By Jimmy Hyams
Derek Barnett was one of the all-time great defensive players in Tennessee history.
He set a school record for sacks in three seasons, breaking a mark that took Reggie White four years to accomplish.
Yet, with Barnett as the anchor, Tennessee fielded its second-worst defense in school history, allowing 28.8 points per game (36.9 in SEC play) and 449.2 yards per game.
It gave up 400 rushing yards in three of its last five SEC games. It gave up a school-record 740 yards to a 4-8 Missouri team. It allowed five plays of 70 or more yards, 37 of 30 or more yards. It ranked 95th in the nation in yards allowed per game.
So the question posed to second-year defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was simple: Can Tennessee’s defense be better without Barnett?
“We can be a better defense,’’ Shoop said, “but it’s not because Derek Barnett is not here. Yes we can be better defense; we have to be a better defense. We have to play better than we did last year and we will.
“This is a different team. Team 121 is different than team 120. Every group and every team and every unit has its own identity each year.
“I think this team has a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, specifically the defense.’’
The defense should have a chip on its shoulder considering it was historically bad.
One reason for Shoop’s optimism is new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson.
“He’s laid a foundation of solid work ethic and this summer we’ve taken it to the next level,’’ Shoop said. “These first three weeks, the conditioning is on point, the strength’s better, the guys are doing what’s asked of them. The seniors are setting the pace and holding underclass guys to that level.’’
The defensive position hit hardest by graduation was end, where Barnett, Corey Vereen and LaTroy Lewis combined for 22.5 sacks.
But that’s a position Shoop likes.
“The irony of it is I actually see defensive end as a position of strength on the unit,’’ Shoop said.
Shoop said Jonathan Kongbo, Kyle Phillips and Darrell Taylor are “upper level players,’’ although they combined for only one sack and 35 tackles last season.
Shoop acknowledged Tennessee “may not have the star power’’ from a year ago, but he doesn’t think that means the program takes a step back.
“On offense, it may not be a (Josh) Dobbs, a (Alvin) Kamara,’’ Shoop said. “On defense, it may not be a Barnett, a (Jalen Reeves) Maybin, a (Cam) Sutton. But I think as a whole unit on defense, we have a chance to be better than we were a year ago.’’
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