Did any of our freshmen DBs play against Virginia?

[bpalmer28]

With 8 of the 10 defensive backs listed on our depth chart being seniors, I'm looking forward to seeing any of our freshman can work their way into the rotation as the season progresses. Does anyone know if Jordan Matthews, Rickey Gibson, John Slaughter, Critian Conyer, or Jack Lutrell saw the field against Virgina? I'm especially interested in the corners... all 6 of the cornerback and star position players listed on the depth chart are seniors.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Rickey Gibson and John Slaughter were both on the field, but did not show up in the stat sheet.
How much they played and what role .... do not know.

The odds of them seeing lots of playing time should go up this coming weekend.

 

[Salvare]

Rickey Gibson, Jourdan Thomas, and Christian Harrison each got 10 snaps at the end of the game.

Hopefully we see more guys across the board get meaningful play again AP.

 

[Creek Bottoms]

DBs still not turning around.

 

[aseagroves]

I think it was very limited but in general I think quarters 1&2 will be starters if staff feels comfortable with how it’s going. 3 will be back ups/ freshmen and then 4th will be the same but deeper down the roster

 

[VolGee4]

DBs still not turning around.

However, Hadden swatted the WR’s hands when he brought them up. Small sample size, but overall everything was better, and the DL pressure will help immensely.

 

[Rocky Top T]

McCullough wouldn't play more than 15 snaps for me. We have to get some young safeties out there. Hadden still doesn't know to turn and find the ball

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

McCullough wouldn't play more than 15 snaps for me. We have to get some young safeties out there. Hadden still doesn't know to turn and find the ball

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

 

[Rocky Top T]

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

Sorry you don't agree, but I been around football for many years. I have always seen it taught if you are in good position in coverage, turn and find the ball!

 

[Manchester Vol]

DBs still not turning around.

No U-turn signs on the field.

 

[vols 30]

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Some teams do get relatively more interceptions ... I want our DBs to be coached with whatever THAT technique is.

 

[KTrain]

There is a way that is taught its not cut & dried like some think.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Sorry you don't agree, but I been around football for many years. I have always seen it taught if you are in good position in coverage, turn and find the ball!

You didn’t pay attention to what I wrote. Turning to look for the ball seems like common sense to me too, but clearly that’s not how our dbs are being coached. It’s not a matter of them “figuring it out,” they are apparently being taught to do the opposite.

 

[Vol4gzus]

Appears some question askers do not read Tennessee sports articles. One mentioned all freshmen who took snaps. So ,yes some played. More will see more snaps this weekend. I know a very bold prediction. Sometimes I'm subtle and other times I ain't. GBO!

 

[Delmar]

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

If that’s the “philosophy” being taught, it was a key factor in landing us at #129 in pass defense last year and it’s a bunch of same folks still playing. I think the better pass rush and better LB’s will certainly help but I’m thinking that the “philosophy” might need some adjustment as well. We’ll find out when we face a better passing team.

 

[Vol4gzus]

If that’s the “philosophy” being taught, it was a key factor in landing us at #129 in pass defense last year and it’s a bunch of same folks still playing. I think the better pass rush and better LB’s will certainly help but I’m thinking that the “philosophy” might need some adjustment as well. We’ll find out when we face a better passing team.

For good part of last season how many healthy db's were playing? We all,apparently, know the secondary had depth issues and were not playing with a full deck. So yes, last years stats were what they were. Anybody will get picked apart if you can't contain the qb and you ask your secondary to guard them forever. Now that the obvious is on the table let's watch more than a one game sample to look for progress. Meaning good results in spite of whatever the technique.

 

[KTrain]

For good part of last season how many healthy db's were playing? We all,apparently, know the secondary had depth issues and were not playing with a full deck. So yes, last years stats were what they were. Anybody will get picked apart if you can't contain the qb and you ask your secondary to guard them forever. Now that the obvious is on the table let's watch more than a one game sample to look for progress. Meaning good results in spite of whatever the technique.

Yes, we had no continuity last year and coaching is also about getting those guys to communicate and stay on the same page. Thats hard to achieve when you have a different group almost every game like last year. If we stay healthy in our DBack field, I believe we will have a real good year. I think our D-line will press QBs more and we should increase our interceptions. We have a lot of experience and I'd like to know the total number of starts that we have between all our defensive backs players. I'm assuming it would be as high or higher than any other SEC school. If they can settle on 5 guys with all the experience and a improved pass rush the odds are good they'll have a great year. Just hoping to stay away from the injury bug that hampered growth in this unit last year. GBO

 

[FBtime]

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

Not it's not. Playing the WR works when the ball thrown out front but when the throw is short is causes the DB to run through the WR and creates a pass interference. Slaughter TWICE turned to find the ball vs Kentucky and one was an INT. I doubt "swat at the arms" is a technique taught by any DB coaches. Hadden is the only one we really got to see Saturday play a deep ball so we will how it goes in upcoming games.

 

[jcvols24]

It's my understanding that our defense is more of an opportunistic defense designed to increase turnovers. That said, not teaching a db to turn his head and attempt interceptions seems counter-productive to that.

 

[Vol4gzus]

It's my understanding that our defense is more of an opportunistic defense designed to increase turnovers. That said, not teaching a db to turn his head and attempt interceptions seems counter-productive to that.

Actually was turning heads alot! Just not his. His constant drawing attention to himself definitely turned heads....ouch

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Come on. It’s pretty obvious, as others have said, that our corners are being coached to “play the receiver, not the ball.” You can question the merits of that philosophy, but pretending our dbs are just too stupid to turn around and look for the ball is incredibly obtuse.

Agree and a bet they have never played or coached defensive backs.

 

[AllThingsTN]

If that’s the “philosophy” being taught, it was a key factor in landing us at #129 in pass defense last year and it’s a bunch of same folks still playing. I think the better pass rush and better LB’s will certainly help but I’m thinking that the “philosophy” might need some adjustment as well. We’ll find out when we face a better passing team.

I thought a bigger factor was starting walk-ons at CB.

 

[Stacmot]

DBs still not turning around.

This is all Willie Martinez IMO. Our dbs wouldn’t turn their heads the last time he was here.