Larry Slade
Larry Slade
You don’t have to be Tom Landry to coach the secondary on a college football team. Tom Cruise could do it. So could Tom & Jerry.
“Everyone can coach the secondary it seems,’’ Larry Slade said Friday morning.
“That little old lady with orange hair in the stands knows when one of those guys gets beat. She knows ’em by name. She knows the coach. That’s part of the territory.’’
Slade actually does coach the secondary for Tennessee. He’s been coaching for a living since 1973 and at UT since 1999.
The fact is, of course, not everyone can coach the secondary. It’s a hard job. No one knows that better than Slade, defensive coordinator John Chavis or head coach Phillip Fulmer.
Slade was making the point that defensive backs have nowhere to hide.
They’re not mixed up in a pile of bodies at the line of scrimmage. They’re out there for all to see in the open spaces, chasing receivers, usually one on one.
When the other team scores on a touchdown pass or converts a third down, a defensive back is usually the visible guy at the scene of the crime. He’s guilty by association if not by actual deed.
Never mind that maybe the pass rush didn’t get there or a linebacker or another defensive back might have botched the play.
“You can’t coach in the secondary and you can’t play in the secondary if you’re not tough,’’ Slade said.
The 2007 season was tough on UT’s defensive backs. It was tough on the coaches. Yes, it also was tough on the fans.
Through the first half of the season the secondary at times resembled a fire drill. But in reality, it was no drill. The fire was real.
“It was not a good situation,’’ Chavis said Friday at Gettysvue before some of the coaches played a round of golf with the media.
When the 2007 season kicked off at Cal, three starters from ’06 were gone. Within weeks, two true freshmen were starting, one being a converted receiver.
By the Alabama game, a second starting cornerback from that rebuilt secondary suffered a season-ending injury.
For the South Carolina game on Oct. 27, three DBs were starting who weren’t even on the team the previous season.
But instead of getting worse, things got better. By the end of the season, Tennessee’s defense was playing at or near a championship level.
“Despite all the negativity around them,’’ Slade said, “they just kept hanging in there and going to work every day.
“They just had to be tough-minded people and they were.’’
So did Slade. As secondary coach, he suffered the slings and arrows of the fans’ discontent when UT was getting torched by Cal, Florida and Alabama.
It pained Chavis to see one of his guys taking so much heat for growing pains that were mostly unavoidable.
“Larry never makes a call,’’ Chavis said. “I’m making those calls. Larry’s as fine a football coach as there is in the country.’’
Chavis and the Vols are getting ready to launch a new season. That beleaguered secondary has come full circle, projected to be an anchor for the defense.
Slade smiles at the prospect of his unit going from weakest link to strongest.
“Let’s see when we line up out there at UCLA what we have,’’ he said. “We certainly could be.’’
The freshmen aren’t raw anymore. Eric Berry is an All-America candidate.
Fulmer on Friday cited DeAngelo Willingham’s terrific progress. The injured guys have recovered. Former starter Demetrice Morley is back after a year’s absence.
“The important thing is how they see themselves,’’ Slade said. “They’ve got a little bit of swagger right now.’’
Heck, anybody could coach a group like that.
Leaders Wanted: Fulmer said watching team leaders develop is high on his agenda.
He praised quarterback Jonathan Crompton, tight end Luke Stocker and Willingham.
“Jonathan Crompton has done a tremendous job of working and leading this football team . . . saying and doing the right things,’’ Fulmer said.
“But he has to go out and play well in a couple of ball games and I think the team — the offense in particular — will endorse him in that leadership role.’’
Willingham, said Fulmer, “has improved as much as a player in a year as anybody since I’ve been at Tennessee.’’
Vantage Point: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said he’s leaning toward calling games from the press box, but will postpone a decision until after he tries a couple of scrimmages from the box and from the sideline.
Missed Most: Chavis said his biggest linebacking concern is replacing Ryan Karl, who set the defensive alignments on the field.
Ainge Report: Fulmer said he had been told by an NFL staff member that quarterback Erik Ainge has a chance to start for the New York Jets.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 58
Waldorf writes:
These comments ain't going to be pretty.....
philfan writes:
I like to see an offensive coordinator calling plays from the press box. It would appear to be a much better way to see the entire field all at once and to be away from at least some of the noise of Neyland Stadium.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Pass D has finished in the top 25 one whole time since 1999 and mostly below 50th.
Brama writes:
Ainge starting in the NFL (NOT FOR LONG!)
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Depending whose ox is being gored, it helps to have a striped shirt who can't see out of one eye or who never sees the play the way it occurred. The VOLS used to get an even break in such situations, but now it seems they are always the loser. It balancves out when the breaks are even, but when they all go to the other team, the play of our backs is immaterial.
When one linesman makes several bad calls on the same team, you wonder why his interest is to the other team. When the same linesman misses four fouls on one play and against one player, that makes it curiouser and curiouser. Is there a vested interest involved? Who put up the payoff?
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
I, for one, am very excited about a stout secondary. I have not been won over by Larry Slade yet, but I believe the guys we have back there ARE some of the best in the NCAA.
