I'd like to see Nico get substantial playing time Saturday against Kentucky.

#176
#176
If you put Nico out there and gets hurt you are putting next year in jeopardy. If he does you are looking at starting a true freshman or a transfer portal guy next year. This year is what it is, let him get mop up duty when available, those reps will help get him get ready. Kirby wasn't worried making sure Carson Beck got game reps when he knew he was the future. I think he has a rule if they are up 20+ in the 4th qtr is when he looks to get back ups in. His body needs another offseason before he takes over. If this was just another 4 star guy and we didn't have prospects of having great seasons in the future I would have a different opinion. Heupel has sold these recruits that Nico will be the guy his sophomore year and he needs to protect his word.
 
#177
#177
Backwards K said:
The coaches and players never talk about Nico. Never. In the past, with great young talent, you'd hear about how great they look in practice or something. If anything, I heard comments about how the staff is more excited about the guy coming in next year.

In HS, Nico played in a wide open offense and he relied on his ability to beat most of the teams they played. You can't win on just your physical talent in the SEC. Hooker had complete command of the offense and it showed. Milton relies on the coaaches to call every play from the sideline and he still struggles to throw on time to receivers before they break open. I hope Nico is catching on but no news is not necessarily good news.
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Weird take
 
#178
#178
QuarterSawnVol said:
I think redshirts are a thing of the past for most five star quarterbacks. Arch might be an exception to the rule but if you're good enough you play and if you're not you'll find somewhere that will play you
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Actually over the last few years, it is almost 50/50 the 5* QB's that have played vs. those that have redshirted.
 
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#180
#180
FloraVol said:
I also remember a kid named Peyton Manning who returned for his senior season, and he'd already graduated. He also wasn't making any NIL money. As he said at the time, being the starting quarterback at Tennessee isn't a bad thing to be. Better now that they can finally get (legally) paid.
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Yeah, cause money was the important thing with that decision ..
 
#181
#181
GetYouSomeofThat said:
Why do fans ALWAYS fall in love with unproven QB recruits?

I do think Nico will do well l here, especially under the coaching of the CJHs. But have we not seen enough busts to at least slow down the cries for the next Harrison Bailey?

Getting to see what he can do will be great. But my biggest fear is he makes a few mistakes because he isnt ready yet and the very ones begging for him will turn on him like a rabid dog. Turn on him and the coaching staff.

So for me, I hope to see Nico when he is as ready as he can be for the time he is needed.

I could give two sh..s about seeing him make freshman mistakes or see him get blasted by a 300lb lineman before he has a full year in the nutrition and weight programs.

JMO🤷‍♂️
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IMO, fans do this because they might be right and they can beat their chest and if their wrong their not fired as fans they where just a little Fanatical. When they do it like the Nathan Peterman project at the swamp a 21 point 1st quarter disaster, then they say Butch Jones should have known better that's why he gets the big bucks. Meanwhile Peterman is getting trashed for looking lost at the swamp vs Florida with a raucous crowd, so much he needed therapy and transferred to Pittsburg went on to beat Clemson a future Nat'l Champ and had a good career in ACC and then went on to NFL. Fans where right he was a good player but was not ready for that time and atmosphere. He had to transfer, the coach eventually got fired, the fans live on to be fanatical.
 
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#182
#182
There isn't any horse here, just a few shreds of skin and bones.

My God, can we just watch the game Saturday and see how it unfolds, and not endlessly...I mean ENDLESSLY, discuss Nico vs. Milton? I was tired of this subject in late September. The obsession some have with this topic is irritating.
 
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#183
#183
I hear a lot of discussion about Nico getting playing time this season. I’ve heard very little about this being a red shirt season.

Question 1: Does anyone know if there are PLANS for this being a red shirt year ?

Question 2: I’ve only seen Nico play in 1 game so far. As I understand it, he can play in 3 more games and still red shirt? Also would a bowl game count toward the limit ?

Has anyone considered or discussed the possibility that Nico might NOT be as ready as we hope, might need more development, and IF we burn his red shirt this year it may come back to us later?

Like how we would have loved to have kept Dobbs for one more season.

Sorry if I missed this in another discussion.
 
#184
#184
Winchester73 said:
I hear a lot of discussion about Nico getting playing time this season. I’ve heard very little about this being a red shirt season.

Question 1: Does anyone know if there are PLANS for this being a red shirt year ?

Question 2: I’ve only seen Nico play in 1 game so far. As I understand it, he can play in 3 more games and still red shirt? Also would a bowl game count toward the limit ?

Has anyone considered or discussed the possibility that Nico might NOT be as ready as we hope, might need more development, and IF we burn his red shirt this year it may come back to us later?

Like how we would have loved to have kept Dobbs for one more season.

