Tennessee

Who Can Help Most by Getting Healthy?

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2022

NASHVILLE – For gamers on injured reserve, this week’s open date within the Tennessee Titans’ schedule didn’t make an enormous distinction.

“They’ve a accountability to the soccer group that after they cannot carry out and do their job, that they keep right here and get remedy,” coach Mike Vrabel stated Monday. “I do not assume they’ll have a lot of a trip.”

The hope, nevertheless, is that subsequent week’s return to work will shut the e book on a lot of these gamers’ rehabs. As of now, there are 11 on injured reserve and – technically talking – all of them are eligible to return in some unspecified time in the future. The fact is that guys like outdoors linebacker Harold Landry and left deal with Taylor Lewan are out for the season.

Vrabel refuses to debate timetables for gamers’ recoveries, however there may be an plain sense that the open date is a chance to get wholesome and to regroup for what’s to return. Those that have already got missed time have an additional week to get wholesome with out lacking one other contest.

Here’s a take a look at the 5 gamers presently on injured reserve whose return to the lively roster may very well be most useful because the Titans look to construct on their three-game win streak:

• Elijah Molden, CB: Roger McCreary has been strong however not spectacular because the slot cornerback, the place Molden specialised as a rookie final season. The issue has been that McCreary begins on the surface and strikes to the slot in most personnel packages that require further defensive backs. When he does that, somebody has to fill his spot on the surface, and to date Caleb Farley, Terrance Mitchell and Tre Avery have been – at greatest – inconsistent or – at worst – downright unreliable at that spot.

Molden missed virtually all of coaching camp and the preseason. So, it’s not as if coaches haven’t had time to regulate to his absence. At this level, it’s clear the protection simply can’t do with out him. When (if) he will get again in there, it’ll enable McCreary to remain on the surface reverse Kristian Fulton, and likelihood is Molden might be even higher within the slot than McCreary has been. In different phrases, Molden’s return can’t come quickly sufficient for a secondary that has given up means too many large performs.

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• Treylon Burks, WR: The primary-round draft decide seemed to be constructing momentum when he was injured two weeks in the past at Indianapolis. Even after he missed the Washington sport, he’s nonetheless tied for third on the group (second amongst large receivers) with 10 receptions. His 129 receiving yards are third on the group and his 12.9 yards-per-catch is second amongst all Titans with a couple of reception.

His return shouldn’t be imminent. He should sit out at the least three extra video games due to a turf toe subject. With out him, the offense might be completely different as a result of there isn’t a one among the many large receiver group with any comparable mixture of measurement and run-after-the-catch potential. So, his return might be an essential growth for the offense, each time it occurs.

• Jamarco Jones, OL: A free-agent addition, Jones was anticipated to compete for a beginning job at proper deal with and/or left guard, however a number of harm points saved him from ever turning into an element at both spot. Already within the first 5 weeks, Lewan was misplaced to a knee harm and proper guard Nate Davis has missed a sport. Dennis Daley has stepped in for Lewan, and the transition hardly has been seamless. Would-be deal with Dillon Radunz stuffed in for Davis.

It’s nonetheless troublesome to say precisely what the Titans have in Jones, but when he can get wholesome there may be nonetheless a chance to make an affect. Both he can step in for Daley, he can turn out to be the swing deal with, he could be a confirmed backup on the within or the entire above. The offensive line wants assist, and Jones simply could be the man to supply it.

• Racey McMath, WR: McMath arguably was probably the most feel-good story of coaching camp as he considerably repeatedly made catches deep down the sphere and confirmed he had improved – in quite a few methods – over his rookie season. Already a standout on particular groups, he even flashed some potential as a kickoff returner through the preseason.

It’s no secret that the offense is in want of a large receiver with the velocity to place stress on a protection, which is precisely how coaches used McMath within the preseason. Apply squad guys Josh Gordon and Dez Fitzpatrick have had alternatives however haven’t delivered something. Plus, kickoff return man Trenton Cannon is out for the 12 months with an harm. Whereas rookie working again Hassan Haskins has stuffed that position, coaches nonetheless may need to try McMath again there.

