Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[drvenner]

My wife asked me if I could clear the kitchen table.

I had to get a running start but I made it.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Is that the fish that swims up your Eleuthera?

That's a candiru. Amazon river fish.

Once the Johnson is fully incapacitated, you get to brave the water to shore facing a Piranha cousin. Pacu's are aggressive omnivores.

The are so aggressive they will eat anything making a reverberation in water. Their diet consists mainly of nuts. Yes, that's right. Pacu are well known to bite, testicles.

Their bite is as strong as many birds who crush seeds and nuts. But have actual teeth (sheepshead).

 

[vol9799]

Fun fact: William Conrad was the original Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke — that is, on the radio show that preceded the TV show.

Back in the 90s, FM 104.5 in Knoxville played old standards/Great American Songbook type of stuff, but at 10pm they'd play old time radio shows, the kind the whole country listened to before TV. Loved that stuff, listened every night. Gunsmoke was in the rotation so I listened to a lot of those episodes.

Another fun fact: Doc Adams on the radio Gunsmoke was voiced by Howard McNear, who later achieved legend status on TV as Floyd the Barber.

Love the old radio shows. Most are available on Spotify now under podcasts. I used to listen to those shows on Sirius while traveling for work. You hear all kinds of voices that you recognize from their later screen work. Richard Diamond and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar are two of my favorites. My son would even get me to play them on the radio while he and his friends were riding with me.

 

[Xanny]

Anyone know why Jordan Ross has not been practicing?

 

[drvenner]

Just an update from my early spring notes -

I have a good bit of optimism for Nico this year but recognize his early performance likely improves with experience. I’m not sure about the receivers but we have numbers so that may be in our favor. We also have talent at TE but in our scheme, no proven experience. We’re almost always running against a lite box so we should be good at RB whoever gets the carries.

I think the OLine is the key and I’m cautiously hopeful they will be a bit better against elite fronts this year. I don’t think any of the returnees were going to get drafted last year. Hopefully they’ll perform with that in mind this year as this is it; there’s no coming back in the cards right now. We need more power from those guys especially in the redzone and more discipline all the time. Anyway, that’s where I’m at on offense. As I noted in the pre-spring I’m not sure we can know what we can really do this year until we get to the first bye week. jmo.

Nick Saban noted at SEC media days that we have a QB-centric offense. Maybe so. He didn’t give any details. The one thing I figured out with Johnny Majors was that anyone could probably play QB for him because he always seemed to have an elite offensive line. I think that has been Georgia’s style under Kirby. Bennett and Beck were not highly coveted QB prospects but they were operating behind an elite OLine. I think over the last couple years (24/25) we’ve caught up to the Dawgs in OLine recruiting and may inch ahead. We’ve improved and Georgia has regressed, at least on paper. jmo.

Here’s the thing. Georgia has to replace two offensive linemen coming into this season. Their long time center, drafted by the Bills, a top 100 HS prospect, is slated to be replaced by a 3-star. So going from #60 in the composite to #450. At RT they’re going from Mims, the #8 HS prospect in his class to the #215 prospect in the class of his replacement. I would not be surprised if their OLine regresses a bit this year while it’s entirely possible that ours improves, especially with the added experience and of course our new 5-star left tackle. jmo.

On defense we’ll need the guys in the backend to gain confidence fast. They are the key and Grayson McCall and Jackson Arnold are more than good enough to show where we’re at early on. 247 recently ranked position groups for all SEC teams. They have our front 7 on defense at #2 in the conference behind only Georgia but they have our secondary at #12. I really don’t think #12 will be good enough against our schedule, meaning the maybe 5 teams that can beat us, so we may end up with 8 or 9 wins but if we can get up to speed with our new DBs sooner rather than later I think we could have a legitimate shot against anybody, including Georgia. jmo.

Generally, the biggest thing that gives me a bit of pause for this year is our overall lack of experience (returning production). In his May update Bill Connelly has us ranked second to last in the SEC, just ahead of Miss State and right behind Alabama. Kentucky is ranked first and Florida is ranked 3rd in the conference. Experience breeds confidence which is why it is so important. jmo.

