What's happened to the UT Defense?

#29
#29
Had two first round NFL draft choices in Dan Williams and Eric Berry.

Williams would have been a 6th round pick at best until Monte showed up..Williams has been one of the worst DTs in the league so far as well. He's a rookie and obviously has time to improve, but still. Goes to show what Monte did for him.

Berry is a once in a decade(if that often) talent.
 
#30
#30
Currently ranked 78th in total defense; ended last year ranked 16th in total defense. Both defenses have had there share of injuries. I would even say we were more banged up last year.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#31
#31
Apparently a great defensive coach from the WAC can't adjust to the week in and out of playing top tier teams every week.

I am sure that people will get on here and say that youth is a problem, but I would have to say the talent level at UT vs Boise should be higher and have more athletes.

Time will tell.

This year, you may be wrong..

I do think in a couple of years we are going to be fine though..
 
#32
#32
justin wilcox is a great DC, he just isn't used to playing SEC teams. Reality is that we just don't have the players this year...

This is about the lamest analysis I've heard with regard to Wilcox. Being "used to playing SEC teams" has nothing to do with the Vols performance.

But I do give you credit for your next statement. Our defense is horrible because our talent is so weak. Just focus on Teague and which ever linebacker is running his arse off trying to cover up for Teague's lack of ability. Multiply that by 2 or 3 similar situations across our defense and that's what's wrong with our defense.
 
#34
#34
Our defense is terrible. Oregon, UAB, and GA proved it. Fla and LSU was more of a lack of offense on their parts and not our defense.

1. We have a lack of bodies at DT.
2. Chris Walker is not playing to his potential.
3. LB's are slow and can't cover pass routes.
4. Defensive schemes are puzzling like having DE's out on pass routes.
5. Inability to effectively blitz.
6. Two former walk on's started today. Our best CB was a WR last year.
7. The offense doesn't stay on the field long enough to give the defense a rest.

Certainly not making excuses for Chris but he is totally frustrated with the way things are going and certainly NOT playing up to his potential. He is yet to establish any type of consistency and his has nothing to do with an injury or any sort. Chris is in better health this year than he was last year but his role on this team has completely changed. Not really sure how he can record 8 sacks last year with a back injury (9 1/2 games) and 0 this year in good health. He's doing what he's told to do.
 
#35
#35
Our defense is terrible. Oregon, UAB, and GA proved it. Fla and LSU was more of a lack of offense on their parts and not our defense.

1. We have a lack of bodies at DT.
2. Chris Walker is not playing to his potential.
3. LB's are slow and can't cover pass routes.
4. Defensive schemes are puzzling like having DE's out on pass routes.
5. Inability to effectively blitz.
6. Two former walk on's started today. Our best CB was a WR last year.
7. The offense doesn't stay on the field long enough to give the defense a rest.

8. We have no depth so those slow LB's cant beat anyone to the corners because their legs are like jello by the end of the game.
9. We may have the smallest seconday I've ever seen at UT.
10. We get almost no pressure on opposing Qb's
11. Our LB's are small and cant plug the gaping holes left by our lack of quality DT's
12. We cant stop the run and it opens up the PA pass for every team we've played, making their Qb's look like freakin All Americans
13. We couldnt tackle an old lady standing in line at the pharmacy
14. Nick reviez is leading the SEC in tackles. Just goes to show that we cant get off the damn field on Defense.
 
#36
#36
Certainly not making excuses for Chris but he is totally frustrated with the way things are going and certainly NOT playing up to his potential. He is yet to establish any type of consistency and his has nothing to do with an injury or any sort. Chris is in better health this year than he was last year but his role on this team has completely changed. Not really sure how he can record 8 sacks last year with a back injury (9 1/2 games) and 0 this year in good health. He's doing what he's told to do.
This is what I cant understand. Our best pass rusher should be rushing the freaking passer.
 
#39
#39
hard to play d with no depth and when your special teams and offense are putting you in a field position hole every drive
 
#40
#40
We had a "better than average" defense last year because we had a future NFL HOF DC.

Had nothing to do with Eric Berry, Dan Williams, Dennis Rogan, Wes Brown, Marlon Walls, Ben Martin, and Rico McCoy did it? And even then our D was not that good in a lot of games. Monte underachieved last year just like he is underachieving big time this year. That Tampa 2 just doesn't work with the majority of the offenses he faces such as Auburn, Ole Miss games of last year and then the Pac-10 and even Hawaii this year.
 
#41
#41
Beat me to the punch bmorevol :hi:

Wilcox has been my biggest disappointment this year.
Lets hope he gets "his" type of players in there soon.
 
#42
#42
I agree tvols75

And for all the Fulmer/Chavis haters keeping score out there, all of those were Fulmer/Chavis recruits
 
#43
#43
Apparently a great defensive coach from the WAC can't adjust to the week in and out of playing top tier teams every week.

I am sure that people will get on here and say that youth is a problem, but I would have to say the talent level at UT vs Boise should be higher and have more athletes.

Time will tell.

Our DL is way less talented than Boise St DL. Throw in LB too. We have. Walk on leading tackler. So yes, he had more to work with at Boise.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#44
#44
We need players with some speed and size at linebacker move jacques smith to linebacker next year or something cause we aint gonna have a good linebacking core next year either as far as speed is concerned unless we move some people around.
 
#46
#46
Had nothing to do with Eric Berry, Dan Williams, Dennis Rogan, Wes Brown, Marlon Walls, Ben Martin, and Rico McCoy did it? And even then our D was not that good in a lot of games. Monte underachieved last year just like he is underachieving big time this year. That Tampa 2 just doesn't work with the majority of the offenses he faces such as Auburn, Ole Miss games of last year and then the Pac-10 and even Hawaii this year.

Berry and McCoy were the only ones who made a name for themselves prior to Kiffin getting here..get real.

Dan Williams wasn't anything special at all, Rogan was best known for his returning in 07, etc, etc.

Not to mention, we were down to basically third string LBs outside of McCoy. And we still managed the 19th ranked defense. Imagine that.
 
#47
#47
I know we are thin on defense but damn it would be nice to see our guys actually tackle someone rather than throw their bodies into the running back or receiver only to bump him.

Also, teams in the WAC score a lot. They are not know for the stifling pressure and speed and SEC defense is. I think Wilcox is in over his head and will probably be gone in 2 more years. He at least needs to learn to count to 11!
 
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