Are you more concerned with the DL or the OL?

#1
KnoxRealtorVOL

KnoxRealtorVOL

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#1
Personally, I'm way more concerned with the DL. Granted, we lost more talent on the OL, but it was a pretty overrated line I think. Our OL may not be world beaters this year, but we will have a quick-out offense and playmakers that will help it be less of an issue.

I've seen teams with bad D-lines though, and that can be a defense-killer. If a team gets wind they can push your line back, they will start cramming the ball on every down. When you have a team that can get 3-4 yards on every carry by going up the middle, you pretty much have to hope for error on their part, and you can almost guarantee they will convert on 3rd.

I have faith in our talent, but IMO it didn't look like our RB's had any trouble pushing for a few extra yards in the OW game.
 
#2
#2
both. i dont think its all as bad as people are making it seem though. I do think the ends on the DL will be better though. Vereen and Maggitt have the potential to go off this year. I will feel better when Saulsberry gets back to plug an active, big body in the middle of the DL. I also really like the interior OL. Marcus Jackson would have started for alot of SEC teams last yr. Once the Tackles get settled it will be ok.
 
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#3
#3
We should all be concerned with every position for the next two seasons. Hoping we will see significant depth by 2015 fall. The truth is UT is still very very thin across the board. I know we keep beating this drum (for 5 years now), but it's true. With all the attrition, it's natural. We desperately have to get behind Butch and we desperately need him to succeed. If he can win all the games common sense says to win and knock off at least one, preferably two, that would be huge moving forward.
 
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#4
#4
Unfortunately it appears UT is going to have to score tons of points similar to Bray's last year. That was the worst defense in Vols history and arguably college football history. So, I don't expect it to be that sorry. How can it be possible? Problem is, we don't have a Bray that can put up 40-50 something points a game.....here's to hoping that Maggitt returning is monumental and the addition to the youngsters coming for fall camp. The new freshmen will have to play like upperclassmen.
 
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#5
#5
I'm concerned about a lot of positions. However, I think the OL needs to step up farther than the DL. The DL talent is more battle tested and the linebackers are solid. I suspect that getting to the corner is going to be important on offense and the line has to control that aspect. I'm not sure they can.
 
#6
#6
DL by a mile. When you can't stop the run or get to the QB, then you have a hard time getting off the field, which further compounds the problem of not having quality depth. Which is also a glaring problem we have. The Oline will be fine...not worried about them.
 
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#7
#7
chatt-townVOL said:
Personally, I'm way more concerned with the DL. Granted, we lost more talent on the OL, but it was a pretty overrated line I think. Our OL may not be world beaters this year, but we will have a quick-out offense and playmakers that will help it be less of an issue.

I've seen teams with bad D-lines though, and that can be a defense-killer. If a team gets wind they can push your line back, they will start cramming the ball on every down. When you have a team that can get 3-4 yards on every carry by going up the middle, you pretty much have to hope for error on their part, and you can almost guarantee they will convert on 3rd.

I have faith in our talent, but IMO it didn't look like our RB's had any trouble pushing for a few extra yards in the OW game.
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I am more concerned with the D. Line. With the O. Line, the shortcomings came be masked until the situation gets better; however on the D. Line, that is not the case.

Lack of protection from the O. Line means the q.b. will get rid of the ball quicker. Lack of run blocking from the O. Line and you run mis directional plays or screen plays.

However; if the D.Line can't pressure the q.b. Then only blitzes from safety or linebacker will help. No pressure from the D. Line and even an average q.b. will look like a Hall of Famer.
 
#8
#8
Line play dictates your season. This could be a surprise team or the worst in UT history including 2012. Not having a confident line and quarterback would make us susceptible to even Vandy and UK. The gamble we took on Blair could be a disaster. We should have named a QB at the end of spring so he could have worked with the receivers over the summer to master the timing of the passing game. Right now this team is in total limbo. If they enter the fall and still have not settled on a QB we are headed for a disaster. Especially in the SEC with two raw OT's.

