Who is the best DB coach money can buy?

[jbr82]

I didn't see Martinez or Banks play the first snap. Pretty simple, that's your guy go cover him. It's a talent issue.

They brought in Turnage, hadden, walker, turrentine, dee williams on top of some freshmen and regressed in yr 2. Lacking development

 

[jbr82]

The DB coach isn’t allowed to play.

Whatever willie

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

See Georgia, and Alabama still has talented players on D. They just had breakdowns against a very good offense like ours that was clicking. If you don’t think defense is important in winning the sec I don’t have enough time to prove it to you. All the top teams Georgia and LSU and Bama gave big athletic guys in the trenches and fast linebackers and Db’s. This is a LOS league and the winners are strong across the board.

Georgia doesn’t run the same offense as us. Or Alabama. They put up yards and points. And that’s the only similarity. Take a look at the defensive rankings for the Big 12 and the PAC 12. Great offenses that impact their defense.

 

[jbr82]

Our offense wasn’t overly talented when Heupel was hired. He has turned it into an elite offense. That’s what exceptional coaching can do. We need that desperately on the defensive side of the ball. Keep Garner. Purge the rest.

Bingo! Banks and willie regressing imo

 

[VAVol85]

Not every D1 team plays Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and LSU. Apples and oranges comparison by you and others.

It’s not apples and oranges to compare our results against SC to the results of other teams with less talent.

 

[posivol]

banks and martinez needs to go..keep garner

 

[wmcovol]

You're both wrong. You can't simply look at team rankings. Who did those teams play? UT currently has the 3rd toughest schedule in the nation, AND put pressure on every team except for Georgia to throw the ball all game. I guarantee you if the Vols played a MAC or AAC schedule that they'd be rankeduch higher than 130 in pass defense.

Best DB coach? Someone earlier said Saban. That's close, and might have been at one time. Currently, the best DB coach and DB recruiter is Kirby Smart.

I didn't even realize Willie Martinez is UT's cornerback coach. That's funny on so many levels.

Tennessee has played a lot of very good QBs this yr.

 

[ddubb76]

Agree, There is an old saying in football, “it is not the Xs & Os, it’s the Jimmies and Joes”. If your Jimmies & Joes are better than your opponents’, you’ll likely to win most games.

You guys sound like the butch defenders when he was coach. Then he was gone and we have all that talent in nfl. Not saying our db room is full of nfl players, just that I heard the same excuses when we had other coaches. “We need better players”. Looks like the offensive minded head coach made a difference with a talent deficit roster on that side of the ball, need better defensive coaches period.

 

[Rocky Top T]

Tim Banks is the problem!!!! Period!

 

[Hank Bukowski]

Our style of offense means our defense isn't going to be very good. I get that Saturday was a disaster and I'm not saying it was acceptable, but calling for coaches to be fired from a 9-2 team that has overachieved all year is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Face it, South Carolina isn't as bad as we think and they have good players too. Our corners are too slow and they took advantage of that.

No, no, no. Have to violently disagree with your first sentence. I refuse to accept that our defense isn’t going to be very good because of our style of offense. I want our defense to be championship-level. I want them to actually be better than our offense. I want them to be the best FBS defense in the nation, the best in UT history. That is the goal, the destination and it is not negotiable.

And yes, I am one of the ridiculous ones who is suggesting that Willie Martinez be replaced with a capable, proven secondary coach who agrees with the above.

 

[volpreacher]

What about Trooper Taylor. He’s coached more at Wr but has coached DBs plus he’s a great motivator and recruiter

 

[VolSummitt44]

There is only one group on defense that hasn't gotten better. In fact they look worse. Even our linebackers have gotten better and that's where we are really short on talent. Banks and Martinez are weak links on this staff.

