Interior OL

[KeepinUpWithJones]

As a Tennessee fan who lived through the Gruden era, I know a good smokescreen when I see one.
15-0. GBO.

 

[jasonvol18]

I’m not chicken little, and I believe in Ellarbee, but according to friends on the staff our OL is getting blown up by our DL regularly. This is purely a talent problem. The older guys are nowhere near Carvin, much less Wright. The young guys aren’t strong enough yet. Of course some of this is improvement in DL talent and depth, but we’re not the best DL in our league by any stretch. We are having serious problems blocking inside runs and the backside of the QB. Mays has been pretty fragile for months and has missed a lot of practice. His healthy return is essential if we want to do well at n conference. We all better hope that we can get healthy and gel before we head to Florida.

Have heard and seen the exact opposite of this. Definitely incorrect info!

 

[KeyVol14]

Have heard and seen the exact opposite of this. Definitely incorrect info!

Sources?

 

[Vol737]

They’ll play Lang or Nichols at center before Ball imo. They probably feel Karic is less of a drop off from Lane at LG to whoever was backing up Mays before sliding Lane over.

Parker Ball is a senior with significant game experience. Sounds like Nichols, a R-Fr, is behind where they expected him to be. Lang is a true freshman. Can’t imagine, at least from reports, they have supplanted Ball at this point. But it is interesting that we really hear very little about Ball in all these practice reports.

 

[joevols89]

Parker Ball is a senior with significant game experience. Sounds like Nichols, a R-Fr, is behind where they expected him to be. Lang is a true freshman. Can’t imagine, at least from reports, they have supplanted Ball at this point. But it is interesting that we really hear very little about Ball in all these practice reports.

What do you consider significant game experience - just mop up duty? I thought we played Carvin there when Mays went down? I see Ball as just a depth guy and would be overmatched vs SEC dlinemen.

 

[Vol737]

What do you consider significant game experience - just mop up duty? I thought we played Carvin there when Mays went down? I see Ball as just a depth guy and would be overmatched vs SEC dlinemen.

You may be right. I just thought I saw him rotate in a good bit at center last season.

 

[Vol737]

What do you consider significant game experience - just mop up duty? I thought we played Carvin there when Mays went down? I see Ball as just a depth guy and would be overmatched vs SEC dlinemen.

So I had to dig a little bit, but Parker Ball played 107 snaps at center in the 2022 season. It also says he appeared in all 13 games in the 2021 and the 2022 seasons and has played a total of 181 career snaps, but not all at center since he plays special teams on punt coverage as well. Got most of his work at center vs Ball State, Akron and UT Martin last season. Knew I had seen him playing center a fair amount. Good kid, good student also. This was from the UT Sports website.

Parker Ball - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

This was not a popular post when I originally made it. A huge part of our offensive woes are the absence of SEC OL talent. I did not think we’d do well with Ollie or Davis holding the middle. Mays is not as recovered/ready as Heupel represented. Misdirection is part of the game, and I understand that. We have to have Mays back and healthy. We won’t be able to run well or protect adequately without him. Wright has been hitting gaps that aren’t the called hole, and turning those runs into gains, but he’d be killing it if he could get past the second level. Milton is making bad choices, but he’s doing it with a second less than last year. Mays isn’t a miracle cure. Our OL isn’t up to par, even with him. Without him, we’re going to get blown up in the middle.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

This was not a popular post when I originally made it. A huge part of our offensive woes are the absence of SEC OL talent. I did not think we’d do well with Ollie or Davis holding the middle. Mays is not as recovered/ready as Heupel represented. Misdirection is part of the game, and I understand that. We have to have Mays back and healthy. We won’t be able to run well or protect adequately without him. Wright has been hitting gaps that aren’t the called hole, and turning those runs into gains, but he’d be killing it if he could get past the second level. Milton is making bad choices, but he’s doing it with a second less than last year. Mays isn’t a miracle cure. Our OL isn’t up to par, even with him. Without him, we’re going to get blown up in the middle.

Nailed it.

Personally think it's a talent issue mainly.

