Projections for an upcoming sports season usually are based on the same criteria. You check a team's record, schedule, and returning starters.
You also might consider the possible impact of a supposedly can't-miss recruit.
What you don't consider is a former recruit who has spent the previous year or two seemingly running in place — playing perhaps, but not playing at a level that would suggest great success to come. Such players are deemed more likely to fall by the wayside than become a prominent player.
At least, I used to think that was more likely. Now, I'm not so sure.
In fact, based on what has happened with Tennessee basketball and baseball, I'm wondering if an All-SEC football Vol will come out of hiding this fall.
Take basketball first.
Jeronne Maymon spent his first season at UT making you wonder why former coach Bruce Pearl bothered to accept his transfer from Marquette. He accumulated almost as many fouls and turnovers (32) as he did points (37). His free-throw shooting was so bad (5-for-20), you might have questioned whether he was physically handicapped or at least in need of eye care.
But how do you like him now?
He leads the Vols and ranks fifth in the SEC in rebounding. He's also second on the team in scoring with a 12.3-point average and has made 56 percent of his field-goal attempts. He's the most improved player in the league on free-throw shooting alone (from 25 percent to 64.1).
His transformation has been so impressive, he almost qualifies as a new player. So does UT baseball player Drew Steckenrider. He played multiple roles for former coach Todd Raleigh, who was fired before he figured out whether Steckenrider should be a starting pitcher, reliever, outfielder, first baseman or designated hitter.
October practice was all new coach Dave Serrano needed to determine that Steckenrider should be his No. 1 starter and cleanup hitter. Last week, Steckenrider was named SEC player of the week after going 5-for-8 and pitching four shutout innings in his only start. Moreover, Serrano compares his talent with the best players he has coached — and he has coached a lot of them.
That's enough to convince me the Vols could have another Maymon on their hands.
Maybe the football team does, too.
I have two candidates — running back/wide receiver Rajion Neal and defensive end Jacques Smith. Each has been on the team for two years, and each has played enough to show potential and raise doubts.
Neal, a former Georgia all-state running back, rushed for 197 yards as a freshman and dropped off to 134 last season as a sophomore. Aside from his slight decline in production, he also has had ball-security issues — a combination that hardly qualifies him as the next big thing in the UT offense.
But his averages are more encouraging. He averaged 5 yards per carry for an offense whose 2.8-yard per-carry average would be acceptable only if it had been achieved in heavy sand or against Alabama in the national championship game. Also, he averaged 24.5 yards per catch on 13 receptions in his expanded role as a slot receiver.
He has good references, too. Teammates brag about his athleticism and speed, the latter of which he is demonstrating with the UT track team.
Smith might be the most puzzling player on the team. The former high school All-American was the No. 1 prospect in Tennessee when the Vols signed him out of Ooltewah.
He made the All-SEC freshman team in 2010. That progression pointed to a big year in 2011. Instead, he was a big disappointment.
But even during a lackluster season in which he played his way out of the starting lineup, no one denied his athletic potential. He now will have a chance to reestablish himself with a new defensive staff.
A new scheme might be more of a factor than a new staff. The 3-4 alignment which new defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri will implement, should enable Smith to move from end — where, at 255 pounds, he's undersized — to outside linebacker.
Both Smith and Neal came to UT as highly touted recruits. Two years later, they're not so heralded.
But one or two seasons don't have to determine your college career. Maymon and Steckenrider prove that.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 22
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Wow John, I read the entire article. I didn't detect any hidden slams against the team or anything. Just an unbias, informative take.
Please keep it up, I like it it when the article is better quality than the comments section.
HsvVol writes:
I've always thought John's a good writer.
LJS1984 writes:
There are slight undertones in this article that John may be suggesting that all the football Vols need is a new coach? I took it as him hinting at the fact Steckenrider and Maymon have flourished under new coaches.
RashaadSalabeb writes:
The articles are definitely improving!
Go Vols!
eVOLved writes:
I have to agree that I liked the article as well. Please continue with these insights instead of the signature rabble-rousing pith. To a new signature!
Colliervol writes:
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. What are the odds that he can make it two in a row?
Stooley_Dinks writes:
Now, this is a very interesting article. Great idea. I totally agree with Raijon Neal. Cure his fumble issues and I really believe he can be a breakout player. I also think Jacques Smith is a great pick.
I would like to add Byron Moore in the secondary. He was very highly recruited and didn't seem to find a groove.
And, here is someone I would really like to see get a shot. I realize there is not a big reason to expect it, but I would like to see Dooley move Marsalous Teague back to slot receiver to see if he can make something happen. I don't see him being a real impact player in the defensive secondary, but as a Kiffin holdover who has not been in jail and kept his mouth shut while taking reassignments, I want to see it payoff. I know we have some new recruits coming in that will be sexy pics to be the 3rd option, but Teague will be a senior that could have the confidence to make something happen. Once again, I have no reason to believe Dooley will move him to offense, but I would sure root for him if he did. Teague deserves a shot.
