Let me start this long post by saying this is only my opinion - you are free to disagree with me.
OFFENSE - Guarantano should never start another game at UT and should only see the field in an emergency situation. After 5 years his play is no better than his freshman year. Part of the blame should fall on very poor or inadequate QB coaching. Chris Weinke is not impressive to me. Guarantano’s few bright spots in his career have been overshadowed by his disastrous play in other games. With this in mind - my biggest fault with him is his poor body language, lack of leadership and encouragement with teammates. As I was watching him 10 minutes before the KY game started, he sat on the bench - not talking with coaches, not warming up on the sideline, not encouraging his teammates - just sitting there with the usual sour look on his face. All of the blame for failure doesn’t just go to him. The offensive line is vastly over-rated as is our high-priced offensive coordinator. Apparently certain plays such as: a quick slant pass, a screen pass, a swing pass to the running backs, a reverse, and any form of tight-end pass are not in Coach Chaney’s offense. His passing game is basically is a non-imaginative east-to-west passing game. Our running backs are talented and basically good north-to-south running backs. The offensive line is poor on pass protection - especially at both tackle positions.
DEFENSE - The defensive line and the play of To’o To’o and Bennett has been the lone bright spots of the defense. The secondary which is supposed to be Pruitt’s specialty has been extremely disappointing. UT can not defend a quick slant pass at any time. Whenever a team needs a first down - they just throw a quick slant. Play after play our outside linebackers loose containment and allow every QB to run at will around the ends. Tackling, stupid penalties, and decision making is very poor. Apparently blitzing the QB is a thing in the past!
SPECIAL TEAMS - Uneventful and way below Tennessee standards. A good punt will be followed by 2 bad punts. For whatever reasons, chip shot field goals have become difficult. Punt returns are non-existent. Kickoff returns are average due to poor blocking. One bright spot is Gray has handled all punts without fumbling.
COACHING - Let me say first - I am still a believer in Pruitt, although doubts are now creeping in. He now owns 2 of the most disturbing defeats in Tennessee history - today’s embarrassment & Georgia State game. I think he has built his coaching staff more around recruiting ability rather than actual coaching ability. You can only blame the Covid-19 situation for so much. Sam Pittman’s Arkansas team has shown more improvement in 3 games this year than UT has in 3 years. For whatever reason or whatever is said in the locker room at halftime - Tennessee consistently comes out with a worse 2nd half effort and execution, game after game. Lack of skill players and size can lead to defeat, but lack of motivation and effort to win should never be a factor. Not impressed with our current strength program - we now have plenty of 300lb players, but outside of Vanderbilt - I can not think of a single SEC team we could physically whip and dominate. I would like to see Fulmer take off his tie and coat & go coach our offensive line.
THE GOOD NEWS - Our Basketball season is just around the corner & Coach Barnes teams always give great effort & never quit.
OFFENSE - Guarantano should never start another game at UT and should only see the field in an emergency situation. After 5 years his play is no better than his freshman year. Part of the blame should fall on very poor or inadequate QB coaching. Chris Weinke is not impressive to me. Guarantano’s few bright spots in his career have been overshadowed by his disastrous play in other games. With this in mind - my biggest fault with him is his poor body language, lack of leadership and encouragement with teammates. As I was watching him 10 minutes before the KY game started, he sat on the bench - not talking with coaches, not warming up on the sideline, not encouraging his teammates - just sitting there with the usual sour look on his face. All of the blame for failure doesn’t just go to him. The offensive line is vastly over-rated as is our high-priced offensive coordinator. Apparently certain plays such as: a quick slant pass, a screen pass, a swing pass to the running backs, a reverse, and any form of tight-end pass are not in Coach Chaney’s offense. His passing game is basically is a non-imaginative east-to-west passing game. Our running backs are talented and basically good north-to-south running backs. The offensive line is poor on pass protection - especially at both tackle positions.
DEFENSE - The defensive line and the play of To’o To’o and Bennett has been the lone bright spots of the defense. The secondary which is supposed to be Pruitt’s specialty has been extremely disappointing. UT can not defend a quick slant pass at any time. Whenever a team needs a first down - they just throw a quick slant. Play after play our outside linebackers loose containment and allow every QB to run at will around the ends. Tackling, stupid penalties, and decision making is very poor. Apparently blitzing the QB is a thing in the past!
SPECIAL TEAMS - Uneventful and way below Tennessee standards. A good punt will be followed by 2 bad punts. For whatever reasons, chip shot field goals have become difficult. Punt returns are non-existent. Kickoff returns are average due to poor blocking. One bright spot is Gray has handled all punts without fumbling.
COACHING - Let me say first - I am still a believer in Pruitt, although doubts are now creeping in. He now owns 2 of the most disturbing defeats in Tennessee history - today’s embarrassment & Georgia State game. I think he has built his coaching staff more around recruiting ability rather than actual coaching ability. You can only blame the Covid-19 situation for so much. Sam Pittman’s Arkansas team has shown more improvement in 3 games this year than UT has in 3 years. For whatever reason or whatever is said in the locker room at halftime - Tennessee consistently comes out with a worse 2nd half effort and execution, game after game. Lack of skill players and size can lead to defeat, but lack of motivation and effort to win should never be a factor. Not impressed with our current strength program - we now have plenty of 300lb players, but outside of Vanderbilt - I can not think of a single SEC team we could physically whip and dominate. I would like to see Fulmer take off his tie and coat & go coach our offensive line.
THE GOOD NEWS - Our Basketball season is just around the corner & Coach Barnes teams always give great effort & never quit.
