‘23 AL CB Rickey Gibson (Tennessee commit)

[T2P_Priceless]

I personally think Willie Martinez is a pretty good DB coach. I just think most of our issues were scheme related in an attempt to hide our deficiencies. We don't/didn't necessarily have any corners that could consistently play lock down man coverage so we what we saw was mostly zone coverages in which we still weren't the greatest there. Then you have our starting safeties that weren't that good. They knew the scheme and where to be but just weren't athletic enough to make plays consistently. Our younger guys are def more athletic but not may not have had the best grasp of the defense, idk. I think we see better secondary play next season though as more talent is infused at all 3 levels.

This is the most likely and hopeful answer. One thing that Martinez is famous for is relying too much on veterans even if they lack talent. He needs to work on that

 

[butchna]

This is the most likely and hopeful answer. One thing that Martinez is famous for is relying too much on veterans even if they lack talent. He needs to work on that

The TRUST thing? Maddening Vol coaching thing dating back to Majors. Prolly before then, but I was too young for Battle’s tenure.

 

[bpalmer28]

Bottom line in my argument is that we are not anywhere near the bottom of the Nation in DB talent but the bottom of the Nation in pass defense. I think part of that could be scheme and we still don’t get consistent pressure from the front 4. Banks is the common denominator. We’ll see.

For all you that argue that coaches and former players evaluate coaches better. That is true but they get it wrong all the time. It’s why we see firings ALL the time. Look at the rumor of the new USCe OC. Literally has the worst history of any OC in NFL history but looks like Beamer is hiring him and their prodigal son Conner Shaw is endorsing him on Twitter.

You see the same fans telling other fans “you think your know more”. No, but we can be critical and skeptical. I saw the same fans saying he endorsed some previous OC that sucked at USCe. Also, don’t forget that Peyton endorsed Butch, Pruitt and even Shiano,

I'm fine with the Banks criticism. I don't think he deserves to be fired but I think it'd be malpractice if Heupel didn't take a careful look at where we are and where we're headed under Banks. I've never been one to question playcalling on defense because so much of what they do is dictated by the offense... but are we recruiting NFL talent? Are we inspiring them to work hard and be disciplined? Are the focusing on the right things? Are they missing assignments? Our guys don't miss many assignments, so we seem to be teaching them well. What I question is recruiting and the motivational component of inspiring players. Our guys are in the right spot almost all the time, they just haven't been good enough to make plays. That goes back to recruiting. Then there's the issue of giving up 63 to SC. That goes back to inspiring and motivating players.

I don't understand the Martinez criticism as much though. Assistant coaches all across the country are teaching the same fundamentals, using the same drills, etc etc. What separates good assistants is how well they recruit and how well they motivate. If there's anything I'd criticize with Martinez it'd be his ability to find and sign NFL talent. That's TBD. He's already proven that he can develop talented players with Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson, but can he find them and sign them?

Did Ricky Gibson and Jordan Mathews choose Tennessee over schools who are producing NFL DBs consistently, or did they fall too us because those schools didn't see much NFL potential?

 

[MemphisVol3]

I'm fine with the Banks criticism. I don't think he deserves to be fired but I think it'd be malpractice if Heupel didn't take a careful look at where we are and where we're headed under Banks. I've never been one to question playcalling on defense because so much of what they do is dictated by the offense... but are we recruiting NFL talent? Are we inspiring them to work hard and be disciplined? Are the focusing on the right things? Are they missing assignments? Our guys don't miss many assignments, so we seem to be teaching them well. What I question is recruiting and the motivational component of inspiring players. Our guys are in the right spot almost all the time, they just haven't been good enough to make plays. That goes back to recruiting. Then there's the issue of giving up 63 to SC. That goes back to inspiring and motivating players.

