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Chavis impressed by communication in improved secondary
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When Tennessee began football practice last month, defensive coordinator John Chavis couldn't hide his excitement about the Vols' depth and experience in the secondary.
Heading into today's sixth practice, Tennessee's defensive backfield has lived up to the hype.
In Saturday's scrimmage, safety Demetrice Morley intercepted a pass, sure. More impressive, says fellow safety Eric Berry, is the way Tennessee's secondary communicated.
"It felt wonderful," Berry said. "Everyone knew what they were doing. We didn't keep any secrets. Everyone was letting each other know what was going on. We were making all the right checks, all the right calls. Experience just started kicking in."
Chavis agreed with that assessment.
"They know what they're doing," he said. "Coach (Larry) Slade's done a terrific job, and obviously there's some skill back there, some really good skill.
"I don't want to say it quite yet, but it could be some of the best skill we've had back there. And that makes it exciting. We'll see. We'll see how they keep progressing."
Tennessee could use some of the same up front.
Defensive tackle Dan Williams batted down a pair of passes, but as a whole UT's defensive line didn't generate the kind of quarterback pressure that Chavis would like.
Last year, UT recorded 24 sacks, its second-lowest total since 1989.
"We need to continue to get better with our pressure. We need to get our sacks back up to where they need to be," Chavis said. "Even though we came on toward the end of last year, last couple years we're not anywhere near where we need to be. You've got to realize, when you start getting sacks, usually sacks are drive stoppers. We've missed that the last couple years."
Tailback Tales: Despite the fact Tennessee's backfield wasn't incredibly productive in Saturday's scrimmage, first-year running backs coach Stan Drayton liked his group's effort.
"There was some great effort out there, some great second effort out there," Drayton said, "and I got some guys that love to play the game."
Senior Arian Foster figures to be the starter, however Drayton wants to reserve judgment on his tailbacks until after spring practice.
"It's kind of unfair to put a stamp on anything right now because you still got guys learning," Drayton said. "You still got plays going in, we're still installing. With all that going on, you've got players out there still playing the game pretty slow because they're out there thinking a whole lot, not trying to make mistakes.
"I haven't seen the full potential of any of these athletes I'm coaching yet. So, when that opportunity comes at the end of spring, I should have a better idea of that."
More Secondary Praise: Chavis wasn't the only one who thought Tennessee's secondary performed well Saturday.
"There's a lot of guys that can really fly around and make plays," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "You can just see the difference is night and day. No big balls given up, they're breaking on the football and really playing good right now."
More Shuffling?: Saturday's injury to fullback David Holbert could result in more personnel changes.
UT already moved offensive lineman Cody Pope to tight end after Jeff Cottam suffered a broken leg last week.
"We've got a couple guys coming in, if you want to count on a freshman - and we will - but we'll have to really sit down and evaluate that," Fulmer said. "That leaves you a little short-handed at two spots, fullback and tight end, which is important for what (offensive coordinator Dave) Clawson likes to do."
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by vtvol on March 31, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For Chavis to get excited about anything is something.
Posted by Silent_Fulmer on March 31, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
at what point this year/season will they learn how to tackle?
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 31, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the reason our secondary looks so great is because they're playing against our own offense? Anyone think of that brilliant theory?
Posted by FWBVol on March 31, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Or maybe the reason the secondary looks so good is because you have two All-America type players back there and a couple of others that are All-SEC skill with potential to develop into All-Americas.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on March 31, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the secondary communication this year is better than the last few years.
Overheard are things such as: "Hey, are you going to cover that guy or will you need my help?" "Do you know how to tackle one-on-one? If so, can you show me?"
Saddle up, secondary. We've got the talent, now it's time to put it all together and be a difference-maker for the team.
Posted by newtonrail on April 1, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is Brandon Warren's status as far as being eligible this fall? I believe he left Pellissippi State and is enrolled at UT.
Posted by Grim1 on April 1, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"It felt wonderful," Berry said. "Everyone knew what they were doing."
you know...that has been Tennessee's problem for the past 10 years....EVERYONE KNEW WHAT THE OFFENSE WAS DOING!!!!
5 yard pass..1 yard run up the middle..2 yard bubble screen to set up a punt.
C'mon Clawson....show these hicks what real football is about!!!!
and you KNOW Foster is gonna start...I;d be pissed if a coach talked me out of going pro and not let me start.
Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 1, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Newtonrail,
Good point.
Posted by eb502us on April 1, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our defensive line situation is really pathetic. For a major college program, I find it hard to believe Fulmer can go three straight years without signing one impact defensive lineman. Moving them over from offense for lack of production is getting old!!
Posted by pdhuff on April 1, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Paragraphs 9 and 10 tell a chilling story.
With the makings of a good offense and could-be spectacular secondary, prospects are there for a decent year. But it is in the trenches, mostly unseen, where games are decided and Chavis admits, rightfully so..............
Lady luck, don't fail us now, we can hope.
Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 1, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"No big balls given up, they're breaking on the football and really playing good right now."
Encouraging words. Over the past few years I think we've all grown tired of seeing the Vols burned on big plays, especially on third and long. Of course, if the D-line improves and can generate some pressure it would really cut down on the big pass plays. Hopefully the strong secondary can help cover up the glaring weakness on the D-line.
Posted by jweaver3 on April 1, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A strong secondary will allow us to blitz of the edges again and be able to bring more than 4. We have been so weak at secondary and d-line that we can't blitz and we haven't had anyone to rush!!!
Hopefully now we can go back to some of Chavis's attack defense and blitz and let the corners lock up man to man!!!
We definetly have the best safties in the country will D Morley and E Berry!!!
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
Posted by waterskier3 on April 1, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
larry slade is a joke..... past performance perdicts future performance... 3 and 15 slade will have them play off 10 yards... they make the catch we miss a tackle and its first down..... we may have the talent but the coach and his thinking is what makes them look so bad... just look at the players we placed in the sec in the nfl... no excuse except coaching for their performance at UT.
Posted by sjt18 on April 1, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
waterskier3, I'm not a Slade fan but it isn't his decision to play guys 10 yards off. That decision belongs to John Chavis.
"just look at the players we placed in the sec in the nfl... no excuse except coaching for their performance at UT."
I'm not a Chavis fan either but that is a self contradicting statement.
IMHO, Chavis and the D staff have done a good job for a long time coaching guys up. He hurts UT through his philosophy of playing too small to gain speed and by being pretty bad at calling games. UT's D is probably more predictable than its O. That's fine if your philosophy is "play solid base defense"... but that isn't what Chavis likes to do. He likes tricks and blitzes.
Posted by sjt18 on April 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eb502us, Dan Williams was a Sophomore last year and was "impact". Walter Fisher came in as a 5* recruit. Bolden was a Parade AA.
Maybe they are just misreading these guys... or maybe we'll see a few guys turn the corner this year. Langley was a highly recruited DT who had a good scrimmage Saturday. Martin has the potential to be one of the best DE's UT has ever had.
The last two years have been bad. UT hasn't been good since Harrell went down... but they were good before that so they CAN be good again.
Posted by arkyvol on April 1, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ho-hum. chavis is in the high range of mediocrity, but he is close to phil and that's all that matters. how many job offers has he turned down after being assistant head coach for a decade plus?
Posted by sjt18 on April 1, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually Chavis has had several opportunities for jobs in the NFL. Colleges have stayed away because he doesn't have a reputation as a good recruiter.
Posted by wewhite on April 1, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Communication? Like, "Hey! Don't let that guy run past you!"? Like, "Wake up! Jump up and grab that pass!"? Like, "Duh... The fumble's right at your feet! Don't try to scoop it up! Fall on it!"? That would be good.
Posted by johnlg00 on April 1, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our biggest problem with the secondary for the past few years is keeping the same group on the field for more than a game or two. With the injuries and other losses we have had, we have had to play guys with little experience back there. This year, it seems that we have both the numbers AND the experience to see a quantum leap in production in the secondary. As some others have said, an aggressive and productive secondary can help the front seven get more pressure by covering receivers longer, making the quarterback hold the ball longer, looking for someone open. Chavis is a good coach; he just hasn't had world-beating talent for...WAY too long now. It is too bad he isn't a better recruiter, but it is what it is. I think the whole team will be better next season, but it will take some luck to match last year's record, IMHO.
Posted by givehim6 on April 1, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's so good to know Chavis is happy about our secondary, teams will think twice about trying to go deep on us. But, stoping the run, and sacks is mainly for the line. Yes we can make teams one diminutional, but with so many teams going spread, the QB's are to moible and bad if you have a weak line.
Posted by sjt18 on April 1, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
johnlg00, Nice post.
