Defensive Tackle - What now?

#26
#26
triadvolfan said:
It's easier to build an OL. It just takes 5 guys and a little luck to avoid injuries.

A good DL requires depth even when healthy since they rotate so much and tire quickly. I'm more worried about the DL.

Maybe we can move to a 3-4 and some of UT's ends can gain weight.
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Eh.. maybe. We're depleted in both areas. I don't think it "just takes 5 guys" though. Blocking SEC defensive lines is a little more challenging than that.... especially with a freshman or Nick the Pick back there.
 
#28
#28
Even though I'm glad El Douche is gone, it would have been nice if he had left after next year so we could have had at least this recruiting class to replenish our lack of depth and talent.

Although we don't get Hunter or Rogers if they are still here, we would have gotten major help on both lines where we needed it.
 
#29
#29
Unbelievable about the DTs... Good thing that Marlon Walls and Montori Hughs are young, and God help us if either of them go down with injury. Hope J Brown makes it in... we need some luck there.
 
#30
#30
No DC or DL coach in place. Why should we be surprised to be losing these guys?
 
#33
#33
Where are we on Quarles? Did that ship sale when the goon squad left? Rivals still has him listed as a Soft Verbal, but I've not heard anything on him recently.
 
#34
#34
Dooley has done a fine job so far but this one is a huge screw up on his part at the most needed position/coach on the team.
 
#35
#35
It seems that TN misses at one position almost every year. I agree that it looks bad on paper. However, with Stone coming, it appears that we are ok at OL.

My bet is that we may sign another OL (Glass) and move one or two from there. Also, sometimes a LB, DE or FB gains 25 lbs in the off-season and become a 265 lb DT.

It is not a perfect situation, but with 7 months to prepare, I am sure that we can add some depth.
 
#36
#36
sjt18 said:
Dan Williams was never an underachiever. He was underestimated.
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I'll go with that. Put it this way, we need someone to perform at a much higher level than they have previously. C smith(assuming he's coming) claims to be a guru, let's hope he can back it up.
 
#37
#37
Volfan8282 said:
Eh.. maybe. We're depleted in both areas. I don't think it "just takes 5 guys" though. Blocking SEC defensive lines is a little more challenging than that.... especially with a freshman or Nick the Pick back there.
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I should have clarified a little more. I meant that barring injuries it only takes 5 good players to have a good offensive line but to have a good defensive line it takes 8-10 good players. When I look at UT's roster I feel like there's a better chance of finding 5 good offensive lineman than there are of finding 8 good defensive lineman. At either position, the players still have to be good because they're playing in the SEC.
 
#39
#39
Just talked to the guy that made Copeland's highlight tape. It was a complete surpise that he picked LSU. He did say that yesterday Copeland was a little on the fence about it because we did not have a DC. Said if we had a DC Copeland signs with the Vols.
 
#40
#40
I thought we had Copeland, losing him really blows & it really hurt. I believe we are SOL on DT's. I hope Dooley has a back up plan. I guess it is what it is. Its a dirty game.
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#41
#41
The problem is that we needed at least 6 OL as it was. We will have Fulton, Pair, James, Stone, and hopefully Glass....that still doesn't get us there. We may have to convert one to DL, but we are cutting off our ring finger on our right hand to replace our thumb on our left.
 
#42
#42
HUD2000 said:
I think we should say to hell with and call in the broken arrow defense. It plays out like a 1-1-9. Rod Wilks for the line, a linebacker to play the lute and sing renaissance songs of Wilks splendor and grace, and the remaining 9 d backs to serve as tray holders for various meat and cheese platters.
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I believe CUM has already locked up the only 5-star lute player in this class.
 
#43
#43
J
ust talked to the guy that made Copeland's highlight tape. It was a complete surpise that he picked LSU. He did say that yesterday Copeland was a little on the fence about it because we did not have a DC. Said if we had a DC Copeland signs with the Vols.
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Man I guess looked at his tape, I really didn't know much about him. Looks awesome, but a little undersized, if he can add 30-40lbs and keep the speed he will be hard to handle. One of the best DL highlight reels I have ever seen.

He has great ability to slice between O linemen.
 
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#44
#44
no. Dlinemen sometimes get moved to oline, but you just don't see them going the other way and there is a reason. Just doesn't work. If they would work at dline, they'd already be there. Dline is always in high demand. Wish it was an option.

Problem with "missing" at dline, is we have "missed" at dtackle for multiple years. Good class over all cdd doing a great job, but losing jc and stanley are huge blows as to meeting vital needs.
i2amavol said:
It seems that TN misses at one position almost every year. I agree that it looks bad on paper. However, with Stone coming, it appears that we are ok at OL.

My bet is that we may sign another OL (Glass) and move one or two from there. Also, sometimes a LB, DE or FB gains 25 lbs in the off-season and become a 265 lb DT.

It is not a perfect situation, but with 7 months to prepare, I am sure that we can add some depth.
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#45
#45
If Wilcox is to be the new DC, he's made his career to this point of doing more with less. Give him a chance to see what he can do for UT.
 
#48
#48
TennTradition said:
The problem is that we needed at least 6 OL as it was. We will have Fulton, Pair, James, Stone, and hopefully Glass....that still doesn't get us there. We may have to convert one to DL, but we are cutting off our ring finger on our right hand to replace our thumb on our left.
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I disagree. I don't think UT is as bad at OL as many others do. I think James is an immediate contributor to go with Schofield, Shaw, Douglas, Thomas, Thomas, and probably Hood.

Hood could be the one that gets converted. I think some schools recruited him as a DL.

Jeffrey, Walls, and Hughes provide a good start at DT. Not enough depth obviously but these guys aren't a bad start.
 
#49
#49
Regulator said:
If Wilcox is to be the new DC, he's made his career to this point of doing more with less. Give him a chance to see what he can do for UT.
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+1 , Losing Copeland is the only one that has stung me so far. I still give credit to Dooley, & staff for the tremendous job that they have done salvaging what dik lick left for us.
 
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