TN OL could be lost for the year...

[Falconfreak90]

http://www.campussports.net/tennessee-o ... 15-season/" target="_blank

Never want to see injuries happen but since we play the Vols to open the year, this is news.

[jpfalcon09]

I saw a report the other day as well that their top WR was welcomed back to the team after he was suspended pending allegations of rape charges, those charges were ultimately dropped.

[Falconfreak90]

Last year, the Vols OL gave up more sacks than any other SEC team. Of course the D units they face every week are much better than ours but they struggled. This won't help...

[FalconKid]

From what i read you can take that Sacks thing a couple diff ways. They gave up like 43 Sacks but 30 of them were before they switched to Dual Threat Josh Dobbs. They only gave up like 13 or maybe less with him as the QB. So it looks like they gave up most of those sacks in the first half of the year and averaged almost 210ypg rushing and 37pts when they switched to Dobbs. The first QB they used sounds like he was a statue so to speak. They also have a 240lb RB and another 215lb back. Just from looking at their fall camp write ups their WR unit looks like a basketball team haha. Bunch of big guys. Seems like they have a serious pass rush on Defense. Matty better get rid of the ball quickly.

[jpfalcon09]

From what i read you can take that Sacks thing a couple diff ways. They gave up like 43 Sacks but 30 of them were before they switched to Dual Threat Josh Dobbs. They only gave up like 13 or maybe less with him as the QB. So it looks like they gave up most of those sacks in the first half of the year and averaged almost 210ypg rushing and 37pts when they switched to Dobbs. The first QB they used sounds like he was a statue so to speak. They also have a 240lb RB and another 215lb back. Just from looking at their fall camp write ups their WR unit looks like a basketball team haha. Bunch of big guys. Seems like they have a serious pass rush on Defense. Matty better get rid of the ball quickly.

Yeah, UT is a stacked team this year after some mediocre seasons. Many pundits are picking them to finish in the top 2 of the SEC East. BG will have their hands full with their size and speed, especially on offense.

[WilliamDuVOL]

To your point, absolutely our starting QB was a statue. Justin Worley was truly a warrior who gave his all for us, and he was tough as nails too. Unfortunately, all the sacks eventually led to him having his labrum torn. With a better O line he would've been great. Our line was comprised of all first year starters, and some less talented guys from previous classes. Our last (AWFUL) coach Derek Dooley took exactly 0 linemen in the 2012 recruiting cycle, and it showed last year. Our starting left tackle played on a torn ACL. Marcus Jackson, a 5th year senior will be a loss for depth, but to put this in perspective he likely was not a starter over sophomore Jashon Robertson, and in 1 on 1 drills in practice he was getting dominated by our 5 star freshmen defensive tackles. I hate it for the guy though, and hope he can get a hardship year to save any chances he had in the NFL.

As far as the O line goes, they should be improved, and from practice notes it sounds like they will, at least, be moderately improved by SEC standards. Time will tell, but it sounds like they're starting to hold their own against what is projected to potentially be one of the best D lines in the SEC.

What is more concerning to me, is potentially losing starting WR Marquez North. He went down yesterday with an injury to the knee. MRI is today. He's a starter and as talented as he is, he's battled injuries his entire football career.

[jpfalcon09]

According to other media reports from Tennessee, the Vols currently have 18 guys banged up in some fashion. Butch Jones went far enough to criticize the media for releasing what he claims is false information regarding some of the injuries. Also, it would appear that North's injury isn't too serious but there really isn't a whole lot of details coming from the Vols.

This will be an interesting story line to follow as we creep closer to September 5th.

[FalconKid]

sounds like bumps and bruises though. Seems like alot of it is precautionary and people freaked out. They said North might miss maybe a week.

[Falconfreak90]

I fully expect a very tough game with TN. Phil Steele has them picked 2nd in the SEC East and we will have our hands full. But, I also believe BG is good enough to win this game. Minimize mistakes and take advantage of opportunities....usually what makes the difference in games like these.

GO FALCONS!!!!!

[WilliamDuVOL]

Confirmed, North will be available after a week, but I'm not sure if he'll play week 1 or not. We may want to save him for Oklahoma. We have quite a few big bodied, tall receivers, but North may have the most upside. Fandom aside, glad to see he isn't hurt.