Defensive coordinator John Jancek had just started talking about his defensive philosophy when he was interrupted by applause Thursday night at Neyland Stadium.
He had uttered the magic numbers: 4-3.
Tennessee's failed experiment with the 3-4 defense (that is, three down linemen and four linebackers) produced one of the worst defenses in the country in 2012.
Jancek and head coach Butch Jones are returning the Vols to the 4-3.
Perhaps emboldened by the crowd's enthusiasm, Jancek ratcheted up the intensity and the volume.
"We're going to get back to getting after people," Jancek said. "You're going to be proud of the product you come to watch every Saturday."
When Jancek sat down, Jones deadpanned, "He must have had a Five-Hour Energy."
But even Jones, an offensive coach by trade, won big applause from crowds by pitching an improved defense.
"The formula never changes in winning. We will play great defense at Tennessee," he said.
Jones, who is known for his many motivational phrases and techniques, unveiled two new ones to the UT faithful Thursday.
He wants his team — and the fans in the stands — to celebrate third-down stops with a fist in the air. The fist-up defense, he calls it.
"We want all the fans in Neyland Stadium to raise their fists," he said.
Another one? The 6-3 mentality. Each play lasts roughly four to six seconds, Jones said. He tells his players that in six seconds, he wants three great efforts to make a play.
And when the quarter ends? Expect to see the Vols sprint to the other side of the field.
"Because we're a blue-collar football team and we're telling our opponent we're both physically and mentally strong," Jones said.
Evan Woodbery covers Tennessee football. Follow him at www.Twitter.com/TennesseeBeat.
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Comments » 150
orangecountyvols writes:
Evan,
Other side of the field or other end of the field when the quarter ends? Just kidding !
Sounds like a lot of energy so bring it in September !
MooseandSquirrelVol writes:
"Jones, who is known for his many motivational phrases and techniques, unveiled two new ones to the UT faithful Thursday.
He wants his team — and the fans in the stands — to celebrate third-down stops with a fist in the air. The fist-up defense, he calls it."
I like it. The fist in the air that is.
Something I've done for years is after every first down we make is yell "Move those sticks!". I even do it at home watching on tv. I've had my wife tell me she's going to move a stick alright if I don't simmer down 8-)
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
The "3-4" was not an experiment...it's a defense that's been run off and on for 40 years or more; in the old days a 5-2 was very similar.
UT's defense was certainly bad, but the SEC also was uncharacteristically good on offense this season. Even in the bowls, the SEC offences saved the defenses butts.
Once again, the D will come down to "can you cover somebody" and can you contain the edge...and whether a 4-3 or 3-4 is not the issue.
td writes:
Absolutely, the 2012 Vol defense "hoovered" in the 3-4; but the two teams that played in the SEC Championship game (both) aligned in the 3-4. It ain't the scheme as much as the players with the talent to execute the scheme and a coach who knows what scheme his players can execute. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.
emailnodata (Inactive) writes:
Your story is correct and it can be said 1,000 ways.
In theory, the 3-4 allows you to matchup better against spread teams.
In execution....
jack4444 writes:
I do believe they will be more physical on both sides of the ball. Offensively the returning line can certainly be more hardnosed and needs to be given the loss of big play capability. Defensively they can't be any worse, and a spring emphasis on hitting and toughness is a guarantee.
FWBVol writes:
It's true that the 3-4 defense is more or less the same thing as the 5-2 and it doesn't mattere what defense you play as long as you play defense. The issue involves the kind of players you have to play the 4-3 or 5-2/3-4.
The defensive ends in a 4-3 are true defensive ends that usually play with their hand on the ground and line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. They are usually heavier than standup defensive end/outside linebacker in the 5-2/3-4.
The defensive ends/outside linebackers in a 5-2/3-4 often have more pass coverage responsibility too.
To make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in college isn't easy as it requires whole sale changes in the kind of players needed to play different postions.
UT tried to make the switch to a 3-4 without having all the parts in place to the defense.
