Bru McCoy comments about offense

[Pride85]

Definitely Milton. JH knows it too. It’s why we aren’t aggressive down the middle of the field in the pass game. We have no C on the OL and a QB that isn’t good pre-snap.

Your statement about pre-snap is the biggest issue that I saw. His throws were pretty accurate and the interception was not on him. The center is the QB of the line and Ollie Lane showed he can't make the call, snap the ball then be ready to block. On defense, Elijah Herring was a bit exposed as the Mike LB as well. A little weak on the handling of pre-snap playcalling by all three "QBs" on the team.

 

[McDad]

So what is hinted or implied?

I've read the quote several times now. I don't think there is anything implied. Bru probably has reasons for his thoughts but it doesn't seem to me he shared or hinted at those.

 

[AllVols]

Sounds like this team isn't and just isn't going to play for Joe.

 

[McDad]

Here's the thing - if we can't run the ball with 4-5 in the box, this offense can't operate, and SEC DC's damn well know it.

This is the key. Our run game is a microcosm of our offense and requires many things working together to be effective. This isn't the old days where it ONLY comes down to hat on hat.

 

[EZE]

Is it regarding Milton, the OC or other players on offense? I was surprised the offense thought that way, esp after they marched down and scored on their opening drive.

Unfortunately, it sounds like a lack of confidence in the QB.

I also think the coaches have the same lack of confidence…and that leads to the more conservative play calls we’ve seen.

They likely believe that Nico isn’t ready yet, and they have to ride with what they have.

However, the coaches might be forced to make a move if they risk completely losing the team. But I think the earliest we’d see a move is UConn.

 

[TikiVol]

You can’t pin this on just Joe. Outside a couple players, everything was bad. This quote makes me think they are mentally weak, fragile. I also fail to see how getting humiliated bu the worst UF team in modern history will turn this around. Hate to say it, but i see 6-6 and a huge setback in recruiting. While they have no confidence, everyone on our schedule is getting really confident they can beat us.

 

[EZE]

Looks like we might have an unsolvable QB situation this season.

The team doesn’t believe in Milton.

Nico isn’t ready.

I’m expecting a rough season. It is what it is.

 

[EZE]

You can’t pin this on just Joe. Outside a couple players, everything was bad. This quote makes me think they are mentally weak, fragile. I also fail to see how getting humiliated bu the worst UF team in modern history will turn this around. Hate to say it, but i see 6-6 and a huge setback in recruiting. While they have no confidence, everyone on our schedule is getting really confident they can beat us.

I agree about Milton.

However, it doesn’t matter what we think. A team has to believe in its QB (especially in Heupel’s offense) or it will struggle to succeed.

These guys see it everyday in practice. They know the reality of who can play and who can’t.

 

[volsrock09]

I just read Bru McCoy’s comments when asked about the offensive woes. He stated the players, including himself, didn’t think they would have success, even after the opening drive.

How did it get to this point and how can they regain the swagger? He said it begins with “trusting one another.” But how do you not have confidence after you scored a TD on first possession?

Hendo was an incredible QB and leader, so I understand things changed. But what has caused the offensive players to doubt themselves? You can’t be tentative and expect to win a game in any sport.

Thoughts?

Edit- I just posted article.

If a WR is saying that, it has to do with 1 of 2 possible people (or both). The QB, or the play caller.

 

[BradstarVols]

Look how Bama played against USF. Teams respond to coaching choices. They didn’t like Milroe being benched. Maybe this team thinks Nico should be the starter.

That's a massive reach

 

[Vol4gzus]

Not all on one. Seems teams learned to scheme from Virginia in playing deeper in secondary to prevent the deep play. So now, Coach Heupel and staff are having to rewrite the script on plays. We'll see how we can adapt now beyond the Don Ho tiny bubbles(screens) . OL line not blocking will allow defenses to continue the deeper playing in secondary if we can't get running game going to make them play honest in coverages. Just saying y'all..

 

[volfan2491]

My take is if they lose to SC due to sluggish QB and offensive play then you start to break in the kid. Beat SC then keep him on the bench. You can really mess up an 18yr old if you aren’t careful

i say we bench milton and play nico this weekend. let's see what the kids got.

