convinced, our defense

#26
#26
Depth is the difference compared to last year. In 3 of the 4 losses, Tennessee defense actually dominated the opponents offense until late in 3rd and 4th qtrs. (ark was an exception as they moved the ball early in 3rd qtr). The defense was talented but many played too many snaps. That began to change alittle by year end but too late.

This yr, Tennessee has good depth at DB (very little early last year), good depth at LB (none, zero last season) and good depth at DL (could move some DEs inside some to play DT, especially in pass downs).

Eliminating injuries is critical.
 
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#27
#27
Backwards K said:
You are basing that more on wishes than facts. This defense has done nothing to show they have talent to be at that level. 47th in Passing yards allowed, 45th in rushing defense and they were absolutely torched by passing offenses like Bowling Green, Florida (esp 4th qtr), Oklahoma (2nd half), and UGA. Also, struggled somewhat vs South Carolina (24 pts) and Vandy (28 pts) who had terrible offenses.

The defense should be improved but it has not shown the ability to win a game by making big stops late nor has it been proficient against potent passing offenses.
Click to expand...



True................2016 must be a better year defensively
 
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#28
#28
ice said:
is the key to the Vols moving up to the next level.
I have studied the games we have played the last
couple of years.
We have always been able to put points on the board.
When we have lost to the better teams, it has been a
major problem for our defense to stop them late in
these games. Fourth quarter woes.
I am hoping Shoop can make major changes in our
defense.
Personally, I think a major improvement in defense
will be the key to moving to the next level.
Click to expand...

You would be correct. We were probably 10-2, 11-1 last year if our defense could have held up with a 14 point lead late in the 4th qtr. I hope this defense is just flat out nasty. I want them to emotionally traumatize QB's and demoralize the opposing offensive lines.
 
#29
#29
wmcovol said:
Depth is the difference compared to last year. In 3 of the 4 losses, Tennessee defense actually dominated the opponents offense until late in 3rd and 4th qtrs. (ark was an exception as they moved the ball early in 3rd qtr). The defense was talented but many played too many snaps. That began to change alittle by year end but too late.

This yr, Tennessee has good depth at DB (very little early last year), good depth at LB (none, zero last season) and good depth at DL (could move some DEs inside some to play DT, especially in pass downs).

Eliminating injuries is critical.
Click to expand...

The overall talent on the defense is better but......:
--Many of the starters missed spring practice
--A new system is being put in place
--LB depth is not so great. Kirkland and JRM great but others are all unproven. (Jumper listed as 2nd team!)
--DBs breaking in 2 new starting safeties and backups are unproven
--Martin, Mosely, and Abernathy are all unproven in man to man pass defense.
--Shy Tuttle is still not running and O'Brien is serviceable but not a "best defense in 2 decades" good.
--Kongbo listed as #2 DE and he has never played a down of D1 football.
--Vereen listed as starting DE and he has been very inconsistent.

Not saying this won't be a good defense but, it's a little bit of a stretch for this to be called the best UT defense in 2 decades. Heck, if not for a fumble inside the 20 in closing minute, South Carolina was driving for the winning score. There are some highly touted players on this defense but depth and history still leave a lot of unanswered questions.
 
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#30
#30
Backwards K said:
The overall talent on the defense is better but......:
--Many of the starters missed spring practice
--A new system is being put in place
--LB depth is not so great. Kirkland and JRM great but others are all unproven. (Jumper listed as 2nd team!)
--DBs breaking in 2 new starting safeties and backups are unproven
--Martin, Mosely, and Abernathy are all unproven in man to man pass defense.
--Shy Tuttle is still not running and O'Brien is serviceable but not a "best defense in 2 decades" good.
--Kongbo listed as #2 DE and he has never played a down of D1 football.
--Vereen listed as starting DE and he has been very inconsistent.

Not saying this won't be a good defense but, it's a little bit of a stretch for this to be called the best UT defense in 2 decades. Heck, if not for a fumble inside the 20 in closing minute, South Carolina was driving for the winning score. There are some highly touted players on this defense but depth and history still leave a lot of unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

I actually believe this poster and his assessment are fair given why he holds his point of view. I also believe those who are optimistic about this defense have good reasons for it as well. 120 will return enough experienced defensive players from 119 which gave the eventual National Champion Tide all they could handle including a defensive effort at their house which allowed the Vols to outrush them and their Heisman RB and only post a 5 pt loss. Yes we have some challenges, but my view is have we done enough off season to be 5 points better on defense than last year's crew? I believe we have done more than 5 points of improvement, time will tell. GBO!
 