I don't understand the Martinez criticism as much though. Assistant coaches all across the country are teaching the same fundaments, using the same drills, etc etc. What separates good assistants is how well they recruit and how well they motivate. If there's anything I'd criticize with Martinez it'd be his ability to find and sign NFL talent. That's TBD. He's already proven that he can develop talented players with Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson, but can he find them and sign them?

Did Ricky Gibson and Jordan Mathews choose Tennessee over schools who are producing NFL DBs consistently, or did they fall too us because those schools didn't see much NFL potential?

Gibson and Matthews were both highly sought after. UGA wanted Gibson bad and was trying to flip him. Matthews had Texas, LSU, etc. after him hard and had committable offers from UGA, Bama, Clemson, etc.

 

[LittleVol]

Still need Transfer portal CBs.

Grimes from UNC and Cypeess from UVA.
Gibson and Matthews would immediately be their backups. Then we'd have the minimum level of CBs needed for our defense.

Hadden is also a CB that could play some NB. But he's the 5th CB next season imo

 

[MemphisVol3]

Still need Transfer portal CBs.

Grimes from UNC and Cypeess from UVA.
Gibson and Matthews would immediately be their backups. Then we'd have the minimum level of CBs needed for our defense.

Hadden is also a CB that could play some NB. But he's the 5th CB next season imo

Hadden needs to get more focused imo. Nothing wrong with occassional trash talking but he talks trash ALOT and gets burned.

 

[AppStVol]

I personally think Willie Martinez is a pretty good DB coach. I just think most of our issues were scheme related in an attempt to hide our deficiencies. We don't/didn't necessarily have any corners that could consistently play lock down man coverage so what we saw was mostly zone coverages in which we still weren't the greatest there. Then you have our starting safeties that weren't that good. They knew the scheme and where to be but just weren't athletic enough to make plays consistently. Our younger guys are def more athletic but may not have had the best grasp of the defense, idk. I think we see better secondary play next season though as more talent is infused at all 3 levels.

This 100%. Willie gets a bad rap on the boards, but he has not had the opportunity to flip this roster and we have some very inadequate players on the backend he has tried to salvage. No coach and come in and fix our safeties athletic deficiencies and you factor in injuries and you get what we have seen late this season.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Willie and Huep are very close and go way back to the OU days. He does a lot of additional work behind the scenes with the team and is very trusted by Huep.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

This 100%. Willie gets a bad rap on the boards, but he has not had the opportunity to flip this roster and we have some very inadequate players on the backend he has tried to salvage. No coach and come in and fix our safeties athletic deficiencies and you factor in injuries and you get what we have seen late this season.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Willie and Huep are very close and go way back to the OU days. He does a lot of additional work behind the scenes with the team and is very trusted by Huep.

You can’t make Chicken Salad out of Chicken

 

[T2P_Priceless]

I'm fine with the Banks criticism. I don't think he deserves to be fired but I think it'd be malpractice if Heupel didn't take a careful look at where we are and where we're headed under Banks. I've never been one to question playcalling on defense because so much of what they do is dictated by the offense... but are we recruiting NFL talent? Are we inspiring them to work hard and be disciplined? Are the focusing on the right things? Are they missing assignments? Our guys don't miss many assignments, so we seem to be teaching them well. What I question is recruiting and the motivational component of inspiring players. Our guys are in the right spot almost all the time, they just haven't been good enough to make plays. That goes back to recruiting. Then there's the issue of giving up 63 to SC. That goes back to inspiring and motivating players.

I don't understand the Martinez criticism as much though. Assistant coaches all across the country are teaching the same fundamentals, using the same drills, etc etc. What separates good assistants is how well they recruit and how well they motivate. If there's anything I'd criticize with Martinez it'd be his ability to find and sign NFL talent. That's TBD. He's already proven that he can develop talented players with Alontae Taylor and Theo Jackson, but can he find them and sign them?

Did Ricky Gibson and Jordan Mathews choose Tennessee over schools who are producing NFL DBs consistently, or did they fall too us because those schools didn't see much NFL potential?