The bottom line is some coaches are successful with a 4-3 and others are success with a 3-4. If the players make plays the coaches look brilliant and if they don't the defensive coordinator ends up coaching linebackers at Florida State.
JordanGrindstaff writes:
I an getting so tired of watching players run into the ballcarrier just hoping they fall down. Get low drive through the player and wrap up. Hold on to what ever you can get ahold of. Quit this hitting and hoping kind of tackling!!!
tnvolfan30 writes:
John Madden, ladies and gents! :/
PUL4VOLS writes:
I see we have the experts on here about defense and still many of "they'll never do it" Eeyore types. Eeyore is the blue/gray, negative donkey in the Winnie the Pooh story. Granted the Vols did not come near to having the personell to run the 3-4 last year. They tried, failed, and are GONE! Some of us are moving on. We begin a new era and time will tell who they are able to beat or compete with etc. By the way, whomever pointed out how the 3-4 is better suited to stop the spread, I suppose was not watching Texas A&M against Bama last year. I know, I know the JohnnyFootball factor but early in that game the 3-4 just was NOT stopping the spread of the Aggies. I suppose that all depends on the personnel of the spread team you are trying to stop.
Orange_Beach writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
MooseandSquirrelVol writes:
Our resident expert on "the losing attitude" has spoken.
RoadTrip writes:
They recruited for a season for the 3-4. However, they played it much less than half the time. In over half the games their base D was the nickel, which is a 4 man front. They just played every D poorly.
Eliminating the 3-4 simplifies everything for the better. Outside of Big Mac the roster is all better suited for 4-3 and I think that he will adapt to it really well since he will be playing inside the center/guard (3) gap anyway.
pcorange writes:
If these guys are good coaches, we'll see a much better defense this year. The problem last year wasn't a lack of talent, it was poor coaching. Let's get off CBJ's butt and give him a chance to make a difference. Will this team win 10 games this fall? Probably not. But it needs to have a winning season and go out and win a bowl game. Last year our coach found a way to lose games. I don't think that will be the case this year. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
McMinnVol writes:
"If the players make plays the coaches look brilliant and if they don't the defensive coordinator ends up coaching linebackes at Florida State."
Great analogy - except that Sal is now coaching DL, not LB's. LOL
GO VOLS!
dragon18 writes:
IGNORANCE!!! Why do certain people post factually incorrect information to make a fictitious point? Sorry MOD I haven't seen many posts from you so this is geared toward most of the others but you are guilty of posting something that is just not true, or atleast skewed to make an impression that is not accurate. We signed 21 players, we had one two star recruit, the rest were all 3 and 4 stars. our average star rating was 3.2 which is higher than both of the schools you referenced. If the goal is to be negative, at least be factual in your post otherwise please keep quiet.
laraccoon writes:
if you ever notice his posts always coincide with the time Hardee's opens up , i guess that would make me bitter too .
rbwtn writes:
Now That's What I'm talking about raise your Fists that's more like it in other words "Wake Up" they could really use that in Basketball too by the way "where are the Students". Seems like we've kicked them to the Curb especially in basketball. To me that's the excitement of the game besides kicking butte.
w4tey#282182 writes:
Took the words from my mouth or keyboard !
AllforTenn writes:
You are the "joke" and the "fool."
w4tey#282182 writes:
I'm for shutting down all comments on news stories for a while. Maybe the trolls and fans of other teams will move on to being idiots somewhere else.
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
dragon, these trolls don't care about being factual. In fact they would rather not be factual because they know that riles folks up and that is their goal. Their only reason for posting is to stir the pot
tennrich1 writes:
WARNING WARNING...SET UP ALERT SET UP ALERT....DO NOT RESPOND!!!!!!!!!!
hikerdude writes:
The only thing we know for sure about next year's team is that the defense will be much better. Fortunately for us the Sunseri experiment is a thing of the past. No telling how much that is going to cost UT in the long run. A total disaster.
philgreen5#410561 writes:
The energy and positive attitude of this coaching staff will make a big difference this fall. If we can win the games we are supposed to and pull 1 or 2 upsets, it will be huge progress. I think the staff last year saw the writing on the wall after the Fla meltdown and mailed it in after that. There were several games we would have won last year if DD had not changed the defense. VFL...GBO
budd#207344 writes:
You are 100% correct. The name of the game is COACHING. If this group can coach this team up they can win. There is talent there and it just needs someone who knows how to coach. A skill that has been lacking at UT for the last three years.
lomas98 writes:
He better be careful asking the fans to put up their fists. With immediate results expected these days, failed defensive stops will result in a stadium full of middle fingers.