 

[vegasvolfan]

As we need to break the bank for one

I think we need to hire the guy that coached all these guys:

DB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints, 2022
DB Theo Jackson, Tennessee Titans, 2022
DB Kenneth George Jr., Tennessee Titans, 2022
DB Richie Grant, Atlanta Falcons, 2021
DB Aaron Robinson, New York Giants, 2021
DB Tay Gowan, Arizona Cardinals, 2021
DB Micah Abernathy, Minnesota Vikings, 2019
DB Rashaan Gaulden, Carolina Panthers, 2018
DB Emmanuel Moseley, San Francisco 49ers, 2018
DB Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2017
DB Justin Coleman, Seattle Seahawks, 2015
DB Aaron Colvin, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2014
DB Shawn Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, 2013
DB Sanders Commings, Kansas City Chiefs, 2013
LB Cornelius Washington, Chicago Bears, 2013
DB Bacarri Rambo, Washington, 2013
DB Jamell Fleming, Arizona Cardinals, 2012
DB Brandon Boykin, Philadelphia Eagles, 2012
DE DeAngelo Tyson, Baltimore Ravens, 2012
DB Quinton Carter, Denver Broncos, 2011
DB Jonathan Nelson, St. Louis Rams, 2011
LB Rennie Curran, Tennessee Titans, 2010
DT Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals, 2010
DB Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins, 2010
DT Jeff Owens, Philadelphia Eagles, 2010
DE Kade Weston, New England Patriots, 2010
DB Asher Allen, Minnesota Vikings, 2009
DT Corvey Irvin, Carolina Panthers, 2009
DE Jarius Wynn, Green Bay Packers, 2009
LB Marcus Howard, Indianapolis Colts, 2008
DB Paul Oliver, San Diego Chargers, 2007
DE Quentin Moses, Oakland Raiders, 2007
DE Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers, 2007
DB Tim Jennings, Indianapolis Colts, 2006
DB Greg Blue, Minnesota Vikings, 2006
DB Demario Minter, Cleveland Browns, 2006
DT Kedric Golston, Washington, 2006
DB Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers, 2005
DB Sean Jones, Cleveland Browns, 2004
DB Bruce Thornton, Dallas Cowboys, 2004
DB Terreal Bierria, Seattle Seahawks, 2002
DB Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002
DB Tim Wansley, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002
* - year listed is year to the NFL

Or promote this guy:

In total as both a coach and player, has been a part of 23 bowl game appearances and six conference championships, including multiple SEC titles at Georgia. He played on Miami’s 1983 national championship team. Over the last 19 seasons, has mentored 22 all-conference selections, seven All-America performers and numerous NFL Draft picks. The 2022 season will be his 16th in the SEC.

His return in 2021 saw defensive backs Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor enjoy the best season of their careers before embarking on the NFL. Jackson, playing the Vols’ STAR position, earned second-team All-SEC honors by the league’s coaches after finishing with 78 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups and one interception returned for a touchdown. He tied for the SEC lead among defensive backs in tackles for loss and ranked second in the SEC and top 15 in the nation in pass breakups.

Meanwhile, Taylor registered 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two picks at cornerback, including one for a touchdown that helped lift the Vols past No. 18 Kentucky on the road. Taylor also recorded an interception as an invitee in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Under his leadership, Tennessee produced multiple defensive back draft picks in the first six rounds of a draft for the first time since 2000 when Jackson and Taylor heard their names called in April 2022. Taylor went pick No. 49 overall in the second round to the New Orleans Saints, while Jackson’s hometown Tennessee Titans took him in the sixth round at pick No. 204. The Vols were one of only three SEC programs and eight teams nationally to produce multiple defensive backs in the entire 2022 NFL Draft.

He also served as the Volunteers’ assistant head coach and secondary coach from 2013-16, helping oversee a team that included All-Americans Cameron Sutton and Evan Berry in 2015. During his previous UT tenure, the Vols culminated back-to-back nine-win seasons with victories in the 2016 Outback Bowl and 2016 Music City Bowl.

He mentored Sutton, who became a shutdown corner and set the school career record for passes defended (37) before being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl participant, Sutton remains a mainstay at cornerback for the Steelers. He also coached Emmanuel Moseley for three seasons, including a sophomore campaign in which he led the team with 11 pass breakups. Moseley went on to an NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and signed a new, two-year, $10.1 million contract in March 2021.

