Rajion Neal's draft status

[FLVOL69]

You are still wrong btw... but by all means, continue to be delusional.

Agreed

 

[NashVOL93]

McCullers was flat out awful. I am still puzzled as to why he continued to play especially in light of the fact that Jones/Jancek seem to like smaller quicker DT's.

Read up on the LEO defense. You have to have a big, run-stopping, double team-occupying NT-type guy to make it go. Thus getting Charles Mosley in the last class. The other DT can be the smaller, quicker, penetrating type. Dan was never really supposed to do anything other than anchor against the run and get double-teamed.

Here, despite the source this is one of the better reads on it I've seen:

Seattle Seahawks: The LEO Defense; What Is It? How Does It Work?

I think this year we're going to see a lot of smurf packages and nickel stuff till they can get all the pieces to make this go. It should be a lot of fun to watch when they do, though, especially with a secondary that can play man effectively.

 

[VolFan4Life87]

Read up on the LEO defense. You have to have a big, run-stopping, double team-occupying NT-type guy to make it go. Thus getting Charles Mosley in the last class. The other DT can be the smaller, quicker, penetrating type. Dan was never really supposed to do anything other than anchor against the run and get double-teamed.

Here, despite the source this is one of the better reads on it I've seen:

Seattle Seahawks: The LEO Defense; What Is It? How Does It Work?

I think this year we're going to see a lot of smurf packages and nickel stuff till they can get all the pieces to make this go. It should be a lot of fun to watch when they do, though, especially with a secondary that can play man effectively.

McCullers often got pushed back by a single guy 2/3 his size. Idk if Dan just doesn't have a mean bone in him, he's soft, or not motivated but he DOES NOT play like a man his size typically should.

 

[sjt18]

Read up on the LEO defense. You have to have a big, run-stopping, double team-occupying NT-type guy to make it go. Thus getting Charles Mosley in the last class. The other DT can be the smaller, quicker, penetrating type. Dan was never really supposed to do anything other than anchor against the run and get double-teamed.

Here, despite the source this is one of the better reads on it I've seen:

Seattle Seahawks: The LEO Defense; What Is It? How Does It Work?

I think this year we're going to see a lot of smurf packages and nickel stuff till they can get all the pieces to make this go. It should be a lot of fun to watch when they do, though, especially with a secondary that can play man effectively.

True as that may be... I still got angry enough to throw things watching McCullers on skates against guys who did little more than get their pads under his.

Saulsberry IMO was playing better before his injury by a significant margin.

 

[VolFan4Life87]

True as that may be... I still got angry enough to throw things watching McCullers on skates against guys who did little more than get their pads under his.

Saulsberry IMO was playing better before his injury by a significant margin.

You and me both buddy. McCullers has the size that should've guaranteed he disrupted 90% of plays, either by taking up two defenders and STILL plugging a hole, or breaking through the LOS. I just do...not...get it.

 

[sjt18]

I thought your argument was that we had talent?

Yes. I have questions as to whether the DC employed it well. Miller would have been smallish but would NOT have been pushed off the LOS as easily as McCullers. Walls had played well as a DT also. For that matter, plug one of the short fat guys in there and see if they can hold leverage.

I suspect that McCullers played because long term it helps UT recruiting to say that they put players in the NFL. McCullers due purely to his size and athleticism for his size will make a roster. Someone may even be able to get him to play with leverage. At least I HOPE this or something like it is the reason... I HOPE going forward that underperforming players don't continue to play even if adjustments to scheme and playcalling have to be made.


For good or ill, Jones does not seem to believe in the idea that you adjust your schemes to match your personnel. I am actually attracted to that pov.... but it still has to work for him to survive.

 

[orangeluvr]

How'd we lose seven games with all that talent? Blame the schedule I guess. Any who, these guys will play harder for pay. Good luck to every Vol in the draft. :thumbsup:

 

[sjt18]

Read up on the LEO defense. You have to have a big, run-stopping, double team-occupying NT-type guy to make it go. Thus getting Charles Mosley in the last class. The other DT can be the smaller, quicker, penetrating type. Dan was never really supposed to do anything other than anchor against the run and get double-teamed.

