Vanderbilt Commodores need more sacks from defense

While the offense, which finished 110th nationally, bore the brunt of the blame for last year's 2-10 record, the defense also contributed fewer sacks than the previous season. In 2008, when Vandy went 7-6 and won the Music City Bowl, the defense was fifth in the SEC with 30 sacks. Last year it dropped to 10th with 20. "Our defense played real well last year and obviously as an offense we left them on the field too long,'' said new Coach Robbie Caldwell, the offensive line coach last year. "But coming up with more sacks, putting some more pressure on the quarterback, is something we're stressing this year." The ends accounted for eight sacks. Of the returning players, senior Theron Kadri had three and junior Tim Fugger and senior Teriall Brannon had one. The trio will rotate at the two positions. "The defensive end is a tough position because the offensive tackles are great in the SEC," Caldwell said. "We've gotten stronger and bigger there and gotten a couple of fast people I think can really help us."Fugger and Kadri each weigh 255 pounds and Brannon is 245. One of last year's starters, Broderick Stewart, weighed 230.