Vol position Grades

[IndyVOL26]

My Position Breakdown for the 2014 Vols

QB= C-
The fact that it took so long for Worley to step up and win the starting job doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable. I question if he even won the job or it was simply given to him by default. Had high expectations for Josh Dobbs but he seems to have taken a step back. As for Petermen see florida game last year.. If Worely can step up into the roll of a game manager and not make too many mistakes this grade could rise.

RB= B
Ive loved the running style of Marlin Lane since he stepped foot on campus. the problem with Lane seems to be durability and a lack of top end speed. Although i do believe after a great spring Marlin has a solid year and we will all be happy with his production.. I think Jalen Hurd has a chance to be one of the greats to carry the rock on rocky top ... look for Hurds play to push Marlin to the next level ...

WR= A
North....Pearson....Pig....Smith....Malone....Croo m... by far the deepest unit on this team. I look for the first 3 to have monster years and the next 3 to fill in and make plays when called upon to do so... This could be one of the Best/deepest WR cores i have seen in some time for the Vols... North will be a household name by the end of the year and no im not talking about Kanyes baby...

Oline= D
not much to say about this group considering they are literally the unknown.. the success or the failure of this football rests on the shoulders of this group of guys... Being inexperienced doesn't always mean bad just most of the time so heres to hoping these guys can buck the trend and step up...

TE= B
ya the top two TE on the field this year are likely to be Freshmen but these arent your average frosh... from all account Ethan Wolf is a straight baller ready to step in a be a big part of this offense right away... Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability.. look for him to be in the mold of a Jordan reed type of TE...It amazes me how much better off we are at this position from last year.

Offense= C+

CB= B
everyone is aware of the lock down Frosh All American Cam Sutton and the smart leader of the second airy Brain Randolph... but stepping at the other corner spot looks to be one of 2 new faces.. if Mosley or Williams can step up and play while opposite of Cam i think this unit has a chance to be very good... I think the coleman move from corner to nickel will help him and the team tremendously.. At the SS position look for freshmen Stud to creep up the depth chart and ultimately steal the starting spot from Mcneil or swafford...

LBs= C+
should be a solid group led by AA candidate AJ the beast Johnson... look for JRM to bring the fire from ST to the D this year. Bates and Weathered will compete for playing time and i foresee both being more than capable.. not much depth to speak.

Dline= C-
It was hard for me to grade this group considering i happen to think we have 3 of the best D ends we have had in some time... Maggit if healthy is capable of having an AA type of year but the question with maggit is always health... Vareen is a beast in the making! saw some flashes of greatness in this kid and i think he has a break out season...and look for frosh Derek Barnett to push both these guys for playing time. But when it comes to the Tackles its inexperience and zero depth ... and injury to this unit could be devastating to this defense... The overall success of this defense depends on the play of these guys..

Defense= C

 

[Nuctech777]

What were your pre-season grades of A&M and USCjr? How about you let them take the field before you hand out their grades hoss.

 

[Fingers]

.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

My Position Breakdown for the 2014 Vols

QB= C-
The fact that it took so long for Worley to step up and win the starting job doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable. I question if he even won the job or it was simply given to him by default. Had high expectations for Josh Dobbs but he seems to have taken a step back. As for Petermen see florida game last year.. If Worely can step up into the roll of a game manager and not make too many mistakes this grade could rise.

RB= B
Ive loved the running style of Marlin Lane since he stepped foot on campus. the problem with Lane seems to be durability and a lack of top end speed. Although i do believe after a great spring Marlin has a solid year and we will all be happy with his production.. I think Jalen Hurd has a chance to be one of the greats to carry the rock on rocky top ... look for Hurds play to push Marlin to the next level ...

WR= A
North....Pearson....Pig....Smith....Malone....Croo m... by far the deepest unit on this team. I look for the first 3 to have monster years and the next 3 to fill in and make plays when called upon to do so... This could be one of the Best/deepest WR cores i have seen in some time for the Vols... North will be a household name by the end of the year and no im not talking about Kanyes baby...

Oline= D
not much to say about this group considering they are literally the unknown.. the success or the failure of this football rests on the shoulders of this group of guys... Being inexperienced doesn't always mean bad just most of the time so heres to hoping these guys can buck the trend and step up...

TE= B
ya the top two TE on the field this year are likely to be Freshmen but these arent your average frosh... from all account Ethan Wolf is a straight baller ready to step in a be a big part of this offense right away... Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability.. look for him to be in the mold of a Jordan reed type of TE...It amazes me how much better off we are at this position from last year.

