Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Florida
- When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: $70
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
Developing a new relationship was part of the issue in the season opener.
A game plan that didn't focus on Luke Stocker slowed him down a week later.
That appears to be as deep as Tennessee will go in explaining a somewhat sluggish start for its senior tight end, though, and nobody is really even calling it a problem yet. But based purely on numbers, Stocker hasn't yet lived up to any preseason All-SEC expectations for the Vols (1-1) as they prepare for a showdown with No. 10 Florida (2-0) on Saturday (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.) - though they're intent on fixing that.
"Obviously we want to get Luke involved, and we're going to continue to do that," quarterback Matt Simms said. "It hurts us that Luke is a great blocker and we need him in for protection at times, too. Each week we're getting better, and we're going to make more plays this weekend.
"Maybe at times (too much is made of catches), because he is extremely valuable to us. He needs to be on the field and be doing a lot of things for us, and although he might not be making as many catches yet, I'm pretty sure that they're coming."
The Vols could certainly use them to spark a passing game that has yet to really click, particularly since so much was expected out of the tight end position coming into the season.
But through two games, Stocker has only picked up 19 yards while pulling down three balls - two of which came from backup quarterback Tyler Bray late in the season-opening win over UT Martin. Those statistics might not be quite so glaring if he hadn't also had at least that many throws bounce off his hands for drops, even if they weren't all the easiest plays to make.
"You know, it's hard to say," Stocker said. "You've got a new quarterback coming in, a new system to him, and it's just a matter of everybody having an understanding of where we're going to be at the same time. It's just not enough reps between me and him, and that's basically what we're working on and we're getting together.
"You just have to take all the negativity and frustration and put it out of your mind, you know, kind of move on. If you get caught up it's just a distraction, and that's going to keep making it worse."
Dealing with early season adversity has been the theme for more than just Stocker after the collapse last Saturday against Oregon. So he's not alone in trying to bounce back with a big game against the Gators.
He's also not the only one responsible for getting the passing game back on track either, with the Vols suffering a couple breakdowns in protection last week and Simms dealing with some accuracy issues. But out of that group, Stocker clearly entered the season with the highest expectations.
"I think probably Luke, when you come in your senior year, it's the same old deal," UT coach Derek Dooley said. "High expectations, you want a lot of success, (then) 'Oh, I'm not getting it,' and you press. We just have to relax and go play. It will work out.
"I think it's been a combination of a lot of things. Now, first of all, we threw him the ball a lot in the first game and he didn't play well. Last game, we had him in the plan but we just didn't get the right opportunities. So, it's been a little combination of everything, but I think the important thing is just keep sawing wood, and eventually it will happen."
For a struggling passing game, sooner would surely be better with the Gators on the way.
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Comments » 35
primetimevol writes:
I was scratching my head all game Saturday wondering why we weren't attacking the middle of the field. I haven't seen a quick slant since Joey Kent was catching balls from Peyton. I would think these passes as well as dump offs to a tight end streaking down the seam or even releasing after a quick chip block would be more of a confidence builder to a new QB then a 15 yard out or fly pattern. I hope things change against Florida.
bigorangetrain writes:
I am driving 8 hours one way this weekend to watch our Vols play..... Please god just keep it respectable. I don't think I can handle another blowout. We as fans need to show up and support our team!! Go Big Orange!!
ZacharyUTK writes:
HANDS! HANDS! HANDS!!!! HANDSHANDSHANDS!!!!
givehim6 writes:
Yes I really was expecting Stocker to be the next Jason Witton, but he is a good blocker that will keep Simms blind spot in check thats good too.
SpiralBound writes:
I know Luke struggled in the UT-Martin game, but I saw him open several times against Oregon. Crompton never had trouble getting him the ball. I hope this is reduced to growin pains by the end of the season because Luke is a great TE. This lull in success is hurting his draft "stock"er...
wags32 writes:
This is the truth!!!!!!!! Why Why Why????? it drives me freakin nuts.............
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Great post rabidvolfan! Go VOLS beat gators!
flatrock writes:
Simms' release point is low- so his across-the-middle passes will always be a challenge.
If he rushes, the middle passes sail on him
and will be up for grabs. I do not think he has
a lot of confidence in that pass now. To get the ball to Stocker, look for him to play-action
one way and waggle the other way and have Stocker in the flat. It is what it is...
GiveHim6TDTennessee writes:
He can't go receive the ball when he needs to block.
