Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers sacks Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan during the Outback Bowl on Tuesday in Tampa, Fla. The No. 16 Vols, playing without six players who were declared academically ineligible, beat No.18 Wisconsin 21-17 and finished the season 10-4.
Tennessee's Dan Williams tackles South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell as he passes on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The Vols survived a second-half defensive collapse to win 27-24 in overtime, improving to 5-3 for the season.
Inside the... Defensive Line
Position coaches
- Dan Brooks (line),
- Steve Caldwell (ends)
Depth chart
Starter (backup)
- Ends: Robert Ayers (Chris Walker), Wes Brown (Ben Martin);
- Tackles: Dan Williams (Victor Thomas), Demonte’ Bolden (Walter Fisher).
Watch out for
- Martin, a top-flight recruit who should make an impact with his ability to rush the passer.
Key stat
- Not counting the Vols’ six sacks against Kentucky, UT averaged just 1.3 sacks a game last season, the same as it did in 2006.
Go ahead and ask the same questions about Tennessee's defensive line this fall. Just don't expect the same answer.
One of the Vols' most maligned units in 2007 should be improved for 2008.
For starters, UT returns a pair of tackles in senior Demonte' Bolden and junior Dan Williams who could compete for All-SEC honors.
While there's turnover at end with senior Robert Ayers and junior Wes Brown likely replacing Antonio Reynolds and Xavier Mitchell in the starting lineup, the Vols should have a little more speed on the outside.
Ayers, a major contributor last season, earned accolades during spring practice, while Brown has made leaps in technique. Sophomores Ben Martin and Chris Walker add to that speed and depth outside.
"Robert Ayers, Wes and Ben - those three guys will give us a better speed dimension coming off the edge than we've had in a couple years," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.
And, as far as the defensive line goes, more speed equals more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
After spring practice, defensive coordinator John Chavis was optimistic about UT's ability to bring pressure with its front four.
"We'll see as the season goes on, but certainly I feel like we're at a much better point than we were at this time last year," Chavis said following spring practice. "Those two ends (Brown and Ayers) have created a lot of that situation for us."
It wasn't a great situation for most of last season. Aside from a six-sack performance against Kentucky, 2007 was another subpar year of pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Only two defensive linemen had sacks against the Wildcats, which ranked last in the SEC with 38 sacks allowed. And the Vols recorded just six sacks against their other seven conference opponents in the regular season. Three times - against Vanderbilt, Florida and Cal - the Vols didn't record a sack.
Getting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks is a major question mark for the Vols, who had 17 sacks in 2006 and 25 total in their 14 games in 2007.
Another concern is depth at tackle.
Last year, Williams was a pleasant surprise who earned a starting role by outplaying J.T. Mapu. The Vols would love another surprise from senior Walter Fisher.
Fisher, a Nashville native and UT's best reserve at defensive tackle, came to Tennessee as a five-star prospect at defensive end and the No. 2-ranked junior college player in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com.
So far, though, Fisher has just 35 tackles to his credit at UT and has yet to start a game, although he improved throughout the fall and in spring practice.
The Vols could use some improvement from reserve tackles Victor Thomas, Donald Langley and Chase Nelson as well to improve depth behind Williams and Bolden.
Consistency is a major sticking point, too.
The Vols turned in some stellar performances against opposing runners in wins over Georgia, Mississippi State and Arkansas. They also were beat up by Cal (230 yards rushing), Florida (255 yards rushing) and LSU (212 yards rushing).
"At times last year, we were as bad as we've been," Chavis said. "And then at times, against some of the better teams, we were as good as we've been. The thing I want us to do is be more consistent."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 132
OrangePower11 writes:
wooohooo
my 1st 1st
jawjavol writes:
I am not sure what to expect out of the 2008 edition of our Vols. I missed much of the last two seasons having to go back to school for a mid career retraining. My diploma has Orange on it even if it is from Mercer University. Knoxville was just too far of a commute.
Looking forward to seeing another Darwin Walker or Horace Morris to emerge in the great tradition of UT defenses.
Go Vols Bring On the Bruins!
jawjavol writes:
Hey Orange, you never forget your first time!
gohawks1 writes:
Why don't I feel any better after reading this article? Even the comments by the coaches weren't too full of praise, lacking enthusiasm.
OrangePower11 writes:
Jawjavol...
