Tennessee is just over 2 weeks from kickoff on Sept. 1st against Ball State. We empty the notebook in our weekly installment of 10 things I think I think.
2. The Bru McCoy worry is starting to grow at least it is for me—I said a week ago that it thought it would be 10 days to two weeks before there was a resolution. This week is that window so in reality it could get cleared up this week. But I have been covering this program for way too long and I have seen too many of these situations that should be lay downs turn into appeals and a lot more stress and worry than anyone expected. McCoy is healthy and looking better and better. Getting him eligible would be big for this offense. I’m not saying he won’t get eligible, but as Tom Hanks said, “the earth is getting bigger in the window”. The clock is definitely ticking.
3. Mean what you say and say what you mean — Every assistant who has spoken to this point has talked about having more depth and the need to play more players. I have written about it in this space and others and I have talked about it on the podcast ad nauseam. The snap counts were huge for too many last year. The question is will this staff really play more guys. They better and the better start with it against Ball State.
A season ago, Tennessee in my opinion had a chance to build some more depth in some blowout wins. But they didn’t play the back up’s early enough in games where they were in control. Who can forget Hendon Hooker running a zone read at Missouri in the fourth quarter when the game had been over for nearly two quarters.
I get you don’t play a guy if he hasn’t earned it, but give him a chance to earn it when the opportunity presents itself.
The entire staff has spoke of playing more guys and being a deeper team. To do that you have to commit to playing guys when the opportunity presents itself.
4. Could linebacker be most improved position on the field? — Jeremy Banks remains the Vols best linebacker as he was a year ago. But Banks is better now in this scheme. He’s playing better in space and we all know he going to line up and hit you. Juwan Mitchell, by all accounts, is bought in and is healthy. Mitchell has proven he can be productive at the power 5 level and played in a league that is all about playing in space. Elijah Herring isn’t “ready” but continues to improve to go along with Aaron Beasley and Solon Page. After only having three guys there a year ago, that unit has a little depth and they are a group that by all accounts has showed themselves well this camp.
"We are deeper because of the young guys that we have added inside of our program and the health of Juwan (Mitchell),” Heupel offered. “The continued development of the guys that were playing last year makes that unit a deeper unit. In year two, like a lot of our positions, I do think they have a better understanding of what we're doing defensively. We've been better in our gap fits here the last four-day block. In particular, I thought the one defense today, for the most part, did a really good job. I think they've tackled well. That second level has tackled well here as of late. Juwan being back adds experience, adds playmaking ability. Jeremy (Banks) has continued to grow. We've talked about that. (Aaron) Beasley and (Solon) Page III, those guys have taken major strides in the offseason too, and they've shown that through the majority of training camp."
5. It’s Sampson time — With Jaylen Wright still dealing with the tender quad muscle, the medical staff and coaching staff are being cautious not to rush Wright back and have that issue linger all year. So that means more Dylan Sampson. Now everyone gets caught up in depth charts and who the #2 and #3, etc. Jerry Mack is going to play multiple tailbacks (meaning more than 2), but with everyone being cautious with Wright’s return and Lyn-J Dixon missing some time while still trying to figure out the offense, you are going to see those two freshman backs early. It will start with Sampson who has continued to impress with his play on the practice field.
- The head coach is moving into game week mode—Josh Heupel is still allowing his assistants to talk and will all year long, but the second year coach is clearly moving into game week mode as practice access continues to dwindle and what you can video continues to dwindle. We expect this to be the last week that we get to see any practice as next week they will get into a full game mode. By no means is this complaint and me whining about anything. It was the same way last year. Heupel has a switch that flips shifting things from fall camp to game week and that switch is getting ready to get flipped. Following Sunday’s scrimmage, Heupel referred to the next four day block as being critical for guys to prove they can be trusted in a game. After that four day block, it really becomes game week. So for those hovering on the line of being able to help, this week is huge.
2. The Bru McCoy worry is starting to grow at least it is for me—I said a week ago that it thought it would be 10 days to two weeks before there was a resolution. This week is that window so in reality it could get cleared up this week. But I have been covering this program for way too long and I have seen too many of these situations that should be lay downs turn into appeals and a lot more stress and worry than anyone expected. McCoy is healthy and looking better and better. Getting him eligible would be big for this offense. I’m not saying he won’t get eligible, but as Tom Hanks said, “the earth is getting bigger in the window”. The clock is definitely ticking.
3. Mean what you say and say what you mean — Every assistant who has spoken to this point has talked about having more depth and the need to play more players. I have written about it in this space and others and I have talked about it on the podcast ad nauseam. The snap counts were huge for too many last year. The question is will this staff really play more guys. They better and the better start with it against Ball State.
A season ago, Tennessee in my opinion had a chance to build some more depth in some blowout wins. But they didn’t play the back up’s early enough in games where they were in control. Who can forget Hendon Hooker running a zone read at Missouri in the fourth quarter when the game had been over for nearly two quarters.
I get you don’t play a guy if he hasn’t earned it, but give him a chance to earn it when the opportunity presents itself.
The entire staff has spoke of playing more guys and being a deeper team. To do that you have to commit to playing guys when the opportunity presents itself.
4. Could linebacker be most improved position on the field? — Jeremy Banks remains the Vols best linebacker as he was a year ago. But Banks is better now in this scheme. He’s playing better in space and we all know he going to line up and hit you. Juwan Mitchell, by all accounts, is bought in and is healthy. Mitchell has proven he can be productive at the power 5 level and played in a league that is all about playing in space. Elijah Herring isn’t “ready” but continues to improve to go along with Aaron Beasley and Solon Page. After only having three guys there a year ago, that unit has a little depth and they are a group that by all accounts has showed themselves well this camp.
"We are deeper because of the young guys that we have added inside of our program and the health of Juwan (Mitchell),” Heupel offered. “The continued development of the guys that were playing last year makes that unit a deeper unit. In year two, like a lot of our positions, I do think they have a better understanding of what we're doing defensively. We've been better in our gap fits here the last four-day block. In particular, I thought the one defense today, for the most part, did a really good job. I think they've tackled well. That second level has tackled well here as of late. Juwan being back adds experience, adds playmaking ability. Jeremy (Banks) has continued to grow. We've talked about that. (Aaron) Beasley and (Solon) Page III, those guys have taken major strides in the offseason too, and they've shown that through the majority of training camp."
5. It’s Sampson time — With Jaylen Wright still dealing with the tender quad muscle, the medical staff and coaching staff are being cautious not to rush Wright back and have that issue linger all year. So that means more Dylan Sampson. Now everyone gets caught up in depth charts and who the #2 and #3, etc. Jerry Mack is going to play multiple tailbacks (meaning more than 2), but with everyone being cautious with Wright’s return and Lyn-J Dixon missing some time while still trying to figure out the offense, you are going to see those two freshman backs early. It will start with Sampson who has continued to impress with his play on the practice field.
