Recruiting Forum Football Talk IV

[MoCo_Vol]

One thing that I believe will also impact the entire team (but especially the defense) that isn't something I've seen many touch on is that this year's team went into winter/spring with the same conditioning staff present as the previous year.

They also went into winter weight training/conditioning with a year of experience to know what sort of shape they need to be in to play at a high level for an entire game. So when the conditioning staff is pushing them and their teammates are pushing them there is a different mindset than what they approached last year with. I'm sure quite a few of the players came into camp in a lot better shape to handle the tempo of offense and in better condition to see 100 plays on defense than they did last year when all of it was unknown to them.

 

[thistime]

LB play on the outside is also key. With LB's that can cover the flat that allows stunts by your DB's off the edge. It is all of the little things that we need to get corrected before we can be a team that everyone will be leery of playing.

Think about it, a ball control type offense will not work against us because we can score so fast and ball control is useless unless you have a defense that can shut ours down and as of yet they are few and far between. I think CJH relishes games like Ole Miss and KY because he feels he can air it out and score with his offense as well as anybody else in the country.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

This is the second year for this offensive system, lead by an experienced and successful QB. Tons of experience returning in the offense.

We know we are the 1st Quarter Boiz. We often ran out of gas in the second quarter, and it was a place that the opponent could at least stop the bleeding, often it was 15 minute period of them catching up.

If the offense is improved, and we can take the pace and pressure to the next level, we're looking more like Mizzou and SCar games, where the opponent found themselves in a shootout or a race.

When you're putting up a lot of points, the DL can pin their ears back.

If Garner is to be believed, and I have no reason to doubt his assessment, we have some vets on the DL that are improving. We have a rotation forming, we have more depth. If we have more depth, we have more energy, if we have more energy we can play harder up front, if we can play harder up front and we know that the opponent will have to pass more often, we can generate pressure. Pressure = mistakes. Mistakes that the secondary can capitalize on.

I don't think we'll be among the conference's elite. I do think that the defense can improve, if only incrementally from a statistical standpoint. But I do think that the defense will find more advantages this year.

With this offense, an extra turnover per game, or extra 1+ sack per game, can make a world of difference. I think we can find that.

Question. . .

Do we go ahead and place our 1st qtr bets for the 1st game or wait a couple games to see if we're still hitting in the 1st qtr like last year? A lot of emphasis on the 2nd qtr could turn us into the 2nd qtr Boiz. Would be nice to have solid bets for 1st and 2nd qtrs.

1st qtr o10.5
2nd qtr o6.5
+ Vols moneyline . . . starting to look like a nice 3-leg parlay that will probably be around +350!

 

[VolInDayton]

One thing that I believe will also impact the entire team (but especially the defense) that isn't something I've seen many touch on is that this year's team went into winter/spring with the same conditioning staff present as the previous year.

They also went into winter weight training/conditioning with a year of experience to know what sort of shape they need to be in to play at a high level for an entire game. So when the conditioning staff is pushing them and their teammates are pushing them there is a different mindset than what they approached last year with. I'm sure quite a few of the players came into camp in a lot better shape to handle the tempo of offense and in better condition to see 100 plays on defense than they did last year when all of it was unknown to them.

Having a stronger defensive interior should help tremendously in the rush defense. It doesn't sound like we have a game changer emerging at DT yet. But being able to clog up the middle should help our linebackers out. I'm worried our pass defense won't be much different, but knowing we have 1 weakness instead of a weak defense all around should allow our coaches to be able to scheme a little bit.

 

[BigSteve09]

Question. . .

Do we go ahead and place our 1st qtr bets for the 1st game or wait a couple games to see if we're still hitting in the 1st qtr like last year? A lot of emphasis on the 2nd qtr could turn us into the 2nd qtr Boiz. Would be nice to have solid bets for 1st and 2nd qtrs.

1st qtr o10.5
2nd qtr o7.5
+ Vols moneyline . . . starting to look like a nice 3-leg parlay!

McGill was right about me, I do have blind faith in some things. One of those being Vols 1st Quarter.

I'll take us to cover the 1st quarter and whatever our 1st quarter point total is. Separately.

Then I'll keep an eye on 1st half.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Our defense wasn’t terrible last year they just wore out by mid season because of the lack of depth. It seems we’ve added some quality depth all over and likely to have a much better pass rush this fall. If those two things hold true we’ll be just fine. Especially if the offense is better at short yardage situations.

When our offense averages 50 points this fall we’ll only need a few stops a game, even vs our best opponents.

 

[Playdo]

I also think it's difficult to fairly assess this defense when they play against THIS offense.

 

[csprig9]

Our defense wasn’t terrible last year they just wore out by mid season because of the lack of depth. It seems we’ve added some quality depth all over and likely to have a much better pass rush this fall. If those two things hold true we’ll be just fine. Especially if the offense is better at short yardage situations.

When our offense averages 50 points this fall we’ll only need a few stops a game, even vs our best opponents.

Yep
Everyone saying the defense needs to be better is definitely true but the offense had its own faults last year also that need to be worked on

I’m excited
Only 2 losses on the schedule imo
We can win 10 this year just like we could only win 6 but I’m really looking forward to watching this team this year

 

[GoBigOrange86]

I am still at 7-5. I've seen nothing that points to the defense being much better, from what I am picking up, it sounds like the D backfield will be even worse.

The defense is the key to 8+ win season, and we will just continue treading water until the defense as a whole greatly improves.

