SB Nation - Nevin McKenzie

Opening Our Files: Roundup on Tennessee Previews & Other Volunteer Notes

Nestor — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:00:26 -0000

So let's officially open up our collective notebooks on Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols under first year head coach Lane Kiffin is coming off a picture perfect opener against newly minted D-1 Western Kentucky. The numbers the Volunteers piled up against the Hilltoppers were pretty sick. From the Tennessee team report posted over at Yahoo! Sports:

Western Kentucky turned Jonathan Crompton into Peyton Manning Lite, as the senior quarterback tossed five touchdown passes Saturday in a season-opening 63-7 annihilation at Neyland Stadium.

"To see Jonathan throw for five touchdowns today, more than he threw for all of last year, was really good for him," Kiffin said. "This is a quarterback and an offensive line that has been torn apart for a while now."

Crompton and the O-line did the tearing in front of a sun-drenched crowd of 98,761. Tennessee finished with 657 yards and 34 first downs, numbers that would have required three games to amass last year when the team went 5-7 and cost Phillip Fulmer his job.

Tailbacks Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown each rushed for more than 100 yards and scored a touchdown. Hardesty rolled up 160 and Brown, a highly touted freshman, ended with 104.

Monte Kiffin’s defense had the Hilltoppers in minus numbers during the third quarter and allowed only 83 yards in 46 snaps. Western Kentucky picked up just six first downs.

The Volunteers piled up video game numbers on both sides of the ball, racking up 657 total yards and 34 first downs on offense, while limiting the Hiltoppers to 6 first downs (apparently their only first down in first half came via a penalty).

Yeah, I know it's kind of easy to dismiss those crazy numbers because they were taking on a hapless Hilltoppers bunch that was apparently playing their first D-1 game. However, I am not going to discount this kind of performance in their opening game under new coach, because it (at least on paper) shows that they are trying to put together a team with lethal killer instincts.

Bruins will have a puncher's chance though (even though at this point I am not seeing how we can pull out this win with a freshman QB and a completely revamped OL). The Tennessee team we are going to play this season is going to be a bit different than the one we shocked at the Rose Bowl. I have gathered some of the pre-season notes on their personnel from around the web with the latest update from our colleagues at Rocky Top Talk (RTT), after the jump.

So Kiffin (or should I say the Kiffins?) will be waiting for the Bruins with a team that returns 12 starters (7 on offense and 5 on defense) from last year's team. Paul Meyerberg from the New York Times has the following lowdown on the key losses from last year's team:

Key losses: Tennessee’s losses on offense are most felt at receiver, where the team lost two 2008 starters to graduation and another pair of potential 2009 starters to injuries. Lucas Taylor was one of Tennessee’s more dependable targets last fall, making 26 grabs for a team-leading 332 yards. The Vols also lost the part-time starter Josh Briscoe, who made 14 receptions for 176 yards and a score. Making matters worse, U.T. lost the senior Austin Rogers (14 for 180) for the season in the spring because of an A.C.L. tear, and may also be without the junior Denarius Moore for much of 2009. Moore, who made 11 receptions for 271 yards (a team-best 24.6 yards per reception), broke his left foot two weeks ago and may miss as much as three or four months. The team also faces a gap on the right side of its offensive line, where it lost guard Anthony Parker and tackle Ramon Foster (27 career starts). In the backfield, running back Arian Foster (570 yards, 1 touchdown) might have had a disappointing senior season, but he still departs as the team’s second-leading career rusher (2,964 yards). As a junior, Foster earned all-SEC honors after rushing for 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 83 career receptions, 19 as a senior. The would-be junior Lennon Creer, the team’s second-leading rusher last fall with 388 yards, opted to leave the program in April.

On defense, Tennessee lost a pair of starters at each level: the line, linebackers and secondary. The biggest is most likely end Robert Ayers, who earned all-SEC honors as a senior. He seemed to put it all together in his final season, making 49 tackles, a team-best 15.5 for loss, and 3 sacks. At tackle, the 21-game starter Demonté Bolden had 35 stops (6 for loss) as a senior. Middle linebacker Ellix Wilson led the team with 89 tackles, and added a sack and an interception; a fine season for the first-year starter and team leader. Rounding out the losses at linebacker are Nevin McKenzie (53 tackles, 10 for loss, a team-best 5 sacks) and Adam Myers-White. The U.T. defense must also replace cornerback DeAngelo Willingham and safety Demetrice Morley. Willingham, a two-year starter, finished second on the team with three interceptions. The would-be senior Morley added 42 tackles and 2 interceptions, but was kicked off the squad after violating team rules. That’s the second time Morley has been kicked off the team in three years; he won’t get a third shot.

Now don't get lulled into a false sense of comfort after reading those grafs. ~~First of all not sure where NYT got their info on Lucas Taylor because I still see him listed in Tennessee's depth chart this season. So that's a mistake~~. As for their losses at WRs, they have plenty of youngsters sprinkled through their depth chart (PDF) (HT hooper at RTT via Chattanooga Times Free Press).

