Does Nico play in Bowl game?

#126
#126
Dougie_D said:
I think he should. It will give Nico his first start and a glimpse of what we see next year.
Milton got his bowl game last year and the trend is that most potential NFL players opt out to keep away from injuries. (especially if it’s a crappy bowl)
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No thanks to accepting any crappy bowl bids.

I think we should demand to play in the Orange Bowl and only schools with Orange as one it's team colors should be considered.

I'm all about branding in this NIL era.
BTW: Nicholaus Iamaleava enrolled early at Tennessee in December 2022, participating in workouts for the 2022 Orange Bowl.
 
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#127
#127
Rocky Top T said:
Milton should play the whole game.
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Barring injury, I suspect you'll get your wish. I gave up on seeing Nico earlier this season. At this point, it's Milton first, last, always. Just wondering how long it will take Heupel to play the "inexperience" card when Nico has some rough outings? Will it fly with the fans? I doubt it.
 
#129
#129
CAVPUT said:
Barring injury, I suspect you'll get your wish. I gave up on seeing Nico earlier this season. At this point, it's Milton first, last, always. Just wondering how long it will take Heupel to play the "inexperience" card when Nico has some rough outings? Will it fly with the fans? I doubt it.
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I find it interesting that despite JH saying Nico wasn’t going to redshirt, he has. Makes me wonder that even Nico agrees that he’s not ready. And that would be disconcerting.
 
#133
#133
Looking forward to the “Why aren’t we starting Merklinger?” threads next year.
I see no reason to not play Nico in the bowl game, as long as we are either up comfortably, or (hopefully less likely) down to the point of unlikely comeback.
 
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#134
#134
AustinMem said:
Looking forward to the “Why aren’t we starting Merklinger?” threads next year.
I see no reason to not play Nico in the bowl game, as long as we are either up comfortably, or (hopefully less likely) down to the point of unlikely comeback.
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I saw no reason not to give the entire second half to Nico with our starters vs Vandy, but that didn't happen either. Heupel has either got a portal guy in his pocket or Nico had better be one very quick study and the game slows down really, really quickly for him. I know it's college/big boy football in this league, but it's really unfair to throw him into the deep end without a single swimming lesson. Regardless of the plan to red shirt or not, they had up to 4 games plus the bowl to really force the issue with him and they chose not to. Should be very interesting to see how it all shakes out on the field given the schedule we face next year not to mention how Heupel responds to criticism if Nico struggles. Of course, we can also say the same thing about our secondary. Just insane to not get those guys more action against the weak sisters of our schedule this year. One would think that the DL with how Garner forced a rotation of younger guys so they were more experienced/developed would be an example. Garner built depth and "developed" his younger talent. As a result, they were a strength. Just don't understand why it didn't happen at some other positions. Personally, I can't accept "youth" and "inexperience" or lack of depth as an excuse going forward after the way this staff has managed the younger players on this roster. Nope. That's completely on them. Maybe they think experience and development is by some form of osmosis? Just being part of the program for 3 years seasons you to the point of being ready? Pretty hard to sell recruits on the idea of playing early at UT after the way this staff has handled younger players this season.
 
#140
#140
Do these questions really have to be asked? You can't deduce your own answer? Is there no space for logic and reason in society anymore?
 
#142
#142
hatingbamaisawayoflife said:
you think Milton is going to be drafted???????
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QB's from smaller schools without the hype have been drafted. QB's that were not as impressive as others have been drafted.

Milton has the necessary skill set to be a great QB in the NFL. Those skills are better than many who have more hype. The NFL is not the same as the NCAA. I would be more surprised if he doesn't get drafted.
 
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#143
#143
Frozevol said:
I find it interesting that despite JH saying Nico wasn’t going to redshirt, he has. Makes me wonder that even Nico agrees that he’s not ready. And that would be disconcerting.
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I don't think there is any controversy here. Nico was the number 2 QB. He was always an injury away from being QB number 1. The games this year did not allow for the number 2 QB to just take the field at will. I think it is more a matter of the fact the way the year played out which did not give him opportunity in many games which allowed him to redshirt.

And yes, anyone but those fixated on what Milton doesn't do, knew Milton was going to be the starter this year. It was his to lose and he didn't lose it.
 
#145
#145
For me its all about the $.
Does Joe need more tape? I don't think so. I think NFL scouts have a pretty good idea of what Joe is and what he will do in a NCAA game.
I think we have all seen what Joe can do when he has a lot of time to prepare. He is always best on the first scripted drive. He played well in the Orange bowl where he had a month to prepare.
If I am Joe I am already gone and hiring the best team I can to get me prepared for the combine. I am lifting hard right now and studying for interviews. I don't see how a cruddy bowl helps Joe and his draft stock at all.
As for Nico I see this month being very valuable for him and UT's future. Let him take over and show his leadership skills and show the team what the future will look like. Remember how excited we all were after Joe balled out in the Orange bowl? If CJH wants that same buzz all offseason he needs to convince Joe its best for everyone to split ways now. I know Josh is loyal and wont do something like that but I think it would be best for both parties.
It will show recruits the future is bright and the players currently on the team that they can look forward to winning.
 
#146
#146
And this mentality of let's just play the non-seniors drives me crazy. All of you saying that would be the first to complain if 8-4 turns into 8-5. I would rather be 9-4.

If take this approach and lose, the future looks really bad.
 
#148
#148
volfan102455 said:
QB's from smaller schools without the hype have been drafted. QB's that were not as impressive as others have been drafted.

Milton has the necessary skill set to be a great QB in the NFL. Those skills are better than many who have more hype. The NFL is not the same as the NCAA. I would be more surprised if he doesn't get drafted.
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What skills are you referring to ? His ability to pre-read the defense and know where the opening will be ? His pocket awareness ? I think his skill set is the same as Jamarcus Russell's was from LSU who turned out to be a big bust in the NFL. There has to be more there than physical to be a great NFL QB. It's just been proven over and over.
 
#149
#149
Dougie_D said:
I think he should. It will give Nico his first start and a glimpse of what we see next year.
Milton got his bowl game last year and the trend is that most potential NFL players opt out to keep away from injuries. (especially if it’s a crappy bowl)
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Of course not. He shouldn’t even make the trip. We need to protect his red shirt at ALL costs.
 
#150
#150
Volhoops said:
What skills are you referring to ? His ability to pre-read the defense and know where the opening will be ? His pocket awareness? I think his skill set is the same as Jamarcus Russell's was from LSU who turned out to be a big bust in the NFL. There has to be more there than physical to be a great NFL QB. It's just been proven over and over.
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The NFL is very different than the NCAA. Some of the passes that were not caught this year would be caught by NFL receivers. Were you shocked when Florida's Anthony Richardson was drafted so high?

Milton could be a bust in the NFL but he had good enough numbers this year that someone will take him. His performance this year is not as bad as some of you make it out to be.
 
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