Question about Vols Offense

#26
#26
we had less than impressive passing game, worse that Florida's. and an even worse defense. yet, still ended up 5-7. *wink*

better receivers, better tight ends, playmakers all over the field, 2nd year in the system, game experience for the backups. many reasons to be optimistic.
 
#27
#27
AFL2008, I seriously suspect that you are misrepresenting the statements here at VN. I don't recall seeing anyone predict that our passing game will be the terror of the SEC this year. It may be. It could be. We'll have to see.

What I have seen and participated in are posts like those below. Note that they are directed at specific matchups, per a specific team.

sjt18 said:
I think UT wins because they can't handle UT's receivers and the style of play Jones is bringing to UT... all of the intangible stuff is fairly minor by comparison.
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Akaggie03 said:
I doubt you guys score any TD's from rushing... but you will score on your DB's.... that's the only questionable spot right now on D.
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Orange_Crush said:
Yes. You guys have a better run defense than UGA, SC and Alabama did last year. We really are biting out fingernails here. You sound like a person who's watched a lot of USU and then looked at our final record. Stick with that.

You guys will need to stack the box to try to shut down our running game. I invite you to do that and leave your DBs out on an island. If you don't, we'll still pass on your DBs, and we'll average around 5 yards per rush.

I'll be here to revisit the stats after the game. I'll bring the crow if it's needed.

:hi:

And edit: How can you say the DBs are the only questionable spot? You guys are having trouble snapping the ball.
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Orange_Crush said:
Are you serious? Really? Did KC drop out of the NFL? You've never heard of Eric Berry? Interestingly, his two brothers are suited up on UT's roster this year.

And...

It's funny you put so much faith in the players that are no longer on your team, when considering how this game may play out. Can you help me with your logic?

Would you like to trade places with us? A secondary full of undersized 2-star recruits going against a secondary full of fast, oversized 3, 4, and 5-star WRs?

Our WRs and TEs are going to eat peanuts off your secondary's heads. I made the same prediction when NC St. lauded their NFL-bound secondary before the game. You know what? Peanuts were eaten, and an entire fan base became suicidal overnight.
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Orange_Crush said:
USU CB roster:

29 Daniel Stewart 5-9 175 CB FR HS Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman
1 Daniel Gray 5-11 170 CB SO RS Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Andersen/Tennessee
6 Rashard Stewart 5-11 185 CB SR 3L Miami, Fla./Miami Jackson
40 Austin Cheney 5-9 190 CB SO TR Farmington, Utah/Viewmont/Southern Virginia
32 La'Ron Bennett 5-11 190 CB SR JC Manteca, Calif./Manteca/Foothill JC
31 Jentz Painter 5-8 170 CB SO SQ Riverton, Utah/Riverton
2 Marquan Ellison 5-11 175 CB SO 1L Milwaukee, Wis./Bradley Tech
24 Marwin Evans 6-1 195 CB JR RS Milwaukee, Wis./Oak Creek/Highland CC
13 Jalen Davis 5-10 160 CB FR HS La Mesa, Calif./Helix
22 Bryant Hayes 5-9 175 CB JR JC Compton, Calif./Compton/San Mateo
15 Tyler Floyd 5-9 185 CB JR JC Orlando, Fla./Bishop Moore/Fullerton
17 Deshane Hines 5-10 180 CB JR JC Fremont, Calif./American/San Mateo

UT WR roster:

7 Drae Bowles WR 6-0 206 RS SO Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Christian
5 Ryan Jenkins WR 5-11 193 RS FR Marietta, Ga./Lassiter
38 Jaye Rochell WR 6-2 206 RS FR Norcross, Ga./Wesleyan School
2 Pig Howard WR 5-8 187 JR Orlando, Fla./Edgewater
25 Josh Smith WR 6-1 200 SO Knoxville, Tenn./Christian Academy of Knoxville
83 Cody Blanc WR 6-3 207 JR Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Central
18 Jason Croom WR 6-5 243 RS SO Norcross, Ga./Norcross
9 Von Pearson WR 6-3 183 RS JR Newport News, Va./Denbigh/Feather River College (Calif.)
8 Marquez North WR 6-4 221 SO Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek
87 Jacob Carter WR 6-0 191 RS SR Nashville, Tenn./Ensworth
4 Vic Wharton WR 5-11 201 FR Spring Hill, Tenn./Independence
89 Adrian Gamble WR 6-1 176 JR Charlotte, N.C./Independence/Fork Union Military Acad./Virginia
3 Josh Malone WR 6-3 204 FR Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp
81 Johnathon Johnson WR 5-9 186 JR Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood/Blinn College

You have one CB above 6', at 6'1". Is he a starter? Where is he in the rotation? I see a lot of 5'8 and 5'9 guys. Where are they in your rotation?

How many do you have to match up against 6'3, 6'3, 6'4, 6'5? How many do you have to overcome 30-50 lb (or more) weight differentials and potentially 5-6' in height? Oh, and those big guys have elite speed. Oh, and those big guys have a tendency to make spectacular, athletic catches. Oh, and they're being trained this year to knock your guys' helmets sideways at the line if they creep up and try to jam them.

So, it doesn't look like your system has been able to add inches to height, nor has it beefed them up to what you'll need against this stable of WRs.

Remember this word on Aug 31.

"Peanuts."
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I personally believe we'll have a great rushing game, and a great passing game. I believe the offense will be very balances, which will be a strength. With that said, I'm excited about the talent, speed, strength and size we have at WR. I'm excited about the introduction of what looks to be talented TEs to the passing game. I'm excited about the steps forward that Worley seems to have made over the offseason. I'm excited that we are no longer down to a freshman 4th string QB like we were last year. I'm excited that we will hopefully not be playing a deer in the headlights with a broken thumb against you again this year.

Any more questions?
 
#28
#28
AFL2008 said:
I don't understand why UT fans think that they are going to have such a big advantage in the passing game over their opponents in 2014. Check this out: Quinton Dunbar, an average WR on a terrible offense last year for Florida, had 40 receptions and 548 yards receiving. That would have made him the #1 WR at UT last year in terms of receiving yards and he didn't even lead Florida in receiving. He was #2 behind Solomon Patton (556, 6 TD), and everyone knows how bad UF's offense was, especially late in the season last year.

So it's not like UT had a ton of production last year out of some of these highly regarded players. In addition to that, UT has a guy starting at QB with more INT than TD and a completion percentage below 60% for his career, and his top 3 tackles are going to be a freshman, a walk-on, and a JUCO, only one of which has ever even stepped foot on a D1 College Football field.

So why is the passing game going to be so good? I would argue that your running game, given the experience and quality of UT's guards, and the ability of the RBs, would make that the strength of the offense. Lane is solid and everyone is saying Hurd is going to beast on people.

So... why does everyone keep talking about the passing game? The running game looks far more dangerous. Tennessee, BTW, was #44 in the country rushing last year and #109 passing.

I'm sure some of you will hate, cause I'm an opposing fan, but come on. One week till football I need some football talk.
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WHY! Wait till 10-4 and you will see! Last year was last. New year, new team. GBO :loco
 
#29
#29
AFL2008 said:
I don't understand why UT fans think that they are going to have such a big advantage in the passing game over their opponents in 2014. Check this out: Quinton Dunbar, an average WR on a terrible offense last year for Florida, had 40 receptions and 548 yards receiving. That would have made him the #1 WR at UT last year in terms of receiving yards and he didn't even lead Florida in receiving. He was #2 behind Solomon Patton (556, 6 TD), and everyone knows how bad UF's offense was, especially late in the season last year.

