Good Signs

[gnm53108]

I was just talking about things like raw speed. He looked like he was running in waders.

FWIW, give me the kid that can make that play in spite of not being as fast.... all day long. Instinct and vision more often than not get a player where they need to be faster than raw speed.

Agree but there's another posibility...coaching.

Think you might've stumbled on one of those "positives".

 

[sjt18]

Agree but there's another posibility...coaching.

Think you might've stumbled on one of those "positives".

Very true.... coupled with a smart kid who listens.

 

[vollygirl]

Swafford looks like a pretty damn good athlete to me.... Don't have to be a 5* to be an "elite" athlete.

When they called his name after the pick 6, I turned my husband and said "who?"

 

[DC Vol]

This isn't really a "good sign" but it does provide some context to the ups and downs of a game played by very young men.

We rushed for 66 yards against Florida.

Alabama rushed for only 66 yards against Colorado State!!! That included a 38 yard run. Basically, Bama's O-Line is playing terrible football in the run game right now.

These are the cycles you go through.

8 rushes for 11 yards in the 1st Half by RBs.

7 rushes for 47 yards in the 2nd Half by RBs.

TIFWIW.

 

[GoobieVol]

I was just talking about things like raw speed. He looked like he was running in waders.

FWIW, give me the kid that can make that play in spite of not being as fast.... all day long. Instinct, vision, and anticipation more often than not get a player where they need to be faster than raw speed.[/QUOTE]

This. And if you don't mind, I added anticipation. These guys speed didn't increase from last year. But the overall quality of coverage is miles ahead of the last 3 teams.IMO

Coaching at work gentlemen....

 

[armchair]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

 

[GoobieVol]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

Just read your post to our office. Heres what happened....

 

[Wolfeman_Vol]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

I'm not saying this with any sort of spite, but man if you can't take positives away from a situation (team growth, obvious signs of coaching, improving defensive discipline, etc) in football and in life, I don't see how you get through a day. Yes, it SUUUUUUUUUUCKS to be where we are now. It SUUUUUUUUUUCKS to lose to Florida AGAIN. But hell, if you don't look at the small improvements, the way players are invested (and don't think recruits can't tell the difference)...then what are you going to do? Give up completely? You have to take positives to move forward from any situation. You acknowledge the negatives and work like heck to correct them. That's life and football, my friend. :hi:

 

[vollygirl]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

And yet you opened the thread with the positive sounding title. :crazy:

 

[GoobieVol]

I'm not saying this with any sort of spite, but man if you can't take positives away from a situation (team growth, obvious signs of coaching, improving defensive discipline, etc) in football and in life, I don't see how you get through a day. Yes, it SUUUUUUUUUUCKS to be where we are now. It SUUUUUUUUUUCKS to lose to Florida AGAIN. But hell, if you don't look at the small improvements, the way players are invested (and don't think recruits can't tell the difference)...then what are you going to do? Give up completely? You have to take positives to move forward from any situation. You acknowledge the negatives and work like heck to correct them. That's life and football, my friend. :hi:

Good post man. You put way more brainwork into your reply than me... :thumbsup:

But we still viewed it the same.

 

[Orangedogsrule]

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.

It's not just Croom- who is a r-fr. Two other true freshmen are seeing substantial time. Josh Smith has 6 catches 98 yds. Yeah, he dropped a pass which may have scored, but the guy has amazing prep stats (9th in national receiving yds, 1st in state) and Marquez North leads team with 12 catches for 112 yds with 4 of those against the Gators for 43 yds. His prep stats are also impressive. Both will surely grow with good coaching. We have a bright future in the receiving corps at Wideout-U.

Why can't/won't/don't the LB's contain? Can't wait to see Maggitt, but only if healthy. The spiking penalty on Fla. is the perfect example of NCAAF players absolutely have to use correct tackling technique ... vs the VOLS LBs continually missing tackles. What causes that? Coaching? Wanna-see-myself-on-Boom-hi-lites-reel? What? That's the single biggest burr under my saddle about our defense.


Swafford is only 5-11 / 184. But in prep he was a 3 sport star, fb, bb, and track. He finished with 2,700 yds rushing, close to 1000 yds receiving, and 64 TD's. The kid has talent, maybe not your 'elite', but close. Moving him permanently defensive nickleback and allowing for the true freshman growth curve when changing positions, he's bordering on being a solid db.

Don't know what your 'playing to lose' meant. I would only think that of, say, the 4th qtr of the Ogreon game when CBJ played 2nd & 3rd stringers. Didn't happen at Fla. I think Bray's 'enjoyment' dropped like a stone after the 'slashing' unsportsmanlike call and that exposed his immaturity, which affected his game. Worley dosen't have that problem at all. It's as if they're somewhat opposites, Bray with a god-given cannon for an arm, but petulant and no field general. Worley with pretty good field presense but as you said, tight as a drum, and so makes bad passes. Yes, he needs to loosen up, and yes, let that inner gun-slinger come out. We saw that a couple of times in the swamp.

But can he do that before any of his back-ups exceed his capabilities? This weeks depth chart

South Alabama Week Depth Chart - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics

lists
Josh Dobbs OR Riley Ferguson behind Worley, with Dobbs listed first. Does that have meaning to anyone?

And speaking of good things, hopefully Palardy has come into his own.

17 punts-43.8 yd avg
6 punts inside 20
3 of 3 on FG's
17 of 17 PAT's

Anyone see Hunter's catch to beat Chargers ---(NOT Vikings as I originally posted in an exemplary display of early onset dementia) !!!???
I wuz working on my honey-do list.

 

[sjt18]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

There are at least a dozen threads going on for that right now. There is a more than sufficient audience for the stuff you post in any one of them.

Just show a little respect and leave this one alone please.

