Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. UT-Martin
- When: Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, 6 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: $40
- Age limit: All ages
To say Chuck Smith's first preseason camp as Tennessee's defensive line coach has been challenging might be an understatement.
He lost two starters in three days to non-contact Achilles tendon injuries, and among his rotation at defensive tackle are three converted defensive ends and a converted center.
"Don't cry for me," Smith said after the Vols wrapped up Wednesday's practice for Saturday's game against UT Martin.
"You have to do your best. It's going to be a heavy rotation. We've got a lot of guys, this is going to be their first time. Those guys are going to go out and compete."
Among that rotation at defensive tackle behind starters Montori Hughes and Gerald Williams are converted ends Steven Fowlkes and Rae Sykes, converted center Victor Thomas and Arthur Jeffrey, a redshirt freshman who hasn't played in two years because of a knee injury.
Regardless the rotation's makeup, Smith, who started at defensive end for UT for two seasons before a nine-year NFL career, is a firm believer in having one.
"Go look at the Chick-fil-A Bowl: do you really want everybody playing 70 plays against Virginia Tech? No, that's a recipe for disaster," Smith said.
"In this conference, there's nobody in my opinion that's going to play 70 plays against Florida, 'Bama, against the 6-6, 300-pound (offensive) linemen. It's a different era.
"It's going to be interesting. You're going to see a lot of guys going on and going off."
Not only will the Vols use a committee at defensive tackle, ends Corey Miller, Jacques Smith and Willie Bohannon are also factors.
Though the lack of proven depth at tackle is a weakness, Smith said the defensive line has at least one strength.
"All the guys have bought in to the program," he said. "If anybody knows the history of where we've been the last couple years, they understand that part of our challenge has everything to do with football, but not as much as you think to do with football.
"All of these guys have grown as young men. Not only am I preparing them to be great Vols on the field, but great Vols off the field."
No Vanilla: UT defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox scoffed at the notion of keeping Saturday's game plan basic to not reveal too much schematically against UT Martin.
"We're playing football, we play to win," said the former Boise State coordinator.
"We're going to go out and play. We don't know exactly what (UT Martin) is going to do, it's the first game. You've really got to have enough in your arsenal to be able to combat what they're trying to do."
Watching Growth: Count offensive coordinator Jim Chaney among the many excited to watch the younger Vols develop.
"That freshman and sophomore class," he said, "watching them develop, that's what I'm always about. I love watching them grow up."
Chaney doesn't feel all the inexperienced players will limit the Vols' are capabilities on offense.
"I haven't felt handcuffed at all," he said.
"We're learning who (the players) are as people, and being able to help them out. I feel like we've got enough bullets in the gun to go be successful and we'll see what happens."
Lathers To Start: Sophomore Herman Lathers will start Saturday's game at weak-side linebacker over senior Savion Frazier, though will play.
Lathers started the last five games of last season at middle linebacker after Frazier tore his anterior cruciate ligament against South Carolina.
Patrick Brown is a freelance contributor.
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Comments » 39
TNLawVol writes:
Coach em up and keep em fresh! I think the line could still be good, especially with this coach.
rockytopatl writes:
This defense could be very good. I like the depth at linebacker and there is some good talent at end and in the secondary.
whistlinwingman writes:
I'm getting pumped.
tnsportsman writes:
ON TRACK, GO VOLS! I love the way CDD and this Staff has prepared this Team of rag tag, no talent, short handed, small DTs TEAM!
Big Orange its you against the world and you will WIN!
LOVE IT, ITS ALL THINGS ORANGE!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
The7Maxims writes:
I like what Chaney said. I'm excited about watching our young team grow. This year is going to be tough, but I know our future is bright. When this offensive line matures, watch out! There will be some epic battles won up front and Hiestand is going to be a major factor.
FWBVol writes:
I believe every guy the team has pride and confidence and will be playing with an edge to prove the doubters wrong.
Martin needs to be a statement game that we win in a Tennessee Waltz that will give the team a boost heading into Oregon.
We have enough front line players to be a good team if those younger kids can grow up quickly and we can avoid injuries. If there is a situation like we had at middle linebacker last year when we had to go to our number three guy at a position we are going to be in trouble.
If we can stay healthy while the freshmen grow up and gain some experience we should surprise some people.
rudy123 writes:
Next season, we will get Ben Martin back from injury, if he chooses to use this as a red-shirt season and we will get Marlon Walls back next season. Then with these younger guys getting experience this season, we will be in better shape.