I’ve noticed plenty of missed assignments and blown coverages. Those are mental mistakes that possibly could improve with talent? Or is it teaching? Playing 10 yards off the ball is a Banks decision and likely due to talent but idk for sure

 

[Dudleys87]

You can’t make Chicken Salad out of Chicken

You can it’s just not as well liked.

 

[LittleVol]

I’ve noticed plenty of missed assignments and blown coverages. Those are mental mistakes that possibly could improve with talent? Or is it teaching? Playing 10 yards off the ball is a Banks decision and likely due to talent but idk for sure

Or the kids are just not football smart.

Like Hadden trying to strip the ball from the Florida WR and ends up not doing it and getting ran over for a TD. Just make the tackle.

It's Banks scheme, plus not great talent in the back WITH playing out of position.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Or the kids are just not football smart.

Like Hadden trying to strip the ball from the Florida WR and ends up not doing it and getting ran over for a TD. Just make the tackle.

It's Banks scheme, plus not great talent in the back WITH playing out of position.

One things for certain, we should find out next year. Gonna be plenty of talent with plenty of time now for the staff to develop

 

[barrylee]

Who is carrying water for Martinez and/or Banks after this season?!

Joined in August, apparently no one told you it’s forbidden to post in RF until you’ve been on board a year.

Seems like you would be more comfortable in the FF! Lol

 

[LittleVol]

One things for certain, we should find out next year. Gonna be plenty of talent with plenty of time now for the staff to develop

I hope so.
Mitchell needs to play better at LB.
And whoever are the 5 most athletic guys are in the secondary...start them.

 

[RudyVol]

Joined in August, apparently no one told you it’s forbidden to post in RF until you’ve been on board a year.

Seems like you would be more comfortable in the FF! Lol

I don't care Barry

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Who is carrying water for Martinez and/or Banks after this season?!

 

[MarcoVol]

Who is carrying water for Martinez and/or Banks after this season?!

Josh Heupel. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

 

[RudyVol]

Josh Heupel. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

Okay? Heupel and staff go 10-2 and are above any criticism? That defense was trash. Especially the secondary. It's not wrong to say Heupel is doing a tremendous job (to say the least) and also point out that the defense has been trash both years under Banks.

 

[BurninOrange]

Okay? Heupel and staff go 10-2 and are above any criticism? That defense was trash. Especially the secondary. It's not wrong to say Heupel is doing a tremendous job (to say the least) and also point out that the defense has been trash both years under Banks.

I mean we all can say the defense did look lack luster at times. But Banks may not have the players to play defense the way he wants. I mean yeah, we have some talent but to say it is trash is a little far-fetched.

 

[CJBlaze]

That's the million dollar question. Is it Banks or the lack of talent for the defense being so bad? Guess we'll find out. If the defense doesn't start improving I believe Heupel won't hesitate to find another DC. Our Dline showed flashes at times.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

That's the million dollar question. Is it Banks or the lack of talent for the defense being so bad? Guess we'll find out. If the defense doesn't start improving I believe Heupel won't hesitate to find another DC. Our Dline showed flashes at times.

I think next year is put up or shut up

 

[JT3]

I think next year is put up or shut up

Agree. I personally was waiting until year 3 to judge Banks. We have shown improvement as far as scoring defense which is the most important stat imo. I think we have the dogs on defense now so no excuses.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Fixing the defense is going to be the difference in this year being the standard again vs this type of year being the once in 20 exception.

I completely agree

 

[Yanks24]

I saw on the local Knoxville news channel that this guy signed his papers today with UT. How was he able to sign today if early signing doesn’t begin until 12/19. They even had an interview with him.

 

[bigl3327]

I saw on the local Knoxville news channel that this guy signed his papers today with UT. How was he able to sign today if early signing doesn’t begin until 12/19. They even had an interview with him.

Those that are participating in bowl practices can sign their grant in aid papers, I'm assuming. They'll be on campus before signing day takes place.