Talking Points: Monte building resistance to misdirection

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jul 20, 2009 8:33 AM EDT in Rocky Top Talking Points

One of the things Monte Kiffin is teaching his players is resistance to misdirection:
In fact, when asked recently to pinpoint the biggest lesson he has learned from new Vol defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, superstar safety Eric Berry replied: "The biggest thing is, 'You see a lot, you see a little. You see nothing, you see a lot.' That's basically telling you to focus on your keys before the play. Don't worry about all of the motions, the shifts and things. If you just focus on what you're supposed to, you'll see a lot more of what's happening."
Vol players are visualizing success against Florida:
When asked what he has been doing during the summer to get ready for his first full season as the Vols' No. 1 punter, junior Chad Cunningham replied: "In practice I visualize that I'm in the game and that I'm punting to Brandon James or somebody where I have to hang it up there and make him fair-catch it."
Yeah, considering the alternative, fair catches would be nice, huh?

The 2008 Vol defense was actually pretty good. So what now, with Monte at the helm? Improvement?

"Our goal is to be better," junior end Chris Walker said. "We're looking for that No. 1 spot this year."

Preemptive strike: Our defense probably won't be as good as it was last year. Yeah, it's Monte and Orgeron and Thompson, but Chavis was good, too, and now the players are working with a new system.

Even strength coach Aaron Ausmus is about speed, and the players are beginning to think about the minute advantages that can decide games:

That speed, [Josh] McNeil said, includes the offensive line. "A tenth of a second in speed is the difference between getting that backside backer cut off, or the backside backer making the play," he said. "And that one play could be the biggest difference in the game. That's what speed does for you; it enables you to get in position to make great plays."

The renovation to Neyland Stadium is on schedule, but don't expect it to look like it's done this fall:

With Tennessee's season opener against Western Kentucky little more than a month away, renovations to Neyland Stadium remain on schedule, athletic director Mike Hamilton said even if it might not look that way when fans arrive for the Sept, 5 game. "Everything is on schedule at the stadium," Hamilton said. "But we need to get this message out: The project will not look complete this year."

Probably good advice with respect to our football team, too.

A checkerboard end zone in Florida's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium? Yeah.

Phillip Fulmer's going to be spending his first fall without football as the spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and the Hunters for the Hungry Program.

What's Dane Bradshaw up to now? President and part-owner of Taxi On Demand, a service that provides prepaid Discover Network Cards that can only be used for taxi rides.

Former Vol C.J. Watson to sign with the Orlando Magic?

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Comments

Punting v. Florida:

To keep this in perspective, let’s remember that punting for fair catches generally reduces the range of the punt. So, would you rather:

(A) Have a 45-yard punt average and give James a chance at returns, or

(B) Have a 35-yard punt average with fair catches?

(And yes, let’s assume that UT actually punts against Florida.)

I know which one I’d rather take.

by David Hooper on Jul 20, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

I think I'd rather go for it on fourth down.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jul 20, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Woo!

Love it.

by David Hooper on Jul 20, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

on that note,

If I were a playcaller, I would go for 4th far, far more frequently than you see nowadays. Think Hal Mumme, only more consistent.

I think the value of calling with a 4-down mindset rather than a 3-down mindset is seriously underestimated.

by David Hooper on Jul 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Depends on the strength of your defense, imo

And you can still make a case either way within having a strong defense and a weak defense.

by rblakeh on Jul 20, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Given the strength of our defense, probably a good call

If we extend a couple of possessions by four plays or engineer a score, that helps the players’ confidence. If we conservatively punt or play field possession, it only works when the offenses are not as good as say Florida’s.

Among the top teams where it’s not a desperation play, I think the odds are pretty good (LSU, FL, Ala).

by memphispete on Jul 20, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he averaged more than 10 yards a return?

The risk of a TD or game changing return is not worth it. Remember last year’s FL game. We were down 17-0 and Florida had about 44 yards of offense. Two massive returns made the difference.

We don’t really talk much about it but I think Eddie Gran focusing on special teams will make a HUGE difference. Our special teams have been horrible lately, so this is another area in which we should be better. That kicker in 2010 is going to be really, really special…

by memphispete on Jul 20, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfinished projects:

Probably good advice with respect to our football team, too.

I will quit mentioning this shortly, but that will probably haunt me about last year’s staff for a long time. Had we been informed of the scope of the rebuild, things might have gone down a little differently.

Maybe, maybe not. But I just don’t know.

by David Hooper on Jul 20, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions