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We are less than three weeks away till the beauty of Big Orange Football gets going. We are in the middle of camp, and here are some my thoughts going into the season opener.
1. It's nice to read that the wide receivers are comign along. Croom and North are going to be solid targets, and I still really like Ryan Jenkins. Pig Howard has had an up and down camp, but it's still early. Honestly, I'm not too worried about the wide receivers other than blocking. Hopefully Jones and Azzanni will get this off and running. The wide outs were poor in blocking last year which was a reason for a lack of big runs. UT needs big plays from its running game this season in order to keep defenses honest.
2. It's been interesting to here what some coaches and writers are saying about Dan McCullers and him being the key to the season (which Butch Jones basically said during camp). I no doubt believe in his talent, but I'm not sure if he has the raw ability to make big plays. Also, can he play on obvious passing downs and create a pass rush? Either way, UT needs a dominant run stopper and McCullers has that ability. Getting UT's D in third and longs will be important and McCullers ability to stop the run will be huge.
3. However, I think the two most important people on defense are Jacques Smith and Brian Randolph. It's going to be a long season at cornerback. UT doesn't have the horses to compete there. Randolph is going to have make plays and make correct reads in order for the defense to be successful. He will be the guy to protect the back end and shut down 15 yard+ part of the field. Jacques Smith is going to have be a dominant pass rusher. Sadly, his hand/wrist is going to keep him out possibly for the first two games and UT needs him to have a big year in order to help the secondary. I honestly can't remember the last time UT had a good pass rush. The pass rush will be paramount to helping out the secondary.
4. I like what I'm hearing from the backups at offensive line, but still concerned also. Dylan Weisman is going to get some playing time this year and will be very helpful at guard this year. Mack Crowder has had a solid camp. Can somebody step up at tackle? UT could be in trouble if Richardson or James goes down with the lack of experience. Austin Sanders or Brett Kendrick need to step up and be that third tackle.
5. Brent Brewer is going to be an interesting player to watch. If you remember at South Carolina former LB D.J. Swearinger and how versatile he was at what Spurrier and Co. call the "SPUR" position. Basically a hybrid linebacker/safety that helps in zone coverages and also can play TE's in man coverage, while being able to contain the run, especially the outside. Brewer definitely has good run stopping ability and plays decent in zone coverage. Swearinger was good at helping in third and medium distances where he can watch for draws and screens, but still maintain good pass coverage. I look for Brewer to do the same. He has good enough instincts I believe he can handle that spot. He will also be the guy to handle spy assignments on mobile QB's like Mariota and Driskel.
6. Look for Butch Jones and Mike Bajakian to use the RB's in a lot of pass situations. Neal and Lane both have good hands and run solid enough routes to be potent in the passing game. In watching some Cincinnati games, they like to run HB screens with their quick offensive line, and I bet they will use that this year, especially with a new QB. The key will be is their vision and the wide receivers committed to blocking. You have to be patient and make the right reads when you get the ball, something Lane and Neal have had problems with. The wide receivers also must be able to handle their blocks initially so they help create space.
7. I love Curt Maggitt and his abilities, but he has not been used properly at UT. He is definitely an every down player, but I want to see him get after the QB more in some stunt and weak side blitzes. Remember, there were some analysts who thought he would become a DE at the college level. Hopefully he still has that really quick first step after the knee, but he's a guy you can play around with and create havoc in the backfield. John Janacek needs to use him as an X-Factor.
8. Mike Bakanjian will have to adapt with Worley. Cincinnati liked using the play action to run deep routes and make big plays. Worley is not that kind of quarterback. He's a dink-and-dunk accurate passer. There is nothing wrong with that, but it'll be interesting to see what kind of passing routes they use this year. I would imagine hitches, slants, and short ins/out will be featured, but can Worley throw the deep post and comebacks to keep safeties back and from playing inside the box. Worley must be able to make these throws. I'm not sure he can though from just seeing him two years ago. Yet it's been awhile and hopefully he's improved in that department.
9. The coaches know more than me, but as I've said before, I think Byron Moore getting reps at CB can be beneficial. He has decent man skills and good size to play the position, and he's probably the third best defensive back on the team. Tennessee needs to get the best talent on the field, and I would love to see Janacek run an interesting formation where he runs a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 where all three safeties are on the field in passing situations. I think that would work well. Having Moore and Randolph in two deep coverages on third and longs would be a great way to help the defense out with both players having good ability to read the quarterback on deep passing routes. That would help alleviate the corners, and also the pass rush having so much pressure on them, and you can keep things in front of you on those 3rd downs with McNeil coveingr the middle of the field, looking something like a hybrid/ultra fast Cover 2.