• Likelihood Campbell, ILB: The sixth-round draft decide was one of many quick risers through the preseason. He acquired a ton of taking part in time and even acquired to relay the calls from coordinator Shane Bowen at occasions. At no level, did he look overmatched, and it turned clear that his rookie season wouldn’t be all about what he did on particular groups.

Final week’s return of Monty Rice helped, however with Zach Cunningham’s latest points (he has missed two video games with an elbow harm) have continued to place stress on the depth at inside linebacker. With or with out Cunningham, Campbell’s return will present a transparent pecking order at that spot and permit coaches to focus extra on matchups, as wanted.

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Tennessee

College basketball rankings: Tennessee upset loss results in drastic changes to CBS Sports top 25 and 1

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

College basketball rankings: Tennessee upset loss results in drastic changes to CBS Sports top 25 and 1

There are no more teams in the AP Top 25 who are undefeated after No. 1 Tennessee‘s shocking 73-43 loss to No. 8 Florida on the road on Tuesday night.

The SEC has provided no shortage of action across the first two games of conference play, either. No. 6 Kentucky, who defeated Florida in the conference opener, was upset by unranked Georgia on the road as well.

Tuesday also featured No. 21 West Virginia losing to Arizona, a dominant performance by No. 4 Duke over Pitt, a ranked matchup that saw No. 24 Michigan defeat No. 22 UCLA by 19 points on the road and more.

As usual, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish adjusted his college basketball Top 25 and 1 rankings accordingly. The fallout from the mid-week slate now includes a new team at No. 1.

Johni Broome scored 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds during Auburn’s 87-82 win over Texas in Austin on Tuesday. The win not only helped them secure the top spot in the updated rankings, but it was also the win that earned Bruce Pearl the school record for career wins.

The only blemish on the Tigers’ record remains against the Duke Blue Devils on the road during the first week of December. They’re off to a hot start in SEC play, too, and look to continue that trend against South Carolina on the road on Saturday.

Iowa State has won its last 10 games dating back to mid-November — an 83-81 loss to Auburn. The Cyclones have won all but two of their 13 wins decided by 10 or more points, and are outscoring their Big 12 opponents by 17.3 points through three games.

Curtis Jones leads the charge with 16.6 points per game, but T.J. Otzelberger has five players scoring in double figures and another that averages 9.6. In their most recent matchup, an 82-59 win over Utah, saw Jones and Tamin Lipsey combine for 43 points during the contest.

Duke is playing its best basketball of the season to start ACC play, and are riding a nine-game winning streak after defeating Pitt 76-47 on Tuesday. Cooper Flagg scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half to help the Blue Devils outscore the Pantheres 42-23 during the final 20 minutes.

They continue to boast the best true freshman class in the country. Teams haven’t figured out the freshman tandom of Flagg and Kon Knueppel, and 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach is an oak tree in the paint.

Florida is 1-1 in SEC play, but might have the most impressive resume in the conference during the first two games. Despite falling to Kentucky in Rupp Arena, the Gators put up 100 on the Wildcats and turned around immediately and beat down the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers by 30 points.

The Gators have an interesting road test at Arkansas coming up on Saturday. With the SEC’s depth, you can’t count the Razorbacks out but momentum is sure to be on Florida’s side as travel to Fayetteville this weekend.

Alabama basketball team vs. Oklahoma (courtesy UA Athletics)

Alabama is 4-1 against ranked opponents this season and has won its last six games dating back to the Thanksgiving Day loss to Houston. The Crimson Tide had a quiet December after beating North Carolina in Chapel Hill, but tipped off SEC play with a bang against Oklahoma last weekend.

Defeating the previously undefeated Sooners 107-79, six players scored in double figures as Mark Sears led the way with 22 points and 10 assists. Impressively, the Crimson Tide out-rebounded OU 51-26 during the contest.