This glass may look half empty but it was more than half full before we got to the end of spring and we were able to see the product on the field. I am still hoping that we have a better run game than last year but if I am a SEC defense I would still load the box and put mucho pressure on our QB and OL.

I would also see some improvement in game time coaching. We suffered some coaching mistakes last year on the field that kept us from a bowl game. A bowl game this year is crucial for this staff.
 
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#9
#9
We lost a lot of games when Bray was our QB even though we score a bunch of points. Defense wins games and I don't want to lose any games 50 t0 45. I think we have some really good talent coming in on the DL, but it will take some time to get experienced for those players. I think the offense has enough talent to get the ball to our very good offensive skilled players and we will score points. Long way of saying DL.
 
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#12
#12
Actually, the only great concern I have is DBs. I think every other group, including both lines, will be better, even if still not good enough. The mistakes the DBs keep repeating indicates we may need a coaching change on the back end.
 
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#13
#13
chatt-townVOL said:
Personally, I'm way more concerned with the DL. Granted, we lost more talent on the OL, but it was a pretty overrated line I think. Our OL may not be world beaters this year, but we will have a quick-out offense and playmakers that will help it be less of an issue.

I've seen teams with bad D-lines though, and that can be a defense-killer. If a team gets wind they can push your line back, they will start cramming the ball on every down. When you have a team that can get 3-4 yards on every carry by going up the middle, you pretty much have to hope for error on their part, and you can almost guarantee they will convert on 3rd.

I have faith in our talent, but IMO it didn't look like our RB's had any trouble pushing for a few extra yards in the OW game.
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I find myself a little more concerned with the DL too, but it seems CBJ disagrees. He just moved a guy (Carr) that we were kinda relying on at DT to the OL. Guess he's expecting the freshmen DTs to come in and contribute heavily this year, which again makes me more concerned with the DL.
 
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#14
#14
madbamahater said:
Unfortunately it appears UT is going to have to score tons of points similar to Bray's last year. That was the worst defense in Vols history and arguably college football history. So, I don't expect it to be that sorry. How can it be possible? Problem is, we don't have a Bray that can put up 40-50 something points a game.....here's to hoping that Maggitt returning is monumental and the addition to the youngsters coming for fall camp. The new freshmen will have to play like upperclassmen.
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But then we actually had a QB who could get the ball to members of his own team..
 
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#16
#16
chatt-townVOL said:
Personally, I'm way more concerned with the DL. Granted, we lost more talent on the OL, but it was a pretty overrated line I think. Our OL may not be world beaters this year, but we will have a quick-out offense and playmakers that will help it be less of an issue.

I've seen teams with bad D-lines though, and that can be a defense-killer. If a team gets wind they can push your line back, they will start cramming the ball on every down. When you have a team that can get 3-4 yards on every carry by going up the middle, you pretty much have to hope for error on their part, and you can almost guarantee they will convert on 3rd.

I have faith in our talent, but IMO it didn't look like our RB's had any trouble pushing for a few extra yards in the OW game.
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DL for sure. You can run quick sets and other plays to mask your deficiencies on the OL, but your DL is your DL. If they can't do their jobs, then you're in for a long year. Hopefully someone will step up and surprise.
 
#17
#17
Both. Our Dline was terrible last year, so we will see improvement there. Our OL is just unknown.
 
#18
#18
Dave1967 said:
He couldn't even do that in the 2012 game with Vanderbilt. He was more accurate throwing beer bottles at coeds vehicles.
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That game was "thrown" imo by having a tuuurrible coach. Sadly I had more faith in Bray getting the ball to our WR's than I do with anyone on the current roster. BUT here is to hoping that hard work pays off this fall and we have better accuracy.:good!:
 
#19
#19
fade route said:
DL by a mile. When you can't stop the run or get to the QB, then you have a hard time getting off the field, which further compounds the problem of not having quality depth. Which is also a glaring problem we have. The Oline will be fine...not worried about them.
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I am with you, I don't think we can stop the run and the elite teams will just line up and run the ball for 7 and 8 yards a carry, and we will be on the field for 40 minutes a game on the D. :ermm:
 
#20
#20
terrypedigo said:
I am with you, I don't think we can stop the run and the elite teams will just line up and run the ball for 7 and 8 yards a carry, and we will be on the field for 40 minutes a game on the D. :ermm:
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Which is why I think its foolish to think we have much of a chance at UGA next year.
 
