One thing is for sure....

#1
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kid50

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#1
We still have a long way to go to get to the likes of a defense like LSU or Bama. We may have the D Coordinator to get there, but we don't have the athletes we need to get this program to the next level yet. I look at those teams and ours and I really only see maybe 4 or 5 guys with the athleticism and speed to make plays like that on our team. Maybe this is coaching or maybe it's them having a better S&C coach, but our guys just don't look as big and strong as theirs. Our guys truly look like boys compared to them. In my opinion, I think it may be time to spend the big bucks on a S&C coach.
 
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#2
#2
I know it's nice having Kirkland back. He's got the speed we need.
 
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#3
#3
joevol33 said:
I know it's nice having Kirkland back. He's got the speed we need.
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He's one of the ones I was referencing on our team that have the speed and athleticism. I saw him shoot a gap today to stop a play behind the line and immediate thought, "Yep, we certainly missed him."
 
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#4
#4
Look at the athletes on defense for Bama and LSU, they are both big and athletic with speed, how many players on the Vol defense look the part?

Sec games are won in the trenches and the Vols are lacking on both sides of the ball, unfortunately

It's still about the Jimmy's and the Joe's, no?
 
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#5
#5
I know the defense has been disappointing but we have to give shoop a pass. Also we have talent but they're all hurt. We lost our 3 best players on defense early in the year.
 
#6
#6
Berry4Heisman14 said:
I know the defense has been disappointing but we have to give shoop a pass. Also we have talent but they're all hurt. We lost our 3 best players on defense early in the year.
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I'm not blaming it on Shoop. I think he could be the guy. I'm just pointing out that all those players on defense are big, fast, and athletic. We have very few of those guys. I mean most of our DBs just look like children compared to theirs. Also, those guys don't miss tackles at all.
 
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#7
#7
kid50 said:
We still have a long way to go to get to the likes of a defense like LSU or Bama. We may have the D Coordinator to get there, but we don't have the athletes we need to get this program to the next level yet. I look at those teams and ours and I really only see maybe 4 or 5 guys with the athleticism and speed to make plays like that on our team. Maybe this is coaching or maybe it's them having a better S&C coach, but our guys just don't look as big and strong as theirs. Our guys truly look like boys compared to them. In my opinion, I think it may be time to spend the big bucks on a S&C coach.
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Agree for the most part. Warrior is one of those athletes and he hasn't really seen the field prior to today. And, unfortunately, nothing I've seen from our defense this year leads me to believe that we have the right DC to get to LSU and Bama's level.
 
#8
#8
LSU is really bringing the pressure to hurts from the outside. Tennesee hasn't controlled the outside against any team they've played this yr except today.

I agree Vols don't have LSUs talent but Shoop isn't all that. Vols defense couldn't dominant app st. In opener when all were playing.
 
#9
#9
It's funny, I'm flipping back and forth between georgia Kentucky and lsu Alabama and the difference is night and day. I get that the west teams are ranked, but it doesn't look like a single player from the east game could play for these west teams
 
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#10
#10
We're close at DL when everyone's healthy. Depth at LB is not where it needs to be. We are in serious need of better talent and coaching at cornerback. JMO
 
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#11
#11
Berry4Heisman14 said:
I know the defense has been disappointing but we have to give shoop a pass. Also we have talent but they're all hurt. We lost our 3 best players on defense early in the year.
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Disagree. Some slack yes, but a pass, no. This defense hasn't looked fundamentally sound all year long, whether we had our starters or not. Even Doug Mathews last week questioned a lot of what Shoop has done this year scheme wise. The injuries have no doubt hurt, but it doesn't excuse a lot of the issues we've seen with the defense under Shoop this year IMO.
 
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#12
#12
Warrior saw the field against south Carolina and got Burnt for the deciding touchdown. He may end up being great, but let's not act like he deserves to start right now
 
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#14
#14
KBVol said:
Agree for the most part. Warrior is one of those athletes and he hasn't really seen the field prior to today. And, unfortunately, nothing I've seen from our defense this year leads me to believe that we have the right DC to get to LSU and Bama's level.
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Yeah. I mean I would say Warrior, Kirkland, maybe Austin Smith (haven't seen him since his injury and moved to DE, but he looked like a guy last year), Darrell Taylor, Evan Berry, and maybe a couple others are the elite athletes who could make plays like players on these defenses can. Shoop's adjustment are what makes me think he could get it done. We have had some injuries too that have hurt and limited him some. Overall though, we either need better athletes or a top-notch S&C Coach who can take our players to the next level. Shoop has said as much too, that our players aren't there athletically yet. I think when our players get there or aren't injured he could coordinate a good defense. I agree though, he hasn't been what we'd thought he'd be so far.
 
