Vols Question Marks

#1
M

McCoy 5 LB

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#1
Ok this is starting to get me a little nervous. We are going into the season and im still seeing articles of Ainge and his major inconsist QB play. Im gonna be mad if we have another sorry offense and a championship defense busting their buts getting the ball back to the OFFENSE and them choke. If Ainge plays like last year we are 6 - 5 at best...not only is the QB situation making me nervous, the OL couldn't block my Granny from getting to Ainge. The WR need to step up and stop dropping passes. I have no question for our DEFENSE Chavis is as reliable as it gets i know he'll have them ready to go..what question marks do yall see have before playing CAL sept.2....GO VOLS:rock:
 
#2
#2
I don't think there is any doubt that our OL versus the Cal DL is going to be a key matchup. Not to metion that effect that matchup will have on Ainge.
 
#3
#3
I'm with Freak. O-line, O-line, O-line.

I really hope the receivers step it up, as well. A few big plays might really give Ainge the confidence boost he needs.
 
#4
#4
kiddiedoc said:
I'm with Freak. O-line, O-line, O-line.

I really hope the receivers step it up, as well. A few big plays might really give Ainge the confidence boost he needs.
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Based on what I've seen, I think the receivers are going to be improved. Plus we have a lot of depth there.

I think we are set at WR, TB, FB, and TE with good talent and depth at them all.
 
#5
#5
Three words for you: three step drop. The coaches need to put Ainge in situations to deliver the ball quickly. Hopefully the plans for the slot back will allow him to do it.
 
#6
#6
I am not as worried about the QB situation as I am the O line. Our starting 5 can play. That is not where I am worried. It is the fact we only have 2 maybe 3 other guys that can play on a SEC level. This looks to be our weakness. Injury and conditioning are going to play a big role on the o line this year (but injury and conditioning always play a big role in all positions). As for the QBs, if we take Ainge out for Crompton, you might as well hand him his transfer papers cause that kid will be done here. We are not going to be outstanding at QB, but I think we will be effective. Who knows, we are talking about 19-21 year old kids here.
 
#7
#7
bigdaddy said:
I am not as worried about the QB situation as I am the O line. Our starting 5 can play. That is not where I am worried. It is the fact we only have 2 maybe 3 other guys that can play on a SEC level. This looks to be our weakness. Injury and conditioning are going to play a big role on the o line this year (but injury and conditioning always play a big role in all positions). As for the QBs, if we take Ainge out for Crompton, you might as well hand him his transfer papers cause that kid will be done here. We are not going to be outstanding at QB, but I think we will be effective. Who knows, we are talking about 19-21 year old kids here.
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Both positions are cause for grave concern. Ainge still has a loose wire, and the OL is simply inexperienced and lacks depth as a result. First and foremost UT needs to solve center QB exchange problems. Then it is up to the coaches to call plays to keep the defense off balance, and allow the QBs to pass the ball quickly. If UT wins this year the offensive scheme will play a much bigger role than in previous years.
 
#8
#8
Lexvol said:
Both positions are cause for grave concern. Ainge still has a loose wire, and the OL is simply inexperienced and lacks depth as a result. First and foremost UT needs to solve center QB exchange problems. Then it is up to the coaches to call plays to keep the defense off balance, and allow the QBs to pass the ball quickly.
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I agree with the quick release but I think that the center problem is solved with Frogg. Yes, they lack full game experience but I think the first 6 can play and will be solid, not outstanding. The last scrimmage with all the sacks and mistakes were from the second and third teamers. The lack of depth is worrysome but only time and experience will make them better. I am looking foward (call me crazy) to seeing Ainge in the game. We will know pretty soon how his head is this year. I hope it is on tight.
 
#9
#9
I hope you are correct about the center exchange problems.

From what I am hearing from credible sources, Ainge is still not putting in the time required to QB a Tennessee team. The talent is there. His arm strength is the real deal, but he needs to get his rear in gear. Look for Cal to keep that all american tackle right over center all day long to disrupt the snap.
 
