in 2012 as a true nose . He then began his experiment into the realm of 34 defenses. I would speculate that he felt he was ready when he acquired a NT. He did not have a man coverage , bump and run secondary in place which was a huge reason for its failure .

How can you not know this ?

This is interesting to me. Much has been made of our "lack of personnel" to run the 3-4, but technically, the only piece you really need that can't be manufactured from existing 4-3 personnel is the true Nose Tackle. McCullers performed about as well as he could have in that role last season and most NFL scouting reports have him going at that position.

I don't know much about defensive scheming, to be honest, but I think the lack of personnel thing has been way overblown. Not to mention that Sal's LBs seemed to do just fine at Alabama in the 3-4 there.

So, in my opinion, the true cause of last year's defensive misery was probably not personnel but Sal's awful playcalling. Thanks Obam...Dooley!

 

[majic73]

AJ was offered by Kiffin.

Kiffin may have offered in 2009 ...but Dooley signed him in 2011. No way the Kiffin 4-3 features a 6'3 MLB at 240 lbs with marginal speed . May the convert him to a defensive end . Dooley was full bore ..bigger LBs and bigger interrior linemen. Even converted DEs to LBs

Back to my original premise ...we have elements of 3-4 guys still on the field . I imagine that we will recruit smaller , lighter guys for LB that play in space much better . I think Brewer may be the template for that .

 

[governmentmule]

Listen; AJ is a true VFL! I haven't seen a player wearing the Power T since Al Wilson that has the fire and heart that this guy does! He is doing the best that he can on a team of overachievers. Look at Sapp and Brewer! Look at a guy like Hood! These guys are playing their hearts out and have come up short so far but mark my words; these guys are buying in and are setting a precedence for the Vols to come.

your right,they may not be the most talented bunch,but they have quit laying down when it gets tough,the future is bright