Shaka Smart has his Golden Eagles atop the Big East standings and 10-0 at home. At 14-2, their two losses have come during true road games that include an 81-70 loss to Iowa State and an eight-point loss to Dayton.

Marquette has a favorable schedule throughout the rest of the month, which sets up a Feb. 1 showdown against two-time defending national champions, the UConn Huskies.

Tennessee’s 30-point loss to Florida on Tuesday is not indicative of the success Rick Barnes’ squad has enjoyed over the first two months of the regular season. They defeated John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks by 24 points in their previous outing, and have dominant against most of their opposition this year.

Luckily for the Vols, they have an oppportunity to piece together an impressive January with potential wins over Mississippi State, Auburn and Kentucky who are all on their schedule consecutively to end the month. They can also earn their win back on Feb. 1 when they host the Gators in Knoxville.

Mississippi State HC Chris Jans — Junfu Han | USA TODAY NETWORK

Mississippi State hasn’t lost since Nov. 29 and has defeated its first two SEC opponents by 35 points and 12, respectively. They have an opportunity to upset Kentucky this weekend coming off a double-digit loss to Georgia — a matchup which ESPN predicts the Bulldogs of having a 63.2% chance to win.

Star guard Josh Hubbard hasn’t skipped a beat since averaging 17.1 points per game as a true freshman. He’s Missippippi State’s leading scorer again, having scored 20 or more points in six their games this season.

Michigan State’s success this season has come as a surprise compared to some of the teams on this list. They began the season unranked and even suffered two tough losses before December. Tom Izzo’s squad has since won its last seven games and have been climbing the rankings since joining the AP Top 25 in mid-December.

They won’t face another ranked team until Jan. 19 when they host No. 13 Illinois, but have a tough slate coming up in February against UCLA, Oregon, Purdue, Michigan and a rematch against the Illini.

Kentucky dropped to 0-2 in true road games under first-year head coach Mark Pope following its 82-69 loss to unranked Georgia on Tuesday. They previously lost to Clemson inside Littlejohn Coliseum in December.

The two performances couldn’t have been different coming off the 106-100 win over Florida on Saturday. Kentucky has a chance to stop the road loss narrative before it begins with a tough matchup against a white-hot Mississippi State team in Starkville this weekend.

11. Illinois Fighting Illini
12. Texas A&M Aggies
13. Kansas Jayhawks
14. Oregon Ducks (+1)
15. Purdue Boilermakers (+1)
16. Memphis Tigers (+1)
17. UConn Huskies (+1)
18. Ole Miss Rebels (+1)
19. Michigan Wolverines (+6)
20. UCLA Bruins (-6)
21. Gonzaga Bulldogs (-1)
22. Houston Cougars (-1)
23. Utah State Aggies
24. Oklahoma Sooners
25. Georgia Bulldogs (NR)
26. Wisconsin Badgers

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Tennessee

VFLs in the NFL: Season in review for former Tennessee standouts

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

VFLs in the NFL: Season in review for former Tennessee standouts

The NFL regular season is over and the playoffs are about to be underway.

This marks the end for some former Tennessee standouts while others continue the hunt for a Super Bowl.

Here is how each former Vol performed this year.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

Trey Smith (OG) – Chiefs

The lone Pro Bowler out of Tennessee this year is Smith. The Chiefs’ starting right guard, Smith produced a PFF grade of 78.8. This was the sixth-best on Kansas City. The Chiefs are now the 1-seed in the AFC.

Alvin Kamara (RB) – Saints

In 14 games, Kamara was a workhouse like usual for the Saints. He hit 6,779 rushing yards which is the franchise record. His final line on the year was 950 rushing yards and six touchdowns with 68 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns.

Jauan Jennings (WR) – 49ers

Jennings had a breakout year for the 49ers. With injuries decimating the wide receiver room, Jennings stepped up to produce 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played.

