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UT may use 3-4 defense
Saturday, July 28, 2007
By Gentry Estes
Staff Writer
HOOVER, Ala. -- Spring chatter about Tennessee considering a 3-4 defensive alignment may wind up a fall reality.
At least it sounds that way to Volunteers linebacker Jerod Mayo.
"The way the coaches are talking to me about it, I definitely think that's still alive," Mayo said. "At first I thought it was just a ploy to get the defensive tackles to step up, but they're still talking about it."
John Chavis has relied on a 4-3 formation since becoming Tennessee's defensive coordinator in 1995. Yet the 2006 season was the Vols' worst statistically under Chavis. With inexperience and injuries plaguing the tackles, the Vols finished ninth in the SEC in run defense. Sacks (17) were nearly cut in half from previous years.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he enters preseason camp with defensive tackle as his biggest concern on that side of the football. Meanwhile, an experienced crop of linebackers returns as the strength of the defense.
Mayo, a preseason all-Southeastern Conference selection, is expected to slide to the middle, allowing Rico McCoy into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker. Strongside linebacker, however, could be a problem.
Returning starter Ryan Karl is recovering from a "small compression fracture" in his back, according to Fulmer. Karl hurt himself lifting weights this summer. He has been wearing a back brace and missed most of preseason workouts to rest the injury.
After recently jogging in water, Karl plans to try to run on land in the coming week. He remains questionable for the start of preseason practice.
"I'm getting all the information that he should be fine by the time we get to camp or at least a week through camp," Fulmer said. "But until I see it, I'm anticipating somebody else having to be ready to start at the (strongside) linebacker position as we go into camp."
The odd man out
As expected, defensive end signee Rufus Williams won't be a part of the 2007 Vols. Williams is waiting on academic clearance and is "quite likely" headed to prep school or junior college, Fulmer said.
It was unclear how the Vols could have included Williams anyway, since they had already reached their limit of 27 incoming recruits, with two counting back to the previous year. Currently, 26 signees from the 2007 class have already enrolled. Fulton High tailback Dennis Rogan was recently admitted to UT and will join the team for the start of practice.
Asked if Williams could have been added past the limit of 27, Fulmer shook his head.
"That's why I say quite likely," he said.
O-line taking shape
Tackle Eric Young and guard Anthony Parker have been shifted to the left side of Tennessee's first-string offensive line. Ramon Foster is considered the starting right guard and Josh McNeil returns at center, leaving right tackle as the only open position heading into the preseason.
"We just need one more guy to come through at tackle or Ramon slides over and Jacques McClendon comes up (at right guard)," Fulmer said.
Regret about Meachem
Nearly seven months later, Fulmer still disagrees with receiver Robert Meachem's decision to bypass his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
"I really think that he would have been better off had he stayed," Fulmer said. "I think he could have been a top-10 pick next year, personally."
Meachem was the 27th player taken, going to the New Orleans Saints.
The Vick saga
Back in Hampton, Va., Mayo grew up as a Virginia Tech fan about 10 minutes from the home of former Hokies star quarterback Michael Vick.
So it is with special interest that Mayo has followed the dogfighting allegations against Vick, who was not allowed to report to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.
"Just to be charged with that, he's automatically guilty in the public's eyes," Mayo said. "I just want the whole process to get over with, and hopefully he can continue his career."
E-mail Gentry Estes at gestes@timesfreepress.com
Saturday, July 28, 2007
By Gentry Estes
Staff Writer
HOOVER, Ala. -- Spring chatter about Tennessee considering a 3-4 defensive alignment may wind up a fall reality.
At least it sounds that way to Volunteers linebacker Jerod Mayo.
"The way the coaches are talking to me about it, I definitely think that's still alive," Mayo said. "At first I thought it was just a ploy to get the defensive tackles to step up, but they're still talking about it."
John Chavis has relied on a 4-3 formation since becoming Tennessee's defensive coordinator in 1995. Yet the 2006 season was the Vols' worst statistically under Chavis. With inexperience and injuries plaguing the tackles, the Vols finished ninth in the SEC in run defense. Sacks (17) were nearly cut in half from previous years.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer said he enters preseason camp with defensive tackle as his biggest concern on that side of the football. Meanwhile, an experienced crop of linebackers returns as the strength of the defense.
Mayo, a preseason all-Southeastern Conference selection, is expected to slide to the middle, allowing Rico McCoy into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker. Strongside linebacker, however, could be a problem.
Returning starter Ryan Karl is recovering from a "small compression fracture" in his back, according to Fulmer. Karl hurt himself lifting weights this summer. He has been wearing a back brace and missed most of preseason workouts to rest the injury.
After recently jogging in water, Karl plans to try to run on land in the coming week. He remains questionable for the start of preseason practice.
"I'm getting all the information that he should be fine by the time we get to camp or at least a week through camp," Fulmer said. "But until I see it, I'm anticipating somebody else having to be ready to start at the (strongside) linebacker position as we go into camp."
The odd man out
As expected, defensive end signee Rufus Williams won't be a part of the 2007 Vols. Williams is waiting on academic clearance and is "quite likely" headed to prep school or junior college, Fulmer said.
It was unclear how the Vols could have included Williams anyway, since they had already reached their limit of 27 incoming recruits, with two counting back to the previous year. Currently, 26 signees from the 2007 class have already enrolled. Fulton High tailback Dennis Rogan was recently admitted to UT and will join the team for the start of practice.
Asked if Williams could have been added past the limit of 27, Fulmer shook his head.
"That's why I say quite likely," he said.
O-line taking shape
Tackle Eric Young and guard Anthony Parker have been shifted to the left side of Tennessee's first-string offensive line. Ramon Foster is considered the starting right guard and Josh McNeil returns at center, leaving right tackle as the only open position heading into the preseason.
"We just need one more guy to come through at tackle or Ramon slides over and Jacques McClendon comes up (at right guard)," Fulmer said.
Regret about Meachem
Nearly seven months later, Fulmer still disagrees with receiver Robert Meachem's decision to bypass his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
"I really think that he would have been better off had he stayed," Fulmer said. "I think he could have been a top-10 pick next year, personally."
Meachem was the 27th player taken, going to the New Orleans Saints.
The Vick saga
Back in Hampton, Va., Mayo grew up as a Virginia Tech fan about 10 minutes from the home of former Hokies star quarterback Michael Vick.
So it is with special interest that Mayo has followed the dogfighting allegations against Vick, who was not allowed to report to training camp with the Atlanta Falcons.
"Just to be charged with that, he's automatically guilty in the public's eyes," Mayo said. "I just want the whole process to get over with, and hopefully he can continue his career."
E-mail Gentry Estes at gestes@timesfreepress.com
