The Reason UT Can No Longer Sign Elite WRs

[titansvolsfaninga]

If I'm not mistaken didn't Josh Smith have a really big TD catch against GA

the ball may or may not have been intended for Smith. One thing for sure is that Josh made a great catch. It was behind him, and he had to turn around in mid air to catch the ball.

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

UT isn't WRU anymore. Just be honest with yourselves.

 

[junder13]

we are talking about offensive philosophy....and the productivity. They are playing against MAC competition. so it is apples and apples. Last I checked, Cincinnati didn't play in the SEC either.

CBJ's Cinci tenure did not include WRs with great stats, save for one. This thread is intended to be as much about philosophy as it is about a single season of WR stats. Outside of CMU in the MAC, there is little evidence that shows CBJ properly utilizes the WR position.

If you view that winning in football takes a great run game and a solid defense, and that that leaves little worry about the WR position (as some fans are now promoting), than CBJ's past inability to involve WRs in his offense is probably not of concern and getting elite HS WRs is not necessary. I myself, however, view a balanced offense as required for a stable, winning program.

 

[BruinVol]

Would you throw the ball all day when you have Hurd, Kamara, and Dobbs which is one of the top rushing attacks in the nation? Passing game is important and could be better but our rushing attack is elite and should be our go-to this year.

I think a better way to look at our stats is

RB rushing yards

And

QB yards rushing and passing combined

 

[Rishvol]

So what you're saying is CBJ's first two years we had a QB that for reasons out of his control he couldn't pass the ball and last year we had a QB for reasons he could/couldn't control he couldn't pass the ball. Am I reading this correctly?

 

[butchna]

I've seen this response from you to many of my posts. We appear to have different views, and that's fine. But it also appears that using any cognitive reasoning whatsoever is "overthinking" to you. Thus, we can just assume you view any future post from me as overthinking and we can save you the doltish response.

You're overthinking the "doltish" adjective.

 

[SECProudUT]

I really like to count all the plays to Tight ends, and passes to the Running backs coming out of the backfield, now those where some exciting plays. Stats of passing yards to WR's are just part of the attack plan with many variables. Take away from stats come from many reasons 1) pass interference. 2) dropped balls. 3) holding 4) blown route assignment 5) Just darn good defense. 6) Sacks. Instead of complaining and crying about a recruit that just don't want to be apart of your dream team, Wish him well. Get over it, no need to point fingers. VOLS are stacked and loaded with talent. The wins are coming. Then someone can go back to complaining about fans singing WOO in Rocky Top

 

[OrangeMound]

Here is a breakdown of the leading two WRs from all 13 games from last season. These stats are strictly showing the WR position, not TEs or RBs.

Bowling Green
Jauan Jennings 3 rec, 56 yards
Von Pearson 2 rec, 48 yards
10 rec, 171 yards, 17.1 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs

Oklahoma
Josh Smith 4 rec, 56 yards
Josh Malone 2 rec, 19 yards, 1 TD
11 rec, 115 yards, 10.5 avg yards per reception, 1 TD (Malone)

Western Carolina
Preston Williams 3 rec, 98 yards, 2 TDs
Josh Malone 4 rec, 33 yards
15 rec, 189 yards, 12.6 avg yards per reception, 2 TDs (Williams)

Florida
Josh Smith 1 rec, 6 yards
Jauan Jennings 1 rec, 1 yard
2 rec, 7 yards, 3.5 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs
*No third receiver made a reception

Arkansas
Josh Smith 2 rec, 34 yards
Von Pearson 3 rec, 30 yards
12 rec, 110 yards, 9.2 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs

Georgia
Josh Malone 5 rec, 60 yards, 1 TD
Preston Williams 2 rec, 41 yards
12 rec, 179 yards, 14.9 avg yards per reception, 1 TD (Malone)

Bama
Josh Malone 2 rec, 43 yards
Josh Smith 2 rec, 38 yards, 1 TD
8 rec, 122 yards, 15.3 avg yards per reception, 1 TD (Smith)

Kentucky
Josh Malone 4 rec, 103 yards, 1 TD (75 yard reception)
Von Pearson 5 rec, 37 yards
11 rec, 156 yards, 14.2 avg yards per reception, 1 TD (Malone)
*Only other receptions at WR: Jauan Jennings (1 for 11 yards) and Josh Smith (1 for 5 yards)
*If you remove the 75 bomb to Malone: 10 rec, 81 yards, 8.1 avg yards per reception

South Carolina
Von Pearson 8 rec, 121 yards, 1 TD
Josh Smith 3 rec, 42 yards
13 rec, 192 yards, 14.8 avg yards per reception, 1 TD (Pearson)

