2017 Vols will have the #1 or #2 ranked DEFENSE in the SEC

#55
#55
Volanta said:
Stop shooting down everything bc you don't like the guy. I see you argue for the sake of arguing on everything he posts. Either read it impartially or skip it.
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See you don't know who D4H is and aren't familiar with his work. Spoiler alert.....it ain't good
 
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#56
#56
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
He was out of shape last year and played terribly. Unless he's a lot better this year, I would roll with Abernathy and Warrior as starters.
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Leading the team in tackles and grabbing another two picks (8 for his career) on a bum ankle wasn't "terrible." I don't care how good Warrior looks in shorts, he isn't going to start over a senior leader like Kelly - although Warrior starting over Abernathy is a possibility.

Instincts and playmaking ability are far more important attributes than athleticism at strong safety, and Kelly has those traits in spades.
 
#57
#57
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
The more I look at the talent we have on that side of the ball, the more I like it. On offense I still have concerns about the offensive line and at wide receiver. However, on defense I have zero concerns when it comes to talent or depth. Last year was a fluke for Bob Shoop. Injuries played a large factor and guys like Willie Martinez were trying to undercut his authority. This year I expect to see him look like the elite defensive coordinator he looked like at Penn State and Vanderbilt. Expect the defensive line to be among the best in the nation. Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are NFL caliber athletes. Kendal Vickers is a starting caliber NFL DT and Kahlil McKenzie is as talented a one technique as there is. Look out for Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley to have huge seasons as well this year. I think both will be All-SEC caliber CBs and NFL draft picks. Also look out for Nigel Warrior and Daniel Bituli to turn into superstars. They might be the two most physically gifted athletes on our defense. I think both will have breakout seasons as sophomores. And finally, expect to see Darrin Kirkland Jr. take on the mantle as the undisputed leader of the defense. He's got a good chance at being a First Team All-American. Overall, the defense will be top 10 nationally and rank first or second (to Alabama) in the SEC.

Just look at the talent and experience we have across the board:

SDE - Jonathan Kongbo (R-Jr.) / Kyle Phillips (Jr.) / Matthew Butler (Fr.)
DT - Kendal Vickers (R-Sr.) / Shy Tuttle (Jr.) / Quay Picou (Jr.)
DT - Kahlil McKenzie (Jr.) / Alexis Johnson (R-Jr.)
WDE - Darrell Taylor (R-So.) / Deandre Johnson (Fr.)

WLB - Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Jr.) / Quart'e Sapp (R-So.) / Cortez McDowell (Sr.)
MLB - Daniel Bituli (So.) / Colton Jumper (Sr.)
SLB - Austin Smith (R-So.) / Dillon Bates (R-Jr.)

CB - Justin Martin (Sr.) / Baylen Buchanan (So.)
CB - Emmanuel Moseley (Sr.) / Cheyenne Labruzza (Fr.)
NB- Rashaan Gaulden (R-Jr.) / Marquill Osborne (So.)
FS - Micah Abernathy (Jr.) / Evan Berry (Sr.)
SS - Nigel Warrior (So.) / Todd Kelly Jr. (Sr.)


The media will look really stupid in December when we are in Atlanta in large part because of a defense that they felt did not have a single player worthy of being voted onto any of the preseason All-SEC defensive teams.
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First off, when I saw the name of the post, I knew it was D4H...then when he said he was worried about our offensive line and wideouts above all, I again knew it was D4H. Might be the most retarded post I've ever read...
 
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#58
#58
UTandUNC said:
First off, when I saw the name of the post, I knew it was D4H...then when he said he was worried about our offensive line and wideouts above all, I again knew it was D4H. Might be the most retarded post I've ever read...
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What positions do you think are more concerning? We saw last year that more experience didn't necessarily make the o-line any better. They were downright horrible all season long. And at wide receiver the it known player is Jennings. And it's not like the unproven guys are 5 stars in waiting.

