Tennessee Football: Strengths, Weaknesses and Secret Weapons

#4
#4
Not much new in this report but it was nice to see it all in one article. We all know that lot's of freshmen will play this year, I just hope they grow up fast.
 
#5
#5
I didn't realize that Bleacher Report actually had columnists who were capable of writing an article. Barrett Sallee regularly contributes to CollegeFootballNews.com as an SEC correspondent. Good read OP.
 
#6
#6
As has been noted in a couple different threads, this article makes clear that a freshman, either TKJr or McDowell, will be Randolph's running mate at safety, not McNeill. Also, who would be overly surprised to see Bates at the other OLB opposite Maggitt on August 31? Not me.
 
#7
#7
KBVol said:
As has been noted in a couple different threads, this article makes clear that a freshman, either TKJr or McDowell, will be Randolph's running mate at safety, not McNeill. Also, who would be overly surprised to see Bates at the other OLB opposite Maggitt on August 31? Not me.
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I agree with you I believe it will be TKjr at the other safety spot unless McNeil just balls out of his mind this August. I think Bates will get most of his experience this year in pass coverage. I just don't see him beating out JRM.
 
#8
#8
GBOVOLS said:
I agree with you I believe it will be TKjr at the other safety spot unless McNeil just balls out of his mind this August. I think Bates will get most of his experience this year in pass coverage. I just don't see him beating out JRM.
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I love JRM but he's new to the position. Bates is faster, bigger and more than likely more polished at the position. Either way I like that we're gonna have some talented depth at that spot regardless of who starts.
 
#9
#9
KBVol said:
I love JRM but he's new to the position. Bates is faster, bigger and more than likely more polished at the position. Either way I like that we're gonna have some talented depth at that spot regardless of who starts.
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To be fair we aren't sure how well Bates moves at his new weight. I believe JRM will have a better handle on the D. Based off the Roster they aren't that much different is size. He is going to have a heck of a time beating out JRM. JRM make plays man and that's something we need.
 
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#10
#10
GBOVOLS said:
To be fair we aren't sure how well Bates moves at his new weight. I believe JRM will have a better handle on the D. Based off the Roster they aren't that much different is size. He is going to have a heck of a time beating out JRM. JRM make plays man and that's something we need.
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Bates at 6'3 216 is the same size he was as a HS senior. JRM made plays on special teams last year and was great! Making plays at a new position he's not yet comfortable/experienced in is another thing. I heard he was up and down throughout the Spring and it was JRM that Worley ran away from in the O&W game. Not bashing JRM, love the kid and think he's gonna make great contributions no matter where and how much he plays. But Bates is a special, more athletic player who's been raised to play LB. Again, no matter who starts, I'm guessing they'll both play a lot and do really good things. Future is bright at LB with them both.
 
#11
#11
KBVol said:
Bates at 6'3 216 is the same size he was as a HS senior. JRM made plays on special teams last year and was great! Making plays at a new position he's not yet comfortable/experienced in is another thing. I heard he was up and down throughout the Spring and it was JRM that Worley ran away from in the O&W game. Not bashing JRM, love the kid and think he's gonna make great contributions no matter where and how much he plays. But Bates is a special, more athletic player who's been raised to play LB. Again, no matter who starts, I'm guessing they'll both play a lot and do really good things. Future is bright at LB with them both.
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Agree. I'm just saying I wouldn't be so quick to throw him in the fire. We all here on volnation are way to quick to crown freshman as starters. While he only made plays on special teams at least those plays where made on a college level. Bates maybe special and I love the potential he can bring I would prefer to go with a player who is use to the speed of the game and has been in the weight room.

Bates needs time to become physically ready or he will wear down half-way through the season.

Also as much as we are in the nickle they will probably be on the field at the same time a lot
 
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#12
#12
KBVol said:
As has been noted in a couple different threads, this article makes clear that a freshman, either TKJr or McDowell, will be Randolph's running mate at safety, not McNeill. Also, who would be overly surprised to see Bates at the other OLB opposite Maggitt on August 31? Not me.
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You think he will start over Chris Weatherd (assuming he makes it in)?
 
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#13
#13
FBtime said:
You think he will start over Chris Weatherd (assuming he makes it in)?
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Yeah this was my next question and apparently by Chris twitter talk he will make it in. But this guy at OLB would be he huge he's big, fast, and can rush the QB.
 
#14
#14
The critique on McNeil got me thinking, is it me or do we have a plethora of 4* talent that's been very underwhelming since arriving on campus?

O'Brien
Croom
McNeil
Bowles
Jenkins
Carr - gone
Lane
 
#15
#15
fade route said:
The critique on McNeil got me thinking, is it me or do we have a plethora of 4* talent that's been very underwhelming since arriving on campus?

