What We'd Like To See: 2nd half areas for improvement

[NighthawkVol]

Now that we're entering the 2nd half of the season (undefeated!), we have a pretty good idea of what this team is good at and where it needs to get better. I'd like to hear y'all's takes on what areas you'd most like to see growth in during the back half of the schedule. As good as we are right now, if we accomplish growth in the areas below, we'll be tough for anyone to beat.

Mine are:

1) The back 7/pass defense: This one seems obvious. But some have said we are what we are back there. I'm not so sure. I think we can improve. Hadden, Charles, Williams, and others have the speed and athleticism. They're just not always where they need to be and came into the year inexperienced. I've already seen improvement from Charles. Turnage looked pretty good when he played Saturday. Hadden started strong, but has tailed off. Maybe a couple of weeks to get fully healthy will help him. Also, LBs are part of the problem...while Banks has really improved in pass coverage, Beasley looks lost when he has to cover...he needs to get the mental side of coverage down. I think a huge part of the back 7's problem isn't lack of athleticism, but understanding and experience. That tells me they can improve. But here's the encouraging part: they played pretty well against LSU. LSU just lit up Florida for 45. And a few of the guys who played well against LSU simply weren't available against Bama (Hadden and McCollough) or got hurt during the game against Bama (Charles, Rucker). By the Kentucky game, think all of those guys will be back.

2) Continued development from Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson: Jabari Small has been everything we could ask for in his role, so I'm not criticizing him. But while Small is a fireplug and short yardage banger, Wright and Sampson have the ability to serve other roles. Sampson can be a game-breaker and Wright can be a more all-around RB, with the strength/vision to get short, tough yards, but also the speed to hit big runs. The biggest thing with Wright is to fix the fumble issues and with Sampson is to understand pass protection. Both of those things are coachable, so they are things that can improve. It's a mater of how quickly they improve. If those things happen, we could have a great 3-headed monster in the 2nd half of these season.

3) TE development, especially from Warren: Jacob Warren has the size, athleticism, and catch radius to be a weapon on offense. I'm not sure why he hasn't become that. I'm hoping the light comes on. If he becomes a major player in this offense, look out. Fant seems to be slowly putting it together.

4) Tillman's healthy return and easy re-integration: This one should probably rank higher, but I'm taking it more for granted than some items above. We need Tillman to return to form quickly, but Hooker to continue to be comfortable spreading it around without forcing it to #4.

5) Continued improvement by the pass rush. This one is nit-picky. But hey, we're undefeated, so there's not a lot to pick on. The DLine has improved tremendously this year. Run defense has been elite. Pass rush has been much better. But it can still improve, especially while just rushing 4. I wanna see Baron, Young, Harrison, and Josephs turn it up to one more level.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Better coverage in the secondary but at this point in the season with how thin and beat up the secondary is what you see is definitely what you get. I hope it's better in 2023.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Better coverage in the secondary but at this point in the season with how thin and beat up the secondary is what you see is definitely what you get. I hope it's better in 2023.

The only one we’ve lost who we don’t expect to get back is Burrell.

 

[Volfanstucknga]

Although our secondary has miles of improvement ahead, I thought they played a "B" game Saturday. There wasn't a lot of yards after catch. Often times Bryce's passes were complete because of impeccable ball placement. Coverage was there, but the throw was almost Heisman like...

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Good list.

The most encouraging thing to me is how much we've improved as the season has gone on. We've had some good luck to get to 6-0 (just like we had a lot of bad luck last year to get to 7-6); but that team that barely got by Pitt in OT is not the same team that beat Bama last week. I think we crush Pitt now.

The improvement in pass defense against LSU was very encouraging, but we fell apart last week against Bryce Young. But as you said, we were missing 4 DBs at one point. Hopefully we can get everyone back, but it's clear we have virtually no depth at DB (the opposite situation as WR).

 

[hUTch2002]

Now that we're entering the 2nd half of the season (undefeated!), we have a pretty good idea of what this team is good at and where it needs to get better. I'd like to hear y'all's takes on what areas you'd most like to see growth in during the back half of the schedule. As good as we are right now, if we accomplish growth in the areas below, we'll be tough for anyone to beat.

