Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[InVOLuntary]

I’m just not there yet to question Heupel’s abilities to coach and scheme. He’s won enough and stabilized the program to the extent that we’re actually in the conversations we haven’t been in for years, that shows me as of now, he’s the right man for the job. I do think he can do better, and it starts with evaluating his loyalty over his desire to win. But overall, he’s done more with less for 4 years and is warranted the chance to prove he can get us over then hump.

As for OSU, man I’m sorry but no one is beating them. Michigan loss opened a can of worms and the CFP’s seeding screwed is to where we were put in the warpath. That’s not Heupel’s fault.

I've said repeatedly that I'm not off the Heuple band wagon. I'm just pointing out the observation that the offense is very simplistic. It's nothing like it has been from a scheme standpoint. You can blame the coaches or the players. I've never understood why criticizing players is ok but coaches are off the table (not necessarily talking about you). A player can be a "no talent bum" but God forbid one criticize his coach. And, if it truly is a lack of talent, then the coaches own that too. The players are their players.

As to OSU, no doubt they're the most talented team out there. I think that extends to coaches too. They schemed our defense into total confusion. Of course we rushed four against 6 and still didn't cover. Banks' usual bend but don't break, broke. What was sad was he never changed a thing.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

This will never happen without a CBA.

I can see how the thousands of CFB players that do not garner huge NIL deals would bargain it away for a better legit pay scale. They vastly outnumber the relative few big dogs.

If this keeps up...we are just going to have the same old forever...a few huge money loaded machines like OSU will buy all the best players and dog walk everybody else.

 

[VOLED]

Still ranks as the number one game that I was able to attend. I have rewatched the entire game multiple times over the years and it never gets old.

Absolutely no one gave the Vols a chance. It’s one of the best “upset” games ever. The Tennessee DC had the perfect game plan against a team littered with NFL talent and a future Super Bowl winning coach. Makes it that much sweeter that michael irvin wasn’t a factor ( he is a true ass and the epitome of every single thing that is wrong with sports, jmo)

I was also at that game, my VFL brother. It probably was the best game I ever attended, as well. Maybe the T Rob victory over Bama would be close.

 

[fearsvols]

That’s a good topic for the offseason, favorite game attended. 98 Natty is a tough one to beat for me, sooo many memories of that trip.

 

[Jackcrevol]

That’s a good topic for the offseason, favorite game attended. 98 Natty is a tough one to beat for me, sooo many memories of that trip.

That would be a good one.

Games before 1990, I dont have a ton of memories. I vaguely recall Auburn vs TN at home. Def remember going to the World's Fair before.

1990 versus ND at home.

Several games with Paintin' Manning at helm, probably a UCLA game in there too.

FFWD - probably onesies and twosies in brtween, nothing memorable. Just Paintin' doing Pay'un things.

1998- Arkansas at home stands out

1999 - Alabama at Tuscaloosa

2000 - Southern Miss at home (Casey played 1st time, I believe).

2001 - One game where Kelly Washington took over

2003 - at Gainesville, the catch

2004 - UNLV - dualing Freshmen

2005 - That defense at home

2006 - maybe Georgia at home?

2007 - watching us **** bed in Atlanta

2008 - home getting more comfortable

2010 - on a smattering of random bowl, home, and kickoff games. nothing to write home about.

2014- kids

2023- South Carolina at home

 

[KB5252]

But how many times have they called targeting when it is a shoulder to the head? It doesn't even have to be helmet to helmet to be targeting

Using a part of the body as a weapon, particularly in shots to the head is what they are trying to take away from the game. That was borderline at best to me. If the front of the facemask makes contact to me that is keeping your head up and making a form tackle, that's how I was taught to tackle.

He didn't target the guys head, or at least it didn't appear like he did to me anyway. That's one of the things I hate about the rule, it's so open to interpretation that it can't be consistently called.

 

[knoxvol52]

#15 Ranked Lady Vols are on the road tonight to open SEC play at Texas A&M 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network+...

 

[JCVol00]

Martinez retiring?

 

[RiseToTheTop]

#15 Ranked Lady Vols are on the road tonight to open SEC play at Texas A&M 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network+...

They are ranked 15 but yes big game tonight

 

[KB5252]

The rule doesn't really allow that kind of flexibility (see below, it's targeting based on the 3rd bullet to note 1). He made forcible contact leading with the helmet to the head/neck area. It doesn't matter that he didn't lower his helmet.

I agree it didn't look that vicious and I could understand if the rule allowed that kind of hit. It doesn't though so I have no idea what the refs were thinking.

ARTICLE 4 No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below) When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6).

Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:

• Launch A player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area

• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground

• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area

• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet

According to bullet note #3 every offensive player handling the ball is guilty many times during a season.

And this is another example of legit criticism of this rule I feel. If it's dangerous and you want to take it out of the game why only penalize the defensive players and allow the offense to repeatedly violate bullet point number 3?

By the way that rant is not directed at you........I just hate the rule because of the ambiguity and inconsistent enforcement.

 

[dmwvol12]

i'm not sure how long you've followed TN. Going back to Majors, we literally ride every coordinators ass that comes through here. You think other schools are immune from that?

Clemson and Miami are steps backward. Period.

I also remember our struggles getting Banks, and appreciate his loyalty. He is a very stoic personality, very cerebral. He has increased our talent, and depth on defense. Made it a strength of the team.

Ive shown frustration in past. Not to point of firing him. If I have I cannot recall. I do tend to turn into the Hulk during football games.

