Good Signs

[99gator]

More people hustled to get to the ball on defense

 

[sjt18]

EDIT: STJ wants specifics so I would just point to the number of UF players that were down and had to be helped off in the first half while UT seemed fresh and ready to roll, esp on the defensive side of the ball. As for CBJ's intensity just roll the tape for any sideline shot of coach.eace2:

Thanks. I probably would have mentioned the play where Randolph dropped the hammer on their RB for a loss and the fact that they really couldn't do anything between the tackles. UT's interior DL handled a pretty good UF OL. Hood and McCullers may not be getting stat lines but they aren't giving up the middle either. That bodes well against some of the better opponents UT expected to be beaten by.

 

[Boca Vol]

People are discussing the Worley/ Peterman fiasco, but I find it more frustrating to look at UF's QB play.

UF's starter was knocked out in the 1st quarter. I never like to see a kid get hurt but it happened. As far as I know Murphy had never had any meaningful playing time. Why is it that our opponents are able to get production out of their back-ups when UT has struggled with that for years?

The pass Murphy threw along the sideline on a 3rd and 10 early in the third quarter was beautiful. Worley and Peterman couldn't make that throw if you gave them no defenders and 20 balls each.

That's what leaves me shaking my head. You have a great chance to get the ball back and tie it up, instead they complete the 3rd and 10 for 31 yards and ultimately score a td on the drive. 24-10.

 

[volswillrise12]

Can you give some examples?

I am NOT looking for a big debate over roster vs coaching. However I'm also not looking for subjective statements without examples. What small details? What specific "efforts"?

I am also not really asking for where anyone thinks things are going. That only leads back into the coaching vs roster debate. I am asking for specific things you have noticed that indicate that we have the right coaches.

I listed some specific, tangible things that show someone is doing some coaching. Again, not enough for me to make a declaration like many have.

I think one big thing for me is the penalties issue and the discipline on the field. Although I will say we had a few issues with penalties (illegal formation, etc) Saturday. I'll also say the team did not appear to quit even when the game was decided. I don't think we can say the same thing for Dooley.

 

[Dragon18]

Thanks. I probably would have mentioned the play where Randolph dropped the hammer on their RB for a loss and the fact that they really couldn't do anything between the tackles. UT's interior DL handled a pretty good UF OL. Hood and McCullers may not be getting stat lines but they aren't giving up the middle either. That bodes well against some of the better opponents UT expected to be beaten by.

I agree with this 100%. I see a lot of negativity toward McCullers but there is not much happening for opposing offenses on interior runs this season. I think they have been very stout. AJ has been outstanding also imo. he gets criticized for not making tackles outside the box, but he's an inside LB and his pursuit has actually been quite good.:salute:

 

[volfannga]

One of the first areas I notice improvement is the reduction in penalties. Focus and discipline here is going to pay bigger dividends down the road. That is coaching.

Taking a walk on to the swamp and have him pick off a pass and return the INT for a TD. That is coaching. How many prior coaches would have given him the chance.

Palardy's improvement from last year has been a sweet surprise. Nothing but criticism from this board last year and not a peep this year. It is time we give the kid some credit. Virtually every part of his game is improved. That is coaching.

Players not giving up in this game and being blown out, coming out for the second half and finishing the game tells me we have a coaching staff the players believe in and will play hard for. It tells me we are much improved in the coaching area.

Week 3 to week 4. We had a LOT of young kids take their first trip to Oregon which was probably a worst case scenario for playing on the road against the big boys. We go to Florida with largely the same group and they did not back down. Execution was bad at several points, but they played hard. That was the one thing I was looking for this year - playing 60 minutes. Now that we have shown we can do that, now I will start to look for them to play better for 60 minutes. It is a process.

 

[JacketVol]

Team was still hitting hard and swarming to the ball late in the game (4th quarter) and playing hard.

Had the ball in 4th with over 8 minutes left and down two scores.

Saw a lot more of UF players being hit hard and getting hurt than UT players. Not talking about Driskel but just a lot more of bringing the pain.

Young kids like Maybin showing their athleticism on special teams. Speed and wood laying. You can see some of the young guys when they have more weight room and time to develop could be like some of the outstanding players we have had the pleasure of watching in the past.