His defensive backs averaged over 13 interceptions per season while at Tennessee, and his 2014 squad notched 16 picks to rank No. 15 nationally and third in the SEC. Nigel Warrior (2016) and Todd Kelly Jr. (2014) both earned spots on the SEC All-Freshman Team under his tutelage.

In his first season at UT, Martinez’s defense forced five Western Kentucky turnovers in a span of six plays over five consecutive series, including an NCAA-record four turnovers on consecutive defensive plays. The highlights came on back-to-back pick sixes by Justin Coleman and Sutton.

He was a member of Josh Heupel’s coaching staff as UCF’s assistant head coach and secondary coach from 2018-20. The Knights produced a stellar 28-8 record during his tenure and earned a berth to three bowl games. He helped UCF continue its success during the 2018 season as the Knights completed its second-straight undefeated regular season, won another American Athletic Conference Championship, secured a berth in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl and rose as high as seventh in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Amway Coaches poll.

With him on staff, the Knights defense allowed just 22.7 points per game in 2018 and ranked sixth in the nation with 28 forced turnovers. UCF racked up 8.2 tackles for loss per game – fifth-most in the nation – while tallying 29 sacks. Sophomore defensive back Richie Grant led the way with six interceptions, which was tops in the AAC and No. 3 in the nation. Second-half adjustments marked a key to the Knights’ success as opponents scored just 8.5 points per second half, including 3.3 points per third quarter.

He mentored three defensive backs to all-conference honors in 2018, including AAC First-Team selections Grant and Nevelle Clarke. Grant led the Knights with 109 tackles, had six interceptions and forced three fumbles from the safety position. Clarke had 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups. Cornerback Brandon Moore also earned honorable mention all-conference accolades with 43 tackles, one interception and 10 pass breakups in 2018.

The 2019 season saw Grant claim a second straight first-team all-conference honor from the AAC, while Clarke honorable mention accolades. Meanwhile, nickelback Aaron Robinson captured second-team all-league honors and was a Pro Football Focus honorable mention All-American.

He helped push the Knights to a No. 34 total defensive ranking in 2019—59 ranking spots better than in 2017, the year before he arrived in Orlando. The UCF pass defense yardage average fell below 200 yards for the first time since 2014—as the Knights improved their NCAA ranking in that category by 83 slots over two seasons.

The UCF secondary helped the squad lead the nation in tackles for loss per game in 2019 (9.08), while ranking third in team pass efficiency defense (108.86) and fifth in third-down conversion defense (0.293). UCF’s passing yards allowed figure in 2019 (199.5) marked the best for the Knights since 2014. The defense also ranked third in the nation in passes defended (78) and fifth in opponents' yards per play (4.57). Among AAC teams in 2019, UCF was No. 1 in third-down defense, yards per play allowed and pass efficiency defense. The Knights were second in The American in total defense and third in both scoring defense and rushing defense.

Grant and Robinson followed up their outstanding junior campaigns, earning first- and second-team All-AAC honors, respectively during the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020. Grant was also named a finalist for the Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

His NFL development was evident as UCF shattered the program record for draft selections in the spring of 2021. A trio of Knight defensive backs were chosen, including two in the first three rounds. Grant was taken in the second round with the 40th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, while Robinson got the call in the third round at pick No. 71 by the New York Giants. Cornerback Tay Gowan was selected in the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Oh wait, we already have these guys and they are the same guy. His name is Coach Martinez. His resume is so long I couldn't even copy it and am tired of going back and forth trying to get it all to fit in this post to make a point.

---

His resume speaks for itself.You can read the entire thing here:

Willie Martinez - Football Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics

 

[GVol1966]

I didn't see Martinez or Banks play the first snap. Pretty simple, that's your guy go cover him. It's a talent issue.

Lazy excuse. They couldn’t cover and couldn’t tackle week 1 and they can’t do either any better now. It’s the COACHES job to see that they improve.
And we played equal or less talent 3/4 of our games and they didn’t look much better against bad teams

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Better plan is to recruit better players. You see what ugh gets on defense. We need to be getting our share of those guys. You cannot simply expect to outscore everyone. Ask Oklahoma. You have to be able to stop the other team and our players are just not there. Yet.