So it's not like UT had a ton of production last year out of some of these highly regarded players. In addition to that, UT has a guy starting at QB with more INT than TD and a completion percentage below 60% for his career, and his top 3 tackles are going to be a freshman, a walk-on, and a JUCO, only one of which has ever even stepped foot on a D1 College Football field.

So why is the passing game going to be so good? I would argue that your running game, given the experience and quality of UT's guards, and the ability of the RBs, would make that the strength of the offense. Lane is solid and everyone is saying Hurd is going to beast on people.

So... why does everyone keep talking about the passing game? The running game looks far more dangerous. Tennessee, BTW, was #44 in the country rushing last year and #109 passing.

I'm sure some of you will hate, cause I'm an opposing fan, but come on. One week till football I need some football talk.
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The WR position group is by far our most talented/experienced/solid. Freshman all-American Marquez North, #2 JUCO WR Von Pearson, 5 star freshman Josh Malone and 6'5 245 LB RS soph Jason Croom who has shown vast improvement since 2013 headline the group. Second year in the system for North, Croom and other WRs like Howard, Smith and Johnson should make a big difference.

Throw in Sr QB Worley who was improving and playing well before last years injury and has displayed a stronger arm, better command of the offense and greater confidence. Also add a significant upgrade in TE via two 6'4 240 LB talented freshmen in Wolf and Helm and you get more opportunity to both the ability to exploit the middle of the field, something we didn't/couldn't do last year, and help create space on the outside for our talented WRs.

I fully expect to see an effective short passing game, just letting our talented wideouts turn easy hitch passes, screen passes and slants into big gainers, something we couldn't do last year.
 
#30
#30
Our first team players will be good. At WRs and TE we are at least a good 2 deep. Our problem will be depth everywhere else but RB. Staying healthy will end up being the story this year.
 
#31
#31
AFL2008 said:
I didn't say you wouldn't be better. I just asked why you think it'll be the strength of the team. It takes more than good WR's to have a good passing game. You need good pass protection and a decent QB too.

And it's hard to tell at this point if UT has those things.

But the running game, everyone knows was solid last year, they have good interior linemen and good running backs. It just seems like the clear cut strength to me while the passing game is just a huge question mark.
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The WRS are the strength of the team. We gave one of, if not the best combination of talent and depth. We are better at RB with the Lane and all 3 freshman. The only position on OL I'm worried about is LT because most either have experience or they jumped into the starting lineup a wk after position change. I think they will be better at run blocking and a little worse at pass blocking at least at first. TEs are way better.

QB is the wild card but it's the 2nd yr in the system as a starter so I'm hoping for decent play
 
#32
#32
OP:

It has been a big topic of discussion here and elsewhere.

That does NOT mean that we think it will be "the strength of the offense." In that sense, your observation (and your overall point) is something of a straw man. When questioned, you changed your "strength of the offense" premise to pointing out that there's been a lot of optimistic talk about the passing game.

It is in the passing game where we have the potential for the biggest improvement (compared to the running game). And, for all of the reasons already posted, a lot of fans are optimistic and anxious to see that improvement. I think it only makes sense that there's been a lot of talk about it.
 
#33
#33
AFL2008 said:
Regarding the discussion of the unproven line, the only experienced players I see are interior players, so I assumed that would be a benefit to the running game. Although, I just saw another post on the forum, and then sft18 just reiterated, that Kerbyson is moving to RT. It takes away from the interior a bit, but a freshmen doesn't have as much to think about at guard vs. tackle in a zone blocking scheme, so there seems to be less chances for mistakes there. But it still doesn't indicate great confidence in the OL situation, especially at tackle.

To the people that have asked me to show where I've seen people talking up the passing game, I could literally copy and paste posts from all over the football forum. I'm not going to take up my time doing that. Just peruse the forum and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. To be fair though, most haven't necessarily talked up the whole passing game, per se, they've focused on the WR's.

So what are the projections for the passing offense this year? Top 70? Top 50? I'm curious.
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The move of a freshman to OG was because he is ready. He's a former wrestler who understands leverage and is freakishly strong for his age. LT is the only spot I am actually concerned with at this point, but we seem to be developing a little depth so that helps a lot.
 
