Media Monday: Bowling Green Week

Aug. 31, 2015

JONES TRANSCRIPT

(Opening Statement)
"Another transition for our football team as we officially transition into game week, and our game week preparation. Like we spoke about when training camp began, this will tell us a little bit more about the maturity, the growth, and the development of our leadership on this football team. You know, the mental effort, the mental intensity that it takes to prepare, but also your body. The sleep, the nutrition, the hydration that it takes to play winning football, and really get your mind ready to go. On top of that, the blocking and tackling for a full game. That's another point where you've got to condition your mind and the mental conditioning part of it, of a full game of blocking and tackling, and executing and playing with a very high level of intensity.

"As we all know, [the] first game is the game of unknowns, [we] expect the unexpected. There's so many things, when I talk about what constitutes the game of unknowns, not just from statistics, in tendencies from your opponent, but from ourselves as well. It's the first time that our team will truly take the field as Team 119. How do we respond to playing in a different environment, [and] all those things that are associated with that?

"In terms of freshmen, we could play upwards to the amount of about 22 true freshmen Saturday afternoon. If you look at last year's team, we had 21 play in the home opener, I believe, 23 overall. Arguably, this football team, Team 119, could be younger than Team 118. Again, it's the game of the unknowns. How are these individuals going to react when the spotlight goes on and you're playing for real now, and there's a score on the scoreboard and everything's about winning the football game?

"In terms of our opponent, Bowling Green, Coach Babers has done a very, very good job there. I've known him for a while, and they present many challenges. First of all, their football team, their football program, knows how to win. They've had numerous years of eight wins or more. They've won championships. They've played in big venues. They're a veteran group. I think that's illustrated by 125 combined starts in their offensive line, which I believe is second most in the country. For us, to give an example of where we stack up, our offensive line will be in the mid-thirties. There's a little bit [of a] difference from overall experience. [They have] very, very good skill players, [they're] very, very dangerous, [and] have the ability to make explosive plays, big splash plays at any point in time on the football field. They do a great job of getting the ball in the hands of their playmakers, coupled with the veteran offensive line, and a very, very good quarterback that returns. He's an NFL [caliber] quarterback, so again, it's going to be a great challenge for us. Them defensively, [they] get after it. Very blitz-oriented, different coverage schemes. [They have a] new defensive coordinator, so getting into a rhythm, the flow of the game, and really the first couple of series are going to be critical for us.

"Also, again, with the 22 true freshmen playing, obviously special teams become a factor. They have explosive playmakers on special teams in the return game, and that's going to be critical that we continue to elevate our play in special teams, [and] every player in this football program understanding their role.

"When they get on the bus to go over to Nashville, everyone has a concrete job description, and being able to execute their assignment [is critical]. I know our players are looking forward to playing in Nissan Stadium and playing in Nashville.

"We need a home field advantage, and Vol Nation has been outstanding. When we've asked them to respond, they've responded. When we've asked them to come and fill Neyland Stadium and have 40,000-plus for an open practice, they've responded. We need Vol Nation to respond to make this a home field advantage. We need to sell this football game out. Team 119 is calling on our fans to do this, because when you take a home venue, when you take a home game off your campus, one of the things, as your football team, that's critical in college football is the home field advantage.

"With their up-tempo offense, I believe they're third in the country in seconds per play last year, and they want to be faster, all that is a contributing factor and that's what creates home field advantage. We need to create a home field advantage in Nashville. We have 16 players from the mid-state, 14 from Nashville, so I know they're looking forward to going back home and being able to compete in that great NFL venue. It starts with a great week of preparation starting today, and getting game ready by Saturday.

"I'll answer any questions you may have."

(On how much this game means to Bowling Green)
"It means a lot to them, just like it means to us. We do have that experience factor, so to say, being at Central Michigan. Our last year at Central Michigan, we had a two-game winning streak versus the Big 10. We beat a top-25 opponent in Michigan State on the road. We had 11 players on that football team that have played in the National Football League. Our players knew how to win, and they expected to win, and I expect the same thing from Bowling Green. They have NFL football players on that team. A lot of those individuals, we recruited when we were at Cincinnati. One of them is Ronnie Moore, who I think is a dynamic football player. I can talk all day about their skill positions. Their skill positions are very dynamic, and that's not coach-speak. All you have to do is look at the video, and you see it. They're very, very skilled, and they know how to win, and they expect to win. It's going to be a great challenge for us right out of the blocks, and we have to make sure that we're ready to play our best collective football game to date."

