2011 lsu

[LittleVol]

Does anyone remember that team and their defense? How fast and disruptive they were.
How they manhadled Oregon.
Turned over that high powered West Virginia offense.
Shutdown Bama in Tuscaloosa first go around.

They almost won the National title off of that defense alone.

Okay... I think team 120 defense can be that good. And our offense will be better than LSU'S that year.

Darrell Taylor and Rashaun Gaulden bring an extra dimension to our defense.

Derek Barnett
Cam Sutton
Jaylen Reeves Maybin are All-Americans

Justin Martin
Quarte Sapp
Kyle Phillips/Darrell Taylor/Austin Smith are similar to Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo type edge players that made LSU soo good that year.

We don't have a Honey Badger/ but we have his production in our return game already and defensively our DBs arent afraid of anybody and they have made plays themselves.

Morris Claiborn
Tharold Simon
Tyran Mathiu
Eric Ried
Brandon Taylor were athletic, disruptive and could tackle.

I don't think we have what they had in that secondary, but we are not that far behind, and our Front 7 is special.

DkJr and Jaylen Reeves-Maybin is better than what they had at LB.
Barnett, KMac, Tuttle, Vereen
Phillips, Taylor, Smith are all physically gifted players that I would also put up thee with LSUs D-LINE.

Chemistry plus talent made that defense so special.

 

[Power T-Rev]

I distinctly remember the honeybadger

 

[Boca Vol]

I distinctly remember the honeybadger

Brent Musberger loved to say "Honeybadger"!

 

[PotS]

He just didn't give a ****

 

[IndianaVolunteer]

Our defense won't be that good. It'd be nice though.

 

[allvol81]

Yea if I recall right I remember da rick rodgers carrying the ol badger bout 15 yards in one play . I believe it was the 11 season

 

[esarmstrong]

Brent Musberger loved to say "Honeybadger"!

I like to say "honey badger".

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Tyrann Mathieu

Mathieu earned the nickname "The Honey Badger" for his tenacious ability to play extremely tough football against much larger opponents, as well as his knack for making big plays.

If ability to play extremely tough football is one of the defining characteristics of the Honey Badger, then I'd say Gaulden would fall under that definition. Whether or not he will have a knack for making big plays has yet to be seen. If practice is any indicator he could be a big play guy and, if he is, there is no reason he can't be as productive as Tyrann Mathieu.

He hits so dang hard, I worry that he could get injured with the violence he hits with. If you haven't seen how he hits yet, you will probably be amazed and surprised that someone his size can jack people up the way he does and how often he does it.

Fearless, like this guy, maybe not as reckless:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_1Qsqo5w9M[/youtube]

 

[TUSKtimes]

Both teams were ranked #1 and #2 when they met. Of the guys who played in that game that night, 42 were drafted in the NFL. Another handful made NFL rosters as free agents. 48 eventually were drafted off the depth chart. 14 first round picks.

Alabama and LSU finished one and two in scoring defense. In 27 games they combined to give up 27 TDs for the season.

"The game of the century" deserved an encore.

 

[Iam4utalways]

The better out Defense the more conservative we can be on Offense. The good news is even a conservative play call executed properly will score points vs the 4 toss up games on our schedule. The even better news is with our special teams they will likely score enough to win the toss up games. And with year long Captains in charge of it all I feel real good about our chances.

It's all about points. We finally figured out what it takes to win. Score more points and shut them out. You can't drive it down to the one and fumble or line up for a field goal(strange thing is we did that against Fl and Bama and both went for a TD, go figure). It's all about the points.

It's a special year, see you in Tampa!

Go Vols!

 

[Iam4utalways]

Both teams were ranked #1 and #2 when they met. Of the guys who played in that game that night, 42 were drafted in the NFL. Another handful made NFL rosters as free agents. 48 eventually were drafted off the depth chart. 14 first round picks.

Alabama and LSU finished one and two in scoring defense. In 27 games they combined to give up 27 TDs for the season.

"The game of the century" deserved an encore.

