Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXIX

[BruinVol]

Yeah, I agree that he made a few nice tackles in the backfield, but he also had a lot to do with a handful of huge runs. It's hard to say anyone played better than the rest other than Barnett considering our defense played about as poorly as it has under this coaching staff.

The main point I was making was I thought he played better than McDowell did against Georgia or A&M.

I still think jumper and Kirkland start at USCe

 

[Catbone]

So you think the expectations for next year should be as high as they were this year?

You can't expect that having to replace so many of our starters, especially at QB imo. I think 8 to 9 wins is about right

 

[vol2002]

So you think the expectations for next year should be as high as they were this year?

I think they should be in the same ballpark assuming JG is as good as advertised.

For the record, baseline expectations for this year were not to win a national title.

 

[SeanJean]

The main point I was making was I thought he played better than McDowell did against Georgia or A&M.

I still think jumper and Kirkland start at USCe

They were all pretty bad performances in my opinion, but the Berry one is masked a bit because of low expectations and that he made some plays in the backfield early on.

I hope you're right though. Really need Kirkland, and a healthy Kirkland, to move sideline to sideline.

 

[unioncityvol]

So we are going with this lineup into South Carolina:

QB - Dobbs, Dormady
RB - Hurd, Kelly, Fils-aime
WR - Malone, Jennings, Smith, Byrd, Johnson
TE - Wolf, Croom
LT - Kendrick, Richmond
LG - Robertson, Boulware
C - Thomas, Wiesman
RG - Wiesman, Jones
RT - Hall, Thomas

DE - Barnett, Kongbo, Phillips
DT - Vickers, Phillips, Mixon
DT - Tuttle, Picou, Kongbo
DE - Vereen, Lewis
OLB - McDowell, Berry
ILB - Kirkland, Jumper
CB - Moseley, Buchanan Martin
CB - Foreman, Buchanan, Martin
NG - Gaulden, Foreman
S - Kelly Jr
S - Abernathy, Warrior, Berry


If true, we will roll. Getting the OL and LBs healthy are key.

yep

 

[jspvol76]

He was so out of position on a lot of plays he might as well have been on the sideline.

ouch

 

[BigZiti09]

So you think the expectations for next year should be as high as they were this year?

For me it probably will be about the same. Our 4 toughest games will be Florida, Georgia, LSU, Alabama. We will likely be favored in the other 8 games.

Two positions that should no doubt improve: Offensive line, Defensive Tackle. That's what it takes to be good every year in this conference. You've got to be good at those two spots to avoid the roller coaster of up and down years all the time.

Disclaimer: My expectations for this season were rational. I wasn't expecting SEC Championship or a National Championship.

 

[InVOLuntary]

You need to lay off the panic button. Saturday was an embarrassment to be sure but the injuries are what they are. They explain the size of the loss. Period. If we had a bye week and no injuries that is a much much different game. Period. I've heard now multiple analysts express the same view. It was a perfect storm for us. In fact, Barret Sallee (I believe) on Twitter and some others predicted it before the game for those reasons (injuries, emotional exhaustion).

Bama leaves that that game with a high risk of being overrated. They are good, no doubt. But they aren't 49-10 good. I won't be surprised if they don't win a title this year. Hurts can't throw. He should have torched our secondary with their receiver talent and our injuries but he looked pedestrian to say the least as a passer.

LOL, I'm far from panicking. I just don't see us gaining any ground on Alabama. If our goals are to win the SEC and play in the playoff we have to beat Alabama, in all likelihood twice. Do you see us closing the gap on Alabama? Do you think we'll be in a better position to beat them next year? If you do, kudos to you. I don't think we've got a snowballs chance in hell to beat them as far as the eyes can see. Our recruiting is no where near the level to compete with them even if were are 100% healthy.

 

[volinbama256]

????? Next year?

DOB was graduating regardless. We will have McKenzie, Tuttle, A. Johnson, Picou, Vickers, along with the incoming freshmen.

You forgot Paul Baine...

