Vols bring speed on defense to reduce foes’ big plays
KNOXVILLE — On third-andlong, Tennessee is subbing size for speed. Most of the time, it’s working.
Tormented by big plays on third downs, the Vols looked have tried a new personnel set on third downs against Florida and South Alabama.
When using their three speedy linemen — Jacques Smith, Corey Miller and freshman Corey Vereen — plus three linebackers and five defensive backs, the Vols stopped South Alabama on six of ten thirddown conversions.
The Vols (3-2, 0-1 SEC) will need similar success when they play No. 6 Georgia (3-1, 2-0) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
“We need to come off the football in obvious pass rush situations with a mentality that the game is on the line,” said Tennessee coach Butch Jones. “I saw a whole other speed level off the rush, off the edges from (Miller and Vereen) on Saturday.”
There’s nothing revolutionary about the Vols’ 3-35 defense, but when Smith and Vereen started the season on the injured list, coaches didn’t have the personnel to implement it.
Smith returned at Oregon in Week 3, and Vereen was back a week later against Florida.
But while the Vols were enjoying a surplus of quality defensive ends, they were losing tackles. Trevarris Saulsberry went down with an injury that will cause him to miss all or most of the season. Mo Couch was declared ineligible after a report alleged that he had accepted impermissible benefits. That left starters Dan McCullers and Daniel Hood and a couple of untested reserves.
Part of the solution has been finding ways to maximize the team’s depth on the edge. Third down has provided the opportunity.
The Vols typically operate from a nickel set, meaning there are five defensive backs on the field. On third-and-long, McCullers and Hood exit. Vereen and linebacker Brent Brewer enters.
Miller, a starting end, is pushed inside. Vereen and Smith line up on the ends.
“Of course I like that look. We’ve got a lot of fast guys along that defensive front right there,” said Miller. “Honestly, you look down that line and you’re like, ‘Hey, if I don’t get (to the quarterback) in a certain amount of time, I know he will.’” Jacques Smith (left) is one of three speedy defensive lineman the Vols insert on third down to keep opposing offenses off- guard. Here he handles South Alabama quarterback Ross Metheny.
Brewer’s role can vary. Sometimes he’ll blitz. Sometimes he’ll help in coverage. With a mobile quarterback, he might be used as a “spy” to keep tabs in case the quarterback starts to run.
QB runs have been the Vols’ third down kryptonite, which is why a strong rush alone isn’t enough.
“We’ve just got to get our points on the QB so the QB won’t break the pocket,” Brewer said.
It’s not just third downs in which the Vols are trying to add flexibility. Coaches have crammed the defensive line with speedy ends on a handful of other snaps, trying to rest their tackles while enhancing the pass rush. Miller and Marlon Walls are pushed inside while Smith, Vereen or Jordan Williams work on the end.
“Basically, it keeps the offense off-balance,” Miller said.