QB competition..

[Coug]

It was reported this week by Daniel Lewis, who was there for the scrimmage, that Ferguson and Worley were the only 2 QBs who ran with the 1s. He said Ferguson had 9 series, Worley had 7.

Matthews was up there for 2 days this week. He has a good relationship with both Butch and Bob Welton. He doesn't have to be the head coach to share what he knows. Obviously I know who he is.

As of right now it is definitely Worley 1 and Ferguson 2. Again, I said as of RIGHT NOW, like I said in the post you responded to. I've heard and read this from numerous sources... Matthews, Brice, Hubbs, Lewis, Ainge, Swain off the top of my head.

Of course it could change but I doubt it will. Btw, I know you're anti- Ferguson. Myself, I like Dobbs but ultimately just want the best guy to play and win. But that's just where it appears to stand right now. Of course there's a long way to go til Aug 30

Btw, I just checked to make sure..... Butch Jones is the head football coach at UT..... so we agree on that.

Also read that Butch put Ferguson in to do first team reps just to see what he can do.

I'm not "anti" Ferguson, I just haven't seen the kid play and nobody else has either so the rally behind him has me puzzled honestly. It's like blind faith. I have seen Dobbs play and not only is he not afraid to run when nobody is open but he's got a great arm.
Maybe Ferguson will get a shot at playing and we'll see how he handles it. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like Peterman but it really could.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

the staff is wanting the June arrivals to get here, like yesterday.. those kids are going to get a real chance to play..

Pretty much this. We need Saulsberry to bounce back and stay healthy all season AND we need one of Mosley, Barnett, Sawyers, and Robertson to be able to contribute at DT of we're going to see improvement up front this season.

It would be nice to see Henderson or Hendrix step up as well.

 

[peytonmanningwoo]

What games were you watching? He has good mobility and showed some poise for a freshman, but his arm strength and his accuracy are far from great.

Also read that Butch put Ferguson in to do first team reps just to see what he can do.

I'm not "anti" Ferguson, I just haven't seen the kid play and nobody else has either so the rally behind him has me puzzled honestly. It's like blind faith. I have seen Dobbs play and not only is he not afraid to run when nobody is open but he's got a great arm.
Maybe Ferguson will get a shot at playing and we'll see how he handles it. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like Peterman but it really could.

 

[gunner]

Statistics... and damn lies.

Peterman had no business starting against Florida. Worley looked like Tom Brady relative to Peterman in that game.

Right now, the decision to play Peterman is a HUGE question mark on whether "Butch gets it." His decision to start him, his decision to play him for four straight turnovers - it made him look like a coach in over his head, a coach who didn't trust what he saw in practice, and a coach who actually caved to fan pressure.

If Butch continues to recruit lights out, I don't care if he's a bad game day coach. Recruiting fixes 80% of everything. And if it truly turns out Butch ain't worth a lick on gameday, the next guy will be loaded and ready.

Butch has already proven he's a better game day coach than the last three guys to coach at UT. If you question that you should watch the 4th quarter of the South Carolina game where he and his staff completely out coach the ole ball coach.

 

[Coug]

What games were you watching? He has good mobility and showed some poise for a freshman, but his arm strength and his accuracy are far from great.

You're right he was a freshman when he started and in my point of view a fairly decent and promising freshman. If you were expecting him to look like Manning when he came out of the gate, and you are expecting Ferguson to look like Manning when he comes out of the gate you're just crazy. As far as for Dobb's accuracy, the majority of his passes were hitting the receivers in the numbers they just weren't catching them. It was frustrating to watch dropped and incomplete passes but let's face it, last year our receivers didn't do their job.

 

[KBVol]

You're right he was a freshman when he started and in my point of view a fairly decent and promising freshman. If you were expecting him to look like Manning when he came out of the gate, and you are expecting Ferguson to look like Manning when he comes out of the gate you're just crazy. As far as for Dobb's accuracy, the majority of his passes were hitting the receivers in the numbers they just weren't catching them. It was frustrating to watch dropped and incomplete passes but let's face it, last year our receivers didn't do their job.

Agree

 

[gnm53108]

Butch has already proven he's a better game day coach than the last three guys to coach at UT. If you question that you should watch the 4th quarter of the South Carolina game where he and his staff completely out coach the ole ball coach.

Huh?

The last one I'll give ya. In 09 the kiffster, really dont like him, had a winning record in his first and only year. That third one is a HOF coach. I'd love, and hope, that coach Jones is one of those but he has not proven that yet.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Also read that Butch put Ferguson in to do first team reps just to see what he can do.

