University of Tennessee Athletics
Jones Press Conference Transcript (8.7.15)
August 07, 2015 | Football
Butch Jones met with the media on Friday afternoon after the Vols fourth practice session of camp. Here's what he had to say:
(Opening Statement)
"We grinded through practice today. It was our first afternoon practice and it was sunny. We talked about one of the things with Team 119 was our mature football team. I did not see that maturity today. I didn't see the leadership that is necessary to play winning football at and elite level. Everything is a learning opportunity and a great teaching point for this football team but we need to correct our deficiencies in a hurry. We were very sloppy on offense and we put the ball on the ground too many times. I thought we lacked discipline on pre-snap penalties, lining up and that's all a direct correlation to maturity, discipline and mental toughness. We have to get things corrected in a hurry. We have a long way to go with this football team, but I said we didn't need to be a finished product. We just needed to be one percent better.
"We tried Jakob Johnson a little bit today at tight end trying to get more competition at that spot. I want to see a little bit on video of how we did, but Jakob is an individual who will do anything to help the football team. So early in camp, you can afford to try and build your competitive nature at each and every position. We challenge our guys with a higher level of conversations, and when you're a mature football team and walk through or an assignment alignment technique during a communication period, your maturity and your conversation dictates your football team.
"When you have players who have played, it doesn't now get to just be, `This is my assignment.' Or `This is my responsibility.' It's more of, `OK, this is what the offense of the defense is going to run against us and this is how we solve those problems.' That's something that we're really trying to instill in this football team but we challenged them today because that wasn't up to our standard and our expectations but I know we have a group of kids who work exceptionally hard and they'll bounce back tomorrow. So, I'll take any questions you may have."
(On Von Pearson's reinstatement)
"We found out and were informed today so we reinstated him. Due to privacy laws and respecting that, that's pretty much all I can say. But he'll begin practice tomorrow with the team. He'll undergo the five practice acclimization period that is required by the NCAA."
(On how Pearson reacted to the news)
"We sat down and Von has had a lot of conversations with us. There is a standard and an expectation. Before tomorrow we will have many more conversations. You know, That's privileged information between our administration and myself and him."
(On whether Pearson's case changes the way he'll handle suspensions)
"We treat every situation differently and there are always different circumstances involving... We always act fairly and but each situation is different in and of itself so, you know, we'll move forward. But I'm not going to comment much on that. I think that we've shown that we take those allegations very, very seriously around here and every situation is different in and of itself."
(On Pearson shaking the rust off)
"Yes. We are not here to talk about Von anymore. Von has got a long way to go. We are here to talk about our football team getting better. He's just a small piece of our football team and he's going to have to work his way back into football shape and he's going to have to earn his playing time. There is no entitlement in our football program. Before he's ready to go on the field, he's going to have to earn it because we have some players doing some very good things. Jauan Jennings continues to learn the nuances of playing receiver, the receiver conditioning that is expected and the mental toughness. So, we have some other individuals like Josh Malone who is doing a very good job. We are continuing to progress on the offensive line but we've started to move guys around. We said it when we started training camp; We have to find the right five, six or seven individuals. We're going to move individuals around until we find that right mix who will play football the way we expect them to play."
(On the difference in the offensive line from last season)
"Well, we have more options, we have more depth. We have tried to improve our athleticism, but we still are very, very young there. Kyler Kerbyson continues to do a very good job. He plays with a high level of consistency. Jashon Robertson has had a little bit of a stomach bug, so we've kind of missed him out there. I think that helps in terms of giving other individuals reps, but obviously we would like to get him out there."
(On if the coaches had high school film of Jakob Johnson playing on offense)
"Yeah, a little bit. We see the ball skills every day with all of the ball drills that our linebackers do. He has a very good skill set in terms of catching the ball. He's a very tough player. You try to help the young man get on the field, but also how can you help your football team too?"
(On if Johnson was receptive to the move)
"Absolutely. I brought him in today and I got about one sentence out of my mouth and he said `Coach, I love this football team and I'll do whatever it takes to help us win. If you think I can help the team by moving to tight end, then I'll move to tight end.' I told him we would give it a few days and see how it works. He got valuable game repetitions last year, so he can always move back."
(On Neiko Creamer's development at tight end)
"He is developing. Just like with every young player, it's about consistency each and every day. Walking out to practice, having a mentality each and every day, but Neiko is taking strides moving forward."
(On the experience of Jalen Reeves-Maybin at linebacker)
"Invaluable. We are very youthful, but very, very talented. When you look at the structure of the offenses that we play, you have to have different skill sets at linebacker, from 21 personnel, to no-backs, to 12 personnel teams, to 11 personnel teams, to 10 personnel teams. We're working to get that. But I'm very encouraged with a lot of players, in particularly our young players. You talked about Jalen Reeves-Maybin and he's providing leadership that's needed."
(On Jason Croom)
"We've been holding him out the last couple of weeks with the knee and the rehabilitation. We have to be very careful that we don't overdo it, but it's nothing long-term. Some of it is precautionary."
(On Marquez North)
"Marquez has worked really hard. He is hard on himself and that's what you want. He's doing some good things, he's improved his breaking points, he's improved his separation skills, so it's great to have him out there."