Also, despite the loss of Paker and Foster at the OL, the Voluntees will have a powerful, huge veteran OL ready for the Bruin front-7 this weekend in Knoxville. If I read their correctly everyone except their center is over 300lbs and all of their starter are upper classmen (except for Jarrod Shaw, the 6-4, 332 Jr. who is listed as "Co-No-1" with Aaron Douglas, 6-6 282 red shirt freshman) From Athlon Sports' pre-season capsule on the Tennessee OL:

Chaney (OC John Cheney, who who Kiffin pried away from the St. Louis Rams, - BN Ed.) has brought with him a zone blocking scheme that has enabled the Vols’ linemen to play with more aggression. The interior line is strong with fourth-year starter Josh McNeil at center flanked by fellow seniors Jacques McClendon and Vladimir Richard. Senior Chris Scott has a hold on left tackle duties, while Jarrod Shaw and converted tight end Aaron Douglas are battling for the starting job at right tackle. "Last season was rough," Richard says. "But Coach (Kiffin) is a competitor. He loves smacking people in the mouth." After years of defensive dominance in practice drills, the UT offensive line stepped up and proved it could hold its own in the spring.

On other key returnees let's go back to that capsule from the NYT:

Players to watch: He’s undoubtedly the best defensive player in the F.B.S. But in my mind, the strong safety Eric Berry is the best player in the country – regardless of position. Yeah, there’s that quarterback down in Gainesville, so maybe Berry’s coming in second. That shouldn’t detract from what we’re all seeing from the talented junior: he’s the best defender U.T. has developed since Reggie White, and in my mind, if Tennessee shocks the SEC and wins 9 or 10 games, Berry should receive very heavy consideration for the Heisman. Through two seasons, Berry stands second in the N.C.A.A. with an SEC-record 487 interception return yards, a total coming off of 12 interceptions. His single-season outputs in this category rank first (265 yards last fall) and third (222 in 2007) in SEC history. Last fall, Berry tallied 73 tackles (8.5 for loss), 3 sacks and 7 interceptions, two of which he returned for scores. (He may have been Tennessee’s best offensive weapon.) For his efforts, Berry was a unanimous all-American – U.T.’s first since 1990 – and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The only college safety I’ve seen match Berry’s combination of speed, ferocity and ball skills was the late, great Sean Taylor. So, as you see, he’s the king of the U.T. defense. Who will help carry the load? The Vols return the junior Dennis Rogan at one cornerback spot, as well as the 2007 starter Brent Vinson. Also competing for a starting spot at corner are the sophomores Art Evans and C.J. Fleming, though I wouldn’t be surprised if one of Tennessee’s heralded incoming freshmen make a push for playing time. U.T. will look toward the freshmen Prentiss Wagner and Rod Wilks or the sophomore Stephaun Raines at free safety. The senior Rico McCoy (87 tackles and a sack last fall) is the lone returning starter at linebacker. Making the push to join him in the starting lineup are the juniors Nick Reveiz (middle) and LaMarcus Thompson (strongside), each of whom played important roles on special teams a season ago. Besides McCoy, U.T. is very young and untested at linebacker. The situation is a little clearer on the line, where the juniors Ben Martin (18 tackles, 1 sack) and Chris Walker (15 tackles, 3 sacks) have secured their places as the starters at end. You’ll likely find the senior Dan Williams (48 stops, 8.5 for loss) on the nose, while the senior Wes Brown (37 tackles, 2.5 sacks) finds himself in competition with the freshman Montori Hughes for the second starting spot on the interior.

On offense, the senior Jonathan Crompton will again be the starter at quarterback. Let’s ignore the fact that his starting job has come by default. Quite simply, Crompton must be better in 2009 than he was a season ago. It shouldn’t be too difficult, as he did not play up to his potential last fall: 86 of 167 (51.5 percent) for 889 yards, with four touchdowns against five interceptions. He can – and should – be better, but some aspects of Crompton’s game must improve. His touch, for example. Crompton lacked it last fall, when he seemed to throw every pass as hard as he could. His decision-making must also improve. His only competition for the starting job is the junior Nick Stephens, who has missed most of the last five months while recuperating from a hand injury. Stephens started six games last fall, putting up numbers similar to Crompton’s (840 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 picks). The senior Montario Hardesty ascends to the top spot in the backfield after rushing for 271 yards a season ago. That total leads all returning Volunteers. He may be the lead back, but the Vols will also give carries to the sophomore Tauren Poole and the true freshman Bryce Brown, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the 2009 cycle. Brown chose U.T. in part because of the potential for immediate playing time, so expect to see his number called early and often. Three starters return up front, led by the potential all-conference center Josh McNeil. The senior enters his final season with 35 career starts, the most of any active Volunteer. McNeil was a freshman all-American in 2006 and an honorable mention all-SEC selection in 2007. He’s joined up front by the senior left tackle Chris Scott and the senior left guard Vladimir Richard. I’m intrigued by the potential of the redshirt freshman Aaron Douglas, a former tight end who is in the hunt to start at right tackle. Given his experience and lack of prototypical size (he’s only 282 pounds, my word), can Douglas be the presence required of the right tackle in the run game?

Well as mentioned above looks like Douglas impressed the coaches sufficiently enough that he earned a spot on the depth chart as "co number 1" (whatever that means) with Jarrod Shaw. In some ways, Douglas sounds like he is the same situation as Nate Chandler found himself last year (when we were hurting for bodies at OL) as the coaches are doing whatever they can to incorporate his size and athleticism into the lineup.

Now in terms of what to expect next week, my bet is that Kiffin and Cheney will devise a plan on offense in which they will rely on a power running game. Again from Pete Fiutak's preview at Scout.com:

What to watch for on offense: Power running. The coaching staff will try to pound the ball, rely on the tremendous defense, and try to control the game and the clock. The passing game will try to push the ball deep a little more to stretch things out, but the offense will spend most of its time using its humongous, veteran line to pave the way for a fantastic group of backs. The backfield was good enough to get by, and then came the recruiting class with Toney Williams, David Oku, and the No. 1 prospect in America according to CFN, Bryce Brown, all ready to make a huge impact and upgrade the stalled ground attack.