Can’t get the type of players you are referencing without winning at a high level. Can’t win at a high level without high level coaching.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I think we need to hire the guy that coached all these guys:

DB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints, 2022
DB Theo Jackson, Tennessee Titans, 2022
DB Kenneth George Jr., Tennessee Titans, 2022
DB Richie Grant, Atlanta Falcons, 2021
DB Aaron Robinson, New York Giants, 2021
DB Tay Gowan, Arizona Cardinals, 2021
DB Micah Abernathy, Minnesota Vikings, 2019
DB Rashaan Gaulden, Carolina Panthers, 2018
DB Emmanuel Moseley, San Francisco 49ers, 2018
DB Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2017
DB Justin Coleman, Seattle Seahawks, 2015
DB Aaron Colvin, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2014
DB Shawn Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, 2013
DB Sanders Commings, Kansas City Chiefs, 2013
LB Cornelius Washington, Chicago Bears, 2013
DB Bacarri Rambo, Washington, 2013
DB Jamell Fleming, Arizona Cardinals, 2012
DB Brandon Boykin, Philadelphia Eagles, 2012
DE DeAngelo Tyson, Baltimore Ravens, 2012
DB Quinton Carter, Denver Broncos, 2011
DB Jonathan Nelson, St. Louis Rams, 2011
LB Rennie Curran, Tennessee Titans, 2010
DT Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals, 2010
DB Reshad Jones, Miami Dolphins, 2010
DT Jeff Owens, Philadelphia Eagles, 2010
DE Kade Weston, New England Patriots, 2010
DB Asher Allen, Minnesota Vikings, 2009
DT Corvey Irvin, Carolina Panthers, 2009
DE Jarius Wynn, Green Bay Packers, 2009
LB Marcus Howard, Indianapolis Colts, 2008
DB Paul Oliver, San Diego Chargers, 2007
DE Quentin Moses, Oakland Raiders, 2007
DE Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers, 2007
DB Tim Jennings, Indianapolis Colts, 2006
DB Greg Blue, Minnesota Vikings, 2006
DB Demario Minter, Cleveland Browns, 2006
DT Kedric Golston, Washington, 2006
DB Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers, 2005
DB Sean Jones, Cleveland Browns, 2004
DB Bruce Thornton, Dallas Cowboys, 2004
DB Terreal Bierria, Seattle Seahawks, 2002
DB Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002
DB Tim Wansley, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002
* - year listed is year to the NFL

Or promote this guy:

In total as both a coach and player, has been a part of 23 bowl game appearances and six conference championships, including multiple SEC titles at Georgia. He played on Miami’s 1983 national championship team. Over the last 19 seasons, has mentored 22 all-conference selections, seven All-America performers and numerous NFL Draft picks. The 2022 season will be his 16th in the SEC.

His return in 2021 saw defensive backs Theo Jackson and Alontae Taylor enjoy the best season of their careers before embarking on the NFL. Jackson, playing the Vols’ STAR position, earned second-team All-SEC honors by the league’s coaches after finishing with 78 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups and one interception returned for a touchdown. He tied for the SEC lead among defensive backs in tackles for loss and ranked second in the SEC and top 15 in the nation in pass breakups.

Meanwhile, Taylor registered 60 tackles, six pass breakups and two picks at cornerback, including one for a touchdown that helped lift the Vols past No. 18 Kentucky on the road. Taylor also recorded an interception as an invitee in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Under his leadership, Tennessee produced multiple defensive back draft picks in the first six rounds of a draft for the first time since 2000 when Jackson and Taylor heard their names called in April 2022. Taylor went pick No. 49 overall in the second round to the New Orleans Saints, while Jackson’s hometown Tennessee Titans took him in the sixth round at pick No. 204. The Vols were one of only three SEC programs and eight teams nationally to produce multiple defensive backs in the entire 2022 NFL Draft.

He also served as the Volunteers’ assistant head coach and secondary coach from 2013-16, helping oversee a team that included All-Americans Cameron Sutton and Evan Berry in 2015. During his previous UT tenure, the Vols culminated back-to-back nine-win seasons with victories in the 2016 Outback Bowl and 2016 Music City Bowl.

