I know this statement is going to tick most people off or at least make them feel sick to their stomach, but here goes. We have to get back to playing Tennessee Football.
I know what you are thinking trust me I understand your thoughts. The truth is we were going to go 6-6 this season with a healthy Tyler Bray and I also would throw Justin Hunter in. Now I know you don’t agree with me for sure!
You cannot win football games in the SEC or against a descent team when you are one-dimensional. When Spurrier ran the Fun and Gun at Florida they ran the ball in the 2nd half with vigor. The reason they did that is because that is how you win. We couldn’t score on UGA inside the 10 and 15 because we can’t run the ball. When we did run the ball it seemed like we were trying to run into wherever the pile was. We had no imagination on 1st down. I understand the thought Saturday night we have to run the ball, but our scheme and approach sucks. We are trying to run the ball as if we had a future NFL feature back. We have no choice now that Bray is out to go to an I formation and two back set type a football team. We should have done more of this when Bray was healthy, but instead we played on our heels and tried to rely on the perimeter game only.
Now before I go any further if you are ready to just throw in the towel and give up on life then go drive off the Henley Street Bridge. It is a good time to purge the fan base. I am not going to give up. We have scholarship players like everybody else and we can still ruin a few teams season. I don’t care who is hurt. Go play the freakin Game! I have been watching Tennessee football for almost 30 years and I have seen us beat several teams that we should have not beat.
Simms can mange an offense and he has more experience playing QB than any player on Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and Auburn’s roster. I know he is not great, but he is tough as nails and very intelligent. This guy will probably be coaching at a big time program someday.
We need to completely re-build our offense and get away from finesse style play and go to a very physical type of play. Tauren Poole’s status is uncertain so we have to get Neal in the game as a feature back even though he fumbles every third time he touches the ball. I say we go to a Wing T type offense and run two tight sets using an extra tackle if need be. The reason we cannot run the ball is because our backs dance to the line and our lineman are blocking out of passing formations. We need to tighten the gaps and go three point stances and then fire off the ball. In order to run successfully we have to run out of formations that create gaps. You start tight and fire out and push to make the gap. Right now we start wide and the D is closing the gaps. Devrin Young has to play offense. We need him and Lane in the game at the same time. These two guys are just kids, but I believe they can make plays. D. Rodgers needs us to run the ball. This will allow him to catch some balls in single coverage because the safety will have to play more honest.
You probably have quit reading already by now, and that is fine. I think we can still win some games, but not under the current coaching philosophy. Now is time to do some unconventional things. We have to shorten the game and reduce the amount of total plays. We need to throw out the window the conventional approach to the game and get the best 11 men on the field even if that means some guys play both ways. Teauge can play WR and Austin Johnson can play FB. Folks this is where we are at now. We have got to suck it up and put a plan together and go execute this Saturday. LSU is coming to town whether we want to play or not.
On defense our two OLBs suck! They are slow and they can’t play at this level yet. We need to play with more speed there even if that means bring in DBs or playing some offensive guys. Our defensive ends cannot get pressure. We need to stand the ends and send pressure with multiple guys from the ends and make the O line and running backs think about who to block. This will create mismatches and allow some free shots at the QB.
LSU is going to run the ball on us. They love to run the ball the closer they get to the end zone, and when they are away from the endzone they will take shots over the top. We need to take chances on Defense and try and create some defensive scores.
We do not need to attempt any FG more than 37 yards. If the ball is on the 21- 34 then we need to go for it. If it is on the 35 and back we have to punt the ball. We need to play the game in a very boring fashion. We have to play the game in a “Neyland” game plan philosophy. The thought is run the ball, don’t beat yourself, and make your opponent make the mistakes. This is pretty much what we did last year against LSU.
Finally UT fans come to the game Saturday. The crowd was awesome Saturday night, and it was great to see the passion again. We have to get crazy again. We need to impress these recruits who are on campus.
I have no confidence in this coaching staff right now, but I have complete confidence that UT Football will be at the highest level again someday. We have to remember as fans that this is our Program. We are the board of directors and we have more power than anybody on that campus when we are united. Don’t have the attitude that we are powerless. Get crazy this Saturday and come to the game ready to fight!
Go Vols!!
RR
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