🏈 Sunday, May 23th, 2013. What does this number mean to you? 2037

[BamaFan615]

I expect The Vols to field a better squad than last year...but not that much better. I think their offense is where their biggest improvement lies. They're going to stay about even at the RB position, but, like Terry said, their line has played together since they were Freshmen and should be improved over the past two years. Heck, if you look at their OL most of them are guys that Saban recruited or at least had on the radar. And if Bray can stay healthy they should be able to fling it around a little bit....but keep in mind their best player, Justin Hunter, probably won't be 100% coming off a torn ACL.

Coach Sal has inherited a defense that was has some talent at LB, but the DL and the DB's don't offer much talent...and absolutely no depth.

It's amazing how little talk there is here in TN about the Vols. There really isn't a lot of excitement about this upcoming season at all. A lot of the radio discussion is about who might possibly be the next HC if Dooley doesn't turn things around in a hurry.

Dooley did a radio interview a few weeks ago and was asked what his expectations were for the upcoming season, and I forget the exact answer but it was something along the lines of "we should be better, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if we end up the same way as last year." Pretty interesting interview, Dooley took a lot of shots during it, but handled them about as well as he could. I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[BamaFan615]

For those that aren't familiar with Clay Travis - he's a radio personality here in Nashville, who is very outspoken about his hatred towards Alabama football fans, and Kentucky basketball fans. If you a person that is going to get worked up over a guy who speaks his mind on what he thinks about Alabama...you probably won't like this guy. Nonetheless, he has been even more outspoken about how he feels Dooley doesn't belong in the position he is in, and should be let go....or at least after this upcoming season. Anyway, listen if you'd like.

http://images.radcity.net/5885/5017645.mp3

If you want to miss a lot of the BS listen maybe the first 2 mins and then skip to the 10 min. mark - Clay start his interview of Dooley around the 10 min. mark - Dooley also discusses how a lot of his coaches are familiar with one another and are familiar with the system that Dooley is comfortable with, and mentions "Nick" in there at one point.

 

[TerryP]

I expect The Vols to field a better squad than last year...but not that much better. I think their offense is where their biggest improvement lies. They're going to stay about even at the RB position, but, like Terry said, their line has played together since they were Freshmen and should be improved over the past two years. Heck, if you look at their OL most of them are guys that Saban recruited or at least had on the radar. And if Bray can stay healthy they should be able to fling it around a little bit....but keep in mind their best player, Justin Hunter, probably won't be 100% coming off a torn ACL.

Coach Sal has inherited a defense that was has some talent at LB, but the DL and the DB's don't offer much talent...and absolutely no depth.

It's amazing how little talk there is here in TN about the Vols. There really isn't a lot of excitement about this upcoming season at all. A lot of the radio discussion is about who might possibly be the next HC if Dooley doesn't turn things around in a hurry.

Dooley did a radio interview a few weeks ago and was asked what his expectations were for the upcoming season, and I forget the exact answer but it was something along the lines of "we should be better, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if we end up the same way as last year." Pretty interesting interview, Dooley took a lot of shots during it, but handled them about as well as he could. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Jacques Smith is the kid I believe will shine out of that group. I don't see him as a first rounder, but I do believe he leaves early.

The others? There is definitely a dearth when it comes to experience. And, that's not even bringing up the point of them switching to the 3-4. (How many teams are running the 3-4 now in the SEC? We were the only one when Saban arrived, now CTG is running the 3-4 in Athens, Coach Sal in Knoxville...)

You probably remember the name Herman Lathers. He's probably going to grab one of their starting roles, but physically he's more suited for a safety type position; size-wise. He's been out of football for a year so he'll be dealing with the transition as best as he can. They are thinking Curt Maggitt is going to start as well. He missed all the contact work in the spring and a good majority of the reps due to off-season surgery.

With the learning curve as steep as it is with this type of defense, to have guys outside of football coming in along with players trying to learn the system but being held out?

It'll be a lot like UArk was when Petrino took over. They should be able to score some points, but will they be able to stop anyone from scoring right along with them?

Willie Bohannon and Smith are really the only two they have that are a fit for this scheme; physically and size wise.