Our offense does not keep our defense

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

From forcing three & outs. We can absolutely recruit a defense that is physically dominant and one that chokes teams out like Georgia had last year. That is an absolute fact. Just because we score fast does mean our defense can't stop other teams fast too. Both things can happen. And with the type of players we've began to bring in, just that will begin to occur in the next couple of seasons. Our offense will be complaining that our defense is stopping people to quick and forcing them back onto the field by forcing teams to punt to fast.

Just wanted to point this out because I've grown weary of people saying it when I knew it was not true. The defense can be just as fast and efficient as the offense at getting off of the field.

 

[37620VOL]

Just wanted to point this out because I've grown weary of people saying it when I knew it was not true. The defense can be just as fast and efficient as the offense at getting off of the field.

I agree. As long as we use the correct metric (any variation of the points per drive statistic), there is no reason to expect a subpar defense now or in the future.

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

Based on recruiting targets, the coaches agree. The defense will be getting a pretty good injection of talent in the near future.

 

[RockyTop140]

Getting a lot of good secondary recruits in this years class. Also a couple of highly rated edge rushers. Heard really good things about jalen smith, the linebacker from Georgia too

 

[Volosaurus rex]

At this point in the season, our scoring defense has already improved by 8.1 ppg over last season, when we surrendered 29.1 ppg. By all accounts, we have upgraded depth on defense and we currently are in the process of reducing the talent deficit in the secondary.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Defense is important. Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t. Everything is important! GBO! And we have a staff that knows this.

 

[utvols74]

IMHO, you need (at the minimum) these players on the defensive field -

1) a run stuffing DT
2) an edge-rusher DE
3) a solid, hard hitting MLB who can cover the TE if necessary
4) a CB who can cover anyone
5) a safety who "sees the field" and can react

If you have these 5 players on D (along with the other 6), you're going to be pretty darn good. Talent at other positions only helps these 5.

 

[jackaro]

At this point in the season, our scoring defense has already improved by 8.1 ppg over last season, when we surrendered 29.1 ppg. By all accounts, we have upgraded depth on defense and we currently are in the process of reducing the talent deficit in the secondary.

The improvement in depth is clearly noticeable, they rotate enough guys in the front 7 that the defense isn't gassed in the 4th quarter. It makes a huge difference.

 

[GoBigOrange_2309]

The improvement in depth is clearly noticeable, they rotate enough guys in the front 7 that the defense isn't gassed in the 4th quarter. It makes a huge difference.

And guys like Turnage, Slaughter, Walker stepping up and playing good when their number is called

 

[volroadwarrior]

I've always said that the BS of Heuple's fast offense means the D will be on the field longer. It is the D's responsible for getting off the field with a good 3 and out percentage and causing turnovers. That myth is from the nega-Heupel cabal that didn't like the hire.

 

[Southeastern VFL]

When it comes to our defense we are no longer talking with the word IF we are now talking with the word WHEN. We have one of the top run defenses in the country and just did a really good job at containing a really good run team in Kentucky so no reason to believe that we can't contiune that going forward. We are allowing 320 to 300 yards a game through the air cut that by 60 to 80 yards and we are in the nation avg. When it comes to message of Tennessee football in any aspect like I said it's no longer being told with the word IF but WHEN.

 

[DuckInAPen]

We've had years of our defense being on the field too long because our slow-moving offense couldn't buy a first down. Scoring "too fast" isn't the problem it's made out to be.

 

[Allvols1996]

From forcing three & outs. We can absolutely recruit a defense that is physically dominant and one that chokes teams out like Georgia had last year. That is an absolute fact. Just because we score fast does mean our defense can't stop other teams fast too. Both things can happen. And with the type of players we've began to bring in, just that will begin to occur in the next couple of seasons. Our offense will be complaining that our defense is stopping people to quick and forcing them back onto the field by forcing teams to punt to fast.

Just wanted to point this out because I've grown weary of people saying it when I knew it was not true. The defense can be just as fast and efficient as the offense at getting off of the field.

Dear Josh,
Please recruit elite defensive talent. Thank you!
Super Fan!

 

[Caculator]

We've had years of our defense being on the field too long because our slow-moving offense couldn't buy a first down. Scoring "too fast" isn't the problem it's made out to be.

The offense is so fast that opposing teams fake injuries over and over to try and slow us down and give their D a break. This has the unintended benefit of resting our D.

 

[WillisWG]

Dawgs are ranked 10th in 3rd down conversions defense with teams converting 32 of 111 with an SOR of 5 .

Vols are ranked 18th with teams converting 35 of 114 with SOR of 1. We're better than some of you think we are.

 

[sjt18]

From forcing three & outs. We can absolutely recruit a defense that is physically dominant and one that chokes teams out like Georgia had last year. That is an absolute fact. Just because we score fast does mean our defense can't stop other teams fast too. Both things can happen. And with the type of players we've began to bring in, just that will begin to occur in the next couple of seasons. Our offense will be complaining that our defense is stopping people to quick and forcing them back onto the field by forcing teams to punt to fast.

Just wanted to point this out because I've grown weary of people saying it when I knew it was not true. The defense can be just as fast and efficient as the offense at getting off of the field.

They're working at it. You have to rotate heavily on the DL- Check. You have to get good LB play- Check. Your secondary has to make plays to get off the field- Waiting.

It seems to me that Heupel finally got the message through to Banks. They've been taking more chances on D and especially in the secondary. The coverage has been tighter.


But... UT's D doesn't suck as bad as many try to claim. Fourth in scoring D. Ninth in yds/att while defending the most passes per game in the SEC. Eighth in opponent passer rating. First in INT's. Fourth in sacks. Fourth in opponent 3rd down conversions... 4th in fumbles recovered. First in turnover margin.

And remember, these stats should get better over the last 3 games.