Why the heck not?

[JRich]

I trust the staff to make the call either way.

In spite of his stellar stats, I think Milton does give UT the best chance to win. I'd worry about Nico getting hurt or ruining his psyche because he missed calling out a blocking assignment.

 

[Big Al Orange]

If Nico cant beat out JM in practice right now... he must have MILES to go. I wouldnt count on Nico being any kind of "savior" for the program. Hype may need to bring in a dynamic transfer.

That’s the way I feel about it also. If the 5 star with 10 mos studying the system isn’t at least semi ready perhaps he’s not as great as we hoped. Time will tell I suppose.

 

[Mustng959]

I trust the coach's decision ........ Period. Milton it is unless he gets hurt, and I don't believe any of us wish that on him. The poster that mentioned how Coach Hype adjusted to give us the best chance to win is right on! We're fortunate to have him at Tennessee and I believe he likes it here also. Go Vols!

 

[sjt18]

I keep hearing everyone say that it would be foolish to start a true freshman in Tuscaloosa and my question is "Why?" He is a 5 Star and he is getting paid big money to deliver big performances like SEC road wins. The truth is we have no clue what he is capable of playing meaningful snaps with the starters. What would it hurt to roll the dice and start him the first drive and see what he can do? We know what we have with Joe. He is struggling. It is what it is. But Nico is still an intriguing mystery.

Who has "no clue"? Fans? So now fans lack of knowledge about whether a player is ready or not is a justification for him to start?

OK. To take a not very serious question serious.... Here are some "whys":

1- Nico may not be the best option at this point in time. Maybe the risks that he will do things to lose the game is believed to be too much. Maybe he's just not ready to make the plays needed to win.

2- You could get him hurt and jeopardize the program next year and beyond in a risky move to improve QB play. This could also damage his personal career.

3- There are things that an experienced QB does and knows that take time for a new player. There's more to the position than throwing the ball.

4- Nico is physically immature. He's a rail. You don't want him to take a physical beating unless absolutely necessary.

5- If he plays and plays poorly then it could become a multi-year confidence problem.

6- If you replace Milton then you better be certain you are done with him. He will mentally and emotionally check out... if not leave the team altogether. That's not necessarily the reason not to make a change... but you better be sure.


There are more I'm sure. But there are 6 concrete reasons NOT to make the change and particularly not headed into Bama.

 

[sjt18]

If Nico cant beat out JM in practice right now... he must have MILES to go. I wouldnt count on Nico being any kind of "savior" for the program. Hype may need to bring in a dynamic transfer.

That's pure ignorance. There is more to being the QB than routes on air. There is no reason not to bring him along at the right pace. There is no reason to play him too early and risk his future.

Nico will be a good QB and having a year to develop before being thrown in works to his advantage and to the benefit of the program.

 

[rocytop2624]

You may be forgetting the heupel and co get to watch nico every day. So they know what we have and they must not believe he’s ready. If it starts getting out of hand that’s when we may see him to give us a spark.

And they started Milton over Hendon.

 

[EZE]

Dang, I missed that Josh Heupel coached Dobbs. I could've sworn that was Butch Jones. And I must have been dreaming that it was Jeremy Pruitt who coached JG.

Why don't you just come out and say it: You don't think Coach Josh Heupel knows what he's doing. You think he's in the category of Butch and Pruitt.

That's what you're actually saying, so just be honest about it.

Anybody who puts Heupel in the same category as Butch should just be ignored.

 

[EZE]

If Nico cant beat out JM in practice right now... he must have MILES to go. I wouldnt count on Nico being any kind of "savior" for the program. Hype may need to bring in a dynamic transfer.

Goodness, the stupidity on this board has no bounds.

 

[rocytop2624]

Umm do you not remember Dobbs? He was buried on the depth chart and probably would never have played if injuries didn't force him to play, and he ended up being great and key in our bowl seasons under Butch. My point is we have no clue what Nico has until he is given meaningful snaps with the starting offense. He hasn't been given that opportunity. My other point is those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it and that's what is happening now. I'm seeing shades of Peterman and Guarantano.

No shades of Manning or Bray or Dobbs.

 

[rocytop2624]

I like Joe. I think he is extremely fortunate this team has an elite run game and pass rush. Can't ask for anything more as a mediocre QB.

He could, I bet he wishes some of the receivers would hold on to the ball.

 

[sami]

Heuple won't bench Milton period. He's waited his turn again.That's the wrong message to QB recruits. Our receivers aren't helping at all.