I like Jones' energy and salesmanship. Doing a lot more publicly already then Dooley. He is a likeable guy and is doing all of the right things off the field. He is marketing the program like Kiffin without the bonehead quotes. This roster is in a really tough spot to compete in this conference. I hope he can coach the kids up and motivate them and they win some games we are not supposed to. That is the end all in helping recruiting....WINNING. We haven't won a game we were not supposed to in a very long time.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
True, coaching is most important when preparing a team for a game. But UT's problem have a lot to do with lack of speed and poor schemes. To make up for speed deeper angles and better disguises to hide flaws need to implemented..I don't think Sal ever faked a blitz or disguised a blitz last year.
dragon18 writes:
I just read a comment that our roster is not in a place to compete in this conference. I had to take a moment to think about that and I have concluded the following. We have a few spots of glaring weakness, My biggest concern is our defensive line. That could be the spot that would validate the comment. I can't decide if our defensive backs are truly a weakness or if they were out of position often last year. they were actually adequate the year prior. I think that overall our roster is woefully inadequate to win an SEC championship, but I think it is overall adequate to compete and to win 7 (maybe 8) games next year. I believe we will be able to score plenty next year and I believe our defense will be back to the level it was in 2011. Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I think we could be a bit better than not being able to compete.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Not my point..My point was our angles should be aimed at where the runner will be, not where he is..In other words UT used bad pursuit angles all year, and that's a problem that can be fixed rather quickly..I see you are bringing nothing to the table as usual.
UTvols33 writes:
Like what I hear out of Knoxville, also what I read in these posts, except for the couple of trolls. I have to agree, the scheme really is not that big of a deal, it's the coaching. The question is, "Can these boys cover and set the edge?" Go Vols, Beat Florida!
Theo writes:
One thing I really like about Coach J is that his enthusiasm seems real. He seems to not be afraid of really letting his enthusiasm go. I liked Coach D and supported him as best I could because he was our coach. I still wish him good luck, I think he did his best. Having said that, however, I did think he was a little sardonic and I'm not sure college football players could really "get" him. I think they will get Coach J, what you see is what you get.
UTvols33 writes:
You don't have to be faster, that's why you take the angle. Go run someone down and you'll understand. You are thinking about it too much.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Okay, your lips can start at this point and kiss my arse at point x..That should be very easy for you to see where you'll end up..SAM alumnus
dragon18 writes:
Haha!!! Revolver you are right from a mathematical perspective. I've always wondered how pursuit angles actually worked out unless the pursuer is faster. The pursuer is in fact covering more distance than the runner if he (the pursuer) is on the angle. The fact is though proper pursuit angles often lead to making down field tackles. It's just a mystery of football that defies mathematics LMAO!!!
SummittsCourt writes:
The 3-4 has worked for the Steelers for decades. However, you have to have the right people and great coaching to make it work. you have to have fast LB's who can cover RB's and TE's and you most certainly have to have great CB's and Safeties otherwise it will not work.
The 3-4 failed because the team didn't have the players. Dooley's mindset was this was going to take a couple of years to implement and his offense would score enough to compensate until the defense caught up. Neither happened. The offense scored plenty against weaker teams, but not the better defenses and the UT defense couldn't stop many because they were always out of position and lost in the schemes.
I am glad the new staff is going back to the 4-3 because in college you win games at the line of scrimmage. The Vols will have a great offensive line next season and if the defensive line performs well there is no reason the Vols can't have a good season.
