Matt Simms can handle the playbook and the huddle.
The Tennessee quarterback has also proven he can operate the offense without turning the ball over.
But coach Derek Dooley won't call Simms simply a game-manager though, because that backhanded compliment undersells his ability to do more than just avoid mistakes.
"I don't know why people view that (being a game-manager) as a negative," Dooley said Monday. "I think it's because people say it sometimes when a guy can't throw it a lick, when he can just hand the ball off real well. That's not what I mean.
"Matt's got a really strong arm. He makes throws that not a lot of guys can make. His game management is just a lot better than Tyler (Bray's) right now."
That difference has separated the junior college transfer from the true freshman, with Simms making the contrast even more clear by the end of UT's third and final scrimmage on Saturday afternoon.
Simms had a ball tipped at the line and intercepted by Gerald Williams, but that marked his only turnover in the game-like situations - and he claimed there haven't even been other close calls. On the flip side, Bray has struggled with the pressure of leading the offense and was apparently on the hook for four interceptions in the closed workout, effectively ending a race that Simms has led since spring.
"One is definitely good, but the whole key to that is just never turning the ball over," Simms said. "But I've come along way since spring, especially since in the spring I was probably throwing one (interception) every day. So, to come out there and just to throw one the entire camp in scrimmages so far, that's good.
"That's my mindset every day - just control the football, manage the offense. That was my demon, definitely, in the spring. Something that I was always trying to conquer over the summertime was just not forcing footballs, especially because I'm not in junior college anymore and I can't just throw into double-coverage and stuff like that because I have a strong arm. People in this conference will pick it off and laugh on the way to the end zone."
The Vols weren't able to do that much against Simms during camp, and that was perhaps one of the biggest factors as Dooley determined who would take the snaps when the season opens against UT Martin.
And now that he appears to have settled on a starter, Dooley will be expecting similar turnover numbers when they really matter.
"(One turnover) is good, and I hope we can say that at the end of the year - though we probably won't be able to," Dooley said. "That's the key though, and I've talked to Matt about that a lot. Coming out of the spring my biggest concern was our ability to protect the football. If we don't protect it we won't beat anybody on the schedule, I can tell you that right now.
"If we do protect it and don't turn the ball over, we'll have a chance. He's really responded to that part, and he's done so in a way (that) it's not like he's shutting it down and playing super-conservative. He's still trying to make aggressive throws, he's just doing it in better situations."
That's obviously part of being a productive game-manager. But the Vols aren't going to limit Simms by saddling him with a label.
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Comments » 73
Pullingguard writes:
Who will we defeat out of the SEC tough teamns.
There is Fla., Ala., LSU., Ga/,. and SC.. Can we
get two victories there..and will we lose one to
either Miss., Ky., or Vandy? Probably!!!
tree_em_smokey writes:
Is it kickoff time yet??????? I can hardly sit still! I wish football season was as long as basketball.....but the players would be so beat up that some serious injuries would be happening. I hope Simms does as good in a real game as he does in practice....well at least on the topic of turnovers. Wouldn't mind some better numbers on the completion ballot though. Go VOLS! Smokey says "Don't make me bite somebody ".
RoadTrip writes:
I agree on Matt starting at this point. I just hope that they let Tyler play some series in games to get him ready for the future. That is something past coaching staffs have not been good at in recent memory. It paid big dividends back in the 80s and 90s to have the #2 guy on the field to get a feel of the action, so that they are ready if needed.
GBO!
Orangeatang writes:
I'm just glad we don't have to worry about Nick Stephens being the starter.
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
Pullingguard, it will be better than you think...
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
Personally, I have us going 9-3 in the regular season (and have been saying so for months). And yes, I fully realize that most people who read this will think that I'm delusional. Regardless, here's how I see it playing out:
W on 04 Sep. vs. UT-Martin - Not much needs to be said here. The Skyhawks find themselves outmatched in every way as THE UT rolls to an easy win with most starters out early in the 2nd half (if not sooner). UT's running backs combine for well over 200 yards rushing, with backup David Oku getting much of the work after starter Tauren Poole is pulled fairly early for safe-keeping. Much to the approval of many Vol fans (and to the chagrin of many others), Dooley takes it easy on UT's sister school as the Vols coast to a victory by a score of "a lot" to "not a lot".
