At what point do you expect the $8,000,000 man play up to his compensation level?

I remember a senior Manning with Jamel Lewis running back in 97, UT team that finished 10-1 barely beating a 3-8 vandy team, with 17-10 final score. It happens, even with the best talent in the world, especially this early in his career. I liked the progress made in the second half, I believe the lights are starting to come on.
 
There were plenty of fans begging for Stewart during the season. I remember that month before the bowl game when Stewart declared he was transferring to A&M. I remember Manning coming out and looking like a guy who was figuring it out in the bowl game, throwing to about 9 different receivers. You could tell that extra practice time paid off. Yes, Manning wasn't a redshirt, BECAUSE he was Peyton Manning. A guy in the most exclusive club of QBs
It was a source of debate. I think the majority were Pro-Manning, but there were a sizable number of people who wanted Stewart.
 
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Ahh against a man making money on
His own terms. How very socialist of you
I’ve been on both sides of unions in my lifetime. They’re garbage. I think they were initially founded on good thoughts. Now they are nothing more than an organization promoting mediocrity where no one can ever reach their true potential. While in a union a busted my ass and worked hard because that’s me. Yet earned the same wages as the people sleeping half their shift not giving a ****. That’s what unions now promote.
 
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Agree with all of this. Obviously he needs to get better and I'm here rooting for him to do that. But I can see why Coach Heupel believes him. It's been fun to play in as many big games as we have under Heupel, and we are playing in so many big games because we have been winning!
He's a talent and it’s not all him, but he's definitely part of it right now. They have to figure some stuff out quickly. Hard to do that this deep in the year. Nico being young gives me some hope they can get it better late.. It will need to be or it's going to be a disappointing year..
 
I remember a senior Manning with Jamel Lewis running back in 97, UT team that finished 10-1 barely beating a 3-8 vandy team, with 17-10 final score. It happens, even with the best talent in the world, especially this early in his career. I liked the progress made in the second half, I believe the lights are starting to come on.
As I remember it, that Vandy team had a legit defense (despite the poor record) but no offense. That is the year I think that if you took Vandy's defense and paired it with Kentucky's offense they could have beaten anybody, because Kentucky was the exact opposite (legit offense, Swiss cheese defense).
 
It was a source of debate. I think the majority were Pro-Manning, but there were a sizable number of people who wanted Stewart.
Mainly because he would take off and run when he saw an open field. Stewart contributed to our 1998 championship. He led A&M over Kansas St in the Big 12 title game. Kansas St was ranked 2 or 3 going into that game
 
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As I remember it, that Vandy team had a legit defense (despite the poor record) but no offense. That is the year I think that if you took Vandy's defense and paired it with Kentucky's offense they could have beaten anybody, because Kentucky was the exact opposite (legit offense, Swiss cheese defense).
No combo of Kentucky and Vanderbilt would ever beat anybody
 
Not quite yet.
It’s not purely amateur either.

College athletes don’t have agents (I believe). And they don’t spend all day just on their craft.

The last thing he needs to think about is if he’s earning his money. He needs to become more familiar with his individual teammates skillset.

Why not back shoulder or jump ball to Bru?
- he needs to learn to audible.
- which means he needs to learn to study defensive tendencies.

it’s all between the ears right now with him.
I’ve seen him playing without thinking and he’s virtually unstoppable when he’s like that…

Heupel needs to hire an OC and bring in fresh ideas. He doesn’t strike me as control freak, but he needs some new blood in that room to challenge himself and grow this offense.

Khalifah Keith
Cam Seldon
Nathan Leacock
Mike Matthews
Ethan Davis are all weapons that need to be schemed into the game plan.
College athletes do have agents. Nico has an agent. You realize Heupel has called every offensive play since 2011. I don’t think he’s calling in a replacement for himself just yet. Audible? The coach is on the headset, and we rarely get down to fifteen seconds. You can better believe they are “studying defensive tendencies” all week. That’s why they have coaches, and video of other teams. Back shoulder throws are designed for specific plays by coaches for specific players on specific routes. It’s not something Nico draws in the dirt or pulls out of his jock. The crap you say…
 
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Imagine thinking this is a good analogy.

Nico hasn't met fan expectations, but he's already produced a positive ROI by boosting our recruiting efforts and allowing Danny White to get away with raising ticket prices. The hype around the program hasn't been this high since the 90s. PLUS, we're 5-1.
You must have low expectations. It’s ok.
The world needs ditch diggers too.
 