He mentored Sutton, who became a shutdown corner and set the school career record for passes defended (37) before being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl participant, Sutton remains a mainstay at cornerback for the Steelers. He also coached Emmanuel Moseley for three seasons, including a sophomore campaign in which he led the team with 11 pass breakups. Moseley went on to an NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and signed a new, two-year, $10.1 million contract in March 2021.

His defensive backs averaged over 13 interceptions per season while at Tennessee, and his 2014 squad notched 16 picks to rank No. 15 nationally and third in the SEC. Nigel Warrior (2016) and Todd Kelly Jr. (2014) both earned spots on the SEC All-Freshman Team under his tutelage.

In his first season at UT, Martinez’s defense forced five Western Kentucky turnovers in a span of six plays over five consecutive series, including an NCAA-record four turnovers on consecutive defensive plays. The highlights came on back-to-back pick sixes by Justin Coleman and Sutton.

He was a member of Josh Heupel’s coaching staff as UCF’s assistant head coach and secondary coach from 2018-20. The Knights produced a stellar 28-8 record during his tenure and earned a berth to three bowl games. He helped UCF continue its success during the 2018 season as the Knights completed its second-straight undefeated regular season, won another American Athletic Conference Championship, secured a berth in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl and rose as high as seventh in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Amway Coaches poll.

With him on staff, the Knights defense allowed just 22.7 points per game in 2018 and ranked sixth in the nation with 28 forced turnovers. UCF racked up 8.2 tackles for loss per game – fifth-most in the nation – while tallying 29 sacks. Sophomore defensive back Richie Grant led the way with six interceptions, which was tops in the AAC and No. 3 in the nation. Second-half adjustments marked a key to the Knights’ success as opponents scored just 8.5 points per second half, including 3.3 points per third quarter.

He mentored three defensive backs to all-conference honors in 2018, including AAC First-Team selections Grant and Nevelle Clarke. Grant led the Knights with 109 tackles, had six interceptions and forced three fumbles from the safety position. Clarke had 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and a team-high 13 pass breakups. Cornerback Brandon Moore also earned honorable mention all-conference accolades with 43 tackles, one interception and 10 pass breakups in 2018.

The 2019 season saw Grant claim a second straight first-team all-conference honor from the AAC, while Clarke honorable mention accolades. Meanwhile, nickelback Aaron Robinson captured second-team all-league honors and was a Pro Football Focus honorable mention All-American.

He helped push the Knights to a No. 34 total defensive ranking in 2019—59 ranking spots better than in 2017, the year before he arrived in Orlando. The UCF pass defense yardage average fell below 200 yards for the first time since 2014—as the Knights improved their NCAA ranking in that category by 83 slots over two seasons.

The UCF secondary helped the squad lead the nation in tackles for loss per game in 2019 (9.08), while ranking third in team pass efficiency defense (108.86) and fifth in third-down conversion defense (0.293). UCF’s passing yards allowed figure in 2019 (199.5) marked the best for the Knights since 2014. The defense also ranked third in the nation in passes defended (78) and fifth in opponents' yards per play (4.57). Among AAC teams in 2019, UCF was No. 1 in third-down defense, yards per play allowed and pass efficiency defense. The Knights were second in The American in total defense and third in both scoring defense and rushing defense.

Grant and Robinson followed up their outstanding junior campaigns, earning first- and second-team All-AAC honors, respectively during the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020. Grant was also named a finalist for the Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

His NFL development was evident as UCF shattered the program record for draft selections in the spring of 2021. A trio of Knight defensive backs were chosen, including two in the first three rounds. Grant was taken in the second round with the 40th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, while Robinson got the call in the third round at pick No. 71 by the New York Giants. Cornerback Tay Gowan was selected in the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Oh wait, we already have these guys and they are the same guy. His name is Coach Martinez. His resume is so long I couldn't even copy it and am tired of going back and forth trying to get it all to fit in this post to make a point.

---

His resume speaks for itself.You can read the entire thing here:

Willie Martinez - Football Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics

Cool story bro. That guy who you are pumping shine for just let one of the worst QBs in the SEC go 30/36 438 yards 6 TDs and zero INTs. And you are giving him credit for Theo Kackson and Alonte Taylor? Why because he was here their last year? Get real.

