Been a bit hard on Worley but...

[VOLorNuttin]

Reports from camp were so positive that many were clamoring for Peterman to take the job.

Peterman.

I think what gets missed in this whole "Who should the starting QB" debate, is that all 3 were very close. Just because Worley was named the starter, it doesn't mean the other 2 sucked. Nor, does it mean that Worley sucks, simply because Peterman closed the gap substantially.

 

[Boca Vol]

That was because he was surrounded by probably one of the best rosters in college football history: offense and defense. Not saying Worley is better than him, but there are plenty of QBs who could of put those numbers up on those teams. And quite a few would've blown those numbers out of the water, and never even come close to losing a game...

Do you consider Casey Clausen a "game manager?" His stats from his Sr. year in 2003 were eerily similar to McCarron's from 2013.

Clausen: 2968 yards, 27 TDs, 9 Ints.

McCarron: 3063 yards, 28 TSs, 7 Ints.

I don't know of too many Vol fans that think of Clausen as a game manager.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

That was because he was surrounded by probably one of the best rosters in college football history: offense and defense. Not saying Worley is better than him, but there are plenty of QBs who could of put those numbers up on those teams. And quite a few would've blown those numbers out of the water, and never even come close to losing a game...

Good point. I was making a similar point about Tyler Bray just after the 2012 season. If we had just a decent defense, we could have won 4-5 more games that year. Why?

Because we not only had the 2nd best offense in the conference, but with a solid defense handing the ball back over to the offense a few more series per game, we may have had the No.1 offense. And that's without much of a running game!

So, Bamer's defense hands the ball back to the offense several more times per game than a mediocre SEC defense would. That equates to McCarron getting to pad his stats. If you put McCarron on that UT 2012 team, we probably would have lost to Troy and NC State

 

[sjt18]

Do you consider Casey Clausen a "game manager?" His stats from his Sr. year in 2003 were eerily similar to McCarron's from 2013.

Clausen: 2968 yards, 27 TDs, 9 Ints.

McCarron: 3063 yards, 28 TSs, 7 Ints.

I don't know of too many Vol fans that think of Clausen as a game manager.

I would. I certainly don't consider him a guy with an elite arm or accuracy... or running abilitylol:. He was tough, confident, smart, and decisive. His NFL dreams were short lived precisely because he didn't have great physical ability.

 

[JDisThereThere]

Do you consider Casey Clausen a "game manager?" His stats from his Sr. year in 2003 were eerily similar to McCarron's from 2013.

Clausen: 2968 yards, 27 TDs, 9 Ints.

McCarron: 3063 yards, 28 TSs, 7 Ints.

I don't know of too many Vol fans that think of Clausen as a game manager.

Don't consider either of them a game manager, but just saying if McCarron had been our QB last year he probably wouldn't have had much better numbers than are QBs. Clausen is a similar case to McCarron though: Great O-Line, special running backs, and dink-and-dump to explosive receivers w/ an occasional well-thrown deep ball. Casey didn't do much in the pros and, I might be wrong, McCarron probably won't either.

Edit: So now that I think about it, I might consider both of them excellent 'game managers'. If that makes sense LOL...

 

[butchna]

FWIW, I think I read an article that said that Dormady had never had a run in HSFB... does it really sound like Jones is only looking for running QB's??

+1. The "dual threat" fixation on here is sometimes laughable...if Butch has one of those types as his starter, he definitely utilizes those tools...but he places a premium on his starter analyzing the defense and utilizing the PLAYMAKERS at his disposal... an advantageous keeper from time to time and Dormady is the perfect BUTCH QB! Tho JJ is going to be a good fit also.

 

[onevol74]

If they start to struggle, we will likely see a lot of 2 TE sets, which isn't a bad option. It can frustrate a lot of defenses...if you have the TE's that can hurt them blocking and pass-catching.

We didn't have that last year.

If I were a corner and they lined up Jason Croom on me and then brought 2 tight ends to my side with Hurd running the football it would probably cause me to fail that sphincter test.

 

[JDisThereThere]

Good point. I was making a similar point about Tyler Bray just after the 2012 season. If we had just a decent defense, we could have won 4-5 more games that year. Why?

