Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Arkansas tailback Michael Smith, center, is tackled by Tennessee’s DeAngelo Willingham, left, Eric Berry, second from right, and Antonio Reynolds during last season’s game at Neyland Stadium.
Inside the secondary
POSITION COACH
- Larry Slade
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
- SS: Eric Berry (DeAngelo Willingham, Anthony Anderson)
- FS: Demetrice Morley (Daryl Vereen, Vince Faison)
- CB: Brent Vinson or Dennis Rogan (Antonio Gaines); Marsalous Johnson or DeAngelo Willingham (Art Evans).
WATCH OUT FOR
- Battles for the starting job at both cornerback spots, where four players with starting experience are in the mix.
KEY STAT
- On his five interceptions last year as a true freshman, Berry had a school-record 222 return yards and also returned two fumbles for 55 yards.
If anyone questions how good Tennessee's secondary can be, just ask Josh Briscoe.
The senior wide receiver has gone up against those players all summer long in seven-on-seven drills, and he can attest to the supreme abilities of safety Eric Berry and the rest of UT's defensive backs.
"They're real talented," Briscoe said. "Having Demetrice (Morley) back helps out a lot, too. He's a great athlete. With him and EB, I think we have the two best safeties in the country."
Berry, a freshman All-American and second-team All-SEC selection as a true freshman, and Morley, a Parade All-American who started 10 games in 2006 before missing last season because of academics, give the Vols one of their best safety tandems in school history.
And a deep pool of players at cornerback (four players with starting experience will battle for two starting jobs) could give the Vols one of their best secondaries ever.
"I think potential is a good word," defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "Potentially, we have a chance to be outstanding."
Thanks to Morley's return, Tennessee shouldn't miss a beat despite losing free safety Jonathan Hefney, who started 50 career games.
Behind Morley at free safety is converted running back Daryl Vereen, who made a quick transition to defensive back during spring practice. Behind Berry is DeAngelo Willingham, a potential starter at cornerback and former Austin-East star Anthony Anderson.
But the Vols' biggest source of depth is cornerback.
Senior Antonio Gaines returns after missing UT's final 12 games with a knee injury, while junior Marsalous Johnson is back from a knee injury that caused him to sit out UT's final seven games.
Regaining those starting jobs, though, won't be easy.
Due to injuries, the Vols started five different players at cornerback last year before finally settling on true freshman Brent Vinson and Willingham, a junior college transfer, for the final seven games.
Those four players and sophomore Dennis Rogan, who played considerable snaps as a reserve last fall, will battle for the two starting spots.
Regardless of who starts, the Vols will have plenty of depth, plenty of experienced defensive backs. And plenty of options.
"It's been two years running that we've not been able to put our fifth and sixth defensive backs on the field," Chavis said. "Coming out of spring practice, we feel very confident that we can do that."
That depth and talent should allow the Vols to bring more pressure from its linebackers and play more man-to-man coverage. The Vols even had some success late last fall, particularly against Kentucky, blitzing out of their five defensive back package.
While Tennessee is deep at cornerback, the strength of its secondary looks to be Berry and Morley.
"I think that gives us two really good players at safety," Chavis said. "And I'm not sure since I've been coordinator here that we've had a pair of safeties that are as good as these two or as good as these two can be and we expect them to be."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 73
shane6#638715 writes:
1
BigVolinCarolina writes:
The great thing about this time of year is the "preseason talk".
Unless you perform on the field, this "talk" will come back to haunt you. I remember the preseason of 2005 and how much talk there was about how good we were at EVERY position. I'm sure you can recall how that year went.
Can't wait to see it on the field. I hope it's our time in Big Orange Country.
williamshockley#225607 writes:
Berry and Morley are gifted athletes....and our cornerbacks should be OK as well, however, even the best cover people need a consistent pass rush. Will we have a consistent pass rush from our front 4.