What to watch for on defense: A ton of interceptions. All the pieces are there for the secondary to come up with a phenomenal year. Not only is there track star speed across the board, but there’s all-everything safety Eric Berry as the sheriff in the Tampa 2 scheme, but the pass rush should be better. Even with Robert Ayers off to the NFL, the Vol defensive front should be more active with Ben Martin and Chris Walker two speedsters on the ends who should be camped out in opposing backfields.

Going back to their offense, I am still shocked at how the Tennessee coaching staff from last year forgot to run the ball down our throats last season at the Rose Bowl. They had piled up around 180 yards rushing and 2 TDs running the ball against our defense last year yet for some inexplicable reasons they decided to go away from that and depend on Crompton's arm. I just don't think Kiffin is going to make the same mistake. I fully expect them to come after our front-7 all evening long with their powerful OL, and do what they can to wear us down on their home turf. This is going to be a huge challenge for our defense.

I think the key for us on Saturday is going to be somehow get on the board early. If they we can get on the board early and then force them to go away from the game plan of running the ball down our throats, we will have a shot.Needless to say special teams is going to be a huge factor. We are going to need our kickers to give us good field position as much as possible forcing the Volunteers to go long drives. Otherwise if we fall behind early and make early mistakes on offense, the situation has the potential to snowball out of control like last year in BYU.

It will take supreme concentration and focus on our part to hang in there early against the Volunteer emotion, and then somehow put ourselves in position to steal the game in second half. My head tells me that we are simply too young and inexperienced (on offense) to pull this off. My heart is pulling for our guys to make me eat crow on Saturday night. So that's what I have for initial notes on the Volunteers to get the scouting started for this week. I will throw it back to you start filling up the info. folders on Tennessee (either via comment thread here or in the FanPosts).

GO BRUINS.

2008 retrospective: UCLA 27, Tennessee 24

Joel — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:11 -0000

A final look back at the 2008 season, quick-like, because pain should be fast.

Up today: Pants.

Pre-Game

Never mind that Cal game in 2007, this was 2008, and disinterested bloggers from both the SEC and the Pac-10 were picking the Vols to beat the UCLA Bruins in a nationally-televised Labor Day prime time game. Of course, that didn't keep the UCLA faithful from making fun of our mule or inexplicably claiming football superiority based on real estate comparables. No matter, Gerald Williams was finally, finally eligible, and that had to be a good sign, didn't it?

The Game

Not necessarily:

Full Screen Version

Yeah. Arian Foster fumbled in the red zone, something we'd hoped we'd seen the last of. Daniel Lincoln missed three field goals, including the game-loser in overtime. Jonathan Crompton couldn't hook up with any receivers. And the defense that intercepted UCLA third-string QB Kevin Craft four times in the first half pretty much gave him the game in the second.

Post-Game

All in all, it was like a really disappointing Christmas:

Pants. It's just pants.

Tennessee had won the SEC East last season, but many fans believed they'd won it mostly by default. Then David Cutcliffe, who'd sort of turned things around and gotten things headed in the right direction after the Randy Sanders Experiment, was off to Duke, and he took most of his offensive staff with him. Trooper Taylor then rode off into the sunset to Oklahoma State. Phillip Fulmer searched for and hired Dave Clawson, who was rumored to have some mysterious west coast-ish, spread-y type secret offense with innovative features like shifting linemen and playmakers in space. The present was covered in opaque, shiny foil wrap with a giant orange bow on it. The card read, "TO: Vol Fans, FROM: Coaches Fulmer and Clawson, P.S. Don't open until September 1st." We were drawn to the gift. When we picked it up and shook it, it made a glorious noise, but it didn't offer any clue as to what was inside. Surely, it was something wonderful. Something worthy of a nickname. Fresh. New. Exciting.

It was pants. Another pair of pants. Same thing we got last year.

Tonight's game against UCLA was most decidedly not good. The Bruins had apparently resorted to LinkedIn to find a QB who had transferred from a really bad team via community college. They had lost several non-QB key players prior to the game. They lost several more during the first half. The aforementioned QB threw four, four, interceptions in the first half.

But after the half, Kevin Craft, that QB I was talking about up there, well, he got new and exciting. Our defense went soft. Jonathan Crompton kept overthrowing receivers. Our running game was stagnant, and our senior-laden, experienced offensive line couldn't push anybody around or give the quarterback time to throw to the ball. Sure, when the Bruins scored the go-ahead touchdown, we did a good job on offense getting into field goal position, and Daniel Lincoln did a good job sending the ball through the uprights and the game into overtime.

But . . . Crompton was neither as bad or as good as was Craft. Lincoln missed a couple of field goals early and the game-loser late. Our offense couldn't capitalize on the turnovers created by our defense. Our defense couldn't adjust to Norm Chow's offensive adjustments.

We lost. The first game of the season. The second year in a row.

Pants. Again.

The game wasn't totally devoid of entertainment value, though. Eric Berry totally clobbered someone. There were those four interceptions, including one by Nevin McKenzie that ranked as the sixth best play of the season:

And there was that small matter of the team scrambling around because a bunch of them were wearing the wrong wristbands:

Best comedy. Some players were wearing the wrong wristbands? Huh? What's the story there? Clawson up in the box reading off one script, Jim Bob Cooter relaying the plays off another, and poor Jonathan Crompton executing off another?

Clawson: Run to the right, on three!

