I look at this team and the talent that has been infused on this roster and it's obvious that another off season could transform this offense into a 2021 huge turn around. This team is loaded with young talent and with a normal off season, spring, summer and fall camp. IMHO, this team will be a regular season 8 or 9 win team and possibly pushing for second in the east.
When looking at this roster and the talent it has and will be added from this years recruiting class, IMHO I can just see a huge turn around coming for the Vols. I'll just give what I see as my reasons for optimism and you guys can form your own opinions.
On Offense, It all starts with the QB and Bailey has the it factor, after watching him play the last couple of games. It's obvious he has what it takes to be a very good SEC QB. He has a very good arm that will only get better as he gets in the weight room and matures. His pocket presence is very developed for a freshmen with little experience and his ball placement on throws is very encouraging, needs work on deep throws, but that will come with more reps he gets and honestly the stage is just not to big for him at all. Shrout and the incoming freshmen Salter like Bailey will all benefit from a normal off season heading into next year.
Running backs, could potentially have the best RB group in a long time with talent and unbelievable depth with a variety of different skill sets. Honestly, just look at the possibilities of the backs in this group with the likes of Gray, Chandler, Small, Hodge, Beckwith, Evans, Brown and Wright. I honestly can not ever remember a backfield at UT loaded with this many potential play makers.
Offensive Line, could they also finally become a strength for this team and be more consistent? With Morris, Wright, Calbert, Co. Mays, Ca. Mays (if back), Johnson, Carvin, Akporoghene, , Lane, Spraggins, Robinson and Perry all coming back. Adding to the mix with new comers like Parker, Gooch and Smith (if he ends up here). Absolutely room full of SEC size and talent to finally compete with anyone on the line of scrimmage.
Wide Receivers / Tight ends, should be a versatile and dynamic group of speed , quickness and physical play makers on this team moving into next year. That WR room will have something next year it hasn't had in a long time, SPEED ..... Jones (if he's back), Hyatt, Holiday, Calloway, Wideman and Gibbs (maybe) all have SEC speed. Add physical types like Tillman, new comers Taylor, Mosley and Nixon for a pretty good WR group. As for the TE group, Fant and Warren are only going to get better, especially Warren. IMHO could be very good moving forward. What happens to Sean Brown? Does he develop into a TE or does he move to the Defense, I wouldn't be surprise in the latter for him in spring. Bell will bring an absolute beast presence as an in-line TE and Campbell's athletic ability jumps off his high school film and could be a real match up problem for defenses.
Coaching, Ah yes the fly in many fans soup. Well this is where I have seen improvements this year that leads me to believe even this area will be much improved next season. Chaney didn't forget how to coach or call plays, but so goes the QB, so goes the offense and we all know how that has went. I think last 2 games has seen Chaney trust the QB's more, especially with the more inclusion of crossing routes in the offense, which IMHO are the most risky passes to call and indicates the trust being shown in Bailey and Shrout.
As for Friend the O-line has for most part been pretty decent in the run game averaging 154 yds in a all SEC schedule and considering everyone stacked the box against them all year. As for pass pro, this line has had it's struggles, bvt the backs have not done a great job helping pick up pressure on several plays. So, has this O-Line struggled bc of only Friend or several factors,, guess that's up to one's own opinion.
Osovet, I think has done a very good job with what he had to work with and I've seen Warren develop into a very reliable SEC TE this year. Honestly, I think even Fant is really shown lots of improvement through out the year.
Jay Graham, has had these kids running hard all year and really has done a great job managing basically 2 RB all year long. Just to rotate them to keep them fresh, healthy and engaged in this type of season was a great job in itself. Even Small and Beckwith look prime to make big improvements next year.
Chris Weinke, well honestly, as we all look back what has he had to work with in the QB room. I kind of think he gets a bad rap for things that he doesn't always control. I'm sorry I like JG, but the beat for 2 years killed his chances of ever being better, Sometimes coaches can't overcome the players Ghosts. Though, as I watch Bailey in the Auburn, Florida and Vandy game I saw a confident freshmen that has seem to have gotten good coaching IJMO, even Shrout has improved greatly since Kentucky.
Tee Martin, I think has done a decent job this year considering the lack of consistent QB, but unfortunately I don't expect Tee back next year, as he looks to further his career.
