Slade won't let criticism slow secondary

Tennessee's veteran secondary coach is returning to face his former employers in the Cotton Bowl under some of the most trying circumstances of his career.

Not only is he coaching the youngest and most inexperienced group of defensive backs in the Phillip Fulmer era, but he'll be doing it against one of the most prolific offenses in Texas A&M history.

"In this business it's 'what have you done for me lately,' '' said Slade, whose secondary ranks 88th in the nation against the pass. "We all have our pride, and some things that are very dear to us. We've never experienced this in our career.''

Slade, who coached with the Aggies before coming to UT prior to the 1999 season, said his daughters have heard talk-radio chatter about how he might be a weak link on the Vols' staff.

"It has been a test for all of us, and I do worry about my kids, though they're getting tough-skinned,'' Slade said. "That's part of it. It's like I tell my DBs, 'if you worry about criticism, you're in the wrong position.' ''

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis stands strongly behind Slade.

"People who criticize Larry Slade don't know what they're talking about,'' Chavis said. "He's as fine a teacher and a coach as there is in the nation.''

Slade hasn't had to deal with much second-guessing the past two years. The Vols' pass defense ranked in the top 15 in the nation in 2002 and 2003.

This year's drop off was predictable. Three of the Vols' four starters from last year are playing in the NFL.

Things got tougher in the spring when Antwan Stewart, the team's best returning cover cornerback, suffered torn ACL that has kept him out for the season. Another returning player with experience, strong safety Brandon Johnson, was suspended halfway through the season over a gun incident and ultimately dismissed.

"The secondary really hasn't come into fruition,'' Fulmer said. "Losing Brandon Johnson put us back in a spin.

"But Larry has done a very good job. Our defense puts pressure on the secondary by it's very nature.''

And Slade, whose coaching experience includes a national championship at Washington, is putting pressure on himself.

"Old coach Slade can't go through another year like this,'' he said. "We're going to be a lot better soon.''

Maybe not soon enough.

Texas A&M spreads the field and dictates match-ups, often picking at the weakest link in coverage. Even when the defensive backs are in position to make a play, quarterback Reggie McNeal can change the outcome with his scrambling ability.

The Vols' defensive backs need to do more than just cover, because Texas A&M runs the option.

"The calls that are made are critical,'' Slade said. "On every play, we have to know who has dive, the quarterback and pitch. The way (A&M) creates on the perimeter, you're also thinking, 'What if it's a pass.' What veterans would give you, is they'd recognize the play a little quicker.''

Slade sees Saturday as a most challenging way to end one of the most demanding years of his career.

"You like playing against a good team, and it's exciting to play against a program you've coached with,'' Slade said. "We just don't have much of a margin for error.''