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#32
#32
I certainly hope y'all are right. And I am optimistic about this season but it's a little more cautious optimism than what some of you are exhibiting.

Go Vols.
 
#33
#33
Backwards K said:
This will be an improved defense, however, to date, this group of defensive players have not shown the ability to slow down a proficient passing attack or make stops when needed late in close games vs good teams. Those are facts

I've been a fan for a long time and I have seen UT have dominant, championship level defenses. This group has not proven itself to be of that level, yet. Further, you haven't addressed having two new starting safeties, a lack of depth at Defensive Tackle, and a lack of quality depth at linebacker. For that matter, with the exception of Sutton, I saw a lot of different DBs chasing after receivers in every game.

This defense is good enough to win games because the UT offense will be that good. But, it has not given any indication that it is a shut down defense that can win a low scoring game vs a top opponent. Nor has it proven that it can get quality stops in the 4th quarter of big games.
Click to expand...

Todd Kelly has 70 tackles and 5 career ints... hes not new.

Martin is not unproven. He took that CB spot at the end of the year and ran with it.

Malik Foreman is a fast and very dependable CB/NB

Gaulden was the best player in the spring while playing safety.

Barnett is one of the top edge players in the country.
Vereen got better and better.
Phillips was getting a ton of PT as a freshman until his injury. Hes a stud. Latroy Lewis produces everytime he gets on the field.
Darrell Taylor is 6'4" 240 and runs a 4.5 flat. Hes a DE...
Oh yeah.. then thers that Kongbo guy.

DT is not as bad as people are making out to be OBrien and Vickers have played a ton of snaps. KMAC is a man. Tuttle will be back.

Our starting Linebackers are 2nd to none. Both guys could end up with 100 plus tackles. If our talented backups could ever get on the field, then they would show their skill...

If you're going to point out the flaws, then portray then strenghts with it...
 
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#34
#34
Thanks for your comments little vol. I'm simply pumping the brakes on the out of control hype on this defense. Again, I've seen Championship level defenses in the past 5 decades of UT football and this group has not proven they are at this level. The comment that this is the best defense in two decades is unfounded.

Give me examples of a shut down performance this group had last year. There were several games where this group blew 10+ point leads in the 4th quarter, were torched by any above average passing attacks and were unable to make a stop late in a game. The personal stats of size and speed are impressive, the results have not been.

The potential is there but not the history. Let them prove it before you crown their......
 
Last edited:
#36
#36
LittleVol said:
Todd Kelly has 70 tackles and 5 career ints... hes not new.

Martin is not unproven. He took that CB spot at the end of the year and ran with it.

Malik Foreman is a fast and very dependable CB/NB

Gaulden was the best player in the spring while playing safety.

Barnett is one of the top edge players in the country.
Vereen got better and better.
Phillips was getting a ton of PT as a freshman until his injury. Hes a stud. Latroy Lewis produces everytime he gets on the field.
Darrell Taylor is 6'4" 240 and runs a 4.5 flat. Hes a DE...
Oh yeah.. then thers that Kongbo guy.

DT is not as bad as people are making out to be OBrien and Vickers have played a ton of snaps. KMAC is a man. Tuttle will be back.

Our starting Linebackers are 2nd to none. Both guys could end up with 100 plus tackles. If our talented backups could ever get on the field, then they would show their skill...

If you're going to point out the flaws, then portray then strenghts with it...
Click to expand...

Third (Star) LB should rack em up also...Sapp or McDowell.
 
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#37
#37
Definitely trying to restrain myself as far as getting too aroused by this defense (or at least their potential). Things that make me feel better about the DT position:

-Reports about Shy being well on his way to a full recovery.

-Looks like Kendal Vickers gained about 10 lbs (now 6'3, 295lbs...not undersized at all)

-Stating the obvious, but Kmac slimming down

-Quay Picou going from 6'1 263lbs-->6'1 277lbs

-Danny O going from 282 to 301

-Bain having a year (since his black stripe was removed) and getting praise in the spring game.

-Butcher getting up to 275lb, has great potential, and is hungry having had to sit out with injury.

***Granted, it's not an ideal situation given that the Alabamas and LSUs of the world probably have more depth than this. But hearing Shoop say that "no one will run on us" makes me feel like he's got something brewing. He's not a cocky or flashy person, and he's coached some great defenses with minimal talent...we're gonna be just fine.
 
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#38
#38
Gotta ask this. With the settlement, is Alexis Johnson a reality?
 
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#40
#40
butchna said:
Gotta ask this. With the settlement, is Alexis Johnson a reality?
Click to expand...

