some optimism, if not at least some interesting story lines.
1. No matter who the QB is, the passing talent should be better. And possibly more to the point, if Guarantano is as talented as some suspect, he could make a big difference in this offense. Either way, I am looking forward to the Spring Game more than usual to see how the QBs look.
2. Hopefully a new OL coach will be hired, and he should have a lot to work with from an experience standpoint, if not talent. I'm not sure how the OL went from a perceived preseason strength to a disaster (especially early in the season), but one would hope this can improve. Certainly, it should be interesting to watch.
3. Assuming Malone returns, the combination of Malone and Jennings should be entertaining to watch as they had marked improvement in 2016. Johnson and Callaway appear to be intriguing prospects. I'm hopeful Byrd is moved to defense, but he may have the brightest future of the group if he stays at WR.
4. John Kelly looks like a potential break out star. CFA appears to have some talent. Ty Chandler might be interesting here as well. All of that having been said, I really hope the Vols find a way to get another top recruit at RB.
5. The only reason for interest in the defense, is can someone take all of the experience and do anything with it? Is there talent there? Who are the leaders? At least this preseason, we would think CBJ will allow them to tackle.
6. New coaches. What will they bring to the table? Can they turn some recruits.
My biggest hope, from a coaching standpoint, would be that CBJ stops coaching so conservatively (if not borderline scared). This 2017 season, in many ways he will have nothing to lose: either win, or he is fired. He doesn't have anymore grace period.
1. No matter who the QB is, the passing talent should be better. And possibly more to the point, if Guarantano is as talented as some suspect, he could make a big difference in this offense. Either way, I am looking forward to the Spring Game more than usual to see how the QBs look.
2. Hopefully a new OL coach will be hired, and he should have a lot to work with from an experience standpoint, if not talent. I'm not sure how the OL went from a perceived preseason strength to a disaster (especially early in the season), but one would hope this can improve. Certainly, it should be interesting to watch.
3. Assuming Malone returns, the combination of Malone and Jennings should be entertaining to watch as they had marked improvement in 2016. Johnson and Callaway appear to be intriguing prospects. I'm hopeful Byrd is moved to defense, but he may have the brightest future of the group if he stays at WR.
4. John Kelly looks like a potential break out star. CFA appears to have some talent. Ty Chandler might be interesting here as well. All of that having been said, I really hope the Vols find a way to get another top recruit at RB.
5. The only reason for interest in the defense, is can someone take all of the experience and do anything with it? Is there talent there? Who are the leaders? At least this preseason, we would think CBJ will allow them to tackle.
6. New coaches. What will they bring to the table? Can they turn some recruits.
My biggest hope, from a coaching standpoint, would be that CBJ stops coaching so conservatively (if not borderline scared). This 2017 season, in many ways he will have nothing to lose: either win, or he is fired. He doesn't have anymore grace period.
