Are we approaching the defining moment in CJH's tenure at UT?

#176
#176
Tnphil said:
2 things will determine the success at Major programs.....Recruiting and playoffs. Bowl games not associated with the playoffs are IMO no more than the NIT in basketball. It just depends on how the schools and fans view what success is.
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Development is also key besides recruiting and getting to the playoffs.
 
#178
#178
Golfprovol said:
Were we "elite" in the 90's?
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No we were not elite. We couldn't beat UF after starting off well in 90. We should have been elite, but the fact is most people that saw the 90's don't realize that we are better now, but so is everybody else. I might add in regards to UGA this year, did anyone think they could lose 2 games in a row after losing to the only other team not Bama for the first time in 56 games?
 
#179
#179
sonofUT62 said:
Were Hyatt and Tillman that much better than Squirrel/ Bru /Thornton and Brazzell or was the QB play and play calling better??
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They caught the football.... Hyatt was the fastest player in the country I think and defenses thought they could cover him straight up. Hooker had confidence to throw it to them and his accuracy was incredible. Now our receivers don't run the right routes, and when they do they can't catch a ball thrown in stride most of the time. Defenses have adjusted, so we run it more.
 
#181
#181
cyclevol said:
No we were not elite. We couldn't beat UF after starting off well in 90. We should have been elite, but the fact is most people that saw the 90's don't realize that we are better now, but so is everybody else. I might add in regards to UGA this year, did anyone think they could lose 2 games in a row after losing to the only other team not Bama for the first time in 56 games?
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So in order to be elite, you have to go undefeated every year?
 
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#182
#182
LegionnaireOfTheMiserable said:
Sampson is better than Wright. Tillman and Hyatt weren’t very good for the majority of their tenures here.

Hooker made that offense special and elevated everyone around him.
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I don't know about all that. Wright was just as good and better in pass protection while also sharing more of the load. Hooker doesnt have the season he had without Hyatt. All those guys complimented each other to make that offense elite.
 
#184
#184
Lekvolrrah said:
I don't know about all that. Wright was just as good and better in pass protection while also sharing more of the load. Hooker doesnt have the season he had without Hyatt. All those guys complimented each other to make that offense elite.
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Wright had fantastic speed for a back, but he didn’t really run around or over many guys and didn’t add much as a receiver. Wright would also take himself out seemingly after a couple of carries. I’m not knocking the guy, but I think Sampson is better.

Hyatt certainly helped Hooker in 2022, but Hooker was very good the year before without him.
 
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#187
#187
HiltonHeadVol said:
Now I know that there will be push-back on this topic. But can we just ask the question that is sitting out there. I didn't really mean to sound too dramatic with this thread......but for some time I've said that CJH will have to re-invent/re-shape his offense as smart defensive coaches adapt to his unique style. Last year made I was mildly concerned with offensive drop-off, but this year it seems clear that Coach is struggling to adjust his system to continue and remain productive. 2024 in CJH's professional life has been unique and challenging obviously.
But is he evolving as he must, or is he a bit lost? THIS is the defining question regarding not only his tenure at UT but his long term coaching legacy.
I suspect the loss of Golesh was a much bigger set-back than most realize. There are holes on this team that are chronic problems at UT. Offensive line recruiting and development have been suspect for many years (at least in my view). Talent in the defensive backfield and at LB has either been thin or not developed. Penalties are problematic and we cannot currently "outscore our mistakes". Play calling at least superficially appears predictable and therefore it must accept some responsibility for our repetitive two-quarter scoring lapses.

So I eagerly await input from those on this forum who understand football far better than I. Some might suggest this team has produced beyond expectations. I am proud of this team at 8-2 but there are some troubling signs. Our identity, Coach's adaptability, and player development have been difficult this year and yet I think in many ways some would call 2024 one of Huep's best, despite the things listed above. I've seen suggestions that all the Huepel-esque style offenses are not producing as before. If so, why? Is our coach evolving as he must? Let me say that I really like Coach Huep and his character. I think he is a good man and I'm pulling for him big-time. But I am concerned. OK, I'll hang up and listen.
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Nico missed way too many wide open wide receivers and the wide receivers dropped way too many easy catches for me to say that Coach needs to adjust his system. It might look a lot more like 2022 offense with better individual play at QB, WR and OL. There is a good argument that he needs to make huge strides in player development this offseason.
 
#190
#190
Smoke603 said:
What passing threat is there now? Basically none between the wide open overthrows and the WRs dropping passes…
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I get what you are trying to say but your expectations are vastly unrealistic. How many guys out of the 134 QB1's out there are throwing for 350 yards per game? What we need of Nico right now is 200 yards, no picks, and a good %, exactly what we are getting.

Could he be better, absolutely. Did we think he would be better, most probably did, realistic fans probably not this year.

But to say Gaston Moore could produce the same thing is ludicrous. If he could, why did he not start last year? Why did he barely play last year or the year before? Why is he a senior and can't get on the field?
 
#192
#192
Golesh could be some of the difference, hard to tell. But I think we all saw several games where they left 10-20 points on the field per game (Florida, Bama, Kentucky) with WRs running wide open on several plays. Something's working but it's not clicking. For me the combo of OL-QB-WR isn't what it needs to be. After 4 years we field the weakest OL, at least in passpro, of them all. That is hard to excuse, given the defensive growth over the same period. Combine that with a growing QB who's missing high, behind and too far (not even a 50-50 ball) - not by much, but enough. And when it does get there the WR have a habit of dropping it. At any given time, if one element breaks down (to include penalties), it all falls apart....percentage of success is low. If they can be successful more times than not in the passing game, to include NOT missing wide open receivers, they can beat anyone, anywhere. Until that time, who knows.

Start by fixing the OL...said it last year, and can't believe I'm saying it again this year.
 
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