W on 11 Sep. vs. Oregon - The Vols score one of the 2010 college football season's first "major upset"s (which it really isn't). To the surprise of virtually every supposed "expert"--as well as many Vol fans--it turns out that Oregon isn't quite as good as advertised. It also becomes apparent that UT isn't nearly as bad as advertised. UT doesn't blow Oregon away, but wins comfortable. I'll call it 20-something to 10-or-less. Some of UT's loonier fans even start dreaming of an upset of Florida one week later.
W on 18 Sep. vs. Florida - Some of UT's loonier fans turn out to be right, as the Vols post a TRUE upset one week after beating over-rated Oregon. The now fairly "normal" Tebow-less Gators lose a close, highly-competitive contest without Superman being available to pick up ridiculous 3rd & 4th down conversions when desperately needed. The Vols play a very inspired game in front of a loud, energetic, sold-out crowd. Tauren Poole rushes for over 120 yards and scores two TDs. Some of UT's LOONIEST fans begin dreaming of a 14-0 national championship season.
W on 25 Sep. vs. UAB - Again, not much needs to be said here. A week after "sending shockwaves throughout the college football landscape" according to sensationalistic ESPN's Chris Fowler, the Vols have just a little bit of an emotional let down early against UAB, but still manage to lead at halftime when head coach Derek Dooley lays into them. UT comes out fired-up in the second half and the Vols' 2nd-teamers get to play again in what quickly becomes a blowout. The Vols are amazingly off to a very unexpected (by most) 4-0 start.
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
L on 01 Oct. @ LSU - UT's looniest fans watch their 14-0 national championship dreams slip away as the Vols suffer a rude awakening from their dream season in Death Valley. LSU's defense manages to stifle UT's offense just a bit more than UT's defense limits LSU's offense as the Tigers win a low-scoring, competitive game.
W on 09 Oct. @ Georgia - A week after suffering their first loss of the season, the Vols rebound against a struggling Georgia team. It turns out that the "experts" somehow confused Georgia & Tennessee for each other in the preseason. Despite a first-year starting QB, the Vols are actually playing well AS A TEAM (as Georgia was expected to do) while Georgia turns out to have too many holes (as UT was expected to have). UT's looniest fans now set their sights on the SEC Championship, which they deem more important than a national championship, anyway.
L on 23 Oct. vs. Alabama - Two weeks later, UT's looniest fans start to see the SEC Championship slipping away just a little bit. The Vols play competitively, but despite having an extra week of preparation, prove to be outmatched and collect their first (and only) home loss of 2010.
L on 30 Oct. @ South Carolina - One week after getting handled by the hated Crimson Tide, the Vols suffer their first back-to-back losses of the Derek Dooley era as they lose on the road to Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks. In coming years, Dooley gets the better of Spurrier, but his 2010 squad's lack of depth and experience amount to a tough loss on the road to yet another inconsistently good Spurrier-led South Carolina team. UT's shot at the SEC Championship game suffers a fatal blow.
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
W on 06 Nov. @ Memphis - Not much to be said. The Vols take out two weeks' worth of losing on a helpless Memphis Tigers team. Memphis' "home field advantage" isn't one as UT's orange-clad fans outnumber the hometown fans in blue by at least two-to-one. UT rolls to a big, easy win and becomes officially bowl eligible.
W on 13 Nov. vs. Ole Miss - UT exacts revenge for its worst loss of the 2009 season as Mississippi rolls into Knoxville and receives yet another beatdown in Neyland Stadium. (I just want to remark here that I was at the last one a few years ago, when Jonathan Wade returned an interception for a TD right in front of where I was sitting. It remains one of my favorite plays that I've seen live & up close!)
W on 20 Nov. @ Vandy - UT spoils Robbie Caldwell's first game in this intrastate "rivalry". This one isn't even close.
