Bigger concern: Tennessee’s OL or the Vols’ defense?

#1
VolForLife83

VolForLife83

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#1
Tennessee’s defense, easy.

Tennessee’s offensive line was beat-up throughout the 2021 season, which didn’t allow the unit to completely gel. Four starters return, and there’s other experience, too. It’s certainly not a group that ranks in the top-half of the conference, but it should be serviceable in an offensive system designed to wear out defensive lines. The Vols should not allow the most sacks (44 last season) in the SEC again, partly because quarterback Hendon Hooker should be more comfortable in Josh Heupel’s system in Year 2 and won’t hold onto the ball as much.

Defensively, the answers aren’t so simple. The Vols’ defense was legitimately good at creating negative plays (program-record 102 tackles for loss, second-most in the SEC), but they hemorrhaged explosive plays almost as often (61 plays allowed over 20 yards, fourth-most in the league). They were also terrible on third downs and couldn’t get a stop on key passing downs. Tennessee should be better against the run in 2022, but it still enters the fall with continued questions in the secondary. The Vols’ defense will hold down the team’s overall ceiling until Tim Banks’ unit gets more talent.

#MeansMoreMailbag: Billy Napier strikes back, top playmaker in the SEC, concerns for Tennessee
 
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#4
#4
I have a feeling that the OL will struggle again especially protecting the QB. I thought maybe should have brought in another transfer or 2 for the OL. We’ll see.
 
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#5
#5
I think the OL will be fine. Despite all the injuries last year, they still proved to be pretty decent (particularly in the run game). The sacks were certainly due in part to the QBs holding it forever at times, that happened far more than I can ever remember for us. That's a good sign honestly, generally means the QB had time to throw.

As for defense, there's some context. Our offense scored so quickly that our defense was just on the field far more often. We had the most plays per game on defense per game in the SEC. Our yards per play actually wasn't that bad at 5th in the league. The biggest thing we have to do is get off the field on 3rd down. Our third down % was just atrocious. Fix that and the defense goes from below average to very solid just like that.
 
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#6
#6
It's year two. Much of last year was spent implementing a new system on both Offense and Defense. I think the staff is well aware of the issues and hopefully had a little more time this year in training to address them. Fall practice is around the corner and I am optimistic we will see improvements on both fronts, especially the offense given we now have a legit starting QB going into camp.
 
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#8
#8
As bad as the defense was (mostly 3rd down and qb contain, especially up the middle) this was surprising and news to me.

"The Vols’ defense was legitimately good at creating negative plays (program-record 102 tackles for loss, second-most in the SEC)"
 
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#11
#11
For me...the defense needs to keep better containment. It seems most QB's we faced last year were able to break containment regularly putting undue stress on the defense. Once containment is broken spacing and assignments become less definite and we did not seem to have the ability to adjust. Hopefully...year two will be better.
 
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#12
#12
Oline will be fine. Defense has to get off the field on 3rd down and cover sideline to sideline. Wish that were easier than it sounds.
 
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#18
#18
Line play on both sides of the ball is very suspect; games are won and lost in the trenches. I have doubts the Vols have the dudes yet to beat really good teams.
 
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#19
#19
Go47 said:
Line play on both sides of the ball is very suspect; games are won and lost in the trenches. I have doubts the Vols have the dudes yet to beat really good teams.
Click to expand...
"Really good teams"? Definitely not, but there are probably only 2 of those on the schedule, Bama and the Dwags.
 
#21
#21
unfrozencvmanvol said:
"Really good teams"? Definitely not, but there are probably only 2 of those on the schedule, Bama and the Dwags.
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I agree Bama and UGA will be the elite / really good teams on our schedule. Do we have the talent / depth to beat the next level teams (Florida / LSU / PITT / maybe South Carolina)? Maybe.
 
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#22
#22
unfrozencvmanvol said:
"Really good teams"? Definitely not, but there are probably only 2 of those on the schedule, Bama and the Dwags.
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. You forgetting the team that went 6-7 yet abused us last season 38-14 and has won the last 16 of 17 games against us. I wouldn’t forget about Kentucky either they did what they wanted against our D last year just came up short at the end. This is why I think 8-4 is our ceiling this year but 7-5 or even 6-6 wouldn’t surprise me because our defense is going to be really bad and if Hooker goes down then we are screwed on offense.
 
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#23
#23
Go47 said:
I agree Bama and UGA will be the elite / really good teams on our schedule. Do we have the talent / depth to beat the next level teams (Florida / LSU / PITT / maybe South Carolina)? Maybe.
Click to expand...
I'd throw Kentucky into the pool of potentially good (not "really good") teams. I think that group of games could go either way, I figure we win 3 of 5 to go 8-4. If I had to pick game by game I'd say lose to Bama, UGA, at LSU and to Florida (because we are cursed against them and I'll have to see it to believe it). Win the remainder.
 
#24
#24
sunnyvol79 said:
. You forgetting the team that went 6-7 yet abused us last season 38-14 and has won the last 16 of 17 games against us. I wouldn’t forget about Kentucky either they did what they wanted against our D last year just came up short at the end. This is why I think 8-4 is our ceiling this year but 7-5 or even 6-6 wouldn’t surprise me because our defense is going to be really bad and if Hooker goes down then we are screwed on offense.
Click to expand...
Neither Florida or Kentucky are "really good" teams, they are potentially "good" ones though. See my comment above which I typed before I saw your response.
 
#25
#25
VolForLife83 said:
Tennessee’s defense, easy.

Tennessee’s offensive line was beat-up throughout the 2021 season, which didn’t allow the unit to completely gel. Four starters return, and there’s other experience, too. It’s certainly not a group that ranks in the top-half of the conference, but it should be serviceable in an offensive system designed to wear out defensive lines. The Vols should not allow the most sacks (44 last season) in the SEC again, partly because quarterback Hendon Hooker should be more comfortable in Josh Heupel’s system in Year 2 and won’t hold onto the ball as much.

Defensively, the answers aren’t so simple. The Vols’ defense was legitimately good at creating negative plays (program-record 102 tackles for loss, second-most in the SEC), but they hemorrhaged explosive plays almost as often (61 plays allowed over 20 yards, fourth-most in the league). They were also terrible on third downs and couldn’t get a stop on key passing downs. Tennessee should be better against the run in 2022, but it still enters the fall with continued questions in the secondary. The Vols’ defense will hold down the team’s overall ceiling until Tim Banks’ unit gets more talent.

#MeansMoreMailbag: Billy Napier strikes back, top playmaker in the SEC, concerns for Tennessee
Click to expand...

it is easily the defense... easily... OL has a lot to prove but they are not as worried about OL as defense.
 
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