Positive thread..Why UT can be better than advertised

#51
#51
madbamahater said:
With the continuous freak out threads and negative bashing of the QB situation, I want to offer opinions on how the Vols can be better on offense.

1) QBs have a year under their belts in the system
2) OL is new (but they play OL and they were recruited to play OL). It's not like they just drive around and picked up any ol dudes off the street to play on the line or converting guys who have never played the sport.
3) OL again. This OL HAS to be able to run block better than the last bunch. With multiple pro talents last year, they couldn't run block to save their asses.
4) OL again. Being able to run block with take HUGE amount of stress off the QBs and naturally they will perform better.
5) The WR situation is atop the best in the country and more experienced and more depth.
6) The talent level at RB is so vastly improved over last season that one has a hard time describing it. It was beyond pitiful.....

I'm not suggesting this team will win 8+ games. But I believe they are better and will be better across the board.....
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My kind of thread
 
#52
#52
gogators13 said:
Didn't the last offensive line run block for over 4+ yards per carry? Didn't Neal an average back in the SEC go over a 1,000 yards. The line was above avg. Last year. UT lacked QB, TE, and We play last year.
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Yes and yes. To be precise, we rushed for 2261 yards net last year, averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a team and 6 of the top 7 ball carriers averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry (UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football). Those were the best team rushing totals in, I believe, 10 years and they were achieved despite a passing attack that was crippled by inexperience and injuries at both the quarterback position and the wide receiver corps.
 
#55
#55
madbamahater said:
With the continuous freak out threads and negative bashing of the QB situation, I want to offer opinions on how the Vols can be better on offense.

1) QBs have a year under their belts in the system
2) OL is new (but they play OL and they were recruited to play OL). It's not like they just drive around and picked up any ol dudes off the street to play on the line or converting guys who have never played the sport.
3) OL again. This OL HAS to be able to run block better than the last bunch. With multiple pro talents last year, they couldn't run block to save their asses.
4) OL again. Being able to run block with take HUGE amount of stress off the QBs and naturally they will perform better.
5) The WR situation is atop the best in the country and more experienced and more depth.
6) The talent level at RB is so vastly improved over last season that one has a hard time describing it. It was beyond pitiful.....

I'm not suggesting this team will win 8+ games. But I believe they are better and will be better across the board.....
Click to expand...

I know Worley can't throw like Bray, but remember how potent the offense was the couple of years they had multiple viable receiving options (Hunter, Da'Rick, Patterson, Rivera)? They seem to have that again.
 
#57
#57
Rushing numbers were better overall last year, but worse when needed most. 66 net rushing yards @Florida, 94 net rushing yards against Mizz. I think they took a day off every now and then
 
#58
#58
madbamahater said:
So in other words you are suggesting that Tennessee had a good running game last year?
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Not saying they were a dominating run game but we did have two backs that averaged over 5 yards a carry. It wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be.
 
#59
#59
Tux, I believed mentioned the hope of having a pass rush this year, in Maggitt. I think this could be the most important improvement on the team if it happens. Pass rushing kills drives, causes turnovers, and changes field position.
 
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#60
#60
madbamahater said:
So in other words you are suggesting that Tennessee had a good running game last year?
Click to expand...

What on Earth makes you think a completely new O line is automatically going to be better than 2 guys who were drafted by the NFL and another who would have gone if not for knee issues?
 
#62
#62
Volosaurus rex said:
Yes and yes. To be precise, we rushed for 2261 yards net last year, averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a team and 6 of the top 7 ball carriers averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry (UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics - Football). Those were the best team rushing totals in, I believe, 10 years and they were achieved despite a passing attack that was crippled by inexperience and injuries at both the quarterback position and the wide receiver corps.
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I think too many people get caught up in these type of stats. If a team rushes for 300 yards a game, but can't convert the third and one, fourth and goal types then those 300 yards really don't help. If you think about last season, that was our criptonite.
 
#64
#64
ddubb76 said:
I think too many people get caught up in these type of stats. If a team rushes for 300 yards a game, but can't convert the third and one, fourth and goal types then those 300 yards really don't help. If you think about last season, that was our criptonite.
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Which goes back to conditioning and want. The O line was good last year - stats prove it. But when they were really needed in critical situations, the want, the nastiness was lacking. According to stats, 3 and 4 should be a cakewalk. Just don't work that way.
 
#65
#65
ddubb76 said:
I think too many people get caught up in these type of stats. If a team rushes for 300 yards a game, but can't convert the third and one, fourth and goal types then those 300 yards really don't help. If you think about last season, that was our criptonite.
Click to expand...


You have a valid point but I still beg to differ. When you don't have a passing game that opponents have to respect, you are particularly vulnerable in the specific situations that you cited. Don't forget that we also lacked an elite running back, the kind of player who can consistently pick up those yards even when the holes aren't exactly gaping.
 
#66
#66
If Hurd is as good as advertised we may have some Truth on our hands. I have always liked M.L., I hope he can bring it this season.. with Hurd helping him I believe we will do well, all depends on the Beasts up front and guys running the routes correctly.

Go Vols!
 
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