Burnett vows UT's defense will get better

But this week his message is for the Vols to quit talking about their 30-28 victory against Florida.

"It's my job as a captain to say, 'Let's move on,' " Burnett said. "We made too many mistakes to get cocky or overconfident."

Maybe so, but Burnett's 16-tackle effort was good enough to earn him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

"I wouldn't say I'm back 100-percent, but I'm close,'' Burnett said. "You haven't seen the real Kevin Burnett yet.''

Burnett said fans haven't seen the real Tennessee defense yet, either.

"We're young, but we're good,'' Burnett said. "We can only get better.''

According to Burnett, whose 17 starts are most among the Vols' defenders, UT's future depends on the team's mindset.

"This (win) is really going to test our team,'' Burnett said. "Are we going to just roll our helmets out there, or are we going to lock and wiggle like a pit bull?

"Championship football teams have the killer instinct, and that's what I think we've been lacking the last couple of years. You've got to corner them, pin them down, and bite them.''

Mike Griffith may be reached at 865-342-6289.