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#15
#15
Utstrong said:
Warrior saw the field against south Carolina and got Burnt for the deciding touchdown. He may end up being great, but let's not act like he deserves to start right now
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Shoop put him in a bad position on that play. I specifically remember the announcer saying that since so many backups are in that Shoop shouldn't call a blitz because it could confuse the guys. Sure enough, he called a blitz and it confused the DBs and led to a blown coverage. I don't think anyone is saying he should be starting though, yet. I know I'm just saying he has the elite athleticism and size we need to have a top notch defense like LSU or Bama.
 
#16
#16
kid50 said:
Shoop put him in a bad position on that play. I specifically remember the announcer saying that since so many backups are in that Shoop shouldn't call a blitz because it could confuse the guys. Sure enough, he called a blitz and it confused the DBs and led to a blown coverage. I don't think anyone is saying he should be starting though, yet. I know I'm just saying he has the elite athleticism and size we need to have a top notch defense like LSU or Bama.
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Agree about his potential. Would be good to be in a position to be able to red shirt him as a freshman.
 
#17
#17
Utstrong said:
It's funny, I'm flipping back and forth between georgia Kentucky and lsu Alabama and the difference is night and day. I get that the west teams are ranked, but it doesn't look like a single player from the east game could play for these west teams
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Thank God we aren't in the West.
 
#18
#18
Shoop has played every corner, even the 3rd and 4th team guys in press man to man. Everyone of them has been beat repeatedly. Being Hard headed is what you call it.
 
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#19
#19
Utstrong said:
Warrior saw the field against south Carolina and got Burnt for the deciding touchdown. He may end up being great, but let's not act like he deserves to start right now
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My comment was in regards to getting our best athletes on the field, athletes like Bama and LSU have, which was what the OP was discussing.

And for the record, give me Warrior, who looks like he's easily our most athletic DB, a sure tackler and who plays with great speed and aggression and who gets beat occasionally because he's still young.....over a guy who gets beat because he's just physically able to make the plays that Nigel can make.

In the context of what the OP was discussing, Warrior has to play and get up to speed for our defense to get better, much less to get anywhere near Bama's level.
 
#20
#20
wmcovol said:
Shoop has played every corner, even the 3rd and 4th team guys in press man to man. Everyone of them has been beat repeatedly. Being Hard headed is what you call it.
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Couldn't agree more....and neither could Doug Mathews.
 
#21
#21
KBVol said:
Disagree. Some slack yes, but a pass, no. This defense hasn't looked fundamentally sound all year long, whether we had our starters or not. Even Doug Mathews last week questioned a lot of what Shoop has done this year scheme wise. The injuries have no doubt hurt, but it doesn't excuse a lot of the issues we've seen with the defense under Shoop this year IMO.
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I don't know whether it is truth or BS, but someone told me Shoop is still running Jancek's scheme instead of his own.

If that is true, WTF? That is a little like a restaurant owner replacing a short order cook with a gourmet chef, but making him use the huddle house menu. You can't make eggs benedict outta scrambled eggs.
 
#22
#22
MrVolton said:
We're close at DL when everyone's healthy. Depth at LB is not where it needs to be. We are in serious need of better talent and coaching at cornerback. JMO
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Isn't the secondary Shoops baby. I may be wrong, but I think so. If so damn
 
#23
#23
TNnative said:
I don't know whether it is truth or BS, but someone told me Shoop is still running Jancek's scheme instead of his own.

If that is true, WTF? That is a little like a restaurant owner replacing a short order cook with a gourmet chef, but making him use the huddle house menu. You can't make eggs benedict outta scrambled eggs.
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I don't think he has the players to run his scheme yet. He's just throwing some of his own things in there. Honestly, that's what a good coach does, they run a scheme that will fit their players until they can get the players they need for theirs. He's mentioned before he needs better athletes. I'd rather him run Jancek's scheme while he tries to get his own players than to pull a Sunseri and switch to a 3-4 with 4-3 players.
 
#24
#24
neostig said:
Isn't the secondary Shoops baby. I may be wrong, but I think so. If so damn
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I think he works more with safeties. I'd like to see CBJ allow him to bring his own guys in to coach corners and lb's. I'm hesitant to judge Shoop too harshly this year. Even hampered with injuries the D has played well enough to be sitting at 8-1 right now. Those defensive stats would also look much better if the offense were a bit more complimentary. Still short on talent and depth in the back 7 though.
 
#25
#25
I feel duped that I actually believed Shoop when he siad in the offseason "One things for sure. No team will be able to run on this defense".

As much as Butch and co. deserve a lot of blame for the season collapsing like it did...the injuries were real...and devastating. We'd look a lot better on D if not for the injuries. McKenzie was a 5* (4.5 depending on who you read) recruit. You can't afford to lose guys like him...Maybin and Sutton all at once. Not to mention Kirkland for a time. That is just killer.
 
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