Tennessee's defense hasn't been preparing solely for Western Kentucky this week. It has been preparing for the first half of the season.
That's not to suggest it is overlooking the Hilltoppers.
Western Kentucky is more than an opening opponent for UT's defense. It's a preview of the offensive challenges to come.
Four of UT's first five opponents will run some version of the spread. That includes Western Kentucky, Florida, Ohio University and Auburn.
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who faced more conventional offenses in his sterling NFL career, has prepared accordingly. He began checking out the competition in the spring.
"He has been on top of it since Day One," UT middle linebacker Nick Reveiz said. "He was talking to me about it in the spring. And he was talking to me a lot about it over the summer."
The Vols weren't all talk. The scout team ran the spread offense for the defense's benefit in the spring.
That doesn't assure their readiness. The spread is more devious than the pro-style offense they lined up against for the large majority of preseason camp.
"They're trying to make you watch the wrong thing (in the spread)," Reveiz said. "They're trying to get you out of position. We've got to be extremely disciplined, watch our keys and be in the right spots."
Easier said for a season opener, particularly for a team that has been waiting since November to put another season between it and last year's 5-7 disaster. UT isn't just ready to win a game. It's ready to unleash a season's worth of frustration.
Emotion and discipline don't always travel in the same circles. Teams are more apt to exit a locker room to the rallying cry of "Let's kill 'em!" than "Man your gap!"
"You need to be disciplined in playing option football," Kiffin said. "You really can get too hyped up. We've got to make sure nobody trips running through the 'T.' "
That's where coaching and practice come into play. While UT's defensive staff have clearly demanded an aggressive approach to defense, they have been just as adamant about playing with discipline in Kiffin's Tampa 2 scheme.
"When you play option teams, there's a lot of trickery," Kiffin said. "You have three different people who can carry the football."
Kiffin is more curious about what version of the spread Western Kentucky will run than the spread itself.
"The whole thing about Western Kentucky is the unknown," he said. "They have a new offensive coordinator.
"There are all different types of option football, of spreads - believe me. So not knowing what they're going to do, we'll have to adjust right away."
Western Kentucky is expected to invest heavily in the running game. Running back is a team strength, quarterback Brandon Smith provides another threat as a ball-carrier, and Kiffin has been impressed with the Hilltoppers offensive line.
Although his preparation for the season opener has heightened his awareness and appreciation for spread offenses, he hasn't forgotten the offenses he left behind in the NFL.
"The spread offenses don't have very sophisticated passing games," Kiffin said. "They can't drop back, audible, check off and do all the things Drew Brees and quarterbacks in the NFL can do.
"So there are pros and cons."
Kiffin might be more confident if he had a more experienced linebacking corps. Rico McCoy is a two-year starter, but Reveiz and LaMarcus Thompson have only one start between them. Their backups include redshirt freshman Herman Lathers and true freshman Greg King.
But the veteran NFL coordinator isn't as concerned about his limited game-day experience with an offense that's foreign to the pros.
"We've done our homework," he said.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284.
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Comments » 46
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I totally agree! Also, one thing people seem to forget: Monte got his start back at Nebraska! He cut his teeth during the heyday of option football. The principles of the spread and old-school option football are the same, as well as the principles of defending it. Teams have just forgotten how to defend it. I'm positive Monte hasn't forgotten.
richvol writes:
One thing is a fact...Chavis couldn't defend the spread or option. Look at a team like Air Force. They destroyed our defense as bad as Florida or Bama ever did. It was embarrassing the way option or spread teams gashed us for eight or nine yards per carry and then we would get so confused we let them be effective in their passing game as well.
At least this defensive staff should be able to make adjustments...unlike the former staff.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Yep, Chavis against the option was embarrassing and never improved over his career. As mentioned above, Monte cut his teethe on some of the best option teams - Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas - in the history of college football. Defending the option requires different technique that he knows well and will teach it. I'm no longer anxious about facing an option/spread offense.