Sorry if I missed this in another discussion.
Click to expand...

He played against UTSA and UV. We probably see him again against Connecticut and Vandy unless something happens to/with Joe.
 
#185
#185
Winchester73 said:
I hear a lot of discussion about Nico getting playing time this season. I’ve heard very little about this being a red shirt season.

Question 1: Does anyone know if there are PLANS for this being a red shirt year ?

Question 2: I’ve only seen Nico play in 1 game so far. As I understand it, he can play in 3 more games and still red shirt? Also would a bowl game count toward the limit ?

Has anyone considered or discussed the possibility that Nico might NOT be as ready as we hope, might need more development, and IF we burn his red shirt this year it may come back to us later?

Like how we would have loved to have kept Dobbs for one more season.

Sorry if I missed this in another discussion.
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NICO will play one season next year and it will be the greatest ever in the history of all college QBs. The NFL will have to amend their own rules allowing a player to come into the league early as a second year collegiate athlete because of the greatness Nico will have displayed. Patrick Mahomes will also retire early out of fear of Nico entering the AFC West once the Broncos select Nico to be the next John Elway with dreads. Buckle up buttercup!
 
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#186
#186
PEPPERJAX said:
NICO will play one season next year and it will be the greatest ever in the history of all college QBs. The NFL will have to amend their own rules allowing a player to come into the league early as a second year collegiate athlete because of the greatness Nico will have displayed. Patrick Mahomes will also retire early out of fear of Nico entering the AFC West once the Broncos select Nico to be the next John Elway with dreads. Buckle up buttercup!
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Finally someone nailed it, Discussion dismissed. 🤔
 
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#188
#188
PEPPERJAX said:
NICO will play one season next year and it will be the greatest ever in the history of all college QBs. The NFL will have to amend their own rules allowing a player to come into the league early as a second year collegiate athlete because of the greatness Nico will have displayed. Patrick Mahomes will also retire early out of fear of Nico entering the AFC West once the Broncos select Nico to be the next John Elway with dreads. Buckle up buttercup!
Click to expand...

More than likely, Tennessee will recruit another QB and with the first bad series, these threads will appear again with Nico verses the new guy in town.
 
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#189
#189
volfan102455 said:
More than likely, Tennessee will recruit another QB and with the first bad series, these threads will appear again with Nico verses the new guy in town.
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Let me be the first to say:

I'm not sure why Heupel is even bothering with Nico. Everybody knows Jake Merklinger is the future at Tennessee. I've watched his highlights and he's clearly faster and has a more accurate arm than Nico. If we start Nico next year we're wasting Jake's talent.

C'mon, Heupel, let Jake play and show us what he's got.
 
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#190
#190
utfantilidie said:
I just feel like it's time. I feel like he's that good. I feel like he will contribute to this season, a definite asset, the experience will be invaluable. I have seen a lot of qb's at UT play and it's his turn to play substantially, and it keeps him happy, in case he's not.
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What are you basing these feelings on?

Historically, volnation sucks at choosing qb's in these situations. Stewart v Manning, Shaeffer v Ainge, Bailey v Milton v Hooker. Guarantano was the next best thing since sliced bread when he committed to the Vols and sat behind Dobbs for a year.

Stay in your lane.
 
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#192
#192
If he’s not going to redshirt this year he definitely needs to start getting some meaningful playing time to begin getting a good taste of the speed of an SEC game.
 
#194
#194
The only SEC team Nico might get substantial playing time against is Vanderbilt. Kentucky sucks, but they aren't Vandy level sucks this year.
 
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#196
#196
If Tennessee gets a 30 to 35 point lead on Kentucky tomorrow night, then Nico might get a few snaps and his best chance to see the field will probably be against Connecticut in the home coming game.
 
#197
#197
Volfan1000 said:
If Tennessee gets a 30 to 35 point lead on Kentucky tomorrow night, then Nico might get a few snaps and his best chance to see the field will probably be against Connecticut in the home coming game.
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Honestly they could not get a 30 point lead against APSU so I'm not holding my breath.
 
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#198
#198
As highly rated as Merklinger is, we don't know if he could possibly be ready to play next fall if Iamalaeva isn't available for some reason. For you reactionaries who think tomorrow is all that matters, our HC can't think in that manner. Heupel MUST be proactive and forward thinking, while at the same time, manage the present. You don't think Heupel, a national championship QB with an innovative offensive mind, hasn't thought about his options other than Joe? Too much risk throwing Nico out there for the hell of it because we're 5-2. More importantly, he's above making a decision just for our reactionary fan base
 
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#199
#199
Nico should be in the rotation for atleast plays hes comfortable with and get playing time.
 
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#200
#200
Me too! After we rack up forty something points on the cats...

Put Nico in for some scraps and give JM a break.
 
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