I'm not "anti" Ferguson, I just haven't seen the kid play and nobody else has either so the rally behind him has me puzzled honestly. It's like blind faith. I have seen Dobbs play and not only is he not afraid to run when nobody is open but he's got a great arm.
Maybe Ferguson will get a shot at playing and we'll see how he handles it. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like Peterman but it really could.

Yes, that could indeed be true. I put Ferguson # 1 because I haven't seen him play. The three I saw play sadly aren't all that and a bag of chips.

Using that logic, I will rank them:

1) Ferguson - I hope he is good enough to beat out the others. If not, we looking at 6-6
2) Dobbs - some hope here
3) Worley - not an SEC quarterback but does have the most experience
4) Peterman - not fair to him, but hard to erase the image of that one game.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Huh?

The last one I'll give ya. In 09 the kiffster, really dont like him, had a winning record in his first and only year. That third one is a HOF coach. I'd love, and hope, that coach Jones is one of those but he has not proven that yet.

Pretty much this. I'll give Butch the edge over Dooley and MAYBE even Kiffin (because Kiffin had an easier schedule and Butch has a better overall coaching track record).

But putting him on Fulmer's level is the definition of premature.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Pretty much this. I'll give Butch the edge over Dooley and MAYBE even Kiffin (because Kiffin had an easier schedule and Butch has a better overall coaching track record).

But putting him on Fulmer's level is the definition of premature.

Don't forget Kiffin had to make do with a lot of walkons and a very undersized OL. Not a Kif-fan but give credit where it's due.

 

[olbemw7]

Don't forget Kiffin had to make do with a lot of walkons and a very undersized OL. Not a Kif-fan but give credit where it's due.

I see what you did there.... clever clever

 

[WoodsmanVol]

---Quote (Originally by WoodsmanVol)--- Don't forget Kiffin had to make do with a lot of walkons and a very undersized OL. Not a Kif-fan but give credit where it's due. ---End Quote---
==========================================

Biopsyman, you may be incapable of acknowledging it, but sometimes people we don't like, even people we believe or know are bad, do good things.

The Volkswagen Bug, a worldwide iconic car, and possibly the harbinger of all gas saving vehicles even before the first oil crisis back in the 1970's exists because Hitler mandated it. He wanted every German to have an affordable automobile. After WWII, this rather cheap car made its way to the USA and elsewhere. People who couldn't afford a typical American muscle car, or station wagen or other fairly expensive domestic car, could get a VW and the rest is history. Hitler is one of the most vilified men in modern history, but giving credit where it's due, he was responsible for what was, as the name means, the people's car. Kiffin was a jerk, probably still is, I don't care for him either. I don't hate him, I just don't care for him. Karma got him and in all likelihood isn't finished with him. But he did provide the UT their last winning season. He did it with a bunch of walkons and an undersized OL. Whether one wants to acknowledge it or not, he did it. Doesn't change the fact I want to see him choke on orange rinds in the form of our Vols ending the Bama streak during the Kiffinger's watch.

 

[sjt18]

Butch has already proven he's a better game day coach than the last three guys to coach at UT. If you question that you should watch the 4th quarter of the South Carolina game where he and his staff completely out coach the ole ball coach.

No he hasn't. I am not really interested in resurrecting this debate but will do so if you insist.

He may be or he may not be a good/great gameday coach but along with what I could consider "great" gameday coaching efforts vs UGA and USCe... there were some eggs laid too. Even if you don't count the blowouts.... UF, USA, Vandy....


Take note those of you who have accused me of regurgitating the same "negative" stuff... I'm giving an easy out here.

 

[sjt18]

Yes, that could indeed be true. I put Ferguson # 1 because I haven't seen him play. The three I saw play sadly aren't all that and a bag of chips.

Using that logic, I will rank them:

1) Ferguson - I hope he is good enough to beat out the others. If not, we looking at 6-6
2) Dobbs - some hope here
3) Worley - not an SEC quarterback but does have the most experience
4) Peterman - not fair to him, but hard to erase the image of that one game.

That's "logic"?

I am sure that Ferguson would have been great last year in spite of the failings and shortcomings of the receivers, right? I mean if a QB is "all that and a bag of chips" it should not matter if receivers neither know or consistently accomplish their play assignments, fail to run the correct route correctly, fail to catch the ball, fail to make aggressive plays on the ball, etc... right? The passing game issues were all a function of poor QB play... is that what you are saying?


Let me drop the sarcasm for a second. UT's receiver play last year was HORRIBLE... including North though he came along well for a guy who wasn't a WR in HS.