One well respected analyst I have followed over the years that has written a lot about Heupel’s offense is Ian Boyd. Boyd works for the Texas On3 site now and this is a screen shot of his SEC predictions for this year.

View attachment 667471

I miss SaS.

Great to see you!! Great analysis as always. I am on board with Ian's prediction. I will add we will finish 8-1 after beating Georgia in the SEC championship game.

 

[drvenner]

Bro even in the spring game he seemed to have more control of the offense and made quick decisions something Joe lacked in some scenarios…lappy time

Glad you're owning up to your terrible take by taking a lap .

 

[Glitch]

I was more of a Big Valley fan over Gunsmoke. Festus was a moron.

 

[85SugarVol]

Just an update from my early spring notes -

I have a good bit of optimism for Nico this year but recognize his early performance likely improves with experience. I’m not sure about the receivers but we have numbers so that may be in our favor. We also have talent at TE but in our scheme, no proven experience. We’re almost always running against a lite box so we should be good at RB whoever gets the carries.

I think the OLine is the key and I’m cautiously hopeful they will be a bit better against elite fronts this year. I don’t think any of the returnees were going to get drafted last year. Hopefully they’ll perform with that in mind this year as this is it; there’s no coming back in the cards right now. We need more power from those guys especially in the redzone and more discipline all the time. Anyway, that’s where I’m at on offense. As I noted in the pre-spring I’m not sure we can know what we can really do this year until we get to the first bye week. jmo.

Nick Saban noted at SEC media days that we have a QB-centric offense. Maybe so. He didn’t give any details. The one thing I figured out with Johnny Majors was that anyone could probably play QB for him because he always seemed to have an elite offensive line. I think that has been Georgia’s style under Kirby. Bennett and Beck were not highly coveted QB prospects but they were operating behind an elite OLine. I think over the last couple years (24/25) we’ve caught up to the Dawgs in OLine recruiting and may inch ahead. We’ve improved and Georgia has regressed, at least on paper. jmo.

Here’s the thing. Georgia has to replace two offensive linemen coming into this season. Their long time center, drafted by the Bills, a top 100 HS prospect, is slated to be replaced by a 3-star. So going from #60 in the composite to #450. At RT they’re going from Mims, the #8 HS prospect in his class to the #215 prospect in the class of his replacement. I would not be surprised if their OLine regresses a bit this year while it’s entirely possible that ours improves, especially with the added experience and of course our new 5-star left tackle. jmo.

On defense we’ll need the guys in the backend to gain confidence fast. They are the key and Grayson McCall and Jackson Arnold are more than good enough to show where we’re at early on. 247 recently ranked position groups for all SEC teams. They have our front 7 on defense at #2 in the conference behind only Georgia but they have our secondary at #12. I really don’t think #12 will be good enough against our schedule, meaning the maybe 5 teams that can beat us, so we may end up with 8 or 9 wins but if we can get up to speed with our new DBs sooner rather than later I think we could have a legitimate shot against anybody, including Georgia. jmo.

Generally, the biggest thing that gives me a bit of pause for this year is our overall lack of experience (returning production). In his May update Bill Connelly has us ranked second to last in the SEC, just ahead of Miss State and right behind Alabama. Kentucky is ranked first and Florida is ranked 3rd in the conference. Experience breeds confidence which is why it is so important. jmo.

One well respected analyst I have followed over the years that has written a lot about Heupel’s offense is Ian Boyd. Boyd works for the Texas On3 site now and this is a screen shot of his SEC predictions for this year.

View attachment 667471

I miss SaS.

1. I hope the Offense puts up a lot of points (I’m optimistic that happens)
2. I hope the D Line puts on a lot of pressure (I’m optimistic that happens)

Because I am not all that optimistic about this Secondary.

 

[drvenner]

????

Im well aware, I was just answering op’s question, and I wasn’t making anything up either

You speculated their might be issues between the Wittens and UT. You got anything to support that?

