Analysis and grades from yesterday

[RockyTopIowa]

That deer in the head lights look is from getting blasted every drop back. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that dude got concussed after the play where his head slammed off the turf. He played hard. I got much respect for his toughness. Not a whole lot any QB could have done with our OL.

 

[AboveAllNations]

That deer in the head lights look is from getting blasted every drop back. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that dude got concussed after the play where his head slammed off the turf. He played hard. I got much respect for his toughness. Not a whole lot any QB could have done with our OL.

You may be right about the concussion, but the problem here is that we really can't tell because it isn't any different from how he normally acts. I would have liked to see Worley interact with his teammates on the sidelines - especially with his lineman - and try to give them some constructive advice or encouragement. Instead, he didn't remove his helmet that whole second half.

 

[volroadwarrior]

Worley played much better than a C
+.

Gramps, you have to understand that the OP has an agenda. He has predicted and called for Dobbs to start over Worley. He was a huge cheerleader to recruit Torrance Gibson and questioned recruiting Dormady and Jennings. To take any thing seriously from him about Worley is a mistake.

 

[Catbone]

QB: B-

RBs: B-

WRs: C

TEs: D-

OL: F

DL: B

LBs: A

DBs: B

Special teams: B-

Coaching: B

JMO

 

[Fightmaker]

Here is my analysis-take away the pick six and that performance last night beats anybody in the East. They play that hard against everybody else with the exception of Bama, and we are going to Atlanta.

 

[triad280]

Bob Stoops made it a point to find Worley after the game to tell him
How impressed he was with him,but you are 1000 miles away and complain about his leadership without any first hand knowledge...

I've seen Bigfoot on tv, does that mean you saw lack of leadership from Worley,just from 5 second snippets on Tv...Seems just as plausible... He is the undeniable leader of the offense,and I never saw anyone quit on either side of the ball...

 

[Born4UT]

You may be right about the concussion, but the problem here is that we really can't tell because it isn't any different from how he normally acts. I would have liked to see Worley interact with his teammates on the sidelines - especially with his lineman - and try to give them some constructive advice or encouragement. Instead, he didn't remove his helmet that whole second half.

I don't blame him for not taking that helmet off. He didn't know if he was going to get hit again from the blind side.

 

[jonnon111]

I don't blame him for not taking that helmet off. He didn't know if he was going to get hit again from the blind side.

:lolabove:

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Sorry, but 3 turnovers, 48% completion percentage and 4.6 yards per attempt isn't a "A" or "B" game. I understand that Worley's not a vocal leader, but he at least needs to lead by example and just plain giving up on a play wasn't acceptable.

Sorry! The effort by Worley under the absence of blocking was unbelievable. No way he doesn't get at least a B or B+.

 

[KBVol]

Sorry, but 3 turnovers, 48% completion percentage and 4.6 yards per attempt isn't a "A" or "B" game. I understand that Worley's not a vocal leader, but he at least needs to lead by example and just plain giving up on a play wasn't acceptable.

This post is absolutely idiotic. Pound sand.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Cam gets an A+ for that monster hit in the 3rd? quarter.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

QB: C+

Justin Worley played much better than his stat line would indicate, as it's hard to question how any QB could have done much better given the relentless pass rush he had to deal with. For a guy with limited mobility, he did a fairly good job of stepping up in what little pocket he had and consistently delivering the ball on target to the right guy. Of course, Worley was responsible for two game-changing mistakes: (1) his 1st quarter fumble from a blindside corner blitz that he should have recognized before the snap; and (2) his INT thrown into triple coverage at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and embarrassing lack of effort on the ensuing pick-six return. Worley also demonstrated a disappointing lack of leadership on the sideline, as he rarely interacted with teammates and kept the same glazed "deer-in-the-headlights" expression fixed on his face throughout most of the second half. At this point, Worley's biggest improvements need to come from his decision making and demeanor between plays.

RBs: B+

Marlin Lane and Jalen Hurd both ran hard and finished with respectable statistics by the end of the game. Hurd in particular exhibited great vision and explosiveness in getting big runs out of the smallest creases. Oklahoma didn't respect Worley on the read option and sent their ends crashing down on the running back every time, but even that didn't seem to hinder Lane and Hurd much in the second half.

WRs: C+

The constant pressure on Worley didn't give the WRs much time to work, but North and Smith still managed to get open and make plays. Howard had a nice 19 yard catch on 3rd down, but lost 13 yards on a pair of doomed jet sweeps in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Jason Croom had three drops, including one in the end zone that resulted in a critical interception.

