Josh Dobbs Gives Vols Best Chance To Win
Tennessee Sophomore Quarterback Josh Dobbs gives the Vols the best chance to win at South Carolina this weekend. Dobbs relieved starter Nathan Peterman this past Saturday against Alabama, and he flat “got it done” on the field.
Josh has been relegated to third string this season. It is well known he was heading for a redshirt season as long as Senior Justin Worley stayed healthy. Justin has played admirably this season, but has taken more blows than Rocky. He finally was not able to answer the bell against Alabama, and the severity of his injuries are not known at this time. Let’s suffice it to say that Justin has done his job, and should be awarded an “orange heart” award for his courage.
The Vols had to burn that redshirt against the Tide, but it was the right decision. Dobbs passed for a respectable 192 yards against one of the best defenses in the country. More important, in my opinion, is the fact he ran for 75 yards against the Tide.
I have been critical of Mike Bajakian’s Zone Read offense all year long. My frustration was based on the lack of carries from Justin Worley. This offense has to have the “option” of the quarterback pulling it down and running in order to keep the defense honest. It became so evident that even Jimmy Hyams began asking (although it took him 5 games to figure it out) why the quarterback wasn’t keeping. Hyams is not exactly known around here in Middle Tennessee to know much about football. When asked the question time and time again, Bajakian would defend his quarterback and point out that Justin made the correct reads and that there were no opportunities to keep. C’mon Man!
When Jones first took over I was able to attend the Spring Game. I came back and reported to the Tennessee fans that Josh Dobbs was The Quarterback for Tennessee. It was my opinion that the depth chart would be Josh Dobbs, Justin Worley, and that Riley Ferguson and Nathan Peterman were the exact same person. I was happy when Dobbs started late in the season last year. I was encouraged by his performance. Sure, he had some terrible throws and missed some wide open receivers. That part did not get better unfortunately. He continued to miss the easy ones as the season wound down.
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He is still missing some of the easy throws. He missed two touchdown throws in the Alabama game that you and I could make. One was thrown behind Josh Malone in the end zone and another was an overthrow of about 10 yards on a 15 yard throw to Pig Howard on the sideline as Howard was all alone behind the Tide defense. This is what drives Jones crazy about Dobbs. However, it was Dobbs’ legs that allowed Howard to get behind the defense as the corner had to come up to defend what looked like a run from the quarterback. Josh just needs to finish the play successfully. He will learn with experience.
Dobbs had the “it” factor. To me, it is all about instincts. He is the only quarterback on campus that would throw to the receiver prior to coming out of a route. He has instinct in the passing game, and he has instinct in the running game. Within this offense, or any offense, once you make your decision you must commit. Dobbs does not hesitate. He who hesitates is sacked for a loss, or gets hurt. The problem with instinct is that for every great play you make, there is also the possibility you are wrong. Coaches don’t like instinct. I do.
Josh Dobbs’ commitment in the run game is why he gives the the Vols the best chance to win. By keeping as much as he did, he took pressure off of Jalen Hurd. The defensive lineman and linebackers could not just tee off on Hurd as in every other game of the season. So it made Jalen better, and it showed.
Josh Dobbs’ commitment in the run game made the offensive line better. The quick decisions (right or wrong) were hitting quick so that when the young, outmatched orange clad lineman created a seam Dobbs was there quick. Again, instincts! The line was energized by success.
Josh Dobbs’ commitment in the run game allowed the receivers to defeat press coverage a little easier as the corners had to play with one eye on the quarterback and release the receiver a little earlier in case Josh came their way. He helped the receivers and that made them better on Saturday. They are already as good as it gets. Imagine what they can be.
This in no way is a slam on Justin Worley. He has played extremely well. It is just not an offense that he fits. Again, that is just my opinion. So, I hope to see Josh on the field at South Carolina. The Vols backs are against the wall for a bowl game appearance. This is important to the team, to Jones, and to the fans. Dobbs gives us the best chance of getting there.