Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 18, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These comments ain't going to be pretty.....

Posted by tngeoff on July 18, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good stuff.

Posted by philfan on July 18, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like to see an offensive coordinator calling plays from the press box. It would appear to be a much better way to see the entire field all at once and to be away from at least some of the noise of Neyland Stadium.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 18, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pass D has finished in the top 25 one whole time since 1999 and mostly below 50th.

Posted by Brama on July 18, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge starting in the NFL (NOT FOR LONG!)

Posted by ggriggs939 on July 18, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Depending whose ox is being gored, it helps to have a striped shirt who can't see out of one eye or who never sees the play the way it occurred. The VOLS used to get an even break in such situations, but now it seems they are always the loser. It balancves out when the breaks are even, but when they all go to the other team, the play of our backs is immaterial.
When one linesman makes several bad calls on the same team, you wonder why his interest is to the other team. When the same linesman misses four fouls on one play and against one player, that makes it curiouser and curiouser. Is there a vested interest involved? Who put up the payoff?

Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on July 18, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I, for one, am very excited about a stout secondary. I have not been won over by Larry Slade yet, but I believe the guys we have back there ARE some of the best in the NCAA.

I do get worried sometimes about their ability to cover the deep ball, as they tend to lose sight of the ball while covering the player.

Still, I am hopeful that athleticism, and if we are lucky, coaching, will get them into shape and a level of play that exceeds all expectations.

Posted by b_neas on July 18, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to see the QB being a leader. Last great leader we had there was Tee, he fared pretty well i believe.

Posted by givehim6 on July 18, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By what I'v hear Berry & Mortly will be the dynamic duo for the secondary, I hated seeing s get beat for long bombs. I thank a few teams will get burned for that this year. Glad to here Willinghams coming on strong. Hope we can stom the run! GO VOLS!

Posted by Sheepscape on July 18, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said KnoxVol.

Slade's not won me over completely either, but the athleticism displayed so far is really encouraging.
Maybe this year I won't cringe and pucker when its 3rd and 15.

Posted by jimr07 on July 18, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

workin should have offered his services to the coaching staff. what a loser you are.

Posted by tnvol737 on July 18, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Regardless of past years, I have to give the coaches some credit for the improvement of last year's team through-out the year. That was not an easy situation to be in. I believe I counted 6 or 7 DBs that were either injured or dismissed prior to the season last year, so the coaches were dealing with very green players.

I also think it's a mistake to assume that a good unit at the end of last year will be a great unit this year (especially as sophomores....they may play like sophomores at times). Barry and Morley are game-changing players....there's no mistaking that. However, everyone makes mistakes and has bad games....Cant blame the coaches for that.

I may take it too easy on the coaches at times....however, not everything is in their control. I know I dont like it when I get blamed for stuff at work that I cannot control.

Posted by Sheepscape on July 18, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At lot of it will come down to what set of DBs from late last year shows up: Either the group that got torched repeatedly by Kentucky during that fiasco, or the ones that played above and beyond against LSU.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 18, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr, the bitterness for me continues....I like it.

Posted by TurboFan on July 18, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Within weeks, two true freshmen were starting, one being a converted receiver."

So, here's the question, who decided, after four weeks of preseason practice who would start for the Cal game? Slade or Chavis or Fulmer?

The times I could pick out Willingham I thought he played well. The one bad memory was in the UF game when he had inside position for a pick and the UF receiver hit him in the back of the head, slamming his helmut down over his eyes. No call.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 18, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We must remember, that JArrod Parrish was going to be the next Chris White all American and tough to unseat as a starter...that lasted for a half vs. Cal then Berry who had been practicing at corner all fall was inserted at safety.

Posted by FLVol on July 18, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Working Like Heck,

Those numbers are misleading. Look at TN defensive statistics against the run. They want people to pass on them, their defense is built on that philosophy. One on one coverage by the corners and safeties. Chavis likes to rush his front 4 and blitz when he has a good secondary. Look for a lot of that this year. If TN can stop the run early, teams will have to pass and then we'll have them right where we want them.

