Last night in the traffic after the game and the drive home this morning I thought a lot about how the season has gone and some reasons why were where we are at. I decided to conentrate on the coaches. While I have named players in the rant below I have attempted to not cast any in a bad light
My views on the coaches:
Coaches Failing/Failed Experiments
1. Glen Elarbee. I realize that Heup and Elarbee are very good friends but Elarbee?s group are under performing and are not developing and in my view, regressing (Campbell (I know he is injured but reaching holds are so poor technique), Spraggs has regressed and Kuric as well, though the bar was lower to start with). For example: Last night the pass pro, especially the right side was a disaster. Multiple snaps two free rushers on the right. With the exception of one play (assisted by the TE the run blocking flat SUCKED! In my view Elarbee HAS TO GO!
2. Joey Halzle. This FAILED experiment is just not working, from game plan, to offensive efficiency to any number of things, including QB development. Heup is always going to overshadow the OC but this isn?t working in my view. We miss the Mad Russian greatly. Heup needs to find someone he trusts, like he did with Lebby and the Mad Russian, otherwise the offense will continue to be below standards.
3. Willie Martinez. It is time for Willie to retire. This year the secondary has improved, due to talent, not necessarily through development (though a claim for McMurray?s development into a serviceable corner can be made). Last night some of the issues with his corners (greater with the safeties to be fair) were in evidence. While I am bitching, the splitting of secondary coaching between corners and safeties isn?t working in my view.
4. Tim Banks. As a safeties coach I have never been a fan. From the total lack of rotation, which hurt development to playing those that have liabilities has hurt secondary performance. Last night Brooks was exposed numerous times as an example. I like Brooks and love his story but he does have limitations, to include a lack of speed and quickness, which Bobo took full advantage of last night. I do like Banks as a DC, he is aggressive without being reckless. Sometimes you get burned with taking risk, part of the game.
Requires further Evaluation
1. William Inge. I like the hire and think he will be good in the long run and possibly Banks? replacement as DC if Banks get a HC position. However, LB has been disappointing, rivaling the OL for the poorest performing unit in my view. The loss of Pili has really exposed the unit. It took going to 3 LBs to get Kalib Perry on the field. Till then we went with a RFR who has not really progressed in my view. Has been exposed in the pass game numerous times this year. Our claimed best behind Pili has taking a lot of bad reads and angles this year. Telander has played the best of the crew in my view and seems to spend the least time on the field. This position needs significant improvement.
2. Kelsey Pope. I believe Pope is doing a good job but a wonder if long term he can develop players. I have one player in my mind when I state that question. He can recruit and I think overall the experiment with him has been a success but I do have a few concerns.
3. De?Rail Sims. He is only in this group because he is in his first year. I think early returns have been positive. Sampson, Bishop and Lewis have all show development/improvement this year. I look forward to watching his group improve year over year.
Performing well/retain
1. Mike Ekeler. IF there is one constant for Tennessee under Heup it is the performance of the Special Teams. They have performed very well and a times excellently! Yeah there will be the occasional breakdown (see Gilbert 2 weeks ago) but the ST unit has performed very well.
2. Rodney Garner. Simply the best DL coach I have ever seen.period.dot.
3. Alec Abeln. I think I can safely say that the TE room has been the most improved unit this year. Some of it is talent but the development and performance of the group has exceeded expectations this year. It was a gamble by Heup but I think it has paid off. Also, if Elarbee were to depart for any reason Albeln would be a natural to back fill him as his background is OL.
As is typical, YMMV
Gotta disagree on Martinez. Secondary much improved this year. Yes they got burned a bit last night but in fairness the usual pressure on the QB was not there. Also Beck is the best passer we have faced.
Still overall this years db's head and shoulders over last years.
I'd put Martinez in the juries out category.