I still have faith the offensive line will be better (mainly because of improved talents like Trey Smith) and the receivers should be solid. But I don't feel as confident about them as I do the defense, QBs, and even RBs.
 
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#59
#59
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
What positions do you think are more concerning? We saw last year that more experience didn't necessarily make the o-line any better. They were downright horrible all season long. And at wide receiver the it known player is Jennings. And it's not like the unproven guys are 5 stars in waiting.

I still have faith the offensive line will be better (mainly because of improved talents like Trey Smith) and the receivers should be solid. But I don't feel as confident about them as I do the defense, QBs, and even RBs.
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DL is by FAR more concerning. There's absolutely no question in my mind.
 
#60
#60
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Not the whole defense. We'll probably have 5-6 guys make the 1st and 2nd team. If I had to guess, I would go with Darrin Kirkland Jr., Kendal Vickers, Justin Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, Daniel Bituli, and Nigel Warrior.
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Dude just stop. This is as dumb or dumber than your draft projections.
 
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#61
#61
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
The more I look at the talent we have on that side of the ball, the more I like it. On offense I still have concerns about the offensive line and at wide receiver. However, on defense I have zero concerns when it comes to talent or depth. Last year was a fluke for Bob Shoop. Injuries played a large factor and guys like Willie Martinez were trying to undercut his authority. This year I expect to see him look like the elite defensive coordinator he looked like at Penn State and Vanderbilt. Expect the defensive line to be among the best in the nation. Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are NFL caliber athletes. Kendal Vickers is a starting caliber NFL DT and Kahlil McKenzie is as talented a one technique as there is. Look out for Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley to have huge seasons as well this year. I think both will be All-SEC caliber CBs and NFL draft picks. Also look out for Nigel Warrior and Daniel Bituli to turn into superstars. They might be the two most physically gifted athletes on our defense. I think both will have breakout seasons as sophomores. And finally, expect to see Darrin Kirkland Jr. take on the mantle as the undisputed leader of the defense. He's got a good chance at being a First Team All-American. Overall, the defense will be top 10 nationally and rank first or second (to Alabama) in the SEC.

Just look at the talent and experience we have across the board:

SDE - Jonathan Kongbo (R-Jr.) / Kyle Phillips (Jr.) / Matthew Butler (Fr.)
DT - Kendal Vickers (R-Sr.) / Shy Tuttle (Jr.) / Quay Picou (Jr.)
DT - Kahlil McKenzie (Jr.) / Alexis Johnson (R-Jr.)
WDE - Darrell Taylor (R-So.) / Deandre Johnson (Fr.)

WLB - Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Jr.) / Quart'e Sapp (R-So.) / Cortez McDowell (Sr.)
MLB - Daniel Bituli (So.) / Colton Jumper (Sr.)
SLB - Austin Smith (R-So.) / Dillon Bates (R-Jr.)

CB - Justin Martin (Sr.) / Baylen Buchanan (So.)
CB - Emmanuel Moseley (Sr.) / Cheyenne Labruzza (Fr.)
NB- Rashaan Gaulden (R-Jr.) / Marquill Osborne (So.)
FS - Micah Abernathy (Jr.) / Evan Berry (Sr.)
SS - Nigel Warrior (So.) / Todd Kelly Jr. (Sr.)


The media will look really stupid in December when we are in Atlanta in large part because of a defense that they felt did not have a single player worthy of being voted onto any of the preseason All-SEC defensive teams.
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Bob, is that you talking **** again?
 
#63
#63
Catbone said:
DL is by FAR more concerning. There's absolutely no question in my mind.
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The reason I'm more confident in our d-line is the fact it's filled with highly rated talent. We have 3 former 5-stars on that unit. And depth that is 10 deep with quality bodies. We do have inexperience and guys returning from injury but talent isn't a question.