Posted by DenmarkVol on July 18, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chief, I love you, I'm oe of your biggest fans out here, and I admire your loyalty, but I think you may be a bit blinded by it.

Slade cannot possibly best the best secondary coach in college football. We all have watched very mediocre QBs absolutely shred our secondary the past few years. And the good ones have OWNED our secondary.

The stats about our secondary don't lie (see http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/r...).

I'm of the opinion that Slade should have left with Sanders. As nice a man as he is, we can and should do better.

But it would seem that Slade is safe as long as you are there. Oh well.

Posted by Sheepscape on July 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As fans, we aren't just imagining those 3rd and long conversions that we give up year after year. Whether it is scheme, or the front seven not getting pressure, or individual Db's getting burned...it's got to stop if we want to succeed and win an outright championship.

Posted by DenmarkVol on July 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To wit: why can't we play man coverage?

If our secondary lines up and plays man this year and actually stops some passing attacks in man, I will have been proved wrong.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 18, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FlVol, they are like that every year even when the run defense isn't up to snuff. Every year since 99 but one has been mediocre.

Posted by TurboFan on July 18, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know what Slade coaches to them, don't know if it's Chavis' schemes put them in tough positions, but I do know that the rankings of pass defense have always trailed those of the run defense by a good margin.

Posted by TommyJack on July 18, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07: Nice to see your smiling face again.

Posted by workinlikehek on July 18, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Gators

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 18, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny how WVU, LSU, Ohio State, and USC all had run and pass defenses ranked in the top 25 in both categories and they both inexplicably went to BCS bowls. Please, keep Chavis, Slade, Brooks, Caldwell aka the ol mustache gang around. They are really earning those raises.

Posted by oldorange on July 18, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article. I think each starts off with us fans being excited about the secondary. I also wish Ainge well, he certainly deserves it.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 18, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sheepscape - 3:50 p.m. -

It seemed to me like our defense as a whole and our secondary did a good job against UK at the beginning of the game when we were bringing constant pressure. We came out in the 2nd half and played not to lose and we stopped blitzing. That's when Woodson started picking us apart.

As others have pointed out already, our much more battle tested and improved secondary is going to allow us to blitz more which I think will make us better as a whole defensively.

Posted by Pullingguard on July 18, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Proof is in the pudding.... and that starts at UCLA and if they are still playing well through the Florida game then there is something special at UT.. We should give them the benefit of doubt and trust they will be outstanding until proven otherwise... Just maybe this could be a special season for the Vols...

Posted by jimr07 on July 18, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tommyjack--thanks for noticing. how are things in boerne?

Posted by TommyJack on July 18, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr: Hot n dry as usual. Send me some HouTx rain.

Posted by jimr07 on July 18, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wish we had some. get a little trickle every now and then. i would love a good rain myself. i am going to get over that way some day.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 18, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not even Slade can screw this up.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 18, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The entire Vol Nation knows the secondary is on the spot. With Morely and Berry, even I would look good coaching this unit, and I know nothing about foosball.

Posted by RockyTop1 on July 18, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stating the obvious! GO VOLS!!

Posted by cdldoc on July 18, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck, you are a real downer on this site. Are you a gator or an Alabambian? What is your problem? You act like Coach cut you from the beer swizzling team. How many of these negative worms are just you with nothing else to do? I hope someday you find a life that holds more than just hating our football team and staff. Maybe someday a few players will get a chance to show you the error of your ways.

Posted by murrayvol on July 18, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

According to Chavis the "biggest linebacking concern is replacing Ryan Karl." Alignments & such. With all due respect I think Jerod Mayo will be a bit more difficult to replace.

But that's just me.

Posted by BillVol on July 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Slade takes too much abuse. The real problem is Johnny Chavis. Oh, the wins and money and championships he has cost the program! And maybe even a Heisman Trophy.

