The Morning After - Sober Reflections Week 5

#26
#26
If Milton is subpar then if I were Nico I would be looking for a less critical fan base to serve. Even with Peyton here people were calling for Brandon Stewart to start.

The difference in this game and the Florida game was both lines of scrimmage. And that is the way it will be with all of our remaining conference games this year. But we will not face another conference team with a trash offensive line like Carolina’s. And our offensive line will struggle mightily with aTm’s and Bama’s defensive lines. But so far the best team in the East right now is Kentucky and we play them on the road. That could be three straight losses.
 
#27
#27
claimjumper steve said:
I don't believe Joe is subpar. He is at least above average. You got spoiled on Manning and Hooker. Joe is a Vol for Life and is getting better every week. His one Intercept was nothing but a good punt.
Click to expand...
He had two interceptions: one where he threw the ball over the middle and just simply did not see the safety at all (threw it directly to him), and one where we were about in the redzone and he lost a 50/50 shot. USCjr scored a TD after the first interception, but we were lucky to have them backed up against their own endzone for the second one.

Correct if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure their pass defense was bottom of the barrel coming into the game. Simply put, if we are throwing interceptions against bad defenses, I fear for what will happen when we go up against the likes of Alabama and Georgia. Nevertheless, I trust CJH and JM3 to tidy up this passing offense up before then. Let's make the most of the bye week.

EDIT: I agree that Joe is above average at least, but I also agree that he is not nearly what he should be after the number of years he's been here. With his physical gifts and the amount of resources at his disposal, he should be performing better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KHVol and Jimmyandjoes
#31
#31
UTFranklinVol said:
My assessment of Milton was based on numbers, QBR specifically. He was, in fact the 10th best QB in the SEC in week 5. And if youre saying that was his "best game of the year" well then being #10 in the SEC as his high point would very much make him sub par.
Click to expand...
QBR is one of the least useful stats when assessing a QB… case in point this game. Joe had a great game aside from 2 nit’s… however those 2 int’s (which I’ll add did not lose the game for us because as it turns out we won), will drive a qbr down. Turnovers are gonna happen. The only thing I saw that I would have changed about how the offense played, is I would have called a timeout after the Bru injury when you could see they were still shaken from it (which is understandable) & get them settled back down.
 
#32
#32
Yesterday's game sort of felt like this is where this team is headed. Still have alot of upside to go and whether they reach it is still questionable but feel much better now than we did prior to South Carolina game. Up until yesterday's game, Milton has not the biggest problem in our offense this year. His accuracy can be a problem as everyone knows, but the combination of passing accuracy, poor OL pass protection, dropped balls and perhaps moreso than anything playcalling/gameplan hasn't been in sync.

Yesterday we had our best 5 on the OL, with Campbell, Lane, Mays, Spraggins and Mincey playing virtually every snap. It should stay that way. This team may be starting to find an offensive identity built on running the ball to set up the pass, vs the other way around and a more conservative passing offense. And by running the ball we need to test the perimeter more often or do a few more misdirection plays to slow the defense down. Milton when/if his knee feels better can use his legs a bit more too. We don't need to make Milton's arm win games for us. The short passing game and slants in particular we saw yesterday were not used much in the previous games. Saw very few of those WR screens yesterday which were seemingly 80% of our passing attempts in the games prior. When able, take the deep shots when the defense gives it to us. With Bru out, either Thornton, Nimrod or Webb need to step up and beat press coverage. Or use 2 TEs more often which may also support our rushing attack more. With the extra week they can look at others like Seldon or Dee Williams in some packages too. Or throw the ball more to our RB who right now are easily the best weapons we have on offense, so feature them. At least we have some options and 2 weeks to work in it prior to A&M.

I know South Carolina's offensive line sucks but our front 4 was dominate. They probably can hold their own against most teams. A&M has a good balanced offense but they still have alot to prove themselves and I wouldn't call them explosive. We make them beat us with Max Johnson's arm than I like our chances at home. Johnson is similar to Milton in that he got benched at two schools before he found himself an opportunity to due an injury. If UT can play with a lead, than A&M may abandon their rushing attack early which is exactly what we want them to do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MemphisVol77, orangebloodgmc, gnm53108 and 1 other person
#33
#33
UTFranklinVol said:
My first thought: Tennessee and Dark Mode looked good under the lights of Neyland as the Vols crush the head of the snake.

