University of Tennessee Athletics
#VolReport: The Fine Details
October 07, 2015 | Football
Oct. 7, 2015
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Vols are hopeful that a focus on the small things could lead to a big result this week as Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has preached a return to basics in UT's preparations for a big SEC showdown against Georgia at Neyland Stadium.
MORE FROM THE VOLS
Head coach Butch Jones and players spoke to the media on Wednesday. ...Read more
SOUND BITES
- RS Senior DB Brian Randolph
(On confidence going into game given last two games vs. UGA)
"Yeah, we definitely know we can play with them. From the start of the season, we knew we could play with anybody. We play with the best teams in America. Our confidence is not an issue. We just have to go out there and focus on our fundamentals, tackling and just get the job done."
(On playing Georgia being a Georgia native)
"I definitely have to be able to say I beat Georgia. This is a big rivalry for me. I am from Georgia and always love playing them. It is always a good game. They are very talented. It should be very fun."
- Junior DB Cameron Sutton
(On if he sees a difference in practice routine when UT wins or loses)
"I don't, not necessarily because like I said we have the same approach and same mindset each and every day and each and every week. The only thing that we change is obviously the opponent each and every week and the things that we'll do for the week facing that opponent but probably just still high intense, high energy and guys are getting after it and getting prepared for each and every Saturday."
(On how hard it is to lead a team that is going through adversity)
"I think it has its pros and cons. Even with winning, you have your pros, but you have your cons as well. Obviously with losing you get your pros and what you learn from them sticks and you have your cons but obviously you're losing. We learn from it, we build from it and we continue to get better each and every week to obviously limit those losses and mistakes we have out there on the field and hopefully come out with wins."
- Freshman LB Darrin Kirkland Jr.
(On the message the defense wants to send)
"Really that we are a disciplined defense. We come to play every week, and it doesn't matter who we play. We will try our best in our 'orange swarm' defense."
(On small details on defense)
"It's small details, but it's small room for error. The losses that we've taken are small small errors that are easily correctable. But, we are looking forward to the challenge of getting better."
- Sophomore OL Jashon Robertson
(On UT's run blocking)
"From last year to this year we've improved a pretty good deal. Guys are working hard on the fundamental aspects of the run game, hands, feet. Our numbers have improved which gives us a little boost of confidence. When you see Jalen [Hurd], Alvin [Kamara], Joshua [Dobbs] make those big runs it just makes you want to block that much harder."
(On run blocking vs. pass protecting)
"The run game complements the throw game. We need to stay ahead of the chains. 3rd-and-7 is a lot different than 3rd-and-4."
"In terms of moving forward with Georgia, kind of our theme this week [is] getting back to the basics, the fundamentals, the fine details of what it takes to play winning football," Jones said. "We've been talking to them all week about D & D. Not down and distance, but discipline and details. For us it's our eye discipline, it's running our feet on contact. We know we're going to be challenged this week with two very, very special running backs coming in here."
Rising to that challenge could be aided by the prospective returns of defensive back Stephen Griffin and defensive lineman Kyle Phillips. Both players had been limited so far this week due to injuries, but Jones provided an optimistic update on both players.
"Stephen Griffin did practice [yesterday]," he said. "He has been limited but we fully anticipate him being ready for the game.
"Probably the most positive story is Kyle Phillips. Kyle Phillips will practice today after going through some rehabilitation with his shoulder. It's very stable. It's very strong, so that's been a positive. Kyle is going to practice today and we'll see how it goes."
Other personnel updates from the day include:
- Offensive lineman Brett Kendrick and wide receiver Marquez North both practiced on Tuesday. Both were limited in practice but are hopeful to be available on Saturday
- Offensive lineman Dylan Wiesman also practiced on Tuesday and is expected to be ready for Saturday
- Wide receiver Alton Howard has been dismissed from the team due to a violation of team rules
Tennessee and Georgia are slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday. The game will be televised on CBS.
Versatility Is Valued On O-Line
With starting UT right tackle Brett Kendrick battling back from injuries, there is a possibility that the Vols will have a different starting offensive line on Saturday. Tennessee has started the group of Kyler Kerbyson, Jashon Robertson, Coleman Thomas, Dylan Wiesman and Kendrick in all five games this season.
Robertson, who starts at left guard, played some snaps at right guard last week against Arkansas and says that UT's offensive linemen are prepared to play multiple spots along the line.
"Each week, Coach Mo (offensive line coach Don Mahoney) does a good job of rotating guys in practice for potential scenarios as far as if this guy goes down or this guy goes down or whatever it is," Robertson said. "So we practice those types of situations throughout each day."
Robertson and his fellow starters are confident in their teammates on the bench.
"As an offensive line, throughout the game and throughout the season it's going to take all of us," he said. "Whoever that guy is that comes in and plays with us if Brett isn't able to go, we trust and believe in him and we'll be ready to go."
Discipline and Details
With No. 19 Georgia - and outstanding Bulldog running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel - coming to town on Saturday, Vols coach Butch Jones has encouraged a return to fundamentals from the Tennessee defense as it looks to temper another stellar SEC rushing attack. To drive that point home, Jones has introduced a new theme: discipline and details.
"We've been talking to them all week about D & D. Not down and distance, but discipline and details," Jones said. "Defensively, we cannot give up big plays. But it's back to the basics, the fundamentals."
Stopping those big plays, particularly against the run, will be predicated on Tennessee's ability to make tackles. Defensive back Cameron Sutton addressed that issue on Wednesday.
"At the end of the day we've just got to get the guy down to limit explosive plays," he said.
Fellow DB Brian Randolph echoed those sentiments, saying tackling must improve for the Vols to be in a position to win.
"We've definitely got to do a better job of tackling, angles and leverage to the ball," said Randolph. "We've got to stop the run, tackle their backs, and get off the field on third down.
"Everyone's trying to help everyone get better. We're focused on the details and discipline. We're not that far off."
Wide Receiver Update
The wide receiver position has been somewhat of a revolving door early in the 2015 season. Student-Athletes have missed time due to injuries, but the team is slowly getting healthy.
After missing the game against Arkansas, Marquez North practiced with the team this week and is questionable for Saturday's game against Georgia.
Johnathon Johnson has been limited in the work he can do, but he is getting closer to a return.
"I think Von Pearson is starting to get back to regain his old form. He's done some good things in practice," said head coach Butch Jones.
Despite missing those three individuals for different periods of time as well as Jason Croom and Vincent Perry, the team still has a lot of talent and drive at the position.
"The individuals that have been there have done an exceptional job. They've been remarkable in their preparation," said coach Jones "They're a prideful group. They take great pride, and what's happened is they have to know a number of positions. We can't just concentrate on knowing one position. A lot of these individuals have to know all three and four positions in our offense."
"We're still teaching a youngster in Jauan Jennings how to play wide receiver. Josh Smith has done a very good job of mentoring and guiding. I thought Josh Smith probably had his best practice he's had all year. He finally looked 100-percent healthy. He looked smooth in and out of his breaks, caught the ball exceptionally well," Jones continued.
"Josh Malone has been another individual who really has been a model of consistency. I've been so proud of him. He's really improved his game. We have to get him the football, but he's worked exceptionally hard - his effort, his blocking, his fundamentals, his details. He's done a great job."
