It may be my orange glasses but..

#1
Volnanza

Volnanza

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#1
After watching many of the games this past weekend it occurred to me that of all the teams in the SEC, Tennessee probably has the most "upside" or room for improvement (I omit Georgia). What I mean is that amount of improvement that is available seems very large. For example, we had 6 sacks against SCe and that's great but how many times did the rusher just barely miss the target? I think in time our DE's will work on maintaining control so that they don't fly by when the QB steps up. Take that extra step to maintain control. This is how we get a whole lot better on the pass rush.

If you take each unit and compare where it is now to how much better it can be, then get an idea of how good these guys could be. This is all totally objective though.


OL - I see these guys at about 75% after the SCe game. It's was the first game with Mays back and the OL in its preferred order. This will get better quickly as the line jells.

DL interior - These guys are rated at 85 - 90 percent. They are doing a good job

RB - 90 to 95 % Our most solid group

WR - 80%. We need to stop dropping catchable balls.

DBs - This one is hard. They played well against SCe. Based on that, 75%. Need more discipline on tackling and staying in position.

LB's - 85%. I love the aggressiveness they show but need to make sure to cover the proper gaps. ( about the only highlight for SCe was due to this)

QB - I can't rate this. Miltons upside is out of this world. His play is not. It's not bad but it's nowhere near the level it should be.

Our kicking game is good. I was worried about the punter, but he seems to be doing a much better job now. FG's are excellent. I like this kicker, good accuracy. Coverage units are also doing quite well.

With two weeks off, we should see major improvement in all areas.

All this is just my opinion. It's Wednesday of a off week. If we come in at 90% across the board, we will roll A&M here at home.

Thoughts?
 
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#2
#2
I agree that TN will continue to improve, esp front 7 with the young linebackers gaining more experience. But the competition level will be much better w A&M, Bama, KY, GA, etc.

Our secondary is a concern that will only improve with better talent.

I’ve lowered my expectations on offense (and results) as Joe and the receivers aren’t the same as last yr.

With that said, 8-4 is what I foresee with the possibility of 9-3.
 
#3
#3
I would put Joe at 80%, mainly because I don't see him being capable of significant improvement except in the downfield passing game. I would love to see him throwing deep routes like the one he threw to Bru late in the Florduh game. That throw was pretty and I don't think he's had a good deep throw since.

As far as the big play where USCjr broke the long run, the Lbs got blocked, but Tank over pursued. He ended up in the C gap when the play came back to B and he was out of position. I could be wrong about Banks D, but I always thought the Safeties were taught to stay behind the LBs until the back breaks the second level, then crash down. I felt like he crashed down too fast. Once the Rb broke into the second level, he went untouched for the remaining 55-60 yards or whatever.
 
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#5
#5
Wide Receivers: I’ve been listening to Ainge. (I know). Agree with him about what’s left after Bru’s injury and that is a lot of drops and no separation. Bru could get yards after catch and was a great blocker. Squirrel is the only one that can get separation, but he’s out of the slot- a little different than the wides. Bru was the guy that gave DC’s nightmares. He’s gone and expect a lot of man-to-man from this point forward.
 
#6
#6
vol94 said:
I agree that TN will continue to improve, esp front 7 with the young linebackers gaining more experience. But the competition level will be much better w A&M, Bama, KY, GA, etc.

Our secondary is a concern that will only improve with better talent.

I’ve lowered my expectations on offense (and results) as Joe and the receivers aren’t the same as last yr.

With that said, 8-4 is what I foresee with the possibility of 9-3.
Click to expand...
Our secondary is ranked number 1 in the SEC
 
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#7
#7
ptcarter said:
Wide Receivers: I’ve been listening to Ainge. (I know). Agree with him about what’s left after Bru’s injury and that is a lot of drops and no separation. Bru could get yards after catch and was a great blocker. Squirrel is the only one that can get separation, but he’s out of the slot- a little different than the wides. Bru was the guy that gave DC’s nightmares. He’s gone and expect a lot of man-to-man from this point forward.
Click to expand...
I would love man to man coverage. I think Heupel would too. That said Bru is really going to be missed
 
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#9
#9
Volnanza said:
After watching many of the games this past weekend it occurred to me that of all the teams in the SEC, Tennessee probably has the most "upside" or room for improvement (I omit Georgia). What I mean is that amount of improvement that is available seems very large. For example, we had 6 sacks against SCe and that's great but how many times did the rusher just barely miss the target? I think in time our DE's will work on maintaining control so that they don't fly by when the QB steps up. Take that extra step to maintain control. This is how we get a whole lot better on the pass rush.

