Following Saturday night's scrimmage, University of Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis was displeased with the number of missed tackles.
Those same mistakes turned up on the film, too.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer praised the defensive line's work during Saturday's second major scrimmage of fall camp, but bemoaned the tackles missed behind them.
"Coach Chavis, I think, would tell you we just missed too many tackles," Fulmer said. "Had too many opportunities that we missed. Certainly something that we addressed this (Monday) morning."
UT's problems were technique related, Fulmer said, particularly with linebackers. It extended into the secondary, as well.
"That group (linebackers) is playing with good energy and working hard," Fulmer said. "That's not the issue, it's just technique things and a little focus on tackling better. Secondary-wise, played pretty well for the scrimmage. Didn't give up anything huge, but again the tackling situation showed up on the secondary on a few too many plays."
Starting weakside linebacker and preseason All-SEC selection Rico McCoy said he was among those who missed tackles Saturday.
"I had a pretty bad scrimmage," McCoy said. "You miss a tackle, you feel bad. I had a couple missed tackles. It's something I came out here and tried to focus on today (Monday)."
Safety Eric Berry said the missed tackles, which plagued Tennessee's defense early last season in losses to California and Florida, aren't a huge concern at this point.
"We're working on that right now so we won't get into the season missing tackles," Berry said. "It's frustrating, but it's a process we have to go through.
"We're not going to be perfect. We're just going to go in the lab and get it fixed."
Praise for Crompton: Fulmer was complimentary of quarterback Jonathan Crompton's performance Saturday.
The junior starter completed 12 of his 18 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also did not turn the ball over after throwing two interceptions in last week's scrimmage.
"I thought Jonathan played exceptionally well, ran the offense well, managed the clock well," Fulmer said. "Very positive scrimmage."
Johnson to TE?: Backup offensive tackle Ramone Johnson is playing like a starter, Fulmer said.
His progress could earn him some snaps at tight end, likely in a blocking role.
"Ramone Johnson right now is playing like one of the guys who could be a starter," said Fulmer, who was pleased with UT's offensive line from Saturday. "He's pushing himself into a position to help us. The tight end situation the way it is, we will play him some at tight end also. Pretty happy with where he is."
Thomas Improving: UT continues to get solid play from its defensive tackles, and sophomore reserve Victor Thomas in particular.
"Our three defensive tackles (Dan Williams, Demonte' Bolden and Walter Fisher) played the best scrimmage that they've had," Fulmer said. "Victor Thomas took a big step. The challenge for Victor is to continue that and be consistent and be mentally and physically tough all the time."
Douglas Closer: Freshman tight end Aaron Douglas is expected to be ready for full-contact work by Thursday's last major scrimmage of fall camp, Fulmer said.
Injury Report: Freshman Austin Johnson (ankle) did not practice Monday, although Fulmer said Johnson will play primarily fullback and H-back after working some at tight end. Defensive end Chris Walker (groin) did not practice, either.
Both players should be able to participate in Thursday's scrimmage.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 29
VOLume writes:
You can count on Chief to have them ready to go on Sept 1. I can't wait!!!
cleVOLand writes:
Since when is missing tackles "a process we have to go through?" Come on, Eric, that sounds like a cop out. Why not say something like, "I missed some durned tackles and I'm gonna work like heck to fix the problem?"
imw8n4u writes:
what's the latest update on Brandon Warren??? I thought someone in the athletic office was on a hunger strike until we heard?
BigVolinCarolina writes:
This is not what we need to hear! Aside from a few individual players each year, we've been terrible at tackling for the majority of this decade.
When will our guys learn to use leverage and wrap-up? What is it going to take? This is fundamental football we're talking about (as opposed to installing a new offense or adjusting to new coaches).
No matter who's on the field, you still gotta tackle! Get it together, guys...
VOLatile writes:
Tacklin'? Tacklin'? I'm talkin 'bout tacklin'. Tacklin'? Come on man!
VOLatile writes:
Who needs practice?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2...
el_duderino writes:
It's been a problem for a while and now it's showing up again, not good if we wanna make another run at the East.
xvolx writes:
these are basically the same players that played at Cal. last year. lets just wait for our 22 missed tackles normal first game. then we can work like heck to get it fixed before our second 22 missed tackle game.
FWBVol writes:
Everyone loves the Dick Butkus or Lawrence Taylor hit where they just run through people and knock them to the ground.
The proble is not too many guys, All-Americas included, can get away with that on a consistent basis. And someone like Butkus as many pancake tackles as he had, was great at wrapping the ball carrier up and driving him into the ground.