If you're in the SEC, it's impossible to stack up enough talent on the O and D lines.

As sketchy as UGA and AL looked yesterday, I don't see UT standing a chance against them because of their advantage in the trenches.

 

[NighthawkVol]

@Stoerner Fumbles Are Clipper, Reddick, Lang, Nichols, and Grant seen as guys who can be good by next season? Umarov looks to be next in line at RT at this point, unless Larry Johnson, III develops.

This needs to be a big emphasis in the transfer portal. Like, landing at least 2-3 guys who can play.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

I’m not chicken little, and I believe in Ellarbee, but according to friends on the staff our OL is getting blown up by our DL regularly. This is purely a talent problem. The older guys are nowhere near Carvin, much less Wright. The young guys aren’t strong enough yet. Of course some of this is improvement in DL talent and depth, but we’re not the best DL in our league by any stretch. We are having serious problems blocking inside runs and the backside of the QB. Mays has been pretty fragile for months and has missed a lot of practice. His healthy return is essential if we want to do well at n conference. We all better hope that we can get healthy and gel before we head to Florida.

Now we are getting blown up by opponents as well as our own DL.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

This was not a popular post when I originally made it. A huge part of our offensive woes are the absence of SEC OL talent. I did not think we’d do well with Ollie or Davis holding the middle. Mays is not as recovered/ready as Heupel represented. Misdirection is part of the game, and I understand that. We have to have Mays back and healthy. We won’t be able to run well or protect adequately without him. Wright has been hitting gaps that aren’t the called hole, and turning those runs into gains, but he’d be killing it if he could get past the second level. Milton is making bad choices, but he’s doing it with a second less than last year. Mays isn’t a miracle cure. Our OL isn’t up to par, even with him. Without him, we’re going to get blown up in the middle.

Do you think the OL problems are part of the reason for the changes in the play calling?

Also, were the "stupid reason" suspensions the result of practice issues or off field shenanigans. I'm not asking specifics, I'm wondering if the guys are having problems getting along as a unit. The OL against FL was not in sync at all.

Thanks for your insights.

 

[RockyTop140]

This was not a popular post when I originally made it. A huge part of our offensive woes are the absence of SEC OL talent. I did not think we’d do well with Ollie or Davis holding the middle. Mays is not as recovered/ready as Heupel represented. Misdirection is part of the game, and I understand that. We have to have Mays back and healthy. We won’t be able to run well or protect adequately without him. Wright has been hitting gaps that aren’t the called hole, and turning those runs into gains, but he’d be killing it if he could get past the second level. Milton is making bad choices, but he’s doing it with a second less than last year. Mays isn’t a miracle cure. Our OL isn’t up to par, even with him. Without him, we’re going to get blown up in the middle.

Its sad that were in this position on the OL un year 3. Inexcusable. Same with the secondary. Theres no reason Hadden should be a starting SEC corner.

 

[87&91ALUM]

Our defense would have been more successful if Florida's lineman were not holding them every fricking play. Our OL struggles with "Which way is Joe going" syndrome. A shot of confidence would do wonders for this team. UVA and APSU on our home turf were expected wins. Playing at UF where we last won in the Fulmer years was not expected. Hope and expectations are as wide as the Grand Canyon in Knoxville.

 

[KeyVol14]

Our defense would have been more successful if Florida's lineman were not holding them every fricking play. Our OL struggles with "Which way is Joe going" syndrome. A shot of confidence would do wonders for this team. UVA and APSU on our home turf were expected wins. Playing at UF where we last won in the Fulmer years was not expected. Hope and expectations are as wide as the Grand Canyon in Knoxville.

There were a few holds missed that would have put FL in 3rd and long, however FL was having success up the middle in the first half and we missed alot of tackles.

Fans have every right to be frustrated. We will see if they right the ship

 

[Power T-Rev]

Can we not play this configuration:

LT-John Campbell (backup-Dayne Davis)
LG-Gerald Mincey (backup Addison Nichols)
C-Cooper Mays (backup Ollie Lane)
RG-Javontez Spraggins (backup Kuric)
RT-Jeremiah Crawford (backup-Grant?)