Rightly or wrongly, any of the 3 previous coaches would have played different guys. They would have modified their "system" to the players they had... and each of them did that. There's absolutely no question that Dallas would have been part of the solution for them.

Jones chose to play the young guys with more talent over others with more experience. Fulmer seldom did that which both made him successful and limited his success. Hopefully Jones stubbornness on both personnel and his "system" will pay big dividends going forward... but don't blame the QB's for being put in that kind of situation.

 

[Jax_Vol]

That's "logic"?

I am sure that Ferguson would have been great last year in spite of the failings and shortcomings of the receivers, right? I mean if a QB is "all that and a bag of chips" it should not matter if receivers neither know or consistently accomplish their play assignments, fail to run the correct route correctly, fail to catch the ball, fail to make aggressive plays on the ball, etc... right? The passing game issues were all a function of poor QB play... is that what you are saying?


Let me drop the sarcasm for a second. UT's receiver play last year was HORRIBLE... including North though he came along well for a guy who wasn't a WR in HS.

Rightly or wrongly, any of the 3 previous coaches would have played different guys. They would have modified their "system" to the players they had... and each of them did that. There's absolutely no question that Dallas would have been part of the solution for them.

Jones chose to play the young guys with more talent over others with more experience. Fulmer seldom did that which both made him successful and limited his success. Hopefully Jones stubbornness on both personnel and his "system" will pay big dividends going forward... but don't blame the QB's for being put in that kind of situation.

Didn't Dooley recruit all four of those guys? I rest my case

 

[sjt18]

Didn't Dooley recruit all four of those guys? I rest my case

What case? That's just dumb... err a complete non sequitur...

Dooley recruited AJ and Maggitt as well. He recruited Croom, Tiny, Randolph, Lane, etc.

How on EARTH do you reason that being recruited by Dooley makes a guy a bad player by necessity?

BUT FTR, Worley was recruited first by Kiffin and Chaney. They LOVED him. Peterman was pure Dooley however Jones wanted him at Cincy. Ferguson committed to Dooley but Jones kept him when he had the chance to cut him loose. Dobbs is 100% Jones.

So no... even if there was even an ounce of rational thought in that response... your facts are wrong.

 

[Jax_Vol]

What case? That's just dumb... err a complete non sequitur...

Dooley recruited AJ and Maggitt as well. He recruited Croom, Tiny, Randolph, Lane, etc.

How on EARTH do you reason that being recruited by Dooley makes a guy a bad player by necessity?

BUT FTR, Worley was recruited first by Kiffin and Chaney. They LOVED him. Peterman was pure Dooley however Jones wanted him at Cincy. Ferguson committed to Dooley but Jones kept him when he had the chance to cut him loose. Dobbs is 100% Jones.

So no... even if there was even an ounce of rational thought in that response... your facts are wrong.

Ok, I wasn't sure. In that case, Dobbs is my starter.

Yes, somehow Dooley did manage to land a few good ones. Let's stick with Tiny as our example.

But recruiting a QB is different. Especially, the elite ones.

I recall that we beat out a couple of small schools for Worley. Same with Peterman. Same with Ferguson.

When a QB picks you over the Citadel and MTSU...

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Ok, I wasn't sure. In that case, Dobbs is my starter.

Yes, somehow Dooley did manage to land a few good ones. Let's stick with Tiny as our example.

But recruiting a QB is different. Especially, the elite ones.

I recall that we beat out a couple of small schools for Worley. Same with Peterman. Same with Ferguson.

When a QB picks you over the Citadel and MTSU...

You recall correctly. We beat out very small, no-name schools such as

-Notre Dame
-Florida State
-LSU
-Florida
-Stanford

and others for Worley. Aren't those all Sunbelt teams? Wait, are they even Division 1 schools?

 

[KBVol]

Just adding information for the debate. From Houston Kress of TSR who was at the Saturday scrimmage......