 

[MikeVol44]

When's the last time we gave the Gators 5 turnovers in the swamp and only lost by 14??

This team definitely has a better MENTAL attitude. We are still making some frustrating mistakes, but the fact is that these guys ARE giving their all for Tennessee and for CBJ. I would like to see the following improvements going forward:

1. We still need to learn how to set the edge on D and turn plays back in: 13 (swafford) on the short pass and long TD run did a poor job of letting the receiver take the ball down the sideline--he must get out there and turn that guy back in--and Randolph probably makes that tackle for a 5 or 8 yd gain. It looks like this guy is gonna be a baller!

2. Coleman (#27) as the CB in goal line situations cannot get sucked inside--he's got to know his assignment and that he cannot get beat outside to the edge by the RB. IF he keeps outside leverage--their RB never beats him to the corner and he turns the play back inside to the pursuit.

3. We need a PASS RUSH! Hope that getting Maggitt back 100% will help here. I would hold him out of the S.Ala game because we're gonna need him down the stretch.

4. We need a better commitment to develop a play-action passing game--that means we MUST establish a serious threat to run the ball--and we haven't done that yet in ANY game. I simply can't understand this at all--given our O-Line. We give up on the run too soon. ...there were spots in the Fla game where we ran the ball well and picked up a first down--and then threw 3 straight incompletions! It boggles the mind...We don't have consistency on offense because we FAIL to COMMIT to run the ball!

5. #34 (JRM) is gonna be a stud! He stands out on special teams and I would give him a shot at getting on the field somewhere!

6. We threw the ball in the flat to Neal ONE TIME--and he picked up 8 yds! Where was that play for the rest of the game??

7. It looks like Brewer has found a home at OLB. Pleased with his play...

8. We are asking our QBs to make some very DIFFICULT throws as we continue to attack defenses with 8-15 yd outs--It's THE most difficult pass in all of FB...Where are the double slants and skinny posts? I would also like to see a TE run a seam pattern straight down the field!

All in all--we're right where everyone expected us to be at 2-2. I like the team's attitude and CBJ is THE MAN to get us back. The sky is definitely NOT falling--and I still expect us to get to 7-5!

GO VOLS! :salute:

 

[Theshag]

Butch looked on the whole game. When Dooley and Kiffin lost a game they looked like whipped puppies.

 

[StillStanding]

Half of a team's performance level is mental. They went from 'We're gonna' get our butts handed to us" against Oregon, to "We can hang with these guys" against Florida. Looking forward to "we have a chance to win" and then "we expect to win" against top SEC competition.

Its a mental process that has to happen before UT becomes a championship team. It never happens overnight. It's a process. Patience everyone!

 

[xpsyclonex2002]

The biggest thing I saw was that they didn't give up once we got behind and we hit all field goals and extra points.

 

[sjt18]

When's the last time we gave the Gators 5 turnovers in the swamp and only lost by 14??

This team definitely has a better MENTAL attitude. We are still making some frustrating mistakes, but the fact is that these guys ARE giving their all for Tennessee and for CBJ. I would like to see the following improvements going forward:

1. We still need to learn how to set the edge on D and turn plays back in: 13 (swafford) on the short pass and long TD run did a poor job of letting the receiver take the ball down the sideline--he must get out there and turn that guy back in--and Randolph probably makes that tackle for a 5 or 8 yd gain. It looks like this guy is gonna be a baller!

2. Coleman (#27) as the CB in goal line situations cannot get sucked inside--he's got to know his assignment and that he cannot get beat outside to the edge by the RB. IF he keeps outside leverage--their RB never beats him to the corner and he turns the play back inside to the pursuit.

3. We need a PASS RUSH! Hope that getting Maggitt back 100% will help here. I would hold him out of the S.Ala game because we're gonna need him down the stretch.

4. We need a better commitment to develop a play-action passing game--that means we MUST establish a serious threat to run the ball--and we haven't done that yet in ANY game. I simply can't understand this at all--given our O-Line. We give up on the run too soon. ...there were spots in the Fla game where we ran the ball well and picked up a first down--and then threw 3 straight incompletions! It boggles the mind...We don't have consistency on offense because we FAIL to COMMIT to run the ball!

