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Dave Clawson and John Chavis believe UT's 3-5 start is a "challenge" that coaches are supposed to overcome. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
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UT defensive coordinator John Chavis responds to questions about coach Phillip Fulmer's future at UT. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
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UT football coach Phillip Fulmer responds to media speculation about the future of his job at UT. (Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008) Watch »
Hey, Tennessee defensive tackles. Raise your hand if you're healthy.
We opt for a show of hands rather than standing up because standing up is painful for Tennessee's big guys at the moment.
Forget the practice field this week. The training room is where the South Carolina game might be won or lost.
The Vols got on the plane to UCLA two months ago with an unusally thin rotation of defensive tackles. Demonte Bolden and Dan Williams were the starters. Walter Fisher was the third man.
There wasn't a fourth, at least not a fourth ready to play.
"That turned out to be a pretty good rotation,'' tackles coach Dan Brooks said Tuesday. "As a coach, you always want the ideal, so you'd like to have five.''
For Saturday's visit to South Carolina, the Vols will have only one who isn't banged up or questionable. That would be Bolden.
Fisher is battling turf toe, which any athlete will tell you is a serious, painful injury. He didn't play Oct. 18 against Mississippi State and got only a few snaps in the 29-9 loss to Alabama.
Williams has a high ankle sprain, rendered by a low hit from an Alabama blocker. UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn't see any intent to injure Williams, but Brooks didn't like it.
"A defensive lineman's livelihood are his knees and his ankles,'' Brooks said. "When people get to chopping on them and doing those things, we really ought to take that out of football.''
The good news was that Andre Mathis had finally shown enough progress to get meaningful snaps. The bad news is that Mathis re-injured his wrist against Alabama.
"You deal with it,'' said defensive coordinator John Chavis. "You better have a plan to cover it up best you can if they're not able to go.''
Defensive tackle is a brutally physical position. Bumps and bruises - and worse - are expected. It's a matter of when, not if.
"They get hit by two 300-pounders nine out of 10 plays,'' Brooks said.
So having four or even five guys in the rotation isn't really a luxury. It's being realistic.
Which begs the question: If you're allowed 85 scholarships, where's the beef?
Aside from the aforementioned players who contribute, UT has two young tackles who as yet have not. Victor Thomas is a sophomore who has appeared in five games but hasn't made a tackle. Donald Langley is a redshirt freshman who has yet to play.
They have to prove they're worthy on the practice field. I wondered if Brooks was disappointed that they hadn't yet.
"We are, they are, sure you are,'' he said. "We all want them to get there in a hurry, so, yes, you want 'em to be way ahead of where we are.''
Thomas and Langley need to turn the corner before the 2009 season kicks off. Bolden and Fisher are seniors. Williams is a junior. UT has commitments from two junior-college tackles.
Meanwhile, UT's thin orange line will get another boost this week from within.
Senior end Robert Ayers has been sliding inside on loan for significant snaps the past couple of games. The coaching staff can't praise Ayers enough.
That's because there was a time when Ayers being asked to sacrifice and help out at tackle would not have been well received.
"When Robert got here as a freshman he didn't want to be coached very much,'' Fulmer said. "He already had all the answers.
"He's done a 180.''
That was reflected in Ayers being elected a captain recently. There's no higher tribute from teammates.
"He's become a leader,'' said ends coach Steve Caldwell. "He means it from his heart, too. He's not just talking.
"If you'd told me four years ago we'd be using him as an example, well, I don't know.''
How much tackle Ayers can play Saturday depends in part on how Wes Brown, the other starting end, fares on an iffy knee.
So the coaching staff will keep a close eye on the training room this week and hope for the best. But they won't know for sure until their big guys start getting hit by South Carolina's 300-pounders Saturday night
"You've got to plan for the what-ifs,'' said Chavis, "and certainly there are some what-ifs.''
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 45
blitzshoot writes:
If UT had an offense that could keep more than 3 plays maybe the defense wouldn't be so thin....
hotrodvol writes:
Is there not an O-Lineman they can move to the D-line?
HollySpringsVOL writes:
When it rains it pours...
Our only silver lining (the defense) in this team of dark clouds is beginning to tarnish.
"You've got to plan for the what-ifs,'' said Chavis". Like, what-if the offense didn't stink so bad.
Sigh...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
This article really states why they are 3-5.
ncvol writes:
My Goodness... We are falling apart ! Get better guys.
Rocky Top needs you.
Go Vols !
tnbigg writes:
This offensive line has been manhandled all year except for the fourth quarter against perrenial powerhouse Northern Illinois. Now they are lining up against the best defensive line they have seen all year...it coule be very...very ugly...I'm talkin' snail darter ugly...
tnbigg writes:
Recurring Fulmer nightmare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN47mp...
