University of Tennessee Athletics
Butch Jones Monday Press Conf. (Sept. 8)
September 08, 2014 | Football
PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS
Butch Jones previewed the Vols matchup with #4/3 Oklahoma, on Monday.
Head Coach Butch Jones
(Opening Statement)
"Good afternoon, looking back at the Arkansas State game, I see progress, I see progress in a number of areas. I see improvement. We spoke about the Power of One and where we can control the controllable. We have been able to do that, that is why were are 2-0 against two very good, quality opponents. That is the other thing, we have played two quality opponents. When you look at one turnover in two games, when you look at two penalties last week, our red-zone efficiency, our third-down efficiency offensively and defensively, the ability to not kick field goals in the red zone but score touchdowns. You look at substitutions, that is a big part of it, with all the different matching of personnel that goes on in the world of football. I think they have done a great job with that, so I have been encouraged by that. Like I spoke in the conclusion of the game Saturday, is we need more individuals to step up, take ownership with a role on this football team. It starts again with special teams. We have too many players playing too many snaps right now. You look at Cam Sutton, he played almost 90 repetitions Saturday when you count in the special teams game. You cannot do that. Same thing with A.J. Johnson, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Justin Coleman, these individuals are playing too many reps. It is a long, long season. So we re very cognizant of that, we chart every individuals reps in practice whether it is offense, defense or special teams. So today some individuals, I am going to meet with them individually and they need to step up and they need to help us perform winning football on special teams. I do like the mentality of our football team. I know we are making progress when I get text messages throughout the night about their performance, wanting to help the team win. I think that was a challenging game last week with a lot of respects. That is a good football team. What they do offensively challenges you. That quarterback is a very, very good quarterback, he was very active. Very pleased with the victory but I think we all know what is in store this week, playing a top three/top four opponent in Oklahoma and very, very, very, very deservingly so. I think when you look at the building of a football program, you look at Oklahoma. Coach Stoops has done an unbelievable job, he has been there for 16 years, 88-5 as a home record, we talk about creating a home field advantage, I would say that is a home field advantage. 43-10 in their last four years. But when you look at their football team you see redshirt senior, redshirt senior, junior, redshirt junior, you see a veteran group that they have been able to raise through their program, through their culture, through the expectations to what it takes to play in that football program. I see a football team that has no deficiencies, very deservingly of their ranking. And it is going to be a tremendous challenge going into a hostile environment where all their players know is all about winning. Over half of our football team will be going on their first road trip. But I am looking forward to it. I think it is going to be a great challenge for these youngsters. But I think it is needed in the evolution and maturity of our football team."
(On the status of other freshmen running backs)
"Treyvon Paulk right now is going through a redshirt process, he is not 100 percent healthy right now. So we don't anticipate him right now unless we get into an emergency situation five, six, seven, eight weeks from now. Which you never know. Derrell Scott is an individual who was really pushing in training camp and he would be getting valuable carries right now, he has been set back with a foot injury. He is coming along, he is progressing. We anticipate him possibly be ready for the Georgia game. With the recruitment we are excited, with the depth that we have had at the position but we have been set back with injuries there."
(On injuries from Saturday)
"Ethan Wolf, right now he is questionable. I think we have received right now, great news on both him and Von Pearson. Ethan Wolf had a bruised knee, so it will be how his body recovers with the rehab, I will know more a little bit later in the week his status for the game this week. Von Pearson will be out this game, we will see how his body progresses. Right now it is a high ankle sprain. So again, spoke with both these individuals today. Just left Von, he is in great spirits, the great thing is we anticipate getting him back very soon because as you know he adds a whole other dynamic to our offense but also his competitive nature, our kids feed off of."
