Today marks the dawn of the 2019 Tennessee Vols determining their doom/domination and providing proof of (or poo-pooing on) Pruitt’s progress. A primary part of parting with their problematic past is plussing their personnel with proven players and developing dependable depth. Let’s peruse Pruitt’s players’ promise and problems, position by position!
OFFENSE:
Quarterback: It’s been some spell since starting a season with such stability at slinger. GuaranTANo’s grit and gumption are a guarantee, but without game management growth, pressure prediction and protection posturing, his guts are going to get him got (as groaned by grown guys on twitter). Just below Jarrett, though, is a depth desert devoid of a single Saturday snap. Any JG damage drama and the Vols veer into ominous offensive obstacles.
Runningback: A steady stable of stampeding strength and speed. So steady that big-boy Jeremy Banks was bumped-out to outside backer. The twitchy trio tasked with tumbling ‘tween the tackles are Ty, Tim and a ferocious first year with intimidating intangibles akin to Alvin Karmara. A blend of bruising and breakaway bolting should embolden this bunch as one of the Vols best.
Wide Receiver: A really well-rounded wideout room will rotate a wealth of returning workhorses. Dreads, Dawg, and a Dude from Canada will display dynamics and discipline first, followed by four or five top-notch targets. Passing production isn’t promised when previous personnel problems persist, but a padded portfolio of premier playmakers is a pleasant plus.
Tight End: It’s tricky to tell the trajectory of Tennessee’s talented (but totally top-heavy) Tight End troupe. To tell the truth, the seasoned selections of this section should spell success in Chaney’s scheme, should they stay safe from sprains and set-backs. If Dom Wood-Anderson does what all signs suggest, dude could definitely dominate. The post-Dom drop off is a steep slide to some (but so few) significant Saturday snaps. Looking-after those ligaments could lend in landing DWA a starting situation on Sundays soon.
Offensive Line: Oh Lort, the obvious liability. Officially, the O-line is in optimistic order, and after a physical fix from Fitzgerald, the front should finally fit the fearsome physique and physicality for facing forthcoming foes. Foreboding though, is the thought of the trash 2018 that these towering trench monsters took to the trousers. Will Will Friend’s front finally forge a foundation to give the aforementioned talents time to make some magical moments? Maybe. Mostly, a mix of marginal maturity with the massive and motivated Morris should mean that these mega-men make, at minimum, meaningful moves of melioration.
DEFENSE.
Defensive Line: An already accelerated amount of actually-accrued action was aggravated by A+ aggressor Emmitt Gooden’s ACL accident. Now, the new-look lads will line-up having nearly no live looks, collectively. Not to fret, though, as the front’s fresh faces are fairly fierce. Tough transfers and nasty newbies will take on the task at Tackle throughout the 2-deep, theoretically talent-trumping the UT D-line’s live-downs deficiency. Truthfully…troubling, but time will tell.
Inside Linebacker: At ‘backer, the boys boast a bumper crop of burgeoning back-again’s and a fast blossoming true-freshman To’o To’o too talented to tumble down the 2-deep. Big Boss Bituli will begin banged up, but the Congo Kid will be back and better by BYU, you betcha.
Outside Linebacker: WGWTFA Hashtag Hero and Defensive Destroyer Darrel Taylor decided to ditch the dollars and deliver a definitive dose of dirty deeds in Derrick Ansely’s renovated rushing regime. Darrel is the definite dude of these defenders, and down the chart, depth dives to distressing for this chippy bunch, challenged by changeover. Pray a prayer of protection for these pass-rush PCL’s.
Cornerback: 2018’s worry-free wealth of back-pedaling ballhawks were all but assured in their approaching sophomore stanza, but All-American Bryce’s big trouble has augmented anxiety about the performance of Pruitt’s prized pass patrollers. But Warren Burrell, a freakish first-year phenom, was fixed not far from first team, due to fiery feats at corner during fall camp. The freshman fighter will now be officially featured, as fans feign being fine while waiting to find out the future.
Safety: A rare relief in the realm of relative relaxation regarding readiness, Nigel Warrior’s normally noggin-knocking nastiness now lends to leading a nice league of light-footed fellows to foil forthcoming catches. Flanked by Flowers and a quiver of quietly developed quality depth, Warrior’s cartel of rowdy route-ruiners will be worrying wideouts until winter.
Kicking: They’re fine. I don’t wanna do this one. Paxton punts and Brent boots blah blah blah please just play football already.
For our game-by-game season preview, also completed in alliteration, click here.