Tackling very simply is 50 percent technique and 50 percent want to.
gobigorange writes:
We have tackled poorly for a few years now. I blame Chavis for this. This is nothing new. I do hope the tackling gets better. GO VOLS!
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
Tackling is all about attitude...GET SOME!!
iowavol writes:
What's promising is that we are talking about it now and focusing on technique now - with two weeks to go to get ready for UCLA. Last year, we talked about way to late to focus much practice time on it.
SemperVol writes:
Pablopeepants (seems really odd to address someone by that name, but I regress) -
I'll agree with you to an extent. But, I believe the majority of those '1000' yards come from solid up front blocking, acceleration past a linebacker, and open lanes.
Not all of those yards precipitate from a broken tackle. Some days are better than others, right.
I hate this headline. But we still have several more practices - to echo iowavol.
lomas98 writes:
Are those game times 100% correct? There is nothing listed on CBS website about their college football schedule for the year. The only ones I have seen confirmed gametimes for are UCLA, UAB, and the 2 PPV games. Other than the FL game which is usually the CBS opener, they wait until the week before in most cases to decide the 3:30 game.
Sheepscape writes:
Tackling is fundamental. We need to be better than we were last year at Cal. We were lit up.
HotlantaVol writes:
This article has been posted almost 12 hours and still no comment from the General about Dupree and fishing tackle. What's going on around here?
drwfocus writes:
Is a missed tackle judged similar to a dropped pass? I have always heard that if a receiver touches the ball (no matter the location of the ball relative to the receiver) and doesn't catch it it is a dropped pass. If a tackler touches the ball carrier (no matter the relative physical position of the two players) and doesn't bring him to the ground is that a missed tackle?
Greyback_Vol writes:
The "tackling problem" will get fixed. Every team, at some point, has a bad game and misses its share of tackles.
Good to see Thomas may be able to provide some depth on the D-line.
Interesting to see Johnson may have some plays at TE. The offense will become very predictable, however, since Johnson is likely only to see playing time at tight end on running plays. Fulmer and Clawson will have to be careful to balance the attack when Johnson is in the game.
richvol writes:
A lot of missed tackles are the result of overpursuit and/or trying to kill the ballcarrier.
The linebackers, who should be your best tacklers, have to maintain discipline. You have to breakdown the carrier by squaring up and making him commit to a path before you leave your feet. If you leave your feet or commit too soon then you're left grasping air.
Everybody wants to punish the ballcarrier but your first responsibility is to make sure you get him down or slow him enough to get help there.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Greyback, How do you know what is truly going to look like? Given time i think it will be better than Cutcliffe's pass happy scheme. Maybe you should call Clawson and let him know to be careful and make sure the attack is balanced and unpredictable. Did you interview for the OC?
drwfocus writes:
Thanks richvol (9:35). Best analysis I have heard on this site in months. I'd be willing to bet that your observation is exactly what got preached Monday morning.
utvol26#342884 writes:
Brandon Warren won his appeal, and is immediately eligible, he will play vs UCLA...
Greyback_Vol writes:
jmbig-
I don't know what the offense will look like. But since Johnson is a reserve tackle and not a TE he probably won't have the speed to run alot of pass routes. Given Johnson's position, he will probably be used mostly in run situations.
UT tried this approached in 2003 after Jason Witten left, and it was a huge tip-off to defenses. UT would never throw the ball when the TE was in the game. It was so obvious that the play-by-play guy on ABC called them on it during the Miami game.
By the way, I think this scheme will be better than Cutcliffe's too.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Greyback, Agreed. But remember we are dealing with a different OC than before and are going to be running multiple plays out of the same formations. Anyways if our O-line is good enough we should be able to run regardless. Osbourne's Nebraska teams, all they did was run the ball and the defenses new it but couldn't stop it. I guess now that Warren is cleared hopefully we won't need Johnson at TE.
givehim6 writes:
Hire a tackling coach, have a special tecking practlice every week till the bowl game is over.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
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SMOKEY IS LOSING
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Greyback_Vol writes:
jmbig-
Good point. Surely Clawson won't be as predictable as Sanders was. Looks like with Warren being cleared it is a moot point anyway.
tnbanker_govols writes:
Missing tackles......haven't we heard this song before? Definitely not good since we've had this problem in the past. Hope we can resolve this before Sept. 1. GO VOLS!!
gavol2572 writes:
yes other teams go through this but I have to agree with some of the other posters. I have been more frustrated with the missed tackles than anything else for quite some time now. The "dink and dunk offense" didn't seem to annoy me as much. I'm not a football genius by anymeans and thats why I'm posting on the net instead of playing but if I can notice it, it must be a problem.
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