So, Who Is The Starting QB?

[sjt18]

I appreciate the response, sjt. I'm always going to lean towards the optimistic side, but I agree that Dooley and even the Buzz Peterson era in basketball have tempered me a bit.

That being said, I agree that last season, as a whole, was subpar. However, Butch has won me over with his recruiting and the way that he has been able to market UT as a brand.

When you are able to bring in top 5 talent consistently, coaching on Saturday becomes much easier.

Agree. But at some point continued great recruiting depends on proving you can coach up the talent and win games. Eventually even the greatest PR guy has to back it up with substance/results. Jones sold promises for the '14 class. Some will buy that in '15 even without significant progress in wins but fewer than '14. However at some point, negative recruiting will start to work and players will stop listening. You have a longer leash at a school with consistently great in-state talent like FL or GA.

UT's coach has to prove he can coach pretty early on.

I don't think he has to win the SEC this fall or even the East. I DO think he needs 6+ to keep recruiting momentum and needs to at least compete for the East in '15.

 

[thetennlegend]

I really want to see Dobbs or Ferguson win the job. If not we may be in a lot of trouble. The vibe I get is that the coaching staff really likes Dobbs. Please no Worley, im tired of watching recievers be under thrown by five yards.

 

[sjt18]

I really want to see Dobbs or Ferguson win the job. If not we may be in a lot of trouble. The vibe I get is that the coaching staff really likes Dobbs. Please no Worley, im tired of watching recievers be under thrown by five yards.

I am going to defend Worley because that's who you attacked. This response SHOULD NOT be read to mean that I favor Worley or disfavor the others. I like all 4 and think that UT can win behind at least 3 of them including Worley.

Worley did what he was coached to do at times last year. He threw the ball away when the play wasn't there. He was also hesitant at times because the young WR's were terribly inconsistent and unreliable. When you have that much youth at WR then you simplify things for them. You don't give them option routes that require them to read D's. You tell them to run the route one way and tell the QB to throw it away if it isn't there.

Worley may STILL be the only QB UT has capable of making those decisions effectively and consistently.

Still yet, he was pretty good vs UGA and USCe. He managed those games and played winning football. He completed 55% with no INT's and around 400 yds total. The O was improving behind him and took a step back behind Dobbs who didn't protect the football or manage the O very well though I would agree he has good physical skills and throws a beautiful ball.


I'm not against Ferguson... but think it is pretty ignorant to hope he starts while having absolutely no idea if he's a better player than the 3 we've seen.

 

[KBVol]

I am going to defend Worley because that's who you attacked. This response SHOULD NOT be read to mean that I favor Worley or disfavor the others. I like all 4 and think that UT can win behind at least 3 of them including Worley.

Worley did what he was coached to do at times last year. He threw the ball away when the play wasn't there. He was also hesitant at times because the young WR's were terribly inconsistent and unreliable. When you have that much youth at WR then you simplify things for them. You don't give them option routes that require them to read D's. You tell them to run the route one way and tell the QB to throw it away if it isn't there.

Worley may STILL be the only QB UT has capable of making those decisions effectively and consistently.

Still yet, he was pretty good vs UGA and USCe. He managed those games and played winning football. He completed 55% with no INT's and around 400 yds total. The O was improving behind him and took a step back behind Dobbs who didn't protect the football or manage the O very well though I would agree he has good physical skills and throws a beautiful ball.


I'm not against Ferguson... but think it is pretty ignorant to hope he starts while having absolutely no idea if he's a better player than the 3 we've seen.

Don't disagree with anything you've said really. The thing with guys wanting Fergie is really 2 pronged IMO....

1. Backup (in this case, only one who hasn't been seen yet in game action) QB is always the most popular player, especially when the other(s) haven't shown to be outstanding

2. Some credible sources (eg, Ainge) have stated unequivocally, that Ferguson has "by far" the strongest arm and has shown the best ability in practice to "throw receivers open", which none of the others displayed an ability to do last season.