1.Tennessee looks way more stable with Cooper Mays back at cener
2. Three running backs are better than one. With a touchdown each the three headed monster was running loose.
3. The Squirrel White catch is a top play of the week. Using your foot as a third hand with a defenders arm in your face falling backwards, no problem.
4. The defense FINALLY scores sime points. I think they said it was the first defensive score since 2021! Six sacks on Rattler and there was no way they were putting 60 points on UT this year.

On second thought...

1. The Bru McCoy injury was devastating. He's obviously done for the year but has a year of eligibility left. Hopefully he recovers and we see him play next year.
2. We found a way to win with a sub par QB. Strong defense, a dominant running game and a clown catch by Squirrel White coupled with short easy throws. In spite of scoring 41 points Joe Milton still ranked #10 of 14 in QBR inthe SEC this week. The saving grace is Rattler was #12.
3. We need a strong finish to the first half of the season against TAMU because it looks like the second half could be brutal. The UK game all the sudden looks like a tough win which could mean multiple losses in the back half of the year.
Click to expand...


Vols offense only scored 27 points against one of the worst defenses in the country. Vols still have big issues on offense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmyandjoes
#34
#34
UTFranklinVol said:
Hahaha. This is the post of the day right here. Facts arent facts.
Click to expand...
We are what are numbers say we are and Joe's #'s are what they say they are. When we were the #1 offense last year, that's what it meant. Those #'s for Joe are objective metrics of his overall performance-but doesn't measure some intangibles, and can't. His QBR is bottom third in the SEC and that's a fact. However, were 4-1 with those #'s and everything still to play for. Joe will get his chance to bring up his #'s and we'll see if that is enough to get us where we want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 67Vol and Vol 67
#35
#35
DrTNT said:
QBR is one of the least useful stats when assessing a QB… case in point this game. Joe had a great game aside from 2 nit’s… however those 2 int’s (which I’ll add did not lose the game for us because as it turns out we won), will drive a qbr down. Turnovers are gonna happen. The only thing I saw that I would have changed about how the offense played, is I would have called a timeout after the Bru injury when you could see they were still shaken from it (which is understandable) & get them settled back down.
Click to expand...
QBR is a product of the individual position, not a metric to measure the entire team. That's W and L's
 
  • Like
Reactions: KHVol and volfan102455
#36
#36
UTFranklinVol said:
The UK game all the sudden looks like a tough win which could mean multiple losses in the back half of the year.
Click to expand...

Gonna sound like a POS, but if UK continues to give Davis that many carries and rely solely on him to win games like they did against UF, he won’t be the same player by the time we play them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MemphisVol77, KHVol, MagnoliaVol and 1 other person
#42
#42
We are 4-1 and Florida home cooking with horrible officiating gave them a win they didn't deserve IMHO. Go Vols! Somebody please take some action to fix the officiating. New projections: 4-1 plus TAMU win at home 5-1, loss at Bama real ugly 5-2, loss at Kentucky 5-3, Win at home vs UCONN 6-3,Win at Mizzoo 7-3, loss in close game here vs UGA 7-4, beat down at home with the commode-doors 7-5, either Liberty or Nissan Bowl 8-5 win over Duke. Enjoyed the game except for injuries. We can use the week off. Go Vols!
 
#43
#43
The only FACTS that matter in any football game is the final score and who won and who lost.

Regardless of what some think, we still control our own destiny for the season. Games are not won on paper based on whatever stats folks want to look at. If this is only about the stats, then let's just stop the season right now and crown the team that has the best stats as the National Champ, why play anymore games?

This team can beat any team that remains on the schedule. Those road games will not be easy, that is a given. A couple of the home games will be challenging.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrTNT and MagnoliaVol
#44
#44
volfan102455 said:
We are 4-1. We played our first most complete of the game this season for all 4 quarters on both sides of the ball.
Click to expand...
It was a good analysis. Overall team did really good and it was an exciting win. The OP acknowledged the all the good. But also pointed out the concerns. You can’t beat the best teams on the schedule without excellent quarterback play. And we’ve all seen enough out of Milton now to kind of know what the ceiling is with him. Last night was a textbook Milton performance.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top