University of Tennessee Athletics
Butch Jones Transcript (4/7/15)
April 07, 2015 | Football
Head Coach Butch Jones
(Opening Statement)
"It is good to see everyone. Kind of a change of pace today, obviously practicing inside and we need to do that because, again, we are setting the foundation for next year and our players understanding how we practice indoors, as well. I thought it was an extremely productive day. A lot of situation football that we covered. I thought Joshua Dobbs had one of his better days of the spring. I was very encouraged by the play of Kendal Vickers. We went live, goal line at the end of practice and you could feel the presence of Kendal Vickers. Kendal is an individual who continues to get better and better. So very encouraged about his progress. We talked to our team today, spring is a great opportunity to really transform your game. Everything is transformational. During the season you are worried about your opponent, you are working towards your team. But in the spring you can really work to elevate your game on an individual basis. It is everyone taking accountability for transforming their game. We spoke about that with them today and I liked our approach. I thought our players came out with a lot of energy, again fundamentally still a long ways to go. Our depth, we had one healthy running back but we did some thud situations today. So Jalen Hurd got some valuable, valuable repetitions in improving his game as well. I thought overall a very productive day today."
(On limited running back numbers)
"Alvin [Kamara] was nursing a thigh bruise. We should have him back for Thursday and if not definitely on Saturday. So we had one healthy running back. So we had to pick our spots when we have live opportunities and tackling drills as well."
(On how offensive coordinator Mike DeBord has made an impact on the offense)
"I think a mentality in an offense. The fine details of what it takes it play winning football. Definitely a mentality and a presence. A command presence over the entire offense. I think our quarterbacks have improved greatly. Josh [Joshua Dobbs] is throwing the ball with much more accuracy. I see our young quarterbacks continuing to grow and develop as well. So I have been pleased with their progress so far this spring."
(On the improvement of the quarterbacks)
"I think our players are working exceptionally hard. I think Coach DeBord has done a great job of really redefining the fine details of quarterback play. We talked about the imperfect fundamentals, throwing off balance, pushing the pocket, being able to get the ball in your third progression, making athletic throws. And then the other thing that we work exceptionally hard on is our quarterbacks running with the football and understanding how to run and when to get down."
(On how the injured players are progressing this spring)
"They are doing a great job. They have been very, very into practice. We have actually given them assignments in practice where they are responsible for one player and they are responsible for that individuals technique and their effort. So we have really tried to keep them involved in practice. I think the off days of being able to walk thru the install has helped them. But you are going to get better thorough your due diligence in the strength and conditioning room and in the training room. Jason McVeigh does a tremendous job. Dave Lawson, they do a great job. Our players have really taken ownership in getting themselves back."
(On sophomore defensive back Evan Berry)
"Confidence. I think Evan [Berry] is playing with a lot of confidence right now. He is playing with a high level of consistency right now. He is playing fast. He is making split second decisions. He is breaking and driving on the football. The other thing where I have been impressed with Evan so far this spring is his tackling. We have really challenged him with his open field tackling. So far to date he has done a very good job with that. Not only getting the ball carriers down but he has been playing aggressively, he has been playing instinctfully and he is playing with great explosiveness right now."
(On why Evan Berry is more confidence)
"I think it is repetitions. I think he is seeing the game faster, it is slowing down for him. He still has a long ways to go in terms of growth and development. But I can see the transformation starting to occur. The game is slowing down. He is making better decisions. He is making quicker decisions as well."
(On sophomore kicker Aaron Medley)
"We motivate him everyday. The great thing with Aaron [Medley] is he is motivated internally first and foremost. The one day he didn't have a particularly productive scrimmage, our first Saturday, and on Sunday he drives to Nashville to work on his kicking game. So he is intrinsically motivated. But we have worked on his length. That is one of the things that he was very productive from about 30-yards in but his struggles occurred about 40-yards and beyond. So we really, really challenged him. So today we actually started our field goal session with 40-yards and worked our way back. Also, I think Aaron has added the much needed strength with the off-season strength and conditioning program. The ball is jumping off his foot right now. The other part in his development are kickoffs as well. We need him to get the ball in the end zone. The best kick off cover team is when they have a touchback. So we have really challenged [him] on that and he has really responded. But his internal drive is one of the best we have on this football team."
