4- 3 Base defense this week (Bituli, Taylor)

#1

LittleVol

Of course I can help you, Coach Heupel.
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#1
We are at such a strain at experience at LB that it's time to put young talent out there and let it grow.

Jumper MLB
Bituli 6'3 235 SLB
- can be more inside backer
Taylor 6'4 245 WLB
- line up beside the DE

Jumper is the field General. And he needs weapons around him.

These two big fellas can both run. And hold their ground at the point of attack.

Move Gaulden to safety.

Rotate
Abernathy, Osborne, Warrior, Buchanan, in the secondary.

At LB rotate Kirkland,Berry and Bryant.

DL more Phillips and Mixon

But we need to start Bituli and Taylor this week imo.
 
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#4
#4
We just need to put the players out there that give us the best opportunity to win...

I agree. And Bituli and Taylor are two young but big time players that needs to be out there.

DK might be coming back. But he won't be 100. So let him spell Jumper.

Bama still likes to run the ball.

They have big fast backs with a big oline.

We've got to have some size and athleticism at the point of attack.
 
#7
#7
I hope to see Bituli out there this week, kid is a beast and will only get better.

Bituli is the kind of kid with the skills built to stop an offensive attack like Bama provides. He doesnt have the experience, but hey, neither does their QB Hurt, I have no problem with Hurt taking on Bituli one on one.
 
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#8
#8
I hope to see Bituli out there this week, kid is a beast and will only get better.

He's got to play more. He looked good against Florida. Physical.

Taylor needs more reps as a pass rusher. Freak athlete.

Need to generate pressure and stop the run.
 
#10
#10
We gotta score big. Our defense is depleted

Exactly. Depth keeps your legs fresh for a slug fest like a Bama game, we no longer have that. Our Defense will be tired in the 4th so the O will have to put up serious numbers.

Ideally, and this isn't Butch's style, we would play a possession game and keep Defense off the field as much as possible to keep them viable in late 4th qtr.

I think this game will come down to Dobb's ability to pass efficiently and, perhaps most importantly, we MUST stop the Offensive sieve of turnovers.

GoVols!!!!!
 
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#13
#13
Butch said in yesterday's presser Bituli now up to 238 .
Thought Taylor was DE ?????

Taylor is a DE but the OP was speculating that since he's such a good athlete (Derek Barnett actually said he's the most athletic guy on the team in an interview) that he could provide support since our LB core is running on E. The thing I like about Bituli and Taylor on defense is that they both played both ways in high school. Bituli was a RB/LB and Taylor was a DE/WR. I'm not an expert but I think that it's good to know the way an offense works while you're playing defense. Taylor at LB/DE hybrid makes so much sense to me, I can just see him intercepting some short passes over the middle in my mind.

I'm betting that Shoop will have some surprises for us come Saturday. Go Vols.
 
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#14
#14
Taylor is a DE but the OP was speculating that since he's such a good athlete (Derek Barnett actually said he's the most athletic guy on the team in an interview) that he could provide support since our LB core is running on E. The thing I like about Bituli and Taylor on defense is that they both played both ways in high school. Bituli was a RB/LB and Taylor was a DE/WR. I'm not an expert but I think that it's good to know the way an offense works while you're playing defense. Taylor at LB/DE hybrid makes so much sense to me, I can just see him intercepting some short passes over the middle in my mind.

I'm betting that Shoop will have some surprises for us come Saturday. Go Vols.

Taylor has indeed practiced at LB.
Bituli, Smith, Taylor all fit the bill for that edge rusher zone blitz athlete.

No JRM
Kirkland not 100
Sapp out
Sutton out
McDowell probably out

That's a lot of talent not on the field. We need athletes out there
Bituli and Taylor have seen the field this year. Bryant too.

Berry is little.
Bynum just doesn't have it.
Bates...who knows.

Jumper Barnett Gaulden TK holds this Defense together. Moseley and Foreman will give what they have.

Need to put fresh blood in that defense.
 
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#15
#15
We gotta score big. Our defense is depleted

Depleted on experience more than talent.
Bituli has to play this week. Got to have him this week. Bryant too.

Taylor can help us this week. Let him go out there and be an athlete .

Can't scheme around injury forever. Last week a lot of those yards were given up because we couldn't hold our ground on the edge. Put some size out there.

