Fall Practice Updates:

[LotteryPick]

said qbs have sucked.

ughhhhh!!!!

 

[005]

Butch is challenging them.

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

ughhhhh!!!!

Yea, Not good.

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

Some notes and observations from the defensive side of the ball during the open potion of Sunday’s practice:

• