Linebackers
Nathanael: D
Darrell Taylor, the “star” of Tennessee’s linebacking unit, was invisible on Saturday. Against an opponent like Georgia State, that’s uncalled for. Taylor struggled with consistency last season, and it looks like that’ll be a problem again this year. I was encouraged by what I saw from true freshman Henry To’oto’o, and Will Ignont played well, too. But other than those two and a few good plays from Kivon Bennett (a tackle for loss) and Deandre Johnson (a sack and a forced fumble), this unit was, again, highly disappointing. I know Daniel Bituli’s absence certainly didn’t help, but that’s not an excuse for how bad this group was.
Tennessee’s linebackers looked absolutely confused out on the field at times, and they did pretty poorly with taking correct angles and reading the offense. I don’t know that Bituli’s presence would’ve affected that aspect very much.
Ben: D+
Henry To’oto’o and Will Ignont led the team with seven tackles apiece as the starting inside linebackers in place of Daniel Bituli. To’oto’o flashed at times and even recorded a tackle for a loss. Ignont added a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup, but as a group, the linebacker unit struggled lining up correctly, tackling, and with pursuit angles. Kivon Bennett was all over the field in the first half, tallying a tackle for a loss. But he disappeared in the second half. Darrell Taylor had just two tackles and one quarterback hurry. Deandre Johnson also had two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.
One Response
As a kid I growing up in Tennessee, I watched Johnny Majors coaching the Vols. From there the only highlights was Peyton Manning, who never won a championship, and T. Martin who was a one hit wonder.
I’m sick tired and embarrassed of making excuses.
Am pissed having to say yep we suck but we are rebuilding again and again and time after time.
Like a bad marriage or an old jalopy you pour more money and time into fixing.
At some point you have to face the facts. It ain’t getting any better and it ain’t never going to run like it use to.
I love my home state of Tennessee and I living in Georgia I’m Damn proud to be a Volunteer.
But I’m divorcing the University of Tennessee and taking a break from this toxic relationship.
Maybe one day UT will realize its playing college football and its part of the South Eastern Conference.
Not some back water obscure middle school.
So now I’m preparing to go to work on Tuesday
And listening to all the laughter and ridicule of getting beat by a last year 2 and 10 Georgia team.