(On improvements of the team)
"I see culture with just the overall makeup of our team chemistry, our overall competition and our care factor. That was a game last year that we would have been extremely, extremely challenged to win because of the scheme and the different nuances that that game presented. We are winning in the locker room, our kids care, it is very important to them. I see more individuals coming in on their off day, watching film, I see players taking accountability of power of position of coming in. I think our team speed is not even close to where we were last year at this stage of the game. But again, it is not where we need to be to compete at a high level, like the Oklahomas. So again, you improve team speed through the recruitment process but it is exciting, these players want to do well. They hang on every word that you say, they do the extra film study. They are taking care of their bodies, now it is just fundamental improvement, it is getting stronger. That stuff doesn't happen over night. I am a big believer of style of play. Great teams have their own style of play that is unique to them, we haven't developed a uniqueness yet that is only common to Tennessee football right now. Every where that we have been that uniqueness has been effort, it has been toughness, it has been strain and it has been fundamentals and fine details of what it takes to play to winning football. We are getting there but we are no where where we need to be. I see us making progress and it is extremely hard because you are in an instant gratification society. I want it as fast and right now as much as anybody, it drives me everyday. But there are somethings, it takes time, it is a process. We always talk about, focus on the progress, we are going through the process of building this football team right now. I think we also expect to win, I think that is the other thing. I think that is also important too, earning the right to win, not just showing up on Saturday excited for the Vol Walk and hoping to win. It is investing to win, it is expecting to win. Our players expect to win."
(On the team handling adversity)
"I thought we had a little bit of it Saturday, with the elements, it was over 100 degrees of temperature on the field. I just spoke of it, a lot of players had to play a lot of snaps. They had some momentum, it was 17-12 they cut into it, fake punt where we just had a young man not put his eyes on his assignments, he had covered it the entire day, had covered that individual in coverage the previous punt, and just a lapse in judgement. And boom, sudden change. I thought we were able to adapt and adjust. Now obviously we will find out how we have prepared when we go on the road in Norman. They have a tremendous home field advantage. Now playing in front of a crowd, a different crowd noise, a different venue, a different hotel. So everything will be new, you try to prepare but you really don't know until you are really faced with that adversity face-to-face."
(On preparing to play on the road)
"We always practice with crowd noise and the distracting noises that you all have become very accustomed to and John looks forward to it every week. So we will continue to do that. I think it is just trying to create a mindset. The game is still going to be played on the green grass, between the white lines. It comes down to fundamentals, it comes down to execution, it comes down to toughness, it is a great challenge. It is being able to block out the clutter and distractions that road games bring about. I think a third of our football team will be flying for the first time, ever. So there is another thing. Control the controllables. That is the thing that matters with this football team."
(On Trevor Knight)
"It is going to be a challenge limiting his success because Trevor does so much for their football team. Not only managing the game but making good decisions with the football. He is extremely athletic. He had a couple running touchdowns, he can make people miss in space and he can throw the football and they like to push the football down the field. They like to throw perimeter screens and get you running. Very imposing offensive line, I have been told it will be one of the largest lines in the National Football League, they are big, they are well-coached. Bill Bedenbaugh is a very good friend of mine, their offensive line coach, worked with him way back in the day at Central Michigan. I have a lot of respect for him and what he does. Just an overall respect for their program. You can see where these players are the byproduct of being in that football program for a number of years."
(On the difficulty of protecting when Oklahoma's pass and run screen)
"It's very difficult. They do a great job of balance, and also within that balance their scheme presents you problems because all of a sudden they go from an internal run to a play action deep post to all of a sudden a perimeter screen and you couple that with their athletes and their tempo and their size. It's a great challenge."
(On the "bell dozer" package that they use)
"We'll look at it. Obviously, the quarterback is playing tight end now that was involved in that package. But we always know that it's in their arsenal, and we'll be ready for it."
(On how he feels about the running game)
"Small improvement. Small improvements incrementally, inch by inch. Again, we were forced to run the football a number of times particularly late in the game versus eight and a nine man box. That's very challenging to do. I think Jalen Hurd continues to progress and get better and better against tough yards. There was one run where we got him to the perimeter of the defense. Now you have to earn your scholarship and make an individual miss in space. Those are all teaching opportunities. We have to get Marlin Lane going. I think Marlin has been a little hesitant. The great running backs, they get four yards first and then the big plays come after that. But again, just consistency and trying to find the right five guys to work together as well as with our mentality and everything that we're doing. Again, we're going through an evolution right now."