Here, despite the source this is one of the better reads on it I've seen:

Seattle Seahawks: The LEO Defense; What Is It? How Does It Work?

I think this year we're going to see a lot of smurf packages and nickel stuff till they can get all the pieces to make this go. It should be a lot of fun to watch when they do, though, especially with a secondary that can play man effectively.

Appreciate that link. I could not formulate it in words but this helps complete the picture for me for how Mizzou was able to run so effectively. McCullers was manhandled by one guy pretty much all game. It does raise a question though. Hood and McCullers were pretty similar players. Space eaters. Why ON EARTH wasn't Walls playing beside one of those guys as the "quick" DT?

 

[VolFan4Life87]

Yes. I have questions as to whether the DC employed it well. Miller would have been smallish but would NOT have been pushed off the LOS as easily as McCullers. Walls had played well as a DT also. For that matter, plug one of the short fat guys in there and see if they can hold leverage.

I suspect that McCullers played because long term it helps UT recruiting to say that they put players in the NFL. McCullers due purely to his size and athleticism for his size will make a roster. Someone may even be able to get him to play with leverage. At least I HOPE this or something like it is the reason... I HOPE going forward that underperforming players don't continue to play even if adjustments to scheme and playcalling have to be made.


For good or ill, Jones does not seem to believe in the idea that you adjust your schemes to match your personnel. I am actually attracted to that pov.... but it still has to work for him to survive.

It's odd because when he was hired and folks were saying we don't have any of the personnel to fit his system, defenders cited stats from Cincy showing how the O was ran differently based on the QB and other ancillary factors.

 

[sjt18]

It's odd because when he was hired and folks were saying we don't have any of the personnel to fit his system, defenders cited stats from Cincy showing how the O was ran differently based on the QB and other ancillary factors.

You're probably right but it sure didn't look that way last fall.

 

[YankeeVol]

I think he'll be a good change of pace back and/or 3rd down back

 

[gunner]

McCullers was flat out awful. I am still puzzled as to why he continued to play especially in light of the fact that Jones/Jancek seem to like smaller quicker DT's.

McCullars was an inside run stuffer, nor much else, there will be a 3-4 team that will be very interested in him for that potential alone. But, his lack of quickness is an issue. McCullars is a lot like most of Dooley's players, they have good size, but lack the quickness needed to compete with the elite teams in the SEC.

 

[sjt18]

McCullars was an inside run stuffer, nor much else, there will be a 3-4 team that will be very interested in him for that potential alone. But, his lack of quickness is an issue. McCullars is a lot like most of Dooley's players, they have good size, but lack the quickness needed to compete with the elite teams in the SEC.

I don't know if the guy is uncoachable or what... If he was then he should have been benched IMO. Often the guy would stand up... literally. Just go from a 3 pt stance to a standing position... letting the center get right up under his pads and drive him off the ball.

VERY frustrating once I noticed it and started watching for it.

Someone will try him IMO. They'll give him a chance to learn to play low as a 3-4 NT. He was a huge part of the D problems last year for UT though. My angst with the DC and Jones is that they continued to play him.

 

[sjt18]

I think he'll be a good change of pace back and/or 3rd down back

Neal does seem to have some Foster about him. It is a subtle style thing that can make a "good" college back a very good NFL back.

 

[AV_12]

I was one his biggest supporters last year.. Lacks some natural instincts, but I think he can make a decent pro back... His versatility will help on third downs... Still can't believe he got snubbed from the combine

 

[lilesrt]

Rajion Neal will do well if he is given the chance. He can catch the ball out of the backfield exceptionally well. So well, in fact, that he was transitioned to receiver for much of his Junior year (by Dufus Dooley). Scouts recognize this. As a New Orleans Saints fan, I think he'd be a steal in rounds 4-5, and fits Sean Payton's skill set for a "screen-receiving" TB in his offense.