Good points. I’m old and grew up in Maryville so my fandom goes back to the late 60’s. I certainly understand every fan base has its crazy’s but I think Tennessee fans are on the extreme end of the spectrum. I just found it really ironic at some of the comments on why he would consider going somewhere else when the criticism of him has been extreme for 2 plus years. I just find it really tiresome and I am not a fan of eating our own. I also remember where we were a few years ago and appreciate the improvement. I also don’t like the vitriol and attacks against coaches in general.

 

[knoxvol52]

Martinez retiring?

 

[GVol1966]

We need to find some good WRs for Nico. OL will take a step back next season, IMO. You don't lose a leader like Cooper and not have a setback.

If the OL takes a step back then we better add 2 QB’s from the portal because we don’t have enough to get through the season

 

[volinbama256]

this site is funny...

reading over last night and now that there's a potential of Banks leaving, many on here backpedaling saying we'd be in a worst spot without him... I seem to remember a guy who would make ZERO adjustments during a game that cost us at times... little to no blitzing or different looks... etc...

We hiring Landry Jones as offensive analyst? Any other potential coaching changes? I like the idea of bringing Chop to an on field role.

Is MM leaving or not?

Any updates on Branch or other potential portals?

 

[Jackcrevol]

this site is funny...

reading over last night and now that there's a potential of Banks leaving, many on here backpedaling saying we'd be in a worst spot without him... I seem to remember a guy who would make ZERO adjustments during a game that cost us at times... little to no blitzing or different looks... etc...Yes

We hiring Landry Jones as offensive analyst? Any other potential coaching changes? I like the idea of bringing Chop to an on field role. Yes

Is MM leaving or not? Yes

Any updates on Branch or other potential portals? Yes

 

[volinbama256]

We need to find some good WRs for Nico. OL will take a step back next season, IMO. You don't lose a leader like Cooper and not have a setback.

Yep we will take a step back on OL next season and you can thank our staff/AD for this. Didn't necessarily have to be like this, but they are apparently choosing not to replace or upgrade in the portal, guess they don't want to spend the money and are good with Nico struggling even more than this season. ***See stud OL from NW walking at the last minute to LSU.

hopefully they are tampering like everyone else and will surprise us with some late additions for the Oline.

 

[UTSuave’]

i'm not sure how long you've followed TN. Going back to Majors, we literally ride every coordinators ass that comes through here. You think other schools are immune from that?

Clemson and Miami are steps backward. Period.

I also remember our struggles getting Banks, and appreciate his loyalty. He is a very stoic personality, very cerebral. He has increased our talent, and depth on defense. Made it a strength of the team.

Ive shown frustration in past. Not to point of firing him. If I have I cannot recall. I do tend to turn into the Hulk during football games.

Clemson and Miami are steps back but winning in the ACC is much easier and not having to deal with the pressure of winning in the sec is also appealing…we’ve watched this happen many of times here along with other universities dealing with it….you have to be built differently in order to handle the wrath of the sec conference competition/scheduling…banks is from the big 10 so it wouldn’t be ground breaking to me if he left..

 

[DD4ME]

We made the playoffs and got exposed by a wildly talented team. Speed, above all bested us and you cannot coach speed. Add to that our best offensive player was injured. No one mentions that now.

Had we gotten PSU's draw we'd all be slurping orange Kool aid right now. Let the Oregon game provide the context we need for true perspective. We have needed to upgrade on some players and some coaches, but finding better options is not a slam dunk. The Fulmer debacle should prove that.

Most OSU fans would have gladly fired Day after MI loss and now the son of a gun is putting on a master class in the playoffs. Maybe the OSU loss will inspire similar change for UT? At least with recruiting, which honestly is about 95% the battle anymore. When your team is faster than and bigger than everyone else does it truly matter what scheme you run?

Meanwhile our archival Bama lost to a not great MI team, and the USCe people clamored to add to the playoffs got beat by IL. Do the math.

Nothing is ever all black or all white. Welcome to the gray fam.

 

[DD4ME]

 

[KB5252]

Clemson has won 2 national championships in the last 10 years. As much as I hate to say it, they would be the better program right now.

But they aren't. Their trajectory is on the decline as a program. They no longer recruit or compete at the same level. Dabo will be let go in the next few years.

 

[SoilVol]

What I don’t get is one of the “insiders” said heupel has evolved into an impressive HC. If this is what some call impressive then I’m even more confused by it than I was. This is not impressive, this is unimaginative and boring

I think that's a narrow view of the circumstances. Being "impressive" is winning games despite the handicaps we had and has nothing to do with "looks."

 

[GVol1966]

T

Clemson has won 2 national championships in the last 10 years. As much as I hate to say it, they would be the better program right now.

They were 9-3 gave up 34 to UGA, 33 to Louisville and 17 to SC jr. In the losses.


And they fired their DC.
Here we’d be saying he did a great job and give him a raise.

 

[GVol1966]

Well good. I hope he’s good and they listen to him because the offense needs some help.

OL coach and WR coach upgrade based on what he saw from this year should be obvious first advice for Heupel

 

[Volbucky]

I think that's a narrow view of the circumstances. Being "impressive" is winning games despite the handicaps we had and has nothing to do with "looks."

Looks is another way of saying zero motions/ confusion for the defense. It’s a step backwards no way around it

 

[DD4ME]

What I don’t get is one of the “insiders” said heupel has evolved into an impressive HC. If this is what some call impressive then I’m even more confused by it than I was. This is not impressive, this is unimaginative and boring

He changed his scheme to fit his talent and support a rookie starting QB and cobbled oline. That was impressive. Making the playoff with 0 1st round receivers or maybe even olinemen is equally impressive.