Tennessee Volunteers

[Dr. Nostron]

heh - Lil Boo - good times.

[KeviNole]

You have to give Sal another year. As I recall, everyone in GA was ready to run Grantham out of town after his first season, but then his second season the D was outstanding. And it's been a bit disappointing but still very good this year. I think Sal will do a good job in time but it's hard to make a turnaround your first year.

In another example closer to (my) home, Stoops inherited a godawful defense from Mickey Andrews - ranked somewhere in the 100s range. His first year was a drastic improvement but still average as grits (somewhere around 50-60 I think). But his third year they were top 10 and have continued this year.

[10ac]

We went from the mid 20s to the upper 100s.

[Big Orange Junky]

We went from the mid 20s to the upper 100s.

I will say this though, our "mid 20s" was a paper tiger in that without Bray last year we were so bad that teams knew once they scored 14 points we were done and they put it on cruise control. Our defense was just as bad last year, it just didn't give up the big plays, it was a bend, bend, bend, bend into the endzone defense.

Took alot of time off the clock but couldn't stop anybody either.

[Jungle Rat]

You'd probably be in the mid 30s if it wasn't for the refs.

[10ac]

Well duh. That goes without saying.

[Orangefreak]

In defense of our defense, I will point out we are generating a LOT more turnovers and creating game changing conditions. Last season, we generated few fumbles and INTs. We didn't have all that many hurries and sacks on QBs either. We've gotten LOT better in that department to be sure.

It's just a shame we are giving away some big plays, particularly on 3rd and long situations.

The SCar drive right before the half last weekend, the one where we got the bull@#$% horse collar tackle called on us, summed up our season pretty well. Do something pretty good one or two plays in a row, make it look we stopped them, and then they are suddenly dancing around in our endzone with six points being added to the score. That sucks. Bad.

[bluetick]

It's just a shame we are giving away some big plays, particularly on 3rd and long situations.

Yes. Our D does reasonably well until the other team scores TDs. In SEC play, that comes to about 6 of those a game.

On the bright side, leading the free world in surrendering over-40yd-TD plays means our potent offense gets more opportunities to show it's stuff.

[Orangefreak]

Defense sucks?

check!

Hunter dropping a sure TD pass?

check!

Yep, it's Football time in Tennessee!!

[Orangefreak]

You have got to be fucking kidding!!! Three passes for a TD either dropped or overthrown.

[Orangefreak]

FUCKING CALL TIMEOUT, BRING THE ENTIRE OFFENSE TO THE SIDELINE, AND KNOCK THEM UP THE SIDE OF THE HEAD WITH A BALL BAT TO WAKE THEM UP!!!

[Orangefreak]

WOW!!! We finally catch a ball for a TD!!!

If you do something enough, you'll eventually get it I suppose.

[Orangefreak]

That was a cheap flag.

[Orangefreak]

That's it boys, give them the game.

[Orangefreak]

And with that drive our defense reminds us all how badly they suck.

[Orangefreak]

Awesome run by Lane! TD!!!

[Orangefreak]

If we start now and swamp Santa Claus with a mail blitz, maybe he will leave a defense under the tree this year.

[Orangefreak]

Palardy is going to attempt a FG. Fuck me.

[Orangefreak]

Wow. He actually hit it.

[Orangefreak]

How the @$%^ does he drop that catch in the endzone?!