Just my thought and love to hear everyone's opinions, good or bad. I'll take a stab at Defense later.
When looking at this roster and the talent it has and will be added from this years recruiting class, IMHO I can just see a huge turn around coming for the Vols. I'll just give what I see as my reasons for optimism and you guys can form your own opinions.
On Offense, It all starts with the QB and Bailey has the it factor, after watching him play the last couple of games. It's obvious he has what it takes to be a very good SEC QB. He has a very good arm that will only get better as he gets in the weight room and matures. His pocket presence is very developed for a freshmen with little experience and his ball placement on throws is very encouraging, needs work on deep throws, but that will come with more reps he gets and honestly the stage is just not to big for him at all. Shrout and the incoming freshmen Salter like Bailey will all benefit from a normal off season heading into next year.
Running backs, could potentially have the best RB group in a long time with talent and unbelievable depth with a variety of different skill sets. Honestly, just look at the possibilities of the backs in this group with the likes of Gray, Chandler, Small, Hodge, Beckwith, Evans, Brown and Wright. I honestly can not ever remember a backfield at UT loaded with this many potential play makers.
Offensive Line, could they also finally become a strength for this team and be more consistent? With Morris, Wright, Calbert, Co. Mays, Ca. Mays (if back), Johnson, Carvin, Akporoghene, , Lane, Spraggins, Robinson and Perry all coming back. Adding to the mix with new comers like Parker, Gooch and Smith (if he ends up here). Absolutely room full of SEC size and talent to finally compete with anyone on the line of scrimmage.
Wide Receivers / Tight ends, should be a versatile and dynamic group of speed , quickness and physical play makers on this team moving into next year. That WR room will have something next year it hasn't had in a long time, SPEED ..... Jones (if he's back), Hyatt, Holiday, Calloway, Wideman and Gibbs (maybe) all have SEC speed. Add physical types like Tillman, new comers Taylor, Mosley and Nixon for a pretty good WR group. As for the TE group, Fant and Warren are only going to get better, especially Warren. IMHO could be very good moving forward. What happens to Sean Brown? Does he develop into a TE or does he move to the Defense, I wouldn't be surprise in the latter for him in spring. Bell will bring an absolute beast presence as an in-line TE and Campbell's athletic ability jumps off his high school film and could be a real match up problem for defenses.
Coaching, Ah yes the fly in many fans soup. Well this is where I have seen improvements this year that leads me to believe even this area will be much improved next season. Chaney didn't forget how to coach or call plays, but so goes the QB, so goes the offense and we all know how that has went. I think last 2 games has seen Chaney trust the QB's more, especially with the more inclusion of crossing routes in the offense, which IMHO are the most risky passes to call and indicates the trust being shown in Bailey and Shrout.
As for Friend the O-line has for most part been pretty decent in the run game averaging 154 yds in a all SEC schedule and considering everyone stacked the box against them all year. As for pass pro, this line has had it's struggles, bvt the backs have not done a great job helping pick up pressure on several plays. So, has this O-Line struggled bc of only Friend or several factors,, guess that's up to one's own opinion.
Osovet, I think has done a very good job with what he had to work with and I've seen Warren develop into a very reliable SEC TE this year. Honestly, I think even Fant is really shown lots of improvement through out the year.
Jay Graham, has had these kids running hard all year and really has done a great job managing basically 2 RB all year long. Just to rotate them to keep them fresh, healthy and engaged in this type of season was a great job in itself. Even Small and Beckwith look prime to make big improvements next year.
Chris Weinke, well honestly, as we all look back what has he had to work with in the QB room. I kind of think he gets a bad rap for things that he doesn't always control. I'm sorry I like JG, but the beat for 2 years killed his chances of ever being better, Sometimes coaches can't overcome the players Ghosts. Though, as I watch Bailey in the Auburn, Florida and Vandy game I saw a confident freshmen that has seem to have gotten good coaching IJMO, even Shrout has improved greatly since Kentucky.
Tee Martin, I think has done a decent job this year considering the lack of consistent QB, but unfortunately I don't expect Tee back next year, as he looks to further his career.
Just my thought and love to hear everyone's opinions, good or bad. I'll take a stab at Defense later.
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