I like the one where Auburn ran that FG back on y'all. I realize that is poor sportsmanship to want a team to play bad and lose, what worse is to want them to play great and lose. It will sure be nice in Knoxville this year when we are both undefeated(if y'all can get past Ole Miss, what's up with that. Are they y'alls Florida?)

I'm sure your happy to see we are more competative, after the game you will be sad.

28-17 and the score is way closer than the game.

Go Vols!

 

[TUSKtimes]

I like the one where Auburn ran that FG back on y'all. I realize that is poor sportsmanship to want a team to play bad and lose, what worse is to want them to play great and lose. It will sure be nice in Knoxville this year when we are both undefeated(if y'all can get past Ole Miss, what's up with that. Are they y'alls Florida?)

I'm sure your happy to see we are more competative, after the game you will be sad.

28-17 and the score is way closer than the game.

Go Vols!

I gave you numbers after the fact. You give me the internal workings of an over active imagination.

 

[LittleVol]

Tyrann Mathieu

If ability to play extremely tough football is one of the defining characteristics of the Honey Badger, then I'd say Gaulden would fall under that definition. Whether or not he will have a knack for making big plays has yet to be seen. If practice is any indicator he could be a big play guy and, if he is, there is no reason he can't be as productive as Tyrann Mathieu.

He hits so dang hard, I worry that he could get injured with the violence he hits with. If you haven't seen how he hits yet, you will probably be amazed and surprised that someone his size can jack people up the way he does and how often he does it.

Fearless, like this guy, maybe not as reckless:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_1Qsqo5w9M[/youtube]

I think he Gualden can have a similar effect. Mathiu was so disruptive. He Blitzed, he could cover the flat, good in Run support. Gaulden can do all these things too. If Rashaan can stay healthy he will really make this defense special..

 

[LittleVol]

Both teams were ranked #1 and #2 when they met. Of the guys who played in that game that night, 42 were drafted in the NFL. Another handful made NFL rosters as free agents. 48 eventually were drafted off the depth chart. 14 first round picks.

Alabama and LSU finished one and two in scoring defense. In 27 games they combined to give up 27 TDs for the season.

"The game of the century" deserved an encore.

Courtney Upshaw made the Jack LB position famous that year.

Bamas defense was never really tested that year. Just a bunch of big physical dudes that beat you up...

 

[Iam4utalways]

Tyrann Mathieu

If ability to play extremely tough football is one of the defining characteristics of the Honey Badger, then I'd say Gaulden would fall under that definition. Whether or not he will have a knack for making big plays has yet to be seen. If practice is any indicator he could be a big play guy and, if he is, there is no reason he can't be as productive as Tyrann Mathieu.

He hits so dang hard, I worry that he could get injured with the violence he hits with. If you haven't seen how he hits yet, you will probably be amazed and surprised that someone his size can jack people up the way he does and how often he does it.

Fearless, like this guy, maybe not as reckless:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_1Qsqo5w9M[/youtube]

Lench is a beast. He is a felonious hitter.

I've haven't seen any film on Gaulden, but he has a reputation on Volnation as being a heavy hitter.

Go Vols!

 

[LittleVol]

Our defense won't be that good. It'd be nice though.

That defense was nasty. So many guys played with confidence...

We have Shoop now. And not only do we have a ton of experience on D, but this is the most talent that has been there since 2007?

Our CBs are going to show a brand of football that UT fans have never seen from a Vol team.

And our front 7 is really really good

 

[Iam4utalways]

I gave you numbers after the fact. You give me the internal workings of an over active imagination.

Better than to live vicariously thru Auburn.

There are facts that support my conclusion. Think about that facts and you will draw the same conclusion.

Maybe 24-13 upon further consideration, but 42-17 is not out of the question.

Go Vols!

 

[TUSKtimes]

Courtney Upshaw made the Jack LB position famous that year.

Bamas defense was never really tested that year. Just a bunch of big physical dudes that beat you up...

Good observation, just add speed to big and physical. With Hightower and CJ Mosley alongside, that let Upshaw put his hand in the turf and singlehandedly control the edge with Jefferson.