North Texas
Josh Malone 4 rec, 38 yards,
Josh Smith 2 rec, 28 yards
13 rec, 136 yards, 10.5 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs

Missouri
Josh Malone 2 rec, 35 yards
Von Pearson 7 rec, 28 yards
9 rec, 63 yards, 7 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs
*No third receiver made a reception

Vandy
Josh Smith 4 rec, 50 yards
Von Pearson 3 rec, 40 yards, 2 TDs
7 rec, 90 yards, 12.9 avg yards per reception, 2 TDs (Pearson)
*No third receiver made a reception

Northwestern
Von Pearson 2 rec, 32 yards
Josh Malone 2 rec, 17 yards
7 rec, 77 yards, 11 avg yards per reception, 0 TDs


UT had a WR with more than 100 yards receiving in a single game only twice.
Not in one game did UT have multiple WRs with receiving TDs.
For the season, UT had only 9 TD receptions by WRs.
That stat against UF is absolutely unacceptable. I wonder when was the last time UT only had 2 receptions at the WR position for an entire game.

Butch Jones' offense does not utilize the WR position. Once I looked up the stats from last season, I understood why Higgins chose Clemson. This may change once Dobbs graduates but it also may be more related to CBJ's scheme than people realize. I do not think Dobbs is as bad a passer as the offense makes him look. Time will tell. Hopefully our under utilization of our WRs (in addition to our over rotation) changes starting with this season.

Might want to recheck your stats. Josh Smith had a 39 yard TD pass against Georgia.

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

I think Dormady would improve our passing game immensely. Problem is I'm not sure Butch can adjust his offense to where QD could succeed. I know he said he could. Just not sure I buy it. I'd love to see our QBs lobbing fade routes to JM and PW 40 yards down field. It also opens up the running lanes.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I really do believe that much of our passing game issues is symptomatic of who our QB is. No disrespect to Dobbs, as I love him as a player and I do think he gives us the best chance to win. However I'm quite confident that our passing game will look a lot different once he graduates and either Dormady or Garantano step into the starting QB position.

 

[lovavol]

good post, but we got some players last year, coach A next to be replaced?

 

[junder13]

Why is the stat against UF unacceptable? Our whole problem against the Gators for the past decade is that we couldn't get the running game going and now you're mad that we didn't throw the ball around?

And like the poster above me said, we signed Marquez Callaway and Tyler Byrd last year.

On top of that we got Jeff George and Brandon Johnson who are both solid. I do applaud you for going to such lengths to find something to complain about though, it can't be easy.

And I applaud you for going to such great lengths as throwing out Jeff George and Brandon Johnson as a counter in order to complain about my complaining. It's ironic when ppl like you complain about and/or slam any form of negativity with negativity in return. You offer no facts, just opinion. At least I come to the table with facts. And I've already addressed why Callaway and Byrd are not considered "elite" WR recruits. It would be laughable to argue that George or Johnson are. I'll reiterate that this is in no way an indictment on what any of our WR signees potential might be on the field, however.

And, yes, having 2 receptions for 7 yards from all WRs in a single game (as we had against UF) is unacceptable. Keep in mind that 27% of our starters on offense are at the WR position (3 out of 11), an apparent decoy in a majority of our offense. I view such under utilization of key positions as unacceptable. Had we stretched the field against UF with a vertical passing game we may have had an outcome like Michigan did instead of a nailbiter. That game should have never went down to the wire (nor should the OU game).

Winning is great and the desired outcome, but it's how you win that can also come to define you as a coach. CBJ builds a lead and then tries his damned hardest to end the game as promptly as possible. Not everyone respects that effort.

 

[onevol74]

If I were a defensive coordinator I would stack the box and force Dobbs to throw downfield.

 

[MillerTime80]

PTSD. Just a case of Post Tee Sorrow Disorder. It'll pass.

You may pass, but be careful, we have no one around who will catch it...

 

[junder13]

You're overthinking the "doltish" adjective.

I knew the paid shill of the UT football program would swoop in to save a thread teetering on objective and subjective negativity. What took you so long, butchna? You must've been on a lunch break.

With Tee punking the coaching staff you will need to work overtime to remove the negative sentiment on VN. Get to work, furry buddy. :clapping:

 

[junder13]

Might want to recheck your stats. Josh Smith had a 39 yard TD pass against Georgia.

Recheck the first sentence in my post:
Here is a breakdown of the leading two WRs from all 13 games from last season. These stats are strictly showing the WR position, not TEs or RBs.