Darnell Wright (OT) – Bears

A former top-10 pick in his second year with the Bears, Wright was Chicago’s starter at right tackle. He finished the year with a PFF grade of 62.4.

Byron Young (OLB) – Rams

After an elite rookie year, Young continued his effective play as a sophomore. He finished with 62 tackles and 7.5 sacks with a forced fumble. Los Angeles won its division and is in the playoffs.

Joshua Palmer (WR) – Chargers

While battling through injury and appearing in just 15 games, Palmer had another solid year. He posted 39 catches for 584 yards and a touchdown with the Chargers who made a push to the playoffs.

Alontae Taylor (CB) – Saints

Emerging as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, Taylor had another year of personal success. On a bad Saints team, he managed 89 tackles, two forced fumbles and 16 passes defended. This came in appearances in all 17 games.

Cedric Tillman (WR) – Browns

Before injury derailed his breakout season, Tillman was hitting his stride with the Browns. He put up 339 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games during his second year.

Derek Barnett (DE) – Texans

Capping off the season with a scoop-and-score touchdown, Barnett appeared in 16 games in his second year with the Texans. He produced 26 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

Jaylen McCollough (S) – Rams

McCollough ended up possibly being the best undrafted free agent in the class. In his rookie year, he was a big part of the playoff-bound Rams’ defense where he contributed 43 tackles and four interceptions.

Darrell Taylor (DE) – Bears

In his first year with the Bears, Taylor had another productive year. With Chicago, he produced 32 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Shy Tuttle (DT) – Panthers

In year two with the Panthers, Tuttle appeared in 15 games. He posted 46 tackles and forced a fumble.

Cade Mays (C) – Panthers

Mays made nine appearances and eight starts, all at center. He was given a PFF grade of 66.1 on the year.

Jaylen Wright (RB) – Dolphins

In his rookie year, Wright was a bit buried on the depth chart. He still put up 249 yards on 68 carries with the Dolphins.

Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) – Steelers

In his first year with the Steelers, Patterson saw as little run as he’s seen in his long career. He rushed the ball 32 times for 135 yards. He also caught 12 passes for 80. Pittsburgh earned a wildcard spot.

Hendon Hooker (QB) – Lions

Hooker played the role of Jared Goff’s backup this year in his first year fully healthy. He posted 62 passing yards in relief. Detroit is the top seed in the NFC.

Joe Milton III (QB) – Patriots

Milton didn’t play in a single game until the final one of the year. In a game that would’ve gave the Patriots the No. 1 overall pick with a loss, Milton led New England to a win with 241 passing yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 16 yards and a score on 10 carries.

Joshua Dobbs (QB) – 49ers

Dobbs carved out a role as a career backup and continued it with the 49ers. He posted 361 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while making one start.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB) – Lions

Considered one of the best special teamers in the NFL, Reeves-Maybin also is a reserve linebacker for the Lions. He posted 14 tackles and a forced fumble for the top NFC team in the conference.

Jalin Hyatt (WR) – Giants

It’s been tough sledding for Hyatt in his early career. In year two, he caught eight passes for 62 yards in limited action.

Theo Jackson (S) – Vikings

On the top wildcard team in the NFC, Jackson is a reserve safety for the Vikings. He earned 17 tackles and an interception in his third year.

Morgan Cox (LS) – Titans

Cox wasn’t able to reach his sixth Pro Bowl but he had another impressive season as Tennessee’s long snapper.

John Kelly Jr. (RB) – Browns

Kelly was a member of the Browns’ active roster but did not record any stats this season. He also played two games with the Ravens.

Velus Jones Jr. (WR) – Panthers

After being let go by the Bears, Jones found a new home with the Panthers. He caught one pass for eight yards.

Dee Williams (PR/KR) – Giants

Williams began the year as the Seahawks’ returner but costly mistakes put him back on the market. The Giants scooped him up off waivers.