Offense= C+

CB= B
everyone is aware of the lock down Frosh All American Cam Sutton and the smart leader of the second airy Brain Randolph... but stepping at the other corner spot looks to be one of 2 new faces.. if Mosley or Williams can step up and play while opposite of Cam i think this unit has a chance to be very good... I think the coleman move from corner to nickel will help him and the team tremendously.. At the SS position look for freshmen Stud to creep up the depth chart and ultimately steal the starting spot from Mcneil or swafford...

LBs= C+
should be a solid group led by AA candidate AJ the beast Johnson... look for JRM to bring the fire from ST to the D this year. Bates and Weathered will compete for playing time and i foresee both being more than capable.. not much depth to speak.

Dline= C-
It was hard for me to grade this group considering i happen to think we have 3 of the best D ends we have had in some time... Maggit if healthy is capable of having an AA type of year but the question with maggit is always health... Vareen is a beast in the making! saw some flashes of greatness in this kid and i think he has a break out season...and look for frosh Derek Barnett to push both these guys for playing time. But when it comes to the Tackles its inexperience and zero depth ... and injury to this unit could be devastating to this defense... The overall success of this defense depends on the play of these guys..

Defense= C

Not trying to be a "Smart Burro" but what is a "straighten"...Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability. Strange word...Stranger Blog seeing that you have not seen them play!

 

[gunner]

My Position Breakdown for the 2014 Vols

QB= C-
The fact that it took so long for Worley to step up and win the starting job doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable. I question if he even won the job or it was simply given to him by default. Had high expectations for Josh Dobbs but he seems to have taken a step back. As for Petermen see florida game last year.. If Worely can step up into the roll of a game manager and not make too many mistakes this grade could rise.

RB= B
Ive loved the running style of Marlin Lane since he stepped foot on campus. the problem with Lane seems to be durability and a lack of top end speed. Although i do believe after a great spring Marlin has a solid year and we will all be happy with his production.. I think Jalen Hurd has a chance to be one of the greats to carry the rock on rocky top ... look for Hurds play to push Marlin to the next level ...

WR= A
North....Pearson....Pig....Smith....Malone....Croo m... by far the deepest unit on this team. I look for the first 3 to have monster years and the next 3 to fill in and make plays when called upon to do so... This could be one of the Best/deepest WR cores i have seen in some time for the Vols... North will be a household name by the end of the year and no im not talking about Kanyes baby...

Oline= D
not much to say about this group considering they are literally the unknown.. the success or the failure of this football rests on the shoulders of this group of guys... Being inexperienced doesn't always mean bad just most of the time so heres to hoping these guys can buck the trend and step up...

TE= B
ya the top two TE on the field this year are likely to be Freshmen but these arent your average frosh... from all account Ethan Wolf is a straight baller ready to step in a be a big part of this offense right away... Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability.. look for him to be in the mold of a Jordan reed type of TE...It amazes me how much better off we are at this position from last year.

Offense= C+

CB= B
everyone is aware of the lock down Frosh All American Cam Sutton and the smart leader of the second airy Brain Randolph... but stepping at the other corner spot looks to be one of 2 new faces.. if Mosley or Williams can step up and play while opposite of Cam i think this unit has a chance to be very good... I think the coleman move from corner to nickel will help him and the team tremendously.. At the SS position look for freshmen Stud to creep up the depth chart and ultimately steal the starting spot from Mcneil or swafford...

LBs= C+
should be a solid group led by AA candidate AJ the beast Johnson... look for JRM to bring the fire from ST to the D this year. Bates and Weathered will compete for playing time and i foresee both being more than capable.. not much depth to speak.

Dline= C-
It was hard for me to grade this group considering i happen to think we have 3 of the best D ends we have had in some time... Maggit if healthy is capable of having an AA type of year but the question with maggit is always health... Vareen is a beast in the making! saw some flashes of greatness in this kid and i think he has a break out season...and look for frosh Derek Barnett to push both these guys for playing time. But when it comes to the Tackles its inexperience and zero depth ... and injury to this unit could be devastating to this defense... The overall success of this defense depends on the play of these guys..

Defense= C

Not too bad but you lost me when you referred to the secondary as CB, what about the safeties???

