It’s go time. Congratulations on making it through the off-season and welcome to the arrival of college football. We kick off the start of Tennessee’s fall camp with our first installment of 10 things I think I think or I need to learn over the next month.
Again an established, successful returning quarterback chances everyone’s thoughts on an upcoming season.
2. Improve the second verse — For as fun and productive as the Vol offense was a year ago, they weren’t good in the second quarter. Same for the defense. This was a bad second quarter team a season ago. That must improve. The offense needs to be better in the redzone and better in short yardage situations and the defense has to be better on third and long.
But nothing needs more improvement than the second quarter. In the first quarter, Tennessee outscored their opponents 190-51. In the second quarter, the Vols were outscored 143-109.
In the regular season Tennessee was just 10 of 36 in third down conversions while the defense gave up 27 third downs in 57 tries.
The second 15 mins has to be better than it was a season ago.
3. Who fits in where in the secondary—That’s the million dollar question. How does veteran secondary coach Willie Martinez put the puzzle together. With basically all the cornerback options watching in the spring nothing was settled there and some safeties ended up playing corner. With a full group now that includes the addition of two transfers , a junior college signee and two high school kids, Martinez has bodies.
The question is where will he play them. Is Brandon Turnage a nickel guy or a corner? Where is Christian Charles’ home? Martinez has flexibility. His challenge is completing the puzzle to help slow down teams’ passing attacks. A year ago opponents averaged 273 yards through the air.
4. Who is going play the role of Robin — Cedric Tillman production last year particularly the last half of the season was simply spectacular. When Tillman became the focal point in the offense, he burst onto the scene and is now regarded as one of the best receivers in the SEC. The reality is that Tillman had help last year in the form of Velus Jones and Javonta Payton. Jones had a terrific year following the Florida game and has landed in a great spot with the Bears as a 3rd round pick. Jones finished the 2021 season with 807 yards receiving and had just two fewer receptions than Tillman.
So the question is who is this year’s guy opposite of Tillman. Tillman acknowledges it’s on him to be better because he knows he’s going to see double teams and the opponents best cornerbacks. He also knows some help on the opposite side and in the slot wouldn’t hurt either.
“That’s why it’s my job to become overall a better receiver,” Tillman said at SEC Media Days. “The best receivers in this conference get double-teamed or get the best corner. That’s why my route-running needs to be perfect. That’s why my releases need to be better. And I will just say it, the other receivers and I know they will, but they have to do their jobs too.”
5. The search is on —I think Darnell Wright is good and I think by the end of the year Wright could be a bonafide star climbing draft boards. But the question is who plays tackle opposite of him. Florida transfer Gerald Mincey was limited in the spring with an ankle sprain, but as he healed showed some promise. Jeremiah Crawford is a guy that Alex Golesh has been high on since he arrived. Crawford was a late take in Heupel’s first signing class just to add some depth. Can he win he job and be the Vols left tackle? Doe they have to look at Wright back at left tackle even though he prefers right and play Dayne Davis at right tackle because Davis has some experience. The Vols are set along he rest of the line, but finding their other starting tackle is a major priority. And it’s one you would like to get settled as quickly as possible so the line can get their continuity and timing down.
And will the concerns at outside receiver and left tackle are big time for Alex Golesh and the offense, don't discount the depth concern at tailback which is why Tennessee is kicking tires with any running back left in the portal. We are keeping a close eye there.
- The “we are returning our qb” vibe —Nothing gives a fanbase and prognosticators more confidence in a team then one returning a successful quarterback as the Vols are in Hendon Hooker. Throw in the fact that history says quarterbacks in Josh Heupel’s system make a solid leap from year one to year two and you have plenty of expectations.
Again an established, successful returning quarterback chances everyone’s thoughts on an upcoming season.
2. Improve the second verse — For as fun and productive as the Vol offense was a year ago, they weren’t good in the second quarter. Same for the defense. This was a bad second quarter team a season ago. That must improve. The offense needs to be better in the redzone and better in short yardage situations and the defense has to be better on third and long.
But nothing needs more improvement than the second quarter. In the first quarter, Tennessee outscored their opponents 190-51. In the second quarter, the Vols were outscored 143-109.
In the regular season Tennessee was just 10 of 36 in third down conversions while the defense gave up 27 third downs in 57 tries.
The second 15 mins has to be better than it was a season ago.
3. Who fits in where in the secondary—That’s the million dollar question. How does veteran secondary coach Willie Martinez put the puzzle together. With basically all the cornerback options watching in the spring nothing was settled there and some safeties ended up playing corner. With a full group now that includes the addition of two transfers , a junior college signee and two high school kids, Martinez has bodies.
The question is where will he play them. Is Brandon Turnage a nickel guy or a corner? Where is Christian Charles’ home? Martinez has flexibility. His challenge is completing the puzzle to help slow down teams’ passing attacks. A year ago opponents averaged 273 yards through the air.
4. Who is going play the role of Robin — Cedric Tillman production last year particularly the last half of the season was simply spectacular. When Tillman became the focal point in the offense, he burst onto the scene and is now regarded as one of the best receivers in the SEC. The reality is that Tillman had help last year in the form of Velus Jones and Javonta Payton. Jones had a terrific year following the Florida game and has landed in a great spot with the Bears as a 3rd round pick. Jones finished the 2021 season with 807 yards receiving and had just two fewer receptions than Tillman.
So the question is who is this year’s guy opposite of Tillman. Tillman acknowledges it’s on him to be better because he knows he’s going to see double teams and the opponents best cornerbacks. He also knows some help on the opposite side and in the slot wouldn’t hurt either.
“That’s why it’s my job to become overall a better receiver,” Tillman said at SEC Media Days. “The best receivers in this conference get double-teamed or get the best corner. That’s why my route-running needs to be perfect. That’s why my releases need to be better. And I will just say it, the other receivers and I know they will, but they have to do their jobs too.”
5. The search is on —I think Darnell Wright is good and I think by the end of the year Wright could be a bonafide star climbing draft boards. But the question is who plays tackle opposite of him. Florida transfer Gerald Mincey was limited in the spring with an ankle sprain, but as he healed showed some promise. Jeremiah Crawford is a guy that Alex Golesh has been high on since he arrived. Crawford was a late take in Heupel’s first signing class just to add some depth. Can he win he job and be the Vols left tackle? Doe they have to look at Wright back at left tackle even though he prefers right and play Dayne Davis at right tackle because Davis has some experience. The Vols are set along he rest of the line, but finding their other starting tackle is a major priority. And it’s one you would like to get settled as quickly as possible so the line can get their continuity and timing down.
And will the concerns at outside receiver and left tackle are big time for Alex Golesh and the offense, don't discount the depth concern at tailback which is why Tennessee is kicking tires with any running back left in the portal. We are keeping a close eye there.
