defense/defensive backs

#1
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ice

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#1
Please help me understand this shortcoming by our defense.
It has been going on for years under multiple head coaches.
Our backs do a terrible job defending against the long ball.
When the ball leaves the hands of the opposing teams quarterback, especially on long throws, our defenders almost always do not look back at the ball. The receiver knows where the ball is going and therefore has the advantage.
Why do our coaches not teach our defensive backs to watch the ball, intercept or slap it down.
This has been the norm at TN for years.
On long balls, the ball is in the air for quite some time. A defender should adjust and move on the ball.
I don`t get this and it gripes my ass seeing this over and over again.
My thought is that players on the college level should be good at defending against the long ball.
We are terrible at it and have been for a long time.
What gives?.

ps: While I`m on the box, did you notice how Ala s offensive line manhandled our defensive line?.
 
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#3
#3
We just don't have a lot of talent back there and we have virtually no depth. A true freshmen is the best secondary player we have, that speaks volumes about the lousy recruiting/developing job the previous staff did.
 
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#4
#4
I think our secondary has improved greatly. But they are still yound and inexperienced. We have a Freshman, Sophomore, RS Sophomore, Junior, Walk-on Freshman, and 2 Walk-ons in the Williams and a former walk-on in Jaron Toney (pretty sure he was).

They need experience and depth, until they get that it is hard to accurately judge them. But I think they are doing a whale of a job considering the circumstances.
 
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#5
#5
With the exception of a couple of true freshman and walk-ons, our D is virtually unchanged from last year.

What don't you understand about that???

CBJ has several high quality DB recruits committed but they won't be here till next season.

Big improvement is on the way, it just will not happen in year 2/3's! :banghead2:



.
 
#6
#6
Chilmonty said:
With the exception of a couple of true freshman and walk-ons, our D is virtually unchanged from last year.

What don't you understand about that???

CBJ has several high quality DB recruits committed but they won't be here till next season.

Big improvement is on the way, it just will not happen in year 2/3's! :banghead2:



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Click to expand...

You are right. Walk ons, freshmen, lack of speed at linebacker and secondary is a recipe for failure against the teams on this schedule.
 
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#8
#8
Yet, we're second in the SEC in interceptions and 13th in the FBS.
Seems some are looking for the ball.
 
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#9
#9
In addition, this defense takes terrible tackling angles. Bama's first TD was a carbon copy of a play Florida used, in almost the same spot on the field, with similar results. If your team is lacking in overall speed as the Vols D is, you've got to take better angles to cut off the opposition. On the bright side, this unit tackles better than last year; it's just getting to them to make the stop that's still an issue.
 
#10
#10
What bothers me the most is the inability of many of our players on D to take proper angles in pursuit, and wrap up in open space. Teams that play good defense year in year out like Stanford, Bama, VT Tech, all seem to be masters of those 2 skills.
 
#11
#11
HollowaytoSeivers said:
In addition, this defense takes terrible tackling angles. Bama's first TD was a carbon copy of a play Florida used, in almost the same spot on the field, with similar results. If your team is lacking in overall speed as the Vols D is, you've got to take better angles to cut off the opposition. On the bright side, this unit tackles better than last year; it's just getting to them to make the stop that's still an issue.
Click to expand...

Coaches know when we are in nickel we are subject to a touchdown..JT has been beaten all year...Problem is he is the best we got NOW...and every team game plans for him in coverage.

CBJ talks about the 3 seconds a D-Lineman has to get to the QB, when a QB has 5 to 10 seconds its tough on the DB's and LB to cover that long. Its a process and it doesn't just start with coaching although I have seen a difference in the D-Players...Cover better, Tackle Better and they take better angles to the ball.
 
#12
#12
the poor angles issue is getting used to the speed of the game, specifically where the other team has more than us.
 
#13
#13
I am not sure why they haven't tried Riyhad Jones at nickle back maybe they are going to let him red shirt this season. I actually would be surprised if we took an extra DB in this class (i.e. Evan Berry). As far as our LB's we need at least one true SS/LB hybrid on that level to add and coverage ability. Heck our lack of depth at the DB level is why we have to stay in the base formation all the time. I believe it will get a lot better next year we have a couple of freshman from the 2013 class who just need this year to develop.

