If old Joe Milton shows up again—how long should Heupel leave him in the game for?

[volfan102455]

This is the plan. Our coach will have Milton play every game this year unless he is injured because this year is not the championship year. Next year is probably not the championship year and the following year Nico will be ready. Our additions will have experience we will take the Natty and we will all have orange T-shirts that say so.

1998 was not recognized as a championship team either- but they did it. Sometimes it is obvious which team is loaded and should win it all. But sometimes a "team" shows up and plays as one and makes things happen, Let's give this team time to prove or disprove what they are and what they can be before we throw them under the bus.

 

[volfan102455]

That would come with major flops this year like Ewers had last year. If we started Nico Saturday and lost by 3 scores do you really think people would be patient or would they say why didn’t we play Milton? Of course it would be the latter and you know that’s true.

Exactly. And in the Texas first game there were Texas fans calling for them to play Manning over Ewers. I'm assuming the win at Bama has handled that talk, at least until Ewers struggles again. The backup QB is always the answer for some.

 

[CAVPUT]

That would come with major flops this year like Ewers had last year. If we started Nico Saturday and lost by 3 scores do you really think people would be patient or would they say why didn’t we play Milton? Of course it would be the latter and you know that’s true.

For me, this was always a transition year. We simply don't have the team we had last year. We don't have the OL, QB, WRs and frankly, we're still playing most of the same DBs. I also think Golesh is missed more than anyone wants to believe. Hey, we lived thru 3 years of JG. We can handle 1 with Milton with an eye on a bright future with Nico.

 

[Vfl2407]

Meh.

When I grew up, the phrase went, "If it hits the receiver in the hands, it's on him to catch it."

When we talk about precise ball placement (leading the receiver...back shoulder pass...tight window), we're talking about the next level of the art. It is the equivalent of a billiards player putting just the right amount of energy into his shot that he not only puts the ball in the pocket, but has also lined things up to put the NEXT ball in as well.

That's ball placement. It's about allowing the receiver to do more with the ball AFTER the catch. Keep running in stride, or shield the ball from the defender with his body, or whatever. It's always about what comes NEXT.

But catching the ball, well, that's on the receiver. If it hits him in his hands, and many balls did last Saturday, first he's gotta catch it.

View attachment 578777

Anywhere in the large circle should be a catch. The small circle is precision to allow the receiver to catch in stride and get more YAC.

As others have said in this thread already, a lot of our offensive woes last weekend aren't actually on Joe. The receivers had a bad day more than most.

Go Vols!

Every Wide Receiver and QB room should have this chart on the wall and then pinpoint and discuss where each ball was when going over game film.

 

[hUTch2002]

For me, this was always a transition year. We simply don't have the team we had last year. We don't have the OL, QB, WRs and frankly, we're still playing most of the same DBs. I also think Golesh is missed more than anyone wants to believe. Hey, we lived thru 3 years of JG. We can handle 1 with Milton with an eye on a bright future with Nico.

I agree on handling 1 with Milton. I’m still not sure on what we have this year vs last. And, even if we aren’t quite what we were last year that doesn’t mean our record will be worse as it seems a lot of others aren’t as good as last year, including Bama and UGA. That’s why I’m very curious about this game. Yes UF has issues but it’s still a road game at night in the SEC against a team that has a ton of talented players. I’m actually good with switching to Nico at some point if Milton just isn’t getting it done and we’re losing games but so far Milton hasn’t done anything to make me think he should be benched. I know he didn’t go deep against AP. So what? He did against UVA and was pretty accurate. Let’s see what happens this week against a much better team than what we’ve seen so far and then maybe an intelligent discussion can be had. That’s not directed at you of course, just in general.

 

[Kylo]

Hope he balls out, but honestly—it seemed Guarantano-esque. We have too much momentum as a program to allow poor QB play to regress us back to the DoojonesPru era.

Milton has not turned the ball over. Ever. Literally ever. Joe Milton being inconsistent is no reason to put in a true freshman at the swamp. You're comparing him to one of the most turnover prone QB's in recent memory. Grow up.

Do you hear yourself? Say it out loud and realize how silly it sounds.