#10
#10
Lexvol said:
I hope you are correct about the center exchange problems.

From what I am hearing from credible sources, Ainge is still not putting in the time required to QB a Tennessee team. The talent is there. His arm strength is the real deal, but he needs to get his rear in gear. Look for Cal to keep that all american tackle right over center all day long to disrupt the snap.
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Lex, I don't doubt your sources. I just am not worried about it cause if Ainge can't get it done then we have a decent backup this year (or so it looks from practice). Our o line will be tested early and often but they get some pretty good practice against our DT that aren't too shabby. If they can keep the penalties to a minimum we will be OK. Not great but OK which is a hell of a lot better than last season.
 
#11
#11
i think EA will loose his job in this game. i think JC, even though he hasn't played in a game yet; will be a one to reckon with. i expect big things out of him. i hope i am wrong; but i dont think EA's heart is into it.
 
#12
#12
I am excited about seeing Ainge myself. I am wondering how he will respond if Cals DLine puts him on the run early. I think our OLine will start taking control in the second half but I wonder if Ainge will still be the QB by then.

Foster, Coker, and Hardesty needs to run their butts off early.
 
#13
#13
Lexvol said:
Three words for you: three step drop. The coaches need to put Ainge in situations to deliver the ball quickly. Hopefully the plans for the slot back will allow him to do it.
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agree 100%...the voice of reason speaks
 
#14
#14
:crossfingers: yea I don't see EA making it through this game. i see JC taking over the helm pretty soon. lots of people talk about he has know game experiance but if i remember correctly there was a sertain Manning that came in in the middle of the season and and he was not too shabby. i'm sorry but i just don't have the confidence in EA anymore and we connot settle for a mediocre? qb this year. we half to have someone that can make good decisions in the pocket under pressure with our ? at oL and EA has not shown that.
 
#15
#15
Lexvol said:
I hope you are correct about the center exchange problems.

From what I am hearing from credible sources, Ainge is still not putting in the time required to QB a Tennessee team. The talent is there. His arm strength is the real deal, but he needs to get his rear in gear. Look for Cal to keep that all american tackle right over center all day long to disrupt the snap.
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Credible first hand sources or 2nd, 3rd,...?

Also, what do they say about the other QB's? Is Crompton better? Who is the best at film study/game prep?
 
#16
#16
BTW, some guys do it different and some just require less. I made a habit of reading my assignments and notes twice while in college over the course of the class days. I never reviewed for a test more than 2 hours the night before (including finals). Friends would spend hours the night before and never broke the code for why I always did better than they did.

Maybe Ainge just doesn't need to do the hours in the film room like Leak for things to make sense... doubt it, but maybe.
 
#17
#17
Everyone is focused on the QB position but I think this game is going to be determined by the offensive line.

If UT can run the ball effectively they win, if not they lose IMO.

I think Ainge will play adequately. I'm expecting UT to come out and try to run the ball around 70% of them. Thats where the strength of the team is, the young RB's.

If UT struggles running the ball early, and has to resort to passing the ball the majority of the time the offense will struggle just like last year. Especially if they are forced to throw the ball deep most of the time. UT has to be able to establish a running game.
 
#18
#18
i say give up the thinking that jonathan crompton takes over in the first game of the year. nothing short of ainge throwing multiple interceptions and being completely ineffective in the first half would have fulmer ready for another QB controversy
 
#19
#19
oklavol said:
Everyone is focused on the QB position but I think this game is going to be determined by the offensive line.

If UT can run the ball effectively they win, if not they lose IMO.

I think Ainge will play adequately. I'm expecting UT to come out and try to run the ball around 70% of them. Thats where the strength of the team is, the young RB's.

