What Would Make The Tennessee Football Offense Better?
By Austin Clay
Tennessee football is expected to have one of the most dynamic backfields in the country in 2016. But what would make the Volunteers offense better?
One of the most talked about topics this offseason has been the Tennessee football rushing attack. Not only in the SEC, but all around the country the hype has been unreal.
Well, it deserves all the hype it gets. Opposing teams don’t have to just stop one, not just two but three athletic, versatile running weapons.
Related Story: Tennessee Football: 10 Things that Set the Vols Apart from Other SEC Teams
To be a successful running team, one needs speed and power. In the SEC everyone has speed so it is a necessity to have it yourself. Coincidentally, the SEC also has power, big-bodied backs that can run between the tackles and get the short yards needed.
Tennessee is lucky to possess both of those assets to its offense. Jalen Hurd, Alvin Kamara and Joshua Dobbs have tremendous speed and power.
Now, also, to compete in the SEC you need balance, in Tennessee’s case, a passing game to offset the run. You need a deep threat, a player that can take a jet seep or someone who can just make a play once they catch the ball.
Alabama, for example, always is a power team. They have big backs and a great offensive line that can win them games. They also have a deep threat that will kill a team on play action. That is their go-to dagger.
In 2016, Tennessee desperately needs just that. A player that will make defenses pay for stacking the box to stop the run.
There hasn’t been much news from camp about a new name to emerge immediately for the passing game this year. So it will have to be an old name player.
Fans are still chomping at the bit, just waiting for Preston Williams to make his impact like most expected. They still hold on to the fact that he got injured last year so that’s why he didn’t make the plays he did in the high school.
Josh Malone and Josh Smith are the veterans that should make this year a breakout year.
It’s now or never for the Vols. With the talent on this team, especially with the experience across the board, there may never come an opportunity like the one that awaits in Atlanta.
Fans, and even the players, know that the passing game must show up for Tennessee to have the season it wants to.
Josh Malone or Josh Smith must show that they are veterans. They have the ability to help this team achieve the goals that every team has at the start of every season, win your conference and then a national championship.