Mine are:

1) The back 7/pass defense: This one seems obvious. But some have said we are what we are back there. I'm not so sure. I think we can improve. Hadden, Charles, Williams, and others have the speed and athleticism. They're just not always where they need to be and came into the year inexperienced. I've already seen improvement from Charles. Turnage looked pretty good when he played Saturday. Hadden started strong, but has tailed off. Maybe a couple of weeks to get fully healthy will help him. Also, LBs are part of the problem...while Banks has really improved in pass coverage, Beasley looks lost when he has to cover...he needs to get the mental side of coverage down. I think a huge part of the back 7's problem isn't lack of athleticism, but understanding and experience. That tells me they can improve. But here's the encouraging part: they played pretty well against LSU. LSU just lit up Florida for 45. And a few of the guys who played well against LSU simply weren't available against Bama (Hadden and McCollough) or got hurt during the game against Bama (Charles, Rucker). By the Kentucky game, think all of those guys will be back.

2) Continued development from Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson: Jabari Small has been everything we could ask for in his role, so I'm not criticizing him. But while Small is a fireplug and short yardage banger, Wright and Sampson have the ability to serve other roles. Sampson can be a game-breaker and Wright can be a more all-around RB, with the strength/vision to get short, tough yards, but also the speed to hit big runs. The biggest thing with Wright is to fix the fumble issues and with Sampson is to understand pass protection. Both of those things are coachable, so they are things that can improve. It's a mater of how quickly they improve. If those things happen, we could have a great 3-headed monster in the 2nd half of these season.

3) TE development, especially from Warren: Jacob Warren has the size, athleticism, and catch radius to be a weapon on offense. I'm not sure why he hasn't become that. I'm hoping the light comes on. If he becomes a major player in this offense, look out. Fant seems to be slowly putting it together.

4) Tillman's healthy return and easy re-integration: This one should probably rank higher, but I'm taking it more for granted than some items above. We need Tillman to return to form quickly, but Hooker to continue to be comfortable spreading it around without forcing it to #4.

5) Continued improvement by the pass rush. This one is nit-picky. But hey, we're undefeated, so there's not a lot to pick on. The DLine has improved tremendously this year. Run defense has been elite. Pass rush has been much better. But it can still improve, especially while just rushing 4. I wanna see Baron, Young, Harrison, and Josephs turn it up to one more level.

I’d like to see better coaching and player development, plus our offense is downright pathetic. If we don’t get it together on that side of the ball we probably won’t beat UT-Martin.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

1. When games are in control, let Joe Milton get mop up duty.

2. Running backs take over the game.

3. Force turnovers.

 

[malibuvol]

Although our secondary has miles of improvement ahead, I thought they played a "B" game Saturday. There wasn't a lot of yards after catch. Often times Bryce's passes were complete because of impeccable ball placement. Coverage was there, but the throw was almost Heisman like...

Well, except those plays where either the back or a WR camps out along the sidelines and gains first down after first down...On some plays our guys are totally, totally lost...Unbelievable...I mean there can be up to 5 receivers for any given play and we lose sight of them too easily, must account for these receivers, TE, or RB...

 

[peaygolf]

I wanna see Jackson at QB....................

 

[VOLfrombama]

I agree with all your points except #3. Warren and Fant are serviceable, but not anything special. I like Fant's ability to run with the ball, but he needs to run tougher and get more YAC imo. Warren looks like he is running in quicksand after the catch.

I think Heup uses them situationally on purpose, because he knows they aren't great, to catch the D off guard. Just keep using them when you need them and keep feeding Hyatt, Bru, Keyton, and Tillman (when he gets healthy) the lion's share of the passes.

I would like to see more CBs attacking the ball, batting down passes, and maybe a few more INTs.

 

[savannahfan]

Now that we're entering the 2nd half of the season (undefeated!), we have a pretty good idea of what this team is good at and where it needs to get better. I'd like to hear y'all's takes on what areas you'd most like to see growth in during the back half of the schedule. As good as we are right now, if we accomplish growth in the areas below, we'll be tough for anyone to beat.