 

[chattavol420]

I think Neal is a steal in this draft. I know that he is faster than a 4.57, and the kid has great hands out of the backfield. 5-6 round would be a good time to take a chance on him. Good luck RN!

Wow. 4.57? That's not so great. I remember hearing multiple times he was something like a 4.3 caliber guy. I specifically remember reading an article in which he supposedly bested hunter (as well as the rest of the team). I was always a little skeptical because he didn't seem crazy fast on game day. That being said... I hope he gets a chance a takes full advantage of it. Hes a good kid that's been through lot during his time here.

 

[KBVol]

Wow. 4.57? That's not so great. I remember hearing multiple times he was something like a 4.3 caliber guy. I specifically remember reading an article in which he supposedly bested hunter (as well as the rest of the team). I was always a little skeptical because he didn't seem crazy fast on game day. That being said... I hope he gets a chance a takes full advantage of it. Hes a good kid that's been through lot during his time here.

He ran 4.53 & 4.57 on his Pro Day. He was really making himself some money that day until he ran. I'm with you though.....I had heard from everybody for years that he was a sub 4.4 guy and I just never saw it. He's a talented kid and I hope he finds a home in the NFL.

 

[Spartacavolus]

It's odd because when he was hired and folks were saying we don't have any of the personnel to fit his system, defenders cited stats from Cincy showing how the O was ran differently based on the QB and other ancillary factors.

being his first year in and trying to establish everything from scratch, you don't want to make wholesale changes in early stages of a drastic rebuild. We didn't have the depth and speed to compete with too many teams. No db's or lbs taken in the draft since '09 and the pro day at UT with our punter having the best time behind Neal support the truth of the matter.
When you have upperclassmen going thru another coaching change, you don't come in and bench them right away, unless you want to have setbacks as you try to rebuild. The team is tight and wouldn't be if he took those early risks.
That said, this year and on, I expect more moves if necessary, but our talent is already improved and will allow for it hopefully.
This isn't some bs sales where a micro manager comes in and starts firing people for underperformance to feed his ego.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

I thought your argument was that we had talent?

The only reason he uses that argument is because he hates the coaching staff, and wants to continue on the merry go "to hell" round, that firing coaches every dang year brings. What little talent we had was uncomplimentary, disjointed and underachieving.

 

[terrypedigo]

McCullers was flat out awful. I am still puzzled as to why he continued to play especially in light of the fact that Jones/Jancek seem to like smaller quicker DT's.

McCullers was never on the field 2 plays in a row, I don't no if he was out of shape or what, Neal could be a good 3rd down back and special team player.

 

[AV_12]

Wow. 4.57? That's not so great. I remember hearing multiple times he was something like a 4.3 caliber guy. I specifically remember reading an article in which he supposedly bested hunter (as well as the rest of the team). I was always a little skeptical because he didn't seem crazy fast on game day. That being said... I hope he gets a chance a takes full advantage of it. Hes a good kid that's been through lot during his time here.

Not as fast as we thought, but still plenty of speed for an NFL RB...

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

You and me both buddy. McCullers has the size that should've guaranteed he disrupted 90% of plays, either by taking up two defenders and STILL plugging a hole, or breaking through the LOS. I just do...not...get it.

I was hoping that Dan would be the best big DT since Henderson. I was wrong. I agree with you guys though, he was soft and overall was not that good.

 

[GrowVol]

Regardless of splitting hairs about 40 times...RN is all business. I have always respected his work ethic and his attitude. He would turn out to be great investment for any NFL team. He would keep up if not outwork most NFL Rb's....IMO. Bet he goes in the mid of the 3rd.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Wow. 4.57? That's not so great. I remember hearing multiple times he was something like a 4.3 caliber guy. I specifically remember reading an article in which he supposedly bested hunter (as well as the rest of the team). I was always a little skeptical because he didn't seem crazy fast on game day. That being said... I hope he gets a chance a takes full advantage of it. Hes a good kid that's been through lot during his time here.

Foster ran a 4.58 and he seems to be doing ok.