Tim Banks spotlights ability to win on third down as Tennessee biggest area for improvement

Tennessee football made quite an improvement last season across the board. The first year of the Josh Heupel era can definitely be considered a success. But defensive coordinator Tim Banks still sees several areas where the Vols can improve. Chiefly, getting off the field on third down. Tennessee was able to wreak havoc and consistently get into the backfield on early downs, but often times they struggled to finish the job on third and long.

When Eric Cain asked Banks on his show what specific improvements the UT DC wants to see, Banks pointed directly to third-down defense.

“Getting off the field more consistently. Tackles for losses and things of that nature, the mayhem, is awesome. But being able to win third downs more consistently is something we’ve worked really hard on in the spring and we’ll continue to work hard on it in the fall.

“Every year is a new year. How guys slide into new roles, new leadership roles, new positions to a degree. It’s a different year, so we always start from scratch and build it. But if we had to point at one thing in particular coming out of last season, we have to be able to affect the quarterback better on third and long situations. We feel like we’ve addressed it in the spring and we’ll continue to address it in the fall and we’ll see where we go.”

Banks knows the Volunteers need to improve in those situations and he has his unit working to fix that hole in their game from last season.

Tim Banks on generating pressure without blitzing

An easy way to fix issues stopping third and long is to generate more organic pressure. During that same show with Cain, Banks also discussed just how important generating pressure without blitzing is for a defense.

“It all works hand in hand to be quite honest with you. The longer you stay in coverage, the better it is for the front. So I think those all go hand in hand. We gotta continue to play tight coverage on the back end. We gotta continue to get to the quarterback in a timely manner.

“Can we get there with four? We’re working very hard to be able to do that. I think it obviously gives you some flexibility on the back end, from a coverage perspective. Whether it’s man, hot zones, you name it. When you don’t have to spend and bring five, six guys, it gives you the ability to do different things on the back end. Which hopefully can confuse the quarterback even more. Give those guys a chance to win.”

Banks notes the importance of getting to the quarterback in order to give the back end some rest. Also that if four rushers can get the job done, Banks won’t have to handicap is secondary by sending them towards the QB in blitzes.