Run Defense Must Improve

#1
photovol

photovol

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2012
Messages
17,040
Likes
9,267
#1
In order for the Vol's to compete for the east, they must improve their run defense over last year, can the 2 freshmen, Tuttle & Mckenzie give the Vol's the needed boost to accomplish the task?
 
#3
#3
Somethin' tells me run defense will be improved...
Kahlil-McKenzie-1-2-326x235.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 23 people
#4
#4
Fortunately, we get an OOC opponent early which will answer a lot of questions about our defense. Oklahoma will run early and a lot as long as we don't make them 1 dimensional.
 
#6
#6
I think we did fairly decent against the run last year. We stopped Gurley for most of the game until the latter of the second half.
 
#7
#7
TAF said:
Somethin' tells me run defense will be improved...
Kahlil-McKenzie-1-2-326x235.jpg
Click to expand...

Did that create a total eclipse of the sun at your house also. Running backs in the SEC are going to be wanting to run sweeps instead of through the tackles.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#9
#9
Run defense was pretty good last year until the 4th quarter where the 3 man rotation really started to show. The extra bodies, let alone the talent increase, should be enough to improve it at least somewhat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 people
#12
#12
dcm3w said:
I would like to see better QB containment against mobile QBs.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm wrong but I think this was much improved. I just don't remember any quarterbacks running much against us like in years past but I also don' t think we played against many mobile running qb's last year. The backup for Iowa torched us but that was well after the game was over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#16
#16
dcm3w said:
I think we did fairly decent against the run last year. We stopped Gurley for most of the game until the latter of the second half.
Click to expand...

He ran for 208 yards...73 in the first half which is hardly "stopping" him....it's just that by comparison, "only" running for 73 yards in a half seemed poor, since he exploded for 135 in the second half alone. Either way, he pretty much destroyed us.

Also, we were 9th last year in the SEC in run defense....we can certainly do much better.
 
Last edited:
#17
#17
KBVol said:
He ran for over 208 yards...73 in the first half which is hardly "stopping" him....it's just that by comparison, "only" running for 73 yards in a half seemed poor, since he exploded for 135 in the second half alone. Either way, he pretty much destroyed us.

Also, we were 9th last year in the SEC in run defense....we can certainly do much better.
Click to expand...

Absolutely we can and I believe we will. Our secondary is stout this year so hopefully that lets us play some man to man and be able to focus on the run game. We need to find a good MLB and get 5-6 DTs that we can rotate in to strengthen the interior front 7. Hoping DKjr can show up at MLB and lock it down this year or anyone really. I wouldn't be opposed to giving Austin smith a whirl at MLB either but I would prefer him to work on the LEO role like maggitt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#18
#18
JohnMcA60 said:
Absolutely we can and I believe we will. Our secondary is stout this year so hopefully that lets us play some man to man and be able to focus on the run game. We need to find a good MLB and get 5-6 DTs that we can rotate in to strengthen the interior front 7. Hoping DKjr can show up at MLB and lock it down this year or anyone really. I wouldn't be opposed to giving Austin smith a whirl at MLB either but I would prefer him to work on the LEO role like maggitt.
Click to expand...

The great thing is that although we don't yet have certain answers at a few places like MLB, we have options, so many talented options....what Butch and company have done with this roster in 3 classes in just amazing. We're gonna find that MLB....and then his backup will be a athletic stud....and so on and so on.
 
#19
#19
KBVol said:
The great thing is that although we don't yet have certain answers at a few places like MLB, we have options, so many talented options....what Butch and company have done with this roster in 3 classes in just amazing. We're gonna find that MLB....and then his backup will be a athletic stud....and so on and so on.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. We have a 5 deep contest at MLB and 6 solid DTs. It's refreshing to have those options. Hoping we utilize these options. I'm also not opposed to trying JRM there and letting McDowell get action at OLB.
 
#20
#20
KBVol said:
He ran for 208 yards...73 in the first half which is hardly "stopping" him....it's just that by comparison, "only" running for 73 yards in a half seemed poor, since he exploded for 135 in the second half alone. Either way, he pretty much destroyed us.

Also, we were 9th last year in the SEC in run defense....we can certainly do much better.
Click to expand...

we just didn't have enough DTs in the rotation, and as well as Jordan Williams played as a converted DE, he was very undersized to have 300-330 lb. OLs leaning on him for 4 quaters. We will have more depth at DT this season but despite their obvious strength and talent, neither KMac nor Shy have experienced 60 minut getting leaned on by OLs as big or bigger than they are. Many of whom are 22-23 years old. Still though, it is great to have 2 guys of their caliber in the rotation.
 
#21
#21
vol-un-tear said:
Big DT's free up linebackers to contain. We will be in good shape!
Click to expand...

Yep, it begins there and works outward. AJ was a good run stopper that is gone, but whoever we have MLB should be good. JRM will be even more physical, and we have more depth / options / experience at safety/corner/nickel/DE. I expect a run improvement this year and better pass rush. Only losses are Williams, AJ, & Coleman. JC was pretty good in run support. Williams is being replaced at least even. AJs experience and physicality is the only thing really missed IMO.
 
#22
#22
Run defense will improve, and it's going to be exciting to watch this group become disruptive up front, and speed speed speed, basically everywhere you need it.
This unit is not likely to get shoved around by many teams, and our LB's look to be able to run across the hash, and arrive with purpose (I cannot stand the wait). This coupled with some upgrades at the opposite corner (along with nick & dime), spells swarm to ball ability. Again, this gonna get fun again really fast -
 
#23
#23
Our DT rotation last year:

Danny O'Brien
Jordan Williams
Owen Williams

Our DT rotation this year:

Danny O'Brien
Kahlil McKenzie
Owen Williams
Shy Tuttle
Kendall Vickers
Trevarris Saulsberry (situational)
Quay Picou (situational/redshirt)

I'd say we will be in at least marginally better shape.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 people
#24
#24
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcm3w View Post
I think we did fairly decent against the run last year. We stopped Gurley for most of the game until the latter of the second half.

KBVol said:
He ran for 208 yards...73 in the first half which is hardly "stopping" him....it's just that by comparison, "only" running for 73 yards in a half seemed poor, since he exploded for 135 in the second half alone. Either way, he pretty much destroyed us.

Also, we were 9th last year in the SEC in run defense....we can certainly do much better.
Click to expand...

Chubb/Gurley put up 290 tot rushing vs Aub last year, but put up only 257 against Tenn -- so many variables, but by this comparison alone, we did well (considering).

In addition, our O scored 32, to Aub's 7.
 
#25
#25
JohnMcA60 said:
Absolutely. We have a 5 deep contest at MLB and 6 solid DTs. It's refreshing to have those options. Hoping we utilize these options. I'm also not opposed to trying JRM there and letting McDowell get action at OLB.
Click to expand...

6 solid DT's? O'Brien and Williams are average at best. KMac and Tuttle have very good to great talent but are inexperienced and unproven. Vickers has played in 5 games with a grand total of 0 tackles and Saulsberry who even when healthy was below average. Kid has heart though thats for sure.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top