VTTW Board Index

we will have signed 3 of the top 5 DTs in the SEC in the 2012 class. You win the SEC in the trenches.

1 - Jonathan Taylor
2 - Daniel McCullers - UT
3 - Dante Phillips - UT
4 - Dalvin Tomlinson
5 - Danny O'Brien - UT

 :thumbup: :thumbup:

Phillips is officially a VOL! Conformation directly out of his mouth, signed the papers today! GBO!

I'll give Dooley one thing- even if he's gone after this season, he will have left the program in much, much better shape than he found it.  His two immediate predecessors sure couldn't say that (although kiffin laughably tried :frown:).

Nut, your sig pic is epic.  Love it.  Would make a great desktop wallpaper.   :dude:

Not only did we get 3 of the top 5, but also Sentimore, who will play immediately, and also stole Trent Taylor from Miami, and he will be a beast in about a year

I know I am in the minority, but barring a no effort collapse (Kentucky redux), I would give Dooley another year with any winning season and bowl appearance (a bowl win if we go in 6-6).  I think he is on the path up the mountain with both talent and coaching staff.  If the number on the left is greater than the number on the right, I would like to see him get one more shot to complete the climb.

I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know this. As you said, a strong DL is where it's at in the SEC. And despite their shortcomings last year (which I still think was a result of coaching, but I guess we'll find out for sure in a few weeks), I think our OL is already pretty strong. Honestly, I think this team is one strong RB, a good LB or two, and a game-changing DB away from being a serious contender in the SEC once again.

Edit: Those things and perhaps some good coaches, obviously. I want to believe, but Dooley's gotta romance me a little at this point. A 3-TD win over NCSU and a beatdown of UF would be like a dozen roses and a bottle of fine wine, though.  :biggrin:

What can we realistically expect from the freshmen DTs this year? Also, how will our 3-4 rotation work since, well, that just plugs one big guy in?

Ideally, A 3-4 is going to have 3 down linemen that would ALL be DT size in a 4-3, including a gargantuan nose tackle (why hello, Mr. McCullers).  The pass rush should come from the LBs, who can zone blitz or walk up to the line.  The beauty of a 3-4 is that you have many more options as far as disguising the blitz.

They will be backups and add depth...exactly what you want freshmen to do! Two years ago they'd start.

3-4 rotation has basically one huge NT and two DTs that play ends. Phillips was told he would play DE, and they want him at 290 lbs. 6'6 290.... a DE in a 3-4. The jack LB is usually the one who is supposed to be your best pass rusher.

I think we're pretty strong at LB.  The sophs will do great and we have Laithers (sp?) back.   Depth might be an issue, but I am far more concerned about DL this year, even with the pickups.  If the new guys work out at DL, we could be pretty good though.

But regardless, getting Phillips is huge and will certainly help.

Many thanks. If the freshmen can get 10 snaps a game that sounds like a nice benefit. 

Depth at LB is the biggest concern. Our starting 4 are good, and backups Williams and Bohannon can play. Beyond that it's thin.

That's why you are going to see a lot of 4-3 principles with Maggitt and Jacques dropping down to DE IMO.

yeah, I see us a 50/50 on the 3-4, 4-3 this year. We have experience issues at NG too, with Couch slotted to start there, and he is really a better fit in a 4-3.

Even so, it sounds like depth is more of a concern in the event of injuries.  You can get almost a full game out of 6 LBs, but then I guess I have to factor in the 3-4.  In the 3-4, I can see depth being an issue for sure.