Let's go Vols!!
antonio14313 writes:
i find that it's best to simply ignore negativity. :) go vols!
t
Vol43 writes:
If you had any idea what an arrogant pompous fool you are, your face would be red with embarrassment.
dragon18 writes:
GEEZ... You're a jerk even when I'm trying to agree with you.
Volbound1700 writes:
I wonder if us as fans could help in recruiting. For example there are UT alum at Brentwood Academy and all these schools. Get them to get their kids to talk these athletes into going to UT. Talk to the coaches, school staff, etc. We don't need coaches to recruit for UT if you think about it. NCAA doesn't have a rule against it as long as you don't "give" them anything of value.
UTvols33 writes:
Interesting, I see what you're saying, and you're right, the distance of the pursuer to the point of contact has to be shorter, that's why you see so many pull up and slow down because they know they don't have a chance. However, what BB was saying is that the UT secondary would "take poor angles," or misjudge the point of contact either by underestimating the oponents speed or being out of position, even when they had a short enough distance to meet the runner before he crossed the goal line. I witnessed it alot and have to agree with him. You are just explaining the math of "taking the poor angle" for some strange reason.
Orange_Beach writes:
Well Bullwinkle, the proof is in the puddin.
UTvols33 writes:
He does come off as a jerk. I don't think he ever played any sports at all.
jandjhome#228397 writes:
This used to be a pay site, we need to return to that and some of the garbage will disappear.
VOLSONTHECOMEBACK writes:
Great post. You hit the nail on the head about the 3-4 versus the 4-3. In a 3-4, the gaps and assignment responsibilities are completely different. For example, in a 4-3 defense the defensive ends responsibility is primarily to set the edge and make sure that the qb and running back doesn't get outside of him. In a 3-4, it's primarily the outside linebackers responsibility to set the edge. I don't know if you guys noticed, but Smith, our outside linebacker, bit on the play action fake every time and always went inside. I shouldn't blame it totally on him cause our whole defense consistently shifted wrong, but he was the most obvious. How hard is it? You tell the outside linebacker Smith that if he bites on another play action fake that his butt will be on the bench. Salsari's ineptness reminded me a lot of Randy Sanders. I don't know if you guys remember the 1999 game where Alex Brown had a field day with 5 sacks cause our coaches were too stupid to make any adjustments. Alex Brown was timing the snap count and Chad Clifton was getting his doors blown off. If they would have changed the snap count, Alex Brown would have been offsides by 3 yards. If we had changed the snap count and he continued to make sacks, keep a running back or fullback home to keep him off the quarterback. Simple adjustment. I'd expect a Junior High School Coach to get these adjustments, not guys that we pay more than $500k to sweat up orange tees and look like clowns at a circus.
Vol43 writes:
That's right because you don't have enough common sense to see it! Graduate of UT, huh? You should call the school and request a refund. They've been expecting your call.
antonio14313 writes:
raise your fist = the refs' call for forth down. i like it! go vols!!!
t
dragon18 writes:
Dumb Arse, we are the two guys that have agreed with what you have been trying to say. If we proved you wrong we would be proving ourselves wrong. We just think you're a cranky old bastard.
OrangePride writes:
All you Debbie Downers and naysayers can post all the negative nonsense you like; it's a free country (so far). But as for me and the rest of the Vol nation still on board, these are all great signs of renewed energy, thinking, and optimism. This signing class might not have been the big homerun of say Ole Miss or Bama, but given the circumstances it was not a bust either. What I see as the most important element of this year's work so far has been the rebuilding of strong connections to our high school programs throughout Tennessee and surrounding states. These will pay BIG dividends down the road and I fully expect top 10 classes to begin showing up here over the coming years. Yes....we also need to put together a few wins on the field to make that a reality, but I'm confident that will also begin happening. In the meantime, I'll just pour myself a nice tall glass of orangeade and look forward to spring football. And I know there are a LOT of Vol fans joining me! GO CBJ, GREAT JOB!
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
He's a putz..I would bet at age 51 I could line up and pancake his arse right now..He's got many delusions and denials. He's good at diagnosing everyone but himself.
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