Pops writes:
Morley and Berry are good, but its premature consider them the best pair of safety's that Chief has coached, considering Fred White and Deon Grant played together on the '98 team.
bcbobcat82 writes:
WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO I CANT WAIT!!!!!! LETS KNOCK SOME HEADS OFF!!!!
hcjournals#206623 writes:
When Eric Berry ran the interception back against Florida it was the best defensive play we have had in.......well, a long time. It kept us in the game, albeit for only about two more minutes......But it was electric. And if Morley has turned it around..........We will shut some teams down. Word. Bring it...own it...know it......Leave it all on the field.......Thanks for coming out.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Who in their right mind would want to go over the middle with EB and DeMo bearing down on them? We're going to see a lot of WR's in the second half of games with alligator arms. There will be a lot of snot-bubbles and slobber-knockers coming off of opposing WR's this season!!!
el_duderino writes:
They're the best tandem we have on the team. Both guys are great athletes and good guys. DeMo is back on track and is determined to make the best of his time at UT. He's eager to get on the field and start winning. I think this is something that is circulating throughout the entire team... September 1st couldn't come soon enough.
andy112382#209793 writes:
I'm with bcbobcat82 on this one, especially with the 'I CAN'T WAIT!' part!
GO VOLS!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
What about that cat who joined after the season? Who was he? Vince Faison or something? I guess he is not even a factor huh?
txsvol#372416 writes:
We should have enough depth to withstand injuries to key players. We never recovered from Inky's injury in the Air Force game a few years back. DBs play a high-impact, high-speed game, and they sometimes have to hit somebody much bigger than they are. So, hit 'em low, wrap 'em up, and hold on long enough for teammates to get there. Whatever some of the other posters may think, Hefney was durable enough to play in 50 games! Oh, I think that Eric will help keep DeMo from getting burned deep, as happened to him two and three years ago. Go DBs! Go Vols! SAVol
MidTennVol writes:
"That depth and talent should allow the Vols to bring more pressure from its linebackers and play more man-to-man coverage."
Playing man is the key. We haven't been able to do that in years. Are we good enough now?
If so, I expect some picks. I also expect some three-and-outs for opposing offenses.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read at Tennessean.com - click sports - Chow.
What a sweet deal he has. Dang.
If we don't leave these talented DBs on an island for a 4 count, they should produce.
Heaven help us with no d-line push.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
If these DBs can cover for a 3-4 count than our DL should get the required push...it works both ways.
ThurmondEppy writes:
nafslov or RB Sheffield, STFU about Karl. When's the last time you played D-I football? That's right, never.
Cherokee writes:
I'm as excited as anyone about the potential, but the comments about a secondary being as good as its pass rush are on target. A weak pass rush can make a great secondary look average, and an average one look really bad.
Also, IMO it would be a good idea to cool all this talk about the best pair of safeties. Morley is a very talented player who as as a freshman was often out of position. That's not all his fault, as a learning curve was to be expected, but let's just see how the season goes before we anoint he and Berry as the best pair in the land.
ThurmondEppy writes:
RB Sheffield, seriously, how can you put down one of our players and then turn around and say Go Vols? You are a complete buffoon.
TommyJack writes:
55vol, 8:13: "by the end of the year, they learned". What? Gave up 74 points to top rated KY and Vandy in last 2 games. I look for improvement too dude, but don't O.D. on the orange ether too soon.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Morley was out of position alot, but his style reminds me of Samari Rolle (sp?) who played for the Titans. He'll get burned a few times, but he'll make an equal number of spectacular picks because of jumping a route.
threehundredbowler writes:
I only hope this unit will be able to stop third and fourth and anything.It has been a long time sinse Tennessee has been able to stop anybody on third and long or fourth and anything.If they can do that,they may well raise the Sears-K Mart national championship trophy.
GatorintheKnox writes:
This may be off topic but I cannot stand Heather Harrington on the Sports Animal. I have never in my life heard a more annoying person on the radio who knows as little about sports than this bimbo. Her nasaly voice makes me want to send her some Clariten. That show would be so much better if she was gone and Will took her place.
auttat writes:
gatorintheknox, have you seen here, though? She was built for TV
auttat writes:
*here* should be her
Even IE7 Pro can't fix everything
BADGES0413 writes:
Gatorintheknox,
Unfortunately she knows more sports than Mickey and the Ohio St dude. It is not a sports talk show in that sense, it tries to be a comedy show and falls short of that too. Mickey is actually a very good basketball announcer, but knows very little about other sports. Heather has other "assets" that keep her on the radio. She is very nice in person if you see her out and about.
