If you had a team of four Velociraptors what would you name them? And which current football Vol is most Velociraptorish? – @LoneNutVolFan
Houston: Peyton, Jamal, Peerless and Al. And I’ll go with Curt Maggitt as being most Velociraptorish – at least when comparing them to the raptors in the movie. Actual Velociraptors were only three feet tall…so, if we are going for a true comparison, I’ll take Ralph-David Abernathy IV. He’s 5’7 and fast.
Daniel: Like Houston said, I was disappointed to find out that they are only about three feet tall or so size-wise. The current Vols that are the closest to that are Abernathy, Pig Howard and Johnathon Johnson. In terms of their tenacity and tendency to hunt in packs, I think of Curt Maggitt, Derek Barnett and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Reed: Guys – they were genetically modified in Jurassic World, did you not pay attention? And thus, I’d go Curt Maggitt. He’s ferocious, fearless and relentless. As for naming the team, is no one making the “Volociraptor” joke?
What are your opinions on reciting the game maxims before every home game? I personally hate it, but that’s just me. – @SmokeyGreyVol
Daniel: I like the concept of intertwining some tradition/history, but don’t like this particular idea. I think they need to have the players recite one in the video when they’re introduced for the starting lineup.
For example: “Kyler Kerbyson, left tackle, Knoxville, Tennessee…Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game” or “Joshua Dobbs, quarterback, Alpharetta, Georgia…The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win”
Houston: I think it could be good if it’s a video that plays and they “train” the crowd to read them at the same speed/cadence every game. But, if they have someone new read them before every game then it will be an embarrassing nightmare. I vote for a live-feed into the locker room as the team reads them, but I understand why that might be a bad idea.
How about they just play a two-minute, badass hype video?
Reed: If it’s anything like how they did it a few years ago and before the Orange and White Game this spring, it’ll be terrible. Fans can barely sing Rocky Top in unison, nailing the maxims at the right cadence just isn’t happening unless a video with the same cadence is played every week. Even then, it’ll be a struggle. Love the idea of it – but it must be better executed.
What teams in the SEC can stop our pass rush? I believe it will be pretty lethal #GoVols – @ksdev6190
Daniel: Arkansas is the matchup I’m most looking forward in terms of seeing an opponent against Tennessee’s defensive line. NFL scouts will be feverishly scribbling notes in that game. Alabama has some individual players such as Cam Robinson that should hold their own. Georgia, Missouri and Oklaholding have a shot at keeping it under control. The Vols should be a pretty big mismatch in this area for every other team on the schedule.
Houston: Stop? None. Slow down? I think that Oklahoma (holding), Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama will be able to offset the rush to an extent, but the Vol defensive line will be able to impact every game at some point or another. Getting three of those teams in Neyland should force the refs to call holding a little more closely than they typically do on the road, and depth and talent should favor the Vols in almost every matchup.
Reed: I don’t think anyone will be able to stop Tennessee’s defensive front – but Arkansas may be able to neutralize the pass rush by running on darn near every play. From a matchup standpoint, that may be the toughest matchup on the schedule. Alabama and Derrick Henry may be able to slow Tennessee’s attack as well.
If Chris in GA has a bulldog named Herschel, is it wrong for a Vol to order the Uncle Herschel breakfast at @CrackerBarrel – @1inStripes
Houston: No, it’s not wrong. In fact, I don’t know if anything on the breakfast menu at CB could be classified as wrong. B&G with eggs and meat is always a great combo. Add some breakfast casserole and you’ve got a winner.
Circle of Life Round 2: Entire RTI staff vs. Charles Mosley, Derek Barnett vs. Myles Garrett, Phil Steele vs. Houston Kress, Cam Sutton vs. Vernon Hargreaves. – @JakeTRDE1997
Daniel: Surely we could all move Mosley. I mean, we’re no collegiate offensive line, but we probably average 200 pounds per man, so if we had a good plan of attack, 1,200 pounds has to move any one person, right? Barnett over Garrett, he has a good 15 pounds on him. Pick’em for Sutton and Hargreaves – similar size and both really good players. Houston better be able to beat Phil Steele…
Houston: I would hope that all of us could combine to beat Mosley, but I wouldn’t place a bet on that one. Barnett would beat Myles Garrett with relative ease because it’s not a beauty contest. Steele would stand NO CHANCE against me. (Ok, that might not be true. I’ve never even seen the guy. He could look like Dwayne Johnson for all I know.) And Sutton vs. Hargreaves would be a nice battle. Sutton’s got a little bit of height and weight on VHIII, so I’ll take Cam in a close one.
Reed: There’s no way even the RTI team of strapping young lads could beat a real football player like Mosley. Houston and Daniel are crazy. Barnett would own Garrett IMO. Houston should take Steele – HK’s got a mean streak not many people know about. Kinda like a 5-10 Vol Hulk. I like Sutton over Hargreaves. He’s a bit bigger than Hargreaves and is a ruthless competitor.
