Pruitt on Banks at linebacker: 'I think he could play this week.'

[BeecherVol]

But, what if -- on his first defensive drive -- he causes a fumble on the 1, picks it up, runs 94 yards and fumbles it on the 5, giving the opposing team the ball right back. Then what ?? THEN what position will he play ??

Defense.
Just from a field position advantage alone.

Lol

 

[Ashevillevol]

Pruitt said the calls are simple

If the calls are simple you would think the people who have been practicing for months would have them down better than someone doing it for 3-4 days. Sounds like desperation more than anything else.

 

[Ashevillevol]

Or maybe it just speaks to how bad the group as a whole is.

 

[volsfan24017]

Banks at LB.
Crouch at RB next year.

I what CJP is up to.

 

[LibertyVolance]

One positive that stands out to me is the energy Banks could bring to a defense that exhibits very little emotion and fire. Even if he doesn't see much playing time this weekend, the D needs a fireball on the sidelines and the field. Banks has too much energy to be sitting idle. I just hope he doesn't get ejected as soon as he gets in his first action.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Did he play any LB in high school? If so, his learning curve may not be too steep.

We sure could use another Al Wilson type at that position

AL WILSON was a Running back in HS. Fulmer converted quite a few RBs to LBs. Westmoreland, Moore, Wilson.

 

[LeannaVol]

Hope it works out. I think it is also an indication that we are very thin at linebacker right now and Pruitt doesn't have a lot of confidence in the back ups

 

[morristown vol]

The boy loves contact,he's a natural.As long as he's good with it he could see the field a lot more.

 

[VeeOhElEsYes]

One positive that stands out to me is the energy Banks could bring to a defense that exhibits very little emotion and fire. Even if he doesn't see much playing time this weekend, the D needs a fireball on the sidelines and the field. Banks has too much energy to be sitting idle. I just hope he doesn't get ejected as soon as he gets in his first action.

This. D definitely needs somebody that might be a little crazy. A wildcard. Senor Loco

 

[OldLofter]

Seems like a big jump so quickly. Don't LB's also have to do some coverage? Or would he just be used as a spy?

 

[Memphisvol87]

Sounds like both parties want the move. I don’t care who plays defense as long as they play with passion and violence.

Tired of watching us be run over.

 

[OffTackleVol]

This. D definitely needs somebody that might be a little crazy. A wildcard. Senor Loco

Yes, what about Jennings at strong safety to along with Banks at linebacker. I've often thought Juan would make a great safety.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

This all day long. Chit got me pumped ready to go tackle this bish in line at 7-11.

He is gunna run right through the whole offensive line to make a tackle.... the kid is super jacked up.

 

[Russdaddy2027]

My posting history won't lie, I have been high on Banks since he got to UT. I have been frustrated for him because I can see he wants to impact the game on every play, so much so that he gets careless with the ball. I think the move is brilliant, and I think that his explosiveness is what we need in the LB position. Hope he plays there Saturday!

 

[swchandler1988]

I don’t think this is an implication of the LB group being bad necessarily. Just the fact that it’s not deep right now. That was clear with Bituli being out one half this past weekend.

Next year, at MLB, Sapp DKjr Ignont Bituli all come back. Now add Banks and Lakia Henry and potentially Owen Pappoe. Taylor, Johnson, Allen, JJP and Austin Smith at OLB for 2019. I think newcomers Clemons stays on the d line and Roman Harrison moves to OLB.

 

[Rockytopvol86]

Wow. Impressive for both sides if he actually plays this week

I have to agree! But also this makes me think about jPeterson. He is behind in conditioning and knowledge, but we’re taking a running back and switching to D! This is impressive and indicative of his ability to adapt and his play making skills

 

[LibertyVolance]

My posting history won't lie, I have been high on Banks since he got to UT. I have been frustrated for him because I can see he wants to impact the game on every play, so much so that he gets careless with the ball. I think the move is brilliant, and I think that his explosiveness is what we need in the LB position. Hope he plays there Saturday!

I think Banks gets so pumped to make a play that he forgets about ball security. He wants to fight the would-be tacklers so bad that he forgets maintaining control of the ball is top priority. At least on D, that won't be a concern unless he makes a pick or recovers an advanceable fumble.

 

[vol-un-tear]

RB’s read LB’s and LB’s read RB’s. This is a great move for someone with good football instincts.

 

[dcm3w]

I imagine they will want him to be the MLB that attacks the ball carrier and blitz and not drop back in coverage. It'll be interesting if they put him there and SC tries to exploit it

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Did he play any LB in high school? If so, his learning curve may not be too steep.

We sure could use another Al Wilson type at that position

Someone posted a link in the other thread where his hs coach said it was discussed, but I don't think he ever did.

 

[revjayp]

This all day long. Chit got me pumped ready to go tackle this bish in line at 7-11.

I’ve been thinking about Pruitts promise to the players regarding “never letting this happen again” by bringing in players who will play the right way. I wonder if this is a part of recruiting from within. Also, could just be me, but I feel like CJP for the first time in his life, felt what it is to hate Bama. Something may have snapped in him. I like it.

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

I don’t think this is an implication of the LB group being bad necessarily. Just the fact that it’s not deep right now. That was clear with Bituli being out one half this past weekend.

Next year, at MLB, Sapp DKjr Ignont Bituli all come back. Now add Banks and Lakia Henry and potentially Owen Pappoe. Taylor, Johnson, Allen, JJP and Austin Smith at OLB for 2019. I think newcomers Clemons stays on the d line and Roman Harrison moves to OLB.

Our LB play this year has been pretty pathetic. Bituli is the only one to me that does not shy from contact. You have to have some guys that punish those WR's as well as RB's. Not to mention someone with a quick first step on a blitz. I would be willing to bet that he is in for most passing downs. His speed and thoughness will make him hard to handle on a blitz.

 

[Behr]

I’ve been thinking about Pruitts promise to the players regarding “never letting this happen again” by bringing in players who will play the right way. I wonder if this is a part of recruiting from within. Also, could just be me, but I feel like CJP for the first time in his life, felt what it is to hate Bama. Something may have snapped in him. I like it.

Haha, that's possible. Whatever is going on, I'm good with it. I hope everything clicks and works just like he wants it to Saturday and we whoop they ass ....bad.

 

[FïreBall]

"Must kill Jake Bentley"

If Banks is sent to blitze Bently and accidently gets a PF.. Then the normal LB would step back in... Just saying ☺

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

If the calls are simple you would think the people who have been practicing for months would have them down better than someone doing it for 3-4 days. Sounds like desperation more than anything else.

I don’t think you can look at it like that. The MLB isn’t asked to do much in our defense besides play off of Keys and play certain zone coverages. Which change each week depending on the team we play.

That isn’t something that is hard to pick up. If the kid can learn what he is doing on every offensive play, he can learn the defensive plays. The defensive side of the ball is way easier than learning an offense.