We'll see what happens. I'm confident we'll have a more than competent QB this year and expect to see considerable improvement from all 4 after a full year in the program.

What I'm hoping to see is a QB who can go win a game rather than be the guy who doesn't lose one. Been awhile since we've seen "that guy" at UT.

 

[Volumnus 2011]

Fergie impressed Vince Ferrara.


Tennessee football spring practice #3 thoughts and notes - National SEC | Examiner.com

 

[majorvol]

I think the O- Line will make more of a impact than the QB this year, in the way the O performs . We lost some good ones up front but I think they were better pass blockers than run blockers.

 

[GoVols15]

Agree. But at some point continued great recruiting depends on proving you can coach up the talent and win games. Eventually even the greatest PR guy has to back it up with substance/results. Jones sold promises for the '14 class. Some will buy that in '15 even without significant progress in wins but fewer than '14. However at some point, negative recruiting will start to work and players will stop listening. You have a longer leash at a school with consistently great in-state talent like FL or GA.

UT's coach has to prove he can coach pretty early on.

I don't think he has to win the SEC this fall or even the East. I DO think he needs 6+ to keep recruiting momentum and needs to at least compete for the East in '15.

Give the man more than one year to prove if he coach or not! If you were around during Majors first THREE YEARS I bet you would have said he can't coach a lick. The SEC is a tough conference with talented and experienced players. CBJ cannot be effectively judged until at least the end of his THIRD year. This year the FOUNDATION OF TALENT is there but the program still needs more talent and EXPERIENCE before anyone can effectively gauge CBJ's coaching ability.

Prior to coming here, four championships in six years is not shabby regardless of what conference he is in. Bottom line get off the man's back and let him coach!
:hi:

 

[FBtime]

Fergie impressed Vince Ferrara.


Tennessee football spring practice #3 thoughts and notes - National SEC | Examiner.com

Maybe but here's the thing I take away from that article:

All the quarterbacks were off-the-mark on a lot of throws that were open to the media in Tuesday’s practice. That clearly continued through the rest of practice.

That's worrisome even at this early stage seeing as that was the same problem they had last year.

 

[oregonvol]

Give the man more than one year to prove if he coach or not! If you were around during Majors first THREE YEARS I bet you would have said he can't coach a lick.

Sorry man. It's not 1982. That was over 30 years ago. College football is hardly even the same game. Coaching salaries and ticket prices have skyrocketed. You don't get years of free passes until you're expected to actually show results anymore.

 

[davethevol]

Maybe but here's the thing I take away from that article:



That's worrisome even at this early stage seeing as that was the same problem they had last year.

It's just rust. 2 years ago when Bray was putting up record numbers, he was struggling in several of the spring practices. I wouldn't worry about it until game day.

 

[KBVol]

It's just rust. 2 years ago when Bray was putting up record numbers, he was struggling in several of the spring practices. I wouldn't worry about it until game day.

Good point. Iirc, Bray was like 5-32 his last Orange & White game. Just can't get too worked up about our QBs having low accuracy the first day of Spring practice in pads. I won't be concerned unless they all look awful in Fall camp. I'm betting that ain't gonna happen. I fully believe at least 3 of our QBs (Worley, Dobbs, Fergy) will be significantly better and will be good enough to get us to 6-7 wins this year.

 

[sjt18]

Give the man more than one year to prove if he coach or not!

You don't have to accept reality. I'm OK with that. This has nothing to do with being "negative" and everything to do with just looking at the situation objectively. I didn't say I was ready to toss him overboard. I just told you the truth. If he doesn't prove he can win some games (as in wins 5 or less this fall) negative recruiting will become increasingly effective and promises of future success will become less effective.

You may not want that to be true... but it is nonetheless. It really doesn't matter how much time I am willing to give him... only how much time his circumstances will allow. FTR, I said he needed six wins this fall... not that he needed to win the SEC. If he's the coach UT needs then that is NOT out of the realm of reasonable possibilities.