(On facing Ronnie Moore)
"He was there. He was available for all of spring when Coach Babers came in to the program, so he has that experience. All you have to do is just look at him. You watch him on video from years past, and he has a quick release, a very strong arm, but from what I gather, [he's] very, very intelligent, [he] puts them in the right place and truly understands the offense. Sometimes, when you miss a year for injury and you kind of go into coach mode, a lot of times that can be beneficial to the development of a player. You start thinking more in terms of a coach. You have more time to really study the nuances and ins and outs of the offense. A lot of times, that can be of great value and I think that will be."

(On the possibility of a Vol Walk in Nashville)
"As of right now, yes. All indications are that there will be a Vol Walk."

(On Vincent Perry and Jason Croom)
"Vincent Perry will be out for the season. That's a season-ending injury, and the surgery went very, very well. Now, it's him really focusing on being a student-athlete, studies, [and] getting stronger in the weight room. Jason Croom, his surgery went very well. There's no timeframe. It could be three weeks, it could be up to five weeks. Just kind of [depends on] how his body heals. Both surgeries went very well."

(On Dylan Wiesman listed as a starter)
"It's very fluid, but thanks for asking the depth chart. You were the first person to ask. First of all, Dylan Wiesman has done a very good job, just a high level of consistency. He has done a really good job of improving his feet, his hand punch, his body position, but really playing with his eyes. It has become very, very instinctual for him from passing off twists. He has really improved his pad level and his leverage. He has really improved his game, and I am very proud of him. In terms of the overall depth chart, we don't really have depth charts in our football program. They are organizational charts. The way I look at it is we are trying to find a starting eight, starting nine and starting 10. All a depth chart is is who takes the field first. We will continue to compete at the position just like every other position. Our offensive line has worked really hard. They have made great progress and tremendous strides in moving forward. It is a great situation that we have right now that we still have individuals battling it out. They will continue to battle it out. I look at us having eight or nine starters, just like the middle linebacker spot. Colton Jumper may be out there for the first snap, but Darrin Kirkland Jr. is going to play. Kenny Bynum is going to play. That is kind of the mindset of our football program when we talk about power of the position. It is every position group being as strong as they can be. If we have nine strong, we will win a lot of football games. We can't be 7-for-9 or 6-for-9, we need to be 9-for-9. That carries over to special teams. But, the offensive line will continue to move some people around, but we will also work more toward continuity in the individuals working together. We aren't in any place right now to say, `These are our starting five,' because we have too many kids that have worked really, really hard to put themselves into that conversation."

(On his vision of Venzell Boulware, Jack Jones)
"Constant growth and development, especially when you are true freshmen like them. Drew Richmond as well. Just want to see constant growth. Chance Hall, too. I just want to see them improve each and every day, and that is the thing. Once the season starts, the depth chart doesn't end. For those individuals that you just mentioned, they just need to continue to grow and develop. Who knows, by game two or three, maybe by the end of this week, maybe game four or five, they are ready to play. Maybe they are more game ready because you learn through reps and reps in practice. I have been very encouraged with that group."

(On MLB Colton Jumper)
"He has worked very hard. I think him being in our program now, understanding the standard and expectations, the strength and conditioning program, the knowledge of the defensive system has really aided and benefitted him."

(On surprise of Colton Jumper's talent)
"He is one of those individuals that has always worked hard, doesn't hardly say two words, just takes coaching and works very hard at everything that he does. He does have a skill set in terms of speed, athleticism and toughness."

(On Todd Kelly Jr.'s response to LaDarrell McNeil's injury)
"It's just like all of them. It is an opportunity to step up right now. Unfortunately, when one person goes down, it is another person's opportunity, then they start gaining more valuable repetitions. Who will gain in those repetitions today is Stephen Griffin. We will have Stephen back in practice today, which will be great. He was in here all weekend working on his conditioning, and he has been cleared and ready to play. Having him back not just from a safety depth standpoint, but also in terms of special teams. TK is one of those individuals that will do anything and everything for the team."