Based on a report from (Doug Matthews? Someone help) he was saying just a few days ago that things weren't looking good for him to play this year, possibly ever. However, who knows how public the news of this settlement was then. This could flip the script on the Johnson situation. If so, I think all of this talk about thin DT depth should decrescendo...
 
#41
#41
swchandler1988 said:
Based on a report from (Doug Matthews? Someone help) he was saying just a few days ago that things weren't looking good for him to play this year, possibly ever. However, who knows how public the news of this settlement was then. This could flip the script on the Johnson situation. If so, I think all of this talk about thin DT depth should decrescendo...
Click to expand...

With every move no longer being subject to the microscope, not certain what the insurmountable roadblock would be ...save similar undisclosed info ala the Tyler Paulk situation.
 
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#42
#42
98, 05, and 08 are the best defenses we've had in the last 20 years. If our defense can be like either of those, we'll win 10+.
 
#45
#45
Backwards K said:
Thanks for your comments little vol. I'm simply pumping the brakes on the out of control hype on this defense. Again, I've seen Championship level defenses in the past 5 decades of UT football and this group has not proven they are at this level. The comment that this is the best defense in two decades is unfounded.

Give me examples of a shut down performance this group had last year. There were several games where this group blew 10+ point leads in the 4th quarter, were torched by any above average passing attacks and were unable to make a stop late in a game. The personal stats of size and speed are impressive, the results have not been.

The potential is there but not the history. Let them prove it before you crown their......
Click to expand...

Simply nothing here to argue with....Vols must prove they are worthy of such praise
Go Vols
 
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#46
#46
Backwards K said:
Thanks for your comments little vol. I'm simply pumping the brakes on the out of control hype on this defense. Again, I've seen Championship level defenses in the past 5 decades of UT football and this group has not proven they are at this level. The comment that this is the best defense in two decades is unfounded.

Give me examples of a shut down performance this group had last year. There were several games where this group blew 10+ point leads in the 4th quarter, were torched by any above average passing attacks and were unable to make a stop late in a game. The personal stats of size and speed are impressive, the results have not been.

The potential is there but not the history. Let them prove it before you crown their......
Click to expand...

Have to agree with you Mr. K. We had several good and mediocre teams move the ball up and down the field on us last year. I am hopeful that our defense will be stout this year (they should be), but they have to be able to shut down teams when the game is on the line.
 
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#47
#47
SEC Network has been showing replays of the UT season this weekend and it was worst than I remembered. Not only was the UT defense unable to slow down Oklahoma, Florida, and Alabama in the 4th quarter. They didn't stop UGA or SCarolina in the 4th quarter either. In UGA's last two series in the 4th, they dropped a wide open TD and then went 80 yds in less than 2 min and just ran out of time. SCarolina was moving for a TD and a TE got careless with ball security and UT recovered the fumble inside the 20.

The defense has the talent but they have a lot of work to do to get UT to where they want to be, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
 
#48
#48
Backwards K said:
The overall talent on the defense is better but......:
--Many of the starters missed spring practice
--A new system is being put in place
--LB depth is not so great. Kirkland and JRM great but others are all unproven. (Jumper listed as 2nd team!)
--DBs breaking in 2 new starting safeties and backups are unproven
--Martin, Mosely, and Abernathy are all unproven in man to man pass defense.
--Shy Tuttle is still not running and O'Brien is serviceable but not a "best defense in 2 decades" good.
--Kongbo listed as #2 DE and he has never played a down of D1 football.
--Vereen listed as starting DE and he has been very inconsistent.

Not saying this won't be a good defense but, it's a little bit of a stretch for this to be called the best UT defense in 2 decades. Heck, if not for a fumble inside the 20 in closing minute, South Carolina was driving for the winning score. There are some highly touted players on this defense but depth and history still leave a lot of unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

You seem to be talking about 2015. We have moved on to 2016. This will be our best defense in two decades.
 
#50
#50
Backwards K said:
SEC Network has been showing replays of the UT season this weekend and it was worst than I remembered. Not only was the UT defense unable to slow down Oklahoma, Florida, and Alabama in the 4th quarter. They didn't stop UGA or SCarolina in the 4th quarter either. In UGA's last two series in the 4th, they dropped a wide open TD and then went 80 yds in less than 2 min and just ran out of time. SCarolina was moving for a TD and a TE got careless with ball security and UT recovered the fumble inside the 20.

The defense has the talent but they have a lot of work to do to get UT to where they want to be, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
Click to expand...

The problem was schematic not talent and that problem has been fixed.
 
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