 

[BigZiti09]

LOL, I'm far from panicking. I just don't see us gaining any ground on Alabama. If our goals are to win the SEC and play in the playoff we have to beat Alabama, in all likelihood twice. Do you see us closing the gap on Alabama? Do you think we'll be in a better position to beat them next year? If you do, kudos to you. I don't think we've got a snowballs chance in hell to beat them as far as the eyes can see. Our recruiting is no where near the level to compete with them even if were are 100% healthy.

It took a last minute TD drive for them to beat us at Bama last year. I don't see how you think we don't have a snowball's chance.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I think we take a step back next year. Too much talented experience to replace. I think FL at Gainesville will be a tough out but they do lose a lot of that talent on D. Georgia I think makes the biggest leap next year. They have the talent and it took a hail Mary to beat this this year. We do get them at home so that will help. We should beat all the other SEC east teams but we obviously pick up an LSU. It will depend on who gets that job. They will probably be more talented than us and a good coaching hire will make them very tough to beat, especially at home.

 

[volinbama256]

Would be very interesting to see JRM and Kamara come back next season. Both would only improve their stock and have a college schedule to improve and stay healthy with backups... I know everyone will say Kamara only has so many carries in the legs as a RB and needs to get paid, but there are a ton of RB going in the draft this season and I can't find more than one maybe that would draft higher than Kamara the next year. Besides, he hasn't been getting the majority of carries this season, so next year would definitely be a time to showcase and blow his stock up...

 

[volfanCLT]

So you think the expectations for next year should be as high as they were this year?

This year, after going through the bulk of our schedule, I think everybody can see this team was capable of 11 wins, a berth in the SECC, and a NY6 bowl.

I can see 10-2 next year, SECC game, and NY6 bowl again.

I would give this years team a 1 game bump, but the realistic end of year goals all seem to be about the same to me IMO

 

[InVOLuntary]

It took a last minute TD drive for them to beat us at Bama last year. I don't see how you think we don't have a snowball's chance.

I take it you didn't watch the game Saturday? They are light years ahead of us from a talent standpoint and they have real solid coaches at every position. They are getting even better.

 

[BigZiti09]

I take it you didn't watch the game Saturday? They are light years ahead of us from a talent standpoint and they have real solid coaches at every position. They are getting even better.

I'm guessing you didn't watch the game in 2015.

I'm not overreacting to the game from this past Saturday. Right now, nobody in the country is doing what Saban is doing at Bama.

I've seen Ole Miss beat them and I saw the Vols almost pull it off last year at Bama. I don't see why a healthy Vols team can't compete against them.

 

[ATC_VOL]

For me it probably will be about the same. Our 4 toughest games will be Florida, Georgia, LSU, Alabama. We will likely be favored in the other 8 games.

The nice thing is that none of those games are back to back next year. Let alone all 4 in a row like this season.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I'm guessing you didn't watch the game in 2015.

I'm not overreacting to the game from this past Saturday. Right now, nobody in the country is doing what Saban is doing at Bama.

I've seen Ole Miss beat them and I saw the Vols almost pull it off last year at Bama. I don't see why a healthy Vols team can't compete against them.

That's my point, nobody is doing what Alabama is doing, including us. Unfortunatly we have to play them at least once or probably twice to have a shot at the playoff. We do not have the talent on the field, sideline, or press box to offer much resistance. It is what it is. I'm not a betting man but if I had to wager, I would bet we don't beat Bama for at least another 5 years. We may never beat them as long as Saban's there.

 

[snowvols]

I think we take a step back next year. Too much talented experience to replace. I think FL at Gainesville will be a tough out but they do lose a lot of that talent on D. Georgia I think makes the biggest leap next year. They have the talent and it took a hail Mary to beat this this year. We do get them at home so that will help. We should beat all the other SEC east teams but we obviously pick up an LSU. It will depend on who gets that job. They will probably be more talented than us and a good coaching hire will make them very tough to beat, especially at home.

A big topic of discussion today on ATL radio was UGA's struggles on the OL and the fact that the OL will probably be worse next year. They lose three starters and will probably be starting FR there. They will probably lose Michel and Chubb too.

