What are your thoughts on our secondary

[MississippiVol]

Personally, I think they will take some lumps at first, but I really like the talent we have back there. The main things that concern me are our lack of depth, and the strong safety position. Gibril Wilson will be very hard to replace. I actually think Corey is a better, more physical, faster player than Rashad was. I was watching some of our games from last year, and what I saw of Corey at free safety, I was very impressed. He has speed to burn, and he arrives at the ball carrier in a very bad mood. I just loved that lick he put on the "Soljah" in the orange bowl last year. We are alright at one corner with Jason, but losing Antwan really hurts our depth there. Hopefully, Jonathan Hefney and Jonathan Wade can step it up. I have read where our rush from our front 7 should be improved this year, which should help things a bit. By the way, great board.

 

[Gatorhater]

I think we'll take our lumps early and be strong in the secondary late in the season. I've heard on Sports Talk a couple of really positive comments made by Chavis concerning Wade, basically saying he could be one of the elite cornerbacks in the nation if he really commits to the position. Pretty strong words... I like our line this year - they seem bigger and more physical, while maybe not as fast as last years.

 

[LadyinOrange]

I hate to sound negative, but I'm afraid with Randy Sanders still at the wheel of the offense, we'd BETTER hope SOMEBODY has something to offer. Otherwise it's gonna be the same ol' same ol'. Since 1998, I have seen the Vols ranked a preseason #5 and end up barely ranked. I have seen a team (supposedly) loaded with talent and still wind up with the Future a bust. I have heard the coaches make excuse after excuse (okay, so they DID have some injury issues) about WHY we just can't seem to play "Tennessee football" anymore. I know this is the SEC, but it has ALWAYS been the SEC and I am ready for another "Decade of Dominance".
I just don't think we'll get it with Dandy Randy and his 1 page playbook.

 

[Freak]

I think you pretty much pegged it MississippiVol. We are gonna need a couple of guys to step up back there and hope nobody gets hurt. I didn't hear Campbell's name mentioned a whole lot in the spring but let's hope he continues where he left off. No doubt Allen is solid at the one corner position. I also think Roshaun Fellows turned some heads this spring and could get some PT. Brandon Johnson got some experience last year so hopefully he can contribute.

There was another guy who was getting some looks at safety in the spring but I can't remember his name and can't seem to find him on the roster?? Maybe I dreamed it.

 

[MississippiVol]

Originally posted by vol_freak@May 10, 2004 9:58 PM
I think you pretty much pegged it MississippiVol. We are gonna need a couple of guys to step up back there and hope nobody gets hurt. I didn't hear Campbell's name mentioned a whole lot in the spring but let's hope he continues where he left off. No doubt Allen is solid at the one corner position. I also think Roshaun Fellows turned some heads this spring and could get some PT. Brandon Johnson got some experience last year so hopefully he can contribute.

There was another guy who was getting some looks at safety in the spring but I can't remember his name and can't seem to find him on the roster?? Maybe I dreamed it.

You are probably thinking of Jarrod Parrish. He got a little PT last year in some mop up duty. I agree about Roshaun. Even if he doesn't become a starter, he could probably come in and contribute in the nickle and dime packages some. I just remembered, you may also be thinking of Omar Gaither. They tried him at SS for a brief period, but I think they soon realized he is a outside LB; not a strong safety.

 

[Freak]

Parrish could definitely be another one to watch. I remember them trying Gaither back there but that was not who I was thinking of. I have seen him make some nice plays on special teams and would like to see him get a chance somewhere..and it's not going to be LB with the talent we have right now.

Seems like this guy was a walk-on or something but I can't remember (Like I said, maybe I dreamed it). He must not have done that well because I never heard much more about him.

 

[GAVol]

I hope we can restore some semblance of a pass rush. The d-line play last year was weak and that put a lot of pressure on the secondary.

 

[Freak]

I agree. Our line play has to be better on both sides of the ball. I think Chavis will have the D-line ready and I think we can go 2 deep with pretty good talent.