(On any possible return for LaDarrell McNeil)
"It is too early. I would say a slight chance, but I would be remiss if I said completely out, then something happened. Is it a long shot? Yes. Everything about him is getting his health back and doing the proper things that it takes for life beyond football and if he ever wanted to pursue a dream at the next level."

(On second-guessing style when injuries increase)
"Never second guess. We always evaluate, but when you look at the circumstances, LaDarrell McNeil, his had nothing to do with practice. Marcus Jackson was just punching in an offensive line one-on-one drill. That is part of football. That is very unfortunate. Vincent Perry's [injury] is he is planting on the turf with no one around him. Marquez North missed extended time by planting on the grass, running a route and his knee goes out. He is back to full strength and is 100 percent, which will really help us. You try to look at the evaluations of the injuries. When did they occur in practice? When did they occur in terms of number of practice in training camp? Were their bodies fatigued? Was it a contact or non-contact? Jason Croom's [injury] was from the preexisting surgery. When you look at everything, those are the nuisances. Mike Strange wrote an article the other day talking about injuries, and I think you found through your research that it is the world we live in. It is college football. It's very unfortunate, but it is a contact sport, physical sport and all part of the game. Injuries are a part of it, an that is why the teams that win championships a lot of times, health plays a big factor in that."

(On what he is most curious to find out about his team)
"Discipline, the small details of what it takes to play winning football, your style of play and playing a clean game are some of the things. You worry about pre-snap penalties, turnover and tackling. This will be our first full game of blocking and tackling and being able to sustain blocks. You're curious about how the young guys will perform. You're curious about anything and everything because you don't know. After Saturday night, I will have a little bit of a gauge of where we are at with this football team, but usually, it takes a good solid two to three games to really know where your football team is when you play others. In the first game, you worry about the game management. You look at the Montana-North Dakota State game. All you have to do is watch the final two minutes of that game and all of the clock management situations that went into that. All of the things you practice in training camp, you now have to be able to perform them when there is stress in game situations, so all of those in-game situations as well."

(On what parts of this team he doesn't have concerns with)
"I like the mentality of this football team. I like their attitude. I like their work ethic. We have a lot of individuals that have proven themselves in big games. That is a little bit of a comfort. I know how Jalen Hurd is going to show up. I know how Derek Barnett, Curt Maggitt and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are going to show up. Brian Randolph. Josh Dobbs. Those individuals have proven how they will show up over time. There is some comfort level there.

"In this team, we had Derek Barnett stand up last night and speak about the transition that he learned from his first year in playing college football and the preparation. We had Josh Malone talk about his transition from high school to playing as a true freshman. Both of them were very eloquent, and both of them really hit home to the true freshman with everything that they are going through. Remember, I talked about this. There are four phrases to football: offense, defense, special teams and football life. A lot of times, the speed of football life is what gets individuals. It's not the speed of the game but the speed of being outside here, the clutter, the distractions, the time management and the practice etiquette. All of those things are usually what young plays and immature teams suffer with."

(On if Preston Williams will play)
"I fully anticipate Preston Williams playing in the game. He is an individual who came in over the weekend and really worked on his conditioning. Now, to what extent of a role will he have in the game? That will be determined and dictated by his week of practice, but I fully anticipate him playing in the game on Saturday."

(On starting the season with a quarterback that fits the system)
"There are less of unknowns with having Josh Dobbs as our quarterback, and he understands everything we are trying to accomplish. He understands the in-season routine. I talked about the temperament of getting yourself ready to play through a full week of preparation. Quinten Dormady has done a good job as well. Those two have kind of fed off of each other. It is great, going into a game, knowing that [Josh Dobbs] has been through it and understands it."

(On playing in Nashville)
"We are excited about playing in Nashville for many reasons. First of all, when you look at our recruiting success, it stems in the state of Tennessee first and foremost. If you look, both of our Freshmen All-Americans are from Nashville in Jashon Robertson and Derek Barnett. You look at all of the individuals. Jalen Hurd had the opportunity to go home and have his high school jersey retired this weekend. Nashville and the entire state of Tennessee are critical in getting Tennessee football back. It's not recruiting talk. For a young man to stay at home and play for the state institution, that has ramifications that last forever. Once a Vol, always a Vol. Vol For Life. To be able to go to Nissan Stadium is very big for us. It's an opportunity to reward our great fan base in Middle Tennessee. That's why selling the game out and getting people in the stands is absolutely critical in creating that home-field advantage, so we are really looking forward to Nashville. That is big for us, and I know our players will handle it very well."

