Nico Needs Confidence

#28
#28
After sleeping and thinking about it, it is hard to blame Nico. The play calling doesn't expire confidence. Our "scared" and "conservative" play calling doesn't build confidence in our team.

The offensive line (especially the penalties) are killing drives as well and compounding it.
 
#29
#29
I thought he was the quiet confident type. Now I don’t know what to think. He has a lot of growing to do which should be no surprise. On the bright side, I think he will grow - just slower than anybody hoped. I would not be surprised to see him be a 4-year player for TN. My comparison is to Josiah Jordan James of the basketball team that came in with much hype as a 5-star many thought would be a one and done.
 
#31
#31
volbound1700 said:
After sleeping and thinking about it, it is hard to blame Nico. The play calling doesn't expire confidence. Our "scared" and "conservative" play calling doesn't build confidence in our team.

The offensive line (especially the penalties) are killing drives as well and compounding it.
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The play calling is a direct reflection of the coaches confidence in what they think the QB can effectively do.
 
#32
#32
Clad in Big Orange said:
The play calling is a direct reflection of the coaches confidence in what they think the QB can effectively do.
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I don't give a crap about that. Just call the play and let the QB make mistakes. I would rather be driving every play and have a few TOs than to have what we have now. Be a gunslinger like Spurrier. He did it even when he didn't have the QBs to do it. Guess what, there where turnovers but they also won most their games and put up points.
 
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#33
#33
OldVolMan said:
Yes so far he has not shown any leadership.
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I think he did a solid by saying what he said in the presser. Penalties killed drives and limit opportunities. He also owned not getting the ball up on the last play because the ball slipped he also said he had to do better and have the ball ready to go out. That is leadership. Telling your team that stupid plays get you beat and owning your own mistakes. He didn't throw anyone under the bus while taking it on his own chin and owning he screwed up.
 
#34
#34
Clad in Big Orange said:
The play calling is a direct reflection of the coaches confidence in what they think the QB can effectively do.
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It actually isn't if you know the timing isn't there because the OL can't block longer than 3 seconds. There were times last night Arkansas got pressure with 3 rushers dropping 8. Specifically the Tackles
 
#35
#35
Rocky Top T said:
He needs to act like he cares, quit trying to be cool. Vanderbilt QB put the team on his back, Nico doesn't have that
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I wonder if we have money left over that we can entice Vandy's qb to come play for the Vols ? You're right, that guy balled out and won that game for Vandy
 
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#36
#36
Big Al, I just do not see it on the field or on the bench.
It is easy to be politically correct at a presser, but I actually did not hear anything at the presser that showed leadership. To me admitting mistakes is being humble and honest. That is all I saw.
 
#37
#37
He & the entire O-line seemed off last night. Receivers got dinged up. Defense played well but new clock rules don't help us much. Overall, Arkansas had a much better game plan than us. CJH and Banks were totally out-coached last night.
 
#38
#38
OldVolMan said:
Big Al, I just do not see it on the field or on the bench.
It is easy to be politically correct at a presser, but I actually did not hear anything at the presser that showed leadership. To me admitting mistakes is being humble and honest. That is all I saw.
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We will find out soon
 
#39
#39
SamuraiVol74 said:
In all fairness to Nico, Voltopia, he was under duress the whole game practically. He did miss some open passes, but he also had people in the backfield nearly every snap.
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This is overblown. No QB gets clean pockets most of the time. I dare say the Arkansas QB was under duress as much or more than Nico and he was making plays/throws.

A lot of this is on Nico and fans need to quit excusing it. I like the kid and he has shown a lot of potential but he still has a lot of work to do.
 
#40
#40
volgr said:
This is overblown. No QB gets clean pockets most of the time. I dare say the Arkansas QB was under duress as much or more than Nico and he was making plays/throws.

A lot of this is on Nico and fans need to quit excusing it. I like the kid and he has shown a lot of potential but he still has a lot of work to do.
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No, it's really not. It's a fact. Go back and watch it again. And no, the Arkansas kid was not under the same duress or more than Nico. If you think that's the case, then you aren't watching the same game I did.
 
#41
#41
volbound1700 said:
Restrictions don't make you grow IMO. I think it is a road game mentality thing but we will see.
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Could be...or it could just be that when the competition steps up, Nico isn't as good at this moment in his college career as folks think he is. To me, this game was on coaching and gameplan.
 
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#42
#42
SamuraiVol74 said:
No, it's really not. It's a fact. Go back and watch it again. And no, the Arkansas kid was not under the same duress or more than Nico. If you think that's the case, then you aren't watching the same game I did.
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I watched it. We have a very good DL. Every QB we have played has operated largely out of a dirty pocket, thanks to our DL. Arkansas was no different. Good QBs make plays out of less than ideal pockets...and Nico has made some plays in those situations but not enough. He has to get better.
 
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#43
#43
I’m tired of hearing Nico is only a freshman. He’s being paid $8mil and has been on campus being coached since Dec 2022. I know he hasn’t played in many big games yet but maybe that’s the fault of the coach not giving him time last year when Milton struggled.

Speaking of which Heupel also makes $10mil or so and deserves some pressure to do better as well. We can’t have games like this every year. South Carolina, Florida and Mizzou, and now Arkansas
 
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#45
#45
I am not an expert by any means but when I watch Nico drop back it looks like his reads are way too slow. He waits on his first and second target way too long. Esp for the amount of pressure he has been under facing good defenses. His decisions have to come much faster, hopefully that will come with time. I would also like to see some fire from him, he is too laid back, teammates do not respond to that. Look at the vandy qb, hardly a spec of the gifts Nico has but yet he can get a bunch of 3 stars and less to fight to the death with him.
 
#46
#46
SamuraiVol74 said:
Could be...or it could just be that when the competition steps up, Nico isn't as good at this moment in his college career as folks think he is. To me, this game was on coaching and gameplan.
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My issue is just Nico, it is the play calling. It is so risk adverse that it is strangling our offense.
 
#47
#47
I told my son this last night as we were watching the game - the coaches need to let Nico do his thing! You have to let these athletes do what they do and give them enough latitude to make plays and live with the results. As a former coach, I can tell you that it you have to find the right balance. Over coaching can absolutely paralyze athletes and I suspect that’s happening with Nico.
 
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