Milton era should be over.

#151
#151
I will be shocked if Milton doesn't start against Vandy and play until (hopefully) we get a good lead and then get Nico some second half reps.....And if Milton doesn't opt out (don't know why he would) of the bowl game he will also start the bowl game and play as long as needed.
 
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#152
#152
I have somewhat taken up for Milton most of the year as our WR group has not exactly helped the situation. Although after these last two games there is a glaring difference in QB play compared to what he is able to do. I guess we see exactly why he stuck it out at UT. It is hard to "throw" the receiver open when you have zero touch.
 
#158
#158
OrangeTsar said:
Sounds like Nico’s family really wanted it for him though. Sounds prudent to me. Too may players rush their development to get the $$$ more quickly. I think his family is looking out for him
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Could be. I'm just assuming that really good players don't intend to stay that long. Maybe he does, and is still good
 
#161
#161
Look…I know it can be painful to watch Joe run the offense against tougher opponents but I don’t think Nico would’ve been much better this year. He needs this time to film study and learn.

What message would it send to the team if you’re the head coach that’s preached all year that Joe is our guy and then you bench him for that last two games. You’re going to lose some players because they aren’t going to trust you. Even if Huepel may look back and think maybe he should’ve just thrown Nico out there, it’s too late now. Be a man of your word, especially at this point.

Next year will be fun and interesting.
 
#162
#162
RFlynn said:
Joe Milton should not see the field again for Tennessee.
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That's ridiculous. You absolutely start him vs Vandy. Bring Nico in early and often. Hell, let him play the entire second half, but you absolutely start Joe. Same for the bowl. Start Joe but play Nico early and often.
 
#165
#165
Joe will start against Vandy and play the whole game. It will be a run heavy snooze fest and UT won’t pull off a big enough lead to put in Nico.

If we are lucky, Joe will sit out the bowl to prepare for “the draft” and Saturday will be the last time we see him, but we haven’t been very lucky this season.
 
#170
#170
My gut says this will look exactly like the WKU game and we barely win while looking unprepared. My heart wants a Vandy beatdown
 
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#171
#171
Tnphil said:
I will be shocked if Milton doesn't start against Vandy and play until (hopefully) we get a good lead and then get Nico some second half reps.....And if Milton doesn't opt out (don't know why he would) of the bowl game he will also start the bowl game and play as long as needed.
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At this point, I consider our bowl to be a non issue. From this point on, my focus would be next year. I'd start Milton and let him know he's got the first half. The second half, regardless of the score, would be Nico's time. I'd do exactly the same thing in a bowl game. And not just Nico. I'd be playing any and all of my youngsters who are ready throughout the game. Mix them in with the starters. Let them taste as much live action as possible all with eyes on next season. I'd also have a handful of my "admin" or whatever they're called these days burning the midnight oil compiling a list of portal targets. My collective would be burning up back channels with those targets right now, and I'd be having the portal version of a black friday sale.
 
#173
#173
orange parmejohn said:
No game is meaningless for a redshirt freshman expected to start day 1 at QB in the SEC.
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He was never expected to "start day 1". That wasn't the plan. That's not even how he was recruited. He could have gone somewhere that promised him the job "day 1". Instead, he wisely chose a place where he could develop for a year and avoid some potential dangers including severe injury.
 
#174
#174
Jaxon_Vol2017 said:
Oh I agree. Joe will start no doubt.
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I just think people are criticizing Heupel without really looking at the "big picture". UT is still rebuilding. Last year was amazing and showed what Heupel can do with even less than an elite, 5* loaded roster. Short of being robbed in the OM and Purdue games, Heupel would now have a chance to win 9+ games in his first 3 years. From where the program was to that point... isn't worthy of criticism or doubt. Jones won 9 two years in a row but did so with rosters absolutely loaded with talent. What would Heupel have done with Kamara, Dobbs, Hurd, Malone, etc?

The guy can coach. And if I'm right then his strategy with Nico is dead on too. Instead of being a 6'6" twig... he'll weigh around 220 by the time he becomes the full time starter. He'll have a year of learning from Milton (who is a pretty smart guy) and also from Milton's mistakes on the field. He is learning how to study tape. He is learning the O.

This is an investment they've been able to make WITHOUT exposing him to getting physically, emotionally, and mentally abused.

We all hoped that Milton would improve... but realistically knew that he might be limited to what he is. The future was always Nico's. But he has to be part of the rebuild... not all of it.
 
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