Kahlil McKenzie, Jonathan Kongbo, Shy Tuttle, and Kyle Phillips were highly rated 5 star caliber players everyone in the country wanted. Kendal Vickers is a seasoned redshirt senior who will be drafted by the NFL next year. Alexis Johnson is a talented JUCO who can provide quality depth and Quay Picou is a guy who has improved this summer and looks to play a role this year. Darrell Taylor is as talented as any defensive end in the country. And finally freshmen like Deandre Johnson and Matthew Butler are drawing rave reviews early on.

I like the talent we have along the defensive line a lot more than the talent we have at offensive line or wide receiver.
 
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#64
#64
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
What positions do you think are more concerning? We saw last year that more experience didn't necessarily make the o-line any better. They were downright horrible all season long. And at wide receiver the it known player is Jennings. And it's not like the unproven guys are 5 stars in waiting.

I still have faith the offensive line will be better (mainly because of improved talents like Trey Smith) and the receivers should be solid. But I don't feel as confident about them as I do the defense, QBs, and even RBs.
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How can you really be confident in our defense? I mean this as an honest question. The DL? Will KMac ahd Tuttle be able to play a full season? Maybe. Maybe not. One of the best pass rushers the SEC has ever seen is gone. Can we replace Barnett? Maybe. But honestly, I dont think we will.

Our LB and DB play has been below average. Now, both of those could improve. And they will have to dramatically if our defense is going to succeed. The OL shoukd be much less of a concern than the defense. Our defense was atrocious last year. So all of a sudden its going to go from atrocious to elite? I sure hope so but I dont see it.
 
#65
#65
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
The more I look at the talent we have on that side of the ball, the more I like it. On offense I still have concerns about the offensive line and at wide receiver. However, on defense I have zero concerns when it comes to talent or depth. Last year was a fluke for Bob Shoop. Injuries played a large factor and guys like Willie Martinez were trying to undercut his authority. This year I expect to see him look like the elite defensive coordinator he looked like at Penn State and Vanderbilt. Expect the defensive line to be among the best in the nation. Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are NFL caliber athletes. Kendal Vickers is a starting caliber NFL DT and Kahlil McKenzie is as talented a one technique as there is. Look out for Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley to have huge seasons as well this year. I think both will be All-SEC caliber CBs and NFL draft picks. Also look out for Nigel Warrior and Daniel Bituli to turn into superstars. They might be the two most physically gifted athletes on our defense. I think both will have breakout seasons as sophomores. And finally, expect to see Darrin Kirkland Jr. take on the mantle as the undisputed leader of the defense. He's got a good chance at being a First Team All-American. Overall, the defense will be top 10 nationally and rank first or second (to Alabama) in the SEC.

Just look at the talent and experience we have across the board:

SDE - Jonathan Kongbo (R-Jr.) / Kyle Phillips (Jr.) / Matthew Butler (Fr.)
DT - Kendal Vickers (R-Sr.) / Shy Tuttle (Jr.) / Quay Picou (Jr.)
DT - Kahlil McKenzie (Jr.) / Alexis Johnson (R-Jr.)
WDE - Darrell Taylor (R-So.) / Deandre Johnson (Fr.)

WLB - Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Jr.) / Quart'e Sapp (R-So.) / Cortez McDowell (Sr.)
MLB - Daniel Bituli (So.) / Colton Jumper (Sr.)
SLB - Austin Smith (R-So.) / Dillon Bates (R-Jr.)

CB - Justin Martin (Sr.) / Baylen Buchanan (So.)
CB - Emmanuel Moseley (Sr.) / Cheyenne Labruzza (Fr.)
NB- Rashaan Gaulden (R-Jr.) / Marquill Osborne (So.)
FS - Micah Abernathy (Jr.) / Evan Berry (Sr.)
SS - Nigel Warrior (So.) / Todd Kelly Jr. (Sr.)


The media will look really stupid in December when we are in Atlanta in large part because of a defense that they felt did not have a single player worthy of being voted onto any of the preseason All-SEC defensive teams.
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i think you have it upside down it will be the defense that will have a problem if there is one.
 