Martinez sucks and he has ever since he stepped foot on Heupels staff.

 

[DynaLo]

Let’s just overlook the fact that our defense plays a ton of snaps with not a lot of quality game ready rotational depth available yet. We’re 11 games in and nobody thinks these guys might possibly be a wee bit physically beat up and low on gas at this point in the season. We’ve been sliding guys around trying to fill opens holes throughout this season and had to have a walk-on play at the end of the Bama game. A walk-on against Bama on their last drive!!

This staff hasn’t been here for even two full years yet so how about this novel thought, give them at least 2 full classes and portal grabs of their own players to develop in their system instead of players they inherited and then judge the job they’re doing with their own guys.

 

[Stephen Gray]

my money would be on Neon Deon

Dude would probably be the most expensive one money could by for sure.

 

[Stephen Gray]

These guys unfortunately just don't look like quality SEC defensive backs. You can't coach speed. What is it exactly that you're expecting a different coach to do? They all call similar plays. Remember how Pruitt was the genius defensive coordinator at Alabama? Guess what he looked like when he got here against the same competition and calling the same plays? Just my opinion but maybe we save some money this time and give these coaches more than two seasons after one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in college football. Go get the same players the top teams want in recruiting or the portal instead. I bet it doesn't cost as much and you'll be raving about what a great job our defensive coaches are doing after higher quality players perform well on the field.

Not arguing all your points, but re: Pruitt at Alabama. I’m sure he has some positives as a defensive coach but do we really know how important he was in terms of calling plays there? Iirc, Saban comes from the defensive side of the ball, so how does that affect the DC? I really don’t know and am asking. Like our coach is very involved in the offensive play calling. Do head coaches with defensive backgrounds likewise do much of what a DC might do? Maybe Pruitt did call the plays, but maybe he was more involved in other things. Could have been their chief liaison to McDonalds if nothing else.

 

[JoAllan]

Let’s just overlook the fact that our defense plays a ton of snaps with not a lot of quality game ready rotational depth available yet. We’re 11 games in and nobody thinks these guys might possibly be a wee bit physically beat up and low on gas at this point in the season. We’ve been sliding guys around trying to fill opens holes throughout this season and had to have a walk-on play at the end of the Bama game. A walk-on against Bama on their last drive!!

This staff hasn’t been here for even two full years yet so how about this novel thought, give them at least 2 full classes and portal grabs of their own players to develop in their system instead of players they inherited and then judge the job they’re doing with their own guys.

Week 1 Ball ST Tennessee D should be pretty fresh……..gave up 343 yards (269 passing)……Tennessee gave up more passing yards than they averaged all year long. This “can’t” be talent nor can’t be tired nor can’t be anything in between.


A few weeks later Florida passed for 450+……they average only 230 on the year.

UT Martin gained 392, and passed for 316, scored 24 points, while time of possession was nearly dead even. No talent excuses, no time or possession excuses.

My goodness folks it is what it is…….and there simply isn’t an excuse.

 

[Stephen Gray]

Week 1 Ball ST Tennessee D should be pretty fresh……..gave up 343 yards (269 passing)……Tennessee gave up more passing yards than they averaged all year long. This “can’t” be talent nor can’t be tired nor can’t be anything in between.


A few weeks later Florida passed for 450+……they average only 230 on the year.

UT Martin gained 392, and passed for 316, scored 24 points, while time of possession was nearly dead even. No talent excuses, no time or possession excuses.

My goodness folks it is what it is…….and there simply isn’t an excuse.

I mean the secondary is not as strong as we want them to be for sure. Let me rephrase that: the level of play we see at times and most especially what we saw in SC on the defensive side of the ball does not add up to something that is good enough for what we want to be regularly and the most problematic unit is the secondary.

So yeah, they have been really bad. Still, I have no doubt that the amount of time they spend on the field, coaching, the athletic limitations of starters, and our overall depth all are factors. Not saying they are excuses, just factors. At the end of the day we have to get better there or it will be ugly anytime we are not blowing people away with elite offense.