If you take each unit and compare where it is now to how much better it can be, then get an idea of how good these guys could be. This is all totally objective though.


OL - I see these guys at about 75% after the SCe game. It's was the first game with Mays back and the OL in its preferred order. This will get better quickly as the line jells.

DL interior - These guys are rated at 85 - 90 percent. They are doing a good job

RB - 90 to 95 % Our most solid group

WR - 80%. We need to stop dropping catchable balls.

DBs - This one is hard. They played well against SCe. Based on that, 75%. Need more discipline on tackling and staying in position.

LB's - 85%. I love the aggressiveness they show but need to make sure to cover the proper gaps. ( about the only highlight for SCe was due to this)

QB - I can't rate this. Miltons upside is out of this world. His play is not. It's not bad but it's nowhere near the level it should be.

Our kicking game is good. I was worried about the punter, but he seems to be doing a much better job now. FG's are excellent. I like this kicker, good accuracy. Coverage units are also doing quite well.

With two weeks off, we should see major improvement in all areas.

All this is just my opinion. It's Wednesday of a off week. If we come in at 90% across the board, we will roll A&M here at home.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Why would you omit Georgia… did you see their game w/ Auburn, they’re not clear cut head & shoulders above everybody else…
 
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#13
#13
Milton I think for better or worse is what he is at this point. He’s going to give you some great moments and some terrible ones as well; if you give him some protection at the end of the day he’s a little better than decent. Really hope he does have that “great” game vs a team like Bama or Georgia this year.
 
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#14
#14
vol94 said:
I agree that TN will continue to improve, esp front 7 with the young linebackers gaining more experience. But the competition level will be much better w A&M, Bama, KY, GA, etc.

Our secondary is a concern that will only improve with better talent.

I’ve lowered my expectations on offense (and results) as Joe and the receivers aren’t the same as last yr.

With that said, 8-4 is what I foresee with the possibility of 9-3.
Click to expand...
LB's should improve when KP comes back.
 
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#15
#15
Going to have to rely on the running game. Not sure the passing game will improve enough to lean on..We have to run the ball this year to be successful..
 
#17
#17
So far I haven't seen any SEC team performing at the level people have come to expect from 'bama, Georgia, A&M, LSU, while teams like Kentucky, Missouri, are playing what seems to be exceptional football.

Tennessee had to replace most of the offensive line from the past 2 seasons, a lot of defensive guys from last year are gone, replaced with good, but young, mostly limited experience, different quarterback. Lot of new pieces in the puzzle, but they looked better with Mays back at center. I will just wait, watch, and support the Vols in every game, just like I have since listening to my first Vol radio broadcast with the impeccable John Ward.
 
#19
#19
Mccage said:
Our secondary is ranked number 1 in the SEC
Click to expand...
It depends on what stst you are looking at, but we will find out more against A&M.

Our LBs are young but gaining more experience. So there is more upside to that position than the secondary.
 
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#21
#21
vol94 said:
It depends on what stst you are looking at, but we will find out more against A&M.

Our LBs are young but gaining more experience. So there is more upside to that position than the secondary.
Click to expand...
The Freshman LBs have taken a big step since the Fl game. They hurt us in the Fl game but against SC they were in position to make plays except on the long run. One person out of position can make the whole Defense look bad. Regardless what some on here think it’s not our DC. Having to throw green players in the fire especially the swamp is a recipe for a long day.
 
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#22
#22
DrTNT said:
Why would you omit Georgia… did you see their game w/ Auburn, they’re not clear cut head & shoulders above everybody else…
Click to expand...
I omit Georgia because I don't know much about them. I can't gauge weather they played their best game or worst game against others. Also, they have the weakest schedule in the SEC so how good are those wins? They haven't looked like world beaters but, if I were a dawg fan I would say "we haven't been using 70, 80, 90% of our play book". Who's to know?
 
#23
#23
Mccage said:
The Freshman LBs have taken a big step since the Fl game. They hurt us in the Fl game but against SC they were in position to make plays except on the long run. One person out of position can make the whole Defense look bad. Regardless what some on here think it’s not our DC. Having to throw green players in the fire especially the swamp is a recipe for a long day.
Click to expand...


Agree. My initial post may have been confusing. My point is w wry other defensive group will improve. The D line is playing well and our LBs will improve. Imo, the secondary is our weakest part of our defense as we don’t have one **** down corner. That will change w our freshman and recruiting. One shutdown corner can make a huge difference in both college and NFL.
 
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#24
#24
I always look thru my Orange Glasses... some days they are darker than others. Some days lighter, but they are always on.!
 
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