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govols247's Camp Competition: No. 4

  • http://tennessee.247sports.com/Article/Tennessee-Vols-Camp-Competition-Countdown-No-4-Nose-tackle-83037

    Our Camp Competition series looking at the biggest position battles in Tennessee's upcoming preseason football camp continues with No. 4 — nose tackle.

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    Senior Writer, govols247 Email: wrucker@247sports.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wesrucker247 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrucker247

    Wes Rucker

  • Good Stuff!! We have some Big Boyz in the middle. Can't wait to see them hit somebody named wolfpak. Go Vols!!

    OrangeCrush4012

  • This group is definitely better than "the sack of potatoes" Dooley inherited in 2010. It's going to be interesting to see how this unfolds during fall practice.

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    Go Vols

    orangeasylum ●

  • Two questions:
    1) how many NTs are in an ideal rotation?
    2) who would you place in that rotation as it stands now?

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    2013. Team 117. Beginning of the new Era.

    RattlerVolJdII ●

  • Wes- what's the ideal size for this position? The range of height and weight for this list of guys is substantial. Or does McCullers skew things a bit? (dang he is big!!)

    memphischic

  • This really will be a good competition/position battle. There are a wide variety of guys... You've got Mammoth McCullers who doesn't have SEC experience, experienced guys like Couch and Hood who are both healthy, big bodies in Tugboat, Clark, and O'Brien, and an athletic undersized guy in Taylor. There are lots of opportunities for all those skill sets to contribute in a variety of situations. We really don't have a great idea of how Sal will utilize everyone, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. A couple of thoughts:

    - I had no idea about Couch's allergies/asthma... Hope he has gotten used to it.

    - I really like what we have in Daniel Hood. He's a very intelligent guy with the size and experience to do good things. Competition will really bring out even more in his game, and I like the fact that he is 100% healthy. "Competition breeds success"

    - Depth is going to push Tugboat to become a better player if he wants to see the field, which will help us in years to come. I don't think he will be called upon too much, especially if O'Brien is getting in games.

    - Trent Taylor is probably the most athletic guy mentioned, and I think that will equal some action for him this season.

    - None of these guys are seniors, and barring any breakout years, they will all be back next year. We will be extremely deep along the defensive line next year, and hopefully we add some beaststuds from the 2013 class!

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    423VOL

  • Really looking forward to some run stuffers this year. I haven't seen any pics of these guys since Coach Mc has had them, but I assume they have transformed their strength as the rest of the team has. I am sooo ready for football time in Tennessee.

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    Its not a stupid question until you ask it.

    Ram_Lock

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    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • shaverschoice said...

    Really looking forward to some run stuffers this year. I haven't seen any pics of these guys since Coach Mc has had them, but I assume they have transformed their strength as the rest of the team has. I am sooo ready for football time in Tennessee.

    Tennessee wasn't particularly good at stopping the run this spring, but McCullers, Hood and O'Brien weren't out there at the time. It will be interesting to see if the Vols can improve in that area this fall.

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

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    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • ultimately with all these NGs I find it hard to believe that we woudl not try to get someon like O'Brien or Couch on the outside if they are athletic to do so... With Big Dan and Mo, and even Hood, a talent like O'Brien should hopefully be on the field as well even if for the next two years he is 3 or 4 on the depth chart

    coachingwiz

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    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • 3 juniors, 2 sophomores and 2 true freshman, any chance one or both freshman get redshirted? At least to start the season it might not be a bad idea, can always burn the redshirt like Worley's last year. Would seem like too many for a regular rotation if they're all in it. Seems like the 5 upperclassman would be fine baring injuries.

    Tithulta

  • Ryan Callahan said...

    Tennessee wasn't particularly good at stopping the run this spring, but McCullers, Hood and O'Brien weren't out there at the time. It will be interesting to see if the Vols can improve in that area this fall.

    It has to be better than the last two years. I can't remember many times we stopped a team on a 3rd and 1 lately. I know things got better towards the end of last year in the first 2 quarters. With the competition increasing I just have to believe that things are going to improve.

    Is this the 4th D-line coach in 4 years?

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    Its not a stupid question until you ask it.

    Ram_Lock

  • I think it is pretty amazing to think how far we have come at this position over the past few years. Wes Brown was all heart but didn't have knees, Montori Hughes was as inconsistent as can be, and last year Hood, Couch, and Saulsberry were all first year players with various things holding them back.

    bavw

  • shaverschoice said...

    Is this the 4th D-line coach in 4 years?

    Yep, that's right. And, really, it's the fifth in five years when you go back to Phillip Fulmer's staff, which obviously had separate defensive tackles and defensive ends coaches.

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • That is a TON of talent vying for playing time. Literally. GO VOLS!

    BUTCH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. GO VOLS!

    OrangeNCarolina ●

  • Ryan Callahan said...

    Yep, that's right. And, really, it's the fifth in five years when you go back to Phillip Fulmer's staff, which obviously had separate defensive tackles and defensive ends coaches.

    To me, that's just sad, but it's where we have been as a program. Even with Dooley, we haven't had stability, with him having almost 2 different staffs in 3 years.

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    g8terh8ter_eric

  • Ryan, to follow up on one of your posts earlier - you don't think O'Brien or Couch play end at all? I would think those 2 along with Taylor might get some reps outside b/c even though they're big boys they move really well. Just hoping you can elaborate a little bit on your view. Thanks!

    TigerVol ●

  • Ryan Callahan said...

    Yep, that's right. And, really, it's the fifth in five years when you go back to Phillip Fulmer's staff, which obviously had separate defensive tackles and defensive ends coaches.

    Aye. That about sums it up.

    tallbrad ●

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    volwr88

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    volfan28 ●

  • Wes Rucker said...

    http://tennessee.247sports.com/Article/Tennessee-Vols-Camp-Competition-Countdown-No-4-Nose-tackle-83037

    Our Camp Competition series looking at the biggest position battles in Tennessee's upcoming preseason football camp continues with No. 4 — nose tackle.

    Great stuff Wes +1. I will say I think McCullers will surprise some folks with his speed/quickness and thus will provide some pass rush ability to the D. I am also thinking this position may be the key to everything. Stop the run and they pass, this free's up the DE's and LB's to rush the passer and that makes the DB's better. Given the tools we have on offense I think the D is the key to this season and it starts in the middle. JMO

    tnbear66 ●

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    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

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    2013. Team 117. Beginning of the new Era.

    RattlerVolJdII ●

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