More to UT Violations story...

[tidwell]

Originally Posted by Writer32

....do I think UT will have the No. 3 defense in the nation again? No.

And a lot of good it did to achieve the "No. 3 defense in the nation" thanks to several games against opponents with an offense as bad as UT's.

[adamyq]

I

spend more time

scrolling than

reading due to the

excessive use of

the ENTER key

following each

sentence.

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by Business

Just wondering aloud. Any numbers on those page hits yet?

Ouch... clever, yet cold.

Cutting a little deep, aren't we Biz?

[Rasputin_Vol]

Originally Posted by tidwell

And a lot of good it did to achieve the "No. 3 defense in the nation" thanks to several games against opponents with an offense as bad as UT's.

Stop drowning out biased posts with all of your silly facts...

[dickens821]

Originally Posted by Rasputin_Vol

Ouch... clever, yet cold.

Cutting a little deep, aren't we Biz?

Honesty should never be an issue. Creating outrage versus honesty is what is wrong with 'journalists' today.

[rallen]

Originally Posted by Writer32

I just wondered aloud how Monte Kiffin would adjust to the college game....do I think UT will have the No. 3 defense in the nation again? No.

I do believe the offense will be significantly better, however, and that should help the defense out quite a bit.

Sometimes, I think, people just look for reasons to attack the messenger instead of just reading the blog/story for what it is.

Use the information in the story -- consider a different perspective. Don't be the "seven minute abs" guy like in the movie "Something about Mary''

You're Volman38. He made these same statments!

[Business]

Originally Posted by Rasputin_Vol

Ouch... clever, yet cold.

Cutting a little deep, aren't we Biz?

Not at all. I'm looking out for small local businesses here. I want to know my man down at The Mouse's Ear is getting his expected return on his internet advertising investment.

[VegasVol]

Many fans assume our defense will remain the same defense it was last year. Some think we can improve because they think our ratings were undeserved (but a function of our opponents) and others because of their faith in Monte at least vis-a-vis Chavis. However, Griff has reason to be right about some decline.

1) NFL to college does not always work; see the last two disaster offensive seasons for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.

2) The Tampa-2 defense has not translated as well from pro to college as has the 3-4 defense in recent historical examples, though none of those coaches were of Monte's caliber. In particular, the defense was designed to be a pass defense, more than a run defense, but the latter is usually more critical in college than the NFL.

3) While it is definitely a dissident opinion, some suggested Tampa's performance had more to do with excellent talent (a near decade with Sapp, Brooks, Lynch & Barber anchoring key positions) than coaching. (Sapp himself voiced this years ago, though Sapp has a Barkley tendency to yip a lot, and not always wisely).

4) UT's defensive talent dips unless the frosh/new starters make an immediate impact, given the losses of Morley, Ayers, & Winningham as well as most of the depth in the "back 7" at LB/CB, aggravated should we lose Vinson and/or Rogan in addition to C.J. Fleming.

5) Our opposing offenses' talent level rises in general, with Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and UCLA likely better than Auburn '08, South Carolina '08, Miss. State '08, and UCLA '08. Bama and Florida will likely be comparable as will KY & Vandy. Georgia should be weaker offensively.

If anyone is up to the challenge, Monte is.

[GoVols2003]

Tennessee can absolutely be better on defense next year. Last year's D was very solid and finished #3 in Total Defense at 263.5 yds per game. If you look deeper though, there is plenty of room for improvement. I do not necessarily see the Vols being better in the yds per game category given that MK will bring a bend but don't break scheme with him. I do see areas where he can help the Vols improve and believe that he is focusing on some of the areas based off a few comments I have seen from him. Like others have also mentioned, a improved offense will help keep the D of the field.

I also would like to pose the question, How will the college game adjust to MK? OC's around the SEC and beyond in some cases will be familiar with the "Tampa 2", but may struggle with some of the ways that MK will be able to disguise certain things (especially on a week's notice). He has been able to confuse top NFL QB's so how could he possibly not baffle the college QB's?

Numbers of interest - 2008 Defense

Tackles for loss - 31st
Sacks - 59th
3rd Down Efficiency - 45th
Fumbles recovered -117th

[TennTradition]

It isn't just about Monte, though. The chances of Monte having as much success on the college level as he had in the pros is extremely small, simply because of how much success he had in the league. He is at the tall end of his career....and it has been a heck of a career...it's entirely possible the he doesn't reach the same heights at the college level.

However, it is entirely possible that our defense doesn't drop off...that we improve in some areas, maybe we slide back in others. He is not going to be a bad coach at UT - he is too gifted and works too hard. He has also put some great coaches and recruiters around himself. He will have success here...and I consider #3 defenses success...he doesn't have to "improve" anything to have success....he just has to work his rear off and not sit on his laurels, which he has made a career of doing.

[VegasVol]

There's definite hope for our success defensively, just not as much a guarantee as may be assumed. However, some of the good points include:

1) Our defense was up against the wall all year last year due to the offensive ineptitude, with many of opposing teams' points coming off turnovers or bad field position;

2) Monte's methodology should be particularly suited for the pass-rushing skills and potential of players like Walker, Martin, Hughes and the ranginess of players like McCoy and Berry;

3) No coach has seen players overachieve as much as Dungy's players in his Tampa 2 and if Monte is his equal, then there is no reason to believe he cannot achieve the same;

4) This staff was very confident in their LB/DB recruits, so they should fit the system and perform if their talent evaluation was accurate;

5) Most defensive coordinators from the pros have succeeded in the collegiate ranks.

[GreyWolf1129]

Why the cheap shot at Monte? "Tail end of his NFL career"...like he was rode out of town on the proverbial rail.

Where were you, and your words, when Chavis' defenses were giving up 3rd and long like a hooker on payday?

Good article, but ruined by one sentence.

Go Vols.

[Knox9552]

Who gave this hack a job?

[vol_in_il]

Originally Posted by Rasputin_Vol

Monte has more of a head of steam than Fulmer did, and Fulmer is 13 or so years younger.

How did Fulmer end up in the discussion?

[Jewbaccah]

Guys Guys Guys lets be clear Monte was a college coach this is not his first rodeo. He knows how to coach college kids. He will make adjustments for the age of the players. He is a better coach then Chavis by all rights. I do not know why no one is mentioning this.

Our Defense improved or not improved lies on the play of our LBs. Secondary should be improved as is the line.