Cooter: Got it. Pass to the left, on one!

Crompton: Got it. Sack, on two!

Yeah, so we were able to have a little bit of fun with the wristband thing, but the game and the result of the game? Not funny. Not funny at all.

Up next: the UAB Blazers.

Best Plays of 2008: the top 5

Joel — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:14:12 -0000

The Fourth of the Half is the eleventh to leave. Thank you, Nevin McKenzie. That will be all:

Once again, I'll leave my choice for the next cut in the comment section.

DO NOT VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PLAY -- VOTE FOR THE ONE YOU WANT TO SEE ELIMINATED. The play with the most votes gets cut from the competition.

The remaining candidates:

VOTE FOR THE PLAY YOU WANT TO SEE ELIMINATED.

Poll

Which of the following should be excluded from the top four of the Best Plays of 2008?

More Score for Moore

15 votes

Eric Berry Flying Corkscrews Marquis Maze

5 votes

That's Beautiful

18 votes

Berry All the Way

3 votes

Eric Berry Clobbers Knowshon Moreno

8 votes

49 votes | Poll has closed

Best Plays of 2008: the Fourth of the Half

Joel — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:15 -0000

At stake: Kicking the new era off right. Vol fans were anxious to see what the innovative new Clawfense could do with live bullets. UCLA was in the midst of a complete coaching overhaul and basically had no quarterback. Winning this one in front of a national audience we had all to ourselves would put the world on notice that Tennessee's offense had finally entered the 21st century.

In-game context: Oops. Live bullets hurt when they shatter all five metatarsals. After UCLA got out to a 7-0 lead thanks to a blocked punt and recovery for a touchdown, Tennessee did get Montario Hardesty into the end zone. Other than that, though, the newly unveiled Clawfense looked positively horrid. On the other hand, the defense looked fantastic and had forced UCLA QB Kevin Craft into three first half interceptions already. And then this:

Impact: You'd think that four interceptions in a single half of football would ruin a guy's confidence. Not so with Kevin Craft, who caught fire in the second half, tied the game, and let our kicker lose it in overtime by missing a field goal. The defense had its own struggles in the second half but would come around soon enough. The Clawfense, though, well the Clawfense turned out to be less like a shiny new bike for Christmas and more like another pair of pants. Plaid corduroys. With smiley faces on them.

Spring Position Battles: Linebackers

Hooper — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:32:35 -0000

Prior to the spring practices, Will and I continue our look through the UT roster to see how the various positions may look. Armed only with our rank amateur football sense, we give some thoughts and projections on the team as it may look under Lane Kiffin. Previous positions covered are:

Linebacker is one of the most intriguing positions on a football team to me. On any given play, a linebacker may have to shed the block of a hulking guard or provide coverage support against a fleet-footed receiver. The "Mike" is often the field general - the defensive counterpart to the quarterback - ensuring the defensive eleven are in position to make life as difficult as possible for the offense.

Further, the linebackers often have the meanest, nastiest dispositions on the field. The defensive line may have the dirtiest work, but it's the linebackers who routinely hunt down running backs and quarterbacks for a full-speed, maximum-energy collision. UT has had its share of such linebackers in the past; replay footage of alums like Al Wilson and Jarod Mayo remind us of just how great it is to be a Tennessee Vol.

Now THIS is Football! (courtesy UTSports.com)

(Watch 1:25-1:27 - one of the best football plays ever.)

It was in the last two years of the Manning era that I really started paying attention to Tennessee football (way out in Wyoming, remember), and my most vivid memories are still of the linebackers of that era. Watching the defense in 1998 was just like watching a steamroller on the field; you just knew that the offensive line couldn't hold them back. There was nothing dirty or thuggish about it - just some phenomenally great athletes pushing themselves to their limits. And winning.

The Departed

Adam Myers-White, Ellix Wilson, Nevin McKenzie, were all seniors last season and out of eligibility. Their names are familiar to you; all three linebackers played prominent roles in the Tennessee defense, particularly last season. One of the reasons the Tennessee D was such an effective unit last season was the mature, precise play of these three. I've had my complaints about the Mustang Package and its use of the linebackers in the past (See: UCLA), but any lack of effectiveness from the linebackers was definitely not because they made mistakes. The departure of these three will leave a huge hole to fill - and huge opportunities for other players to step up in the new era.

The Unknown

Brett Barnes - a Knoxville native - was also a senior last season. However, he redshirted in 2005 and has one year of eligibility left. I have not heard anything about him yet and do not know if he will be a part of the 2009 roster. A practice squad member for his entire career, he does not figure to be a part of the gameday roster in either case. Yet he has certainly had a better football career than me, and his commitment to the Vols is commendable.

Apart from the seniors, there are 12 linebackers listed on the UT roster (including the incoming players).

Rico McCoy will be one of the two linebacker seniors of next year's roster. One of four UT juniors who asked for a preliminary evaluation by the NFL, he decided to return for one more year with the Vols. This is an eminently great move for him and for the Vols; the consummate starter will get one year under the tutelage of Monte Kiffin and Lance Thompson, and should be an early "New Deal" success story by a staff that plugs NFL potential so much. To Rico, this year is his contract year: success will bring a high draft pick and a Vol Navy-esque boatload of cash.

Oh, and there's this:

Rico McCoy makes a Jeremy Young-sized crater

Yeah, THAT'S a Tennessee linebacker!