 

[junder13]

I think Dormady would improve our passing game immensely. Problem is I'm not sure Butch can adjust his offense to where QD could succeed. I know he said he could. Just not sure I buy it. I'd love to see our QBs lobbing fade routes to JM and PW 40 yards down field. It also opens up the running lanes.

Jones certainly did not mold the offense for Worley or Peterman. I'm glad to see Peterman succeed at Pitt and it further points to CBJ's inability to adjust his offensive philosophy while at UT. He also stated that he would adjust his approach based on personnel when he was hired here (in response to a question about how he would utilize Worley's abilities/strengths).

 

[junder13]

I like the the part vs UK, "If you remove" like you are personally trying to make things look worse.

I work with statistics all day, everyday. In the statistical world, a completed pass beyond 30 yards (i.e., not a catch and run) would be considered an anomaly during the 2015 season. It may have even been the only one to the WR position all year. I know it was the only completed pass beyond 50 yards to a WR. Thus, removing the 75 yarder and recalculating a second time is a reasonable thing to do. In some statistical fields, anything outside of the 95% range of inputs (2 standard deviations) is removed entirely. I only removed one stat in a secondary calculation, while keeping the true outcome for all to see -- hardly an agenda.

 

[junder13]

Ditto...like saying "if you take all those great runs away, Chuck Webb was a below average back".

That might be a good analogy if Webb only had one great run a season. Fail. :thud:

 

[Vol_til_I_die]

go look at Central Michigan...you've got to look at the QB's.

Yeah I did that too. But you'd be getting in to level of competition too. Cincinnati, although not that great, would've played better competition than CMU, I'd think. I didn't want to take the time to look that deep into it.

 

[BruinVol]

Jones certainly did not mold the offense for Worley or Peterman. I'm glad to see Peterman succeed at Pitt and it further points to CBJ's inability to adjust his offensive philosophy while at UT. He also stated that he would adjust his approach based on personnel when he was hired here (in response to a question about how he would utilize Worley's abilities/strengths).

Disagree on JW

He was playing very well before he got hurt his sr year.

We were throwing the ball downfield as well

 

[SECProudUT]

Jones certainly did not mold the offense for Worley or Peterman. I'm glad to see Peterman succeed at Pitt and it further points to CBJ's inability to adjust his offensive philosophy while at UT. He also stated that he would adjust his approach based on personnel when he was hired here (in response to a question about how he would utilize Worley's abilities/strengths).

Someone should go back and take a look at Peterman's performance against UF. I am glad he matured and did a better job facing lesser competition. You shouldn't put that off on CBJ. Worley had the stats you are looking for, he just couldn't avoid getting sacked.
Call me pot I call you kettle
With that logic there is no meeting in the middle.

 

[orangeluvr]

The run becomes easier to stop if there is no pass threat, and we are a run first team. Our "O" will have to be more balanced to win this year. Go deep.

 

[appvol]

Not much difference between the 2

 

[junder13]

rather than coaching to WIN. That is why it is unacceptable. In the 2nd half of that game, especially the 4th qtr, TN went ultra conservative. Same approach as the year before when FL was in Knoxville and UT lead 9-0 at the half but went on to lose. TN dominated the run game last year against FL but still lost. TN dominated the passing game in 2014 and WON the turnover battle but still found a way to lose to FL. The current drought against FL has everything to do with coaching and psyche more than rushing yds, passing yds, or turnover margins.

On the positive, I applaud Butch for bringing in Bob Shoop who is a better and more accomplished DC than John Jancek. That was an aggressive move by Butch that certainly entails risk

Agree 100%. The conservative mode was even worse in the OU game. We had 8 yards of total offense in the third quarter, despite three consective three-and-outs by OU's offense and a fourth possession where a pick was thrown on the fourth play. We started in good field position every possession in the third quarter, including a start from the 29 yard line, and still did not score a single point. I'll post in the football forum once I get all my analysis finished how CBJ coached with a lead in 2015. I bet it is more damning than fans would anticipate. I know it is from the OU game (I started my project with that game).

I also think hiring Shoop could be big for CBJ. I actually think it might become his saving grace until Shoop gets a head coaching gig somewhere. As a UT fan, I hope CBJ changes. I just don't see any evidence that he is capable of adapting. He doesn't even adapt his game plan during games. That's why his first half and second half outcomes are so different.

Consider the scoring of our six closest games last year (4 losses against OU, UF, Ark, Bama) and two conservatively played wins (USCe, Mizzu):
First Half: 91 UT - 37 opponent
+246%
Second half – 33 UT - 83 opponent
-252%

Make no mistake UT fans, a coach who cannot adapt will inevitably fail given a long enough time line. Adapting in sports is and always will be required for continued success, especially in a game as complex as football.