Reasons Our Defense Will Be Better This Year

[vegasvolfan]

Offense run by someone who understands how to manage a clock. With Helton, it was score fast or 3-and-out. Usually the latter.

More effective offense that will get more first downs, keeping our D off the field.

More depth across the board including 14 DLs.

Very little attrition.

More experience under Pruitt’s system.

More time with Fitz

Darrell Taylor’s return

Addition of Ansley while retaining Sherrer was enormous.

 

[chrismc1000]

If we can use up at a minimum of 5 minutes per scoring drive then our defense should be on point.

 

[Roustabout]

Amen, the defense’s biggest improvement will be the offense sustaining drives and scoring.

 

[Remy]

I think we'll see a lot of play on our defensive front by frosh. They'll get better as the season goes along but that means they'll look like All Americans one play and Harry High School guy the next. Lots of patience by our DL will be required. I DO agree offensive time of possession will be important to our defensive success this season.

 

[RollerVol]

fingers crossed...it may feel like a rollercoaster ride before the season is over...of course, we're used to that...

GO BIG ORANGE!

 

[Nocleats]

Until I see if there is a 2nd team DL and even a 3rd string, I will hold judgement

 

[sjt18]

I think UT will be fine at LB and DB. The DL is at best an enigma. We simply don't know if they can play at a high level or not. There is very little experience and questions concerning overall talent. If the 3 down linemen can just keep UT's LB's clean then there's a chance for a good improvement.

 

[kamoshika]

Pruitt inherited a defensive front that didn’t have any proven playmakers or depth. For a lifelong defensive coach, that was a nightmare scenario. Slowly, UT’s defensive front seems to be waking up. That should help the Vols’ entire defense. No, UT isn’t suddenly a defensive juggernaut, but there are signs that the Vols will be significantly better in 2019 than they were last season.
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/t...r-or-worse-previewing-tennessee-defense-2019/

 

[njvols]

Offense run by someone who understands how to manage a clock. With Helton, it was score fast or 3-and-out. Usually the latter.

More effective offense that will get more first downs, keeping our D off the field.

More depth across the board including 14 DLs.

Very little attrition.

More experience under Pruitt’s system.

More time with Fitz

Darrell Taylor’s return

Addition of Ansley while retaining Sherrer was enormous.

Wouldn't it be great if we have a team with few stars, but all over achieved because of Pruitt, Ansley, Sherrer, and Fitz development. More than anything, I think 2nd year under Pruitt w/ expectations and 2nd off season under Fitz lends to better performance...if they stay marginally healthy. Will be interesting to see maybe higher emphasis on LB position (greater talent depth) to take some pressure off DL

 

[jakez4ut]

some good points on this topic already brought up...........

i like the back end more than the front as well, and as has already been said, that's mainly because aside from Gooden, not sure what to really expect. i do like th newcomers, they at least don't lack for confidence and everyone else has been here for a full year now so knowledge of the defense and physical development should be better.

but i also agree that our offense by sustaining drivers and not turning it over could be the defense's biggest asset. and score some more points.........we left points on the field last year in several games (have been the past few years really) that hopefully we don't this season.

the other thing that i think gets better is turnover ratio. i would like to think with our CB's and safeties we should see more INT's.....

i'm not calling them world beaters or anything, but i think if you could get to the end of the year and have one of the terms used to describe this defense be "opportunistic", i'd probably be able to show you a team capable of winning 7 or 8 games.

lastly, the one stat that i think will matter a lot is red zone defense....specifically TD%. can we get teams to settle for FG's?

 

[Tennessee Mike]

Aubrey Solomon, DeAngelo Gibbs and even Trey Smith on offense will all impact both sides of the ball. I'd settle for Solomon and Smith and be happy.

 

[05_never_again]

Aubrey Solomon, DeAngelo Gibbs and even Trey Smith on offense will all impact both sides of the ball. I'd settle for Solomon and Smith and be happy.

I don't think any of those guys, especially Smith, will play this year.

 

[vegasvolfan]

some good points on this topic already brought up...........

i like the back end more than the front as well, and as has already been said, that's mainly because aside from Gooden, not sure what to really expect. i do like th newcomers, they at least don't lack for confidence and everyone else has been here for a full year now so knowledge of the defense and physical development should be better.

but i also agree that our offense by sustaining drivers and not turning it over could be the defense's biggest asset. and score some more points.........we left points on the field last year in several games (have been the past few years really) that hopefully we don't this season.

the other thing that i think gets better is turnover ratio. i would like to think with our CB's and safeties we should see more INT's.....

i'm not calling them world beaters or anything, but i think if you could get to the end of the year and have one of the terms used to describe this defense be "opportunistic", i'd probably be able to show you a team capable of winning 7 or 8 games.

lastly, the one stat that i think will matter a lot is red zone defense....specifically TD%. can we get teams to settle for FG's?

To your last point I think that is where adding Sherrer will help. Also, did we not get at least one JUCO lineman? I know JUCOS often seem to fall flat, but every now and then we get a surprise and that would be beneficial in no better place next year on DL.