You are correct indeed friend, and it was eerily similar to my 1st time, minus the hissing llamas and hooting owls...dont ask :)
RJ_Vol writes:
IPOrange...I think if we are good, the coaches won't say it. I think if we are bad, the coaches definitely won't say it. The coaches have seemingly been very tight-lipped this pre-season begins. I'm glad to see the fog and mirrors. A good coaching staff will never show its cards until the season. Personally, I have harped on this point all off-season...I think Ben Martin is due. He has the frame, the smarts, and the speed to be an All-American at defensive end. Now, he needs to step-up. This is his time. For whatever reason, I'm a little more concerned about depth at LB. That may be founded or not.
Michael1204 writes:
In my opinion, you never know. It only takes one player to emerge and become a real force. Everyone has to start somewhere in their playing career.
gohawks1 writes:
I hope you're right, RJ. I think we'll be ok at linebacker, though. McCoy is a hard-hitting beast. Nevin McKenzie, Myers-White, and Ellix Wilson have plenty of experience as they are seniors. I don't know too much about some of the younger guys, but Chris Donald should develop as a top knotch lb as he begins to get playing time. He was very highly ranked coming out of high school.
4114 writes:
With all the changes on the offensive side of the ball last year the defensive coaches had better take notice. Help improve the boys on the hill or maybe the defense gets a much needed overhaul.
gohawks1 writes:
marc_ash - I agree on the quality of the article. It is very informative and factual without demeaning or slighting the program, as I have seen with some previous articles.
Richmondvol writes:
our good defensive backfield should make these guys look even better that they are. I think we will be fine.
gohawks1 writes:
Knotch? Where did I come up with that one? Top notch, I meant to say.....
GreerVol22 writes:
first team sounds good, first and second team ends sound good, deep at corner and safety....it rolls back to the depth at hog...boys...sounds like there just ain't enough there.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
2008 Defensive line = Swiss Cheese
RJ_Vol writes:
IPOrange...I did indeed forget about Chris Donald. Good point!
kaplan#211944 writes:
When did I say Adams has stopped writing columns? In another thread I posted that Adams returns Sunday. He has been on vacation. Nothing else to it. Most of the writers on our staff take vacations during the summer.
CoverOrange writes:
I agree a well written article but I have to disagree with the intro that the DL will be improved because of returning players. Those guys (Bolder, Williams, Brown, Ayers), couldn't get it done last year. Experience doesn't count as much on the DL as other positions. Besides they were sophs and juniors now turning juniors and seniors not freshman. It'll take heart and effort to make a difference. Hopeful, but wary.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Just think Foolmore's been in Jackson Hole since the end of spring practice outside of a week or two of summer camps. COntract extension....8 wins is enough.
orangebloodgmc writes:
General, 10:54, good one!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Defensive tackles ... its a shame we don't play a UAB or Northern Ill. first, because we need to just play the backup dt's a lot early on to give them reps and to give them confidence. Would be best to get them blooded before we might have to throw 'em in vs. FL or Auburn.
TommyJack writes:
Drew: Excellent reportage.
utchris writes:
marc_ash,
I too would have drawn the same conclusions from Deputy Dawgs comment.
I guess we should all brace for this weekends article. I am sure he spent the last month gathering up some dirt on his next expose on why Fulmer should be fired due to the recent transgressions of players at other schools across the country.
kaplan#211944 writes:
Marc_Ash
John spent a week in June covering Nationwide golf tournament in Knoxville. John also wrote a long takeout and column on MMA last month. He has also been working on material that we will run in the annual college football preview section that runs the end of August. Sure he's had time off, but just because you don't see it on gvx doesn't mean he's not working. We do have a daily newspaper to put out.
CoverOrange writes:
Marc, be careful what you wish for. Having June and half July off means working 7 days a week from 1 September to 1 April. (Except for Kappy who works 24/365.)
I made a guess before that ole John was vaca-ing in San Diego. Maybe he'll share his slides and home video with us. "this is me fishing, this is me falling off the boat, this is me standing next to a cardboard cut out of a swordfish"
DennisVols writes:
The DB's will be much improved this year and with that we should see some improvement in the line. Better coverage in the passiong routes will cause the QB's to hold the ball that extra second or two. Keeping containment on QB's like Tebow will also be another key to a better overall denfensive effort.