 

[sjt18]

And yet you opened the thread with the positive sounding title. :crazy:

I opened this thread.

 

[vollygirl]

I opened this thread.

You started this thread.

 

[Dragon18]

I know that Jones is just getting started, but I'm tired of hearing "positives" after losses. I mean, it's fine but they're meaningless, ultimately, unless you are winning game or will soon be winning. And we are doing neither. We now know how Vandy fans have talked among themselves for many, many years. How about winning an SEC game--that's the only positive that matters.

I'll disagree with you on this one. When you are process driven as this coach seems to be, you look for signs that you are moving the team in a direction you want them to go. He sees these things. I see some of them too. But, because the Volnation has had to put up with 8+ years of pathetic football followed with pressers full of coach speak it makes it hard to believe that there are really good things happening.

CBJ was not coach during the downfall of UT Football. He's the one trying to clean up the mess. I believe he is the right Coach for UT and I do believe things are improving. It is a process.

BTW- He's right out in front saying that losing is not going to be tolerated at UT.

 

[vollygirl]

Devaun Swafford
◾Returned first-career interception 62 yards for a touchdown at #19 Florida (9/21); became first Vol with a Pick-6 at Florida since Eric Berry -- also as a true freshman -- in 2007

His birthday is October 5th.

 

[sjt18]

What I meant by loosening up is that he just threw it rather than overthinking it... no one that I know of ever accused Bray of overthinking anything.

The starting LB's contain very well most of the time. J Williams adjusted and did a nice job as the game went along. On a critical down, C Harris had outside responsibility and got sucked in... allowing them to break outside for a TD. The back up LB's need to improve but the starters are doing well.

 

[GoobieVol]

What I meant by loosening up is that he just threw it rather than overthinking it... no one that I know of ever accused Bray of overthinking anything.
The starting LB's contain very well most of the time. J Williams adjusted and did a nice job as the game went along. On a critical down, C Harris had outside responsibility and got sucked in... allowing them to break outside for a TD. The back up LB's need to improve but the starters are doing well.

lol:

 

[tm3]

Tangible positives:

Palardy

Penalties

 

[NMVol]

What I meant by loosening up is that he just threw it rather than overthinking it... no one that I know of ever accused Bray of overthinking anything.

The starting LB's contain very well most of the time. J Williams adjusted and did a nice job as the game went along. On a critical down, C Harris had outside responsibility and got sucked in... allowing them to break outside for a TD. The back up LB's need to improve but the starters are doing well.

Dude!

 

[KBVol]

It's not just Croom- who is a r-fr. Two other true freshmen are seeing substantial time. Josh Smith has 6 catches 98 yds. Yeah, he dropped a pass which may have scored, but the guy has amazing prep stats (9th in national receiving yds, 1st in state) and Marquez North leads team with 12 catches for 112 yds with 4 of those against the Gators for 43 yds. His prep stats are also impressive. Both will surely grow with good coaching. We have a bright future in the receiving corps at Wideout-U.

Why can't/won't/don't the LB's contain? Can't wait to see Maggitt, but only if healthy. The spiking penalty on Fla. is the perfect example of NCAAF players absolutely have to use correct tackling technique ... vs the VOLS LBs continually missing tackles. What causes that? Coaching? Wanna-see-myself-on-Boom-hi-lites-reel? What? That's the single biggest burr under my saddle about our defense.


Swafford is only 5-11 / 184. But in prep he was a 3 sport star, fb, bb, and track. He finished with 2,700 yds rushing, close to 1000 yds receiving, and 64 TD's. The kid has talent, maybe not your 'elite', but close. Moving him permanently defensive nickleback and allowing for the true freshman growth curve when changing positions, he's bordering on being a solid db.

Don't know what your 'playing to lose' meant. I would only think that of, say, the 4th qtr of the Ogreon game when CBJ played 2nd & 3rd stringers. Didn't happen at Fla. I think Bray's 'enjoyment' dropped like a stone after the 'slashing' unsportsmanlike call and that exposed his immaturity, which affected his game. Worley dosen't have that problem at all. It's as if they're somewhat opposites, Bray with a god-given cannon for an arm, but petulant and no field general. Worley with pretty good field presense but as you said, tight as a drum, and so makes bad passes. Yes, he needs to loosen up, and yes, let that inner gun-slinger come out. We saw that a couple of times in the swamp.

But can he do that before any of his back-ups exceed his capabilities? This weeks depth chart

South Alabama Week Depth Chart - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics

lists
Josh Dobbs OR Riley Ferguson behind Worley, with Dobbs listed first. Does that have meaning to anyone?

And speaking of good things, hopefully Palardy has come into his own.

17 punts-43.8 yd avg
6 punts inside 20
3 of 3 on FG's
17 of 17 PAT's

Anyone see Hunter's catch to beat Vikings!!!???
I wuz working on my honey-do list.

Didn't see Hunter's TD catch to beat the Vikings. Did see his game winning catch vs the Chargers. It was great!! ☺😳

 

[ChattanoogaVols]

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.

Just curious, what makes you say he isn't an elite athlete? I'm not arguing with you. I just can't say I've seen enough of him to say he if he is, or is not, an elite athlete.

 

[Orangedogsrule]

Didn't see Hunter's TD catch to beat the Vikings. Did see his game winning catch vs the Chargers. It was great!! ☺��

Well duh! my only 'scuse is ... 'senior moment' ...:focus:

 

[Bluetic]

I agree we have definite bright spots on the field, but to me the best improvement is UT's recruiting. Nailing down a top 5 class would be huge.

 

[sjt18]

Just curious, what makes you say he isn't an elite athlete? I'm not arguing with you. I just can't say I've seen enough of him to say he if he is, or is not, an elite athlete.

In this case, raw speed.