Definitely true, and something else people don't factor in - team chemistry. We aren't in the locker room and obviously don't have our finger on the pulse on the team like CJH and his staff. Joe is this team's unquestioned leader, and from all accounts he is loved and revered by this team. This isn't Madden, where you can just plug players in any time without consequence.

We saw last year how destructive a damaged team chemistry can be in the SC game. If Heupel pulls Milton with the team 5-1 and headed to the meat of the schedule, he risks not only his stud true freshman QB's psyche, but losing the team entirely. Anyone who has played team sports understands how vital that chemistry is to a team's success.

I think what CJH is finally figuring out is that this group isn't winning 52-49 games and he can't coach it that way. I'd love to see the pace slowed at times, and more emphasis on what Joe can do well, like the bubble screens, deep balls, and designed QB runs. Play it close to the vest, and lean on the defense and special teams. And it would help if the WR's could create more separation and hold onto the ball.
One thing I've been waiting to see all year is Dee Williams getting a few touches on offense through screens and sweeps - get this kid the ball in space and he's a big play waiting to happen. Right now CJH needs to find new ways to create offense, and Williams might provide a great change of pace.

 

[Delmar]

And they started Milton over Hendon.

There were reasons for that if you were paying attention. It was stated that Hendon did not perform as well as Joe in preseason last year. For whatever reason, the light came on later for Hendon and the rest is history. It is not the same situation as with Joe and Nico.

 

[rocytop2624]

There were reasons for that if you were paying attention. It was stated that Hendon did not perform as well as Joe in preseason last year. For whatever reason, the light came on later for Hendon and the rest is history. It is not the same situation as with Joe and Nico.

Are you talking practice.

 

[sjt18]

Umm do you not remember Dobbs? He was buried on the depth chart and probably would never have played if injuries didn't force him to play, and he ended up being great and key in our bowl seasons under Butch. My point is we have no clue what Nico has until he is given meaningful snaps with the starting offense. He hasn't been given that opportunity. My other point is those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it and that's what is happening now. I'm seeing shades of Peterman and Guarantano.

Those are probably the only accurate words in that post.

We "have no clue" but... the coaches do. They have a plan for Nico and are working that plan. They don't have to prove how ready he is... to YOU. He is given "meaningful snaps" every single day. Snaps that will prepare him.

You "have no clue" about what opportunities he's had or how his opportunity to become a great QB is being managed. Heupel is "repeating history" because you don't know what Nico would do if made the starter? Yea... that makes a TON of sense.

Here's a history question for you. Which coaches that did not have elite talent at every other position have flip flopped from one QB to another and been successful? Heupel is playing a long game. He's being consistent. He's building. Could he be wrong or fail? Of course. But doing it "your way" would virtually assure failure.

 

[sjt18]

And they started Milton over Hendon.

How well do you REALLY think a team would do if coaches made a habit of starting players that didn't perform as well in practice?

Milton blew EVERYONE away. Anyone who saw practice from media to former players to current players to coaches all said Milton was "the guy" and it wasn't close. Milton went out and laid an egg in the first game and not much better in the 2nd before getting nicked up. Hooker showed that he was a gamer... he excelled at things that you CANNOT simulate in practice. Heupel gave him the next start without naming him #1... and then named him #1.

Truth is if you start the guy who performs better in practice you're going to have the right starter over 90% of the time. There are no certainties about how a player will translate practice into games but it is your best bet to start the guys who practice best.

So again, do you really think coaches that start guys who practice worse are likely to succeed? What does that do to team moral and motivation to practice hard?

 

[jonnon111]

The logic that says "the kid I have barely seen play in a major cfb game is better than _____" is wishful thinking at best.

His actual college football stat line: 2-5, 11 yards passing. 0 tds 0 int, 2 rushes for 4 yards. I'm sure he will be great, I really mean that. But he still needs to grow up and learn.

WE ARE 5 AND 1 PEOPLE, be happy for once. Just try it you might even like it.

 

[TNStudMuffin]

You may be forgetting the heupel and co get to watch nico every day. So they know what we have and they must not believe he’s ready. If it starts getting out of hand that’s when we may see him to give us a spark.

I shutter to think how bad must be if he truly is that much worse than Milton, and what he might look like next year.

 

[TNStudMuffin]

How well do you REALLY think a team would do if coaches made a habit of starting players that didn't perform as well in practice?

