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Poli · 01-25-2004, 10:03 AM

Wanted: A Conventional Offense

John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel

Very little number crunching, even just a casual look, will tell you that the Tennessee offense is down this year. That was expected with the quarterback fiasco that has played itself out. What’s unfortunate about the whole matter is that other Tennessee players have to pay for it.

UT’s coaching staff decided to simplify the offense. That’s fine in most regards, since you do have walk on quarterbacks taking snaps for you…but it isn’t helping everyone. Receiving and rushing numbers are down across the board for the team.

Perhaps the player hurt most of all by this is J.B. Brewster. The running back from Cumberland, Rhode Island, returned to UT for his senior year with nothing left to prove at the college level. A two time Heisman trophy winner; Brewster has to date 6,593 rushing yards, and there are still at least seven games left this season. Clearly, he would have been a top choice in the latest NFL draft, if not the first choice overall.

Brewster wanted a national championship. Tennessee has knocked on the door twice in the past three seasons, but hasn’t got in. Brewster wanted to cap his collegiate career by standing on top of the college world.

He couldn’t have seen the problems that would be coming. No one could. In fact, it may make Brewster’s attempt to make Tennessee a national champion that much sweeter if he can carry the load.

Problem is, Brewster isn’t carrying it.

Brewster is getting the ball. However, with defenses routinely stacking eight men in the box against the offense, Brewster’s yards per game is down by 50 yards a game and his carries are up. He has just three touchdowns in four games. His longest run from scrimmage this year is 21 yards.

Maybe we’re just spoiled. Maybe we shouldn’t expect over 2,000 yards out of one player in a season, but Brewster did that last season, in a conventional offense.

01-25-2004, 10:03 AM	#153
Poli FOFC Survivor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wentzville, MO	Thursday's paper Wanted: A Conventional Offense John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel Very little number crunching, even just a casual look, will tell you that the Tennessee offense is down this year. That was expected with the quarterback fiasco that has played itself out. What’s unfortunate about the whole matter is that other Tennessee players have to pay for it. UT’s coaching staff decided to simplify the offense. That’s fine in most regards, since you do have walk on quarterbacks taking snaps for you…but it isn’t helping everyone. Receiving and rushing numbers are down across the board for the team. Perhaps the player hurt most of all by this is J.B. Brewster. The running back from Cumberland, Rhode Island, returned to UT for his senior year with nothing left to prove at the college level. A two time Heisman trophy winner; Brewster has to date 6,593 rushing yards, and there are still at least seven games left this season. Clearly, he would have been a top choice in the latest NFL draft, if not the first choice overall. Brewster wanted a national championship. Tennessee has knocked on the door twice in the past three seasons, but hasn’t got in. Brewster wanted to cap his collegiate career by standing on top of the college world. He couldn’t have seen the problems that would be coming. No one could. In fact, it may make Brewster’s attempt to make Tennessee a national champion that much sweeter if he can carry the load. Problem is, Brewster isn’t carrying it. Brewster is getting the ball. However, with defenses routinely stacking eight men in the box against the offense, Brewster’s yards per game is down by 50 yards a game and his carries are up. He has just three touchdowns in four games. His longest run from scrimmage this year is 21 yards. Maybe we’re just spoiled. Maybe we shouldn’t expect over 2,000 yards out of one player in a season, but Brewster did that last season, in a conventional offense. __________________ Cheer for a walk on quarterback! Ardent leads the Vols in the dynasty forum.