Gerald Williams is the other junior, though his UT time has been far more brief. Initially a DE recruit in 2007, Williams went the JUCO route for academic reasons. His academic problems continued, as he was practically a gameday decision by the NCAA last fall. Last season's team difficulties clearly frustrated Williams, as a couple of utterly boneheaded personal foul penalties can attest. If anybody needs to make a fast impression, it is Williams. He is a terrific athlete: quick, big, and mean. So long as his grades and his temperament hold up, he will find a lot of time on the field to make his case to the NFL scouts (and to give us more sweet linebacker highlights!)

Nick Reveiz is the shortest linebacker on the roster at 5'11". Normally, that height relegates you to bit duty on the practice squad or on special teams (well, for schools that don't place a priority on special teams, winkwink), but Reveiz managed to land quite a bit of playing time. He redshirted 2006, but played in all games since then. He is most known for being a "fireplug" - a short, stocky guy who just doesn't get pushed around. He's a sure tackler and his low center of gravity helps him hold his own against offensive linemen.

Savion Frazier is another name that isn't the most well-known on the roster, though he's had a decent share of the action. A true freshman player, he has seen a steadily increasing amount of action in his two years at UT. And to be honest, he's a guy that those of us outside the progam can't reliably give a prediction on. He was a four-star recruit as a running back, but was moved to linebacker due to the depth we've had at his position. I would like to know more about his mental makeup before giving any prediction on him: is he a wolf? Does he thrive in the pack mentality that linebackers are known for? The fall will tell.

LaMarcus Thompson will be a junior next fall, having redshirted the 2006 season. The Lithonia/Stone Mountain GA native is also a bit shorter than the average 'backer at 6'1" and has spent most of his time with the special teams. Much like Frazier, we simply have not seen a whole lot of Thompson, largely because of the stout list of accomplished linebackers on the roster. Like so many others, he has a second chance at a first impression

The Sophomores

As is the case with so many from Fulmer's era, evaluating last year's freshmen linebackers is an exceedingly difficult task. They simply weren't on the field regularly. This time, it's hard to blame Fulmer and Chavis - players like McCoy and Wilson clearly deserved their playing time.

Chris Donald Keep this name in your memory banks. A five-star West Tennessee recruit, Donald redshirted the 2007 season partly due to the deep roster at the time (remember that Mayo was present then). He's big and he's fast, and if his attitude matches his physical gifts, he'll be the kind of guy that Monte would love to send to "get after" the ball carrier. If you've read Meat Market, you know that Donald was a guy that Orgeron coveted while at Ole Miss (and is probably happy to have lost to Tennessee now). While projecting players out of this linebacking group is a turkey shoot at this point, I am slowly convincing myself that he'll be a starter in the fall.

Herman Lathers was a Louisiana all-state linebacker in 2007. He's best suited as a weakside linebacker with his lighter frame (210 lbs.), and is almost built like a run-support safety. A search for more information on Lathers doesn't reveal anything beyond his recruiting information - a theme that is becoming very common with the youngest returnees on the roster.

Josh Hawkins is another local product. Hailing from Loudon, Hawkins redshirted the 2007 season. His metrics are very similar to Lathers - about 6'1", 210ish. He is also better-suited to be an outside linebacker in a 4-3 but has little information for us to predict his future success.

Rodriguez Wilks may be one of the more interesting linebackers on the roster. He was originally recruited as a wide receiver, as his 6'1", sub-200 frame and 4.5ish speed seemed better suited for route running than for tangoing in the trenches. He has since grown to about 220 lbs, which is probably part cause and part effect of the move to linebacker. I have a feeling his mental makeup will determine his fate; if he has the aggressiveness of a linebacker in him, he'll probably stay on defense. If not, he may get moved back to wide receiver for a little more depth.

And now, the n00bs. (Linebackers just love being called n00bs. Try it sometime, all the while remembering that I am in no way liable for any ensuing events.)

Greg King is a guy that I'm excited for - in about a year. He's physically well-built for interior linebacker, with a 6'3" frame that can probably hold 240 lbs. without affecting his speed. The knock on him is his need to play with more discipline and sharper technique. Since he's coming in the fall, there's really not much time for him to develop those skills and snag a starting position quickly.

However, King is smart. He's a left-brained guy who's looking at things like computer engineering for his major, which tells me that he's very process-oriented. Give him a system and a path to success, and he'll follow it to its logical conclusion. As much as I like tenacity in linebackers, a mind like this is ideal for the Mike - somebody who can direct presnap traffic and set the stage for success. Additionally, if he has success, he can be a great asset for recruiting in his hometown of Memphis. I don't see him starting quickly, but I have a lot of hope for his tenure at UT.

Jerod Askew is a "hired gun", so to speak. He is a very compact, 6'0" 230-pounder with 4.5ish speed who lives for the full-speed, head-on collisions. A product of Divison 6 Oscar Smith high school in Viriginia, he has had some great tutelage and his technique is in better shape than King, which will probably get him on the field sooner than the Memphis native. I think he'll be the first incoming freshman to find significant playing time in the fall.

Nigel Mitchell-Thornton is the final linebacker in the new class, and was relatively unnoticed through most of the season. Another Stone Mountain native, Nigel is better-suited to run-stopping than pass defense at the moment. Some time working on agility and technique may go a long way, but I don't see a starting spot for him against Western Kentucky. Still, that's no shame, as few linebackers ever find a starting role on any team in their first year.

Summary

If I were to guess, I'd place McCoy, Williams and Donald as the three listed starters for the 2009 campaign. McCoy is a no-brainer. Williams is as physically talented as they come, though my pick is a little dicey when you consider his academic history. Donald will probably be the first who? WOW!!! player out of this bunch that you haven't heard a lot from last year. That's why I see him as the third 'backer on the field of three.