W on 27 Nov. vs. UK - UT also spoils Joker Phillips' first game in this rather one-sided rivalry as the Vols push their SEC-record winning streak over the Wildcats to 26 in a row.
After a surprising 9-3 regular season, the Vols win a New Year's Day bowl game to finish 10-3 in Derek Dooley's first year.
GOBIGO72 writes:
Fantasy Football's latest Hall of Fame inductee. Well done Sir.
halloffamebowler writes:
Yes,you are delusional.But I like it.Really possible that we come out of this season with a loseing record.Break even at the very best.
99gator writes:
i guess hope always springs eternal.
but, it's going to be a long, long year folks.
head to the nearest location where fine beverages and spirits are sold. stock up, and don't bother cutting it with any mixers. you might not want to bother with any ice either.....or a glass.
better days are ahead.
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
Thank you, sir...I appreciate that! :)
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
I agree with you on both of your points (9-3 WOULD be a GREAT season, and Dooley WOULD, in such a case, merit Coach of the Year honors)...and I honestly don't think that such an outcome is completely out of the question.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Simms certainly seems capable. I think this shows why 99% of all freshmen (Peyton excluded) can not handle the pressures of starting in the SEC. It's too bad we don't have Stephens to backup Simms, I really think it would be good to redshirt Bray.
halloffamebowler writes:
Some of you reported that Bray was the better QB and wanted him to be the man.I do also.However you can now see that Bray is not the man this year and may not be next year except for an injury to Simms.This was a good report and should teach us to trust the Coaches decision.These Coaches know a heck of a lot more than we do.
NorthwestVol writes:
Yes 99, hope does spring eternal. Isn't that one of the fundamental basis of sports? And on some rare occasions.....
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
While one part of me agrees (my heart) another part of me is shouting "What are you drinking / smoking?" I've been a Vol fan since Doug Dickey and I've seen many ups and downs; if we can be better than .500 I believe we've had a great first year. 9 and 3: I'll be dancing on ROCKY TOP!!!!
GO VOLS . . . WE ARE UT !!!
dvhill100 writes:
"People in this conference will pick it off and laugh on the way to the end zone."
The lights are on for our QB. That will pay a lot of dividends during the season. I expect it will save us at least one game, maybe more.
tapeworm writes:
I just hope he's matured since his unimpressive stint at Louisville. He was a mess there.
OrangePsyched writes:
Simms has always had the physical ability...was just worried about the mental aspect. He is maturing in this capacity. He has a swagger and now is more serious than in the past. I think he will have a solid but not spectacular year. Anyone hear about the Ole Miss QB transfer from Oregon's comments about comparing the Pac 10 with the SEC? He said there was no comparison. He said the speed on the defense was way ahead of what he was used to playing against. This is just practicing against of his own team. I think that Oregon will be surprized on the 11th. ROCKY TOP!
txsvol#372416 writes:
What have you been smoking? While I love your optimism, you seemingly haven't factored in the possibility of injuries to key players on our 75 man squad. What would injuries, say, to Simms or Poole, or Hughes, do for your projections? (All MLBs have an injury-free year--they suffered enough last year.) I'm O for October, projecting that at least some injuries will happen in games 2 and 3, costing us one of both of those games as well. Go Vols! SAVol
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
:-) Well, I appreciate your frankness, sir! And yes, you're absolutely right that a losing record could be a very real possibility.
But, in my humble opinion, a surprisingly good record is just as real of a possibility.
It should be fun to see how things play out. We'll find out pretty soon!
GO VOLS!
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
Thanks! Always glad to make somebody smile... :-)
GR82BaTennesseeVOL writes:
100% smoke-free, my friend.
Injury to Simms: Insert Bray + a few more snaps for the G-Gun/Wildcat/whatever that Dooley is ALREADY planning to work into the current gameplan anyway + relying EVEN MORE on the run game than we're already going to do.
Injury to Poole: Ouch. BUT, Oku (who's up to 198 lbs. now) becomes featured back and is spelled by Neal & Williams.