 

[LittleVol]

Good observation, just add speed to big and physical. With Hightower and CJ Mosley alongside, that let Upshaw put his hand in the turf and singlehandedly control the edge with Jefferson.

They were fast.

Two of the best defenses I have ever seen in College football were LSU and BAMA in 2011.

They were different defenses too. LSU was quick, athletic and opportunistic but still physical enough to stop power run game... for a while.

Bama physically dominated the line of scrimmage but also had length and quickness at every level.

I think LSU's style was equiped to face any offense and frustrate them. All of Oregons slippery playmakers were getting tackled in the open field with ease against the tigers.

Bamas defense that year just manhandled you...

I dont know which defense was truly better.

 

[LittleVol]

Good observation, just add speed to big and physical. With Hightower and CJ Mosley alongside, that let Upshaw put his hand in the turf and singlehandedly control the edge with Jefferson.

So what do you see from the Vol potential defense this year? What did you think of our D last year?

What about Bama this year?

Thanks.

 

[checkerboards09]

That defense was nasty. So many guys played with confidence...

We have Shoop now. And not only do we have a ton of experience on D, but this is the most talent that has been there since 2007?

Our CBs are going to show a brand of football that UT fans have never seen from a Vol team.

And our front 7 is really really good

This will be a more talented D than '07. We're looking at a '98 type defense (maybe even better), I truly believe that.

 

[TUSKtimes]

They were fast.

Two of the best defenses I have ever seen in College football were LSU and BAMA in 2011.

They were different defenses too. LSU was quick, athletic and opportunistic but still physical enough to stop power run game... for a while.

Bama physically dominated the line of scrimmage but also had length and quickness at every level.

I think LSU's style was equiped to face any offense and frustrate them. All of Oregons slippery playmakers were getting tackled in the open field with ease against the tigers.

Bamas defense that year just manhandled you...

I dont know which defense was truly better.

LSU's defense was a turnover machine. That's what was making the Honeybadger famous. There were some yards between the end zones that could be had. Just couldn't score on them. Their special teams including punt returns were exceptional.

Bama's defense was more like a boa constrictor. It would circle you, squeeze the life out. The longer the game, the nastier they got. LSU ended up with 92 total yards, 5 first downs, and crossed the 50 yard line one time in the NC.

 

[LittleVol]

This will be a more talented D than '07. We're looking at a '98 type defense (maybe even better), I truly believe that.

Lets take a look
2007 2016

CB Vinson Martin
CB Willingham Sutton
FS Berry Kelly Jr
SS Heffney Gaulden

OLB McCoy JRM
MLB Mayo Kirkland Jr
OLB Karl Sapp

DE Mitchell Barnett
DT Williams KMac
DT Bolden Tuttle
DE Reynolds Vereen

2007 was pretty good, BUT 2016 has more depth. Thats what will make them special.

 

[LittleVol]

LSU's defense was a turnover machine. That's what was making the Honeybadger famous. There were some yards between the end zones that could be had. Just couldn't score on them. Their special teams including punt returns were exceptional.

Bama's defense was more like a boa constrictor. It would circle you, squeeze the life out. The longer the game, the nastier they got. LSU ended up with 92 total yards, 5 first downs, and crossed the 50 yard line one time in the NC.

This is very accurate. Oregon and West Virgina were putting up yards on LSU, but couldnt score in the redzone.

LSU always had a big key play waitimg to happen. Claiborne kick return. Reid interception. Honey Badger a myriad of game changing plays.

Bama had Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick, Hightower and Upshaw leading the way. NFL defense playing in college.

 

[TUSKtimes]

So what do you see from the Vol potential defense this year? What did you think of our D last year?

What about Bama this year?

Thanks.

Tenn played well on the LOS against us in Tuscaloosa. They were good with their pressure and better that I expected with their run control. We had trouble getting behind the defense with the long ball. Can't say much about this year with Shoop. I'm sure it's going to be more about pressure and turnovers and getting off the field.