TEs: D+

No tight end registered a catch, which is disappointing on a night when Worley desperately needed quick outlets. Pass protection was still a nightmare on plays where the TEs stayed in to protect, although much of those breakdowns were still attributable to OL mistakes. The run blocking on stretch plays was decent.

OL: D-

As expected, this unit was utterly outclassed and outmatched. While it wasn't surprising to see Thomas, Robertson and Kerbyson struggle in one-on-one match ups, it was disappointing to see OU generate consistent pressure from 3-man pass rushes. The pass protection failures weren't just physical, as on several instances it appeared that linemen let rushers through while expecting help that never came. On the bright side, the line didn't commit a single penalty and the run blocking became serviceable in the second half.

DL: B+

In stark contrast to the offensive line, this unit exceeded all realistic expectations and played surprisingly well. The tackles contained OU's interior running game, while Barnett and Maggit generated pressure from the outside and generally contained Knight from escaping the pocket. Maggit and Vereen lost contain against the run on several occasions, but otherwise this unit held their own.

LBs: A-

A.J. Johnson is playing like a man possessed this season, and last night was no different. His speed, physicality and leadership set the tone for the entire defense. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was okay, but lost outside contain on several instances and might have been responsible for OU's first touchdown with a coverage mistake. Those mistakes notwithstanding, the linebackers continue to be the strength of this defense.

DBs: B+

With the safeties needed for run support, everybody knew Tenn's CBs needed to play tight man coverage to have a prayer in this game, and they stepped up big time. This unit continues to play stellar on 3rd down, and helped out on several occasions by delivering huge hits in the flat. LaDarrell McNeil took a terrible angle on a short slant taken for 33 yards, but otherwise the safety play was solid.

Special teams: B

Matt Darr had a shaky night punting the ball, but one of those muffed punts resulted in a fumble recovery deep in OU territory. Tennessee blocked a field goal late in the game, and also covered well on OU returns. Compared to debacles against teams like Oregon and Auburn last year, the overall improvement in team speed on our kick coverage units is noticeable.

Coaching: A-

Credit Butch Jones and the coaching staff for keeping this game competitive deep into the second half. In a game with almost zero margin for error, we committed only 1 penalty and stopped Oklahoma on 75% of their 3rd downs. We are obviously hamstrung by our limitations at offensive line, but Coach Jones has this team believing we can still win any game. We won't see a team or an environment as tough as Oklahoma for the rest of the season, so hopefully we can build on this experience to win some games in the wide-open SEC East.

Appreciate your view of the team. What I saw and expected was for this young team to get some idea of what is necessary to be a winner. The speed and aggression of OU's defensive front should help these young kids understand more how they will have to expect the game to be played. Once again, our team got a real eye opener in this one and I hope it helps them succeed.

 

[Capt Straight]

QB: C+

Justin Worley played much better than his stat line would indicate, as it's hard to question how any QB could have done much better given the relentless pass rush he had to deal with. For a guy with limited mobility, he did a fairly good job of stepping up in what little pocket he had and consistently delivering the ball on target to the right guy. Of course, Worley was responsible for two game-changing mistakes: (1) his 1st quarter fumble from a blindside corner blitz that he should have recognized before the snap; and (2) his INT thrown into triple coverage at the beginning of the 4th quarter, and embarrassing lack of effort on the ensuing pick-six return. Worley also demonstrated a disappointing lack of leadership on the sideline, as he rarely interacted with teammates and kept the same glazed "deer-in-the-headlights" expression fixed on his face throughout most of the second half. At this point, Worley's biggest improvements need to come from his decision making and demeanor between plays.

RBs: B+

Marlin Lane and Jalen Hurd both ran hard and finished with respectable statistics by the end of the game. Hurd in particular exhibited great vision and explosiveness in getting big runs out of the smallest creases. Oklahoma didn't respect Worley on the read option and sent their ends crashing down on the running back every time, but even that didn't seem to hinder Lane and Hurd much in the second half.

WRs: C+

The constant pressure on Worley didn't give the WRs much time to work, but North and Smith still managed to get open and make plays. Howard had a nice 19 yard catch on 3rd down, but lost 13 yards on a pair of doomed jet sweeps in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Jason Croom had three drops, including one in the end zone that resulted in a critical interception.