I hope several of these defensive backs get better real quick, but I am not banking on it.

It doesn't matter how much we score if we can't stop anybody.

I think this is fair and describes my thought process pretty accurately as well. 7 or 8. Anything more is gravy and anything less is seriously disappointing.

 

[SpringBokVol]

Our defense wasn’t terrible last year they just wore out by mid season because of the lack of depth. It seems we’ve added some quality depth all over and likely to have a much better pass rush this fall. If those two things hold true we’ll be just fine. Especially if the offense is better at short yardage situations.

When our offense averages 50 points this fall we’ll only need a few stops a game, even vs our best opponents.

I want to lead the nation in points per game.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

I also think it's difficult to fairly assess this defense when they play against THIS offense.

good point

Ppl who actually thought they should go out there and beat our offense in the first scrimmage are just insane. Like what else did you expect to happen?

 

[engineerVOL]

I am still at 7-5. I've seen nothing that points to the defense being much better, from what I am picking up, it sounds like the D backfield will be even worse.

The defense is the key to 8+ win season, and we will just continue treading water until the defense as a whole greatly improves.

I hope several of these defensive backs get better real quick, but I am not banking on it.

It doesn't matter how much we score if we can't stop anybody.

Completely agree on all accounts. We gave up 30 points a game and nearly a hundo 20+yard plays. That is staggeringly bad. And no signs of life in the secondary really. Turnage I guess. Can’t blame depth, that is an ingredient to success. Not exclusive of the quality of our play.

 

[BarnesIsCaliparisDaddy]

Having a stronger defensive interior should help tremendously in the rush defense. It doesn't sound like we have a game changer emerging at DT yet. But being able to clog up the middle should help our linebackers out. I'm worried our pass defense won't be much different, but knowing we have 1 weakness instead of a weak defense all around should allow our coaches to be able to scheme a little bit.

I’m of the opinion our DT will be worse but DE better.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Having a stronger defensive interior should help tremendously in the rush defense. It doesn't sound like we have a game changer emerging at DT yet. But being able to clog up the middle should help our linebackers out. I'm worried our pass defense won't be much different, but knowing we have 1 weakness instead of a weak defense all around should allow our coaches to be able to scheme a little bit.

Feel like the growth of Banks/Beasley will also impact the pass defense. Even if it's just them knowing where to line up the rest of the guys that'll be important. People forget that basically last year was both of their first years starting full time. So each getting that experience and being able to start camp with the same coaches, same system, and same off-season staff is big.

We also have far more depth at LB now too. Mitchell healthy, Mohan healthy, Page back, Perry/Herring added as well and from all reports they came in ready to go as freshmen more so than Willis did when he arrived.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I want to lead the nation in points per game.

I think we will or come very close.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

We really don't know. Nobody has played a game.


Lots of opinions already and you cant get people off of them at all. Oh well.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Our defense wasn’t terrible last year they just wore out by mid season because of the lack of depth. It seems we’ve added some quality depth all over and likely to have a much better pass rush this fall. If those two things hold true we’ll be just fine. Especially if the offense is better at short yardage situations.

When our offense averages 50 points this fall we’ll only need a few stops a game, even vs our best opponents.

After seeing what Heupel's Offense was capable of with our roster and schedule in year 1, I'm not sure anyone will be able to stop our Offense in year 2.

Outside of about 3-4 games, the only reason we may not score 50+ is because we let off the gas and put in reserves. I feel like we can avg a good 42+/game. . . sounds ludicrous at first glance or if you haven't followed the Vols, but it makes sense when you realize we averaged 39ppg last year.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I also think it's difficult to fairly assess this defense when they play against THIS offense.

This is a very good point. Our defense is facing one of the best, fastest, most efficient offenses in the nation everyday at practice. That can also only help them get better.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

After seeing what Heupel's Offense was capable of with our roster and schedule in year 1, I'm not sure anyone will be able to stop our Offense in year 2.

Outside of about 3-4 games, the only reason we may not score 50+ is because we let off the gas and put in reserves. I feel like we can avg a good 42+/game. . . sounds ludicrous at first glance or if you haven't followed the Vols, but it makes sense when you realize we averaged 39ppg last year.

Esp when you consider all the spare parts he scrapped together to get there. Everyone was an unknown last yr going into the yr. It was a miracle and should only get better.

 

[peaygolf]

I want to lead the nation in points per game.

The '93 Vols set school records that still stand for not only points per game at a whopping 42.8, but yards per play at 6.9.

Will be broken this season!

 

[SugarCC]

Exactly what makes you think that? Pure blind hope? I don't base my expectations on hope.

As far as the scrimmage goes, maybe the reason the D (especially DBs) didn't look so good, is because our O is that elite, and NO ONE is going to be able to stop them.

Just a thought...maybe wishful.

 

[jave36]

A “normal” poop schedule is anywhere from 3x/day to 3x/week

Moco and Marco butting heads on poop facts.

 

[jave36]

Completely agree on all accounts. We gave up 30 points a game and nearly a hundo 20+yard plays. That is staggeringly bad. And no signs of life in the secondary really. Turnage I guess. Can’t blame depth, that is an ingredient to success. Not exclusive of the quality of our play.

The chunk plays were especially disturbing.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

The chunk plays were especially disturbing.

Yeah, that was a depressing stat to read. Ninety-seven 20+yd plays, oof.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Swain believes TN has the best QB room in the conference. Said Milton was throwing with touch during the scrimmage.