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UT secondary serves notice with intentions
Defensive backs with toughness, speed in need of experience
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
August 12, 2004
With all the talk about Tennessee's quarterback derby and improved play at receiver, the Vols' defensive backs have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Normally, it's a good thing when cornerbacks and safeties go unnoticed; it often means they're doing their jobs.
But this group of UT defensive backs has a different mindset.
Take free safety Corey Campbell, for example. Campbell as a true freshman was pressed into a starting role against Miami when Rashad Baker was injured.
Campbell responded by delivering a head shot on Kellen Winslow Jr. that had the Miami All-American screaming in the post-game that Tennessee was trying to hurt him.
"Yeah, I remember that hit,'' Campbell set, his soft voice belying the vicious blow. "He was getting loose off Gibril's (Wilson) tackle and I had to clean it up.''
Campbell, who had two interceptions in two starts last year, said he's bringing a different mentality to the football field.
"Last year I had to step up to help the team when Rashad got hurt,'' said Campbell, the projected starter at free safety. "This year, I have to take an even bigger step. I feel a lot of pressure. I've got to bring it this year.''
Junior cornerback Jason Allen, who has gone from rookie to seasoned veteran in the past year, is even more demanding of himself.
"I expect to play like an All-American every time I go out,'' said Allen, one of two juniors voted a team captain. "I go out there every day and tell myself I'm not going to let anyone catch any passes on me. You have to think like that in the secondary.''
Allen said it's his responsibility to make sure all of the young defensive backs approach the game with the same aggressive mindset.
"It's good all the young guys want to get better; when they watch the film, they take it to heart,'' Allen said. "Once we get that confidence in one another, everything falls into place.
"We've got to bring it hard and bring the wood. We have to be hunters out there.''
The competition at strong safety between Brandon Johnson and Jarod Parrish, and the battle at cornerback between Jonathan Hefney and Jonathan Wade, should produce some solid starters according to defensive coordinator John Chavis.
"I feel good about that,'' Chavis said. "The competitiveness is certainly there. Those guys are fighting their butts off.
"You get concerned with the fact that they haven't been tested in the situations they'll be put in, but I think all they need is an opportunity.''
Defensive backs with toughness, speed in need of experience
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
August 12, 2004
With all the talk about Tennessee's quarterback derby and improved play at receiver, the Vols' defensive backs have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Normally, it's a good thing when cornerbacks and safeties go unnoticed; it often means they're doing their jobs.
But this group of UT defensive backs has a different mindset.
Take free safety Corey Campbell, for example. Campbell as a true freshman was pressed into a starting role against Miami when Rashad Baker was injured.
Campbell responded by delivering a head shot on Kellen Winslow Jr. that had the Miami All-American screaming in the post-game that Tennessee was trying to hurt him.
"Yeah, I remember that hit,'' Campbell set, his soft voice belying the vicious blow. "He was getting loose off Gibril's (Wilson) tackle and I had to clean it up.''
Campbell, who had two interceptions in two starts last year, said he's bringing a different mentality to the football field.
"Last year I had to step up to help the team when Rashad got hurt,'' said Campbell, the projected starter at free safety. "This year, I have to take an even bigger step. I feel a lot of pressure. I've got to bring it this year.''
Junior cornerback Jason Allen, who has gone from rookie to seasoned veteran in the past year, is even more demanding of himself.
"I expect to play like an All-American every time I go out,'' said Allen, one of two juniors voted a team captain. "I go out there every day and tell myself I'm not going to let anyone catch any passes on me. You have to think like that in the secondary.''
Allen said it's his responsibility to make sure all of the young defensive backs approach the game with the same aggressive mindset.
"It's good all the young guys want to get better; when they watch the film, they take it to heart,'' Allen said. "Once we get that confidence in one another, everything falls into place.
"We've got to bring it hard and bring the wood. We have to be hunters out there.''
The competition at strong safety between Brandon Johnson and Jarod Parrish, and the battle at cornerback between Jonathan Hefney and Jonathan Wade, should produce some solid starters according to defensive coordinator John Chavis.
"I feel good about that,'' Chavis said. "The competitiveness is certainly there. Those guys are fighting their butts off.
"You get concerned with the fact that they haven't been tested in the situations they'll be put in, but I think all they need is an opportunity.''