If UT struggles running the ball early, and has to resort to passing the ball the majority of the time the offense will struggle just like last year. Especially if they are forced to throw the ball deep most of the time. UT has to be able to establish a running game.
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I can see UT running the ball great and still losing or having problems. If Cal only needs to use their front 4 to get pressure, the passing game is in a lot of trouble. We need Cal to really commit 7-8 for them to get any pressure. Give Meachem/Swain/Smith/Hancock on either of their new starting safeties or their rFr CB Thompson, and Cal might have a long day.

The problem is, Cal's front 4 is talented enough that they COULD conceivably just rush those 4 and get some pressure. Honestly, thats more of a worry for me on the OL than the run blocking. I think we'll always be at worst SOLID in run blocking.
 
#20
#20
Seems like that would be playing directly into the hands of a team whose weakest spot on D is the secondary.

Some Cal fans I've run across believe they'll be able to go m2m the whole game against UT's receivers freeing up 8 or 9 to defend the run.

There will have to be balance IMO and UT may have to set up the run with the pass.

I'm looking for hitches, flares, screens, and the like to start with the run mixed in. Wouldn't be surprised if UT tries to throw deep to loosen Cal up early on.

A comment that Cut made a long time ago has stuck with me. He said that he'd learned some things in the brief time he was associated with Weis. I think we'll all be pretty happy if he brings in elements from ND's offense.
 
#21
#21
sjt18 said:
Some Cal fans I've run across believe they'll be able to go m2m the whole game against UT's receivers freeing up 8 or 9 to defend the run.
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Almost everyone did that last year with success. This is a real problem. UT's only strategy for this is throw the ball deep against man to man defense. That didn't work very good last.

That will basically shut down the running game. I hope Cutcliffe will come up with some strategy for this. I think 4 wr's was talked about to at least give UT an opportunity to run the ball against 7 men instead of 8.

The bottom line is UT's passing game doesn't get a lot of respect from defenses right now.
 
#22
#22
sjt18 said:
Seems like that would be playing directly into the hands of a team whose weakest spot on D is the secondary.

Some Cal fans I've run across believe they'll be able to go m2m the whole game against UT's receivers freeing up 8 or 9 to defend the run.

There will have to be balance IMO and UT may have to set up the run with the pass.

I'm looking for hitches, flares, screens, and the like to start with the run mixed in. Wouldn't be surprised if UT tries to throw deep to loosen Cal up early on.

A comment that Cut made a long time ago has stuck with me. He said that he'd learned some things in the brief time he was associated with Weis. I think we'll all be pretty happy if he brings in elements from ND's offense.
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I truly think UT will benefit from man to man against the Cal secondary. Sure Hughes is good, but now, they have 3 guys back there that will be at extreme disadvantages. Play action will play a huge role in freezing the LBs who may have been set to go into coverage. Freeze the coverage LBs and there is NO WAY that Thompson, Peele, or Larkins can cover that the entire game.

However, if Cal's big front 4 get constant pressure without help from the LB, our passing game is going to be questionable. It all falls on our OL. Make Cal commit 1 or 2 LB to creating pressure, and if our FB/TE/RB can pick up their guy on blitzes more often than last season, we MAY (BIG IF) win by 2 TDs. HUGE IF!
 
#24
#24
sjt18 said:
That's correct... it still comes down to Ainge, huh?
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Chicken or the egg? If the OL gives him time, then yes, it comes down to him. If the OL can't, then its not really his fault.

I know this sounds weird, but I kind of wish Ainge had gotten drilled in the last scrimmage so he could deal with his anxiety. If our OL plays like they did in 2004, we should be able to pull this one out.
 
#25
#25
oklavol said:
Almost everyone did that last year with success. This is a real problem. UT's only strategy for this is throw the ball deep against man to man defense. That didn't work very good last.

That will basically shut down the running game. I hope Cutcliffe will come up with some strategy for this. I think 4 wr's was talked about to at least give UT an opportunity to run the ball against 7 men instead of 8.

The bottom line is UT's passing game doesn't get a lot of respect from defenses right now.
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No it doesn't; i agree 100% with you. I think Cut will probably run some screen plays as well as some play action plays to throw off the Cal D.
 
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