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#5,401
#5,401
volfanngatorland said:
Also, you know who would have been awesome to have behind a beefy line in this offensive system?

Jalen Hurd
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How I wish John Kelly had stayed another year.

Hurd would've been great, but he'd have been gone by this year had he stayed in Knoxville.

I wish Kelly stayed so he could have accumulated more highlights than just last year's Florida game.
 
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#5,407
#5,407
Bassmaster_Vol said:
Heisman
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Hurd%20Heisman%20Pose.png
 
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#5,409
#5,409
ChismsHeadband said:
I never want to see '16/'17 Alabama happen again. The way our OL got shoved off the LOS from the very first snap in both games was infuriating to watch. We haven't won a snap against them since 2015.

I just want to see our linemen bulldoze folks off the line.
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And even that 2015 team won games up front more by scheme than just owning the LOS. For all his faults, Debord did a really good job that year of matching our blocking schemes to the talent we had up front.
 
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#5,410
#5,410
ChismsHeadband said:
Was it Blakely who played a little FB in the spring game?

I want so bad for us to be able to utilize the FB while we shore up our OL. Blakely at 265 could be an unheralded weapon for us if he's able to spring some blocks.
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Some reports had him as the primary FB for much of the spring. But he got dinged up late in the spring and didn't play in the spring game.

The idea of a 260 lb FB and a 257 lb TE to help out in the run game is exciting.
 
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#5,413
#5,413
Darth_Shiveman said:
And even that 2015 team won games up front more by scheme than just owning the LOS. For all his faults, Debord did a really good job that year of matching our blocking schemes to the talent we had up front.
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No doubt that DeBord exceeded expectations here. He was an underwhelming hire (who Michigan fans were warning us of) but you can't argue with his numbers.

I wonder where DeBord sided with the whole Hurd v. Butch fiasco. That 2016 Carolina game was the falling out, and it was evidenced by Jones running Hurd three straight plays inside the 2, Hurd TD, and then Hurd only had one more carry in the game. The rest was all JK and Dobbs.

It'd be interesting to see the dialog between DeBord and Butch on that drive.
 
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#5,414
#5,414
VolGee4 said:
Rexrode said that is his line of work was being "assaulted." Obviously, no one condones physical violence, as he mentioned the tragedy in Maryland. But the reason why people are verbally responding is because some journalists these days are making themselves a part of the story as opposed to reporting the story. I believe Wolken made himself a part of the story, and to top it off, he called fans "crybabies" because he believed his opinion was better than theirs.

I listen to Wolken frequently on the radio as he is on a local show here every week. He has some correct takes.But, he is also one of the those journalists who thinks his opinion is always correct and let's you hear about it because he is the one with the pen (or keyboard). Seems to be the way of the new journalist.
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This is how he seems to me. His whole attitude was holier than thou - just like Curry’s.
 
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#5,422
#5,422
vol2002 said:
I agree on a front line starter, although I think Folty is becoming elite.

We are ahead of schedule this year. I expected us to be mediocre and thought we’d be out of the race this year. So I’m giving them a bit of a pass. But if we don’t go all in this offseason and get some big time help with all the money we have, I’m going to be disappointed.
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Sorry to bring this back up, but I've been away camping for a couple of days. Anyway, I agree with you.

I realize UT fans are required to daily state "fire the coach", but I think we're being more than a little unrealistic here in the criticizing of the Braves, the coach, and a few of the players. Nobody in their right mind expected them to play this well this year, leading the division for much of the first half. Doesn't this "minor league" coach deserve a heck of a lot of credit for getting them where they are now?

Maybe these players that are being criticized, even being given up on, aren't as good as you want because they're still very young. They'll get there; be patient.

I'm sure changes will be made. But I believe they'd be very short-sighted giving up on the current players and their future trying to win it all this year. They aren't going to win it all this year. Too many holes, primarily because of youth.
 
#5,424
#5,424
OrangenSC said:
Sorry to bring this back up, but I've been away camping for a couple of days. Anyway, I agree with you.

I realize UT fans are required to daily state "fire the coach", but I think we're being more than a little unrealistic here in the criticizing of the Braves, the coach, and a few of the players. Nobody in their right mind expected them to play this well this year, leading the division for much of the first half. Doesn't this "minor league" coach deserve a heck of a lot of credit for getting them where they are now?

Maybe these players that are being criticized, even being given up on, aren't as good as you want because they're still very young. They'll get there; be patient.

I'm sure changes will be made. But I believe they'd be very short-sighted giving up on the current players and their future trying to win it all this year. They aren't going to win it all this year. Too many holes, primarily because of youth.
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I've said before there's a solid core of roster talent in Knoxville... We don't have Georgia or Alabama's depth, and we had an awful year last year... but there are definitely players in place that have pedigree and skill.

We've already got a legit SEC starting front 7 and a couple safeties that can get the job done...

Defense:
- Warrior is All-SEC caliber if they use him correctly
- Allen is a highly touted bender that can rush the passer and run cover
- Phillips hasn't had a chance to be the guy, but he's a former 5 star that's flashed elite pass rushing skill
- Kongbo, with proper coaching, could be an elite pass rusher
- Sapp is a tackling machine
- Bituli... see Sapp
- Kirkland Jr has balled when healthy
- Tuttle was a highly touted DT that has all the abilities needed to excel
- Peterson could be elite if we can get his ass on campus
- Abernathy is a SEC caliber FS... he's not going to be elite but he's not a hole.
- Taylor is legit
- Johnson can plug a run


Offense:

QB: I really don't hate our QB situation... if JG can put it together, we'll have a way better than expected year... if not, Chryst is solid unless he starts throwing bombs downfield... but even if he does start throwing a little off the mark bombs downfield, our X/Z WRs are as legit as anyone's in the SEC... I trust Jennings and Calloway to go get a 50/50 ball if it's gettable

WR: Jennings and Calloway will play on Sundays... Palmer, Byrd, and Johnson are solid depth

RB: Between London, Chandler, Jordan, Banks, Coleman, Fant, and Fils-Amie... I'm not worried about finding a RB that can hit the holes and make plays

OL: Smith, Kennedy, and Richmond are the only guys I trust here... maybe the biggest question mark and it's not a good question mark to have, especially with Trey Smith not officially being cleared to play yet...

We're really NOT in bad shape anywhere other than the OL and CornBread positions... and we might be fine there as well it's just unproven

the main thing for the whole squad is a complete lack of quality depth... in a couple years I believe we'll have that... but as of today, Pruitt's got his job cut out keeping these guys healthy.... cause we can compete and win against anybody in the SEC besides Alabama and Georgia right now if we stay healthy and make adjustments properly when things aren't working...

A lot to ask of a first time head coach though...

I'll take the over on that 5.5 vegas line... people forget real quick about back to back 9-win seasons after one year of the worst coaching ever and QBs taking turn getting their feet wet vs top-tier SEC schools
 
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