VolinCalif writes:
New Coaches , new schemes often give a player a new start. Many just don't fit the roll they have to play. I think John pointed that out very nicely. As for John being a good writer. He has proven that true many times. He has a great resume and awards to show for his talents. Keep up the good work John.
vut5686#1405392 writes:
Different responders have different views on this article...and yesterdays, with JA's All Star coaching lineup. That is as it should be...and no one should take offense at others stated opinions.
That said, it is obvious JA is just writing comedy and satire, with little breaking news or serious opinions. In his suggestion of Peyton as coach...he even took a swipe at those who clamor for such move. Takes a shot at his readers...so to speak.
My point is: why do we take seriously any one who suggests we hire coaches who have never coached pee-wee anything, or that we solve football problems with a couple of athletes from other sports. This same source fans the flames decrying our hiring a "mid-major" coach from anywhere...regardless of the qualifications.
So, to believe Adams, the ideal coach is a pro quarterback who never coached anything and the top football recruit would be a basketball player and a baseball player.
If this is intended as serious journalism, it sure seems illogical. If it is just intended humor..the comic strips may have an open space.
bannervol writes:
Maybe our new Maymon will be Maymon. Man wouldn't he look killer as a pass catching tight end?
keithgibson writes:
JA is an awesome writer who uses satire, which based upon several of the post I read in here from time to time, most of you do not get. Keep up the good work John.
PUL4VOLS writes:
Sorry gang, there is not much "hope" in the "hopeful" sattire or whatever John uses about the UT football team. He just jabs on and on. But to say because we don't like his approach to UT FB or athletics in general is not to say he cannot write. I just don't like his approach and his hidden or open slams.
Stooley_Dinks, good call on Teague. I think that might be a good thing. Don't believe the coaches will go for it but maybe.
CrankE writes:
KNS could use a Jeronne Maymon too.
SevenT writes:
I would suggest editing the title of the piece of work to:
"Football Team could use a Coach"
johnlg00 writes:
Well, both Neal and Smith will have new position coaches. Head coaches are perhaps less important to individual players in football than they are in baseball or basketball. Maybe they can push the right buttons to jump-start a big step up in production. As Adams said, the potential of both has always been obvious.
johnlg00 writes:
I would LOVE to see Teague back at receiver. There are lots of new DBs as well as receivers, and I'm sure Teague feels a little gun-shy from his experience of getting toasted in the defensive backfield. He had some really nice moments at receiver before he went to defense. Depth at receiver should also allow Neal to return to the backfield. Maybe Graham can teach him how to hold onto the ball better.
johnlg00 writes:
Everyone is entitled to any opinion they want about Adams' columns, but you seemed to have missed his real point. He wasn't saying that Maymon or Steckenrider should PLAY football, he is saying that the football team could use some previously less-successful FOOTBALL players to step up the way Maymon and Steckenrider did for THEIR teams. That was why he named Neal and Smith as likely candidates to sharply increase their production. If you want to criticize Adams or anybody else, at least make sure you understand what they are saying first.
johnlg00 writes:
Or a pass-rushing defensive end, for that matter!
tovolny writes:
LONG JOHN doesn't have a clue about what he says or writes. Think about the headline and think about what he was rambling. This is something you would expect from a 14 or 15 year old. One poster actualy complimented him for not being bias or negative. Again, what was the purpose of the item? What did it report? Folks, why are we allowing KNS to keep a little jerk around...WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF STIRRING UP BULL PHOOEY?
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I've seen some " satire" enough from J. Adams. But I didn't see it in this article. If so it was well hidden and most would have overlooked it without posters pointing it out.lol If he was stirring up "bull Phooey" then he succeeded with your post. I don't mean you were spouting "bull" I just mean he stirred you up it seems. I have often disagreed with Adams but I never called for his job. A LITTLE DRASTIC don't you think?
johnlg00 writes:
I have learned that most people, especially on boards like this, don't appreciate being caught in mistakes. For some reason, they have to feel that whatever they think about anything is just the plain and simple truth, and evidence to the contrary just doesn't sink in easily or is interpreted as a personal attack. Of course, people like that don't actually learn anything; ideas and information that don't fit what they already KNOW is highly suspect, to say the least.
If you or anybody else see anything that seems erroneous in any of my posts, feel free to bring it to my attention. If I prefer to hold on to my own opinion, I will tell you why, but I probably WON'T slam you just for disagreeing with me. If I see that you are right, I will gladly acknowledge that as well. That is how I continue to learn at age 65, but maybe that's just me.
jmaples54 writes:
good article. mostly opened it to see what the adamshaters would come up with. pretty lame criticisms-- i've come to realize that no sports columnist would satisfy them, their complaints are juvenile and unimportant. i'm sure john adams doesn't give a phooey, indeed wears his critics' rants like a crown.
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