There is a lot of experience leaving the team, but there is probably even more potential behind them. I really like the outlook for linebackers, though it may take a few games for the potential to come into focus. Let's just hope that it focuses before Florida.

And now, for a little more eye candy:

Al Wilson and Leonard Little (via nathangb4)

Kentucky @ Tennessee: UT stats, personnel, commentary, and a prediction

Ken Howlett — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:28:16 -0000

UK's football 'Cats once again enter the final regular season game with high hopes of victory. Kentucky, coming off a bye week, has had two weeks to put into place new plays, new looks, and hopefully a game-winning attitude, because gaining a victory won't be easy (it's never easy when a team has lost 23 straight to the same opponent).

Emotions are running high in Knoxville. The players seem to have conquered their disappointment over Phillip Fulmer's dismissal of a few weeks ago, and with a victory over Vanderbilt last weekend, and their strong week of practice, they seem focused on winning their last game for the soon-to-be deposed Fulmer.

I would like to add my congratulations to coach Fulmer on an exceptional reign at UT. He's been associated with the Tennessee program for 32 years, beginning with his time in Knoxville as a player (four years), then as an assistant to Johnny Majors. He's of course served 16 years (plus four games) as head man of the big orange (he's 16-0 versus UK). He guided UT to their first national championship in like a hundred years, in 1998. He posted a 151-52 career mark ... here's hoping he ends up 151-53.

Tennessee Schedule

This year UT has wins versus UAB (35-3), Northern Illinois (13-9), Mississippi State (34-3), and last weeks road win against Vandy (20-10). The Vols losses shape up this way: @UCLA (27-24 in ot), home against Florida (30-6), @ Auburn (14-12), @ Georgia (26-14), home against Alabama (29-9), @ South Carolina (27-6), and at home against Wyoming (13-7).

Tennessee Offensive Personnel

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton: 6'4", 220 lb junior -- This year Crompton has thrown for 788 yards and three touchdowns, while going 80 for 159 and five interceptions. For his career Crompton has completed 118 of 267 passes for 1,286 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Fulmer said this week that Crompton will be the likely starter this week versus UK.

Quarterback B.J. Coleman: 6'3", 210 lb red-shirt freshman -- In three games this year, Coleman is 4 for 8 passing, for 21 yards, one interception and zero touchdowns.

Coleman was limited this week in practice with a foot injury. Fulmer said this week that Coleman would probably see action against Kentucky.

Running back Arian Foster: 6'1", 215 lb senior -- The '07 Second Team All-SEC selection has rushed 110 times for 511 yards (4.6 yards per carry). He's run for one touchdown. He also has 18 catches for 149 yards (8.3 yards per catch), but no receiving touchdowns. For his career Foster has rushed for 2,905 yards, which is good for second place all-time in Tennessee history. Foster has proved to be multi-talented, evidenced by his 82 career receptions for 685 yards. The senior is third all-time in UT history with 3,804 all-purpose yards, behind Stanley Morgan ('73-'76) and Willie Gault ('79-'82).

Foster as made a nice living at UK's expense over the years: In '05 versus the 'Cats he carried the ball 26 times for 114 yards and caught five passes for 44 yards. Last year he rushed 27 times for 118 yards and caught 9 passes or 98 yards and a touchdown, on UT's first play from scrimmage.

Running back Lennon Creer: 6'1", 210 lb sophomore -- This year Creer has rushed 67 times for 364 yards (5.4 yards per carry), and three touchdowns. For his career Creer has ran the ball 103 times for 578 yards (5.6 yards per carry), and four touchdowns. He was honored as a PrepStar All-America coming out of high school in Texas. He was also named the Old Spice Redzone Player of the Year in Texas.

Running back Montario Hardesty: 6'0", 210 lb junior -- Hardesty has 69 rushes for 252 yards (3.7 yards per carry), and six touchdowns. He's also caught four passes for 24 yards. For his career Hardesty has 270 carries for 1,027 yards (3.8 yards per carry), and 13 touchdowns.

Wide receiver Gerald Jones: 6'0", 185 lb sophomore -- Jones has made 27 catches for 308 yards (11.4 yards per catch).

Last year versus UK, Jones caught a touchdown pass in the first overtime.

Wide receiver Lucas Taylor: 6'0", 185 lb senior -- Taylor has made 26 catches for 372 yards (12.8 yards per catch), and one touchdown this year. For his career he has 113 receptions for 1,43 yards, and six touchdowns.

Last year against Kentucky Taylor had six catches for 103 yards and one touchdown.

Wide receiver Austin Rogers: 6'2", 185 lb senior -- Rogers has made 14 catches for 180 yards (12.9 yards per catch). For his career he has 76 receptions for 891 yards (11.7 yards per catch), and four touchdowns.

Rogers was the cause of much pain for UK fans last year when he rushed 13 yards for a touchdown, and later caught the game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth overtime.

Wide receiver Josh Briscoe: 6'3", 183 lb senior -- This year Briscoe has made 14 catches for 176 yards (12.6 yards per catch), and one touchdown. For is career he has 79 receptions for 866 yards (10.9 yards per catch), and eight touchdowns.

Wide receiver Denarius Moore: 6'1", 185 lb sophomore -- Moore has 10 catches for 208 yards (terrific 20.8 yards per catch), and one touchdown. In his short career he has caught 24 passes for 420 yards (17.5 yards per catch), and one touchdown.