JoeVols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
jcvol writes:
Can't wait!
GreerVol22 writes:
Joe, you Googled her didn't you?
xvolx writes:
linebackers concern me too.
wags32 writes:
With all these questions---- Give me Monte Kiffin anyday enough said.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
why tebow will be a flop at qb in the nfl...
"The spread offenses don't have very sophisticated passing games," Kiffin said. "They can't drop back, audible, check off and do all the things Drew Brees and quarterbacks in the NFL can do.
chargervol writes:
Coming from a coach who was 5-12 in the weakest division of the NFL...who is now coaching a team that does have a few playmakers. USC had more talent than the Raiders. I still can't believe Kiffin won 5 games with the lack of players he had. Gruden had to go to Tampa Bay to win, ask Monte. GO VOLS!!!
UCFgradVOLatHEART writes:
Did we just witness an article by JA that did not have a reference to FLA. HOLY COWS!!!!!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Another of many reasons to love Monte:
He knows the word is "trickery" instead of the faddish non-word "trickeration."
This defense is gonna be awesome -- if we get the necessary linebacker play.
jamesd3741 writes:
Actually, I understood this comment to be coming from Monte Kiffin, one of the best DCs in NFL history, not Lane. Try to keep up.
DC_Vol writes:
Well this should be a good test for the coaches and players to see a spread offense up close. Of course they won't have the talent level of a Florida but the schemes will be similar. I am glad our guys will play these guys as a warmup for the 9/19 game. This will only assist in our preparation for Florida.
DC_Vol writes:
You are correct Navalorange. Thanks for adding.
e). No Life.
KennesawVol writes:
Totally agree!!
vol_chaz writes:
Spread teams took advantage of our over-pursuit of plays, making us very weak against such teams (see Air Force). Speed used to kill, now mis-direction does...yikes..Herban knows this, but the league is soon to catch on, much like Big 12 teams eventually caught on to the wishbone, and triple option. We focused too much on speed, not enough on gap protection. The only thing that stays the same, is change..
DC_Vol writes:
Well,
I know you don't beleive what you write. Monte will be ready for Florida's spread. You continually slant statistics improperly to support your biased opinion. Especially regarding Monte Kiffin. He is one of the truly great DC coordinators in the game today. You will see on 9/19. Your constant ridiculous posts regarding winning by 40 + points leave you no credibility with Vols fans. Florida won't score 40 points on 9/19, so there is no way to win by by 40.
Your spin about Monte Kiffin losing his last four games and therefore isn't a good DC is just plain ridiculous. How about judging the man on all his accomplishments.
Fact write it down:
Monte Kiffin's defensive units have finished ranked in the top 10 in points allowed and yards allowed 10 times during that period, an NFL record.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Ki...
Florida will be in a game on 9/19 you had better believe it. No more playing to lose, we will be there to win.
VOLfanstuckinFL writes:
Actually I was at his last game where they gave him his goodbye and no one wanted him to leave because of what he was to that team and to the players. Also, some of the players even said that he was distracted at the end of the season because of the whole situation.
DC_Vol writes:
What a lie Gruden isn't wasting hsi time plotting revenge. Nobody believe you. Another comment that just makes you look silly. No truth to yet another of your statements. You have no idea what Meyer and Gruden have discussed. I am certain it wasn't about Monte Kiffin. Quite frankly you are embarssing yourself again. Twisting the facts yet again. Kiffin and Gruden are friends. In fact Monte has continued to visit Tampa Bay in the offseason. He is still welcome in Tampa.
http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/...
Read for yourself.
Gruden was lucky to keep his job. Notice Gruden was let go after Kiffin quit. There are articles out their on the internet where Gruden quotes the team's collapse at the end of the season had nothing to do with MOnte Kiffin. Do some research. Kiffin had the top ten defense in Tampa Bay ten out of eleven years.