Injury to Hughes: BIGGER Ouch. But I'm sure Wilcox will come up with something. Seriously...take a good hard look at what Boise State's defense did over the last three years and tell me with a straight face that we don't have more talent (even among our backups) than Boise State had on their roster. YES, I realize that Boise State was involved in a few high-scoring shootouts and that they are going up against WACky competition most of the time, but look at what they did against Oregon & TCU last year. Wilcox is KNOWN for working with what he's got. I think his starting DTs at Boise St. averaged 270 lbs or something like that...
I FULLY believe that Wilcox can shut Oregon down again with UT's current squad. And I fully believe that he'll be able to make adjustments to whatever situation may arise. BESIDES, we're perhaps underestimating a surprise contribution from Minor Bowens or Victor Thomas or Rae Sykes or Arthur Jeffrey or Stephen Fowlkes (in order of my opinion of their likeliness of providing such a surprise contribution).
VOL4LIFE68 writes:
Alabama is rated #1 this year. We (VOLS) were closer to beating the National Champions than anyone else in the Nation last year. "Man Boobs" is gone so I figure the tide may have a problem leaving the HILL with a victory this year. LOL!!!!! PS.... We have a new kicker too.... LOL!!!
vol98champ writes:
My biggest concern, up until now, has been the offensive line, but the starters were all 3 or 4 stars coming out of HS and they have great size. Last year we had 2 walkons and would have beaten Bama with a healthy kicker, physically as well as mentally. We need a lot of luck and healthy bodies. That and more talent than most folks think we have could go a long way.
westennvol writes:
I cannot wait til "FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE".... personally, I don't think it will be as bad as predicted. At worst, 6-6 this year
at best 8-4 record. (My humble opinion)
KnoxKiffin writes:
Smokey is going to bite you someday.
iowavol writes:
Athletically, we have what we need to line-up with anybody. Depth/experience wise, we don't. So you are probably right with one surprise win. 5-3 in the SEC plus a loss to Oregon. IMO, that would be phenomenal.
gnm53108 writes:
You're not alone GR82B.
There are still a few of us big orange kool-aide drinkers.
Of course I like mine fermented.
volsfan74 writes:
West you took the words right out of my mouth, I don't see how we win less than 6 but if a few things go our way it's a real possibility that we win 8. South Carolina (and their whiney coach) doesn't scare me and to be honest (call me crazy) Oregon does not scare me. We win those two then UTM, UAB, Vandy, KY, Memphis thats 7 wins and I think we will beat Ole Miss! No chance against UF or Bummer.
writer#358485 writes:
It's very nice to see someone writing about the upside potential the Vols have this year, GR82BaTennesseeVOL. I'm just as optimistic, though also just as realistic. I agree 9-3 or even better is possible if we avoid critical injuries. We have good football players and I believe outstanding coaching.
It would be a lot of fun to put some hurt on the "stars" people all the way from those who post here to those at the networks that promulgate such rankings. One thing I do know is that if you look at the rankings at the start of each year and then again at the end of the year, there are a lot of differences! It's getting harder and harder to wait for "Football Time in Tennessee!" Go Vols!
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
If we can go 7-5, make it to the Chick Filet Bowl, and play North Carolina, I'll be more than happy!
BufordTJustice writes:
heres hoping he doesn't go "Crompton" on us when the game lights go on.
Vol86 writes:
DC- you seem to be able to name more Tn Players than I can name Fl players. Congrats.
However, we have more offensive weapons this year. D line is my only big concern.
gnm53108 writes:
My expectations?
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Actually, Daniel Lincoln kicked the ball into Cody's Knee. Mini Me could have blocked that kick.
Ayres_Hall writes:
If Bray has to play... then we are in BIG TROUBLE.
