Volstorm
VN GURU
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
- Messages
- 5,011
- Likes
- 1
VOLS HUNGRY ON DEFENSE
Front seven are all-star caliber
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
July 26, 2004
As usual, it starts up front for Tennessee's defense.
Stronger line play means not as much traffic and more freedom for linebackers, as well as less time for opposing quarterbacks to exploit the secondary.
And while this year's version of the Vols' defense doesn't feature names like Henderson, Haynesworth, Walker or Ellis, it does have hungry playmakers.
"Talent isn't everything,'' said UT coordinator John Chavis, whose defense ranked fifth in the nation in 2002 despite not having an All-SEC player in the front seven. "Look at that group in 2002; they were just tough. I'll take toughness over talent any time.''
The Vols might have both this season.
For the first time in three years, UT doesn't have to replace all four of its starting defensive linemen.
All-SEC candidate Parys Haralson leads the way. Haralson, one of two juniors voted a team captain, has all-star potential at defensive end. Jason Hall is another up-and-comer on the end. A solid playmaker, Hall has shown the ability to penetrate and hold his gap. Senior Karlton Neal will battle Hall for a starting job. Sophomore Turk McBride was one of the most improved players in the spring, and incoming freshman Antonio Reynolds brings an element of speed to the position. Redshirt freshman Jared Hostetter should factor into the rotation.
None of the defensive tackles is considered a returning starter, but junior Greg Jones has starting experience and Jesse Mahelona earned junior college All-America honors last season. Justin Harrell, a 325-pounder, could end up starting if he can stay healthy. Chavis said sophomore Tony McDaniel could be the most talented of the tackles, but he hasn't shown he can play with the necessary consistency. Sophomore LaRon Harris enjoyed a strong spring.
The Vols' linebacking corps is considered one of the best in the nation. Athlon Magazine rated UT's group the best in the SEC, led by Butkus Award candidate Kevin Burnett.
"That doesn't mean anything,'' Burnett said. "It's how you finish - not where you start.''
Burnett is a prime example. After arriving as an oversized safety he transformed into one of the more-exciting sophomore linebackers in the SEC and was peaking at the end of the 2001 season. However, Burnett suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the 2002 season opener and missed the remainder of the year. Last season, he weathered a disappointing junior campaign.
Trimmed down to 233 pounds, Burnett looks to have regained his quickness and confidence entering this season.
Junior middle linebacker Kevin Simon, a prized recruit who suffered a knee injury prior to arriving at UT, has All-America potential as well.
Juniors Jason Mitchell and Omar Gaither don't have the hype of Burnett or Simon, but both have shown great ability.
The secondary is considered a question mark, having lost three starters from a year ago. Junior cornerback Jason Allen, the only returning starter, is physical and fast enough to stop most SEC receivers. A battle is heating up on the other side between sophomore Jonathan Wade and incoming freshman Jonathan Hefney. Wade, a former sprinter, has recovery speed and played cornerback in high school. Hefney's footwork and hip swivel have wowed teammates over the summer, and he's uncharacteristically seasoned. Redshirt freshman Roshaun Fellows has good cover skills and enjoyed a strong offseason. Fellows could factor into the nickel and dime packages.
James Banks' suspension for the first three games of the season puts a dent in the idea of him seeing some playing time at safety, though it's hard to imagine he would have won a starting job, anyway.
Free safety Corey Campbell saw valuable time behind Rashad Baker last year and has shown the knack to be in the right place at the right time. Campbell, however, has yet to show a consistent work ethic.
Brandon Johnson and Jarod Parrish are battling for the starting strong safety job. Johnson is the bigger and more athletic of the two, but he has shown a tendency to lose focus. Parrish is coming off a strong spring.
Incoming freshman Ryan Karl has been a pleasant surprise in the offseason and could see playing time.
Front seven are all-star caliber
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
July 26, 2004
As usual, it starts up front for Tennessee's defense.
Stronger line play means not as much traffic and more freedom for linebackers, as well as less time for opposing quarterbacks to exploit the secondary.
And while this year's version of the Vols' defense doesn't feature names like Henderson, Haynesworth, Walker or Ellis, it does have hungry playmakers.
"Talent isn't everything,'' said UT coordinator John Chavis, whose defense ranked fifth in the nation in 2002 despite not having an All-SEC player in the front seven. "Look at that group in 2002; they were just tough. I'll take toughness over talent any time.''
The Vols might have both this season.
For the first time in three years, UT doesn't have to replace all four of its starting defensive linemen.
All-SEC candidate Parys Haralson leads the way. Haralson, one of two juniors voted a team captain, has all-star potential at defensive end. Jason Hall is another up-and-comer on the end. A solid playmaker, Hall has shown the ability to penetrate and hold his gap. Senior Karlton Neal will battle Hall for a starting job. Sophomore Turk McBride was one of the most improved players in the spring, and incoming freshman Antonio Reynolds brings an element of speed to the position. Redshirt freshman Jared Hostetter should factor into the rotation.
None of the defensive tackles is considered a returning starter, but junior Greg Jones has starting experience and Jesse Mahelona earned junior college All-America honors last season. Justin Harrell, a 325-pounder, could end up starting if he can stay healthy. Chavis said sophomore Tony McDaniel could be the most talented of the tackles, but he hasn't shown he can play with the necessary consistency. Sophomore LaRon Harris enjoyed a strong spring.
The Vols' linebacking corps is considered one of the best in the nation. Athlon Magazine rated UT's group the best in the SEC, led by Butkus Award candidate Kevin Burnett.
"That doesn't mean anything,'' Burnett said. "It's how you finish - not where you start.''
Burnett is a prime example. After arriving as an oversized safety he transformed into one of the more-exciting sophomore linebackers in the SEC and was peaking at the end of the 2001 season. However, Burnett suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the 2002 season opener and missed the remainder of the year. Last season, he weathered a disappointing junior campaign.
Trimmed down to 233 pounds, Burnett looks to have regained his quickness and confidence entering this season.
Junior middle linebacker Kevin Simon, a prized recruit who suffered a knee injury prior to arriving at UT, has All-America potential as well.
Juniors Jason Mitchell and Omar Gaither don't have the hype of Burnett or Simon, but both have shown great ability.
The secondary is considered a question mark, having lost three starters from a year ago. Junior cornerback Jason Allen, the only returning starter, is physical and fast enough to stop most SEC receivers. A battle is heating up on the other side between sophomore Jonathan Wade and incoming freshman Jonathan Hefney. Wade, a former sprinter, has recovery speed and played cornerback in high school. Hefney's footwork and hip swivel have wowed teammates over the summer, and he's uncharacteristically seasoned. Redshirt freshman Roshaun Fellows has good cover skills and enjoyed a strong offseason. Fellows could factor into the nickel and dime packages.
James Banks' suspension for the first three games of the season puts a dent in the idea of him seeing some playing time at safety, though it's hard to imagine he would have won a starting job, anyway.
Free safety Corey Campbell saw valuable time behind Rashad Baker last year and has shown the knack to be in the right place at the right time. Campbell, however, has yet to show a consistent work ethic.
Brandon Johnson and Jarod Parrish are battling for the starting strong safety job. Johnson is the bigger and more athletic of the two, but he has shown a tendency to lose focus. Parrish is coming off a strong spring.
Incoming freshman Ryan Karl has been a pleasant surprise in the offseason and could see playing time.