O'Brien
Croom
McNeil
Bowles
Jenkins
Carr - gone
Lane
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Well these guys are just starting to receive development. You have guys like Croom,O'Brien, and Lane who should be much improved this season. McNeil doesn't fit this scheme well at all. This is year two and this is the first time that most of these guy have had the same position coaches in consecutive years
 
#16
#16
FBtime said:
You think he will start over Chris Weatherd (assuming he makes it in)?
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Who knows. I've heard, statistically speaking, that JUCO players who do not early enroll, take on average until game 6 or 7 their first year before they make significant contributions. It's a statistic that Coach Jones and staff believe and will plan around according to Doug Matthews. If that's all true I'd say yes, that Bates will play ahead of him. Guess we'll see.

I'm just hoping with fingers crossed that Chris makes it in next month. AJ, Maggitt, JRM, Bates, Bryant and hopefully Weatherd makes a pretty nice rotation IMO.
 
#17
#17
KBVol said:
Who knows. I've heard, statistically speaking, that JUCO players who do not early enroll, take on average until game 6 or 7 their first year before they make significant contributions. It's a statistic that Coach Jones and staff believe and will plan around according to Doug Matthews. If that's all true I'd say yes, that Bates will play ahead of him. Guess we'll see.

I'm just hoping with fingers crossed that Chris makes it in next month. AJ, Maggitt, JRM, Bates, Bryant and hopefully Weatherd makes a pretty nice rotation IMO.
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If that is indeed the case then Tennessee is going to be hurting at LT this year.
 
#19
#19
KBVol said:
Bates at 6'3 216 is the same size he was as a HS senior. JRM made plays on special teams last year and was great! Making plays at a new position he's not yet comfortable/experienced in is another thing. I heard he was up and down throughout the Spring and it was JRM that Worley ran away from in the O&W game. Not bashing JRM, love the kid and think he's gonna make great contributions no matter where and how much he plays. But Bates is a special, more athletic player who's been raised to play LB. Again, no matter who starts, I'm guessing they'll both play a lot and do really good things. Future is bright at LB with them both.
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You say JRM will have a tough time transitioning to LB, but Bates transition to CFB will be as smooth as ever?
 
#20
#20
Thanks for posting. Good article! Not for bringing any new info for those of us that follow the UT program closely, but it was a well researched article. Whoever wrote it doesn't simply read all the preseason mags and regurgitate the info like so many. Of course, JMO. TIFWIW
 
#21
#21
fade route said:
The critique on McNeil got me thinking, is it me or do we have a plethora of 4* talent that's been very underwhelming since arriving on campus?

O'Brien
Croom
McNeil
Bowles
Jenkins
Carr - gone
Lane
Click to expand...

Understand the sentiment but Lane has a 5.0 ypc avg for his career. He's had some injuries but his stats seem to be a lack of opportunity more than ability. I hope and believe that he will have a Hardesty like Sr season.
 
#22
#22
sjt18 said:
Understand the sentiment but Lane has a 5.0 ypc avg for his career. He's had some injuries but his stats seem to be a lack of opportunity more than ability. I hope and believe that he will have a Hardesty like Sr season.
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Even with all of their youth and inexperience this line is a lot more talented than the O-line Hardesty had blocking for him. Montario gained over 1000 yards with the Sullins brothers blocking for him at one point.
 
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#23
#23
#24
#24
Vol_is_Lyfe18 said:
You say JRM will have a tough time transitioning to LB, but Bates transition to CFB will be as smooth as ever?
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Didn't say that. I'm comparing JRM who's transitioning to a new, unfamiliar position to Bates who's been evaluated as one of the top 10 outside linebacker recruits in the country for 2014. I don't know how smooth the transition will be for Bates to college, but I along with many analysts and those who cover the team believe he's likely to make an impact very quickly. I'll also add that he's a better athlete than JRM.

That being said, as I've said before in this thread, I'm a big JRM fan and believe he's gonna make great contributions this year, building on his great special teams work last year as a freshman. If I see Bates as a better OLB prospect at this point, it doesn't mean I'm trying to bash JRM. I'm excited that they're both Vols and provide talent and depth at LB, regardless who starts.
 
#25
#25
sjt18 said:
Understand the sentiment but Lane has a 5.0 ypc avg for his career. He's had some injuries but his stats seem to be a lack of opportunity more than ability. I hope and believe that he will have a Hardesty like Sr season.
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That might be a bit misleading. If it is an opportunity issue then why has he lacked the opportunity? And could it be that his 5yds per carry average was in a secondary role against opponents backups on defense?
 
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