Will our 2007 rush defense more closely resemble 2006 or 2005?

#1
General Jack

General Jack

Vorschlaghammer
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
13,394
Likes
5,240
#1
I'm anxious to see what kind of results we get this year with the run defense. As we all know, what was such a strength in 2005 - and had been for years frankly - was suddenly so weak last year. The tebow up the middle for 4 yards a pop really burned me last year, as did the entire Arkansas rush defense effort. I have to think that we would have won the Florida game with stronger rush defense, and the Arkansas game would have at least been competitive.

Fulmer says the guys responded well to a very physical spring practice. Mapu should be back in playing shape and the DE's are very experienced... but we were just so bad last year...

So what do you think? Optimistic that Mapu, Williams, Bolden, Fisher, Reynolds, Mitchell & co. will return this to a strength, similar to what we've become accustomed to (before 2006)? :rock: Or are we going to be very mediocre again? :banghead2:
 
#2
#2
I think we will be much better, but not quite as good as 05. If our DBs gel quickly, then I think it could be as good.
 
#5
#5
My guess is redshirt this year since he really needs some more muscle. Next year he will be in the 2 deep for sure.
 
#6
#6
More like 06 than 05.

In 05 we were returning Haralson, Mahelona, Hall, and Harrell. As well as McBride who was a significant contributor in 04. Pretty much the entire 04 defensive line returned. And they were some good ones.

I know we're supposed to have some good lb's in Mayo and McCoy, and they've got their work cut out for them to meet the play of Kevin Simon and Omar Gaither in 05.

The linebackers can do well, but I don't think there's any way that this year's d-line comes close to 05 production.
 
#7
#7
Wasn't UT number 2 against the run in 2005? Can't see something that good this year.
 
#8
#8
I think Mayo and McCoy will both be first rounders when it is said and done. McCoy has questionable size which could prevent it though. Karl isn't too shabby either. I think Mapu can equal Mahelona. Bolden won't match Harrell, but I think this tandem can match that tandem. XMan can do just as much as Haralson, imo. Hall and Reynolds are too seperated either. That line had alot of depth. Some guys will have to step up for this front 7 to match that ones depth.
 
#10
#10
tvolsfan said:
Wasn't UT number 2 against the run in 2005? Can't see something that good this year.
Click to expand...

Yes we were #2 against the run in '05. And we were #72 last year... I'm hoping we are closer to our '05 performance than '06 performance.

I believe we have averaged a top 10-20 rush defense over the past decade. Getting back to that range should provide immense benefit to our win/loss record. I think Chavis schemes are good, I just hope we have the horses to do it...
 
#11
#11
The d-line without a doubt has strong NFL potential, they just didn't pan out last year like we thought they were. At this point, it's basically impossible to determine how well they will play.
 
#12
#12
Don't forget they got absolutely embarrased against Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Ill never forget the post game comments by Penn State's RB Tony Hunt.

"I didn't really think they were that physical of a team. They really boast and brag about their speed and I think we brought something to the table that they really couldn't handle."

“They were not physical enough to stop us. We ran the same play over and over…”
 
#13
#13
General Jack said:
Yes we were #2 against the run in '05. And we were #72 last year... I'm hoping we are closer to our '05 performance than '06 performance.

I believe we have averaged a top 10-20 rush defense over the past decade. Getting back to that range should provide immense benefit to our win/loss record. I think Chavis schemes are good, I just hope we have the horses to do it...
Click to expand...

Even if UT splits the difference they will be competitive.
 
#14
#14
Lexvol said:
Even if UT splits the difference they will be competitive.
Click to expand...
that's kind of what i was thinking. it's not going to be as good as 05, but it will be better than last year...how much, eh? dunno, we'll see.

it can't get worse....:crossfingers:
 
#16
#16
jakez4ut said:
that's kind of what i was thinking. it's not going to be as good as 05, but it will be better than last year...how much, eh? dunno, we'll see.

it can't get worse....:crossfingers:
Click to expand...

You are correct Jakester. It cannot get worse. To the credit of the coaching staff I think that the physical spring will pay dividends in the fall.
 
#17
#17
me too. i really don't worry about the D Line and LB's too much. i do think we aren't quite as deep on the line as we'd like to be, and i don't have any misconceptions about how good they will or wont' be.

but the concern for me is really in the secondary. i know we have talent coming, but it is yet unproven...

the defense as a whole will probably have games where you think WOW...and then they'll have others that remind you of what they really are...kind of mixed bag i'm guessing.

but, all of that aside, my big thing for the D this year will be........can they get off the feild on 3rd down situations? it's one thing to give up a 3rd and 3 or less....it's another to give up 3rd and 6 or longer consistently.

if they struggle on third down, obviously, it's going to be along year.
 
#18
#18
At this point, they have done nothing to indicate they are as good as the 05 group.
 
#19
#19
ruslt said:
Don't forget they got absolutely embarrased against Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Ill never forget the post game comments by Penn State's RB Tony Hunt.

"I didn't really think they were that physical of a team. They really boast and brag about their speed and I think we brought something to the table that they really couldn't handle."

“They were not physical enough to stop us. We ran the same play over and over…”
Click to expand...
:banghead2: :banghead2: :banghead2:
 
#20
#20
ruslt said:
Don't forget they got absolutely embarrased against Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Ill never forget the post game comments by Penn State's RB Tony Hunt.

"I didn't really think they were that physical of a team. They really boast and brag about their speed and I think we brought something to the table that they really couldn't handle."

“They were not physical enough to stop us. We ran the same play over and over…”
Click to expand...
See Lexvol's comment about the physical spring...i don't think anyone particularly enjoyed that.
 
#21
#21
I agree that it depends on the DB performance. If the Vols cannot fully commit at least 2 LBs to stopping the run then it'll be closer to '06 results IMO.
 
#22
#22
I think if the Vols can crack the top 25 or 30 in run defense that will be enough to make teams one dimensional against us again.
 
#23
#23
Whats most surprising is, the DL starts 3 seniors (Mitchell, Reynolds, Mapu) and 1 junior (Bolden). The expectation would normally be they would anchor the defense.
 
#24
#24
Lexvol said:
I think if the Vols can crack the top 25 or 30 in run defense that will be enough to make teams one dimensional against us again.
Click to expand...
agreeed.

oklavol said:
Whats most surprising is, the DL starts 3 seniors (Mitchell, Reynolds, Mapu) and 1 junior (Bolden). The expectation would normally be they would anchor the defense.
Click to expand...
you know, i knew that, but when you say it like that....:banghead2:
 
#25
#25
I think that we will be closer to 05 than 06. Most of these guys have a alot more experience than last year. We lost Harrell after the AF game last year. I do think that we will be around 25th in rushing defense in the country this year. Just don't see many OL's blowing us off the ball with Bolden continuing to slowly develope, and Mapu back in shape plus Williams coming along. Chavis always seems to get a good D-Line together (except for last year).
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top