The lack of depth worries me becuase injuries can bite you quickly and as we have seen learing on the run can be costly.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
WE can be awful damn good, with just an Okay D-Line. Offense just needs to hang 40 points on the board, and have a TOP of 40 minutes a game.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I hope our guys realize that talk is cheap. Getting it done on the field--in the trenches--will be THE SINGLE FACTOR that will have more impact on our season than anything else.
I'm looking forward to seeing how we've progressed. I won't believe it until I see it.
gnm53108 writes:
4114: 1016 post.Agree.They should take notice but I think they will rise to the challange this year and get the defensive side of the ball back to Tennessee standards.
posivol writes:
I MISS ADAMS,THE OLE TRAILOR PARK HASNT BEEN THE SAME SINCE HES BEEN GONE.
utchris writes:
He wrote a take out menu?
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
So didn't we get a sack on Tebow in the 1st quarter last year or did they not consider that a sack? someone with replay ability let me know if I'm just imagining junk. I could have sworn we had all kinds of pressure on him early on.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Two more swings and two more misses for the biggest idiot on this board.
BOJ
MidTennVol writes:
Maybe this group can finally STOP THE RUN.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Scary story that after reading again says very, very little.
"At times we were as bad as we've been" - Chavis.
Oh, trust me, we know, we know.
We can hope. Koolade and orange visors at the ready we head toward Southern Cal. Slurping all the way.
txsvol#372416 writes:
We want the DL to be consistently good, Coach Chavis, not just 'consistent.' Go Vols! SAVol
GreerVol22 writes:
orangebloodgmc 11:21pm post
great idea!....if we had backup DTs
volnbig11land writes:
Extend johnnie's vacation....
The articles have been just fine without him!
OrangePower11 writes:
Kingsport,
Im getting conflicting reports, some say he left her for being a Bammer, others say he was upset that she had hate in her heart and refused to let it out.
Woogie Boogie
pdhuff#552644 writes:
DenmarkVol 4:55am - Lets not get carried away!
LOL
Greyback_Vol writes:
Chavis is right. At times last year the d-line played great, but at other times it played horribly. Hopefully that inconsistency was the product of some of those young players maturing. If that's the case you can expect the d-line to be better this season. If not, well......
VenomousVol writes:
When does basketball start?
miamiVOL writes:
few observations: DLine is without a doubt the hardest position in football to identify and develop, esp. on the HS level.
TN's DLINE starters are fair and could get an early boost of confidence playing @ UCLA, who I believe has lost 3 starters in the past few months. DE should be improve, but thats not saying much giving the recent history.
You havent heard Chris Donald's name becuz he cant learn the play book or climb above 4th on the depth chart, however I look for him to make an impact on special teams
Ironcity writes:
I can't imagine we can't find someone to take Mitchell and Reynolds spots. Those guys never made a play. I think our starting line should be real good and much better then last year. Our back up ends will be much better then last year. I just think we appear weak at back up tackle and vulnerable to injuries at tackle.
Go4Two writes:
Two Senior DT's will be a huge plus. This should allow us to stop the run and put pressure with a safety blitz. Stopping the run will be the key to the 2008 season. We must make teams throw at our DB's.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
When does the basketball schedule get released? I need something to get excited about other Tim Tebow dropping 60 on us in Neyland.
Go4Two writes:
2008 should be a 10 win season and based on history we have a 50% chance of winning the East
VolGraduate writes:
the d-line had 3 bad games last year and we had a chance to win the sec championship game. why the doom and gloom? bolden and williams are beasts. it takes a few years for these d-tackles to come into their own so the backups will be serviceable at least. (see john henderson...he was working at calhoun's his first couple of years at ut)
CoverOrange writes:
Marc, I read it the way Kaplan meant it, making light of the constant posts for "where's Waldo". Kap does have a sense of humor, sarcastic at that, which is just perfect for this board.
threehundredbowler writes:
I thought you guys hated John Adams.If so,why are you so worried about his status at KNS?When I don't like something or someone,I put them out of sight and out of mind.Hurry back Adams. I may not always agree with you but I enjoy reading your opinions.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Putting alot of faith into Demonte Bolden? The same guy suspended for the bowl game for being academically ineligible? That's what senior leadership is all about. Oh and we are still waiting on him to live up to a fraction of his potential. Thank God Dan Williams is there, at least he tries and you know you can depend on him. Then it takes people bashing his coach for Robert Ayers to finally get motivated and serious 4 years later. Oh and this is supposed to be his breakout year as well. Yawn....
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