I am sure you will find a way to twist this fact.
vol_chaz writes:
more insecure UF trolls.. Fear is setting in..
murrayvol writes:
Hope our linebackers are as well. Get some sleep BB. :)
givehim6 writes:
Less then 24hrs now, then all the talk can stop. I think many peoples thoughts about the VOLS will change.
tfortennessee writes:
I am not a defensive genius (or any genius for that matter) however, it is my understanding that the "Tampa 2" will slow a spread offense, forcing more opportunities for turnovers. If I read it correctly, it is based on speed, specific assignments, and aggression. It is based not on something developed by CMK, but on the defensives made famous by the Steelers of the 70's with Jack Lambert at its heart. CMK gives credit to Chuck Knoll and his staff for the basic philosophy. I can't wait, go vols!!!!!
tfortennessee writes:
Coming from a coach who improved the raiders defense from one of worst in the NFL to a top 10 in the league.
DC_Vol writes:
Ignore this dunderhead, none of his posts make sense or hold any water. He just dreams up negative posts to upset everyone. Of course he rarely backs up his posts with facts.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not only that, but the sorry Raiders are one of the reasons WHY theirs is the weakest division in the NFL and they have been for years. Mike Shanahan lost at Oakland; he goes to Denver with better talent and better management and wins a Super Bowl. John Gruden lost at Oakland; he goes to Tampa Bay with better talent and better management and wins a Super Bowl. What is the common thread in this? Al Davis as the most clueless, senile, paranoid owner in all of pro sports history. Now, CLK hasn't won his figurative Super Bowl, but his record at Oakland is COMPLETELY irrelevant in predicting his future at UT.
As for Monte, not everybody WANTS to be a head coach. He is happiest studying film, teaching on the practice field, and coaching on the sidelines. Most of the duties of a head coach these days have next to nothing to do with football as a game, and everything to do with football as a business, whether at the college or pro level. Not everybody wants to look at it that way.
DC_Vol writes:
Great post! You tell the truth fellow Vol! Yes, everything I read as well is how the players still admire and miss Kiffin's profesionalism and fair treatment of the players.
As far as Gruden is concerned, Jeff Garcia and Michael Clayton considered Gruden to be dishonest, self serving and unprofessional. Monte saved Gruden's job for years.
Check this out.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/articl...
MDiv writes:
Something tells me that Monte Kiffin's ready to go.
He won't be outsmarted by WKU.
kman29 writes:
I have to really laugh at this comment from Monte. First off, tell Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Florida ect..that they...
1. Don't have sophisticated passing games. (Still waiting to see a defense totally shut down any of those teams passing games). All those teams had at least 30 TD passes each, 3,000-4,000 yard passers, 1,000 yard receivers ect. Must be something a bit sophisticated about their passing if nobody can stop it.
2. They don't audible and check off? Im sorry Monte, but maybe you should go back and check out McCoy, Bradford, Tebow, Robinson ect. in their games last year running spread offenses. Now I admit Im not a great defensive cordinator like Monte Kiffin, but I certainly know when watching all of those QBs last year they did plenty of audibling and checking off WRs.
Maybe he only watched film on the spread of western kentucky if those were his thoughts on the spread offense. lol!
kman29 writes:
The same Jon Gruden who did not have a losing season at Oakland and won 2 AFC west titles in 4 years, going to the playoffs twice with an AFC championship game appearance? uh yeah! he had to go to Tampa to win.
tfortennessee writes:
"Maybe he only watched film on the spread of western kentucky if those were his thoughts on the spread offense. lol!"
Or maybe you are just taking his quote out of context. Ever think about a career in journalism? Probably should stay far away from college football. Just a suggestion.
kman29 writes:
All the NFL scouts huh? You talk to them? Give me a name of one scout who you heard this from.