 

[JoAllan]

I mean the secondary is not as strong as we want them to be for sure. Let me rephrase that: the level of play we see at times and most especially what we saw in SC on the defensive side of the ball does not add up to something that is good enough for what we want to be regularly and the most problematic unit is the secondary.

So yeah, they have been really bad. Still, I have no doubt that the amount of time they spend on the field, coaching, the athletic limitations of starters, and our overall depth all are factors. Not saying they are excuses, just factors. At the end of the day we have to get better there or it will be ugly anytime we are not blowing people away with elite offense.

Yes no doubt there is a lot going on. Also no doubt Tennessee needs more talent and depth.

However (for me personally) I just don’t think Banks is the guy to get Tennessee where they want to go.

He’s a great coach. I’m just not certain he’s a fit for Tennessee or this O or something. It’s just not working. There isn’t marked improvements.

This program is seriously on the cusp of greatness……..just need a “decent” D.

I’m not a huge Derek Mason guy but he would be a huge improvement……….and most likely an easy get after the year he’s having.

Also Heupel has worked with Ryan Walters, he has SEC experience and would also be a big Improvement.

Both “could” also provide a boost in recruiting as well (because of their name, experience, and SEC ties),

 

[sonofUT62]

Not every D1 team plays Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and LSU. Apples and oranges comparison by you and others.

LSU/Florida are not good offensive teams. UGA is a mediocre offensive team. If we played a Sun Belt schedule we would have a very un talented secondary and a very poorly coached D.

 

[DynaLo]

Week 1 Ball ST Tennessee D should be pretty fresh……..gave up 343 yards (269 passing)……Tennessee gave up more passing yards than they averaged all year long. This “can’t” be talent nor can’t be tired nor can’t be anything in between.


A few weeks later Florida passed for 450+……they average only 230 on the year.

UT Martin gained 392, and passed for 316, scored 24 points, while time of possession was nearly dead even. No talent excuses, no time or possession excuses.

My goodness folks it is what it is…….and there simply isn’t an excuse.

Love how you totally ignored the second section about how long the staff has been here and only having one full recruiting class of their own guys versus the guys they inherited on defense.

Goodness it couldn’t possibly be that the guys brought in by another coach for a completely different system aren’t the right types needed for the defensive system the current coaches are running.
So sure, let’s just rant about ditching staff before they hit the two year mark. I’ll be fine with whatever Heupel decides to do, but I’ll also completely understand if he feels no staff changes need to be made at this point in time in their rebuilding process.

In a pinch, one can make biscuits using whole milk curdled with vinegar but they will never be the same as those made with the actual real buttermilk called for in the recipe.

 

[JoAllan]

Love how you totally ignored the second section about how long the staff has been here and only having one full recruiting class of their own guys versus the guys they inherited on defense.

Goodness it couldn’t possibly be that the guys brought in by another coach for a completely different system aren’t the right types needed for the defensive system the current coaches are running.
So sure, let’s just rant about ditching staff before they hit the two year mark. I’ll be fine with whatever Heupel decides to do, but I’ll also completely understand if he feels no staff changes need to be made at this point in time in their rebuilding process.

In a pinch, one can make biscuits using whole milk curdled with vinegar but they will never be the same as those made with the actual real buttermilk called for in the recipe.

Did you read my post though?

How many recruiting classes do you need at “Tennessee” not to give up 269 passing (more than their season average) to Ball State?

How much more talent do you need to not give up 220+ more passing yards than Florida normally gets?

How much time does it take and how many cycles does a DC and DB’s coach need to not allow an FCS team to score 24 and gain nearly 400 yards with over 300 through the air?

UT Martin played Boise State this year. They lost 30-7. Martin gained 152 total yards, 126 passing……..Boise ST has a 2nd year DC (just like Tennessee). Boise ST DOES NOT have more talent than Tennessee.

I didn’t ignore anything………what I brought up made the argument irrelevant.

In a pinch you can try to make an argument…….but you haven’t made one yet.

Oh and Boise ST has loses to UTEP, BYU & Oregon ST, and a close 5 point win vs Airforce and 3 point win vs Wyoming (not the Power Boise State).