(On how losing Von Pearson effects the group)
"Well the great thing is that's one position where we do have some depth. But anytime you take an individual with the likes of Von Pearson out of your lineup that's a setback for you. And not just what he's been able to do on the field, but in the locker room. Like I said, he's extremely competitive. His competitive makeup reminds me a lot, not to the Antonio Brown type yet, but a little bit of that. Loves football, needs it in his life, has a smile on his face every day. You can't get him down, so I think we'll miss that as much as his playmaking abilities as well. It is a setback, offensively, for us, but the way I look at it is it's another individual's opportunity to step up. It's more reps for Josh Malone. It's more reps for Josh Smith. It's more reps for Jason Croom, Alton Howard. All these individuals , their reps are going to increase because of it and maybe even Vic Wharton if we get him back healthy. So again it's an opportunity when you have competition across the board when one individual goes down. It also serves as an opportunity for the next person to come in."
(On the physicality of the offensive and defensive lines)
"Work in progress. Again, I think you know me, and we want to play physical and tough. I think we've shown it at times but also I think that's a direct correlation to where we're at with our strength levels. Half these guys were playing high school football last year. Will we be more physical a year from now or two years from now, just a byproduct of the strength and conditioning? Yes, but it's not where we need it to be. But I see us improving on it. We coach it on every snap. Some of it is just a byproduct of overall explosiveness and strength, but they're giving us everything that they have. We need to continue to extract every ounce of value that every player can have on this football team. That's why I'm so adamant about having role players on special teams and excelling in their role, starring in their role and embracing in their role. But also roles changes as the evolution of a football season goes on because of injuries as well."
(On the left tackle competition)
"We'll have a battle. We're going to continue to mix it around. We're going to look at Coleman Thomas a little bit more possibly at right tackle. You may see Kyler Kerbyson going to left tackle a little bit. Dontavius Blair we're going to ask him to play left tackle. All of a sudden the typing picked up. We've got some stimulation in here. You'll see players moving around. It's the first time that you'll see mixed within the offensive front. Again, it's finding the right five individuals that have a mindset, a mentality to protect the passer, run the football and finish blocks."
(On if he's worried about moving Kyler Kerbyson who is already at a position)
"No, because we did this in spring football, and we also did it in training camp. Really left tackle, right tackle, it's really the same thing, just left and right. He's been able to do that. I'm not saying that he will be our left tackle, but I'm saying he'll gain repetitions there along with (Brett) Kendrick and along with (Dontavis) Blair as well. As we continue to evolve, we need to find the best five players that will fit us."
(On if the offensive group has the right mentality)
"I like their mentality. It's important to them. Again, so much again is the power of the position and it's every position group taking accountability to have everyone in that room play to their fullest potential. The reputation of one reflects on all. One wrong, all wrong and it's all out of 11, but up there it's one out of five. Five for five in depth. Again, they come in all the time. They're very prideful. They understand the standards and expectations. I like that group."
(On if he feels there is enough depth at the defensive line)
"We need to continue to grow and develop that depth. Usually you want to be about 10 deep. We haven't been afforded that luxury. I spoke about it earlier in the year, each individual will develop differently. Michael Sawyers will continue to develop. Dewayne Hendrix will continue to develop. But again, these are young players. Their maturation process, each one is different. But I do see them developing, but for us to really make it through the grind and the meat of our schedule, which you would be hard pressing the country to find, the journey that this football team is going to go on. Show me another team in the United States of America that is getting ready to go on a journey schedule-wise that the Tennessee Volunteers are going on. We're going to need to have as much depth and competition across the board. We'll start today. And just the fine details and fundamentals, but we need more people involved."
(On seeing Owen Williams step up)
"It was good, great to see. He had about three plays in a row, back-to-back-to-back, that really impacted the game. That's the thing that we really focus on. How are you impacting the game when you're on the field? Are you making impactful plays? He was able to do that and I think he'll really gain some valuable confidence from that."
(On improvements on third down defense)
"I think speed, the ability to impact the quarterback. I think Chris Weatherd has been a great addition to our defense. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, very very active. I think the ability to play some nickel, the ability to play some dime. Even though they're youngsters, they can run. Now, we have to continue to develop Evan Berry as well, Elliott Berry as well, to get them involved as we continue to progress. I think just the overall speed defensively has really helped us."