Quarterbacks Begin to Separate: Justin Worley took the majority of the 1st team reps at quarterback during the scrimmage, followed closely by Riley Ferguson. Worley protected the football and managed the offense well in his first series, hitting Marquez North for a 35 yard fade on his first throw to put his team in field goal range.
Ferguson’s first throw could not have been more devastating
Riley rolled to his right and tried to squeeze a pass to a well covered Marquez North. Sophomore linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin snuck underneath the pass and took it 50 yards down the field for a score. Ferguson would settle in, however, and eventually hit Josh Smith in a later drive for a 25 yard touchdown that was a perfectly thrown ball to the back corner of the end zone.
Nathan Peterman and Josh Dobbs did a very nice job of protecting the football as well in limited opportunities as it was clear that the coaches wanted to see what Ferguson and Worley could accomplish with the one’s. Dobbs had a few nice runs, especially in red-zone situations near the goal line that resulted in touchdowns, and Peterman had one of his best throws on 3rd and goal from the 18 yard line when he stepped into a blitzing linebacker and delivered a strike to Josh Smith for touchdown.
If this team played tomorrow, I believe that Justin Worley would be the starter with Riley Ferguson on his heals at the #2 spot. Worley gives the steady leadership that helps calm his teammates down while Ferguson offers a bigger arm and more athleticism. If Ferguson can protect the football consistently he will beat Worley for the job, but Worley is playing a more consistent brand of football at this stage of Spring Practice.

 

[gnm53108]

Thanks KB.

Looks like a SR is beating out a RS FR in leadership.

 

[Give_All_Vol]

Wasn't there practice yesterday? Haven't seen anything and I don't believe it was one of the rescheduled dates

 

[MWAVolfan]

Don't disagree with you. But really, with all the QB turnover in the conference, who are the top caliber QBs? Wallace at Ole Miss maybe? Maybe Thompson at SCar or the kid at Mizzou? Then again, some stud may materialize that no one knows about right now.

I honestly believe we're gonna have much better QB play assuming the OL isn't just awful. I think Worley can be an above average SEC QB and everybody who sees Ferguson raves about his throwing ability.

I'm just looking at our potential QB play in relation to the rest of a conference which only makes sense to me and I think it can be "right there" with the overwhelming majority of the other teams in the league.

The question will be which school has the other pieces in place to make an unproven QB serviceable or even allow him to excel.

You cant just have a stud QB. You have to have the O-line, the WRs and the backs to go with him.

In the case of UT, its hard to read because they have unproven talent at ALL of those other key areas of the offense, not just at QB.

I dont worry about Bama's next QB because Bama recruits at such a high level and has pro talent all over the field that whoever leads the offense will be "good enough". I want to be able to say that about UT sooner rather than later. CBJ's first recruiting class is a step in that direction.

 

[MWAVolfan]

You recall correctly. We beat out very small, no-name schools such as

-Notre Dame
-Florida State
-LSU
-Florida
-Stanford

and others for Worley. Aren't those all Sunbelt teams? Wait, are they even Division 1 schools?

Weeeeeeeelllll, while technically true, lets not get full of ourselves.

Those other teams did in fact offer Worley, however lets look at the reality and not act like we "stole" Worley away...

-Notre Dame - Instead of Worley, Notre Dame had to "settle" for Everet Golson. that only lead to a trip to the NC game. bummer for them.

-LSU - LSU got Jerrard Randall, a 4* dual threat
-
Florida - Instead of Worley, Florida got Jeff Driskel, who according to Rivals.com was the #1 pro-style QB in that recruiting class (who also embarrassed the hell out of us on national TV in 2012).They also got Brissett, who was the #3 dual threat QB

Stanford and Fl. St both got 3* QBs that were ranked higher than Worley (again, based on Rivals.com)

 

[soda23]

Ok, I wasn't sure. In that case, Dobbs is my starter.

Yes, somehow Dooley did manage to land a few good ones. Let's stick with Tiny as our example.

But recruiting a QB is different. Especially, the elite ones.

I recall that we beat out a couple of small schools for Worley. Same with Peterman. Same with Ferguson.

When a QB picks you over the Citadel and MTSU...

Dang man you keep sticking your foot in your mouth in all your posts .... Ferguson was the one with the far better offer list . So if you are going topick your qb by offer lists its a no brain-er . Ferguson is your guy

 

[MWAVolfan]

Dang man you keep sticking your foot in your mouth in all your posts .... Ferguson was the one with the far better offer list . So if you are going topick your qb by offer lists its a no brain-er . Ferguson is your guy

One other point to make, then I'll stop beating a dead horse....

Offer lists are not impressive by themselves without context....

Riley Ferguson did have offers from Bama and LSU and Michigan,to name a few....

But those schools ended up recruiting much higher rated QBs that year, and also had better QBs in place at the time.

So, its not like UT "stole" Ferguson away. He came to UT because he didnt have a shot in Hades of getting on the field for those other teams, who had much better QBs already lined up. Actually, he's having a hard time getting on the field for the University of Tennessee.

Did those schools offer Ferguson? Yes they did. But they offered him as a "plan C" or "plan D", not as their primary targets.