5. #34 (JRM) is gonna be a stud! He stands out on special teams and I would give him a shot at getting on the field somewhere!

6. We threw the ball in the flat to Neal ONE TIME--and he picked up 8 yds! Where was that play for the rest of the game??

7. It looks like Brewer has found a home at OLB. Pleased with his play...

8. We are asking our QBs to make some very DIFFICULT throws as we continue to attack defenses with 8-15 yd outs--It's THE most difficult pass in all of FB...Where are the double slants and skinny posts? I would also like to see a TE run a seam pattern straight down the field!

All in all--we're right where everyone expected us to be at 2-2. I like the team's attitude and CBJ is THE MAN to get us back. The sky is definitely NOT falling--and I still expect us to get to 7-5!

GO VOLS! :salute:

Can you please edit this post and take out the criticisms/complaints or delete it altogether? Not saying they aren't valid but there are multiple threads where you can complain about or criticize various things, players, and coaches. If you don't mind, I would like to focus this one on positives.

 

[ChattanoogaVols]

If you don't have something positive to contribute then please take your shots at players to another thread. There are plenty of them.

Cry me a river and take some midol. It was a joke.


Worley has the strongest arm football has seen since Brett Favre.

Happy?

 

[sjt18]

People are discussing the Worley/ Peterman fiasco, but I find it more frustrating to look at UF's QB play.

UF's starter was knocked out in the 1st quarter. I never like to see a kid get hurt but it happened. As far as I know Murphy had never had any meaningful playing time. Why is it that our opponents are able to get production out of their back-ups when UT has struggled with that for years?

The pass Murphy threw along the sideline on a 3rd and 10 early in the third quarter was beautiful. Worley and Peterman couldn't make that throw if you gave them no defenders and 20 balls each.

That's what leaves me shaking my head. You have a great chance to get the ball back and tie it up, instead they complete the 3rd and 10 for 31 yards and ultimately score a td on the drive. 24-10.

Again, not denying that this is valid for discussion but can you take it somewhere else? I would like for this thread to be about the positives you see. There are more than enough threads discussing... and denying... the negatives.

 

[The Orange Pants]

The Rock says

 

[Sudden Impact]

A lot of critics on this board talking about the coaches and staff not being right answer for Tennessee...based on the number of walk ons and freshmen we are playing I would have to say that they are doing an excellent job Coaching and developing players.

The players that are dropping the ball are the ones that have been here for several years under Dooley...OL is coasting as it so seems....

 

[sjt18]

Cry me a river and take some midol. It was a joke.

Didn't look like a joke.

If you want to be negative, sarcastic, demeaning, etc... there are plenty of places to do that. I've been attacked for recognizing the bad as well.

I would like for one thread to be about what you find positive. You don't have to be a jerk. If you don't have anything positive to say as sad as that is for a Vol fan... just don't open this thread. Just show a tad of courtesy if you don't mind.

 

[sjt18]

A lot of critics on this board talking about the coaches and staff not being right answer for Tennessee...based on the number of walk ons and freshmen we are playing I would have to say that they are doing an excellent job Coaching and developing players.

I have questioned the staff too. I started this thread so that folks who disagree with me like you do can give reasons with specific examples that we should believe in them.

 

[Vol71]

Here's the thing about good coaching. It takes a while to sink in.

Even if Butch were General Neyland, the players would still need reps at game speed in order to take what they have learned in the film room and on the practice field and consolidate that stuff into good instincts on the field. It all just takes time and reps.

One thing I can tell you for sure, if you don't think you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching a three-year rebuilding effort (which will be rocky at times), then you may as well check out now. Because you're not helping anything by complaining on a message board, and that includes your own mental health.

Try relaxing. Butch will get them where they need to be. Even if you have a roster full of studs, it still takes time. Ask Saban and Alabama how that first season went.

AMEN Brother!! Great Post!

 

[Spartacavolus]

this team is tight and the staff is tight with the team. That'll pay off. Impossible to pay off this early, but it eventually will.