If you were around during Majors first THREE YEARS I bet you would have said he can't coach a lick.

If you do not understand the difference between CFB then and now... then no one can help you. Social media, TV expansion, recruiting sites, etc have all increased many times over. Plus... Majors had already won a NC and coached a Heisman winner when he arrived. That warrants a longer leash.

The SEC is a tough conference with talented and experienced players. CBJ cannot be effectively judged until at least the end of his THIRD year.

Recruits want to be coached up, to win games, and to have their best shot at the NFL. They are already judging if he's their best option. You don't have to like that... but players that he needs to be successful want to play for a winner. Words only work for a short time unless you can point to some success.

This year the FOUNDATION OF TALENT is there but the program still needs more talent and EXPERIENCE before anyone can effectively gauge CBJ's coaching ability.

No. The most important people in this discussion (recruits) are not bound by what you believe to be fair or reasonable.

Prior to coming here, four championships in six years is not shabby regardless of what conference he is in. Bottom line get off the man's back and let him coach!
:hi:

I'm not on "the man's back". Open your eyes and get off mine.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Sorry man. It's not 1982. That was over 30 years ago. College football is hardly even the same game. Coaching salaries and ticket prices have skyrocketed. You don't get years of free passes until you're expected to actually show results anymore.

So basically a coach has to accomplish what Malzahan has or they are not worth it. Some people have no idea what the term rebuild means. Just out of curiosity, how long should a coach get to rebuild a program?

 

[sjt18]

So basically a coach has to accomplish what Malzahan has or they are nit worth it. Some people have no idea what the term rebuild means. Just out of curiosity, how long sjouke a coach get to rebuild a program?

The "theoretical", feel good, "fair" answer is 4-6 years.

The real world answer is that fans, recruits, and boosters want to see positive changes in and year or two but absolutely within 3.

Even during Dooley's short honeymoon right after he was hired, I told people he had to do something within 3 years to prove he was worthy of keeping the job. It is no different for Jones. IMHO, he is going to lose ALOT of support if he doesn't make a bowl this fall then follow that up by at least being in the SEC East competition next fall.

That may not seem "fair"... but it IS the way it has played out at UT and elsewhere repeatedly.

 

[sjt18]

It's just rust. 2 years ago when Bray was putting up record numbers, he was struggling in several of the spring practices. I wouldn't worry about it until game day.

That's true. I would also say that spring ball is used by good OC's to stretch QB's- push them to failure then work on things that they aren't good at so they can be coached up. It was the same with Ainge under Cut the spring before his best year. It doesn't make much sense to just showcase what a QB does well in spring ball.

 

[oregonvol]

So basically a coach has to accomplish what Malzahan has or they are not worth it. Some people have no idea what the term rebuild means. Just out of curiosity, how long should a coach get to rebuild a program?

It doesn't matter how long you or I think they "should" get. What matters is what actually works.

In the SEC these days, you don't see coaches get long at all. Recent history has shown that either a coach turns things around very quickly at this level or they never will. Even in lesser BCS conferences with less competition, it's very rare for a coach to have several mediocre years at a program and then turn them into champions. Off the top of my head, I can't think of someone who has done it in the last decade. There certainly aren't many.

It may not be fair, but you have to do something really special really soon to succeed as a coach at the top levels of college football in today's game. That's why you get paid millions of dollars.

 

[MFL]

It doesn't matter how long you or I think they "should" get. What matters is what actually works.

In the SEC these days, you don't see coaches get long at all. Recent history has shown that either a coach turns things around very quickly at this level or they never will. Even in lesser BCS conferences with less competition, it's very rare for a coach to have several mediocre years at a program and then turn them into champions. Off the top of my head, I can't think of someone who has done it in the last decade. There certainly aren't many.

It may not be fair, but you have to do something really special really soon to succeed as a coach at the top levels of college football in today's game. That's why you get paid millions of dollars.