#34
#34
I'll keep this short as people have made points about the added Depth, Talent and Experience all over the WR's and TE's.

The line won't be better but it will be serviceable with another year in the scheme.

QB will be better with another year in the scheme and help at every single skill position.

Biggest reason why last years pass stats are worthless: Dobbs played the last 4 games that we should have feasted on bad teams through the air. He couldn't throw and didn't know the system so we stuck with the run game that had worked. I'm not sure we threw the ball more than 20 total times against vandy and UK combined... so yes total yards and TD's were affected.
 
#36
#36
TBtheGBwiththeTD said:
I'll keep this short as people have made points about the added Depth, Talent and Experience all over the WR's and TE's.

The line won't be better but it will be serviceable with another year in the scheme.

QB will be better with another year in the scheme and help at every single skill position.

Biggest reason why last years pass stats are worthless: Dobbs played the last 4 games that we should have feasted on bad teams through the air. He couldn't throw and didn't know the system so we stuck with the run game that had worked. I'm not sure we threw the ball more than 20 total times against vandy and UK combined... so yes total yards and TD's were affected.
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Personally, I actually suspect the line will be improved. We'll have to wait and see, of course.
 
#37
#37
The difference in last year and this year is that last year we really only had ONE threat at WR in North. We were also breaking in a new offense and trying to replace guys like Bray, Patterson, Hunter and Z Rogers. With a new offensive scheme, poor qb play, injuries and new starters throwing and catching, we definitely took a step back in the passing game.

This year North has help coming in with Malone and Von Pearson. Throw in Smith, Pig Howard and Jason Croom and you can't help but think this is gong to be a lethal WR group. Not to mention the TEs. Granted Pig, Croom and was on last year's team, this will be the second year with this system for our qb and North who just played on talent last yr. Everyone has stated that Worley is like day and night from last year. This is yr 2 in same system, they won't have to think as much as last year and shouldn't be as vanilla as last year's play calling.

So why are we hyped up and thinking this year will be better?
We have more talent than last yr. The trio of North, Malone and Pearson has the potential to be on par with Hunter, Patterson and Z Rogers. PLUS Howard, Croom, Smith and the TEs. They don't call us(WIDE RECEIVER U) for nothing

An improved QB who was already showing signs of playing better in UGA and SC game before being hurt last yr.

Improved running game will keep Ds honest and open up more of the passing game.

Year 2 in the same system. Last yr we were pretty Vanilla and thinking too much. WRs were constantly running wrong routes and everyone knew to cover North.

Butches teams have all showed major signs of improvement in yr 2.

And simply because we might possibly have the best WR group in the country when all is said and done.

Yes our line is new, but it was a young and new line When Bray, Hunter and DaRick started out too
 
#38
#38
nash101 said:
I think the passing game will be better due to experience and being more confident in the offensive schemes. Worley will have more weapons to throw to this year -- including a pair of talented tight ends ( a key component of the CBJ offense that was missing last year)

The OL may not have much game experience but are talented and strong. I think they will be able to hold their own against most teams we face
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Let me watch Worley in the first game and I will be able to agree or disagree with you. Vols will be more talented at the skill positions this season, including WR and TE. The big question is whether or not there is a QB who can deliver the ball on target. We will know soon enough.

I know the OL is another question, but I have to believe that QB play will determine the level of success on the field this season. Vols need to run the ball effectively, too, but I think that will happen if the QB is anywhere near respectable.
 
#39
#39
AFL2008 said:
Regarding the discussion of the unproven line, the only experienced players I see are interior players, so I assumed that would be a benefit to the running game. Although, I just saw another post on the forum, and then sft18 just reiterated, that Kerbyson is moving to RT. It takes away from the interior a bit, but a freshmen doesn't have as much to think about at guard vs. tackle in a zone blocking scheme, so there seems to be less chances for mistakes there. But it still doesn't indicate great confidence in the OL situation, especially at tackle.