#21
#21
Some of you need to stop comparing this 2014 team to the 2012 team. They are completely different. We don't have the arm that Bray had, but our least mobile QB on the team is still considerably more mobile than Bray. The only similarities between 2014 and 2012 is that the 2014 team offense has the potential to be as good, if not better, than the 2012 offense.

Our secondary last year was miles better than 2012, and they're all back this year. Plus we've brought in some serious playmakers. Our 2014 run game will be monstrous compared to the 2012 run game, and personally I would take North over any receiver on the 2012 roster (with the exception of CP of course.)

This 2014 team will not be a "phenomenal offense, abysmal defense" like 2012. We have a coach now that is capable of recognizing weaknesses and correcting them.
 
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#22
#22
DL but since our Secondary and LBs will be the best in years. I think we will be much better on overall defense by the forth or fifth game. Just neutralizing the opponents lateral speed and having a decent NB and upgraded CB#2 will do wonders for our D. Besides AJ is real good against the run. I think Maggitt gets that fire back in him once it is game time! If Saulsberry comes back 100% and one of the Summer DL recruits brings it, then we will be solid on D.

Oline, there will be some concern for RT and a good bit of concern for LT. If Blair gets in shape, I think he is up to the task. Spring training was a wake up call and he now knows what needs to be done. Gilliam is a developing into a solid backup and potential starter as well. Worst case scenario is if Crowder or Jackson has to move over, not that they can't handle it but they would be undersized. I'm so glad Coleman was an early enrollee and I think he has a fast learning curve. Young buck will definitely be put to the test.
 
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#23
#23
Im more worried about the OL. Maggitt and Vereen will provide a good pass rush from the ends. When Saulsberry comes back healthy I think his DT position will be fine. The other DT is the only question mark on the DL IMO, but we have Williams, OBrien, Williams and Mixon. Guys like Mosley, Sawyers, Robertson, Hendrix, Barnett, Henderson and Weatherd (LEO) still arent on campus yet.

Now when it comes to the OLine, both tackle spots are questionable. Thomas does seem to be doing alright though. The OLine has a lot more plays and a lot more to learn than the DLine does. We dont really have any depth on the OLine and dont really have anymore guys coming in. Robertson could probably move to the OLine.

Our offense struggled a lot more last year IMO. Plus our upgrade in DBs will cause the QB to hold the ball a little longer, helping our pass rush
 
#24
#24
chatt-townVOL said:
Personally, I'm way more concerned with the DL. Granted, we lost more talent on the OL, but it was a pretty overrated line I think. Our OL may not be world beaters this year, but we will have a quick-out offense and playmakers that will help it be less of an issue.

I've seen teams with bad D-lines though, and that can be a defense-killer. If a team gets wind they can push your line back, they will start cramming the ball on every down. When you have a team that can get 3-4 yards on every carry by going up the middle, you pretty much have to hope for error on their part, and you can almost guarantee they will convert on 3rd.

I have faith in our talent, but IMO it didn't look like our RB's had any trouble pushing for a few extra yards in the OW game.
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Most of the 2014 class currently not on campus are defensive players. And a good portion of them are D-Linemen (Henderson, Hendrix, Mosley, Roberson, & Sawyers). I realize asking freshmen who weren't around for spring workouts to be ready to step in and play quickly is reaching a bit, but that is where we are. I agree with your concern there, but I am hoping they come in ready to push for playing time.
 
#25
#25
O line in this instance.

The back end of the defense at least has some experience and they may be able to make up for some of their shortcomings. I expect another season of seeing very few sacks or QB hurries out of the lone though so the defense will get chewed up again.


The O line however is supposed to protect the most important player on the field, the QB.

The QB's on this roster aren't gonna be able to make up for their shortcomings IMO. I don't see anyone being able to do like Cutcliffe did with Ainge in his return and go to a short passing game.
 
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