 

[aRmo]

According to Vols redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy, it's because Tennessee wasn't confident that they could replicate the success of the first drive of the game.

"I can't really pinpoint it exactly," said McCoy when asked about the struggles after the first drive. "We came out fast, started fast and then sort of lost the momentum a little bit. Me personally, I think we started thinking back that we couldn't do it again and we just had. It's a mindset thing. It's a confidence thing. It's trusting one another in what we are capable of doing. It's really just that."

Here's the full quote.

When there's ambiguity, we tend to interpret through our own preconceptions. Those who are sour on Milton interpret to mean lack of confidence in Milton. Those who question playcalling and OC have that interpretation. Those who think UF is in our player's heads take it that way.
Reality is none of those things are hinted or even implied.

But its Joe, its all Joe, always Has been Joe. Joe is the reason the OL cant block. Joe is the reason our WR's cannot catch the ball. Joe is the reason our defense cannot tackle. Joe is the reason Martinez keeps Hadden off the bench. Its all Joe man. Nico needs to start so he can do all these things above. He is superman. He can do it all. bet he throws for 3000000 yards. Some of you need to relax and take a chill pill. This team is still figuring out who it is. Its not pretty, some of the things that need to happen in the locker room is not gonna be pretty either. It took Hooker's team 2 years to gain that confidence and swagger. Not just 1 season. Joe has his issues. But his issues are not as bad as others. If we dont get this OL problem fixed this is a 6-6 football team at best. IDC who you have at QB. Its pretty bad. The offense starts and stops with the OL.

 

[Vol4gzus]

i say we bench milton and play nico this weekend. let's see what the kids got.

Bruised ribs, other bruises on a small frame. He'll play this weekend regardless of big point differential most likely. However , Vols need Milton to relax and make the reads and the plays because we need him to be good for our season to have a shot at a pleasant ending. Benching this early would not be the right thing as it sends an alarm when we aren't there . Though close. Game against the ruusters on 30th will tell alot. However, defense has to join party and do so minus players doing weed at expense of teammates. Last years lb fiasco disrupted team in columbia. So leaders may be missing like Hooker to try and right the locker room(?)

 

[sami]

Not all on one. Seems teams learned to scheme from Virginia in playing deeper in secondary to prevent the deep play. So now, Coach Heupel and staff are having to rewrite the script on plays. We'll see how we can adapt now beyond the Don Ho tiny bubbles(screens) . OL line not blocking will allow defenses to continue the deeper playing in secondary if we can't get running game going to make them play honest in coverages. Just saying y'all..

All this psycho mumbo jumbo trying to read minds is ridiculous. As you said, it comes down to doing whatever is necessary to get the run game going, and Josh adjusting the play calling to account for what Milton can do, even if that means slowing down and playing ball control.

Going fast only works if you're getting chunk plays and moving the chains. If we need to become a 3 yds and a cloud of dust offense right now, so be it. But to run this offense with personnel not suited to run it properly is suicide.

 

[08Vol]

Milton completed 20 passes for 287 yards: That's an average of 14 yards a catch. That's a big number. McCoy himself had nearly 100
yards receiving. So there were more than just screen passes in the game.

Still, it's also true that our offensive line is not as good as last year's OL, our QB is not as efficient a passer as Hooker was, and he doesn't run
as well as Hooker did, and we didn't run it very well against Florida. We also don't seem as good defensively--some embarrassingly bad tackling in the first half. As Heupel said, we've just got to get better in all phases.

We did this same dance with JG. After the game his stats almost always looked decent but never told the whole story.

For Heupel’s offense to work the QB has to run when the defense leaves the middle of the field open. One reason we had so many open receivers last year was due to safeties keeping their eyes in the backfield b/c Hooker was always a threat to run for 10+ on any pass play. That slight hesitation was all the receivers needed to get a step on them, especially in zone coverage. Milton had multiple opportunities to take off on Saturday and just didn’t. Until that changes, this offense is going to not look good.

 

[KTrain]

According to Vols redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy, it's because Tennessee wasn't confident that they could replicate the success of the first drive of the game.

