Jordan Mathews, Ricky Gibson III - where are they?

[TheMookieMonster]

I had the same thought about Heupel. We just conveniently have a major contributor suspended before the SC game last year, and now we have three players suspended right before the UF game. People complain about Saban and Smart protecting their players, but when has either of them ever suspended a key player, or just not played him a la Sampson, for a pivotal game? Would have made a hell of a lot more sense to suspend them for UTSA.

Okay, let’s not go that far. He makes $9 million a year. He isn’t risking his comfy paycheck for pennies on the dollar.

 

[sjt18]

Heupel said specifically that Gibson had played snaps on D.

 

[sjt18]

I would like to see Matthews or Slaughter replace Hadden and Hadden should ride the bench for a few games until he wises up and tackles better while keeping his mouth shut on the field.

Slaughter is already a starter. He was apparently injured and could not play. A "gametime" decision.

Hadden beat out... a slew of guys who are still competing to take his job. I believe Heupel specifically mentioned Gibson getting time on D at UF. If that's the case then IMO it is only a matter of time before he's on the field A LOT more.

 

[FBtime]

The linebackers should have filled the gaps, and the safetfy should have cleaned up what they missed. Blaming the DB in pursuit is a fundamental misunderstanding of defensive responsibilities. Florida's RB should have never made it to Hadden.

I literally lol. None of that changes the fundamentals of tackling nor the effort that goes into it. Both were sh|t

 

[Rocky Top T]

Because Tim Banks is a idiot

 

[OrangeVolMan]

Watch again - Walker was far more responsible for that TD than Hadden was.

He was also responsible but he tried. Haden didn’t give any effort. He barely threw a hip out. he probably wouldn’t receive as much grief if he didn’t run his mouth constantly. When you put together the lack of effort and the mouth running it is unbearable.

 

[Vol737]

The linebackers should have filled the gaps, and the safetfy should have cleaned up what they missed. Blaming the DB in pursuit is a fundamental misunderstanding of defensive responsibilities. Florida's RB should have never made it to Hadden.

But he did, so then it falls to Hadden sacrifice himself, wrap him up and tackle him, not shoulder bump him. Unacceptable effort regardless of what happened before the RB got to Hadden.

 

[Volanooga2521]

For real. There's no way they are worse than Hadden.

It's one thing to suck in coverage and get called for DPI. Maybe just not athletic enough. But just to try and shoulder the guy right here may have cost us the game. Who knows if we stop them or hold them to a FGA, maybe we get another TD and go up 14-3. Changes the entire complexion of the game:

How do you figure?
View attachment 580379
They can both be responsible, but any attempt to absolve Hadden of any responsibility is silly. Both can be true, but Hadden was the last line of defense and had the easiest shot on him after Etienne had been slowed down by the other hits he absorbed (Walker's included).

 

[17Vols]

Gibson was playing

In the Coaches presser today, CJH said he told Gibson he had to grow up quick, I kinda interrupted that as him hoping Gibson can unseat one of our current starters. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts taking snaps with the 1s in the near future, maybe even this weekend.

 

[sjt18]

Because Tim Banks is a idiot

I am probably in the minority but I have a much bigger issue with the 1st half game plan than any particular player. Why it took them until the 2nd half to man up at the LOS to deny those screens is a mystery to me. Ran the same dink and dunk stuff over and over... same defensive play call.

 

[17Vols]

It's one thing to suck in coverage and get called for DPI. Maybe just not athletic enough. But just to try and shoulder the guy right here may have cost us the game. Who knows if we stop them or hold them to a FGA, maybe we get another TD and go up 14-3. Changes the entire complexion of the game:

View attachment 580421

is it just me or did anyone else get the impression Hadden was apologizing to Etienne for bumping into him right here???

 

[sjt18]

In the Coaches presser today, CJH said he told Gibson he had to grow up quick, I kinda interrupted that as him hoping Gibson can unseat one of our current starters. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts taking snaps with the 1s in the near future, maybe even this weekend.

You meant "interpreted", right?