Because we not only had the 2nd best offense in the conference, but with a solid defense handing the ball back over to the offense a few more series per game, we may have had the No.1 offense. And that's without much of a running game!

So, Bamer's defense hands the ball back to the offense several more times per game than a mediocre SEC defense would. That equates to McCarron getting to pad his stats. If you put McCarron on that UT 2012 team, we probably would have lost to Troy and NC State

Not only that, but also realize how much better practicing against that defense made him look in games. When the best defense you play all year is the one you face in practice daily, playing against everyone else almost seems easy by comparison.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

If Worley doesn't get hurt, he more than likely starts all year. For all the talk about upside, I heard one of the "inside" reporters open up the other day. They were restricted from saying a whole lot while the competition was actually on-going... but he indicated that the competition was never very close.

Worley's the leader. He's decisive. He has the battle scars. He's performed under pressure. He's now according to reports throwing the ball better than he ever has... EVERY indicator points to him being the guy barring injury.

Just playing devils advocate here a little bit, so why was Jones so quick to bail on Worley last year? To give a freshman his first start in the swamp over a JR with game experience.

 

[Boca Vol]

Don't consider either of them a game manager, but just saying if McCarron had been our QB last year he probably wouldn't have had much better numbers than are QBs. Clausen is a similar case to McCarron though: Great O-Line, special running backs, and dink-and-dump to explosive receivers w/ an occasional well-thrown deep ball. Casey didn't do much in the pros and, I might be wrong, McCarron probably won't either.

Edit: So now that I think about it, I might consider both of them excellent 'game managers'. If that makes sense LOL...

So if McCarron and Clausen were game managers, then what would you call Worley? If you're lumping all 3 as "game managers" then 1 doesn't clearly fit with the other 2.

My point was Worley got labled, on here mind you, as a game manager. By what definition? I have a feeling he could be an effective one this season, but I wouldn't call him one based on last season. That's all.

 

[k-town_king]

McCarron would have done way better last year. He doesn't miss wide open wrs or throw them ten yards in the dirt in front of them. Hopefully Worley doesn't do those things this year.

 

[sjt18]

Just playing devils advocate here a little bit, so why was Jones so quick to bail on Worley last year? To give a freshman his first start in the swamp over a JR with game experience.

I can only speculate but I'd say Jones would call it a mistake in retrospect to make the change at UF. Otherwise I think he was just searching to see if a different QB could spark the O. It didn't work but I've said multiple times that I respect the guts it took to try it. Willingness to take a shot is a mark of a championship coach.

Worley didn't stake a firm claim to the job last fall so there were still doubts headed into the season. This year, he seems to have separated himself in the spring and never really looked back. After being named the starter, the coaches and players have indicated he became even more assertive. He's one of the team leaders this year.

That's another thing about last year... recently someone quoted Worley as saying the OL's weren't willing to accept him (or any of the others probably) as THEIR leader. They'd all started multiple seasons. It was THEIR offense.

For good or ill, Worley appears to be the undisputed leader of the UT O headed into this season.

 

[sjt18]

McCarron would have done way better last year. He doesn't miss wide open wrs or throw them ten yards in the dirt in front of them. Hopefully Worley doesn't do those things this year.

Azzani was asked the other day if he thought it helped the receivers to know Worley was the starter. His response was interesting and relates to your post. He said that it meant more to Worley. The WR's just have to work on doing their jobs. The QB has to account for each receiver's nuances and habits. He has to become confident that they'll run the right route correctly and make a play on the ball.

There are offensive systems where precision in route running aren't as critical... deficiencies are covered by play design (basically trickery). Jones seems to be an execution focused coach. Once his team "arrives"... it won't matter if the D knows what's coming. They won't be able to stop elite players executing at an elite level.

I don't believe that McCarron or anyone else would have done very well running UT's passing game last year. UT's WR's were very, very inconsistent and unreliable which is a killer in Jones' system. The TE's were decimated by injury. This isn't even a statement about talent or lack of it... it is about the lack of opportunity because of inexperienced and poor play at receiver.

UT's best two receivers last fall were Pig and North. North... was playing WR for the first time. He was forced into playing LONG before he should have been. The reports about Pig, Smith, et al this fall is that they've improved "night and day" over last fall... if they weren't a problem as a group then that kind of change wouldn't be possible or necessary.