Milton blew EVERYONE away. Anyone who saw practice from media to former players to current players to coaches all said Milton was "the guy" and it wasn't close. Milton went out and laid an egg in the first game and not much better in the 2nd before getting nicked up. Hooker showed that he was a gamer... he excelled at things that you CANNOT simulate in practice. Heupel gave him the next start without naming him #1... and then named him #1.

Truth is if you start the guy who performs better in practice you're going to have the right starter over 90% of the time. There are no certainties about how a player will translate practice into games but it is your best bet to start the guys who practice best.

So again, do you really think coaches that start guys who practice worse are likely to succeed? What does that do to team moral and motivation to practice hard?

Well... he had a known history of being a practice hero and being a game zero. It was all laid out in his time at UM, and they gave him his walking papers.

 

[jonnon111]

Umm do you not remember Dobbs? He was buried on the depth chart and probably would never have played if injuries didn't force him to play, and he ended up being great and key in our bowl seasons under Butch. My point is we have no clue what Nico has until he is given meaningful snaps with the starting offense. He hasn't been given that opportunity. My other point is those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it and that's what is happening now. I'm seeing shades of Peterman and Guarantano.

Do you remember Dobbs was not a great passer for a few YEARS when we thrust him into the starting role? I love Dobbs, but he grew into the QB you remember he didn't start there.

He BECAME great with time and practice. (You know, like Nico is getting Sunday through Friday). Dobbs first year he was a sub 60% completion rate and was 1-3 TD to Int ratio. I think you just made our point, not yours.

 

[RockyTop140]

I shudder to think how bad must be if he truly is that much worse than Milton, and what he might look like next year.

It probably doesn’t have anything to do with him looking bad in practice. Most likely he is making expected freshman mistakes, and heupel thinks it would be good for him to sit year 1 and watch film, practice, and learn without the pressure of having to perform. I’m not sure, that’s just a guess. But the point is heupel is not an imbecile and he has legitimate reasons whatever they may be.

 

[bpalmer28]

I keep hearing everyone say that it would be foolish to start a true freshman in Tuscaloosa and my question is "Why?" He is a 5 Star and he is getting paid big money to deliver big performances like SEC road wins. The truth is we have no clue what he is capable of playing meaningful snaps with the starters. What would it hurt to roll the dice and start him the first drive and see what he can do? We know what we have with Joe. He is struggling. It is what it is. But Nico is still an intriguing mystery.

Alabama struggled to beat Arkansas and Texas A&M and only scored 17 against South Florida. I think it’s fair to say Tennessee is better than all those teams with Milton at QB, so I don’t see the point in throwing a freshman out there in a hostile environment. There’s no reason to think we can’t hold Alabama to 20 points and with our running game being as good as it is, there’s no reason to think we can’t win the game with Milton. We are finally discovering an identity on offense. Why disrupt that with a QB change?

 

[GordonC]

Are you talking practice.

HH committed to Pruitt. I don't think anybody realized what HH would do here. He had lost his starting job at VPI before transferring here.
The situations with HH-Milton and Milton-Nico are very different.

 

[bpalmer28]

Do you remember Dobbs was not a great passer for a few YEARS when we thrust him into the starting role? I love Dobbs, but he grew into the QB you remember he didn't start there.

He BECAME great with time and practice. (You know, like Nico is getting Sunday through Friday). Dobbs first year he was a sub 60% completion rate and was 1-3 TD to Int ratio. I think you just made our point, not yours.

Dak Prescott was the same way

 

[TNStudMuffin]

It probably doesn’t have anything to do with him looking bad in practice. Most likely he is making expected freshman mistakes, and heupel thinks it would be good for him to sit year 1 and watch film, practice, and learn without the pressure of having to perform. I’m not sure, that’s just a guess. But the point is heupel is not an imbecile and he has legitimate reasons whatever they may be.

I mean, Joe is making freshman mistakes too.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

I keep hearing everyone say that it would be foolish to start a true freshman in Tuscaloosa and my question is "Why?" He is a 5 Star and he is getting paid big money to deliver big performances like SEC road wins. The truth is we have no clue what he is capable of playing meaningful snaps with the starters. What would it hurt to roll the dice and start him the first drive and see what he can do? We know what we have with Joe. He is struggling. It is what it is. But Nico is still an intriguing mystery.

If Nico was the better QB right now then he'd be starting. I don't think Heupel would be wasting his time on a QB in his last year of eligibility unless he were the best option.