Vols backfield, DLine make PFF's top 10 returning SEC units

[TN Outlaw]

Wouldn't miss it! I grew up on SEC football and am looking forward to being at Neyland for the game.

Good deal. Hope you have a safe trip and if things go the way i want i hope you enjoy everything but the actual game😊 I hate to wish my life away but it just can't get here soon enough. Hope to see ya, I'll be the guy wearing orange!

 

[The Artful Dodger]

How many very good DTs do you think it takes to have a top SEC DL? Teams like Alabama, Florida and LSU who perennially have the best DLs in both the SEC and nation seem to think a rotation of 6-7, even 8 stud to very good DTs are necessary.

By my count we have this....

1. Danny OBrien....serviceable, will provide depth, not bad but not very good

2. Kendal Vickers.....converted defensive end.....ditto

3. KMac- ton of talent and potential, a little disappointing last year, still learning...should be great one day, not there yet, still gotta prove it.

4. Shy Tuttle- showed flashes last year early, then suffered what is proving to be a year long injury/rehab. We don't know when he'll be ready, when he'll be 100%. Were he healthy I'd say he's a great strength heading into the season....but right now he's not.

5. Quay Picou- small, quick, athletic true soph with little experience and no tackles yet.

6. Paul Bain- walkon

7. Alexis Johnson- currently serving indefinite suspension, on probation until October, can't be counted on at this point...and if he is reinstated, will be able to play in 2016 at an SEC level?

We essentially have two stud DTs, one of which is still trying to get back to 100% so that he can be ready for the start of the season. If you don't think that's thin then ok. We'll agree to disagree.

I agree that DL Depth is a concern, but Kmac didn't struggle as much as people would think. His production was equal to just about every other top level D-tackle recruit from last year. And as it has been mentioned before, Missed entire year of football, too heavy when he got to UT, and had an injury as well.

Kmac vs Trent Thompson

Kmac: 24 Tackles; 1 sack; 1TFL; 1 Forced Fumble.

Thompson: 25 Tackles; .5 sack; 2.5 tackles for loss

Beckner Jr. (Mizzou) and Cece Jefferson(UF) were the only two freshman D-tackles that maybe had better seasons.


*On a side note, I noticed that arguably both players best game last year was in the UT v UGA game. Maybe a little extra motivation was involved with the top two D-Tackle recruits facing off.

 

[AppFan82]

Good deal. Hope you have a safe trip and if things go the way i want i hope you enjoy everything but the actual game😊 I hate to wish my life away but it just can't get here soon enough. Hope to see ya, I'll be the guy wearing orange!

Knoxville's an easy trip for us (just over two hours) provided we don't have to run over too many tourists between Asheville and Gatlinburg.

The biggest issue for us will be parking (and the trek to the top rows of the stadium). I'm hearing $30 to park. Sound about right?

 

[The Artful Dodger]

By the way, Texas A&M also had two units make the list:
2) Defensive Line
8) Wideouts

as opposed to ours:

3) Backfield
10) Defensive Line

Shows some of the potential that A&M has. The game is college station is going to be very tough. Just a feeling, but I think this is a game where Josh will really have good passing numbers. His mobility will help against that front four.

 

[Catbone]

How many very good DTs do you think it takes to have a top SEC DL? Teams like Alabama, Florida and LSU who perennially have the best DLs in both the SEC and nation seem to think a rotation of 6-7, even 8 stud to very good DTs are necessary.

By my count we have this....

1. Danny OBrien....serviceable, will provide depth, not bad but not very good

2. Kendal Vickers.....converted defensive end.....ditto

3. KMac- ton of talent and potential, a little disappointing last year, still learning...should be great one day, not there yet, still gotta prove it.

4. Shy Tuttle- showed flashes last year early, then suffered what is proving to be a year long injury/rehab. We don't know when he'll be ready, when he'll be 100%. Were he healthy I'd say he's a great strength heading into the season....but right now he's not.

5. Quay Picou- small, quick, athletic true soph with little experience and no tackles yet.

6. Paul Bain- walkon

7. Alexis Johnson- currently serving indefinite suspension, on probation until October, can't be counted on at this point...and if he is reinstated, will be able to play in 2016 at an SEC level?

We essentially have two stud DTs, one of which is still trying to get back to 100% so that he can be ready for the start of the season. If you don't think that's thin then ok. We'll agree to disagree.

+1

 

[KBVol]

I agree that DL Depth is a concern, but Kmac didn't struggle as much as people would think. His production was equal to just about every other top level D-tackle recruit from last year. And as it has been mentioned before, Missed entire year of football, too heavy when he got to UT, and had an injury as well.

Kmac vs Trent Thompson

Kmac: 24 Tackles; 1 sack; 1TFL; 1 Forced Fumble.

Thompson: 25 Tackles; .5 sack; 2.5 tackles for loss

Beckner Jr. (Mizzou) and Cece Jefferson(UF) were the only two freshman D-tackles that maybe had better seasons.


*On a side note, I noticed that arguably both players best game last year was in the UT v UGA game. Maybe a little extra motivation was involved with the top two D-Tackle recruits facing off.

I don't think KMac "struggled" per se, he just didn't live up to his 5 star rating, primarily for the reasons you gave.....because he was a true freshman in the SEC, he hadn't played football in a very long time and he just wasn't in condition.

Not sure why Thompson was given so much attention and accolades if KMac wasn't, given his play as well....makes no sense. Both have great potential and both have a long way to go to realize it IMHO.

 

[TN Outlaw]

Knoxville's an easy trip for us (just over two hours) provided we don't have to run over too many tourists between Asheville and Gatlinburg.

The biggest issue for us will be parking (and the trek to the top rows of the stadium). I'm hearing $30 to park. Sound about right?

That sounds right. Usually pretty ez to find parking if you get into town early enough. Not sure if u have been there before but you should come early enough to enjoy the festivities. Walk down the strip, check out the rock, watch the Vol walk. I know I'm very biased but there's nothing like a day on The Hill to me. Good food and let the kids get their faces painted. Good times!

 

[The Artful Dodger]

I don't think KMac "struggled" per se, he just didn't live up to his 5 star rating, primarily for the reasons you gave.....because he was a true freshman in the SEC, he hadn't played football in a very long time and he just wasn't in condition.

Not sure why Thompson was given so much attention and accolades if KMac wasn't, given his play as well....makes no sense. Both have great potential and both have a long way to go to realize it IMHO.

Yup and the good news is that guys with the talent and work ethic that Kmac has, rarely are held down for long. I think Kmac is really going to break out for team 120.

 

[KBVol]

Yup and the good news is that guys with the talent and work ethic that Kmac has, rarely are held down for long. I think Kmac is really going to break out for team 120.

I agree. He still has to show it, but I think he's gonna play at an All-SEC level this season given his physical talent and what appears to be a great attitude and with ethic. We need him to be elite.

 

[photovol]

In going back and re-watching some of last years games, I come away with the notion that the Vols simply must improve on defense and tackling in the secondary....the Vols had so many missed tackles last year...
I sure hope Bob Shoop can work his magic with the defense and especially the secondary... ASAP
Go Vols