TEs: D+

No tight end registered a catch, which is disappointing on a night when Worley desperately needed quick outlets. Pass protection was still a nightmare on plays where the TEs stayed in to protect, although much of those breakdowns were still attributable to OL mistakes. The run blocking on stretch plays was decent.

OL: D-

As expected, this unit was utterly outclassed and outmatched. While it wasn't surprising to see Thomas, Robertson and Kerbyson struggle in one-on-one match ups, it was disappointing to see OU generate consistent pressure from 3-man pass rushes. The pass protection failures weren't just physical, as on several instances it appeared that linemen let rushers through while expecting help that never came. On the bright side, the line didn't commit a single penalty and the run blocking became serviceable in the second half.

DL: B+

In stark contrast to the offensive line, this unit exceeded all realistic expectations and played surprisingly well. The tackles contained OU's interior running game, while Barnett and Maggit generated pressure from the outside and generally contained Knight from escaping the pocket. Maggit and Vereen lost contain against the run on several occasions, but otherwise this unit held their own.

LBs: A-

A.J. Johnson is playing like a man possessed this season, and last night was no different. His speed, physicality and leadership set the tone for the entire defense. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was okay, but lost outside contain on several instances and might have been responsible for OU's first touchdown with a coverage mistake. Those mistakes notwithstanding, the linebackers continue to be the strength of this defense.

DBs: B+

With the safeties needed for run support, everybody knew Tenn's CBs needed to play tight man coverage to have a prayer in this game, and they stepped up big time. This unit continues to play stellar on 3rd down, and helped out on several occasions by delivering huge hits in the flat. LaDarrell McNeil took a terrible angle on a short slant taken for 33 yards, but otherwise the safety play was solid.

Special teams: B

Matt Darr had a shaky night punting the ball, but one of those muffed punts resulted in a fumble recovery deep in OU territory. Tennessee blocked a field goal late in the game, and also covered well on OU returns. Compared to debacles against teams like Oregon and Auburn last year, the overall improvement in team speed on our kick coverage units is noticeable.

Coaching: A-

Credit Butch Jones and the coaching staff for keeping this game competitive deep into the second half. In a game with almost zero margin for error, we committed only 1 penalty and stopped Oklahoma on 75% of their 3rd downs. We are obviously hamstrung by our limitations at offensive line, but Coach Jones has this team believing we can still win any game. We won't see a team or an environment as tough as Oklahoma for the rest of the season, so hopefully we can build on this experience to win some games in the wide-open SEC East.

Maybe Butch needs to hire you as a coach since you know so much

 

[triad280]

Maybe Butch needs to hire you as a coach since you know so much

We've already had Dooley as a coach, once is enough

 

[utvolpj]

You may be right about the concussion, but the problem here is that we really can't tell because it isn't any different from how he normally acts. I would have liked to see Worley interact with his teammates on the sidelines - especially with his lineman - and try to give them some constructive advice or encouragement. Instead, he didn't remove his helmet that whole second half.

How much time did you spend watching Worley on the bench? Just a ballpark figure will work

Been a while since I've worn a helmet but do the new ones prevent people from talking to each other? Seems an odd change

His pursuit on the int has been properly addressed. However I'll just add that your assessment is completely ridiculous and the work of someone who had no clue what he was watching

 

[gnm53108]

D- for the OL... Maybe a F+

F first half.

D+ second.

 

[BaldBiker]

Worley.....solid B (OL kept him from being an A)
DL.......A- (They only had 146 yds total rushing. 3 of 12 3rd down efficiency)

 

[JackHVFL]

I'd give coaching a B or B- because there were way too many questionable play calls in the red zone...

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Sorry, but 3 turnovers, 48% completion percentage and 4.6 yards per attempt isn't a "A" or "B" game. I understand that Worley's not a vocal leader, but he at least needs to lead by example and just plain giving up on a play wasn't acceptable.

So you thought Worley was going to catch a CB that had 3 or 4 blockers around him? Are you on drugs? Would you have rather Worley got hurt on the play trying to make a tackle that he was not going to make in the first place? You would've been *****ing and moaning about that too. "Why did Worley sacrifice himself and get hurt...he wasn't going to make the tackle any way."

 

[JackHVFL]

last year Jake Locker got hurt for the Titans last year by tackling someone who intercepted his pass. It might have temporarily saved 7 points, but it ruined the Titans' season...