The old ball coach at SC

 

[burgereater]

I mean we've had one practice.
So, who is it???

Worley is an excellent quarterback. He's mature, he can make all the throws. He is a mature young man. He should get the start and start until, or unless, he begins losing games that were within his control. Fergie still still has 4 years of eligibility, 3 after this year. That's a bunch of playing time.

 

[sjt18]

Spurrier is one example but even he made some early if uneven progress. Overall, OV is right. The exceptions are few and far between for coaches that survive without making notable progress within the first 3 years.

There are probably more examples of coaches that have early success, stumble a bit, and get fired than examples of those who start slow and achieve great success after 3 years.

 

[sjt18]

Worley is an excellent quarterback. He's mature, he can make all the throws. He is a mature young man. He should get the start and start until, or unless, he begins losing games that were within his control. Fergie still still has 4 years of eligibility, 3 after this year. That's a bunch of playing time.

I'm for the best guy getting the job. Right now, I'd agree that is likely Worley. The best guy for the job isn't the one who runs the fastest, has the strongest arm, or has the coolest tattoos. The best guy for the job is the one who can lead the team to wins. Dobbs is obviously growing up and was thrown into a tough situation last fall... but there was a stark contrast between his and Worley's ability to manage the O successfully.

 

[oregonvol]

The old ball coach at SC

...upset both ranked Florida and Tennessee teams in his very first year

...never had a losing season

...took over a program that had been to 11 bowl games in their entire history. Just by making bowl games there and posting winning seasons year after year, Spurrier brought the program more success than it had ever had before.

...still has never won a championship there and probably never will.

If that's the best example you've got, you really have proven my point.

 

[butchna]

How come I feel nothing has been accomplished here today? :huh:
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[Stevorino]

My money is on Worley - he was definitely our best by a long-shot last year.

Dobbs was pretty lukewarm last year, I wish the O-Line would've protected him enough.

I don't think Worley or Dobbs has shown that they are the next great SEC QB - so there's definitely room for Ferguson to impress. That being said, he'll be the fan favorite as long as we haven't seen him screw up.


I think Peterman is out - he was awful last year.

 

[GoVols15]

Sorry man. It's not 1982. That was over 30 years agot. College football is hardly even the same game. Coaching salaries and ticket prices have skyrocketed. You don't get years of free passes until you're expected to actually show results anymore.

Sorry dude! The game may have changed but 11 people still play offense, 11 people still play defense, and the same principles apply on special teams. It still takes quality and experienced players to win in football. Dude, when you inherit a team without talent and experience, like Majors and Jones inherited, it still takes years to compete at the SEC LEVEL. Understand dude!
:loco::loco:

 

[GoVols15]

You don't have to accept reality. I'm OK with that. This has nothing to do with being "negative" and everything to do with just looking at the situation objectively. I didn't say I was ready to toss him overboard. I just told you the truth. If he doesn't prove he can win some games (as in wins 5 or less this fall) negative recruiting will become increasingly effective and promises of future success will become less effective.

You may not want that to be true... but it is nonetheless. It really doesn't matter how much time I am willing to give him... only how much time his circumstances will allow. FTR, I said he needed six wins this fall... not that he needed to win the SEC. If he's the coach UT needs then that is NOT out of the realm of reasonable possibilities.

If you do not understand the difference between CFB then and now... then no one can help you. Social media, TV expansion, recruiting sites, etc have all increased many times over. Plus... Majors had already won a NC and coached a Heisman winner when he arrived. That warrants a longer leash.

Recruits want to be coached up, to win games, and to have their best shot at the NFL. They are already judging if he's their best option. You don't have to like that... but players that he needs to be successful want to play for a winner. Words only work for a short time unless you can point to some success.

No. The most important people in this discussion (recruits) are not bound by what you believe to be fair or reasonable.

I'm not on "the man's back". Open your eyes and get off mine.

Your not on the man's back ... OK, I really believe that!