Malik Foreman (Will be a lot better and will probably play the nickle)
Lemond Johnson (A really good athlete that will add depth at safety)
 
#14
#14
4.4 versus 4.6 will lose every time. I said it the whole time Dooley was here that he recruited Conference USA speed and not SEC speed.
 
#16
#16
Toney struggles
Swafford and Foreman- long term good
2nd team overall in the secondary will be be replaced next season
 
#17
#17
ice said:
Please help me understand this shortcoming by our defense.
It has been going on for years under multiple head coaches.Our backs do a terrible job defending against the long ball.
When the ball leaves the hands of the opposing teams quarterback, especially on long throws, our defenders almost always do not look back at the ball. The receiver knows where the ball is going and therefore has the advantage.
Why do our coaches not teach our defensive backs to watch the ball, intercept or slap it down.
This has been the norm at TN for years.
On long balls, the ball is in the air for quite some time. A defender should adjust and move on the ball.
I don`t get this and it gripes my ass seeing this over and over again.
My thought is that players on the college level should be good at defending against the long ball.
We are terrible at it and have been for a long time.
What gives?.
Click to expand...

your second line has been the problem..

a program can't have 4 head coaches in 6 years and over 50 different assistant coaches within 6 years and be consistent. We have not had consistency on defense or offense or special teams during this period of instability.

The program needs stability and success with the current staff in the worse way. Another change in 3 or 4 years just leads to more inconsistency.
 
#18
#18
dbs this year, outside of Coleman really, have played the ball in the air better than the last decade or so, outside of EB. We are highly ranked in int's and have played 3 top 10 teams in the process, so looking for the ball isn't really an issue at all this year, imo.
 
#19
#19
Biopsyman said:
Toney struggles
Swafford and Foreman- long term good
2nd team overall in the secondary will be be replaced next season
Click to expand...


Toney should be a nickel in a zone d with limited responsibilities and good run support. He can get that done.
Toney isn't supposed to be in man coverage the other team's next lottery pick at wr. That's poor playcalling.
If Jancek would just stick to basics and not keep putting our slow ass team in man coverage, we can make other teams work for their yards. Stop getting cute with this D and they play it ok. Everytime we go man, we get burned.
 
#20
#20
Spartacavolus said:
dbs this year, outside of Coleman really, have played the ball in the air better than the last decade or so, outside of EB. We are highly ranked in int's and have played 3 top 10 teams in the process, so looking for the ball isn't really an issue at all this year, imo.
Click to expand...



I agree. Tackling is my beef.
 
#21
#21
fade route said:
I agree. Tackling is my beef.
Click to expand...


I think they've tackled well, to be honest. What has killed us is the passive technique after getting outschemed on those quick hitches. You notice when we throw that pass the db's are coming hard and we go nowhere. This whole accept the block and let your slow teammate make a play on their fastest guy is easy pickens for the opposition.
 
#22
#22
For several years now our dbs seem to be making sure they make the tackle after the catch. That is what they consider to be their assignment. Stopping the catch from being made in the first place does not seem to be a concern.
 
#23
#23
Chilmonty said:
With the exception of a couple of true freshman and walk-ons, our D is virtually unchanged from last year.

What don't you understand about that???

CBJ has several high quality DB recruits committed but they won't be here till next season.

Big improvement is on the way, it just will not happen in year 2/3's! :banghead2:



.
Click to expand...

Not buying your argument, "what don`t you understand about that".


Even high school players are taught to keep an eye on the ball and move to intercept or slap it down.
Freshmen college players should be pretty good at this.
Not UT.
Just look at some of the replays TN vs ALA.
Defenders not watching the ball and getting picked apart.
This has gone on for a long time at TN and under multiple coaching staffs and I cannot figure why.
I agree we have improved some but, the long completions are killing us.
If you doubt what I`m saying, just look at replays of past games.
Our defenders seem preoccupied with the receiver and have no clue as to where the ball is on the field.
I understand the defender should be watching the receiver and the ball.
Bottom line is we suck at it and have for a long time.
Remember how Spurrier and Fla would destroy us with the passing game.
 
#25
#25
roster said:
For several years now our dbs seem to be making sure they make the tackle after the catch. That is what they consider to be their assignment. Stopping the catch from being made in the first place does not seem to be a concern.
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head. Bet I`ve seen it a hundred times.

The opposing team throws for a 15 yard completion. Our guys tackle him, then jump up and down like they have done something great.
They have a 15 yard completion and our defenders are jumping up and down clapping their hands like idiots.
 
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