Tight end Luke Stocker: 6'6", 245 lb sophomore -- The Madison Central High School grad, and Berea native, has made 13 catches for 139 yards (10.7 yards per catch). For his career he has 17 receptions for 150 yards (8.8 yards per catch), and a touchdown.

Placekicker Daniel Lincoln: 6'0", 204 lb sophomore -- On the year Lincoln has made 10 of 17 field goal attempts. From 20-39 yards he's 8 of 11, and from 40-49 yards he's 2 of 3. For his career he has made 31 of 46 attempts. Lincoln was honored last year as an All-America by the Football Writers, and a Freshman All-America. He was also named Second Team All-SEC. Lincoln was a Groza Award semifinalist in '07( which goes to the nations top placekicker).

Tennessee Defensive Personnel

UT's defense is loaded with talent. They possess size, speed and experience. So it should not come as a surprise that the Vols rank very high nationally in nearly every statistical category: Total Defense - 6th (269.9 yards allowed) ... Scoring defense - 16th (17.4 points per game) ... Passing defense - 9th (166.2 yards per game) ... Rushing defense - 14th (103.7 yards per game).

Tennessee's defensive dominance begins with all-world ...

Safety Eric Berry: 5'11", 195 lb sophomore -- Berry has recorded 67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven interceptions (265 INT return yards and two touchdowns) and six pass break-ups. Berry was named SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year in '07. He was also a consensus Freshman All-America and of course made Freshman All-SEC. In '07 he was voted Second Team All-SEC, and he led all SEC freshman with 86 tackles. Berry has 487 career interception return yards in only 24 games played. He's threatening the NCAA record of 501 yards, set by Florida State's Terrell Buckley. He is one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award, which goes to the nations top defensive back, and he's the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Needless to say, Berry has to be accounted for on every UK offensive snap.

Last year versus UK he recorded a season high 14 tackles and one pass break-up.

Linebacker Ellix Wilson: 5'10", 225 lb senior -- Wilson leads the Vols with 80 tackles. He has recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and two pass break-ups.

Wilson recorded one sack last year versus UK.

Linebacker Rico McCoy: 6'1", 221 lb junior -- McCoy has 79 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three pass break-ups. He was named Second Team All-SEC in '07.

Last year against UK McCoy recorded nine tackles and one pass break-up.

Defensive back Dennis Rogan: 5'10", 185 lb sophomore -- Rogan has 50 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, and five pass break-ups. Rogan also returns kick-offs, averaging a solid 24.9 yards per return.

Last year versus Kentucky, Rogan had three tackles and one tackle for loss.

Linebacker Nevin McKenzie: 6'2", 215 lb senior -- McKenzie has made 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and one pass break-up. He's a JUCO transfer.

Defensive tackle Dan Williams: 6'3", 310 lb junior -- Williams has 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one pass break-up.

Last year Williams blocked a Lones Seiber field goal attempt, which ended up costing UK the football game.

Defensive end Robert Ayers: 6'3", 275 lb senior -- Ayers has 43 tackles, a team leading 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, one pass break-up, and eight quarterback hits (tied for team lead).

Last year versus UK he recorded four tackles and one tackle for loss.

Defensive end Wes Brown: 6'4", 256 lb junior -- Brown has 37 tackles. 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits (tied for team lead with Ayers).

Punter Britton Colquitt: Colquitt has punted 38 times for a 43.2 average. He's had no punts blocked. Colquitt was selected Second Team All-SEC in '07.

Kicker Chad Cunningham: He's kicked-off 37 times, and recorded three touch-backs.

How did Tennessee beat Vandy ...

After UT's home loss to Wyoming (13-7) a few weeks ago, many thought the Vols may very well 'mail in' the remainder of the season ... 'many' would be wrong. Tennessee responded with defensive gusto in their 20-10 victory over Vanderbilt last week. Let's take a look at what enabled UT to come out with that seemingly improbable victory:

UT ran the ball, Vandy did not -- The Vols rushed for 222 yards on 51 carries (4.4 yards per carry), while limiting Vandy to only 25 yards on 28 carries (0.9 yards per carry). Tennessee was led in rushing by Lennon Creer with 80 yards on only 13 carries (6.2 yards per carry). Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty chipped in with 53 yards and 41 yards respectively.
UT contained Vandy's passing game, and the Vols weren't forced to pass -- Vandy quarterbacks Chris Nickson and MacKenzie Adams were a combined 19 of 44 for 188 yards, and two interceptions. Tennessee's D-line and linebackers pressured the Vandy QB's all day, finishing with six sacks. Fulmer went with the run game almost exclusively (he did say this week that he would like to throw more against UK). The two UT quarterbacks finished the day only 4 of 9 for 21 yards, and two interceptions (let's HOPE they throw more).
UT didn't have to go far to score -- UT managed only one sustained drive: a nine play 65 yard drive, which resulted in the only offensive touchdown of the day for the Vols. UT's other 'drives' and scores: five play 27 yard drive, which resulted in a field goal -- this drive was facilitated by a Vandy eighteen yard punt. Eric Berry returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, and after a 69 yard interception return by Brent Vinson, UT ran two plays for zero yards and again kicked a field goal. All of UT's scoring occurred in the first half.

Final Thoughts

It will take a tremendous offensive and defensive effort to beat the Vols in Knoxville. But it can be done: UK must force Tennessee to pass the ball, and there are only two ways to do that -- Shut down the UT ground attack, or score early and often, putting the Vols in the position of having to throw the ball in order to play catch up.

