Closing strong in the portal

[Woodlawn VOL]

I’ll leave it as this. Based on recruiting rankings the cupboard was not bare. No one thought that there was #1 offensive talent left from the previous staff, yet we ended up with the #1 offense. Was that great talent that the previous staff recruited or scheme and coaching? We all know it’s coaching.

This defense had arguably the worst statistical defensive game in the history of the program. It consistently ranked in the bottom five of all teams in country on passing yards given up.

My point is the talent level was comparable on both sides of the ball. On one side the coaches exceeded expectations. better coaching and scheme would have afforded better results on defense, and that includes what Garner got out of his ends. Barron had a disappointing year. Young as well. I’m not judging Young or Anderson on one game. Bama pundits will say that Saban did not get the most out of the talent he had on defense and they’d be right.

It’s my opinion that Heupel needs to consider revisions to his defensive staff. Maybe the offensive production will continue and mask the deficiencies on defense.

Ok, whatever you say. As a fan of over 50 years I trust and rely on the eye test. The D-line passed my eye test. If not for the D-line we would not have been 11-2. But I am through arguing with you about it. Garner got the most out of our line last year in my opinion. I am done. GBO

 

[BreatheUT]

Going back 20 years isn’t ideal.

You can always tell a programs recent success level by how far back the fanbase goes to pull names to make a relevant comparison to today.

 

[vols40]

Do you normally hear the names of Texas A&M Defensive Tackles mentioned much?

His 29 total tackles, 17 solo, would rank him first among our DLs this past season. And he did it as a true freshman adjusting to SEC play. Probably one of the reasons he made the College Football News' Freshman All American Team.

People who lash out with oh this (insert D tackle) name with the overated angle make me chuckle.

 

[butchna]

Might be dumb question but I honestly don’t know how the transfer portal tendencies work. Is it a situation that after spring practices are over a good QB might transfer we could pick up?
I’m probably more concerned with our QB situation than many younger fans (I’m 45), cuz I vividly remember…Justin Colquitt (down), Todd Helton (down), now Peyton as a true frosh. It worked out ok (Peyton as a frosh was far from Peyton as a sophomore), but point id we were at third string. And if that happened this coming season? The drop off would likely be insane.

Jerry not Justin.

 

[VolsSince78]

That’s only partly true.
Our defense plays more snaps because they can’t get off the field. Our offense did not run anywhere near the amount of plays it could have.
This defense was terrible statistically and when it came to those stats. Passing yards given up and number of plays allowed. We really didn’t have an inordinate amount of injuries.

The Vols Defense finished in the top half of the SEC & FBS in 3rd Down Defense, 4th Down Defense. and Yards Per Play Defense. THE VOLS EASILY FINISHED IN THE TOP HALF OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE STATISTIC- POINTS ALLOWED.

They were also near the top of SEC/FBS in Red Zone Defense & Rushing Defense. Until UK was shutout in the Music City Bowl with Levis & Rodriguez sitting out, the Vols held five opponents to their season lows in points scored.

We all get that the Pass Defense needs to get SIGNIFICANTLY better, and the entire Defense was awful vs USCe. But, note the 2022 Vols Defense did quite a few things right. And our front four was stout!

 

[Carl Pickens]

I’ll leave it as this. Based on recruiting rankings the cupboard was not bare. No one thought that there was #1 offensive talent left from the previous staff, yet we ended up with the #1 offense. Was that great talent that the previous staff recruited or scheme and coaching? We all know it’s coaching.

This defense had arguably the worst statistical defensive game in the history of the program. It consistently ranked in the bottom five of all teams in country on passing yards given up.

My point is the talent level was comparable on both sides of the ball. On one side the coaches exceeded expectations. better coaching and scheme would have afforded better results on defense, and that includes what Garner got out of his ends. Barron had a disappointing year. Young as well. I’m not judging Young or Anderson on one game. Bama pundits will say that Saban did not get the most out of the talent he had on defense and they’d be right.

It’s my opinion that Heupel needs to consider revisions to his defensive staff. Maybe the offensive production will continue and mask the deficiencies on defense.

Bro… you really think the talent level was about the same on both sides of the ball? …..…..

 

[WaywardVol]

Bro… you really think the talent level was about the same on both sides of the ball? …..…..

Do I think the production was the same? No.
No one thought Tillman, Hooker and Hyatt were special talent, until Heupel coached them.

Look at Heupel’s offense wherever he’s been. Top 5 in the nation. I know he was 2nd in the nation two of his years UCF? Talent or coaching and scheme.

If you can’t figure out the common denominator, that’s on you.

 

[Carl Pickens]

Do I think the production was the same? No.
No one thought Tillman, Hooker and Hyatt were special talent, until Heupel coached them.

