'Big Dan' big project for Vols

#1
kamoshika

kamoshika

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#1
Shortly after becoming Tennessee's defensive line coach, Steve Stripling began hearing plenty about this mountain of a tackle called "Big Dan."

Since he broke into coaching college football as a graduate assistant at Colorado in 1977, Stripling said he's never coached a player as big as the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Daniel McCullers.

Now he's trying to get the biggest Volunteer to maximize his ability.
'Big Dan' big project for Vols | timesfreepress.com
 
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#5
#5
BallerVol said:
Big Dan.... that's the type of name that reminds me of a Vol Lengend... Big John
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My thoughts exactly. Similar height to Big John and Big Al. I hope and pray he can end up with the same level of success those 2 have had. I have big hopes with him in the 4-3.
 
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#6
#6
I'd love to see him come off the snap and throw the guard into the quarterback! He's got the power to do it.
 
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#8
#8
He needs to learn the old 'fork lift' manuever that big Jumpy Geathers used to use to drive the guard right into the QB's face and just tackle the whole backfield.
 
#9
#9
If he were warren sapp (or even half that) we would know regardless of the defense. People forget Sapp played as a freshman over the Rock (who was considering by Orgeron a once in a life time player) at the U.
 
#11
#11
kamoshika said:
Shortly after becoming Tennessee's defensive line coach, Steve Stripling began hearing plenty about this mountain of a tackle called "Big Dan."

Since he broke into coaching college football as a graduate assistant at Colorado in 1977, Stripling said he's never coached a player as big as the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Daniel McCullers.

Now he's trying to get the biggest Volunteer to maximize his ability.
'Big Dan' big project for Vols | timesfreepress.com
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When Dooley was fired, Dan considered leaving school. I can't remember if he wanted to go to the NFL or if he was just leaving school.

Sure glad he did not leave. I bet he will vastly improve his stock in just one season of coaching under Coach Jones.

Sure wish Sentimore had stayed for another season also.
 
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#12
#12
This kid has a future in the NFL . He is already rated as a high pick for the DT position, just based off his size.

The coaches know what they have here ... He can be an absolute force when he gets quicker .
 
#13
#13
mreed90 said:
He could be our Warren Sapp in this defense.
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Warren Sapp was not nearly as tall and was very quick for a DT--that's what made him great. Big Dan will never be quick. This guy, if he gets halfway fit, could be a major asset against teams that like to run the ball. But the game is played on the edges a lot more these days, and that makes it harder for a huge NT to be effective.

Big John Henderson was also 6'8", but I don't think he was as heavy as McCullers and he was one of the strongest players in college (and then pro) football. Henderson would take the center and just drive him back into the face of the QB on passing downs. I doubt Dan will be anywhere near as good as Henderson but if he reaches 65-70 percent of his level he will help.
 
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#14
#14
This. Good Post, armchair.

Warren Sapp played some fullback in HS. He bulked up and utilized his quickness. The exact opposite of Big Dan. Williams was known as Big Dog by teammates.

Henderson was the complete package in college and early pro days. It's tough on the legs for DT's that tall in the pros. The injuries began to wear him down in the later years.
 
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#18
#18
armchair said:
Warren Sapp was not nearly as tall and was very quick for a DT--that's what made him great. Big Dan will never be quick. This guy, if he gets halfway fit, could be a major asset against teams that like to run the ball. But the game is played on the edges a lot more these days, and that makes it harder for a huge NT to be effective.

Big John Henderson was also 6'8", but I don't think he was as heavy as McCullers and he was one of the strongest players in college (and then pro) football. Henderson would take the center and just drive him back into the face of the QB on passing downs. I doubt Dan will be anywhere near as good as Henderson but if he reaches 65-70 percent of his level he will help.
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JH would also rip your arms off and beat you to death with them. That guy had a mean streak and if McCullers can find that intensity then he can do fairly well. I am sure his stamina will be much improved after a year at the D1 level, just gotta get him to be more aggressive.
 
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#19
#19
armchair said:
Warren Sapp was not nearly as tall and was very quick for a DT--that's what made him great. Big Dan will never be quick. This guy, if he gets halfway fit, could be a major asset against teams that like to run the ball. But the game is played on the edges a lot more these days, and that makes it harder for a huge NT to be effective.

Big John Henderson was also 6'8", but I don't think he was as heavy as McCullers and he was one of the strongest players in college (and then pro) football. Henderson would take the center and just drive him back into the face of the QB on passing downs. I doubt Dan will be anywhere near as good as Henderson but if he reaches 65-70 percent of his level he will help.
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Not entirely true...just because some teams like to use the perimiter doesn't mean a big NT can't be effective in a 4-3...if the offense is running Stretch for example, and the NT blows the guard off the LOs and pushes him back, it can make thebRB stretch the play further to the sidelines than he would've liked, giving our D more time to chase him down before he turns it upfield. Still have to have guys who can set the edges though.

And McCullers is plenty capable of doing that, considering he did it a lot last year. He has plenty of strngth and could make the difference in tackle for loss and a TD.
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#22
#22
tim said:
No time cor projects. hes a senior
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You know, there is an edit button. Just sayin'.....

Yes there was already a Big Dan Williams. I vote for 'Big D' (my old nickname lol).

And to get back to this 'post'.
So a coach should just not coach ANY of his senior players because they should already know everything? That it's a project to make a player better?

I don't get you sir. It could be the horrible spelling, grammar and syntax though.
 
#25
#25
Daloth said:
If he were warren sapp (or even half that) we would know regardless of the defense. People forget Sapp played as a freshman over the Rock (who was considering by Orgeron a once in a life time player) at the U.
Click to expand...

I thought the rock got injured. Maybe a knee?
:dunno:
 
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