Back on topic, all DB's have one more year experience and should be strength of the defense. I hope our corners can play more man to man because we are going to need to blitz our LB's to get a pass rush. How many days??
velovol writes:
I am very excited about the defensive backfield BUT
I was excited about Kenny ONeal, Gerald Riggs Senior Year, Jon Hefneys Senior Year, the 05 Season, ...........
b_neas writes:
Intimidation - It has been years (at least 6 or 7) since we have had an intimidating hard hitting defense. I hope with this secondary leading the way we can establish an intimidating defense again.
RJ_Vol writes:
pd 6:05AM - Nice article on Chow and the UCLA game. Just read it.
GatorintheKnox writes:
She is absolutley "built" for T.V. Her statements on the radio are so obvious. They hired a former Volleyball player for a sports program that primarily talks about football and basketball. "The players need to play harder if they are going to win" -HH Statement
miamiVOL writes:
Larry Slade's future with UT should be deeply reviewed and considered after the next two years, with the playmakers he has, I expect some plays, but more important, consistency week to week
RJ_Vol writes:
I am glad Drew Edwards writes for KNS. If he didn't, I'd have very little quality material to read about football - the board here is much more informative than the writers in most cases. Let me explain. He actually reports on "new" news and not "old" news. He doesn't go out of his way to make the best fans in the nation mad. He just reports the news. I suggest the Tennessean(Nashville) on days like this - when we get a sports editor that is smugly trying to reopen past wounds. I am not saying he(the sports editor) is right or wrong - just same old story line w/ boring take. At least Drew is writing about sports and not rambling and trying to settle old scores. Vote w/ your feet or in this case...your mouse. Our choice is not to post on columns that are petty and lack substance. Post on columns like these that at least report the news.
CoverOrange writes:
42 days, 9 hours, 56 minutes, Badges.
Bigger_Al writes:
I want to see Brent Vinson hold on to some of those picks this season. I think he will because (hopefully) his shoulder is better and the game should slow down a bit for him as he gains experience.
TommyJack writes:
PD: Good read about Chow. It's good work if you can get it.
BigMix writes:
WOW! Is it really only 42, Turbo?
Did anyone else here about Urban Myer Being quoted as saying Tim Tebow is the greatest college player of our era?
TommyJack writes:
Urban, Schmurban. Enough.
VolFanInAtl writes:
We're sure talking sophomore Eric Berry up like he's the best thing since the invention of sliced bread. I hope he can live up to all the expectations.
It sounds like we have some depth at this position... great!
"the greatest college player of our era" despite losing 4 games, how does that work?
NEWS FLASH - yahoo corrected their 2007 standings and has now listed TN over GA in the SEC East... ESPN still has it wrong
IBleedOrange444 writes:
TJ-
Let's not fudge the numbers to make UT sound like we were worse last year than we really were. Of those 74 points given up to Kentucky and Vandy, 50 of them were given up to UK in 4 OT's. UK had a very explosive offense with a great QB and we won both of those games.
WereInTrouble writes:
Oh, yeah. Churn out all the football propaganda that you can so Foolmer's Fools will run out and buy tickets. Sooner or later even a fool will realize just how bad it is over on 'The Hill'.
CoverOrange writes:
givim6, Daniel Brooks? Though he never started so I think that disqualifies him as "WJ".
DaddyVol, how about Sterling Henton? The next Jimmy Streater that disappeared as fast he could run.
BADGES0413 writes:
WereInTrouble,
If we were in trouble, does that mean everything is OK now?
I think we will have at least 3 or 4 Pick Six this year with our DB's. Morely and Berry All SEC.
invisiblekid writes:
"If you base that statement from early last year, yes the guys were learning SEC football."