I do get worried sometimes about their ability to cover the deep ball, as they tend to lose sight of the ball while covering the player.
Still, I am hopeful that athleticism, and if we are lucky, coaching, will get them into shape and a level of play that exceeds all expectations.
b_neas writes:
Nice to see the QB being a leader. Last great leader we had there was Tee, he fared pretty well i believe.
givehim6 writes:
By what I'v hear Berry & Mortly will be the dynamic duo for the secondary, I hated seeing s get beat for long bombs. I thank a few teams will get burned for that this year. Glad to here Willinghams coming on strong. Hope we can stom the run! GO VOLS!
Sheepscape writes:
Well said KnoxVol.
Slade's not won me over completely either, but the athleticism displayed so far is really encouraging.
Maybe this year I won't cringe and pucker when its 3rd and 15.
jimr07 writes:
workin should have offered his services to the coaching staff. what a loser you are.
tnvol737 writes:
Regardless of past years, I have to give the coaches some credit for the improvement of last year's team through-out the year. That was not an easy situation to be in. I believe I counted 6 or 7 DBs that were either injured or dismissed prior to the season last year, so the coaches were dealing with very green players.
I also think it's a mistake to assume that a good unit at the end of last year will be a great unit this year (especially as sophomores....they may play like sophomores at times). Barry and Morley are game-changing players....there's no mistaking that. However, everyone makes mistakes and has bad games....Cant blame the coaches for that.
I may take it too easy on the coaches at times....however, not everything is in their control. I know I dont like it when I get blamed for stuff at work that I cannot control.
Sheepscape writes:
At lot of it will come down to what set of DBs from late last year shows up: Either the group that got torched repeatedly by Kentucky during that fiasco, or the ones that played above and beyond against LSU.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
jimr, the bitterness for me continues....I like it.
TurboFan writes:
"Within weeks, two true freshmen were starting, one being a converted receiver."
So, here's the question, who decided, after four weeks of preseason practice who would start for the Cal game? Slade or Chavis or Fulmer?
The times I could pick out Willingham I thought he played well. The one bad memory was in the UF game when he had inside position for a pick and the UF receiver hit him in the back of the head, slamming his helmut down over his eyes. No call.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
We must remember, that JArrod Parrish was going to be the next Chris White all American and tough to unseat as a starter...that lasted for a half vs. Cal then Berry who had been practicing at corner all fall was inserted at safety.
FLVol writes:
Working Like Heck,
Those numbers are misleading. Look at TN defensive statistics against the run. They want people to pass on them, their defense is built on that philosophy. One on one coverage by the corners and safeties. Chavis likes to rush his front 4 and blitz when he has a good secondary. Look for a lot of that this year. If TN can stop the run early, teams will have to pass and then we'll have them right where we want them.
DenmarkVol writes:
Chief, I love you, I'm oe of your biggest fans out here, and I admire your loyalty, but I think you may be a bit blinded by it.
Slade cannot possibly best the best secondary coach in college football. We all have watched very mediocre QBs absolutely shred our secondary the past few years. And the good ones have OWNED our secondary.
The stats about our secondary don't lie (see http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/r...).
I'm of the opinion that Slade should have left with Sanders. As nice a man as he is, we can and should do better.
But it would seem that Slade is safe as long as you are there. Oh well.
Sheepscape writes:
As fans, we aren't just imagining those 3rd and long conversions that we give up year after year. Whether it is scheme, or the front seven not getting pressure, or individual Db's getting burned...it's got to stop if we want to succeed and win an outright championship.
DenmarkVol writes:
To wit: why can't we play man coverage?
If our secondary lines up and plays man this year and actually stops some passing attacks in man, I will have been proved wrong.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
FlVol, they are like that every year even when the run defense isn't up to snuff. Every year since 99 but one has been mediocre.
TurboFan writes:
I don't know what Slade coaches to them, don't know if it's Chavis' schemes put them in tough positions, but I do know that the rankings of pass defense have always trailed those of the run defense by a good margin.
TommyJack writes:
jimr07: Nice to see your smiling face again.
workinlikehek writes:
Go Gators
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Funny how WVU, LSU, Ohio State, and USC all had run and pass defenses ranked in the top 25 in both categories and they both inexplicably went to BCS bowls. Please, keep Chavis, Slade, Brooks, Caldwell aka the ol mustache gang around. They are really earning those raises.
oldorange writes:
Good article. I think each starts off with us fans being excited about the secondary. I also wish Ainge well, he certainly deserves it.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Sheepscape - 3:50 p.m. -
It seemed to me like our defense as a whole and our secondary did a good job against UK at the beginning of the game when we were bringing constant pressure. We came out in the 2nd half and played not to lose and we stopped blitzing. That's when Woodson started picking us apart.
As others have pointed out already, our much more battle tested and improved secondary is going to allow us to blitz more which I think will make us better as a whole defensively.
Pullingguard writes:
Proof is in the pudding.... and that starts at UCLA and if they are still playing well through the Florida game then there is something special at UT.. We should give them the benefit of doubt and trust they will be outstanding until proven otherwise... Just maybe this could be a special season for the Vols...
jimr07 writes:
tommyjack--thanks for noticing. how are things in boerne?