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Why would anyone try to imagine that? It's not remotely the same thing
it’s reported that Nico signed a NIL contract worth $8 mil. Has he earned it? It’s all based upon his high school play and estimated ceiling. Someone missed the mark and he may never get there. Unless you wear orange sunglasses, he’s done nothing in college to make anyone believe he’s worth $2 mil annually.
 
I keep seeing this 8 million dollar figure thrown around. Does anyone have anything actual to back this up? Serious question.
According to the NIL experts, Nico’s NIL evaluation is ranked #9. If I recall correctly that equates to a number somewhere between $5 mil and $6 mil. I can’t recall where I read it but someone reported Nico signed a NIL worth around $8 mil.
 
it’s reported that Nico signed a NIL contract worth $8 mil. Has he earned it? It’s all based upon his high school play and estimated ceiling. Someone missed the mark and he may never get there. Unless you wear orange sunglasses, he’s done nothing in college to make anyone believe he’s worth $2 mil annually.
I don't think he was supposed to "earn" it on the field in his first 7 starts. His contract is for revenue earned by his name, #8 jersey sales and plugs for local businesses. You might try to understand the details a little better. You're miles off base
 
Those friggin' middle school kids who get their allowance doubled for playing on the pop warner football team, they're just a bunch a damn professionals, and we oughtn't to give them any positive thoughts. They either pull their weight or THEY'LL HEAR FROM US!

Extreme example to say this: a young man less than a year and a half out of high school, he's not Joe Montana in San Fransisco, or Terry Bradshaw in Pittsburgh. He's just not.

Others have said the same. Nico needs a bit of room--especially from our self-centered fans--to grow into the job.

Go Vols!
 
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Here is where the $8 million dollar man ranks in the SEC.

Passing yards: 8th, barely above Diego Pavia and less than Peyton Thorne.

Comp %: 8th, behind Pavia

Average: 7th, yet again behind Pavia

TDs: 10th. Behind Blake Shapen who hasn’t played in weeks.

Rating: 9th. Way behind Pavia.

He is good for about 203 yards per game on average. Right now he has 1219 yards. So assuming he throws for his average from here on out, he will have somewhere around 2500 passing yards and maybe 20 TDs.

I am sorry but that’s pathetic for a guy of his supposed talent.
 
Of the top 10 quarterbacks in the 2023 class only two are starting, Nico and Avery Johnson. Five have transferred from their original school and are buried on the depth chart. Only Manning has looked better, but he has yet to face a good defends, and only played due to Ewers getting injured.

Remember , these kids highschool development was stunted due to Covid, and Nico being from California didn’t help that situation.

As Aaron Rogers once said RELAX.
COVId is a BS excuse that no longer applies.
 
I don't think he was supposed to "earn" it on the field in his first 7 starts. His contract is for revenue earned by his name, #8 jersey sales and plugs for local businesses. You might try to understand the details a little better. You're miles off base
Someone is paying the money. If it was from my wallet I’d have expectations and so far he wouldn’t be meeting mine. In all seriousness, I hope something in him clicks really soon and it all comes together in an amazing way but I’m like a lot of other fans, I’m doubting his ceiling at the moment.
 
but that is what people are doing that contribute money to see a high school quarterback play college ball, they are speculating. :)
No, they want high return on their investment in his marketing power. Of course he needs to perform on the field, but the bashing he's taking is inappropriate at this point. Lots of know nothing's think he's supposed to immediately produce because of the money. That's actually not the intent of the contract.It's for the entirety of the time he will be here. Lots of dumbed downed comments flowing about him
 
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Someone is paying the money. If it was from my wallet I’d have expectations and so far he wouldn’t be meeting mine. In all seriousness, I hope something in him clicks really soon and it all comes together in an amazing way but I’m like a lot of other fans, I’m doubting his ceiling at the moment.
You would. You don't know any better
 
When Lance Heard stops playing like a bum and when John Campbell Jr can stay healthy.

Also when Joey Hazle starts to call option runs and roll outs for Nico.

Offensive side line is garbage bro
How many seconds should he have against SEC caliber defenses? Certainly not the 10 he got against the lesser teams! In the NFL, which is not looking promising for him, there will be even less time. If he can't learn to make reads quickly and get the ball out of his hands in 2-4 seconds, he'll never be a good QB in the SEC. That's just the way it is. It seems like the offensive line is always an easy target.
 
I think there is a steep learning curve and some unreasonabke expectations when you are getting that kind of money. Before NIL Nico would get grace for probably a full season. Now, maybe half. I think we should reserve judgment until he has played a full SEC schedule. I am pretty sure most of us were not great our first few months at a new job, yet we expect Nico to play like a 5th year Sr already.
 

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