 

[Glitch]

Been saying it for a while now.

3rd level of party decks and bleacher seating.
Make it cheap, make it rowdy. Build it straight up.

Let the noise rain down.

Drunks at high altitudes...What could go wrong?

 

[drvenner]

Sitting in the airport getting ready to board a plane headed to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera Bahamas. Hold the fort down till I get back. May post some pics to rub it in ever so slightly.

Enjoy!! We will keep it in the road

 

[MemphisVol3]

beck was a 5* as far as the backfield goes don’t get beat and watch the receivers eyes for crying out loud.. you know how many picks we would have if they did that or just looked back…eats me up man ever year.

Beck was a low-mid 4 star, a top 250 player. Alabama was able to limit him last year to a degree with their front 7 once they settled in. UGA’s OL was a big part of his success last season.

 

[JT3]

Anyone know why Jordan Ross has not been practicing?

I think you are mixing up Jordan Burns and Jordan Ross. Jordan Burns hasn't practice all fall camp. Ross, from all indications, has been practicing the entire time.

Not sure why Burns has been out though.

 

[drvenner]

The plane I flew on from Washington to Lancaster. Commercial flight courtesy of Southern Airways

 

[franklinpence]

Huge IT network transition happening at work and so we all had to turn in our computers yesterday for updating and new software.

Me today without my computer....
View attachment 667479

Joke is on them. Only gifs on Glitch’s computer.

 

[Vfl2407]

Just an update from my early spring notes -

I have a good bit of optimism for Nico this year but recognize his early performance likely improves with experience. I’m not sure about the receivers but we have numbers so that may be in our favor. We also have talent at TE but in our scheme, no proven experience. We’re almost always running against a lite box so we should be good at RB whoever gets the carries.

I think the OLine is the key and I’m cautiously hopeful they will be a bit better against elite fronts this year. I don’t think any of the returnees were going to get drafted last year. Hopefully they’ll perform with that in mind this year as this is it; there’s no coming back in the cards right now. We need more power from those guys especially in the redzone and more discipline all the time. Anyway, that’s where I’m at on offense. As I noted in the pre-spring I’m not sure we can know what we can really do this year until we get to the first bye week. jmo.

Nick Saban noted at SEC media days that we have a QB-centric offense. Maybe so. He didn’t give any details. The one thing I figured out with Johnny Majors was that anyone could probably play QB for him because he always seemed to have an elite offensive line. I think that has been Georgia’s style under Kirby. Bennett and Beck were not highly coveted QB prospects but they were operating behind an elite OLine. I think over the last couple years (24/25) we’ve caught up to the Dawgs in OLine recruiting and may inch ahead. We’ve improved and Georgia has regressed, at least on paper. jmo.

Here’s the thing. Georgia has to replace two offensive linemen coming into this season. Their long time center, drafted by the Bills, a top 100 HS prospect, is slated to be replaced by a 3-star. So going from #60 in the composite to #450. At RT they’re going from Mims, the #8 HS prospect in his class to the #215 prospect in the class of his replacement. I would not be surprised if their OLine regresses a bit this year while it’s entirely possible that ours improves, especially with the added experience and of course our new 5-star left tackle. jmo.

On defense we’ll need the guys in the backend to gain confidence fast. They are the key and Grayson McCall and Jackson Arnold are more than good enough to show where we’re at early on. 247 recently ranked position groups for all SEC teams. They have our front 7 on defense at #2 in the conference behind only Georgia but they have our secondary at #12. I really don’t think #12 will be good enough against our schedule, meaning the maybe 5 teams that can beat us, so we may end up with 8 or 9 wins but if we can get up to speed with our new DBs sooner rather than later I think we could have a legitimate shot against anybody, including Georgia. jmo.

Generally, the biggest thing that gives me a bit of pause for this year is our overall lack of experience (returning production). In his May update Bill Connelly has us ranked second to last in the SEC, just ahead of Miss State and right behind Alabama. Kentucky is ranked first and Florida is ranked 3rd in the conference. Experience breeds confidence which is why it is so important. jmo.