I'm not an expert on OL play, but I always hear that it is easier to move inside than to move from Guard to Tackle. This way, our best 5 O-lineman are on the field at the same time.

Dane Davis > Mincey

 

[nomads-11]

I'll say this. Coming out of spring and going into fall next year, I better not be hearing from the talking heads that TN is scrambling to plug holes and find 5 OL. If your identity is offense this better not be a big question, period. Tired of it.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Our defense would have been more successful if Florida's lineman were not holding them every fricking play. Our OL struggles with "Which way is Joe going" syndrome. A shot of confidence would do wonders for this team. UVA and APSU on our home turf were expected wins. Playing at UF where we last won in the Fulmer years was not expected. Hope and expectations are as wide as the Grand Canyon in Knoxville.

Yeah Joe is to blame for the fact that we have no quality depth on the offensive line. Some of y’all ride a narrative harder than an ESPN commentator crew.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Dane Davis > Mincey

Dane Davis got tossed aside like a rag doll by a nose tackle from AUSTIN MOTHERFLIPPING PEAY. He’s trash.

 

[BIG SEXY]

Why did we continue to run up the middle in the 3rd quarter ? I know we had some success but it was mostly the backs hitting unplanned holes.
At that point we needed to throw to set up the run not visa Versa.

BS

 

[BowlBrother85]

I’m not chicken little, and I believe in Ellarbee, but according to friends on the staff our OL is getting blown up by our DL regularly. This is purely a talent problem. The older guys are nowhere near Carvin, much less Wright. The young guys aren’t strong enough yet. Of course some of this is improvement in DL talent and depth, but we’re not the best DL in our league by any stretch. We are having serious problems blocking inside runs and the backside of the QB. Mays has been pretty fragile for months and has missed a lot of practice. His healthy return is essential if we want to do well at n conference. We all better hope that we can get healthy and gel before we head to Florida.

This was a good call. You saw it coming, The analysis was eerily spot on.

 

[Manchester Vol]

I’m not chicken little, and I believe in Ellarbee, but according to friends on the staff our OL is getting blown up by our DL regularly. This is purely a talent problem. The older guys are nowhere near Carvin, much less Wright. The young guys aren’t strong enough yet. Of course some of this is improvement in DL talent and depth, but we’re not the best DL in our league by any stretch. We are having serious problems blocking inside runs and the backside of the QB. Mays has been pretty fragile for months and has missed a lot of practice. His healthy return is essential if we want to do well at n conference. We all better hope that we can get healthy and gel before we head to Florida.

“Inferior” O line perhaps.

 

[KeyVol14]

This was not a popular post when I originally made it. A huge part of our offensive woes are the absence of SEC OL talent. I did not think we’d do well with Ollie or Davis holding the middle. Mays is not as recovered/ready as Heupel represented. Misdirection is part of the game, and I understand that. We have to have Mays back and healthy. We won’t be able to run well or protect adequately without him. Wright has been hitting gaps that aren’t the called hole, and turning those runs into gains, but he’d be killing it if he could get past the second level. Milton is making bad choices, but he’s doing it with a second less than last year. Mays isn’t a miracle cure. Our OL isn’t up to par, even with him. Without him, we’re going to get blown up in the middle.

With as many projected players leaving on the O line after this year, that doesn't really bode well for next. Can't rely on true freshman to make an impact right away especially in league play. Also random question, did the staff consider getting a big name QB in the portal this off-season? I can't help but think Sam Hartman would have been a perfect fit if the staffs plan was to redshirt Nico

 

[sonofUT62]

Again I’m glad that Heupel promoted a grad assistant with zero recruiting experience to the TE coach. It’s definitely paid dividends.

 

[BowlBrother85]

With as many projected players leaving on the O line after this year, that doesn't really bode well for next. Can't rely on true freshman to make an impact right away especially in league play. Also random question, did the staff consider getting a big name QB in the portal this off-season? I can't help but think Sam Hartman would have been a perfect fit if the staffs plan was to redshirt Nico

It will have to be addressed in the portal.