Posted by givim6 on July 19, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoever was the idiot that lined the DBs up 7-10 yards off the line of scrimmage and gave every team we played the opportunity to catch and run, should be tarred and feathered. I think it was Slade and Chief is taking the heat for him.

I don't care how good the DBs are, if they give the cushions they gave last year, we could be in trouble again.

Posted by givim6 on July 19, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On another note, I for one am happy for Ainge, and have said many times I thought he was NFL quality.

Go Eric, Go Vols!!

Posted by gobigorange on July 19, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by BillVol on July 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Slade takes too much abuse. The real problem is Johnny Chavis. Oh, the wins and money and championships he has cost the program! And maybe even a Heisman Trophy
couldnt agree more. exactly what ive thought for the past few years

Posted by gobigorange on July 19, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

seems the D has forgot how to tackle lately. remember a few years ago auburn and nebraska ran all over us.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on July 19, 2008 at 5:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

givim6,

Here here!

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 19, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chavis attack style of play will only work if he has monsters up front and freak speed from the defensive ends and linebackers. He hasn't had the same quality players and he doesn't seem to adjust his style to the type of players he has. I love his style of play though when he has the players for it.

Posted by zanebreeding on July 19, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Last great leader we had there was Tee?????? Dude , youve lost your marbles. He wasnt even really the leader of that team , look to the other side of the ball. I would think Clausen and even E Ainge were in a much bigger leadership role than Tee. That was a comment based solely on the fact that he won a NC. If he was the true leader on that team we dont win a NC. Simple as that.

Posted by richvol on July 19, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the same story we get every year from Chavis.Tennessee has been lit up so many times on 3rd and long that the fans actually groan when faced with trying to defend it.

Somebody earlier pointed out the ridiculous number of times that a QB and a receiver have had "career" days against us. This has gone on for years.

Additionally, with all the DB's that we sign every year we should never be desperate for replacements...if they are trained properly.

If our DB's could play man to man pressure coverage like they are supposed to then our receivers would be better at separating themselves from the other teams DB's. Since they never get to work against good cover corners in practice they struggle in games. This also has been a problem for years.

Chavis may be right when he calls Slade one of the finest coaches in the country but Slade apparently doesn't know how to teach our kids how to pressure cover or defend 3rd and long. The stats don't lie.

Posted by RichRollin on July 19, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Richvol, I agree for the most part. You point out that our WR don't play quality DB so they can't get off press coverage. Our biggest WR is Brisco, need I say more. We got good skilled wideouts, but I'm not sure getting off press has to do with anything but our lack of size at WR.

Posted by Ironcity on July 19, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin your half right. Our secondary has been a burned on a regular basis. I would argue the reason for that is that no team exposes its corners and safeties to man coverage the way Chavis does. If you play enough man in the secondary and the team still doesn't put pressure on the QB (like the last many years), your DB's are going to get beat. I would argue that the D Line play as well as the LB play has been average at best and our inability to generate pressure on a QB without sending 5-7 rushers is putting an undue strain on the secondary.

Posted by pdhuff on July 19, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ironcity 8:56 am - "pressure on the QB".!

What kind of concept is that? Is it used by the Vols?

gobigorange 1:32 - "Ran" all over us is putting it mildly. What did Nebraska have, 400 yds rushing?

Posted by RichRollin on July 19, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not that I disagree with everyonebut Slade has had a bad run of luck. In 06'we had a killer set of DB's: Inky, Wade, Hefney, and Stewart(who may have lost his job to Morley by season's end). Inky getting hurt jammed everything up, people had to start playing outta' position. By season's end Morley flunks out. Where would our D have been if they had Inky and Morley in 07'? J.Allen, Gibril Wilson, Jonathan Wade, Demetrius Morley, Eric Berry, Inky johnson, just a few good ones.

Posted by orangefanatic on July 19, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Scheme doesn't seem to have been the major problem in years past...to me, it seems like tackling has been a real problem. It seems like a lot of times we are in perfect position to limit a play to a small gain, and then we miss the tackle and it's off to the races. Tackling is such an important part of the game that we tend to overlook.

