[Warning: Long]
The podcast today was great and spot on, especially what @Jesse_Simonton speculated about re: whether someone stepped up after the Florida game. Here are my thoughts.
I believe the main leaders of this team will ultimately be JG, Trey Smith, Jamir Johnson, Daniel Bituli, DK Jr., Nigel Warrior and Jauan Jennings, with Jeremy Banks providing the ethos for the RB committee through sheer spirit. I think the reason this leadership is slow developing is for a few reasons.
First, JG had to win the starting job this offseason. He was competing every day and doing everything by the book that he could to win the job. There's a necessary tension that results with that, when K. Chryst comes in and it's a two man race. Developing a tactful QB competition often means one guy doesn't assert himself as much. In addition, JG hasn't had a terrible amount of success yet. It's coming, but he can't point to a whole bunch of wins or big moments for credibility. That will all change when we beat Florida's a$$ in a ****in Night Fight.
Second, as the mods noted on the Podcast, is young and knocking rust off. His leadership is evident and it's coming. Just needs to get comfortable with Friend and for Friend to give him the green light to voice his opinions and take leadership of that line. He will.
On Jamir Johnson, this kid has the fire. You should rewatch the ETSU game and see him absolutely jawing at K. Calbert getting him fired up before he went and also at J. Carvin. He's got energy and passion, and you can tell he doesn't want to waste his shot now that he's here.
Daniel Bituli is the leader of the defense; he just needs a game of great plays to give him the street cred. That happens tomorrow.
On the flip side, DK Jr. is working his way into that role. He was hurt. Then he quit the team, and he's had to earn his teammates trust back. Once he's comfortable, he'll be that guy, IMO alongside Bituli.
Warrior is like DK. Needs results on the field and to feel comfortable. He has the passion, but he's loafed on some plays and when called out on that, it naturally sets you back, first because you loafed and second because you're not the standard-bearer.
Finally, Jauan. He quit; he worked his way back. After Florida, after doing things the right way up until he takes back the crown, he's been doing the right things by hanging back.
In sum, I think there are sufficient leaders on this team. I think they just need confidence. That's the one thing missing after 4-8, after Butch Jones, and after not producing themselves. ETSU and UTEP are crucial because they games you develop habits in and get people in the game under live bullets. Florida is our coming out party. I feel it; I know it; and believe it. After Florida, the new version of the Vols will emerge. GBO
The podcast today was great and spot on, especially what @Jesse_Simonton speculated about re: whether someone stepped up after the Florida game. Here are my thoughts.
I believe the main leaders of this team will ultimately be JG, Trey Smith, Jamir Johnson, Daniel Bituli, DK Jr., Nigel Warrior and Jauan Jennings, with Jeremy Banks providing the ethos for the RB committee through sheer spirit. I think the reason this leadership is slow developing is for a few reasons.
First, JG had to win the starting job this offseason. He was competing every day and doing everything by the book that he could to win the job. There's a necessary tension that results with that, when K. Chryst comes in and it's a two man race. Developing a tactful QB competition often means one guy doesn't assert himself as much. In addition, JG hasn't had a terrible amount of success yet. It's coming, but he can't point to a whole bunch of wins or big moments for credibility. That will all change when we beat Florida's a$$ in a ****in Night Fight.
Second, as the mods noted on the Podcast, is young and knocking rust off. His leadership is evident and it's coming. Just needs to get comfortable with Friend and for Friend to give him the green light to voice his opinions and take leadership of that line. He will.
On Jamir Johnson, this kid has the fire. You should rewatch the ETSU game and see him absolutely jawing at K. Calbert getting him fired up before he went and also at J. Carvin. He's got energy and passion, and you can tell he doesn't want to waste his shot now that he's here.
Daniel Bituli is the leader of the defense; he just needs a game of great plays to give him the street cred. That happens tomorrow.
On the flip side, DK Jr. is working his way into that role. He was hurt. Then he quit the team, and he's had to earn his teammates trust back. Once he's comfortable, he'll be that guy, IMO alongside Bituli.
Warrior is like DK. Needs results on the field and to feel comfortable. He has the passion, but he's loafed on some plays and when called out on that, it naturally sets you back, first because you loafed and second because you're not the standard-bearer.
Finally, Jauan. He quit; he worked his way back. After Florida, after doing things the right way up until he takes back the crown, he's been doing the right things by hanging back.
In sum, I think there are sufficient leaders on this team. I think they just need confidence. That's the one thing missing after 4-8, after Butch Jones, and after not producing themselves. ETSU and UTEP are crucial because they games you develop habits in and get people in the game under live bullets. Florida is our coming out party. I feel it; I know it; and believe it. After Florida, the new version of the Vols will emerge. GBO