Arbys man! "WE HAVE THE MEAT"
 
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#16
#16
Taylor has indeed practiced at LB.
Bituli, Smith, Taylor all fit the bill for that edge rusher zone blitz athlete.

No JRM
Kirkland not 100
Sapp out
Sutton out
McDowell probably out

That's a lot of talent not on the field. We need athletes out there
Bituli and Taylor have seen the field this year. Bryant too.

Berry is little.
Bynum just doesn't have it.
Bates...who knows.

Jumper Barnett Gaulden TK holds this Defense together. Moseley and Foreman will give what they have.

Need to put fresh blood in that defense.

Taylor has practiced at LB? I need hard info, don't play with my emotions...

Let's not sleep on Elliott. He had 7 tackles and one TFL in less than two quarters this past Saturday after having to jump in at the end of the 3rd quarter. He's a very intelligent player, knows football like the back of his hand. He is a Berry after all, I haven't been disappointed by one yet.

On that note, Bituli and Taylor both being 6'4, 235-240 lbs does make me feel better than someone who's 5'11, 220.
 
#19
#19
Taylor has practiced at LB? I need hard info, don't play with my emotions...

Let's not sleep on Elliott. He had 7 tackles and one TFL in less than two quarters this past Saturday after having to jump in at the end of the 3rd quarter. He's a very intelligent player, knows football like the back of his hand. He is a Berry after all, I haven't been disappointed by one yet.

On that note, Bituli and Taylor both being 6'4, 235-240 lbs does make me feel better than someone who's 5'11, 220.

Interesting about Elliott . I never noticed him out there all game last week. No you can't sleep on him.
 
#20
#20
The bad news is we have a lot of talented experienced guys out. The good news is because of great recruiting we have D1 talent on the bench and by now having to get them 1st team reps many of them will emerge as the Vols next group of stars. Having one of these young guys step up as a leader and make a play to beat Bama would certainly set the stage for a strong finish to this year and an even stronger foundation for next. GBO
 
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#22
#22
i go back and forth on this. defense is so much about communication and continuity...i think, obviously, you have to rotate DL as much as humanly possible.

this just doesn't seem like the game you throw s**t against the wall to see what sticks. get as much talent and experience as you can on the field on the back end. understanding though, that there's going to be a drop off in both no matter who you put out their in lieu of DKjr, Sutton, Maybin and O'brien.
 
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#23
#23
i go back and forth on this. defense is so much about communication and continuity...i think, obviously, you have to rotate DL as much as humanly possible.

this just doesn't seem like the game you throw s**t against the wall to see what sticks. get as much talent and experience as you can on the field on the back end. understanding though, that there's going to be a drop off in both no matter who you put out their in lieu of DKjr, Sutton, Maybin and O'brien.

There will be no schematic changes of consequences; maybe a new blitz or two, another wrinkle here or there but the basic scheme will not change. Plug the next guy or two in to get them as many reps this week as possible. Play the guy who looks best and if no one truly separates themselves play as many as it takes to get it done. I'm betting someone who has never been anything but a bench warmer and mob up duty player emerges as a star in the making this week. That's what the 3rd week in October is all about. GBO
 
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#24
#24
There will be no schematic changes of consequences; maybe a new blitz or two, another wrinkle here or there but the basic scheme will not change. Plug the next guy or two in to get them as many reps this week as possible. Play the guy who looks best and if no one truly separates themselves play as many as it takes to get it done. I'm betting someone who has never been anything but a bench warmer and mob up duty player emerges as a star in the making this week. That's what the 3rd week in October is all about. GBO

i wouldn't be surprised about that either. much like Chance Hall and Jack Jones did last year against GA. fortunately we were able to win that game.

even if we do see some guys flash, and make plays, i don't know that they'll be able to do it consistently enough to matter in this game. may have a good look in to the future...but my biggest concern about this game is the defensive injuries. i think the offense will make plays and score some. i don't think we'll get enough stops, prevent enough big plays to get the W.

and that's not counting whether or not the offense plays relatively mistake free.

this was a tough match up to begin with. not having those guys on defense makes it that much tougher.
 
#25
#25
So ready for this game. I saw a stat today that said against top 25 SEC teams UT is giving up 497 yards per game. Bama is giving up 497.5. It's a very interesting matchup.
 
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