 

[Biopsyman]

Ahhhh I will wait

 

[cbbowlingmd]

I'm not sure I would have put our LB's as low as a C+, but whatever.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

WR= A
North....Pearson....Pig....Smith....Malone....Croo m... by far the deepest unit on this team. I look for the first 3 to have monster years and the next 3 to fill in and make plays when called upon to do so... This could be one of the Best/deepest WR cores i have seen in some time for the Vols... North will be a household name by the end of the year and no im not talking about Kanyes baby...

Oline= D
not much to say about this group considering they are literally the unknown.. the success or the failure of this football rests on the shoulders of this group of guys... Being inexperienced doesn't always mean bad just most of the time so heres to hoping these guys can buck the trend and step up...

WRs were not very good last season outside of Pig and North, and North struggled much of the season with learning his route-running and blocking. Not sure how they deserve an A with the OL getting a D. You seem to be basing the WR rating on potential and the OL rating on experience, or lack of. If we grade both positions on experience then I would give the WRs a C+, maybe B-, at this point, because they haven't done anything as yet to prove they deserve an A. On the flip side if you are going to rate based on potential then I would say based on the talent starting on the OL, then they also have the potential to be graded as at least an A-, maybe an A. Matter of fact the only 2 positions I wouldn't give an A to based on potential would be the QBs and DTs.

 

[gunner]

The entire team is a C at best until they prove it on the field against good competition.

 

[ATLVols]

I don't think our OL will be as bad as rated. Most have been at UT for awhile. Just had to wait to play.

On QB, Worley has to be a little more than a game manager. If that means he doesn't throw the ball downfield much and plays safe, we will not have a good season. He has to stretch the field while protecting the ball.

 

[livefaith]

Not trying to be a "Smart Burro" but what is a "straighten"...Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability. Strange word...Stranger Blog seeing that you have not seen them play!

Burro. LOL. Good one.

Size and straighten is not what one might imagine. :-o

It's most likely " size and strength". Its the wonders of high tech text correction most likely on a mobile device. Relax.

Overall, his assessment seems to be a nice review of what most around here are witnessing.

I believe Worley jumps into the B range. Remember, the best SEC QBs have all moved on and JW by many eyewitness accounts has upped his game. By attrition and development, I believe he surprises this yr. We go bowling last yr had he not been injured.

DLine is the head scratcher for me. The conventional wisdom is we replace everyone, therefore we suck. But not so fast my friend.
We are upgrading at DE IMO. Maggitt will be a beast. Vereen has a FR->SO breakout yr. Barnett jumped straight into the starting front! The interior line gets a quickness / speed upgrade.
My projection there is a big improvement in schemes v the USUs and MOs of the world. The question is, what will the UGA, SC, and Banners do to us w power games? That and interior depth worries.

 

[livefaith]

The entire team is a C at best until they prove it on the field against good competition.

What fun is that. Were trying to occupy time and release nervous energy until Sunday night.

This is important stuff man! :wink:

 

[Power T-Rev]

How can you grade positions when they haven't even played a game yet? Haha

 

[Hayezb]

It's pointless in giving out position grades right now. Wait till after Utah State game.

Side note... why do people have to quote an OP that is ridiculously long? We know where your response is directed at.

 

[bigdaddy]

And Helm isnt even the #2 TE

 

[jayski]

Agree with OL being better than expected. This is not an all freshman line. There are players on the line that started games and played last year behind what was touted as the best OL in college football. There will be some growing pains but they will be up to the task. QB/WR maybe different story. I'm not sure if Worley has the skills to keep this massive receiving corps engaged which could lead to lack luster route running and poor attention to detail. We have all seen what happens when star receivers don't get the ball (TO, Keyshawn, ect...)

 

[Nuctech777]

It's pointless in giving out position grades right now. Wait till after Utah State game.

Side note... why do people have to quote an OP that is ridiculously long? We know where your response is directed at.

This. A simple "OP" would suffice

 

[armchair]

It's a good thread--better than most of the dopey off-season/pre-season ones I see. Why not evaluate the units? We could potentially have a good offense. A talented corp of WRs, but can Worley spread the ball around and be accurate, and can the offensive line play decently? Coupla big questions. On defense, hard to say how it will do. Some positives but lack of depth at DT and LB could hurt. I can see us having D issues again. A lot depends on JRM--will he be a player or over his head this first year. We need him to be good.

