For the fire Banks crowd.

[volbound1700]

I do think the 2024 Defense was smoke and mirrors as well. It was good but was it elite? I remember Ohio State and Georgia throwing all over it and making the defense looked bad (Georgia didn't put up a lot of points but they definitely had their way on offense against Tennessee).

Ohio State made our 2024 ELITE defense look silly and incompotent. My thinking in 2024 is that we were up against teams that played bad on offense: Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, UK, Miss State, etc. all were mediocre offensive teams that year.

 

[90 Vol]

The defense doesn't play fundamentally sound football. Bad angles, poor tackling, poor effort. Banks is accountable for that.

 

[Big Orange Rob]

Serious questions on your opinion that the problem is players, not coaching:
1. Even less talented players can have sound fundamentals, but these don't. How do you explain that?
2. After five years in, why is talent and depth an issue?

Not trying to argue with you, just trying to make sense of our drastic decline in defensive performance.

 

[allstar34bd]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

He puts no effort into recruiting, which is why you see the poor product on the field. We’d be better off with a recruiter, than a strategist. He’s proven he can’t field even an average defense in the SEC, when we have a few injuries.

 

[cncchris33]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

Now let's do every other year and you tell me which seems like the anomaly...

2025
108th in total defense
108th in scoring defense
98th in third-down defense
59th in yards per play
57th in run defense

2023
27th in total defense
22nd in scoring defense
78th in third-down defense
17th in yards per play
20th in run defense

2022
84th in total defense
30th in scoring defense
46th in third-down defense
42nd in yards per play
22nd in run defense

2021
105th in total defense
97th in scoring defense
127th in third-down defense
61st in yards per play
65th in run defense

How are we as bad, or worse, in year 5 than we were in year 1? Sure, everything came together and lined up in 2024, and it was great. Even 2023 was respectable enough that if paired with our current offense, it's passable. And I know injuries play a role, but we should be in a place where missing two CBs in year 5 doesn't totally collapse your entire defense. The problems extend waaaay past our CB injuries, and Colton Hood's arrival has helped mask one of those injuries.

 

[CaliVol2009]

Scheme? I don’t mind Banks. The tackling though and just the terrible safety play. He’s had one good year on defense honestly. I’m not calling for his head but to roll into this year without better backups at safety and to have this kind of piss poor tackling isn’t acceptable.

I know people hate the scheme but how much better would this system work if we actually tackled? Take whatever boo is being paid and get an actual safety in the portal. Lber looks like we’ll be okay with the youth there.

He’s also the safeties coach.

 

[Volbrando]

Line it or not, attrition IS a huge factor with the problems in our defensive backfield!

McCoy - out!
Gibson- out!
Thomas - out!
Thomas - to Miami!
Hood - Banged up!

We have to stop pretending that doesnt affect our production. We have been forced to play a lot of freshman that simply werent ready to play. Some of which haven't even been on campus a full year! These guys are coaches, not magicians!

it is A factor... but there's no excuse for our backups to be playing as poorly as they are either (if they are coached correctly)

 

[allstar34bd]

Line it or not, attrition IS a huge factor with the problems in our defensive backfield!

McCoy - out!
Gibson- out!
Thomas - out!
Thomas - to Miami!
Hood - Banged up!

We have to stop pretending that doesnt affect our production. We have been forced to play a lot of freshman that simply werent ready to play. Some of which haven't even been on campus a full year! These guys are coaches, not magicians!

Man they’ve been out all year. There hasn’t been any progress at all from the defensive side. Excuses will never produce results.

 

[OrangeTsar]

The defense doesn't play fundamentally sound football. Bad angles, poor tackling, poor effort. Banks is accountable for that.

Don’t forget penalties

 

[VOLtaism]

Yes, is short on personnel.

Which doesn’t begin to explain why the personnel he DOES have haven’t been taught basic skills like how to tackle.

What gets me is now they say, well we knew McCoys recovery would take this long, then why did they not pick up some DB's in the portal? Did they think he would play the last 4 or 5 games of the season? Now he must play prevent to protect this weak secondary. Banks has left himself with few options. He can't coach without players. His offseason moves are what I am complaining about.

 

[Sarms58]

Tennessee could stand an infusion of talent - especially at safety and LB…coaches need to hit the portal hard in the offseason.

 

[Mccage]

When we rush 4 we are bad. The safeties are on their heels at the snap. We don’t get beat deep very often but the bend don’t break scheme has to go!

 

[volfan411]

Line it or not, attrition IS a huge factor with the problems in our defensive backfield!

McCoy - out!
Gibson- out!
Thomas - out!
Thomas - to Miami!
Hood - Banged up!

We have to stop pretending that doesnt affect our production. We have been forced to play a lot of freshman that simply werent ready to play. Some of which haven't even been on campus a full year! These guys are coaches, not magicians!

And in the age of NIL it is not like we can stock talented back-ups. Most teams in the SEC are one injury away from being in our position, the days of stocking rosters with 5 star back-ups are long gone.

 

[aRmo]

No. I haven't been particularly impressed since he was hired. He had incredible talent last year. Anyone can coach that.

And I wasn't afraid he would leave for an HC job. I was hoping he would.