I'm not a Chavis fan but within his philosophy he does develop guys decently well. OTOH, if he were a better recruiter, maybe he'd have had "world-beating talent".
Guys kick CPF then praise JC... if it weren't for CPF and the O staff over the past several years, Chavis would have had absolutely nothing to work with.
He was more active this year in recruiting than he's been in awhile. He still didn't land the big DT prospects UT needed but at least he was out there.
Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on April 1, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had no clue that Jeff Cottam broke his leg...that's terrible news!
Sorry buddy...get that rehab working!
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 1, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One thing's for sure. Fulmer isn't cutting the D linemen any slack. He's called them to the dance floor in some other articles I've read, stating that they need to man up and get tuff and learn what it takes to play in the SEC. I hope they respond to the challenge, and I think they will be better this year with a lot of guys coming back with experience.
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 1, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bring on the National Champion Volunteers. We are so fortunate to have Coach Fulmer as the leader of our young men.
Posted by gatorfan8 on April 1, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
florida will run all over the vols. just like last year.&THE YEAR B4,THE YEAR B4&THE YEAR B4..HA HA G0 GATORS
Posted by grvol on April 1, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What about Luke Stocker at TE? What about the transfer in waiting fron Alcoa/FLSt? Is Kemp still on the team at SS? He looked good late.
Posted by grvol on April 1, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That may be gatorfan8. But only because Fulmer is still coaching. FL still suks. If only because their fans suk.
Posted by wjackson on April 2, 2008 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah, by the way gator8. Nice show against the big ten in your bowl game. losers.
Posted by bigorangebolt on April 2, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey gator8:
What is up with hanging out with your =little gator fans? If you are true gator, you would not be here! What about Percy? It is GREAT to be a TN Volunteer!
Posted by sjt18 on April 2, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stocker to me looked better than Cottam last year. I think he'll be good and the extra reps can only help. Any ideas about moving Aaron Douglas to some other position are probably on hold now. Many thought he'd end up an OL or maybe even a DT.
Kemp left the team supposedly for playing time but he had also been in trouble a few times before. He might have seen more trouble coming and left on his own.
Warren had two hurdles to overcome with the NCAA. He got past one of them and only needs approval for his transfer if I understand correctly... plus UT must accept him as a student. Last I read, it looked pretty good.
Posted by gatorfan8 on April 2, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
percy harvin will be back full speed in the fall for your info. any way we got other weponz other than percy. yall have nothing remotely close to percy, deonte, louis murph, moody, tebow, etc..etc...all yall have is defeats against us
Posted by philfan on April 2, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by gatorfan8 on April 1, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
florida will run all over the vols. just like last year.&THE YEAR B4,THE YEAR B4&THE YEAR B4..HA HA G0 GATORS
gatorfan8,
You need to get your facts straight before you enter this chat room and put out a lot of false information. Tennessee overall has a 16-14-0 record against Florida. Since the year 2000, the record has been a respectable 3-5, with Florida holding the edge. So, wipe that silly ignorant grin off of your face. I mean no disrespect to 99gator, who seems to be a decent fellow.
Posted by gatorfan8 on April 2, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who cares bout over all. Has fat phill beat urban yet? AND here's a fact 59-20 remember that? go gators!!!!!
Posted by soddydaisy777 on April 2, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to you gutterfan8.your day is coming. what ever comes around comes around. urban cowboy will get his rump handed to him, someday. Maybe this fall. gator99 has you beat. I have respect for him. So get off our site. Go Vols!
Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm kinda worried about UCLA. Looking ahead is good for seeing the distant montains but you've got to get there first.
Might be a bump in the road if you're not prepared. Show us, Clawson, testify!
Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gatorfan8 has a good point. Losing by 39 points to ones rival is not very good unless...................................................you use fritter logic!
Posted by gatorfan8 on April 3, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey saddie!! factz hurt dont they....59-20 are u kiddin me.. why did they even come to gainsville 4? to put something like that on the field..that up the gut,screen pass, 5yrd dump pass is really tight offense the vols run........ha ha & ha
Posted by TnKyFlAlGaScLaAkMi on April 4, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
and you couldn't even win the East? You should fire your coach. You beat us, we beat GA, and GA beat you. Sounds pretty even to me, except, we won the East! Dagnabbit, gator, back in your sewer, zap zap bzzzzzt!
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