Derek Barnett motivated by slow 2015 start, ready to prove himself again

#1
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#1
"Barnett's ability is predicated on instinct and reaction. Thinking, of course, is a part of that, but it can be detrimental if used too much when the ball is live, Barnett said. He said he didn't think much on the field as a freshman and just let his freakish athletic ability guide him. With less attention from opposing offenses, Barnett let the game come to him, as he went just two games all year without registering a tackle for loss.

"That success garnered more offensive preparation, as chips and movements neutralized him early, sending his thoughts into a tizzy at times."

Derek Barnett motivated by slow 2015 start, ready to prove himself - SEC Blog- ESPN
 
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#4
#4
Volunteer_Kirby said:
It's going to take a monster year but he can definitely do it

Reggie White - 32 sacks
Leonard Little - 28 sacks
Derek Barnett - 20 sacks
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Remember he hurt maybe the first half of treason and still put up 10.. He will get a lot of one on ones due to the double teams inside
 
#5
#5
If he gets 32, we probably make the playoffs and I will be...

:):):):):rock::rock::rock::rock::dance2::dance2:
.
 
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#6
#6
It worries me that DB is missing another spring, but he should be used to it by now. With Vareen/Kongbo on the other side and hopefully a healthy Tuttle/Mackenzie on the inside, it will be really tough for teams to double team Barnett. 14-15 sacks is not out of the question, if he can avoid the slow start.
 
#7
#7
I think Barnett getting to 32.5+ depends on several factors. 1) Is McKenzie ready to take big strides and impact the game commensurate with his apparent ability or is his conditioning and youth make him a year away? I say this as someone who though he played quite well under the circumstances of missing his senior year and getting dinged up in fall camp after not being an early enrollee. 2) Is Tuttle back at full speed for fall camp or is the injury going to plague him for most or all of the year? 3) Will one or more of Vereen, Kongbo, Phillips, or Taylor provide enough of a threat on the other side? Barnett needs help to take the pressure off because, otherwise, opposing offenses will be able to game plan for him easier.
 
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#8
#8
WhatInVolnation said:
I think Barnett getting to 32.5+ depends on several factors. 1) Is McKenzie ready to take big strides and impact the game commensurate with his apparent ability or is his conditioning and youth make him a year away? I say this as someone who though he played quite well under the circumstances of missing his senior year and getting dinged up in fall camp after not being an early enrollee. 2) Is Tuttle back at full speed for fall camp or is the injury going to plague him for most or all of the year? 3) Will one or more of Vereen, Kongbo, Phillips, or Taylor provide enough of a threat on the other side? Barnett needs help to take the pressure off because, otherwise, opposing offenses will be able to game plan for him easier.
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Amen, brother.

I think the absolute best-case scenario for us is that Vereen/Kongbo, O'Brien, Tuttle, and KMac have a HUGE first game against App State and a superb second one against Va Tech. Star-quality outings. Jaw-dropping performances.

The minute that happens, all the D Coordinators in the SEC take notice of them. And that should free young Mr. Barnett up quite a bit more than he was in 2015, to do what comes naturally to him.

Here's hoping for Team 120 to break this and a lot of other individual and team records!

Go Vols!
 
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#9
#9
gonna be hard to double team and triple team him this year. I watched the bowl game again yesterday and it was crazy! there were two and three people blocking him at times and falling on the back of his legs every time he made a move toward the QB. I'm amazed he didn't get hurt in that game. It was dirty really!
 
#10
#10
White, iirc, had a best 15 sacks his SR year and Little's 28 were in three years both played less games than today's schedule. Given the status of division foes o-lines and if he stays healthy I think there's a reasonable shot. The real "wow" moment for Barnett is that he is in position to place himself among CFB's Top 10 all-time with a SR year, though highly doubtful he stays
 
#11
#11
I thought the so called slow start was that teams were double and triple teaming him,that slowed down as the D line made improvements thru the year
 
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#12
#12
Biopsyman said:
Has a real shot to become the all time sack leader this year
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The quality of our 3-deep could hurt him as we sub more. But with Kongbo or an ever improving Vereen or even D. Taylor as his counterpart and 2 stud DT in between, there will only be so many plays he can get double teamed.
 
#13
#13
Biopsyman said:
Remember he hurt maybe the first half of treason and still put up 10.. He will get a lot of one on ones due to the double teams inside
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I had no idea he committed treason, kinda changes my view of him :)
 
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#14
#14
WhatInVolnation said:
I think Barnett getting to 32.5+ depends on several factors. 1) Is McKenzie ready to take big strides and impact the game commensurate with his apparent ability or is his conditioning and youth make him a year away? I say this as someone who though he played quite well under the circumstances of missing his senior year and getting dinged up in fall camp after not being an early enrollee. 2) Is Tuttle back at full speed for fall camp or is the injury going to plague him for most or all of the year? 3) Will one or more of Vereen, Kongbo, Phillips, or Taylor provide enough of a threat on the other side? Barnett needs help to take the pressure off because, otherwise, opposing offenses will be able to game plan for him easier.
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Agree especially on the first two points.

If our DTs had done a better job collapsing the pocket in 2014 and 2015, Barnett might have another half dozen sacks to his name at this point.
 
#15
#15
HuntlandVolinColo said:
The quality of our 3-deep could hurt him as we sub more. But with Kongbo or an ever improving Vereen or even D. Taylor as his counterpart and 2 stud DT in between, there will only be so many plays he can get double teamed.
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I know your not forgetting about Kyle Phillips!😆 How great is it to have so much talent that you forget about a 5 star player. Really hoping for a big year out of KP!!!




GO VOLS!!!!!!!
 
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#16
#16
The Artful Dodger said:
It worries me that DB is missing another spring, but he should be used to it by now. With Vareen/Kongbo on the other side and hopefully a healthy Tuttle/Mackenzie on the inside, it will be really tough for teams to double team Barnett. 14-15 sacks is not out of the question, if he can avoid the slow start.
Click to expand...

DB should have 3-5 sacks against App State alone
 
#17
#17
governmentmule said:
I thought the so called slow start was that teams were double and triple teaming him,that slowed down as the D line made improvements thru the year
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Actually, it was, mule. You know it. I know it. Hell, everyone knows it. However, Barnett won't use it as an excuse. He demands the best from himself.Being double and triple teamed be damned.

He is one of those guys that you swear when he was made, the mold broke and we are frantically searching for another one like it.
 
#18
#18
HuntlandVolinColo said:
The quality of our 3-deep could hurt him as we sub more. But with Kongbo or an ever improving Vereen or even D. Taylor as his counterpart and 2 stud DT in between, there will only be so many plays he can get double teamed.
Click to expand...
Also with improved depth at DE he won't have to play as many snaps and can get a decent blow every now and then. With his motor getting a little relief during big games should increase his efficiency and effectiveness.
 
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#20
#20
Another factor in DB getting the record is that Shoops defense will be more aggressive. That would create more opportunities for DB to stamp his authority on the game.
 
#24
#24
namasteVOLfans said:
Another factor in DB getting the record is that Shoops defense will be more aggressive. That would create more opportunities for DB to stamp his authority on the game.
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And added talent. Mckenzie will be much improved and Veeen looked real good. Add in Phillips and Kong! The bookends will be real good!
 
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