WinkeyVol writes:
I agree about the pass routes. Seems to me a quarterback has more time to spot receivers on a slant in or an A & B divide type deal instead of a quick pop to the outside.If a defender sniffs out these timing routes, thats 6 the other way. The ball has less distance to travel over the middle and less head movement is required by the quarterback.If the pass is picked off there is more help in the middle to bring down the interceptor. Of course these over the middle plays are to be considered only when the clock is a non factor.
duncanvol writes:
I hope Matt can get it together and make some plays this weekend! I know its not all his fault but he needs to be more accurate and start seeing the field better. Coach Dooley said his self he missed Several open receivers including Stocker down sideline. GO VOLS!
AppreciativeAlum writes:
Batted passes. The previous coach attributed those to the offensive line. I don't know if he is getting the throwing lanes to execute those passes. Oregon's Dline might have been playing volley ball wiping out large sections of the field as opportunities and letting the DBs crowd the space that is left. Don't know if Sims has the lateral movement anticipation/skills needed to open up those parts of the field again.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Exactly, flatrock. Some friends of mine and I asked the same question about passes in the middle until we went back and watched a replay of the game.
Oregon's defense absolutely took away the middle of the field. All that was available was stuff over the top and out routes(shudder at out routes). They were able to sit back in that zone defense, but it is also up to Luke to find the soft spots in that zone. Not sure what type of defense UF runs or will run but Stocker's availability in the passing game is key.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Those easy throws aren't so easy if you can't force the defense to respect the hard throws as well.
If a screen is all you can do, then the defense doesn't have to play off the line. If they aren't playing off the line, then the only way a screen will be effective is if you somehow managed to catch the defense in a busted coverage.
Just saying. You have to be able to go 20 yards down the field before those 7 or 8 yard slants start opening up.
thevoice writes:
Sawing wood = work like heck.
BrassMonkey writes:
Over-rated! Clap, clap, clap-clap. Another case of an under achieving UT senior who will slack his senior year to go on to the NFL and blow the lights out with multi-touchdown Sundays. Someone is telling these great players to slow it down their Senior year and stay healthy win or lose. I am almost certain it is someone from A3 sports.
smokeybitesback writes:
great post and i agree with everything your saying except #5..as soon as simms threw that int for a td the crowd was dead,and it stayed that way for the rest of the game..vol nation come on, these are a young group of guys and it is a very big motivational boost to hear 100,000
+ fans going nuts for you, but it's a motivation killer when that 100,000+ is silent and down on our boys. going to be kind of hard for the players to move on and forget a bad play if the whole crowd in neyland stadium can't move on and cheer our players up..good or bad
Mule_Days_King writes:
What is A3 Sports? Kinda like Will Bartholemew's D1?
ThirdWeekNOct writes:
I agree that he is a good blocker, but he drops passes. Plain and simple.
cloudodust writes:
Stocker ranked third in receiving yards among SEC TE's in 2009 with 29 catches for 389 yards and 5 TD's. Ahead of him was UF's Hernandez and the Razorpigs Williams. That means there were nine SEC TE's behind him. Not bad for a guy that drops passes and will play on Sundays in the future...
cloudodust writes:
Tight ends. They are first an additional OL with a measure of receiving ability. I saw Witten drop passes at UT for that matter. Yes, I've seen LS drop passes (even the best drop passes..!) and get the ball punched out (Kentucky) but IMHO, I think he's good at the position and he has shown an ability to come through when needed. Simms, providing he'll get the ball over the heads and hands of the DL, will hopefully learn to utilize him.
cloudodust writes:
RichieRich : If having an opinion that varies from others means that one may lose a certain amount of credibility, count me in. Sometimes, I'm just not another buffalo following the rest of my buffalo brothers over a cliff.
gnm53108 writes:
Luke caught Tyler thrown balls well.
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
Simms = Caretaker not long term solution.
Volchief writes:
Great post rabid. I agree with most of your observations and like your optimistic outlook on our young team's future. We have some great talent on our team and it shows early. However, our depth is strikingly thin and blatant. As the game wears on our defense simply can't compete at the level of top tier teams. Oregon exposed our biggest weakness and took advantage of it. A tale of two halves is what we saw. We are helpless against a no huddle, spread option offense. I wish I was wrong and we could find an extra gear late in the game but it is so difficult in this league of great speed.