Ramel Keyton (WR) – Raiders

As an undrafted free agent, Keyton earned a spot on the Raiders’ active roster. He caught one pass for seven yards as a rookie.

Emmanuel Moseley (CB) – Lions

Moseley missed the season on the non-football injury list.

Princeton Fant (TE) – Cowboys

Fant spent a lot of time on the practice squad but was on the active roster by the end of the year. He did not record any stats.

Michael Palardy (P) – Cardinals

Palardy revived his career with the Cardinals at the end of the year. In four games, he had a long of 54 yards and downed one punt inside the 20 in 13 attempts.

Matthew Butler (DT) – Raiders

Butler appeared in seven games with the Raiders this year. He produced nine tackles.

Micah Abernathy (S) – Falcons

Aberthany appeared in six games where he made three tackles with the Falcons.

Cameron Sutton (CB) – Steelers

After an alleged domestic violence led to a warrant issued for his arrest, Sutton was cut by the Lions while not turning himself in to police. He eventually turned himself in and was charged with misdemeanor battery. The Steelers signed him and he contributed 15 tackles and three passes defended.

Practice Squad

– Kamal Hadden (CB) – Packers

– Jerome Carvin (OG) – Jaguars

– McCallan Castles (TE) – Chargers

– Marquez Callaway (WR) – Buccaneers

– Gabe Jeudy-Lally (CB) – Titans

– Jabari Small (RB) – Titans

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No. 8 Florida rolls over No. 1 Tennessee, hands Vols first loss of season in 30-point blowout

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

No. 8 Florida rolls over No. 1 Tennessee, hands Vols first loss of season in 30-point blowout

Florida held Tennessee, which entered the night as the country’s last remaining undefeated team, to just 43 points. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

It took them several months, but the Volunteers have finally fallen.

No. 8 Florida absolutely rolled over top-ranked Tennessee on Tuesday night in a massive statement win for the Gators. Florida picked up a dominant 73-43 win over Tennessee at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, which marked the Volunteers’ first loss of the season. It was the first time Florida had beaten a No. 1 team at home in program history.

That paved the way for a new team to overtake them in the rankings next week and kept the door open in the SEC after the Vols’ historic start.

Florida dominated in the first half and got out to a 34-15 lead in the first 20 minutes. The Gators held Tennessee to just 4 of 29 from the field in the first half, too, and 0 of 14 from beyond the arc. The Vols didn’t even get on the board until a Felix Okpara free throw nearly seven full minutes into the game. Nothing was working at all.

Though Tennessee improved slightly in the second half, it was way too late. Florida still came out of the locker room on a 30-15 tear to put the game away with more than five minutes left on the clock. Tennessee was way too out of it to make a difference.

Alijah Martin led the Gators with 18 points and six rebounds, and Denzel Aberdeen added 16 points off the bench. Florida went just 6 of 20 from the 3-point line, but it out-rebounded Tennessee by 18.

Chaz Lanier led Tennessee with 10 points and seven rebounds after he shot 1 of 9 from the 3-point line. Zakai Zeigler was the only other player to hit double figures. He had 10 points and a rebound, and went 1 of 6 from behind the arc. Tennessee finished the game shooting just 21% from the field and 4 of 29 from the 3-point line as a team.

Tennessee had been the top-ranked team in the country for over a month. The Vols entered conference play with several major wins under their belt, including double-digit victories over Louisville, Baylor, Syracuse and Miami. They even beat then-No. 23 Arkansas by 24 points on Saturday, which pushed them to 14-0 for the first time in more than 100 years.

The Gators entered Tuesday night needing to make a statement. While they started out the season a perfect 12-0, they didn’t play a single ranked team in that stretch. Then they fell on Saturday to No. 10 Kentucky in their SEC opener.

But after Tuesday night, it’s clear their start wasn’t a fluke. While Tennessee will be fine after putting this off night behind it, the Gators are clearly ready to compete with the top tier in the SEC.

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