One well respected analyst I have followed over the years that has written a lot about Heupel’s offense is Ian Boyd. Boyd works for the Texas On3 site now and this is a screen shot of his SEC predictions for this year.

View attachment 667471

I miss SaS.

Thanks for this.
Well stated and thought provoking.

 

[drvenner]

my flippancy is depleted. long week, my brain can, bear-ly work.

Well you do have young children at home...

 

[MarcoVol]

Beck was a low-mid 4 star, a top 250 player. Alabama was able to rattle him last year to a degree with their front 7. UGA’s OL was a big part of his success last season.

Beck was a 4* but he also was pretty highly coveted (in reference to the post about spring notes). Was committed to Bama before UGA.

 

[SoilVol]

Anyone know why Jordan Ross has not been practicing?

Concerns he will hurt our O linemen.

 

[franklinpence]

New novel I've been working on for two plus years that took me to the brink of madness has dropped:

View attachment 667483


Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple books, etc. Thanks. That is all.

Excellent. Ordered. Arrives Tuesday.

 

[KingVFL]

Any scrimmage 2 thoughts? @KingVFL

Sloppy and lethargic. Heavy legs. Point of camp where people are tired of hitting each other and ready to move into game prep.

Lance Heard looked good getting back out there. Held his own against a good DL.

Seems like Elarbee wants Karic to take the LG job.

Merk is going to be a nice football player. Probably not here but he’s a legit power 5 starter.

Obviously has been mentioned but Donte Thornton had a nice day and got behind the DBs a few times.

Boo and Harrison both played well at Star.

Bishop is going to be a nice player for us.

Satterwhite seems to be locking into the C spot behind Mays. Hes probably too light right now to get real minutes but good sign for next year. Davis would slide over in a pinch if needed. Davis is valuable player for versatility but I worry about anyone on our OL (sans LG) going down,

Excited about both corners. McMurray will be solid too.

S needs to get figured out but we’re committed to rotating it seems.

Arion Carter is playing some really high level football right now. Think he has a shot at being our best LB in awhile.

 

[Glitch]

We're gonna need a daily post from you like this until @Glitch gets his much anticipated game thread up and running

Okay. Okay. I've got some time today with no work computer. I'll get to work on it.

 

[Aesius]

Sloppy and lethargic. Heavy legs. Point of camp where people are tired of hitting each other and ready to move into game prep.

Lance Heard looked good getting back out there. Held his own against a good DL.

Seems like Elarbee wants Karic to take the LG job.

Merk is going to be a nice football player. Probably not here but he’s a legit power 5 starter.

Obviously has been mentioned but Donte Thornton had a nice day and got behind the DBs a few times.

Boo and Harrison both played well at Star.

Bishop is going to be a nice player for us.

Satterwhite seems to be locking into the C spot behind Mays. Hes probably too light right now to get real minutes but good sign for next year. Davis would slide over in a pinch if needed. Davis is valuable player for versatility but I worry about anyone on our OL (sans LG) going down,

Excited about both corners. McMurray will be solid too.

S needs to get figured out but we’re committed to rotating it seems.

Arion Carter is playing some really high level football right now. Think he has a shot at being our best LB in awhile.

How does Pili look? We barely got a glimpse of him vs UVA before he got hurt last year.

 

[KingVFL]

How does Pili look? We barely got a glimpse of him vs UVA before he got hurt last year.

I love Pili. He’s going to be really good.

Our defense sans safety really has a shot at being special.

JaThomas and Slaughter are most athletic on the back-end but haven’t clicked into gear. I think JT has a shot of starting by NC St. Slaughter seems to not be processing things quickly - hope it changes as he’s most athletic guy back there.

 

[VolsDoc81TX]

Okay. Okay. I've got some time today with no work computer. I'll get to work on it.

Time to engineer a complete power outage and loss of both cell service and satellite service in a 500 mile radius around @Glitch

It’s for the good of all VN.
Don’t just stand there! Get moving!