That being said, we have a chance if we play our cards right. Simms cannot breakdown mentally & we need to hold onto the ball long enough to rest out defense. We did that in the first half last week. After a few mistakes our offense simply brokedown, abandoned the game plan, & left our defense defensless against Oregon's no huddle. We need to control the ball & play our game. RUN Tauren & mix some things up with Stocker & Co. Please play the middle of the field! Thankfully Florida does not run a no huddle, option offense. They run a limited spread but much more traditional offense than what we were used to seeing the past few years with Tebow. We can truly compete with these guys and I pray that our guys know and believe this. Believe in themselves and bounce back from a tough dose of reality that was handed to them by Oregon. They know they are talented but also know they are young & thin. But they know they can compete and they will this weekend against Florida. I make no predictions but we will compete.
Finally, I saw exactly what you saw first hand on Saturday. Montori Hughes is an absolute beast. I love it! Even when the game had already been decided he was still slapping is face while in his three point stance and giving it his all. That is something you just can't coach. It is something born from within. A body slam is in the making for Saturday afternoon and Brantly will not be happy about it. But, again, I don't make predictions.
Go Vols
FearTheVols1252 writes:
So did defenders.
gnm53108 writes:
He threw one...but you're right.
I guess Tyler just throws a very catchable ball.If we can get em to just throw to orange clad fellers we'll have a winner.
VOLliven2it writes:
Please, please, please Coaches, throw the ball to Luke, even if it is dangerous and across the middle. If you go out and do the obvious and predictable thing(we will not name coaches who did), then 6 in a row is a cinch. Show some creativity and even brashness if needed.Surprise us but mostly surprise the Urbanites from Gaineslessville. Show no fear. If Simms is not getting it, get him out at least for a series.
Now Luke, catch the darned thing. We need you more Sept. 18th than we have thus far. Be there, be the man! GO BIG ORANGE! Only two shopping days left then whammo, the game is on in Neyland.
AncientVolFan writes:
If Peyton was the quarterback and Joey the receiver you might see more quick slants.
VOLinBirmingham writes:
I agree. The fans can not give up either. I for one was still there to then end yelling in spite of a drive back to Alabama after the game.
Lets give it our All for the vols too.
ridgevol writes:
If we have a losing season, and Simms doesnt play any better than he did against Oregon, and Bray sits, then I would say Dooley isnt a good coach. As for Stocker, the guy does everything great except catch the football. He has dropped as many balls as hes caught in his career.
DancingOutlaw writes:
If you watch simms for any amount of time, you realize from the moment he drops back there is little progression reading. I was in the north endzone for the pick six and I knew what was going to happen well before, I'm sure others did too. He burns holes into his target, and the corner read it all the way. He stared at that receiver the whole time, and that's what happens.
I have also wondered why in the world we don't throw into the middle. Elite programs like oregon, UF, UA have some sharp folks running the defense, don't think for a second they haven't looked at film and figured this out as well. They know they can safely put 8 in the box to stop the run and man on the wideouts to challenge simms to throw outside because a middle throw isn't coming. I'm wondering if the speed of the game is too much for him right now and it's impossible for him to see routes in the middle, that's why he picks an outside receiver and stays with him. Florida corners are going to eat his lunch if he keeps staring at the receivers, that's for sure. It has really hurt us that the line is so young, stocker's experience is actually hurting him at this point because he's a valuable blocker so he's kept on the line quite a bit. I guess simms would rather take his chances throwing outside on man coverage than to dump a ball over the middle on a 4-3 when the protection breaks down.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
You maybe right;Simms had like 5 passes knocked down and that hurt..Most of our success comes from slants and post plays 15 yards or better..Chaney is trying to make a living on these dangerous out routes and it bit him in the a#s on that pick 6!!Whatever the problem is they better fix before Sat. cause the gators have seen the film and Chaney's offense is way to predictable..Black and Jenkins are talented and fast;They will be all over that sideline passing..Chaney's best play call was a wheel route to Luke which would have gone for big yards if Simms had not overthrown him by 10 yards..Speaking of play action; Ive seen very little of that;while Oregon used it repeatedly to confuse our defense with great sucess
mybolognahasasecondname writes:
Stocker has missed some catchable balls and Simms has missed Stocker when he was open. I'm wondering if it has to do with velocity. Simms may throw a hotter ball than Crompton.
james#216392 writes:
Maybe, I know it sure bounces a long way when he gets blocked, which is way too often.
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