 

[YankeeVol]

Just don't lose the game and I'll be happy. A Trent Dilfer type QB

 

[ProfessorD]

I think with Worley at the helm from the start we might have pulled off the Florida game last year and would have definitely beat Vandy. I think Worley is going to have a monster year this year. This is all coming from a guy that has been a Dobbs supporter from day one. Worley is our man and I hope he stays healthy all season long. 7-5 here we come.

 

[KoachKletus]

Staying healthy is the key. Not just at QB but for the entire 1's & 2's for us to get to and go beyond the 6 win mark.

 

[plaincityvol]

The jury is still out on Worely, that is why he is the 13th ranked SEC quarterback. To say otherwise ignores past performance, and I know he was the QB against USC. We won in spite of him not because of him. I hope like heck he has a good year, but from what I have seen of him so far in his career, I am skeptical.

 

[sjt18]

The jury is still out on Worely, that is why he is the 13th ranked SEC quarterback. To say otherwise ignores past performance, and I know he was the QB against USC.

The jury isn't out any more on him than a bunch of guys who've never been the starter for their team... you can't ignore "no" performance either.

We won in spite of him not because of him.

Nope. Worley played well and did what needed to be done. He didn't have reliable receivers and still found a way to make some plays. He managed the game and executed the gameplan. He was very much a key component in that win.

I hope like heck he has a good year, but from what I have seen of him so far in his career, I am skeptical.

Surround him with reliable and talented receivers... then judge him. Maybe he plays no better. I suspect he will.

 

[onevol74]

Staying healthy is the key. Not just at QB but for the entire 1's & 2's for us to get to and go beyond the 6 win mark.

Especially on the offensive line.

 

[orangeluvr]

If they start to struggle, we will likely see a lot of 2 TE sets, which isn't a bad option. It can frustrate a lot of defenses...if you have the TE's that can hurt them blocking and pass-catching.

We didn't have that last year.

True that,the offense will have different look this season and multiple plays can be run out of the double TE set.

 

[Vol Catdaddy]

I don't care what anyone says..this is the year, worley is going to light it up and we will surprise more then one team...we will finish ranked and in a damn good bowl.

Don't fret, I have enough confidence to carry the rest of volnation through.

Let's take it one game at a time.

 

[butchna]

Just playing devils advocate here a little bit, so why was Jones so quick to bail on Worley last year? To give a freshman his first start in the swamp over a JR with game experience.

First three games last season, Worley was causing soil erosion...it was a difficult conversion obviously...Butch was trying to use everything at his disposal to obtain success.

 

[Rooster1]

That was because he was surrounded by probably one of the best rosters in college football history: offense and defense. Not saying Worley is better than him, but there are plenty of QBs who could of put those numbers up on those teams. And quite a few would've blown those numbers out of the water, and never even come close to losing a game...

How many games did McCarron lose in his tenure? How many crystals did he win? Everyone comparing Worley to two time Nat'l Champ McMcarron are missing the mark, by a huge margin. Forget HS stats, college ball is different, some excell some do not. Worley would have never made the depth chart at QB when McCarron ways there, are you people forgetting how well he played for three years as the starter? Forget the rest of the talent around either, one was simply a great CFB QB and the other is trying to make a mark in his final year, and yes Worley had every disadvantage to all the advantages McCarron had, but watching those two play in CFB is night and day tbh.

 

[Volinnooga]

If Worley has a tough start, you will start hammering on him again.

 

[JDisThereThere]

So if McCarron and Clausen were game managers, then what would you call Worley? If you're lumping all 3 as "game managers" then 1 doesn't clearly fit with the other 2.

My point was Worley got labled, on here mind you, as a game manager. By what definition? I have a feeling he could be an effective one this season, but I wouldn't call him one based on last season. That's all.

Am I allowed to say that those 2 were excellent game managers, and Worley is an average game manger? Due to what he has done so far in his career I think that would have to be the label I give him. The one big game he won was helped out by North making some huge catches and the Ol' Ball Coach's inability to just run the ball to ice the game. The thing that all 3 of those guys have in common is that they couldn't make unbelievable plays/throws to win a game basically on their own.