University of Tennessee Athletics
Media Monday: Players Preview Alabama
October 20, 2014 | Football
Tennessee's Curt Maggitt, Cameron Sutton and Corey Vereen spoke about Alabama as the Vols prepare for Saturday's game vs. the #4 Crimson Tide.
JUNIOR LINEBACKER Curt Maggitt
(On enjoying playing teams like Alabama)
"Yeah, physical, downhill-type offenses. That is what I like playing against."
(On managing locker room when one side of the ball is struggling)
"I wouldn't say that. It just starts with leadership, and it's a challenge for us as leaders. In the past, a couple of years ago, our offense played really well, and the defense didn't play well. We just have to keep everybody together. We're one team and one unit. We just have to pull it out."
(On if the 2012 defensive struggles help in being a leader on this team)
"Yeah, definitely. Like I said, the biggest thing is it is going to be challenge for us as leaders to keep the whole team, everybody focused on just the one game at a time."
(On playing downhill teams such as Alabama)
"I just like the physicality part of it. We are going to make plays. I enjoy that type of football."
(On how often he sees powerful RBs such as Derrick Henry coming off the bench)
"No, we don't. Have some versatile players on their offense including the quarterback. We're going to have to have good eyes and good physicality."
(On awareness of importance of Alabama game for Tennessee fans)
"I know Vol Nation is excited about a win over Alabama. We, as football players, don't really get much into [that]. Our job is to prepare and play Tennessee versus Alabama."
(On knowledge of Lane Kiffin)
"I know a little bit since I'm a little bit older."
(On whether Lane Kiffin recruited him)
"Yeah, a little bit."
SOPHOMORE CORNERBACK Cameron Sutton
(On playing talented receivers back-to-back weeks)
"It's a challenge which I take part in, just stepping up and embracing the challenge, going against two top-caliber receivers like those two, Treadwell and Amari Cooper. As far as playing the game, it's just knowing what to do, give your all each and every play, using great technique that our coaching staff teaches us and just going out there trying to make plays."
(On noticing matchups versus two top talented receivers)
"You look through the schedule, then you look to see their personnel and the type of players they have on each team throughout the week. As far as matching up and things like that, it's just a part of what scheme, whatever it is throughout the week that the coaching staff has us game planning for, what all I have to do or take part in on the field. I'm just willing to do that."
(On willingness to go against talented receivers)
"Yes sir, definitely. Like I said, I'm up for any challenge. Like I said, any situation or any job the coaching staff needs me to take part in, I'm willing to do it."
(On Alabama's WR Amari Cooper)
"Just another overall, complete receiver. [He] plays well in the system that they run, great hands, great speed, can make the big plays throughout the course of the game. He's definitely a big part of their offense. Definitely a big part of their team. They work around him even when teams are doing things to try and stop him. He's able to free up other guys around him on the field and get them open as well. Like I said, he works well in that system, and he makes a lot of plays for them."
(On not settling on one receiver vs. Alabama)
"They're a very complete offense, not just with the passing game but with the running game as well. And, of course, up front. Like I said, if you try to take away Cooper, they have other receivers that are capable of making plays as well. So, you can't really lock up on one receiver. You have to play team defense."
(On whether former teammates or VFLs have spoken to them about Kiffin)
"No. That was before my time."
(On his familiarity with Lane Kiffin)
"I don't have any familiarity with him. I feel it was never a distraction anyways because we're about playing football. So, I don't have anything about him."
(On whether Alabama's game last week changed their mindset)
"You know, watching the highlights and everything like that and then watching the game, watching film on them, you see the things they did throughout the course of the game. They had a great game against Texas A&M and it's our job to come in, to be prepared well, game plan well, learn from the teams they've played throughout the previous weeks and where we can benefit from it throughout the course of the game just to get an edge and get ahead in the game."
(On how much time he spends watching film)
"It's countless hours, any little chance I can get. At times, when I should be doing schoolwork and things like that, I kind of get caught up in watching film and things like that. I'm always watching film, late at night, early in the morning. Any chance I can get in the film room, I'm always in there just trying to get an edge and trying to get ahead on any opponent we're going against.
SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE END Corey Vereen
(On impressions of Alabama's offensive line)
"Their size and their physicality. I watched a little bit of film on them yesterday, and I've seen a lot of teams like them--big, physical and stuff. So, that's just something to expect coming into the game."
(On Saturday's game vs. Ole Miss)
"I just did the same thing I normally do. Work extra hard at practice, went to church, stayed prayed up, basically, and just stopped thinking and started playing, basically."
(On overthinking in previous games)
"Yes sir. In the past previous games, I was."
(On whether or not it was his best game)
"Statistically, yes."
(On why only statistically)
"There were some technical issues that I need to refine when I went back and looked at the film. But, statistically, there were some good things I did for the team."
(On playing downhill teams such as Alabama)
"With downhill teams, you know a little bit more of what to expect. They're going to come at you full speed, a lot of base blocks, inside, double teams. You know what to expect. You have to get your pads down, your hands on them and play level all the time. So, that's one thing to expect with them."
(On if Lane Kiffin's return impacts team)
"We are just focused on playing football. It's our team against their team. We are really focused on the exterior things, Lane Kiffin or whoever coming back. We're focused on playing football."
(On what the line needs to do against Alabama)
"We're going to do anything and everything we need to do against them. It's just buying in, playing hard and getting ball disruptions. From the first step, just playing hard and giving `63' effort on every snap."