(On Kathy Brown speaking to the team)
"Well Kathy coming in here is just another extension of our 4th-and-1 Program. Like I said, it's all about everyone's personal growth and development moving forward. Where most schools may have that as an offseason program, our 4th-and-1 Program is year-round. It's all about educating our players and really having a diversity of speakers that speak the same language but maybe have a different delivery, a different background or a different ability to relate to the young men that we have in our program. She is part of that program, and we have been trying to bring her in for a while. That was the timeframe that worked out for both of our schedules."

(On what Kathy brings to the team)
"She brings a different perspective, maybe a perspective from a female point-of-view. She was able to relate with our players, which was great, but we are bringing different people in whether it Maurice Clarett or Adam `Pacman' Jones or Adam Ritz. It doesn't matter. It's all about developing our players. Each individual has a different twist to their story, and it's all about teaching our players. We have done that since day one, and it's part of the educational process."

(On Preston Williams preparedness)
To his tribute again, he's worked very hard on his own with his conditioning levels. But you have to make sure you don't overload him immediately. He is a young man who has had no training camp. So no structured conditioning, he has done it all on his own so he's really been removed from our football team. You we have to make sure we take it in a step-by-step process. We don't ask too much of him too early; not only from a mental standpoint, but also from a physical standpoint. You can run straight ahead and you can try to manufacture conditioning type scenarios but the acceleration, deceleration, the getting in and out of cuts, the finishing of plays. Playing a football style has a wear and tear on its body all to its own. So we just have to be very smart and creative in how we get him to the game and give him a package he can handle, and not ask him to do too much.

(On how close Williams is to 100%)
He's in the mid-90's and I think once he gets into football condition he'll be fine. That's the thing, can he play in an extended drive, and can he play at a high level for 5,6,7,8 plays in a row? We'll know that more today, because we'll do a lot game-type situation in practice today. We'll know a little more when we walk off the field about where he's at.

(On Josh Dobbs' effect on Offensive Line)
Anytime you have a quarterback that can extend plays whether they're designed plays or whether they're instinctual plays. Anytime you can extend plays with their legs it helps an offense. I think we saw the value of that last year. Obviously we will continue to do that. Having Josh there, and Quinten (Dormady) is very athletic as well. Quinten can make plays with his legs as well. So when you have those type of players in your offense that lessens the burden on an offensive line, a group of tight ends and running backs where you can move the pocket and change launch points, that's critical.

(On overall depth of team)
Work in progress. We have made tremendous strides in our overall depth particularly in our defensive front. Where a team like Bowling Green challenges you, is they don't change personnel. So a lot of times you're going to be forced to keep that same defense on the field, so your substitutions are limited. Our players have to have the mindset they're looking to play 8,9,10 plays in a row at a very high level; of the "63" standard that we expect in our football program. In terms of the overall depth, it's been great to see, and we do have that, but we still need to continue to develop our youngsters in Shy (Tuttle) and Kahlil (McKenzie). Both will play Saturday, how many plays I don't know that, the game will dictate that. Just continuing to grow, develop and elevate not only the defensive front, but all nine position groups.

(On Derek Barnett's progression in his second year)
Derek`s continued to carry it over. He's very, very driven; asks a lot of questions. Derek is kind of a quiet young man, he's a quiet competitor but when he speaks everybody listens. The effort I see in practice, staying after working on his hands, working on his reduction to surface, coming off the ball, his get off. The work ethic is there, in terms of what has gotten him to this point that has not changed, matter of fact he has elevated that.

(On Joshua Dobbs' effect on Offensive Line)
Anytime you have a quarterback that can extend plays whether they're designed plays or whether they're instinctual plays. Anytime you can extend plays with their legs it helps an offense. I think we saw the value of that last year. Obviously we will continue to do that. Having Josh there, and Quinten (Dormady) is very athletic as well. Quinten can make plays with his legs as well. So when you have those type of players in your offense that lessens the burden on an offensive line, a group of tight ends and running backs where you can move the pocket and change launch points, that's critical.

More to come on UTSports.com ...

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JONES TRANSCRIPT

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