"I can't really pinpoint it exactly," said McCoy when asked about the struggles after the first drive. "We came out fast, started fast and then sort of lost the momentum a little bit. Me personally, I think we started thinking back that we couldn't do it again and we just had. It's a mindset thing. It's a confidence thing. It's trusting one another in what we are capable of doing. It's really just that."

Here's the full quote.

When there's ambiguity, we tend to interpret through our own preconceptions. Those who are sour on Milton interpret to mean lack of confidence in Milton. Those who question playcalling and OC have that interpretation. Those who think UF is in our player's heads take it that way.
Reality is none of those things are hinted or even implied.

Good post, ppl want things to play out the way they have it in their head and they rationalize. Milton's PFF was highest on the team, so a 3rd party Pro Football Focus with no emotional ties graded him that high.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Looks like we might have an unsolvable QB situation this season.

The team doesn’t believe in Milton.

Nico isn’t ready.

I’m expecting a rough season. It is what it is.

If this is the case, I can take a little comfort in Alabama having a similar QB issue. Saban can't find a QB to execute his offense either, so it happens.

I'm at a loss with this. Coach Josh Heupel took a relatively obscure VT QB and put him in the league. Coach Josh Heupel took a team that was splintered, missing, and distrustful and created a cohesive, hardworking group. Coach Josh Heupel implemented an offense that not only beat opponents but got the attention of the college football world.

This year? We're not running that offense most of the time, the team doesn't look like they're buying in to our season and our gameplan, and our QB doesn't appear to have made the career shift we saw from Hooker.

I get it. These things can happen. I just wish all three wouldn't occur in the same year.

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

Maybe Milton is better as a role player instead of a starter. I know that I see other teams seem to have the QB gather the troops when things are not going well. I see them pan our sideline and Joe is sitting back laughing it up with Nico. I really would like them pan over and him be sitting in front of his entire O at times. I get it you don't do that every time. Although with the lack of effort going on currently we need something to change.

 

[TikiVol]

Between Bru’s comments and Coach’s comments on the locker room, i think there are some really big problems. Teams with no confidence never win. Nobody is going to hand it to them - not Austin Peah, UTSA, and certainly not SEC teams other than Candy. 50/50 these guys roll over and wet their legs. We have a Pruitt style D and Offense right now.

 

[Ttucke11]

Joe has some terrible warts. I thought we could cover them with schemes. I don't think we can. The communication pre snap is horrible and he has anchors on his feet while moving in the pocket or trying to scramble. We have zero improvisational success. If the scheme is perfect, the route is perfect, the blocking is perfect then Joe will possibly hit a pretty throw. If any of those things are off he's lost.

 

[GBOTango]

Well, the offense ran Milton for the final two games of last year. The offense was a well groomed machine last year, and Milton just stepped into it. This year's offense needs a leader, and our 6th year man is not getting it done. If the season becomes a dumpster fire, you will see the freshman.

 

[posivol]

said it last year against ga and the same applies this year.quick slants in space let the recvrs run.forces the safeties to come up.every team runs these slants except us.defenses are adjusting to our schemes we have have to adjust to thier defenses.hype wants milton to be hooker,hes not a dual a dual threat,adjust or change qb's.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Your statement about pre-snap is the biggest issue that I saw. His throws were pretty accurate and the interception was not on him. The center is the QB of the line and Ollie Lane showed he can't make the call, snap the ball then be ready to block. On defense, Elijah Herring was a bit exposed as the Mike LB as well. A little weak on the handling of pre-snap playcalling by all three "QBs" on the team.

Yes to this. Losing Pili and Mays, both line QB's hurt us a lot more than you know. Their experience is not just replaceable with another body.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Unfortunately, it sounds like a lack of confidence in the QB.

I also think the coaches have the same lack of confidence…and that leads to the more conservative play calls we’ve seen.

They likely believe that Nico isn’t ready yet, and they have to ride with what they have.

However, the coaches might be forced to make a move if they risk completely losing the team. But I think the earliest we’d see a move is UConn.

We can’t win throwing screens everytime. The name of the game is winning. This offense has plenty of weapons. We need a spark, if Milton isn’t capable of trying that at least give someone a chance. Nico should get some opportunities next week if he is healthy, if Milton wants to stay the leader he needs to play better and that starts this week. GBO