Posted by TommyJack on July 19, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Murray 10:42: The Chief does have a way with words, huh?

Posted by IPOrange on July 19, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Secondary should be fine with the 2-9 buzzard. No worries.

Posted by grvol on July 19, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Slade should have been out with Sanders. He is the weak link on defense. It will be a terrible waste of fine secondary talent this year. Probably 60-70th in the nation yet again.

Posted by RichRollin on July 19, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Grvol@ 11:27, "It will be a terrible waste of fine secondary talent this year". I must save that and get back to it in about 2 months. Our DB's are gonna shine. Not because Slade but more experience and just flat out talent makes me think that.

Posted by givim6 on July 19, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Nick;

Last years DLs were ineffective, in part, because the opposing OCs saw that they could throw the quick outs and hitches because our DBs were so far off the line of scrimmage. When a QB stands up and throws that quickly, the DLs never have time to do their thing.

Our DBs laying off is SOP for Slade. When that happens, count on seeing 3-5 yard dumps with the DLs barely out or their stance. Unless Slade or Chavis change that asinine strategy, we are in for the Harvins of the world to eat us alive.

Posted by Bigger_Al on July 19, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good news for Eric Ainge!

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on July 19, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the DB's can tackle and play the ball, then they'll be fine.

Eric Berry aside, our secondary has been horrendous the past several seasons. Regardless of the defensive scheme called or the pass rush, there's way too many times where we're simply out of position.

Can't wait to see us line up and play. This is one area where I'd love to see us be solid.

Posted by pdhuff on July 19, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigVolinCarolina 1:20 - In all fairness, there were some worse secondaries. All those past 84th.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 19, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a secondary coach, Slade is a great recruiter.

I think these coaches are getting just a little thin-skinned as they advance into their careers. See Fulmer vs. Pennington, Slade's first quote in the story, and Chavis being thankful for being near the end of his career as recent examples. I'm not a coach, but it always seemed that getting criticized and second-guessed by the fans and sports pundits comes with the territory. I think for 6 or 7 figures a year, they should be able to handle it.

Posted by 1974Vol on July 19, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ditto that Kid. For what these guys make now they got to produce or endure the consequences. That being said I think Slade may have done the best coaching job on the team last year. The DB's went from being awful to great even with the injuries. Naysayers you can't have it both ways - if its coaching that made the secondary bad its coaching that's made them on the verge of greatness.

Posted by givim6 on July 19, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Even General Watermelon can catch a pass if the closest man to him is 10 yards away!

As far as tackling is concerned, when their WRs have the opportunity to catch the ball in space, and get a couple of steps, then any DB we have is at a disadvantage.

We have the potential to be very good defensively. I hope the coaches do the right thing in how they scheme our kids. That is the key! We have the talent!

Posted by pdhuff on July 20, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We always get better later in the year- Look who we play! The Fla and Auburns are behind us.

Phil's standards are easy to see when you keep your job after producing a 84th ranked pass D backing up a 68th ranked run D.

Plain and simple. 8 is enuf.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 20, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks 74Vol. Agree on the job by Slade last year with one caveat, who made the call to start Parrish over Berry early in the year and then keep him in there while guys like Rogan, Vinson and Willingham were on the bench. I think the staff gets too caught up in the senior leadership angle a little too much at times.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 20, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The secondary looked great against Arkansas. LOL

Posted by Colliervol on July 20, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Slade can't coach this group, he needs to go ahead and retire to the porch. If the secondary fails to perform this year, I have a feeling they'll be a new DB coach next year.

Posted by hueypilot on July 22, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not sure Berry was that much better early invisible. I focused on him against Cal (I was sitting right behind his Dad) and I watched him closely against Florida. Both games from the stands. As you know you can't see a player on TV unless he is directly involved in the play. Berry was out of position and didn't play well at all on a lot of plays against those two teams, but he made some good plays. The learning curve from HS to playing those schools is pretty steep and obviously he came on and learned fast. You don't ever want to have to start freshman in the secondary.