I heard that too. He may not start but may take snaps from someone. I'll be surprised if Hadden doesn't sit when Slaughter gets back. Lally or Burrell likely move up. I avoid questioning coaches on who plays for the most part but Turnage is another mystery to me. He must suck in practice but good things seem to happen around him when he plays.

 

[Vol865]

In the Coaches presser today, CJH said he told Gibson he had to grow up quick, I kinda interrupted that as him hoping Gibson can unseat one of our current starters. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts taking snaps with the 1s in the near future, maybe even this weekend.

Personally I'd start Jeudy-Lally and Slaughter. If Gibson could be good enough to start I'd move Slaughter to STAR. Jeudy-Lally is fundamentally sound for the most part and is a willing tackler. Slaughter will also be physical. Hadden and Burrell are liabilities in coverage and run support.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

I'll take Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson at this point.

 

[BDHVOL]

I'll take Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson at this point.

 

[chattavol420]

We also have the kid that was a highly touted player from Tennessee who spent a season at Ohio State. Can’t recall his name. But I was excited for him as well.
It’s some thing that is starting to become a thing with Heupel… Once players get penciled in as a starter we are incredibly reluctant to give other guys a chance. The most obvious case of course is Milton. But defensive back is another area where it almost seems guys don’t have to perform to keep their spot. Hadden is absolutely horrific out there. Why are we not rotating in other players, and then evaluating who is performing best afterwards?

 

[Adam Sandler]

They haven't quite completed their schooling at the Willie Martinez Institute of Shadow Coverage, nor their trash talk and speed bag training at Kamal Hadden's Gold Glove boxing gym.

Or Tanks Bad Angles of America Club.

 

[TheVolunteer002]

I had JM penciled in as a day 1 starter. Why haven’t they seen the field?

"They're available. We're rotating some guys and the game plan is to get them in when they're available. They're not available though. Long week ahead. Good football team coming Saturday etc etc."

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Hadden definitely should have come in lower and ready to make a tackle, but more blame lies on other people's shoulders than just Hadden. Let us not forget the responsibilities of our other players/position groups before blaming #5.

It’s just that number 5 has demonstrated bad tackling for a long time. And talking crap after getting beat gets old for fans to watch. I am well aware he not the only problem but he has been the most consistent with bad habits in tackling. GBO

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Slaughter is already a starter. He was apparently injured and could not play. A "gametime" decision.

Hadden beat out... a slew of guys who are still competing to take his job. I believe Heupel specifically mentioned Gibson getting time on D at UF. If that's the case then IMO it is only a matter of time before he's on the field A LOT more.

He also said today that he told Ricky we need him to take that next step that we need him out there. Jordan Matthews is another one that was highly touted and has tons of potential. The quicker they can step up the better. Both have major speed and talent. On a side note not having Slaughter and Mincey really hurt Saturday. Slaughter is probably our best tackler in the secondary and Mincey is one of our better O-Lineman. GBO

 

[ChrisVFL]

They started turning around and looking for the ball in practice . WM said " not on my watch. Hello bench"

That’s funny

 

[Smokymtnbullet]

The linebackers should have filled the gaps, and the safetfy should have cleaned up what they missed. Blaming the DB in pursuit is a fundamental misunderstanding of defensive responsibilities. Florida's RB should have never made it to Hadden.

So David Leaverton should have never made a touchdown saving tackle in 98 against Florida State and just said “Im the punter it’s not my job to tackle” ?

 

[GVol1966]

Watch again - Walker was far more responsible for that TD than Hadden was.

Was that walker that took out 2 Vols?

 

[GVol1966]

The linebackers should have filled the gaps, and the safetfy should have cleaned up what they missed. Blaming the DB in pursuit is a fundamental misunderstanding of defensive responsibilities. Florida's RB should have never made it to Hadden.

Everything you said may be true, so yes there’s plenty to not like on that play,

But fact is it did make it to Hadden and what he did was an epic failure. No excuse for a senior. Sit his a$$ and let a freshman play

 

[DrTNT]

I had JM penciled in as a day 1 starter. Why haven’t they seen the field?

Thought Gibson played later in Florida game?