55Vol, the secondary was learning on the fly, not the defensive line last year. Bolden and Williams were juniors along with Ayers. Reynolds, Mitchell, and Mapu were seniors and Fisher was a juco player. These guys had been around long enough to know SEC football, they just couldn't excel at it.
thesavageorange writes:
Sorry, I have been on vacation and don't know what all has been thrown around ,so this will be a little long.
Word is Bolden has shown real dedication in the weight room, and has broken a couple of records set by "Big John" including the bench press.I really think he will have a break-out yr.Why?In NFL terms, he is in a "contract yr".Literally.Fisher has really been pushing Bolden & Williams telling them both he wants a place at the table.The secondary will be good, but how good will be decided by the front 4.
Recruiting notes over the last week:
Twins Jamil & Jamal Merrell of (DE) have both said Tennessee is the school that sticks out the most.Jamil is a 6'4 215lb 3* DE and Jamal is 6'4 197lb 3* LB.Both said it was their best visit.They are a package deal.
Nigel Mitchell-Thornton ,the 3* ILB of (GA) has said UT is his leader.What?Chavis recruiting?
Thornton:I really like my recruiting coach there (John Chavis). I like the fact that he coaches the linebackers and is the defensive coordinator as well. He has a lot of history of bringing linebackers to the NFL. Tennessee has kind of become 'Linebacker U'."
David Oku, the 4* RB of (OK) has said Tennessee has made his top 5, and he will make an official the weekend of the UF game.Yeah ,him and half of the other guys were recruiting.We will battle Nebraska,Michigan,Illinois, and FSU for his services.
As expected Jerod Askew, the 4* LB of (VA), has named us in his final 5.We will battle Bama,WVA,South Carolina,and Maryland.He has also said Chavis is a big factor, and also dubbed us linebacker U.
We have about 11 spots to fill.The scary part is that so many have named us in their top 5.The staff will probably have to start backing off a few guys.
invisiblekid writes:
I think we'll see an upgrade from the DE position which will make more opportunities for the DB's to make plays. Ayers should have been starting last year IMO and Martin will have a chance to show what made him such a highly touted recruit. Throw in Brown if he can stay healthy, that should substantially increase the speed off the edge.
Either way, the secondary is easily a strength for the team. They are deep and talented across the board. I would love to see Berry get the chance to be another Charles Woodson. He was 2nd all time to the SEC record on interception return yardage and has ability in the open field with the ball in his hands.
invisiblekid writes:
SavageO, I hope you're right and Bolden has dedicated himself, we sorely need a strong presence in the middle besides Williams. The other issues are whether he is dedicated to his team and the classroom as well. Physical talent hasn't been the problem IMO.
thesavageorange writes:
invisiblekid, you're correct sir.Talent has never been the issue, it's his attitude.Brooks said he really hopes Chase Nelson is the guy that steps up behind Bolden,Fisher,and Williams.Alot of people say he has all the talent in the world, but hasen't developed that old school meaness that Brooks loves.
I meant to post this a while back and just forgot.Overstreet tells it like it is.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SehmJIU...
Jdavol writes:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJWt8Y...
if you listen at the end the CBS commentator says UT spanks Georgia in the mouth, hahaha
RJ_Vol writes:
Savage. Appreciate the info.! It's shaping up to be a very good year in recruiting indeed.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
"Spanked them in the mouth" huh? Sounds so dirty!
thesavageorange writes:
DaddyVol ,thanks,glad to be back.I also heard he is doing well academically, and that people that have been around him say he seems like a totally different person.Ayers and Brown will also help to prevent double & triple teams on Bolden.The D-line will be ok, but must stay healthy for us to have a shot.
BornNBredAVol, good work.tngeoff posted this one a while back and it's one of my all time favorites.It's from the 06' game.If you haven't seen it ,I think you'll like it.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HEYFRLb...
RJ_Vol ,No problem.
Jdavol writes:
savage, thanks for the video, i'm a big fan of his videos. at the :56 mark demetrice morley makes a great hit on a Georgia receiver, who appears to be Massaquoi
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