To the people that have asked me to show where I've seen people talking up the passing game, I could literally copy and paste posts from all over the football forum. I'm not going to take up my time doing that. Just peruse the forum and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. To be fair though, most haven't necessarily talked up the whole passing game, per se, they've focused on the WR's.

So what are the projections for the passing offense this year? Top 70? Top 50? I'm curious.
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Passing game, running game, top 50, top 70, I don't give two sh*ts as long as we beat you.
 
#40
#40
AFL2008 said:
Regarding the discussion of the unproven line, the only experienced players I see are interior players, so I assumed that would be a benefit to the running game. Although, I just saw another post on the forum, and then sft18 just reiterated, that Kerbyson is moving to RT. It takes away from the interior a bit, but a freshmen doesn't have as much to think about at guard vs. tackle in a zone blocking scheme, so there seems to be less chances for mistakes there. But it still doesn't indicate great confidence in the OL situation, especially at tackle.
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In 2011 with a line made up of 4 sophs and a sr... UT was tied for second in sacks allowed. That OL overall was less experienced and no more talented. I know that it is en vogue to panic or else relish in UT replacing 5 starters... but worse situations have had decent results in recent UT history.

To the people that have asked me to show where I've seen people talking up the passing game, I could literally copy and paste posts from all over the football forum. I'm not going to take up my time doing that. Just peruse the forum and I think you'll see what I'm talking about. To be fair though, most haven't necessarily talked up the whole passing game, per se, they've focused on the WR's.

So what are the projections for the passing offense this year? Top 70? Top 50? I'm curious.
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I am one of those people talking up the passing game. I think it will be improved night and day. I'm going to say top 50 and only limit it to that because I'm not sure how much better Worley will be or how much UT will push the run game. With the athletes UT has at WR, it could be really special.
 
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#41
#41
TBtheGBwiththeTD said:
I'll keep this short as people have made points about the added Depth, Talent and Experience all over the WR's and TE's.

The line won't be better but it will be serviceable with another year in the scheme.

QB will be better with another year in the scheme and help at every single skill position.

Biggest reason why last years pass stats are worthless: Dobbs played the last 4 games that we should have feasted on bad teams through the air. He couldn't throw and didn't know the system so we stuck with the run game that had worked. I'm not sure we threw the ball more than 20 total times against vandy and UK combined... so yes total yards and TD's were affected.
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Dobbs passing was so bad against Vanderbilt, that Butch thought Palardy could throw it better.

Nice call Coach.
 
#43
#43
Don't like BIG 10 football but can't blame Franklin for taking the job. Just wish Jashon had have stayed committed as I really liked him as a player.
 
#44
#44
Quinton Dunbar was class of 2010, I don't think we had any WRs from the 2010 or 2011 classes last yr. So yeah, we could have used his experience.

Your OC was replaced...why?
 
#47
#47
We're not overly confident about our passing game. No one is saying it's going to be a #1 offense in the country or anything. We're excited about some really talented wide receivers when we barely had any last year. Plus a year in the system for many on offense. We believe that will produce a MUCH BETTER offense than what we saw last year. A slightly better offense and we would have beaten Florida and UGA.
 
#50
#50
VolForLife83 said:
Everyone has stated that Worley is like day and night from last year. This is yr 2 in same system, they won't have to think as much as last year and shouldn't be as vanilla as last year's play calling.
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Who is saying this? Worley was named the starter on almost the last possible day to name a starter before camp broke for good. Doesnt sound like a lot of confidence in the starting QB if the backup was given every chance to be named the starter.

Our passing stats may be up from last year, but I will say it will be because our offense stands a very good chance of playing from behind most of the year because I believe our defense will give up a ton of points, thus leading our offense to be very pass happy but not leading to more victories. Just a thought.
 
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