Neither of those scenarios are highly likely to happen though, after-all, UK's 50th ranked run defense gives up 136 yards per game on average, and we've seen a number of backs post huge numbers against the 'Cat's defense this year. Getting off to a quick offensive start has also not been UK's forte this year; they've been outscored 98-31 in the first quarter, with many of those points coming off of UK turnovers, or other, more creative methods.

Kentucky's only real hope (other than forcing a multitude of turnovers) is for Randall Cobb to play out of his mind. With UK decimated by injuries to so many offensive players, Cobb will be the one looked toward to provide energy and creativity within the context of the offense. In order to fully utilize Cobb's multifaceted offensive arsenal, I feel that the run to pass ratio should be around 60-40 or 65-35, run. Kentucky has the talent to wear down UT's defensive unit, but the coaches have to stay with the run. UK has been far too successful running the spread/option sets to give up on the tactic if early success is not forthcoming. As an aside, I would really be pleased if 6'5" TE Maurice Grinter was utilized more when UK opts to throw the ball. He's a nightmare match-up for a linebacker, because of his size, athleticism and speed, plus he as Charmin-soft hands, and he gains yards after the catch.

On a positive note; UK does have one aspect of this game going their way, and that's the fact that they've had an extra week to prepare. Hopefully, we will see some new looks from Joker Phillips and Rich Brooks, if not, it could be a very long evening for the boys in blue.

Most prognosticators are predicting a low scoring affair. I say ...

Kentucky -- 20 Tennessee -- 17 ... hope springs eternal, and 7-5 looks a lot better than 6-6.

Tim Masthay

UK punter Tim Masthay has been named a First Team Academic All-America, and he currently ranks third in the NCAA in punting with a 45.6 yard average.

Congratulations to the UK senior. Truly, a job well done.

Thanks for reading, and Go 'Cats beat Tennessee!

2008 Senior Day Tribute: Nevin McKenzie

Joel — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:00:05 -0000

Nevin McKenzie

According to the unassailable RTT Jars recruiting ranking system, Nevin McKenzie was No. 15 in the Class of 2007. McKenzie was recruited as a safety, but ended up at linebacker. Thank goodness. The man has been a monster there.

McKenzie started all 14 games in 2007 and really began to make his presence known toward the end of the season as a blitz specialist. So far in 2008, he's played in 11 games and started seven of them. Career stats:

	No	Yds	TD	No	Yds	TD	No	Yds	TD	TTL TDs
GP	Int. Ret.			Punt Ret.			Kickoff Ret.				Pts
25	1	61	1	1	16	0	1	6	0	1	6

A	S	AL	SL	L Yds	A	S	Yds
Tackles					Sacks			P. Def.	FF	QBH	BK
35	46	5	8	48	3	5	37	5	2	3	1

If you're like me, you'll be wondering why you didn't appreciate Nevin McKenzie more after watching this video. We're going to miss this guy.

Post-game awards: Tennessee Volunteers v. UCLA Bruins

Joel — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:03:09 -0000

Best stiff arm. Arian Foster, on some poor unsuspecting defender. Really, there's little more satisfying than a well-executed stiff arm, as it leaves the would-be tackler grasping at air through contorted face on swiveled head.

Best wrinkle. Arian Foster's run out of the G-Gun. So yeah, that's three plays we have out of that set now. See Gerald run. See Gerald pass. See Gerald hand off to Arian for a nice 41-yard gain.

Worst Sequel. Arian Foster Fumbles the Game Away in the Red Zone, Part II. Or is it three? Four? Oy. Unlike most horror movie sequels, this one got old immediately. Like, the first time.

Best hit. Who else? Eric Berry absolutely leveled some poor soul in Baby Blue. In my over-excitement at the carnage, my dear old dad observed that, yeah, but the guy caught the ball. To which I counter-observed that, yeah, but he won't catch the next one.

Worst nickname. Clawfense. Uh-huh. Shelving and hoping it will keep.

Best unit. The Tennessee defense, who wreaked havoc for a time, picking passes out of the air like they were, oh, I don't know, bubbles or something, and who actually scored a safety that wasn't called.

Worst consistency. The same defense. Or was it a different defense? Either way, where'd you go, guys? Two halves, next time, mmkay?

Worst attendance, I. Brent Vinson and Donald Langley. We could have used those guys, especially Vinson, I think.

Worst attendance, II. UCLA. That was a big game, folks. Not only was it not a sell-out, it was nowhere in the vicinity of a sell-out. Go see your team, people. They're good. At least I hope they're good because if they're not, well, watch for Worst Attendance, III in a month or so.

Best comedy. Some players were wearing the wrong wristbands? Huh? What's the story there? Clawson up in the box reading off one script, Jim Bob Cooter relaying the plays off another, and poor Jonathan Crompton executing off another?

Clawson: Run to the right, on three!

Cooter: Got it. Pass to the left, on one!

Crompton: Got it. Sack, on two!

Best comedy, II. Arian Foster tackling his own quarterback. What wristband was he wearing?

Best defensive play. Going with Nevin McKenzie's pick six here. Man, that was nice to see. More, pretty please.

Biggest mystery. Dennis Rogan has some "undisclosed injury." "Undisclosed" generally means "bad." Hope I'm wrong.

Best MSM post-game line. GVX's Dave Hooker, who said that "Tennessee's defense was at work on Labor Day, but it clocked out early." Mmm-mmm.

Worst forecast. Cloudy. Chance of thunderstorms. And hurricanes, gnats, frogs, and locusts.

What else you got?