No. That's exactly what you are trying to avoid. He has players. He had more good players last year but we literally thought the D would carry the team this year BECAUSE of the talent. Instead it is one of the worst units in the SEC and can't even stop an anemic UK offense.

He has more talent than Vandy who fields a solid D. There are teams all over the place with no NFL prospects on them that can play solid zone defense and not constantly blow assignments or be out of position. There are DCs with a lot less talent who can match wits with good OCs in play calling. In the past I've given him credit for developing players but I'm not even sure that holds any more. Guys don't appear to be getting better. Carter who is one of the most talented players in the country makes great individual plays... and then has plays when he looks like he's never played before.

The Vols need a D staff that matches the O staff in quality. Except for last year with the "magnificent" Nico... Heupel has made a good O out of whatever he had since arriving.

Yes. They were loaded with talent and have a GREAT DL coach. The quality of a coach is shown when they don't have overwhelming talent and 3 deep everywhere.

Couldnt have said it better myself sir.

 

[orangepenez]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

He’s had one good defense in 5 years. And regarding the players, it’s his job to land good players and create depth. And to coach them up. The defense stinks besides the DL. We take bad angles. We can’t tackle. Our safeties get burned. It’s the S.O.S. with Martinez and Banks. Bad fundamentals. That’s coaching. They need to move on.

 

[cgrish]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

Isn’t recruiting good players part of the job

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Man they’ve been out all year. There hasn’t been any progress at all from the defensive side. Excuses will never produce results.

You guys are being unreasonable with your expectations.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Tim can't get out there and tackle anyone.

We're having to play a bunch of pencil arm young DB's who can't bring down much older 245 pound running backs.

 

[Unimane]

The defense last year was lead by a great group of pass rushers and lineman, then their weak secondary benefitted from an unusually inept slate of QBs they faced from Jaxson Arnold to Jalen Milroe.

Banks is not good and his schemes are terrible plus the safeties he coaches are the weakest link in a bad defense. He also doesn't recruit very well. The quicker we move from him the better, unless people enjoy the 14 play, 93 yards drives.

 

[Rocky Top T]

I don’t really know who is responsible for the defensive decline but I’m not sure it’s all on Banks. CWM has never been good at developing players. He gets recognition for being a good recruiter but a year down the road everyone says we don’t have SEC caliber db’s. Who is evaluating the players? Do they lack talent or are they not being developed? We lose two players to injury and all of sudden it’s a shat show in our secondary. The fall off is extreme. Also, the db’s are rarely in position to make a play. Frustrating to watch every game. It’s 2nd down and 21 and they pick up 12 yards. It’s 3rd down and 9 and they pick up 12 for a first down. It happens over and over.

Martinez is a better coach than Banks!!! Martinez doesn't make the calls on defense, Banks does. Also safety play has been terrible every year and Banks pretends to coach safeties! Banks sucks!

 

[Rocky Top T]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.

The Tennessee Vols defense in 2024 was outstanding, finishing sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 16.1 points per game. The unit was characterized by depth on the defensive line and at linebacker, improved play from an overhauled secondary, and strong performance in key metrics like third-down defense and tackles for loss.

Key takeaways

• Overall performance:
  The defense was one of the best in the nation, holding 10 of 13 opponents to fewer than 20 points.
  
  
• Key rankings:
  • 6th in total defense
  • 7th in scoring defense
  • 3rd in third-down defense
  • 5th in yards per play
  • 10th in run defense and tackles for loss

No, he has never learned how to coach defense. I got a good friend that follows Penn State, he told me most of their fans were very happy when he left!

 

[OrangeTsar]

My lead? Look at today's headlines. Coaching staffs getting fired as we speak. Leashes are a lot shorter now with all the money involved.

I never thought I would see Napier, Kelly, and Franklin fired in such a brief window of time, and in mid season even
I wonder what those three buyouts add up to?

 

[OrangeTsar]

I don’t know what the ultimate outcome will be; but I do know that Heupel was P1SSED during his remarks to the reporter at halftime

 

[RDU VOL#14]

When we rush 4 we are bad. The safeties are on their heels at the snap. We don’t get beat deep very often but the bend don’t break scheme has to go!

The worst thing that ever happens to us, is that a big time team like UGA, Ohio State and Bama get beat up and give up multiple sacks the week before we play them. We decide that we’re good enough to bring only 4 the majority of the time and we get picked apart bc we can’t get pressure . My problem with Banks is that there’s not really a lot of creativity or disguise in his scheme. My wife asks me “why is #4 or whoever moving up so close to the line?” “Because he’s bringing the corner off the edge and we’re pretty much telegraphing it.” And then the QB throws it underneath for a catch and run bc it’s wide open. We are not difficult to out scheme .

 

[wrharvey21]

Do you think he forgot how to coach in one year? Last year half here were afraid he would leave for a head coaching job.

It has a lot more to do with the players on the field than many want to admit.
...

Whose job is it to develop those players on the field so that they don't suck?
Whose fault is it if we have bad players?
The coaches pick the players. This is year 5. That combined with the portal means they are their guys. Whose fault is it if they recruit bad players?