9. Daniel Bituli, LB
After playing a plethora of snaps and racking up 23 tackles against Georgia Tech in the season opener, Daniel Bituli’s playing time has dwindled in the last few weeks. Bituli has just 15 tackles in the last three weeks, but he’s also totaled 1.5 tackles for loss in that time too.
Long story short: Daniel Bituli needs more playing time, especially now that the Vols’ linebacking corps has suffered even more injuries.
Austin Smith is finally expected back, but he probably won’t play a ton as he still recovers from injury. Bituli has not only been a tackling machine, but he’s been efficient with them as well and hasn’t missed very many tackles. Georgia provides his toughest test to date, and the Vols need him to play more.
One Response
One of Jones biggest problems is that he plays mind games with his players with regard to playing time. Call it an inferiority complex, he has to show people whose in charge. Case in point Bituli. A tackling machine but held out because of mental mistakes. Really? Jones, you’ve had two years to coach him up. You can’t be afraid to play 2-3 string players; that’s what has gotten you in trouble (Hurd is a great example).