We need Matt Simms to be as close to error-free as possible. So I'm expecting the play calling to be vastly improved under a more experienced and better prepared OC Jim Chaney. Remember, it wasn't until the UGA game that Kiffin finally found the cahones to mix pass and run and call play-action and roll-out throws.
bigorangetrain writes:
Yes you are delusional. I support Tennessee as hard as anyone but I know when we are down. Fans must understand that Dooley has inherited a tough situation and its going to take time to get it corrected and as fans we must give him time and be patient. The next 2 seasons are going to be tough. Playing with only 72 scholarship players is a huge problem. Our roster doesn't look anything like the top teams in the SEC that takes time to build. I like your optimism and enthusiasm but you are setting youself up for a major letdown. GBO!!
gnm53108 writes:
Question...In your oppinion should it just be the fans that dont expect to win or should that include the coaches and players?
Not doggin ya,just dont agree ,that you have to have low expectations just for the sake that you aren't disapointed.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
We also had a depleted linebacking corp, 2 walk-ons on offensive line, and a QB who didn't learn how to throw until the UGA game.
99gator writes:
Smokey surely will.
But, smokey is going to need sharper teeth.
UGA doesn't have sharp teeth either, but bad breath goes a long way
Lizardgrad89 writes:
I think the point is realism.
At this point, realistic optimism is along the lines of player development for the future rather than ANY expectation of wins.
Let me nutshell this for you. Your defense is bad, your offense is bad, and your special teams are bad. That's the whole story. If you want my reasoning, read on.
Defensive tackle was a weak position for you going into camp, then you lost two to injury and another to grades. Critical shortage at this position now.
Now, the interior of your line will not be able to stop the off tackle play in base defense even against mediocre teams. Therefore, you will need to crowd and pinch with the LB's and maybe bring up a safety. The result will be you getting killed on play action, particularly crossing patterns right behind the LB's. Defense begins at the point of attack, and you are critically weak there.
On offense, you have 5 new OL starters. This means a lack of chemistry. They have to work as a unit to be effective, and they simply aren't ready for it. You might have some success running the ball, but pass protection will be hit and miss. Because of this, teams are going to crowd the line and bring high heat, resulting in runs being stuffed and QB's being sacked.
On special teams, you are relying on kickers that haven't played a single college game, and your block and return units will be manned by the same backups who are the reason you have no depth.
With the season starting in less than 10 days the time for pie in the sky optimism is past. At this point, it is what it is. Or in this case, what it isn't.
I hope all this logic and realism hasn't dampened your national title aspirations, LOL.
jobrando#216494 writes:
We all know who performs best under real game pressure will win the job. It's all in the head.
gnm53108 writes:
National championship aspirations?
Wouldn't complain but the sec,or sec east is what comes first and I do expect to be in the running.
Offense,defense,and special teams bad huh?
Lets just say I dont agree...but then again I rarely agree with reptiles.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
That's ok.
It's just about put up or shut up time anyway. We'll soon see.
gnm53108 writes:
Here's one of those rare occasions...Agree.
We'll soon see.
Volchief writes:
Indeed sir. I whole-heartedly believe that we were a better team than UCLA last year. I know it took Crompton a little while to come around last season & for our team to mesh well, but, in my mind, there was no reason we shold have lost that game. Kiffin was simply out-coached by Norm Chow. Period!
Oregon has a very good team this year. They are definitely contenders in the PAC-10. That being said, as you alluded to, the SEC is a completely different leauge. I know we lost 2 close ones in a row to UCLA, but I believe this year we will prove that we are better than people think. I want to believe that Coach Dooley & Coach Kelly will both be very competitive with each other, but give the upper hand to Wilcox & his defensive schemes. Defense, as is usually the case in this leauge, will be the key factor in the game. Depth is an issue but hopefully this early in the season we will not be hindered by lack of depth. Remember what Justin Wilcox did to Oregon last season. We may not have the best defense in the SEC but it is a SEC defense none-the-less. Go Vols!
SCIENCETCHR writes:
I won't dare predict the teams we defeat or the teams to whom we lose, but I really believe we will end the season with either a 9-3 or 8-4 record. My gut tells me that CDD will bring out the best with his depleted roster. Then again, I Do Have a long history of I.B.D. Do I need to explain what that means?
SCIENCETCHR writes:
WHOOPS, Make that I.B.S. Again, I'll answer that question if asked. (It's my gut once again.)
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