 

[jakez4ut]

To your last point I think that is where adding Sherrer will help. Also, did we not get at least one JUCO lineman? I know JUCOS often seem to fall flat, but every now and then we get a surprise and that would be beneficial in no better place next year on DL.

yeah, SAvion Williams. he needs to be pretty much instant impact on the DL. then you've got a group of Emerson, garland, mincey etc....that need to be better than we think they are.

if solomon is eligible, that helps a lot.

the other good news about our DL is that they don't have be stat hunters (tfl, sacks etc...) in this defense, the plays can be made by the LB's/star.

now, if we can get some of the DL to get some of those stats along the way, great, that's a very good thing. but if you want to know if this dl is doing well or now, pay attention to the type of plays the LB's are able to make. if our LB's are making 'wow' type plays, chances are it's because the DL is doing an adequate job of occupying blockers....
i mean let's face it, if i'm an opposing offense going up against our D, i'm going to test the run defense first. and see if they're as porous as they have been the past copule years.

so, if we can have any success on 1st down runs, i think that helps us a lot. so early downs and LB play. it won't be hard to notice if we're good or bad lol.

 

[vegasvolfan]

yeah, SAvion Williams. he needs to be pretty much instant impact on the DL. then you've got a group of Emerson, garland, mincey etc....that need to be better than we think they are.

if solomon is eligible, that helps a lot.

the other good news about our DL is that they don't have be stat hunters (tfl, sacks etc...) in this defense, the plays can be made by the LB's/star.

now, if we can get some of the DL to get some of those stats along the way, great, that's a very good thing. but if you want to know if this dl is doing well or now, pay attention to the type of plays the LB's are able to make. if our LB's are making 'wow' type plays, chances are it's because the DL is doing an adequate job of occupying blockers....
i mean let's face it, if i'm an opposing offense going up against our D, i'm going to test the run defense first. and see if they're as porous as they have been the past copule years.

so, if we can have any success on 1st down runs, i think that helps us a lot. so early downs and LB play. it won't be hard to notice if we're good or bad lol.

I think Ansley, Sherrer, Pruitt and Rocker with a twist if Fits got this!

 

[KBVol]

If we can use up at a minimum of 5 minutes per scoring drive then our defense should be on point.

In approximately half our games last year we won the time of possession, including 2-3 games where we were blown out. So while I agree with you theoretically, the truth is that if our defense is better they’ll get off the field quicker. In other words, if the opposing defense is able to force our offense into a 3 and out, there’s no rule that says our defense can’t be good enough to return the favor and do likewise.

 

[jakez4ut]

In approximately half our games last year we won the time of possession, including 2-3 games where we were blown out. So while I agree with you theoretically, the truth is that if our defense is better they’ll get off the field quicker. In other words, if the opposing defense is able to force our offense into a 3 and out, there’s no rule that says our defense can’t be good enough to return the favor and do likewise.

TOP doesn't matter a whole lot when you're down 20+ points. Damage is already done and they're playing a defense that is only designed to not give up big plays.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

We just need two Derek Barnett type breakout freshman on the DL and we'll be fine!

Actually our DL this year have better size, weight and I think strength than last year's bunch. They are just terribly lacking in experience.

Soloman would really help out experience-wise.

 

[DefenseWins]

The amount of knowledge this defense takes is intense... it’s amazing how different defenses look in year two with a great coach and familiarity in the system it’s truly night and day... you are always going to be a step or two behind in your first year and that results in big plays and chains moving... it will be different this year and the physicality will ramp up big time too.


I also feel this defense will go as D. Taylor goes... there is no replacement for pass rush..

 

[jakez4ut]

The amount of knowledge this defense takes is intense... it’s amazing how different defenses look in year two with a great coach and familiarity in the system it’s truly night and day... you are always going to be a step or two behind in your first year and that results in big plays and chains moving... it will be different this year and the physicality will ramp up big time too.


I also feel this defense will go as D. Taylor goes... there is no replacement for pass rush..

Agree about Taylor. He needs to be someone the offense had to account for.

 

[DefenseWins]

Agree about Taylor. He needs to be someone the offense had to account for.

When he had good days (Kentucky and Auburn) the team had good days... we need more pass rushers...

 

[jakez4ut]

When he had good days (Kentucky and Auburn) the team had good days... we need more pass rushers...

He had a good day against UGA as well. Then he disappeared in other games.

So the other side of that coin is if he does get extra attention, then others have to take advantage of the opportunity that creates.

 

[DefenseWins]

He had a good day against UGA as well. Then he disappeared in other games.

So the other side of that coin is if he does get extra attention, then others have to take advantage of the opportunity that creates.

Well some of his inconsistencies were because teams noticed him on tape and would stick someone to pin him or chip him and GA game they started sliding protection his way... that’s when people started noticing him (GA game)... he does have to learn how to beat it but some of it was him doing his job and like you said others not pulling there weight...

I think Crouch will have to be used kinda out of postion due to that fact.

 

[JoAllan]

“Reasons Our Defense Will Be Better This Year”

Because it can’t be much worse.

Tennessee gave up 38 or more to 6 of 9 power 5 schools they played. KY was the only one that didn’t score 24 or more. You average 36.7 points per given to every team that isn’t the UTEP’s of the world..........your real bad.......so yes the D will be better. Because last year was so horrible that is how.

But hey I’m hopeful they can be way better, maybe pretty decent.

 

[vegasvolfan]

The amount of knowledge this defense takes is intense... it’s amazing how different defenses look in year two with a great coach and familiarity in the system it’s truly night and day... you are always going to be a step or two behind in your first year and that results in big plays and chains moving... it will be different this year and the physicality will ramp up big time too.


I also feel this defense will go as D. Taylor goes... there is no replacement for pass rush..

If that is the case this year, we won’t be good. Taylor should only be a part of accumulative progress. If he has an average game, we should still be able to perform better than average if everything else listed goes into play.