dduncan4163
Have at it Hoss
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https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/t...r-or-worse-previewing-tennessee-defense-2019/
Run defense: Better
Despite the losses on the line, UT also should be better in run defense after finishing 9th in the SEC last year (155 yards per game allowed). The Vols will have fully adjusted to Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme by this season. That should help immensely.
Gooden will be key in run defense. He has to be able to hold his ground. He doesn’t have to lead the Vols in tackles for a loss, but he has to at least fight to a draw against the interior of the line of scrimmage. If he can do that, then other players will be free to make plays.
The Vols will be without Darrin Kirkland, Jr., who retired from football due to injuries. When healthy, Kirkland was a great playmaker. Incoming freshman Henry To’oto’o will be one of the most interesting players to watch in preseason camp.
It’s tough to determine just how good the Vols will be at defensive end when it comes to stopping the run. That could be the one area where inexperience hurts the Vols if there are assignment busts. UT’s linebackers should be very adept at stopping the run considering their athleticism. The Vols gave up 200+ yards rushing in 5 of their 8 SEC games, but also held Kentucky to just 77. They should improve on the former this season.
Passing defense: Better
The Vols ranked 8th in the SEC in pass defense last season. That’s not bad, but they should be significantly better this season. The Vols return their top three cornerbacks from 2018 and have a strong starting duo in Alontae Taylor and Bryce Thompson. They could develop into one of the better cornerback duos in the SEC. Baylen Buchanan is expected to be UT’s starting nickelback.Trevon Flowers and Nigel Warrior are expected to be the starters at safety. However, Jaylen McCollough will garner some playing time — if not a starting position.
Overall: Better
The Vols ranked 9th in total defense in the SEC last season. That was somewhat respectable considering UT’s talent shortcomings and having personnel that didn’t fit Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme.
The bigger problem was that they finished 12th in scoring defense, allowing 27.9 points per game.However, the Vols will be better than that this season. It’s reasonable to expect UT to finish close to the top 5 in total defense in 2019, and shaving even 5 points off its average would help an offense that also will be better but averaged only 22.8 points per game last season..
The only thing keeping us from being one of the better Ds in the SEC is depth. If we can avoid the injury bug Pruitt will have these kids swarming and attacking the ball. I also expect Chaney to play ball control so they can stay rested.
Run defense: Better
Despite the losses on the line, UT also should be better in run defense after finishing 9th in the SEC last year (155 yards per game allowed). The Vols will have fully adjusted to Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme by this season. That should help immensely.
Gooden will be key in run defense. He has to be able to hold his ground. He doesn’t have to lead the Vols in tackles for a loss, but he has to at least fight to a draw against the interior of the line of scrimmage. If he can do that, then other players will be free to make plays.
The Vols will be without Darrin Kirkland, Jr., who retired from football due to injuries. When healthy, Kirkland was a great playmaker. Incoming freshman Henry To’oto’o will be one of the most interesting players to watch in preseason camp.
It’s tough to determine just how good the Vols will be at defensive end when it comes to stopping the run. That could be the one area where inexperience hurts the Vols if there are assignment busts. UT’s linebackers should be very adept at stopping the run considering their athleticism. The Vols gave up 200+ yards rushing in 5 of their 8 SEC games, but also held Kentucky to just 77. They should improve on the former this season.
Passing defense: Better
The Vols ranked 8th in the SEC in pass defense last season. That’s not bad, but they should be significantly better this season. The Vols return their top three cornerbacks from 2018 and have a strong starting duo in Alontae Taylor and Bryce Thompson. They could develop into one of the better cornerback duos in the SEC. Baylen Buchanan is expected to be UT’s starting nickelback.Trevon Flowers and Nigel Warrior are expected to be the starters at safety. However, Jaylen McCollough will garner some playing time — if not a starting position.
Overall: Better
The Vols ranked 9th in total defense in the SEC last season. That was somewhat respectable considering UT’s talent shortcomings and having personnel that didn’t fit Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme.
The bigger problem was that they finished 12th in scoring defense, allowing 27.9 points per game.However, the Vols will be better than that this season. It’s reasonable to expect UT to finish close to the top 5 in total defense in 2019, and shaving even 5 points off its average would help an offense that also will be better but averaged only 22.8 points per game last season..
The only thing keeping us from being one of the better Ds in the SEC is depth. If we can avoid the injury bug Pruitt will have these kids swarming and attacking the ball. I also expect Chaney to play ball control so they can stay rested.