Mine are:

1) The back 7/pass defense: This one seems obvious. But some have said we are what we are back there. I'm not so sure. I think we can improve. Hadden, Charles, Williams, and others have the speed and athleticism. They're just not always where they need to be and came into the year inexperienced. I've already seen improvement from Charles. Turnage looked pretty good when he played Saturday. Hadden started strong, but has tailed off. Maybe a couple of weeks to get fully healthy will help him. Also, LBs are part of the problem...while Banks has really improved in pass coverage, Beasley looks lost when he has to cover...he needs to get the mental side of coverage down. I think a huge part of the back 7's problem isn't lack of athleticism, but understanding and experience. That tells me they can improve. But here's the encouraging part: they played pretty well against LSU. LSU just lit up Florida for 45. And a few of the guys who played well against LSU simply weren't available against Bama (Hadden and McCollough) or got hurt during the game against Bama (Charles, Rucker). By the Kentucky game, think all of those guys will be back.

2) Continued development from Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson: Jabari Small has been everything we could ask for in his role, so I'm not criticizing him. But while Small is a fireplug and short yardage banger, Wright and Sampson have the ability to serve other roles. Sampson can be a game-breaker and Wright can be a more all-around RB, with the strength/vision to get short, tough yards, but also the speed to hit big runs. The biggest thing with Wright is to fix the fumble issues and with Sampson is to understand pass protection. Both of those things are coachable, so they are things that can improve. It's a mater of how quickly they improve. If those things happen, we could have a great 3-headed monster in the 2nd half of these season.

3) TE development, especially from Warren: Jacob Warren has the size, athleticism, and catch radius to be a weapon on offense. I'm not sure why he hasn't become that. I'm hoping the light comes on. If he becomes a major player in this offense, look out. Fant seems to be slowly putting it together.

4) Tillman's healthy return and easy re-integration: This one should probably rank higher, but I'm taking it more for granted than some items above. We need Tillman to return to form quickly, but Hooker to continue to be comfortable spreading it around without forcing it to #4.

5) Continued improvement by the pass rush. This one is nit-picky. But hey, we're undefeated, so there's not a lot to pick on. The DLine has improved tremendously this year. Run defense has been elite. Pass rush has been much better. But it can still improve, especially while just rushing 4. I wanna see Baron, Young, Harrison, and Josephs turn it up to one more level.

Well appraised, your asssessment needs no improvement as I read it.

 

[utchs81]

As per your # 2, Wright did an admirable job holding on to the ball Saturday. There were a ton of hard attempts to loosen his grip and he kept it high and tight all game.

 

[Doberman]

As per your # 2, Wright did an admirable job holding on to the ball Saturday. There were a ton of hard attempts to loosen his grip and he kept it high and tight all game.

I think he had one or two come loose. One he was down by whistle I think, and another went out of bounds….I think.

I am nervous every time he carries the ball. There’s an inevitable feeling of….he’s gonna drop it.

 

[VolGirl05]

I would just add improvement on kickoff/punt returns, if only to make this team even more lethal. Holiday was second-guessing himself after nearly every return on Saturday, and that’s not the frame of mind you want to be in.

But this is really nitpicking, which the 2022 undefeated Vols have confined me to.

 

[The Original Fade]

I’d like to see better coaching and player development, plus our offense is downright pathetic. If we don’t get it together on that side of the ball we probably won’t beat UT-Martin.

I suppose you’re still waiting on Hyatt to have a breakout game too?

 

[TMvol10]

Now that we're entering the 2nd half of the season (undefeated!), we have a pretty good idea of what this team is good at and where it needs to get better. I'd like to hear y'all's takes on what areas you'd most like to see growth in during the back half of the schedule. As good as we are right now, if we accomplish growth in the areas below, we'll be tough for anyone to beat.

Mine are:

1) The back 7/pass defense: This one seems obvious. But some have said we are what we are back there. I'm not so sure. I think we can improve. Hadden, Charles, Williams, and others have the speed and athleticism. They're just not always where they need to be and came into the year inexperienced. I've already seen improvement from Charles. Turnage looked pretty good when he played Saturday. Hadden started strong, but has tailed off. Maybe a couple of weeks to get fully healthy will help him. Also, LBs are part of the problem...while Banks has really improved in pass coverage, Beasley looks lost when he has to cover...he needs to get the mental side of coverage down. I think a huge part of the back 7's problem isn't lack of athleticism, but understanding and experience. That tells me they can improve. But here's the encouraging part: they played pretty well against LSU. LSU just lit up Florida for 45. And a few of the guys who played well against LSU simply weren't available against Bama (Hadden and McCollough) or got hurt during the game against Bama (Charles, Rucker). By the Kentucky game, think all of those guys will be back.

