Monday Musings: a good professional start for a pair of former Vols QBs

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you wonderful individuals know exactly what that means. Let’s put on that orange and white face paint, slide into those checkerboard coveralls, and go racing around with those Tennessee Volunteers-related thoughts stampeding through my mind.

1) The Vols checked in at #15 in the AP Poll on Monday. Eh. Not terrible, I guess. The exact same as in the Coaches Poll.

What is a bit of a bee in my bonnet is the fact the Vols have been checking in at #7 in the SEC in these polls. Which, actually, is how the media voted the Vols in this year’s preseason media poll.

I have a feeling the Vols are going to finish higher in the SEC than seventh. With the talent on this roster, they should, and the schedule sets up nicely.

2) Joe Milton had a strong showing in his first NFL action over the weekend. The big-armed QB wowed with a couple of plays, both with his legs and arm.

A little bit harsh there from a national media guy in Breer, but absolutely not unwarranted. Milton will wow plenty – I call this his 2022-vs-Vanderbilt-and-Clemson stage – but his track record has not shown proof of sustained success and consistency necessary for success at a high level.

I would love nothing more than for Milton to show that the impossible is possible and become New England’s starter – and effective, at that – but it’s going to take a lot for that to happen. Hey, at least it was a great start.

3) Not to be outdone, Hendon Hooker had a highlight moment as well in his first professional action. He put his shoulder down and absolutely trucked a Giants safety on a first down run.

It ended up being the highlight of the game offensively for the Lions, who mustered 3 points. Even worse, Hooker ended up leaving the game and eventually going into concussion protocol after the play.

As such, sometimes it’s better to get down. Still, Hooker showed he’s not going to back down, so there’s something to that.

4) As far as the current Vols, it’s hard to gauge much, but it’s looking and sounding like Ethan Davis and Chris Brazzell II are making some plays in camp. Davis appeared to be making quite the impression before suffering a collarbone injury during the Orange and White game. He had 3 catches for 53 yards before leaving the game.

It looks like that productivity has carried over into the fall.

The Vols could really use someone to step up at that position, with him and Holden Staes seemingly the most likely candidates. We’ll see how things go one the Vols are underway against Chattanooga on August 31.

Go Vols!