 

[The Breakerboy]

Lol he wasn't awful at all

No he wasn't.....

 

[BigZiti09]

That's my point, nobody is doing what Alabama is doing, including us. Unfortunatly we have to play them at least once or probably twice to have a shot at the playoff. We do not have the talent on the field, sideline, or press box to offer much resistance. It is what it is. I'm not a betting man but if I had to wager, I would bet we don't beat Bama for at least another 5 years. We may never beat them as long as Saban's there.

We will get them. I think we have a coach who isn't afraid to make changes if he thinks they are necessary. He evaluates well and is a good recruiter.

Rome wasn't built in a day. You don't walk into a place that has been gutted and start competing with Bama after 3 years of recruiting. It's just not possible.

A lot can happen in a year, much less 5. One day Saban is going to get Buster Douglas'd. He will get knocked down and never get off the mat. It happens to everyone and it will happen to him. Nobody ever sees it coming but it always happens.

 

[AAVFL]

A big topic of discussion today on ATL radio was UGA's struggles on the OL and the fact that the OL will probably be worse next year. They lose three starters and will probably be starting FR there. They will probably lose Michel and Chubb too.

They will definitely struggle some and as we have seen no matter how good your qb is if he can't stay upright you will be toast.

Our biggest challenge next year will be Florida. They will return most of their offense but lose everything on defense. Plus we play in Gainesville with a new qb but with all the experience we return I think we should win pretty handily.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

We got lucky a few times early in the year, my friend. LOL Hail Mary, missed extra point, missed field goal, etc.
I do know what you are saying though.

Guess we have used all of our good luck up on those occasions, and the bad luck has increased exponentially because of it. Still beat Georgia and Florida. Win out, and it will be a very good year when we reflect on it and all of the major injuries we had.

 

[volfanCLT]

#Vols WR coach Zach Azzanni said Jauan Jennings comes into meeting rooms literally barking to let everyone know the dog is in the building.

Lol this dude is amazing

 

[InVOLuntary]

We will get them. I think we have a coach who isn't afraid to make changes if he thinks they are necessary. He evaluates well and is a good recruiter.

Rome wasn't built in a day. You don't walk into a place that has been gutted and start competing with Bama after 3 years of recruiting. It's just not possible.

A lot can happen in a year, much less 5. One day Saban is going to get Buster Douglas'd. He will get knocked down and never get off the mat. It happens to everyone and it will happen to him. Nobody ever sees it coming but it always happens.

I agree but I don't think it happens in the next five years. My whole point in this was to ask the question: "Are we gaining on Bama"?

My answer is, from Butch's first couple of years, yes. The last couple of years no. While we may be getting better, they are getting better at a faster rate. They are all in on football. They have the money to do it. They have former NFL coaches that all their job is to do is to breakdown and analyze film. They have the best coaches money can buy at every position. We don't have that same level of commitment to football. At UT it's more of a balance sheet thing. If the seats are full they're good with the status quo. Their outlook is "How does spending $1MIL on a coordinator put more butts in the seats?". When you are selling out the games and you have a record demand for season tickets, they, in their minds can't justify it. Not talking about Butch but the higher ups. Butch had to twist arms to get Hart to pony up for the Shoop hire. Now we have a new administration coming in so hopefully things will change.

 

[Vols4us]

I keep seeing the Bama game in 2015 as the example for how our roster can hang with them. For those that believe that please go back and look at Bama's schedule last season. Our game with them was the last in an 8 games in a row stretch with the last three games before ours being UGA, Arky, and aTm. They were nicked up, dogged tired and not nearly as explosive on offense as they are this season. Conversely our guys had just come off an emotional win over UGA for the first real signature win and had a week off to get ready for the Bama game.

However, this year's game was not an example of where our guys actually are against Bama. The decimated roster is real as is the coaching talent disparity. A 2 TD loss (approximate betting line) would have been expected. The roll over was not. So now it is about getting healthy and making it to the SECCG to restore the upward trajectory of the program. Then we will see how the recruiting class looks on NSD to have some idea of what to expect going forward.