We answer your question about the Vols or anything else in our weekly mailbag, Insider Mailing. If you have questions about anything in the mortgage process, go to BenMillerLoans.com.
“The SEC Network pointed out how CBJ goes well beyond anyone else in the SEC on Twitter. Does this show dedication or pandering?” – @SolidVolFan
Daniel: I’ll never fault Butch Jones for putting effort in on the recruiting trail. It comes off looking a little ridiculous to adults, but the reality is if even one of those interactions helps UT get a player it wants, it’s worth it.
Stephen: I think Butch is just trying to do whatever he can if it might get him in with a recruit. And I’m not really faulting him for that because hey, that’s his job. But at the end of the day, winning will speak louder than retweets.
Nathanael: A little of both, maybe? Butch is always thinking about recruiting, so he’s going to do whatever he can to help get an edge in recruiting. That’s good. But I think it’s a little of both.
“Yes or no: The Tennessee defense (so I’m not including special teams, pick-6, etc.) will allow 3 TDs or less each game?” –@techvol1
Daniel: UT only gave up 20 points per game last year total (and that did include other scores), so with Bob Shoop and improved personnel, the defense absolutely should allow three touchdowns or less per game.
Here’s another interesting note: UT only faces one Power 5-conference team this season that finished in the top five of its conference in scoring offense last year (Alabama, 4th in SEC).
Erik: I think we’ll average giving up less than 21 points per game, so yes.
Stephen: Yes. I think strictly speaking for the defense, they will allow around 2 TDs per game.
Nathanael: I think they’ll average less than 3 TDs given up a game, but I think they will allow more than 3 TDs in at least two games this season. Probably Texas A&M and some other game as well.
“Jason Croom, a little streaky but seemed to be a decent WR. What are predictions for him at TE?” – @MaxTE34
Daniel: I think he can be a bit more effective than Alex Ellis as a second tight end in the passing game, maybe a little less effective as a blocker. I’ll project 18 catches for 190 yards and a couple touchdowns.
Erik: Minimal, but I think he’ll have a few really big plays that will help us in big games
Stephen: I think he COULD be really good. But not good enough to really make Ethan Wolf miss that many snaps. I say he finished with around 20-ish catches for the season with 2-3 touchdowns. As a side note, I was actually wondering earlier today what Tennessee’s offense would look like if they ran a traditional pro-set, power-I, two tight-ends offense. My conclusion was I thought it would be very successful because Croom would be a very good second tight end. But I am also a traditional pro-set homer so I think I would always prefer that.
Nathanael: I’m not buying in to the Jason Croom hype. I think he’ll be lucky to get 15 catches in all honesty. Not because he lacks the talent, because he certainly has that. There are just so many other weapons on this offense at receiver, tight end (mostly Ethan Wolf), and even Hurd and Kamara catching passes out of the backfield. His ceiling is 20 catches in my opinion,
“What Pokemon best describes Evan Berry? I’m going with Zebstrika because he’s electric :D” – Blake Mclaughlin
Stephen: Great question Blake! First, I am strictly a first generation fan. That being said, I’d probably go with Tauros. He’s got speed. He’s got strength. He’s hard to take down, and he can cause a fissure in Knoxville if he takes a kickoff to the house.
Nathanael: Honestly, I have no idea what that Pokemon is. After generation three, I stopped playing the games. So I’m sticking to generation one just to simplify it. I like Stephen’s answer, and I’d go with that or a Rapidash because of his speed and fiery play.
“Who will be the first newcomer to get their stripe removed? If not a freshman, who will be frosh to get theirs removed?” – Spencer Scofield
Erik: Nigel Warrior.
Stephen: I think early enrollees have such a leg up when it comes to having their stripe removed. They’ve already learned so much and are more established on the team. Alvin Kamara last season had his stripe removed after day one because he established himself as a leader in the spring. That being said, I’m going with Marquil Osborne.
Nathanael: This is tough. I like Warrior, Byrd, Callaway, and Osborne, but Kongbo is also enticing. But I think it will be a guy who was an early enrollee as well, so I’m going with Jeff George and Marquill Osborne respectively.
“Will Kongbo start Day 1?” – Blake Richmond
Daniel: I’d say Corey Vereen is the odds-on favorite to start Day 1 opposite of Barnett with LaTroy Lewis being a wild card nobody talks about there. I think they have a situational package for Kongbo early in the season where he can go in on passing downs and get after the quarterback. He’ll build on that and be in the conversation for more playing time later in the year and into 2017.
Erik: With a limited role, he’ll get playing time – won’t be a starter
Stephen: I don’t think he will start day one. But that doesn’t matter much. Other than Derek Barnett, they rotate defensive linemen pretty frequently so Kongbo will likely still get plenty of reps – especially if Tennessee gets up big against App State. For now though, I’d pencil in Corey Vereen as second defensive end starter.
Nathanael: No, he won’t. But he’ll be the starter by the end of the season. I like Vereen and think he’s a very solid player, but his injury concerns make me think he’ll miss time at some point. Then I think Kongbo slides in. Or possibly even Kyle Phillips, but I don’t think Vereen is the starter for all 12 regular season games.
From @One_Tennessee:
Erik: Florida, next.
Stephen: Yeah, I’m with EA. It’s on my bucket list to witness Tennessee beat Florida. I’ve gone to the last two games and was heartbroken by 1-point losses in each game. I honestly wouldn’t even care where I sit as long as I can celebrate with other Vol fans when they win. I’ll be going to that game this year again as a fan, and my seats are in the lower corner right next to the visitor section. Hopefully this year I get to mark it off the bucket list.
Daniel: Agreed, take the sure thing in Florida. You know it’s going to be one of the great environments in Neyland history. The SEC Championship Game wouldn’t be too much of a gamble in my opinion, but I think you’d kick yourself all year if UT came up short and you passed up Florida.