And Mel Kiper? Please! This is the same guy who said Houston drafting Mario Williams over Reggie Bush was stupid. Or my favorite one was in regards to Ryan Leaf. "Best QB in the draft". Yeah sorry if I don't put too much stock into Mel Kiper. It will be funny when Tebow is drafted in the 1st round, Kiper will do his usual bashing of that team because he wasnt rated that high on his board, while 15 other NFL GMs throughout the NFL did.
In the mean time I'll trust the word of UFs QB coach Scott Loeffler who only coached NFL QBs like Tom Brady, Chad Henne, Brian Griese with Michigan and was also a QB coach in the NFL in his assesment of Tebow's ability to play at that level.
kman29 writes:
what part is being taken out of context? It was a direct quote from him.
He did say that the spread offenses do not have sophisticated passing games right? He did say those QBs DO NOT audible and check down right?
Sorry I do not see what I took out of context if those were truly direct quotes from Monte Kiffin.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Saban won 6 games in the NFL in 2006 and Spurrier won 5 games in the NFL in 2003. How did the college coaching careers turn out?
tfortennessee writes:
I hate to do this but I tend to agree with you on this one. Teeeeeee, ahhh... Tee, Tebow (it gives me no pleasure in even saying his name) reminds me somewhat of a young Steve Young. Your quarterback (I just can't say that name again without becoming sick) has the size, speed, and I think the armstrength to play well at the next level. Much of the complain about him are that he is not a "pocket style" quarterback, but when he has had to stay in the pocket and throw the ball downfield, he has done so with good accuracy and strength. Review last years NC game.
Now. Whew, I hope I never have to go through that again, but I have to give the devil his dues. So since that is over, can we stick to the Big Orange. This is govolsxtra ya know.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
I live in Tampa and alot of people cried when he left, and ALOT more are going to be crying when this new coaching staff only wins 4 games.
tfortennessee writes:
His quotes were in comparison to NFL schemes. Dummy.
tripper writes:
So once again John, what in the hell are trying to say. I guess I just don't get it. Confused?
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Ok Nostradumbazz... While you are predicting the future tell us how long it will be before Urban Cryer will be coaching at Notre Dame?
jerseydevilvol writes:
The raiders were the laughing stock of football way before Kiffin got there. Granted Kiffin didnt help them get out of the dumps, but lets face facts here, you may be called the head coach of the raiders, but it's Al Davis's team any way you slice it. He calls the shots.
Looks like a good deal for Kiffin to get out of there anyway before he got punched in the face. What a joke.
tfortennessee writes:
By G@* we may not be rich, but we're creative! Go Vols!
tfortennessee writes:
I am no Nostradumas, but I predict at the end of this season, Charlie will be replaced at ND after getting his azz handed to him in a bowl. He has a pathetic soft schedule that will ensure him a good win/loss record. He will lose to USC and probably one or two more games. But winning with a schedule like Conf USA teams will not cut it in South Bend. Then Urban Cry Baby will pack up and move north. He can't withstand losing player like Nuke to TN. His quarterback will be gone. Yep, one more season at Gayville ought to just about do it.
chargervol writes:
Where did Gruden win his Super Bowl, not Oakland. Gruden saw the writing on the wall in Oakland. He knew that they were going to be depleted of talent, thus the exodus. He wanted to go somewhere that would keep the talent level up. He knew Al was losing his mind. Now, everybody knows what Gruden knew, Al Davis is nuts. GO VOLS!!!
jared_b5 writes:
how have oklahoma, texas, oklahoma state, texas tech and florida qbs done in the nfl
DC_Vol writes:
I really had to laugh when I read your post than I had to laugh at you. Yeah thats it Kman,
Why don't you tell Monte Kiffin how he is wrong and you are right. Unbelievable! I am sure he is just waiting for your phone call so you can explain the game of football to him. Clearly you know more than one of the great DC coordinators in the NFL. He has had one of the top ten defenses ten out of eleven years, but you go ahead and explain to him why you have more football knowledge. Unbeleiveable! Let me guess, you are going to be the new Tampa Bay Defensive Coordinator. Geez!
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