KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee believes its defense has the depth that can enable the Volunteers to avoid the blown leads that haunted them in each of their losses last year.The depth is most notable up front, where the ninth-ranked Volunteers have accumulated so much talent that former five-star recruits havent been able to work their way atop the depth chart. Tennessee opens the season Thursday by hosting Appalachian State.Honestly, this is the most depth (at defensive end) weve ever had since Ive been here personally, senior defensive end Corey Vereen said. Im not used to this.The Volunteers went 9-4 last season but led in each game they lost. They were up at least 13 points in losses to Oklahoma, Florida and Arkansas. They fell to eventual national champion Alabama by giving up a go-ahead touchdown with 2:24 remaining.Tennessee outscored teams 378-173 in the first three periods but was outscored 87-79 in the fourth quarter and overtime.There have been times where weve had guys out there who had already played 60 snaps, defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. Its hard to (have) what we term as Superman efforts, closing a drive out, a two-minute drive, making those efforts and plays, thats hard to do if youve been out there 60 snaps.That shouldnt be an issue this season.Tennessee believes it has the elements in place to be dominant and disruptive, the buzzwords new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has consistently used to describe his ideal defense since arriving from Penn State.Were deeper here at d-end than Ive probably been anywhere, Shoop said.The Vols depth is evident from a look at some of the players who arent expected to start Thursdays opener. Defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie was rated as the nations No. 1 recruit in his class by Scout in 2015, yet hes still listed as a second-teamer behind senior Danny OBrien and junior Kendal Vickers. Sophomore defensive end Kyle Phillips, a former five-star prospect, isnt on the first team or second team.Both guys are still expected to play Thursday. Tennessee is hoping to rotate about six defensive ends into the game at various points, which should prevent the Vols from overworking anyone and relying too heavily on defensive end Derek Barnett, who has recorded 10 sacks each of the last two seasons.This rotation were talking about is going to put us in better position to close games, Stripling said.Tennessee also is bullish on the rest of its defense.The linebacker corps features returning starters Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Darrin Kirkland Jr. Cornerback Cam Sutton, entering his fourth year as a starter, headlines a secondary that features plenty of guys versatile enough to play multiple positions.The Vols built their depth on defense by signing two straight recruiting classes that had consensus top-five rankings. The second of those classes arrived in 2015, which means all those recruits have now been on campus at least one year.Tennessee also has received a boost this year from the returns of Phillips, tackle Shy Tuttle and defensive back Rashaan Gaulden from injuries that caused them to miss most or all of the 2015 season. Tuttle has been brought along slowly as he recovers from a broken fibula, but Tennessee coach Butch Jones said the sophomore tackle would be available Thursday.Were at the stage now where we can rotate guys in and not have a drop-off at any level, Sutton said. In the fourth quarter, we can have our closers in and be able to close games out.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Carlos-Henderson-Jersey/ . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Bennie-Fowler-Jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Paxton-Lynch-Jersey/ . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/ . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Darian-Stewart-Jersey/ .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Call them the NRLs cardiac kids but Penriths playmaking young guns are fast mastering the art of putting opposing sides to the sword at the death.The Panthers believe their new reputation as the competitions heart-stoppers will actually help them when they enter this years finals series as arguably the most inexperienced team.They gave coach Anthony Griffin a cruel re-introduction to the league when he took over from Ivan Cleary this season after more than a year off - all nine of their opening games were decided by less than 10 points.It wasnt until a 12-point win over the Warriors in round 10 that Griffin was able to breathe easy before the full time siren.But that didnt mean the mountain men suddenly stopped sending games down to the wire.A league-high 16 of their contests this season have been decided by 10 points or less, 13 of them by a converted try or less.Only nine of those 16 games were converted into wins but its a nerve-racking record second-rower Isaah Yeo believes could deliver them a deep push into the finals despite their lack of experience.This weeks line-up against Manly contains just 23 games of finals experience, 13 of them owned by veterans Peter Wallace and Trent Merrin.Those tight games wwere a real learning curve for us.dddddddddddd Obviously we didnt get all of them and that could come down to inconsistency and inexperience, Yeo told AAP on Thursday.But over the last couple of months, weve been really good on the field and I think thats showing with our defence at the moment.Winners of six of their past seven, the Panthers have only once conceded more than three tries - during a golden point loss to the Warriors - and given up a total 98 points in that period.Melbourne, the leagues best defensive team, have conceded 114 points over the same stretch.Everyone thinks were an attacking side but were able to keep some really good sides to low-scoring numbers and come out over the top of teams with 15 to 20 minutes to go, Yeo said.We obviously know the finals are a different beast and were not there yet. But well ride the wave and listen to the people that have been there before.NRLS CARDIAC KIDS: Games decided by six points or lessPenrith (13)Cronulla, North Queensland, Gold Coast, St George Illawarra (9)Canterbury (8)Canberra, Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta (7) Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Stitched Jerseys Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Outlet Jerseys From China Jerseys NFL Cheap Disocunt Football Jerseys Wholesale NFL Gear Wholesale Jerseys 2018 NFL Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Outlet ' ' '