Look at Heupel’s offense wherever he’s been. Top 5 in the nation. I know he was 2nd in the nation two of his years UCF? Talent or coaching and scheme.

If you can’t figure out the common denominator, that’s on you.

We’ll see how many get drafted off of each side of the ball.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

We’ll see how many get drafted off of each side of the ball.

We had a couple of holes on defense, but some of them will be drafted.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I’ll leave it as this. Based on recruiting rankings the cupboard was not bare. No one thought that there was #1 offensive talent left from the previous staff, yet we ended up with the #1 offense. Was that great talent that the previous staff recruited or scheme and coaching? We all know it’s coaching.

This defense had arguably the worst statistical defensive game in the history of the program. It consistently ranked in the bottom five of all teams in country on passing yards given up.

My point is the talent level was comparable on both sides of the ball. On one side the coaches exceeded expectations. better coaching and scheme would have afforded better results on defense, and that includes what Garner got out of his ends. Barron had a disappointing year. Young as well. I’m not judging Young or Anderson on one game. Bama pundits will say that Saban did not get the most out of the talent he had on defense and they’d be right.

It’s my opinion that Heupel needs to consider revisions to his defensive staff. Maybe the offensive production will continue and mask the deficiencies on defense.

Just because we have a genius producing amazing results on one side of the ball doesn't mean you can reasonably hold the other side of the ball to that standard. This defense - despite a terrible secondary - still made significant improvements over last year in numerous important stats. The only part that didn't was the secondary. If a coaching change is needed, it's there. USC was an anomaly - an outlier. As long as the defense continues to improve, then I'm good with the staff as-is. If we continue to have really bad secondary play next year, I'd be for a change there.

 

[WaywardVol]

Just because we have a genius producing amazing results on one side of the ball doesn't mean you can reasonably hold the other side of the ball to that standard. This defense - despite a terrible secondary - still made significant improvements over last year in numerous important stats. The only part that didn't was the secondary. If a coaching change is needed, it's there. USC was an anomaly - an outlier. As long as the defense continues to improve, then I'm good with the staff as-is. If we continue to have really bad secondary play next year, I'd be for a change there.

I’ve made it clear in previous posts that I didn’t and don’t expect UTs defense to be #1. That simply isn’t a fair takeaway. My point is that coaching is the main reason the offense succeeded. The antithesis for defense is also true. At least partially.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I’ve made it clear in previous posts that I didn’t and don’t expect UTs defense to be #1. That simply isn’t a fair takeaway. My point is that coaching is the main reason the offense succeeded. The antithesis for defense is also true. At least partially.

At best, what you said about the defense is only true of the secondary. The rest of the defense was a significant improvement over the previous year.

 

[WaywardVol]

At best, what you said about the defense is only true of the secondary. The rest of the defense was a significant improvement over the previous year.

I agree. Secondary is by far the biggest concern. We’ve got to do a better job getting pressure with our front four to help our secondary. We gambled a lot because we couldn’t get to the QB rushing 4.

I think we are going to have better players at end with who we’ve recruited.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Agree. I worry we will still have a weaker secondary. Must get pass rush going to offset it.

On the other hand, we have so many candidates for secondary play, it seems like the law of averages should give us four decent starters at least. If we don't then I think time to look at coaches.

 

[WaywardVol]

Agree. I worry we will still have a weaker secondary. Must get pass rush going to offset it.

On the other hand, we have so many candidates for secondary play, it seems like the law of averages should give us four decent starters at least. If we don't then I think time to look at coaches.

I wouldn’t expect that after Spring. Attrition is coming

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I wouldn’t expect that after Spring. Attrition is coming

And that's fine. Let the ones who don't figure in to playing time leave if they want. With all the dbs on our roster, that list could stand some culling.

 

[VolBalla2014]

BY had no sacks vs UF, Bama, SC or Georgia so his stats really mean squat.
We just awarded a man $9 mil a year who thinks he's going to build a championship team with mercenaries.
Ask TCU how that worked out.
With a few transfer exceptions we need to recruit better and develope our own talent/depth.

This dude acting like he personally has to give Heupel $9 million

 

[VolBalla2014]

Congrats! 2.5 sacks against a team we destroyed. And don't try and convince me that we just beat a CFB juggernaut in the Orange Bowl. BY had zero sacks in the 2 games we got our butts kicked and zero against Bama. I agree you have to give your staff "a little time" to build but that doesn't seem to apply to contracts now does it? Its insane to boost Heupel's pay to $9 mil a season when he hasn't delivered a championship. In my world, "close" doesn't cut it, we got embarrassed in Athens and in Columbia. Do you think that deserves a reward? Good Lord man.