Bogus writes:
Lathers is going to be a beast here, wait and see. Can't wait to see what Tauren, Oku, and Gordon can really do on Saturday. It's gonna be awesome!
jjsteel writes:
2 more days and some change!!!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Games like UTM is where the young 2nd team DL's can get much needed reps..Like everyone else Iam concerned about depth in the middle but I think there is also a talent worry..Let's face it; unlike FLA and bama we aren't reloading here we are rebuilding on both sides of the line
volatil writes:
I know this is off topic, but I have DirectTv, how do I get the game. ESPN3 is claiming the game is not subject to black out, I can't take that chance. Any suggestions, other than driving to Knoxville, my kid is playing Baseball.
mdvol writes:
First 4 games at home...
Playmakers starting to emerge all over the field...
I'm telling you....
We are going to surprise some damn people.
We will upset either Florida or Alabama.
Believe it.
VOLHolla writes:
"We're playing football, we play to win"
LOVE THIS GUYS CONFIDENCE
This is a welcome mind set from what we have had in the past. Young team or not, depth or not,
we are coming at ya'
This is not going to be your daddy's typical defense
bring it
RespectTradition writes:
I would expect nothing less from Chuck Smith. Winners don't complain about what they don't have or can't do, they focus on what they do have and what they can do. Coach Smith is a winner.
Go Vols!
SanDiegoVol writes:
Love it!! GO Vols
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
For Herman to get the start over Savion he must of had a heck of a camp.
Maybe Savion knee not 100% yet???
GO VOLS!!!
murrayvol writes:
Taco Tuesdays can be tough.
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
Now that is funny!
Everybody looking at me for lol
OldNumber7 writes:
If in Tennessee, it'll be pay per view on one of your DirecTV channels I believe. If out of state, ESPN Gameplan picks it up on DirecTV(still a pay-per-view basis....just a different carrier). But if you are computer savvy, get a cable and patch your big screen into your laptop. Then, fire up ESPN 3 and watch it on your big screen for free - I did that last year and it worked nicely and saved about $25! ESPN 3 shows it world wide with no blackout issues.
OrangePsyched writes:
This staff is such a breath of fresh air. I don't think that we will have to worry about a vanilla called game now. Glad to hear Wilcox say he is going to let the dawgs off the chain and turn them loose. Let's lay a smackdown and build some momentum. ROCKY TOP!
FOOTBALL_TIME_IN_TENNESSEE writes:
ESPN 3 (original 360) blacked out in Tennessee.. but Go Vols! THREE DAYS or two and some beers!
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
Don't you just love it when a coach doesn't try to make excuses. Doesn't try to put the blame on inexperienced players. Just mans up and says that there will be a lot of contributors to the success of the defense. And dadgum if I'm not just plain excited about having Coach Wilcox as our DC. Coach Dooley has put together an excellent coaching staff that is busy building an excellent football program. Let's just watch and see what happens. It's kickoff time in Tennessee! I'm just tickled orange. GO VOLS~
DannyVol writes:
Why don't you keep your stupid trap shut, put on some camo, and go hide in the middle of a dove field on Saturday.
crimsonviper writes:
O.K murray that is bad...bwahaahaha.
westennvol writes:
Just think how good these "inexperienced freshman" will be by the junior year. This year will be a good one:not fantastic by any means, however i'm smiling about the future.
westennvol writes:
if you call directtv, you should be able to order it. PPV games are never blacked out in my experience. if the person speaks english, (which i doubt) you should be able to order it that way.
secten#238516 writes:
I will be really surprised if we don't upset at least one team this year. Its football time in Tennessee!
tnsportsman writes:
On Comcast and Direct TV it's pay-view. On my Direct TV I take to tailgates, I have ESPN Game Plan for the year, it was like 150 bucks. I set up my tailgate TV yesterday to check everything out and our game is not blacked out on ESPN Game Plan.
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT
OTPVol writes:
Bud, I think you need beer and valium more than you need DirecTV...
wctnvolfan writes:
Coach um up and bring on the 1st kick off - GO VOLS!!!
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I totally agree with you... assuming there are no injuries. I don't think lack of talent will hurt us this season... depth will... if needed.
gatorhator4eva writes:
totally agree, florida is not as good this year as everyone says. ill be surprised if they get by USF. may not seem like a big game but USF is known for upsetting teams.
gatorhator4eva writes:
GO BULLS! lol
nola_vol writes:
"It's going to be interesting. You're going to see a lot of guys going on and going off."
So, who on our schedule runs some kind of "no huddle" offense that could keep us from substituting?
monsterman writes:
I like having a homie back in there teaching em how it used to be done when Reggie White, Albert Haynesworth and John Henderson roamed the UT sidelines. Go get em Chuck!
iadvol writes:
I remember sitting in section D / 2nd row and watching Big Al and Big John standing on the sidelines together. Ive never seen two bigger and meaner looking dudes in my entire life. We will get back to our DT glory days soon with C Smith. He gets it!
mountainbrook writes:
I'll be surprised if you ever post anything intelligent.
RespectTradition writes:
Likewise.
Go Vols!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I heard ol Phil is down to 350, a more trim lean machine might sway some coaching gigs..
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