How concerned should we be on the D?

[Shocker0]

Originally Posted by Cyclopskiller

"I don't know, I'll have to go back and watch the film"

-Dooley

If you don't watch the film then you don't know you need to "work like heck" to fix any issues that arise.

[TNsnyper20]

LB depth is the only area I'm worried about. We have a good starting front 3, and a decent 2 deep on the DL. We've had plenty of competition at corner and the safety spots this fall which is also good for depth. Not so sold on how deep we go at LB.

[volinexile17]

I am concerned about the defense. My hope is that our offense will put enough pressure on opposing offenses to score that they will make mistakes, allowing our D to be opportunistic. As long as our D can get some turnovers, then we should be ok, but I don't expect our D to stand up well for four quarters against a respectable offense.

Fortunately, we don't play many respectable offenses this year.

[volinexile17]

Originally Posted by TNsnyper20

LB depth is the only area I'm worried about. We have a good starting front 3, and a decent 2 deep on the DL. We've had plenty of competition at corner and the safety spots this fall which is also good for depth. Not so sold on how deep we go at LB.

We've got more guys, but I don't think we have many DBs that are ready to be good SEC players. We've got guys who could be good in roles (Gordon, Teague, Oliver, Brewer), but Randolph is probably the only legit SEC starter in that group right now. Coleman, Orta, Thomas, Bonner, McNeil, and Moore could all get up to speed and be SEC players, but I'm not sure they are going to be ready this season.

Our secondary, from a talent standpoint, has me more concerned than any other position group. Although, I'd agree the LB depth is the most worrisome.

[CubsFanTN]

The big concern, as GAVol mentioned, is going to be missed assignments and breakdowns. If NC State can be even moderately balanced then it could turn into a tight, high-scoring game. On a positive note, if there was ever a corp of linebackers to introduce and establish to this new 3-4 defense, we've got it.

[HallowedHill]

Last year we didn't seem to get much pressure on opposing QB's. I'm curious to see what Sal's defense does. Pressure can make an average defense look great. NC State should be a good first test.

[fade route]

Originally Posted by knoxville's finest

The biggest problem of D is depth. The starters are fine.

I agree with this. Our first 22 we put on the field on both sides of the ball can hang with just about anybody, it's the players behind them that worry me. I think we will have to score alot of points on teams, then survive their comebacks late in the game when we're rotating guys in on D.

[VOLfrombama]

I hate to think defensive alignment depends on Lathers. He has had nothing but issues staying healthy

[TNsnyper20]

Originally Posted by volinexile17

We've got more guys, but I don't think we have many DBs that are ready to be good SEC players. We've got guys who could be good in roles (Gordon, Teague, Oliver, Brewer), but Randolph is probably the only legit SEC starter in that group right now. Coleman, Orta, Thomas, Bonner, McNeil, and Moore could all get up to speed and be SEC players, but I'm not sure they are going to be ready this season.

Our secondary, from a talent standpoint, has me more concerned than any other position group. Although, I'd agree the LB depth is the most worrisome.

I agree to a point. No one on our secondary stands out as an "Oh my god, he's going to be awesome" but when I'm reading the scrimmage and practice reports I'm loving the competition. We've got wags brewer and randolph who IMO are starters. You've gordon at the "Star" spot and he's a dang player in that position. Then you have competition for the next corner... Coleman, Oliver, Teague(finally) and I think even Bonner will get some reps. Then you have Wilks, McNiel and Moore (finally playing to his potential) will get rotations at the safety spot. Maybe not the most talented group we've ever seen but easily the deepest we seen in a few years.

[VolFanNC09]

Will be better than last year. Expect us to stop the run better. Will see a lot of passes this year. Hopefully secondary wil be up to the task. I think you will see Byron Moore and Randolf as starters by UF. Coverage will be better by UF and by that game should be much better than last year.

[BACKDOC]

Originally Posted by Other_Guy

I expect the offense to be better than the defense. I dont expect the secondary, or really any secondary, to hold their own against the passing game. I know the backs are really determined and are running hard. The offense also doesnt have to learn a new system.

I do realize I'm a little too worried about the D. But I havent seen much concern from any other posters around here. So is the offense that amazing or am I right to be concerned about how our D will hold up the first 3-5 weeks while they get settled in and better?

You might want to worry more about the last 3 to 5 weeks rather than the first. Cause if we sustain injuries to the front 7 we could be in deep sh!t.

[Vols4us]

Originally Posted by TNsnyper20

I agree to a point. No one on our secondary stands out as an "Oh my god, he's going to be awesome" but when I'm reading the scrimmage and practice reports I'm loving the competition. We've got wags brewer and randolph who IMO are starters. You've gordon at the "Star" spot and he's a dang player in that position. Then you have competition for the next corner... Coleman, Oliver, Teague(finally) and I think even Bonner will get some reps. Then you have Wilks, McNiel and Moore (finally playing to his potential) will get rotations at the safety spot. Maybe not the most talented group we've ever seen but easily the deepest we seen in a few years.

This. Couldn't believe he left Waggner out. Brewer is now in a quarters scheme where he will excel. Those two alone have played a lot of snaps of SEC football and are tough. Randolph is a natural and now has the size and experience to get the job done. But everybody must be wrong since the recruiting services only had him a 3*. Gordon is a natural at Star. Moore is really good on pass defense so he will be shuttled between star and Brewer's spot. Work out the other CB spot with whoever emerges and you are good to go. Plenty of depth to work with to get ready to step up.

[volinexile17]

Originally Posted by VolFanNC09

Will be better than last year. Expect us to stop the run better. Will see a lot of passes this year. Hopefully secondary wil be up to the task. I think you will see Byron Moore and Randolf as starters by UF. Coverage will be better by UF and by that game should be much better than last year.

Brewer would probably be more suited to play extensively against UF. With the Gators QBs and WRs, they are going to have to run a ton.

[volinexile17]

Originally Posted by Vols4us

This. Couldn't believe he left Waggner out. Brewer is now in a quarters scheme where he will excel. Those two alone have played a lot of snaps of SEC football and are tough. Randolph is a natural and now has the size and experience to get the job done. But everybody must be wrong since the recruiting services only had him a 3*. Gordon is a natural at Star. Moore is really good on pass defense so he will be shuttled between star and Brewer's spot. Work out the other CB spot with whoever emerges and you are good to go. Plenty of depth to work with to get ready to step up.

Forgot about Waggner. He's a nice player, but not an elite one. He wont play on Sundays, and the best thing he's got going for him is experience and versatility.

I like that we've got some depth, but I just don't think we have SEC caliber quality. In 2-3 years (assuming we land a lot of the DBs we're in on), the guys we have starting now, with the exception of Randolph, would not see the field.

[BigOrangeFanatic]

My main concern is depth at LB. I think we have a good front line of guys across the board, but need more depth. DL is huge but still unproven at this level.

Overall for the entire defense, I feel good about our starters, its the second line of guys that is concerning. Still a new defense, which always brings concern, but we have more talent and experience than last year which hopefully will help some.