 

[governmentmule]

a good write up,but i can't hold 2 quarters of ball against Petermen,your right about both D Line and the O Line

they are young and it will be hard to tell what they will do till later in the year,one thing is for sure,they will be totally different from last years group,now lets hope it is for the better

 

[YorkVol]

My Position Breakdown for the 2014 Vols

QB= C-
The fact that it took so long for Worley to step up and win the starting job doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable. I question if he even won the job or it was simply given to him by default. Had high expectations for Josh Dobbs but he seems to have taken a step back. As for Petermen see florida game last year.. If Worely can step up into the roll of a game manager and not make too many mistakes this grade could rise.

RB= B
Ive loved the running style of Marlin Lane since he stepped foot on campus. the problem with Lane seems to be durability and a lack of top end speed. Although i do believe after a great spring Marlin has a solid year and we will all be happy with his production.. I think Jalen Hurd has a chance to be one of the greats to carry the rock on rocky top ... look for Hurds play to push Marlin to the next level ...

WR= A
North....Pearson....Pig....Smith....Malone....Croo m... by far the deepest unit on this team. I look for the first 3 to have monster years and the next 3 to fill in and make plays when called upon to do so... This could be one of the Best/deepest WR cores i have seen in some time for the Vols... North will be a household name by the end of the year and no im not talking about Kanyes baby...

Oline= D
not much to say about this group considering they are literally the unknown.. the success or the failure of this football rests on the shoulders of this group of guys... Being inexperienced doesn't always mean bad just most of the time so heres to hoping these guys can buck the trend and step up...

TE= B
ya the top two TE on the field this year are likely to be Freshmen but these arent your average frosh... from all account Ethan Wolf is a straight baller ready to step in a be a big part of this offense right away... Helm doesn't have the same size and straighten as Wolf but he more than makes up for that with his pass catching ability.. look for him to be in the mold of a Jordan reed type of TE...It amazes me how much better off we are at this position from last year.

Offense= C+

CB= B
everyone is aware of the lock down Frosh All American Cam Sutton and the smart leader of the second airy Brain Randolph... but stepping at the other corner spot looks to be one of 2 new faces.. if Mosley or Williams can step up and play while opposite of Cam i think this unit has a chance to be very good... I think the coleman move from corner to nickel will help him and the team tremendously.. At the SS position look for freshmen Stud to creep up the depth chart and ultimately steal the starting spot from Mcneil or swafford...

LBs= C+
should be a solid group led by AA candidate AJ the beast Johnson... look for JRM to bring the fire from ST to the D this year. Bates and Weathered will compete for playing time and i foresee both being more than capable.. not much depth to speak.

Dline= C-
It was hard for me to grade this group considering i happen to think we have 3 of the best D ends we have had in some time... Maggit if healthy is capable of having an AA type of year but the question with maggit is always health... Vareen is a beast in the making! saw some flashes of greatness in this kid and i think he has a break out season...and look for frosh Derek Barnett to push both these guys for playing time. But when it comes to the Tackles its inexperience and zero depth ... and injury to this unit could be devastating to this defense... The overall success of this defense depends on the play of these guys..

Defense= C

So basically you are grading them by what you saw on the practice reports and media coverage? Ok, let's see how that goes over the season.

 

[sjt18]

With every intention of being a smart burro.... The only people who didn't have a pretty good idea since spring of who the #1 QB was going to be were those in denial... usually because of a bias against Worley. He consistently took the starter's reps with the #1 O. Was it a real competition? Of course... just not one that ever became all that close. The closest it was at any point is when Ferguson began to get what would be considered the back up's reps with the 1's in spring.

By the logic you just presented, WR should be a C- since the starters didn't emerge until this week.... same with several others.

 

[Stevorino]

I'll play the prediction game -

QB - B

Worley is going to be much much better this year, especially now that he has WRs to throw to. Let's not forget how awful that WR group was last year. He had a quick hitting, fast release offense in HS and will be able to perform without a sexy line. His INT numbers will keep him from really being a top-tier SEC QB this year.

RB - B+

Lane has apparently transformed in the offseason with his work ethic. Hurd is a beast. Only reason this isn't an A is because of the O-Line.

WR - A

Would be an A+ with an even better QB.

O-Line - C+

This group is going to be a little bit better than anticipated. I like that we have some veterans on the group to help give a foundation for Jashon and Coleman Thomas to work in. While we aren't returning starters, we are returning a lot of guys who have been in the system and working hard behind an All-Pro line. While last year's line underperformed, there was some sick talent there - no shame in sitting behind draft picks.

Offense - B+

I think we're going to turn some heads this year. After watching South Carolina, I wouldn't be surprised if we had the 2nd best Offense in the East this year.