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#68
#68
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
The more I look at the talent we have on that side of the ball, the more I like it. On offense I still have concerns about the offensive line and at wide receiver. However, on defense I have zero concerns when it comes to talent or depth. Last year was a fluke for Bob Shoop. Injuries played a large factor and guys like Willie Martinez were trying to undercut his authority. This year I expect to see him look like the elite defensive coordinator he looked like at Penn State and Vanderbilt. Expect the defensive line to be among the best in the nation. Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor are NFL caliber athletes. Kendal Vickers is a starting caliber NFL DT and Kahlil McKenzie is as talented a one technique as there is. Look out for Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley to have huge seasons as well this year. I think both will be All-SEC caliber CBs and NFL draft picks. Also look out for Nigel Warrior and Daniel Bituli to turn into superstars. They might be the two most physically gifted athletes on our defense. I think both will have breakout seasons as sophomores. And finally, expect to see Darrin Kirkland Jr. take on the mantle as the undisputed leader of the defense. He's got a good chance at being a First Team All-American. Overall, the defense will be top 10 nationally and rank first or second (to Alabama) in the SEC.

Just look at the talent and experience we have across the board:

SDE - Jonathan Kongbo (R-Jr.) / Kyle Phillips (Jr.) / Matthew Butler (Fr.)
DT - Kendal Vickers (R-Sr.) / Shy Tuttle (Jr.) / Quay Picou (Jr.)
DT - Kahlil McKenzie (Jr.) / Alexis Johnson (R-Jr.)
WDE - Darrell Taylor (R-So.) / Deandre Johnson (Fr.)

WLB - Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Jr.) / Quart'e Sapp (R-So.) / Cortez McDowell (Sr.)
MLB - Daniel Bituli (So.) / Colton Jumper (Sr.)
SLB - Austin Smith (R-So.) / Dillon Bates (R-Jr.)

CB - Justin Martin (Sr.) / Baylen Buchanan (So.)
CB - Emmanuel Moseley (Sr.) / Cheyenne Labruzza (Fr.)
NB- Rashaan Gaulden (R-Jr.) / Marquill Osborne (So.)
FS - Micah Abernathy (Jr.) / Evan Berry (Sr.)
SS - Nigel Warrior (So.) / Todd Kelly Jr. (Sr.)


The media will look really stupid in December when we are in Atlanta in large part because of a defense that they felt did not have a single player worthy of being voted onto any of the preseason All-SEC defensive teams.
Click to expand...

Yes on the surface we look good but we need depth on the d-line and we don't have enough. If we can avoid injuries early and have time to get the younger players trained in shoops system. We could be good on D.
 
#69
#69
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
We have talent, depth, and elite coaching. The defense will be lights out this year. Last 2 years the offense has carried this team. This year I believe the defense will carry the team.
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Whats your definition of elite coaches and what background does any coach at Tennessee have that has proven them an elite coach?
 
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#70
#70
To be fair, I think our defense will be one of the top 3-4, maybe not 1-2 though.
 
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#72
#72
Sure hope the defense winds up being highly rated. I also think it's gonna have to carry the team early in the season, give some time for a new OC and QB, as well as some WRs to find their legs. What would help too is if the dang OL would show up and be a factor.
 
#74
#74
AllVol11717 said:
Our D will be improved this year but Bama, UGA, UF, and LSU all have the potential to have better defenses than us this year, and those are just the SEC teams on our schedule.
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I have to say the offense had there way with G&F last year with pretty much the same players on D returning. I hope OP right about the D . I know Coach Shoop was brought here for a reason and the injury bug bit hard last year. Hoping like everyone else GBO...... GO CBJ
 
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#75
#75
If they can avoid the massive injuries of last year, I believe this defense will be substantially better than last year. The O-line should also be very good, just have to get good QB play. GBO.
 
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