Dude I appreciate your passion, but you are really REALLY selling Heupel's accomplishments short. That "team we destroyed" is the team that dethroned Bama a few years ago, or at least exposed them as beatable, and UT beat them in our coaches second year without multiple NFL picks, or OC, and a backup QB that was an all around question mark. That is not something that should be overlooked. 11 wins in year 2 after half the team left is an absolutely insane achievement. Especially at tennessee

 

[WaywardVol]

This dude acting like he personally has to give Heupel $9 million

Yep. And it actually worked out pretty damn good for TCU. They made the playoff. Single best 1st year turn around I’ve ever seen. What does he think a first year coach is supposed to do?
He’s right on Young though. Disappointing year for a guy that may go early in draft.

 

[Vfl2407]

I wouldn’t expect that after Spring. Attrition is coming

Hopefully, we cull our most disappointing 3-4 in the secondary after Spring.
We replace them with the best 3-4 we can find from the portal and hope that 1-2 of them are good enough to crack our two deep.

 

[BelieveTheHeup93]

Hopefully, we cull our most disappointing 3-4 in the secondary after Spring.
We replace them with the best 3-4 we can find from the portal and hope that 1-2 of them are good enough to crack our two deep.

Missing on DI hurt. Ideally GJL is our number 2 corner. Regardless I think we have upgraded at least 1 corner position from the start of last season. I think Williams has the athleticism to be a solid corner, but he just wasn’t able to put it together last year. Hopefully that changes. I think between GJL, Slaughter, Burrell, Williams, and the 2 freshmen than we can at least have 2-3 solid corners. Hopefully Walker, Turrentine, Thomas, Charles, Miller and J Slaughter can get it done on the back end. I think Turnage is our best option at the star as far as pass coverage is concerned unless we’re able to get another corner that allows us to move Slaughter inside

 

[WaywardVol]

Missing on DI hurt. Ideally GJL is our number 2 corner. Regardless I think we have upgraded at least 1 corner position from the start of last season. I think Williams has the athleticism to be a solid corner, but he just wasn’t able to put it together last year. Hopefully that changes. I think between GJL, Slaughter, Burrell, Williams, and the 2 freshmen then we can at least have 2-3 solid corners. Hopefully Walker, Turrentine, Thomas, Charles, Miller and J Slaughter can get it done on the back end. I think Turnage is our best option at the star as far as pass coverage is concerned unless we’re able to get another corner that allows us to move Slaughter inside

The secondary has the highest scholarship count and yet we can’t seem to get a quality result. You can pick who you want, the issue is Martinez. Hard to fire anyone after a 11-2 season, but if Heupel is giving an honest evaluation, he needs to make a change.

 

[Vol8188]

I’ll leave it as this. Based on recruiting rankings the cupboard was not bare. No one thought that there was #1 offensive talent left from the previous staff, yet we ended up with the #1 offense. Was that great talent that the previous staff recruited or scheme and coaching? We all know it’s coaching.

This defense had arguably the worst statistical defensive game in the history of the program. It consistently ranked in the bottom five of all teams in country on passing yards given up.

My point is the talent level was comparable on both sides of the ball. On one side the coaches exceeded expectations. better coaching and scheme would have afforded better results on defense, and that includes what Garner got out of his ends. Barron had a disappointing year. Young as well. I’m not judging Young or Anderson on one game. Bama pundits will say that Saban did not get the most out of the talent he had on defense and they’d be right.

It’s my opinion that Heupel needs to consider revisions to his defensive staff. Maybe the offensive production will continue and mask the deficiencies on defense.

If it wasn’t bare “based on recruiting rankings”, then why did we have almost the exact same amount of talent as South Carolina?

If the cupboard wasn’t bare, why did we have fewer 4/5* DBs on our team than everyone except Vandy?

 

[Vol8188]

The secondary has the highest scholarship count and yet we can’t seem to get a quality result. You can pick who you want, the issue is Martinez. Hard to fire anyone after a 11-2 season, but if Heupel is giving an honest evaluation, he needs to make a change.

The secondary has a high scholarship count because you play 5-6 on every snap. That’s how football works in the 2020s.

What you’re failing to admit is that we have less talent in the secondary than everyone except Vandy in the sec. That’s not on Martinez and he did a great job addressing that this offseason

 

[WaywardVol]

The secondary has a high scholarship count because you play 5-6 on every snap. That’s how football works in the 2020s.

What you’re failing to admit is that we have less talent in the secondary than everyone except Vandy in the sec. That’s not on Martinez and he did a great job addressing that this offseason

Do the recruiting rankings back that up?

I am talking about a proportional number. like comparing to the Oline. I’m well aware how many DBs play on a given down.