VTTW Board Index

A month ago, I would've laughed at such a notion.  But now that we're seeing what Butch's offense looks like without him, it seems like a fair question.  What say you?

Ahead of Tee Martin?

Maybe?  

Going into this season, I would've said Shuler was #2, with Martin, Dobbs, and Casey Clausen close behind (I'm too young to remember anyone who came before Cockrell).  But now, I'm not so sure that Dobbs doesn't deserve to be higher.  He has 3-4 of the greatest statistical games by a QB in UT history.  And it's becoming more clear with each passing week that he was the one who made that offense go.  An offense that, for the past couple years, was among UT's best ever.  And I don't think he had as good a supporting cast (especially on the OL) as the rest of those guys, either.  Not to mention that he was doing it against much better competition- the SEC is at another level now compared to those days.

Top 5 for sure....a little better accuracy n I would agree.

If I had to rate him, I'd put Shuler at 2, and Dobbs at 3.  Shuler by far the better passer.

I'd then put Tee 4th and Clausen 5th, then a tie between Kelly and Ainge. If I have to go before I started following the Vols, Condrege would be fifth or even fourth. 

At eight is Bray, attitude and all. Francis 9th...after that, who cares?  (-:

When you go back and review all those guys' accomplishments, it really reminds you that football is the ultimate team game.

Tee Martin gets a lot of credit for winning a NC (and rightfully so).  But I believe Shuler would have won it in '92 if Johnny hadn't come back mid-season.  And Andy Kelly, limited as he was, had the greatest supporting cast of any UT QB ever.  In his time at UT, he had Cobb, Webb, Stewart, Thompson, Hayden, and Garner at RB.  Amsler and Poles at FB.  Pickens, Harper, Fleming, Morgan, and Faulkner at WR.  And OLs anchored by the likes of Davis, McCrae, and Still.  You put all those guys around Peyton Manning, and he may have never lost a game. :wow:

2nd?  No way.  I understand the contrast with Dobbs' offense successes and this year but even though they scored a lot of points they never really accomplished anything besides beating big 10 teams in bowl games.  If he'd had a better SEC record I might bump him up the list some but he's on the fringe of top 5 for me.  

1. Peyton
2. Shuler/Martin
3. C. Clausen
4. Holloway/Dobbs  (I know I'm too young to remember Holloway but I've heard and read a lot about him)

Guess it depends on your definition of "greatest" but, that's my opinion.

I'd put T. Rob up there too.

Holloway would be lights out playing one of today's read option offenses. The stats for the old timers do not look as good just because the way offense was played back in the day.  They were lucky to throw the ball 15 times in a game. Now 30 times is low in some games.

Yeah, forgot about him.  First game as a student was Auburn 1985  :biggrin:

Lower half of top ten, not even close to #2.

This. 

Dobbs looks great in hindsight, but I remember lots of moaning & groaning over his accuracy, lack of a deep ball, etc. A good qb, but not #2 imo.

I'd only put him that low on passing ability only.  In fact, that might be a bit high if passing were everything.  My rating is based on production.  it may be a bit high, but other than Shuler and Peyton, there aren't any other "can't miss" picks on that list IMO.

Yeah, never saw Holloway, but Dad says he's the best ever. Regardless, he's up there.

In no chronological order T. Rob, Shuler, Manning, Martin, and Clausen are clearly superior IMHO.