 

[volman22]

There is no doubt this team is being coached up. People forget how bad the coaching has been here for the last five years. With some infusion of talent and some stability at the coaching position we will be back within two to three years. Patience. I know it sucks because we want instant gratification but it takes time to build a championship team.

I know it takes time for a staff to get everything where it needs to be. I think whats got me and a lot of other vol fans worried is the fact that we have been saying that for the last several years. I know for me Im sick of the will be better next year mind set. Im not a nega vol I love this coaching staff I think they are going to do great Im just tired of losing. Expescially to teams we should beat.

 

[Vol71]

We seem to be having endless debate about whether or to what degree the results of the last two games relate to coaching or talent. I personally think it is both but find myself responding more to those who avoid blaming the coaches at all. Seems few are in denial about UT's roster being less than ideal.

I have challenged others to point to signs for believing that this coaching staff is the right one to get it done... a reason to hope and believe in Jones.

The point of this thread is to list those "positives".

I do not think these are enough but will start with a couple of good signs I've noticed. Please feel free to add... but let's stay away from the negative stuff. We already have about 50 threads for that.

1- Croom's catch. Early in the season he looked lost and dropped easy catches. His catch on the slant from Worley vs UF was outstanding. He got inside position, used his body to shield off the defender, maintained great concentration, then caught a rocket pass with his hands and held on after getting hit pretty good. Croom is being coached up effectively and apparently quickly.

2- The LB's. The back ups leave much to be desired. However the starters are pretty good. AJ is being AJ... a good thing. Both Brewer and Sapp are making plays in space and are above avg LB's in coverage. Thigpen's guys are doing well. The return of Maggitt could make it a very strong group.

3- Swafford. They found him... they coached him... they played him. His pick 6 on Saturday isn't the first time I've noticed him playing well. He obviously isn't an elite athlete... but he still found a way to blanket one of the best receivers in the SEC in man coverage then cut under him to get the pick.

4- Worley. The possible good to come out of losing a winnable game at UF was that Worley got to see what he could do playing loose. When Bray first took over vs USCe, he immediately played well because he seemed to have a devil may care attitude. Simms played tight as a bow string. Bray had fun. Maybe... the brilliance of starting Peterman will be that Worley lets a little of his inner gun slinger come out. Maybe Jones has gotten him to stop hesitating on his decisions.

Great Post!! Thank You! I have written in another post that this season doesn't really begin until Missouri. Coach Jones and his fellow coaches are having to mold these young men through the trials of fire. He is having to teach them to trust him, their coaches and, most importantly, each other. They are getting it. If that game had gone another quarter, we might have won. They are learning, they are growing and they are believing. It is only a matter of time before it begins to show up in wins. Thanks Again for your positive post!!

 

[MikeVol44]

Can you please edit this post and take out the criticisms/complaints or delete it altogether? Not saying they aren't valid but there are multiple threads where you can complain about or criticize various things, players, and coaches. If you don't mind, I would like to focus this one on positives.

NO, I will not edit it or delete it! I do not think there are any criticisms or complaints in it--just very real observations...within an extremely positive framework (see first and last statements for framework).

Sorry, junior, this is still the USA where freedom of speech has been preserved by the blood of countless soldiers over at least 2 centuries. If you want to control what you think is "positive" and eliminate anything remotely "negative" in your opinion--MOVE TO IRAN, CHINA, or somewhere else--or just hit the ignore button.

 

[YorkVol]

I've seen players miss tackles and then come back and make the tackle when they ran the same play again. So, they are learning from their mistakes and fixing the problems.

 

[YorkVol]

NO, I will not edit it or delete it! I do not think there are any criticisms or complaints in it--just very real observations...within an extremely positive framework (see first and last statements for framework).

Sorry, junior, this is still the USA where freedom of speech has been preserved by the blood of countless soldiers over at least 2 centuries. If you want to control what you think is "positive" and eliminate anything remotely "negative" in your opinion--MOVE TO IRAN, CHINA, or somewhere else--or just hit the ignore button.

By the way--I wasn't aware of your OWNERSHIP of this site--or thread!

Dang, there's some misplaced aggression here. He's just trying to have a positive thread, and asked for your cooperation in a nice way. Why so hostile?