 

[CAVPUT]

I agree on handling 1 with Milton. I’m still not sure on what we have this year vs last. And, even if we aren’t quite what we were last year that doesn’t mean our record will be worse as it seems a lot of others aren’t as good as last year, including Bama and UGA. That’s why I’m very curious about this game. Yes UF has issues but it’s still a road game at night in the SEC against a team that has a ton of talented players. I’m actually good with switching to Nico at some point if Milton just isn’t getting it done and we’re losing games but so far Milton hasn’t done anything to make me think he should be benched. I know he didn’t go deep against AP. So what? He did against UVA and was pretty accurate. Let’s see what happens this week against a much better team than what we’ve seen so far and then maybe an intelligent discussion can be had. That’s not directed at you of course, just in general.

Good points about others not being as strong...bama in particular. Just goes to show what the QB position means to a team. While our WRs aren't going to be as good, they can still be productive. For me, this season really comes down to 1 position group....the OL. If that unit can come together and can give Milton a little extra time that he needs vs what Hooker needed, we have enough elsewhere(better defensive front 7) to have a nice season. If the OL can't give Milton the time he needs and we can't hurt teams downfield, we're in for an average, at best, season. When you have a QB who struggles with accuracy, the last thing you need is for him to feel rushed. We'll go as far as the OL can take us. Saturday will tell me a lot about what this season will look like. Win and I think 9 wins is somewhat realistic. Lose it and I can see 8-4 or even 7-5 being in play.

 

[Volador]

If old Joe Milton shows up again—how long should Heupel leave him in the game for?​

So, I am going to duck after I reply to this thread. But here goes. Last weeks play calling had as much to do with Joe being "off" as anything. If I were calling the plays, I would want my QB to start with some 3-5 yard passes coupled with a bunch of 3-5 yard runs to start the game (of course, any one of those plays could easily go for more, esp w our talented running backs and receivers). I think our play callers thought we could easily march down the field by attempting 15-25 yard gains right off the bat, and well, we all saw how well that turned out for us. Our #1 offensive weapon is moving the ball quickly. Don't let their Defense get settled or have substitutions - as after all, that game plan made us the #1 Offense in the entire country last year. Why in God's name did we decide to get away from that game plan last week against Austin Powers? (and I know the answer, it was greed. Score quickly against a lower rated team. Run up the score, etc, etc. )

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Joe is a great QB and can lead us to 10+ Wins. However, we must remember how we got to that place last year. Joe completed almost every short pass Saturday and had a few errant longer throws, not to mention some unfortunate drops. Let Joe and the Offense warm up and keep moving the chains. Throwing downfield will have it's time and place and with a few completions behind him, I feel confident Joe will find his targets.

I hope Joe stays in the game till the 4th quarter before he turns over the keys to the O to Nico Suave. Joe will do his job, now the play callers have to do theirs.

 

[LucidZ]

They won't pull him. He has the most experience with this team and he knows the offense better than the other QB's. It doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the other QB's, to know that if you have a bad game you'll just get replaced. I'm sure the coaching staff would rather just correct things in practice.

 

[sami]

Threads like this make me question the idea that the UT fan base is as great and knowledgeable as I'd like to believe. Hopefully, it is just s small fraction of the base that is this simple minded and short sighted.

 

[Old Spice]

I would have to say better only because the most Important thing I’ve seen so far is that JM needs to get into a rhythm. Heupel did a good job the first game to get him back into a rhythm when he got out of sync. I didn’t see any rhythm whatsoever in game 2. Outside of that, your point basically applies to any QB or team. It’s always better for momentum to catch passes than to drop them.

thats the point no one was on same page not even the coaches, this thread puts the blame on the qb only anyways its like beating a dead horse thats already been beat to death.

 

[white65]

I think the better question is if Joe goes out with an injury and Nico is winning games does Joe get back in.

 

[EZE]

If Milton does not finish this game—for whatever reason—we are looking at a 7-5 to 8-4 season at best. Nico likely will be great eventually, but he is a true freshman and underweight for an entire SEC schedule.