(On the challenges of Oklahoma's defensive line)
"I can't think of one, many. They play low, play with a flat back. They use their hands exceptionally well. Their size is astonishing, but they run. They have a mentality and they're a veteran group. I read it off, redshirt seniors and juniors. You know, guys that have played. They're very very very talented. This is a top level football team and a top level football program and very well coached."
(On if their length is a major concern)
"Oh yeah, oh yeah. You worry about the overall physicality. You worry about tipped footballs with their length. They post many many challenges for you."
(On what sets Sterling Shepard apart from other receivers)
"Speed, elusiveness, can go up and high point the ball, play the ball in the air, can make people miss, complete wide out. He's not just a deep ball individual. They can throw him a five yard hitch and a five yard hitch turns into a fifty-five yard touchdown. He can do it all. I've been very impressed, blocks on the perimeter, complete football player."
(On watching last year's Sugar Bowl)
"Well, at that time I just said focus on the process and finish recruiting strong. Again, I don't know what else to tell you other than the results they've had speak for themselves. They back it up. The results speak for themselves."
(On if Oklahoma's program is a model of what he wants to do at Tennessee)
"Well, you look at illustrations throughout the course of the country of programs that have really been built on a foundation, a foundational value and have been around for a very long number of years. Again, you win with consistency and continuity. Consistent messaging, the players know what they're getting every day. There's a comfort level from a recruiting aspect that you know the coaches are going to be in place. It's a whole great big conglomeration of everything that goes into it, and I think Oklahoma's one of the models. Coach Stoops has done a tremendous tremendous job and that was a program that had so much tradition, and it does, but they were down a little bit and he came in and got it back going the right way. So, yeah it's one of the programs I look at of doing things the right way and building it the right way and developing your players. We'll get to a point where we have the luxury of redshirting players. You look at an individual in high school that is a freshman and you look at them as a senior. They're two totally different players, mentally and physically. Eventually we'll get to that point. We're in the infant stages of our football program and I'm excited of where we're going because we're jumping the learning curve. We're going to be fine, and we're going to win, and we're going to continue to win. You just have to keep that narrow focus, that one mindset, and keep working every day just like other programs have done as well. This is a special place. We have the same tradition, we have the same standard, we have the same expectations, and you can see it. It's happening."
(On Coach Stoops wanting to prove something to SEC fans)
"I don't look at that at all. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Stoops. I've known him. My first year at Cincinnati we played them, I think they were ranked number two in the country and we played them, and it was a great football game. We lost at the end. Coach Martinez was the secondary coach and we had about a seventy-yard touchdown pass and our receiver was going in the end zone and they're DB came from about thirty-yards behind and textbook secured the tackle, ripped the ball out, and that was a game changing play. I look at our two football teams and we're both looking to go 3-0. They're a very talented football team and I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they've done there and their players."
(On what he's seen in Justin Worley to think he's ready for road games this season)
"New year, it's a new Justin Worley. Justin is not even close to being the same quarterback he was last year. He's poised, he's confident. Yeah, is he going to be challenged? Yes. Did he have to go on the road in some very hostile SEC environments and play? Absolutely, that's part of playing in this conference. Every road game is a hostile environment. That comes with the territory. I think, also, the quarterback is a byproduct of the players around him. As you all know, we're much more skilled out on the perimeter at all positions. I think that's also helped Justin as well."
(On Mike Williams at corner)
"You know what? Mike has done a great job. Again, needs to take some strides in his fundamentals and the small details in finishing plays. He's been a very very pleasant surprise for us. He's an individual who we saw it in him two years ago, we saw it. He's really been a great addition to our secondary. Thank goodness he's playing the way he is right now, because he's helping us."
(On Todd Kelly Jr.)
"I thought Todd did some great things. Again, playing in his second career game where what they did offensively challenges your overall discipline, your eye discipline, your ability to play in space. For the most part, I thought Todd did a good job. He should gain tremendous confidence in moving forward from that football game. I was very encouraged by what I saw in Todd Kelly Jr.'s performance."
(On if Cam Sutton is still the starting punt returner)
"Yes, yep."
(On if he expects Trevarris Saulsberry to be available)
"Trevarris will not be available for this game. Our eyes are down the road in terms of when his availability will be. It could be Georgia. It could be Florida. Probably that's the earliest. Again, he's still going through recovery right now."
