KNS grades the Vols, what is your grade?

[plumbervol]

QB-C Simms was adequate, Bray ain't ready

OL-C+ Good debut terrible opponent

WR-B to many drops

RB's-A Oku Neal and Pool are good SEC caliber RB's

DL-C+ They did what they were supposed to do, BUT

LB-B Good scheme, execution and hitting

DB-B They looked bored out there. An Interception kicked up there score

Kicking Game-C nobody was kicked in the but we bobbled in the return game. One FG barely made it in

Coaching B
Overall a B

[Charleston]

I watched some of the 1st half replay of the game last night.  Sims seemed to miss open receivers and I saw him on his back one play.  After hearing the score of the game Saturday, thought the Vols would have looked much better than what I saw on the replay.

[KNOWLEDGE]

I watched some of the 1st half replay of the game last night.  Sims seemed to miss open receivers and I saw him on his back one play.  After hearing the score of the game Saturday, thought the Vols would have looked much better than what I saw on the replay.

That is an accurate assessment.   Also, considering the level of competition, neither line looked up to SEC caliber either.  However, there are a lot of young players who will improve as the year goes on.

[Rocky Top]

QB - I also would give the QB's a C. Simms seems to lock onto his receivers which is a killer against well coached DB's. his release is sorta "gay looking" but he throws a very catchable ball...tight spiral. As far as Bray...hard to grade him as he was working with mostly backups who are as inexperienced. His release is as quick as any QB I have ever seen but he lacks experience and the command of the offense. His upside is very encouraging.

OL - C...They are more athletic than the past lines UT has had. The pass blocking was disappointing but I blame that on lack of experience picking up stunts and blitzs. The run blocking was good but they had a couple of brain farts that cost UT in the red zone.

WR - B...The best run blocking I have seen at UT in quite sometime. The young guys had a hard time getting off the ball but again its was more lack of experience than not being physical. A couple of drops but that is to be expected for the first game. The upside with this group is off the charts. They are big, strong, fast and seem to be the strength of the offense once they gain the experience. Hunter and DaRick will be beasts if they stay healthy.

RB - C+...They had no fumbles and ran north/south for the most part. I saw some nice holes that they missed but the cut back lanes were there for the taking all day long. I noticed Poole had the ball in the wrong hand on several occasions which is a huge no-no. Still hard to judge based on the competition. I also notice they tripped over their own feet several times as well. At least UT has good depth at this position.

DL- B...Hughes is a beast and if he wants to work hard enough can be an all SEC player. He was a man against boys on Sat. It appears that Wilcox will scheme around the lack of size and experience and I like the way he used the whole group. I was pleasantly surprised but the opponent was pathetic.

LB - A...This group was outstanding. They tackled well and caused turnovers as well as reeked havoc all afternoon. Johnson is a natural and should of been at that position all along. Using him at FB was a total waste by the drive-by coaching staff that was here. Lots of depth and Wilcox really puts them in position to make plays. The best group on the field on SAt.

Db - C...Hard to judge this group due to the opponent so I will give them a C. The jury is still out on this bunch.

Kicking Game - D...Fumbled punt...short KO's...Zero punt returns...field goals that looked more like high schoolers. Without a doubt the most disappointing part of Saturdays game. Coverage was OK but Martins inability to catch the ball had nothing to do with UT coverage. I did like the hangtime on the KO's but against SEC teams, this will get UT beat...as usual. Cant allow teams to start on the 35  or better every time.

Coaching...Defensive coaches get a B+ Offensive coaches get a C Head coach gets a C. Dooley looked scared shiteless before the game and that was against a div 2 team. Whats he going to do against real teams? Plus, he talked about special teams all off season and they were pathetic. It just looks like lip service to me.

Overall - C+...Not bad for an opener but far from where this team needs to be to win 6 games. Lets hope things improve this week or it will get ugly.

[Hey8u]

FU Thugs   Kicked a cop in the head lately?   

[Rocky Top]

FU Thugs   Kicked a cop in the head lately?   

Fumbled any snaps lately... Oh, by the way...go checkout the Fulmer Cup, troll...

[volman45]

No need to break it down to every position.
The offensive line did not have a great push in the run game and that will be more evident against Oregon.
Special teams gets a D.
Defense the only bright spot B+, had a couple of breakdowns defending the pass.

Offense-C-
Defense-B+
Special Teams-D
Overall-C-
Coaching-C+