Sometimes, folks, the alternative is not better.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

I'm more worried about our DB's than Joe.
If I was FL on 3rd and long I'm going deep to whoever Burrell is covering. Great odds you'll get a PI and a 1st down because Burrell doesn't turn his head around except for maybe once a game

 

[Sara Clark]

I'm more worried about our DB's than Joe.
If I was FL on 3rd and long I'm going deep to whoever Burrell is covering. Great odds you'll get a PI and a 1st down because Burrell doesn't turn his head around except for maybe once a game

Hahaha, that's funny, and pretty accurate. Lol

 

[25vol]

These discussions are meaningless. I will trust Heupel to make the best decision and support whatever he’s decided because I think he’s earned the benefit of the doubt. It’s week 3. Stop with these overreactions after Milton has one bad game and quit blaming Joe for every problem like he’s the entire offense.

 

[LittleVol]

Barring an injury, Milton will be the QB in every game through the bowl game. Nico will get time in games that are blown away into the late 3rd or 4th quarter... but we will hear this throughout the season, play Nico.

If the dude can't complete a forward pass consistently, then NO he will not be out there for long.

Why would you assume Heupel would doom himself like that??

 

[BeardedVol]

But did he put Joe back in once he got healthy? Point is moot

How is it moot?

According to Heupel, prior to Milton getting hurt, he considered him the better QB of the two.

Once Milton was hurt, and he was forced to start Hooker, it was pretty obvious that Heupel was incorrect in his original evaluation.

The point being, that just because Heupel is the HC, doesn't mean he's infallible in his decision-making.

 

[A2K]

BUT....the reason is past production....unless its just horrible, Id like to see him finish the game.;Coaches know more where Nico is than we do!

 

[A2K]

This breakdown is damn near insane btw....he is 4-0 as starter if we count pItt then he ia 4-1.....He doesn't suck he has just not figured it out yet.

 

[Chippo]

Milton has not turned the ball over. Ever. Literally ever. Joe Milton being inconsistent is no reason to put in a true freshman at the swamp. You're comparing him to one of the most turnover prone QB's in recent memory. Grow up.

Do you hear yourself? Say it out loud and realize how silly it sounds.

Not only Arizona but Denver unloaded JG. He only made the practice squad on both teams. Pretty much self explanatory on his NFL career.

 

[Chippo]

I will quit on the Milton controversy. Both he and
the receivers didn't have their act together. Lets
hope it was just a bad game.

 

[LWSVOL]

If the dude can't complete a forward pass consistently, then NO he will not be out there for long.

Why would you assume Heupel would doom himself like that??

How do you know if the backups would be better? Let's see how it goes..

I don't believe he puts them out there unless he is certain they could perform no matter how bad Joe looks.

 

[lawgator1]

The whole game. I'm in the 75th row and figure it's an even shot he throws one my way.

 

[BigVol88]

You have to consider team dynamics beyond the position of QB. Even if Nico came into the game and rocked it, you could risk losing the team. Players respect Joe, his work, and the time he has put in. Essentially, it could undermine the team's trust in Heupel if he benches Joe or doesn't give him his chance this year.

To me, playing Nico could result in a short term gain, but also a possible long term loss if the culture or locker room falls apart. It's a precarious situation and I think Heupel knows this. There is also no guarantee that Nico is ready and what happens if he plays Nico and he is worse? Then you have two QBs with shattered confidence and a divided locker room.

Look, Joe will have some issues. But he has improved. He ain't missing people by several feet no more. He makes the right reads most of the time. He is excellent at protecting the ball and at least managing the offense. His ceiling is probably somewhere around his Orange bowl performance and he made some beautiful passes in that game. Joe seems very much like a QB that needs to build a rhythm in a game to get going.

Anyway, it's not the end of the world. We may win a little differently. I think the boys will have to rely more on each other as a team this year. Honestly reminds me a bit of 98. No one thought that team would be as good. There were some ugly wins. Go look at Tee's stats and passing game. Joe is actually probably better. Bottom line: we can still win games. I wouldn't risk what coach is building or our culture for an instant gratification move. We will have a couple of years to see Nico command and sling it.