10. Eighteen days to go, and as Coach Jones said, this is the most important part of camp where players will set themselves apart and where systems get implemented. It's very important for the offense to find a good tempo and get in the right sets, and for the defense to understand their assignment and coverage on plays. I'm getting excited and it's going to be fun year to watch the Vols.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
1. It's nice to read that the wide receivers are comign along. Croom and North are going to be solid targets, and I still really like Ryan Jenkins. Pig Howard has had an up and down camp, but it's still early. Honestly, I'm not too worried about the wide receivers other than blocking. Hopefully Jones and Azzanni will get this off and running. The wide outs were poor in blocking last year which was a reason for a lack of big runs. UT needs big plays from its running game this season in order to keep defenses honest.
2. It's been interesting to here what some coaches and writers are saying about Dan McCullers and him being the key to the season (which Butch Jones basically said during camp). I no doubt believe in his talent, but I'm not sure if he has the raw ability to make big plays. Also, can he play on obvious passing downs and create a pass rush? Either way, UT needs a dominant run stopper and McCullers has that ability. Getting UT's D in third and longs will be important and McCullers ability to stop the run will be huge.
3. However, I think the two most important people on defense are Jacques Smith and Brian Randolph. It's going to be a long season at cornerback. UT doesn't have the horses to compete there. Randolph is going to have make plays and make correct reads in order for the defense to be successful. He will be the guy to protect the back end and shut down 15 yard+ part of the field. Jacques Smith is going to have be a dominant pass rusher. Sadly, his hand/wrist is going to keep him out possibly for the first two games and UT needs him to have a big year in order to help the secondary. I honestly can't remember the last time UT had a good pass rush. The pass rush will be paramount to helping out the secondary.
4. I like what I'm hearing from the backups at offensive line, but still concerned also. Dylan Weisman is going to get some playing time this year and will be very helpful at guard this year. Mack Crowder has had a solid camp. Can somebody step up at tackle? UT could be in trouble if Richardson or James goes down with the lack of experience. Austin Sanders or Brett Kendrick need to step up and be that third tackle.
5. Brent Brewer is going to be an interesting player to watch. If you remember at South Carolina former LB D.J. Swearinger and how versatile he was at what Spurrier and Co. call the "SPUR" position. Basically a hybrid linebacker/safety that helps in zone coverages and also can play TE's in man coverage, while being able to contain the run, especially the outside. Brewer definitely has good run stopping ability and plays decent in zone coverage. Swearinger was good at helping in third and medium distances where he can watch for draws and screens, but still maintain good pass coverage. I look for Brewer to do the same. He has good enough instincts I believe he can handle that spot. He will also be the guy to handle spy assignments on mobile QB's like Mariota and Driskel.
6. Look for Butch Jones and Mike Bajakian to use the RB's in a lot of pass situations. Neal and Lane both have good hands and run solid enough routes to be potent in the passing game. In watching some Cincinnati games, they like to run HB screens with their quick offensive line, and I bet they will use that this year, especially with a new QB. The key will be is their vision and the wide receivers committed to blocking. You have to be patient and make the right reads when you get the ball, something Lane and Neal have had problems with. The wide receivers also must be able to handle their blocks initially so they help create space.
7. I love Curt Maggitt and his abilities, but he has not been used properly at UT. He is definitely an every down player, but I want to see him get after the QB more in some stunt and weak side blitzes. Remember, there were some analysts who thought he would become a DE at the college level. Hopefully he still has that really quick first step after the knee, but he's a guy you can play around with and create havoc in the backfield. John Janacek needs to use him as an X-Factor.
8. Mike Bakanjian will have to adapt with Worley. Cincinnati liked using the play action to run deep routes and make big plays. Worley is not that kind of quarterback. He's a dink-and-dunk accurate passer. There is nothing wrong with that, but it'll be interesting to see what kind of passing routes they use this year. I would imagine hitches, slants, and short ins/out will be featured, but can Worley throw the deep post and comebacks to keep safeties back and from playing inside the box. Worley must be able to make these throws. I'm not sure he can though from just seeing him two years ago. Yet it's been awhile and hopefully he's improved in that department.
9. The coaches know more than me, but as I've said before, I think Byron Moore getting reps at CB can be beneficial. He has decent man skills and good size to play the position, and he's probably the third best defensive back on the team. Tennessee needs to get the best talent on the field, and I would love to see Janacek run an interesting formation where he runs a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 where all three safeties are on the field in passing situations. I think that would work well. Having Moore and Randolph in two deep coverages on third and longs would be a great way to help the defense out with both players having good ability to read the quarterback on deep passing routes. That would help alleviate the corners, and also the pass rush having so much pressure on them, and you can keep things in front of you on those 3rd downs with McNeil coveingr the middle of the field, looking something like a hybrid/ultra fast Cover 2.
10. Eighteen days to go, and as Coach Jones said, this is the most important part of camp where players will set themselves apart and where systems get implemented. It's very important for the offense to find a good tempo and get in the right sets, and for the defense to understand their assignment and coverage on plays. I'm getting excited and it's going to be fun year to watch the Vols.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