--------------------

CB - B+

Cam Sutton is one of the best corners in the league. I really like our group in a Nickel defense. The fact that Coleman is in a battle for his spot gets me excited as well. Lots of speed and second year in the system.


LBs - B

AJ is one of the best in the league. I'm a fan of Reeves-Maybin and I think Dillon Bates will be a star by the end of the year. I'm excited to see Weatherd contribute as well.

Safety - B

Randolph is underrated and one of the best safeties in the league. Swafford scares me a bit, but I like the battle for his spot. Todd Kelly will be starting mid-year. My guess is we start as a C+ unit and end it as a B+ with TKjr and Randolph.

Defensive Line - B-

I really like our ends. Maggitt will be one of the best in the league, the other spot with Vereen and mixing in some young sexy talent is nice. I like Jordan Williams a lot , but am worried about O'Brien/Mixon/ O. Williams in the other spot.

Defense - B

This Defense will keep us in games. We seem to have ONE great guy at each defensive position (except DT). My guess is that by the end of the year, we're going to feel loaded for 2015.

If Butch has changed the culture of this team and we can be mentally tough and gritty, I think the days of 30 point blowouts are over. I also think the second year in the system and increased speed will reduce the number of big busts that really killed our team spirit in recent years.

 

[KBVol]

Giving grades to a team and it's position groups you've never actually seen play. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[kentuckianavol]

QB- Worley is at the helm for his Senior season and while erratic at times he really came on a the end of the season especially through the South Carolina game. To be fair a lot of the really good plays he made were made by Marquez ability to catch anything thrown. With the amount of weapons at his disposal and experience hes had I look for there to be a big improvement.
Grade: B-


RB- Lane, Hurd, Scott, Young, Pickett, and Paulk give the Vols a much more formidable backfield. This running attack will be as good as the Vols have had since the Travis’ and Jamal show. Senior Marlin Lane will have a breakout year and Freshman Jalen Hurd will show flashes of what made him a 5star out of high school.
Grade: A


WR- North, Howard, Pearson, and etc because if I named them off it would fill out a paragraph. North will have a banner year that will garner 1st round draft pick status. Howard and Pearson will be the threat to turn a basic screen pass into a touchdown. This will by far be the best unit of this team period.
Grade: A+


TE- Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm for a TE duo that will create a mismatch heaven for Worley to throw to. A little bit of an unknown but highly touted out of high school.
Grade: B-


OL- Gilliam, Kerbyson, Robertson, Jackson, and Crowder avg at 6’3 302.8lbs make for a very inexperienced OL. The jury is still out for the men. If they play up to a B- Grade Tennessee’s season will be very satisfying.
Grade: C


CB- This is one group that I just feel like barring injuries will have no issues. Cam Sutton is the truth and whether its Moseley or Williams they will perform well and help keep the defense off the field.
Grade: A+


S- Randolph and Swafford will have many opportunities to make big plays with the CBs holding up their end I don’t expect a lot of big plays being made on Tennessee. Randolph has all the potential in the world to be a top draft pick.
Grade: A


LB- The Beast, JRM, and fill in the blank will get to the QB and apply pressure to any RB trying to get to the 2nd level I don’t see the LBs giving up too many opportunities for RBs to make it past the secondary.
Grade: A


DL- This Defensive line unit features a lot of unknowns. Will J. Williams be a force inside. Can O’Brien live up to his potential. Will Barnett explode on to the Scene. Last but not least can Vereen show consistency to stay on the field. If the above happens look out SEC.
Grade: B+


ST- A complete toss up I don’t even know where to start at.
Grade: C-

Best case scenario: 9-3 with the potential for 10-3
Worst case scenario: 6-6 with the potential for 7-6.
My guess is 9-3 and we beat Penn State in the Capital One bowl to end the season 10-3.

 

[tarvol73]

OL: Crowder and Kerbyson may have started a game or two last year, though both were right there with the starters. They are both RS Jrs, as is Jackson and he did start for a whole season before being redshirted. Robertson is a freak who, if starting for Bama, would be talked about as a possible 2,even 3 time AA. Gilliam is a RS Sr who has played. Who knows, Blair or Thomas may put it together and start.

All in all, this is a line with three, if not 4 very experienced guys who have stepped in and played the better part of a game. Then we have a potential Fr AA. Plus, they have been in the system now for nearly 2 yrs, except the Fr, and they are the type of athlete that Bajakian and CBJ want. They will be a B to a B+, IMO.