(On landmarks for kickoffs)
"What you guys see when you go out to practice, you will actually see what we call boxes and getting the ball in the box. You see them painted on the field. It is all about kicking the ball to the proper landmarks. So it is one thing to have the distance or the hang time but we also need a properly placed football."
(On junior defensive lineman Corey Vereen)
"Right now, he underwent surgery on his knee. He is progressing and we expect to have him back relatively the same time frame as most of the guys, sometime in June."
(On freshman linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. being a mid-year enrollee)
"It is invaluable. Obviously we would like to have him out here taking the live reps. You still can learn some things in taking mental reps but you really don't learn until you are in the flow of things and everything is coming at you. Darrin [Kirkland] has proven he can process information very, very quickly and he can also retain information very, very quickly. When he did his placement test at the Thornton Center, they actually discovered that he has a photographic memory. Anytime you can have that from your MIKE linebacker is very encouraging."
(On Aaron Medley's box that he kicks into)
"It's numbers to the sideline."
(On redshirt senior defensive lineman Owen Williams progression this spring)
"He is progressing. The next step that Owen Williams needs to make is his overall stamina and mental toughness. Being able to play for a number of plays extended, so we have challenged him. He continues to be a work in progress like everyone else."
(On Owen Williams being at practice somedays then not)
"He had to go home. He had some personal family things he had to tend to back home. So that is why he had to miss this past weekend, but Owen has been out there. I give Owen a lot of credit with his hand. He is fighting through some nagging injuries, but Owen shows up to go to work each and everyday."
(On tweaking the offensive line this spring)
"We have to keep things in perspective. I thought it was very healthy for our overall team that we went goal line and defense won. Kendal Vickers really stepped up. We have to keep things into perspective with the limited amount of numbers. Every rep is a teaching moment. The quantity of reps may be down but everything it about quality. We have really challenged them again like I have talked about all spring with their first and second steps, but also their leverage. Football is a game of pad, level, leverage and hand placement. We have really challenged them this spring. I do see them making progress."
(On having more guys to trust in the defense and the benefit that would bring)
"It will help you immensely. We haven't had the luxury since we have been here with getting in of getting in our dime package just because of the shortage of defensive backs. We would like to get more into a dime package, so that is why you saw the heavy recruitment. We are still not there at our numbers what we need at the safety and corner position. We are still behind in our program so that is why this recruiting class is as critical as last year's recruiting class in order to be able to have that flexibility to play your dime packages and do some different things. Everything is about competition. I am excited to get the freshman in here. I think Rashaan Gaulden continues to progress, but you are exactly right everything is about trust in your football identity. We want to play as many players as we possibly play. It is a long football season. You wear when you are thin. You worry about wearing down as the season continues to progress."
(On expecting the offensive line to dominate in scrimmage settings)
"They have had their spots. We still have some good football players in the defensive front. Like I have said I have been very encouraged by the play of Kendal Vickers. Shy Tuttle is gaining valuable repetitions. He is actually learning and going through that transformation from high school to college. The effort that is required, the mental effort and intensity, being able to walk in these doors every single day and bring it. I see Charles Mosley doing some very good things as well. You do have to keep things in perspective. We are limited when the twos go. We have to make sure that we are coaching them on every single snap and doing our due diligence in the fine details and the fundamentals."
(On where Charles Mosley will play)
"I have been encouraged. I give Charles Mosley a lot of credit. He broke his leg in August and he is out on the football field giving everything he has each and everyday. He is probably about 65 to 70% but he is bringing it.He hasn't missed practice or any reps. I give that young man a lot of credit and I do see him progressing. He is 375 pounds and when he gets his hands inside when he learns how to play with leverage I am encouraged. I see glimpses of that being through practice seven right now."
(On junior wide receiver Cody Blanc)
"Again he is an individual who continues to progress. Is he 100% healthy? No but he is giving everything that he has. He is going to be invaluable for us either it is special teams or giving us valuable repetitions at the receiving position as well. I think Cody Blanc has had a very productive spring. I have been very proud of him. Again these are great stories because these individuals are very, very limited but you would never know that by their approach out here each and everyday."
(On change of status for Coleman Thomas)
"Nope, day to day."