TommyJack writes:
jimr: Hot n dry as usual. Send me some HouTx rain.
jimr07 writes:
wish we had some. get a little trickle every now and then. i would love a good rain myself. i am going to get over that way some day.
RockyTop1 writes:
Stating the obvious! GO VOLS!!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
WorkinLikeHeck, you are a real downer on this site. Are you a gator or an Alabambian? What is your problem? You act like Coach cut you from the beer swizzling team. How many of these negative worms are just you with nothing else to do? I hope someday you find a life that holds more than just hating our football team and staff. Maybe someday a few players will get a chance to show you the error of your ways.
murrayvol writes:
According to Chavis the "biggest linebacking concern is replacing Ryan Karl." Alignments & such. With all due respect I think Jerod Mayo will be a bit more difficult to replace.
But that's just me.
BillVol writes:
I think Slade takes too much abuse. The real problem is Johnny Chavis. Oh, the wins and money and championships he has cost the program! And maybe even a Heisman Trophy.
givim6 writes:
Whoever was the idiot that lined the DBs up 7-10 yards off the line of scrimmage and gave every team we played the opportunity to catch and run, should be tarred and feathered. I think it was Slade and Chief is taking the heat for him.
I don't care how good the DBs are, if they give the cushions they gave last year, we could be in trouble again.
givim6 writes:
On another note, I for one am happy for Ainge, and have said many times I thought he was NFL quality.
Go Eric, Go Vols!!
gobigorange writes:
Posted by BillVol on July 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Slade takes too much abuse. The real problem is Johnny Chavis. Oh, the wins and money and championships he has cost the program! And maybe even a Heisman Trophy
couldnt agree more. exactly what ive thought for the past few years
gobigorange writes:
seems the D has forgot how to tackle lately. remember a few years ago auburn and nebraska ran all over us.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
givim6,
Here here!
zanebreeding#490286 writes:
Last great leader we had there was Tee?????? Dude , youve lost your marbles. He wasnt even really the leader of that team , look to the other side of the ball. I would think Clausen and even E Ainge were in a much bigger leadership role than Tee. That was a comment based solely on the fact that he won a NC. If he was the true leader on that team we dont win a NC. Simple as that.
richvol writes:
This is the same story we get every year from Chavis.Tennessee has been lit up so many times on 3rd and long that the fans actually groan when faced with trying to defend it.
Somebody earlier pointed out the ridiculous number of times that a QB and a receiver have had "career" days against us. This has gone on for years.
Additionally, with all the DB's that we sign every year we should never be desperate for replacements...if they are trained properly.
If our DB's could play man to man pressure coverage like they are supposed to then our receivers would be better at separating themselves from the other teams DB's. Since they never get to work against good cover corners in practice they struggle in games. This also has been a problem for years.
Chavis may be right when he calls Slade one of the finest coaches in the country but Slade apparently doesn't know how to teach our kids how to pressure cover or defend 3rd and long. The stats don't lie.
Ironcity writes:
Workin your half right. Our secondary has been a burned on a regular basis. I would argue the reason for that is that no team exposes its corners and safeties to man coverage the way Chavis does. If you play enough man in the secondary and the team still doesn't put pressure on the QB (like the last many years), your DB's are going to get beat. I would argue that the D Line play as well as the LB play has been average at best and our inability to generate pressure on a QB without sending 5-7 rushers is putting an undue strain on the secondary.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ironcity 8:56 am - "pressure on the QB".!
What kind of concept is that? Is it used by the Vols?
gobigorange 1:32 - "Ran" all over us is putting it mildly. What did Nebraska have, 400 yds rushing?
orangefanatic writes:
Scheme doesn't seem to have been the major problem in years past...to me, it seems like tackling has been a real problem. It seems like a lot of times we are in perfect position to limit a play to a small gain, and then we miss the tackle and it's off to the races. Tackling is such an important part of the game that we tend to overlook.
TommyJack writes:
Murray 10:42: The Chief does have a way with words, huh?
IPOrange writes:
Secondary should be fine with the 2-9 buzzard. No worries.
grvol writes:
Slade should have been out with Sanders. He is the weak link on defense. It will be a terrible waste of fine secondary talent this year. Probably 60-70th in the nation yet again.
givim6 writes:
Thanks Nick;
Last years DLs were ineffective, in part, because the opposing OCs saw that they could throw the quick outs and hitches because our DBs were so far off the line of scrimmage. When a QB stands up and throws that quickly, the DLs never have time to do their thing.
Our DBs laying off is SOP for Slade. When that happens, count on seeing 3-5 yard dumps with the DLs barely out or their stance. Unless Slade or Chavis change that asinine strategy, we are in for the Harvins of the world to eat us alive.
Bigger_Al writes:
Good news for Eric Ainge!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
If the DB's can tackle and play the ball, then they'll be fine.
Eric Berry aside, our secondary has been horrendous the past several seasons. Regardless of the defensive scheme called or the pass rush, there's way too many times where we're simply out of position.
Can't wait to see us line up and play. This is one area where I'd love to see us be solid.
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