Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek said during fall training camp that his defense would experience growing pains.
He reminded the media of that statement on Tuesday after Tennessee’s practice on Haslam Field.
The growing pains were evident in the Vols, 24-20, loss to the Razorbacks last Saturday, as Arkansas racked up 494-yards and averaged 6.7-yards per play.
“We are experiencing those (growing pains) right now,” Jancek said.
The Vols don’t have to make any major changes to combat these growing pains. Instead, Jancek said the defense just has to continue to give its best effort.
“We are not going to back off,” Jancek said. “We are not going to accommodate anything less than their best effort.
“We are building a foundation for the future. We are not going to compromise anything that we believe in. We are keep doing the things that we have been doing that have gotten us to this point.”
Jancek is proud of his players and sees improvement despite the gut-wrenching losses. The big wins haven’t arrived yet, but Jancek expects that to change soon.
“It crushes Vol Nation, it crushes us as coaches, and crushes the players certainly when you are right there and you don’t get those wins, but they are coming. We are doing the right things.” Jancek said. “We are progressing. I know it’s not where we want to be, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.
“People have just got to trust us. It’s not easy to do. We are impatient, we want instant gratification, we want things right away, but we are building for the future. It’s a great place, it really is and we got a great staff — top to bottom — we got good kids, good players at every stage in the program, from seniors to freshman. We just got to continue to get experience and continue to grow and get better.”
Freshman sensation: The young Tennessee defenders might have experienced some growing pains this season.
But they also have had plenty of bright moments too.
Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle comes to mind. The freshman already has recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal in five games with Tennessee. He is also doing a good job with the things that don’t show on the stat sheet.
“They are getting off blocks,” Jancek said of Tuttle and fellow freshman defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie. “Their pad level is much lower. They are flat-backed. Their hand placement, the fundamentals and the techniques that you work on are starting to show in the games.
“Those two are going to be good. Just hold on.”
Tuttle still has room for improvement. Jancek wants to see him improve in pass rushing, especially off play action.
Defensive line coach Steve Stripling added focus on details to the improvement list, but he is still pleased with Tuttle’s progress, saying his speed distinguishes him from other defensive linemen.
“For a 305-pound man, he can really run.” Stripling said. “I think that athletic ability shows up and Shy also has a little bit of a race horse mentality. On game day, he gets a little extra step in him.”
Missing Maggitt: Growing pains aren’t the only obstacles for the defense. Jancek admitted Senior defensive end Curt Maggitt’s absence has hurt the defense.
Maggitt, who suffered a bone chip in his hip in the Oklahoma game, has missed the past three games. His absence has been felt throughout the defense.
No one has felt his absence more than defensive end Derek Barnett. Now defenses can focus on containing Barnett without the worry of Maggitt wreaking havoc on the other side
“Now (offenses) are like, ‘okay, I am good there, let’s go over here and chip and nudge Derek Barnett,” Jancek said.
Maggitt’s can still impact the defense with his leadership, even if he can’t offer it on the field.
“Curt is with us everyday,” Stripling said. “But it’s obviously different too when you are not suited up. I think we need for someone to step up in (Curt’s role.)”
Missed Tackles- Jancek thought his players were in a position to make plays against Arkansas.
He just wasn’t impressed with their tackling.
“There wasn’t a lot of mental errors or anything like that,” Jancek said. “We just missed tackles. And then there was a couple plays with the ball in the air, we got a guy right there and we don’t make a play and that is frustrating.”