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
The block that hurt Williams was the same scenario that took out Tony Robinson's knee. He was held up while the 'tackler' caved his knee in from the side. Williams took a similar hit. Had a Tennessee player thrown such a block, we would have been penalized.
But since the red elephants are the darlings of the sec, nothing was called.
tnbigg writes:
Ten years after...
http://sundaynonsports.files.wordpres...
tnbigg writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfAW83...
TheMagician writes:
You have to be blinded by orange if you really believe this.
Conditioning of our players is a major concern. I can't remember a team ever complaining about being "worn out" as much as us this year. I know the D has spent a lot of time on the field, but it is not that bad. Look at the time of poss in the AL game. It was a difference of about 9 min which equals about 4.5 min more for our D. THEY SHOULD NOT BE WORN OUT! We are only talking about 6 plays! Remove the last 4.5 min from the D and they still got burned. I am so sick of the argument the the D is carrying us. The D is mediocre and that is all we have to hang our hats on...pathetic. WE NEED TO ADDRESS CONDITIONING! Last week they made the practices more physical and the players are belly aching...
Give me 11 that REALLY want to strap it on.
poof!
newtonrail writes:
And you Tubby Mike?
newtonrail writes:
Give em Scott's turfbuilder.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Wanna' bet on it, big guy!! And how about next year, how many we gonna' lose next year? And the year after, Mr. Brains!
rocky_topper writes:
These most recent injuries were probably the reason we actually lost to UCLA, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, and Alabama. I wonder if Foolmer has thought to use this one yet?
shipperman#280095 writes:
we will lose 4 or 5 next year and the same the next year unless we get a coach that is worth a chit
bigt4ut writes:
i wanna see big bad vlad richards on defense
powert#205805 writes:
TNBigg hit on one of the main problems Tennessee has with the manhandled at the line ocmment. They haven't looked strong since Stuckey had to retire as strength coach.
Hopefully the new regime will bring in someone to rectify this as it has been one of the biggest problems the Vols have faced for the last few years.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
True- the darter fears only the blue heron and preens himself beside his needs-help-in-the-looks-dept horneyhead minnow.
Will Spurrier be like the tall gaunt undertakers in the old Westerns with a pocketfull of coffin nails?
Or will he be a gracious host and breath lightly on the dying embers of the Vols season?
Stay tuned!
tnbigg writes:
Here is my prediction...Clint Eastwood portrays Steve Spurrier in this narative and Coach is the big lurch lookin' guy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZDp3...
OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:
Jonathan Hollins has committed to play football at the University of Tennessee.
Hollins is a 6-foot-3, 273-pound defensive tackle from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Hollins is the second junior college defensive tackle to join UT’s list of commitments for the 2009 class.
Edwin Herbert out of City College of San Francisco also is committed to the Vols.
Don't think this enough, but possibly a good start. We have had some good Juco success in the past, so let's hope these fellas can step in and help us our next year.
GO Vols !!
westennvol writes:
I saw that hit where they intentionally chop-blocked us. Pretty dirty. I know it's Bama, but I didn't think they did things that way. Would have expected that from Florida or LSU. Just like this country, things are gonna have to get worse before they get better for the Big Orange.
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
Why oh why do WE, the fans, year end and year out during recruiting season, scream for D tackles? Ummmmm, apparently this article is the reason huh? WOW, ineptness abounds
oldskewlorange writes:
i saw the hit also and def looked intenional to me
CoffeeCup76 writes:
Tennessee is one of the hardest places to coach, because of the a-hole fans they have. What a bunch of spoiled brats.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Langley was a 4-star recruit and the preseason articles on weight training mentioned him first as one of the most note-worthy of all our players that had worked hardest in the off-season. We knew we had dl depth trouble at least as far back as August when Chase Nelson went down. You would think Langley would have gotten some playing time before now, at the very least against UAB and NIU. What's going on?
SemperVol writes:
Written by John Brice:
"...Since August we've heard about offensive lineman Jarrod Shaw, a fixture on the Vols' two-deep but no doubt grateful for aluminum, rather than wooden, sideline benches. Cody Sullins isn't particularly young as a junior, but give us a look, please? Ramone Johnson, at times, has been an effective jumbo-sized tight end with his 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame stuffed into a No. 93 jersey. Could he be a less-effective left tackle than the current starter?
And what of wideouts Ahmad "Fastest Guy on the Team" Paige, not to mention Tyler Maples, Todd Campbell and Quintin Hancock?
The redshirts are burned on Ben Bartholomew, Austin Johnson and Tauren Poole. So make sure they were discarded for good reason and not simply token playing time....."
(Not really relevant to the D-Line but good comments nonetheless)
oldskewlorange writes:
there are 2 def tackles commited to ut they both are jr collage transfers,johnathan hollins a 6'3 273 dt, and edwin herbert is a 6'3 290 dt
oldskewlorange writes:
all i have to say bout that is A M E N!!!!
cjraney writes:
You really think SC has the best D-line we will see this year?
tnbigg writes:
It's arguable...but their entire defense is extremely good and the defensive line has been producing well. I included one link from last year and a defensive projection for this year. Our line is incapable (based on year to date performance) of handling these guys.
August 28 North Carolina State W 34-0 1-0 (0-0)
September 4 at Vanderbilt L 24-17 1-1 (0-1)
September 13 No. 2 Georgia L 14-7 1-2 (0-2)
September 20 Wofford W 23-13 2-2 (0-2)
September 27 UAB W 26-13 3-2 (0-2)
October 4 at Mississippi W 31-24 4-2 (1-2)
October 11 at Kentucky W 24-17 5-2 (2-2)
October 18 No. 13 LSU L 24-17 5-3 (2-3)
Look at the Georgia score...including four sacks against the dawgs...
Average Against - 16 points per game including a couple of high powered offenses.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Tennessee's D is just as good as SC's. We are higher-rated on run D, and have picked off more passes than they have. It could be said that their offense is hardly any better than ours, with Spurrier playing musical chairs with 3 qbs. Cover McKinley, contain Garcia and win battle of special teams. We'll see.
tnbigg writes:
I don't disagree with the offense...I'm just talking about their defense vs our offense. Our defense has looked extremely good several times this year. One of the seperating factors for this game is that South Carolina passionately wants to beat us and I don't see that same passion in return...that factor alone creates an enormous obstacle for us. If we still have a percent of our players thinking everything is a big joke...that will hurt us as well. Each component of winning football is supported or limited by many variables. Under ideal circumstances, it is desirable to give a team 100% opportunity to play the best they possibly can. The truth is we don't have any idea how good we could be because of all the self destructing events...including inadequate game planning...inadequate mental discipline...inadequate execution...on and on...
bigorangeslice writes:
If we lose 4-5 next year there will still be that portion of the administration and fan-base that will say:
"getting a new coach is not a guaranteed fix for a bad year....."
then sometime in 2013 Fulmer, after a fifth losing season, will say:
"we live in a microwave get-it-now soceity, where fans and demand instant gratification...(then something about never been caught by the NCAA)"
then in 2015 mike Hamilton will say:
"getting a new coach is not a guaranteed fix for a bad year....."
then Fulmer will say:
"we live in a microwave get-it-now soceity, where fans and demand instant gratification...(then something about never been caught by the NCAA)"
and so forth and so on
and so on
and so on
and so forth
and so on
G8er_H8er writes:
Well time to get some young blood in the mix. Let Walker, Martin and Williams play on the ends. Force Langley and Thomas to man up now. See if they can help next season. We (excluding Fulmer, Chavis, Brooks, Caldwell, and Slade) will need them next year.
invisiblekid writes:
That's where he started.
invisiblekid writes:
SC's running game is actually less productive than ours as hard as that was for me to believe.
I think the lack of depth at DT is going to offset their ineptitude though. I just don't see Mathis at 255lbs standing up to the test a majority of the snaps.
bigorange000 writes:
stepson played o & d line in hs, knees shot after carson newman offered him scholorship to play ot for them.... id give you 100 bucks to call him a wimp or p^ssy to his face.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
What happened with Ben Martin; Mr. All Universe; 8 games and only 10 tackles...I know we are bad at player development or are we bad at scouting HS players too?
stormblast writes:
Oh...goody.
The only healthy defensive tackle is Demonte "if you think that's bad, wait'll you see what I do" Bolden.
What a disappointing season. The only healthy defensive tackle is the most disappointing defensive tackle recruit coming out of high school.
Swell.
gdotallen#639789 writes:
Does this staff know anything about evaluating, developing and placing talent at all? We to start playing the younger folks now... what are we waiting on?
OPEN COMPETITION FOR ALL POSITIONS!!!!
Colliervol writes:
My, but we are using the term "us" a little liberally, aren't we? You have no more business saying "us" than do the Bama cretins that appear on here from time to time.
stevefrommemphis writes:
Chop block three Alabama DT's next season as retribution.
stevefrommemphis writes:
Ignore prior post. Immature and offensive. Forgive me.
stormblast writes:
Don't apologize. Most people with any common sense knows what you mean. Political correctness is for the weak anyway.
But, going back to what you said... our mighty offensive line wants no part of Bama's or any other team's defensive line this season. Once the ball is snapped I can almost hear shrill, Jamie Lee Curtis from Halloween-like shreik our big boys scream. Makes me want to turn away in disgust.
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