2) Continued development from Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson: Jabari Small has been everything we could ask for in his role, so I'm not criticizing him. But while Small is a fireplug and short yardage banger, Wright and Sampson have the ability to serve other roles. Sampson can be a game-breaker and Wright can be a more all-around RB, with the strength/vision to get short, tough yards, but also the speed to hit big runs. The biggest thing with Wright is to fix the fumble issues and with Sampson is to understand pass protection. Both of those things are coachable, so they are things that can improve. It's a mater of how quickly they improve. If those things happen, we could have a great 3-headed monster in the 2nd half of these season.

3) TE development, especially from Warren: Jacob Warren has the size, athleticism, and catch radius to be a weapon on offense. I'm not sure why he hasn't become that. I'm hoping the light comes on. If he becomes a major player in this offense, look out. Fant seems to be slowly putting it together.

4) Tillman's healthy return and easy re-integration: This one should probably rank higher, but I'm taking it more for granted than some items above. We need Tillman to return to form quickly, but Hooker to continue to be comfortable spreading it around without forcing it to #4.

5) Continued improvement by the pass rush. This one is nit-picky. But hey, we're undefeated, so there's not a lot to pick on. The DLine has improved tremendously this year. Run defense has been elite. Pass rush has been much better. But it can still improve, especially while just rushing 4. I wanna see Baron, Young, Harrison, and Josephs turn it up to one more level.

I agree with the list. Of those things improve even just a little bit, man we’re gonna be really dang good. I would, however, like to hear what you mean on #3. I haven’t noticed him having issues. With his limited number of opportunities (we only throw to TEs about 4-5 times a game) it seems like he catches well and gets positive yards after the catch. Maybe you’re referring to his blocking? Or maybe he struggles to get open and that’s why he doesn’t get more targets? Just wondering if you could expound on the areas he needs to improve.

 

[TJSVOLS]

I suppose you’re still waiting on Hyatt to have a breakout game too?

He is going to have to learn how to get in the end zone if he’s going to help this team.

 

[The Original Fade]

He is going to have to learn how to get in the end zone if he’s going to help this team.

Agree, it’s now or never Hyatt. Step up and make a freakin play

 

[NighthawkVol]

1. When games are in control, let Joe Milton get mop up duty.

2. Running backs take over the game.

3. Force turnovers.

GREAT call on #3. Hadn't thought of that, but we really haven't been great at forcing TOs this year.

 

[Volprofch05]

He is going to have to learn how to get in the end zone if he’s going to help this team.

I mean, he did have that one catch that was not a TD, so there's room for improvement.

 

[IndianaVol]

2nd half of the season I agree about more turnovers.
Next would be continued development in the Safety and DB spots.
Last thing is something that Heupel has stated a couple of times and they continue to work on - I want to see some drives where we still are 'tempo', but primarily run the ball to eat up clock AND punch it in for a TD...that kind of drive is going to preserve our lead as much or more than the Defense.

 

[Tman44]

The DBs need improvement. We took a direct hit from a Heisman trophy winner's Category 5 Hurricane "A" game, while throwing to a bunch of 5 star studs and came out the other side alive. We need to get our young guys more reps with UT-Martin and give the injured players a little extra time to rest before resuming SEC play. Please understand, we WILL NOT see that type of offensive capability again unless we play Ohio State.

 

[Prayivm3rcy]

After stating the obvious pass defensive woes I'd like to see them(DBs) play with more physicality. They need to tackle much better. Flowers needs to stop trying to touch guys like it's flag football and go out there and hit people.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I think he had one or two come loose. One he was down by whistle I think, and another went out of bounds….I think.

I am nervous every time he carries the ball. There’s an inevitable feeling of….he’s gonna drop it.

The out of bounds one you're thinking of was against LSU. He did lose it on a play ruled down by stopped progress.

 

[Caculator]

Our receiving crew is tough. Play them both ways to shore up the D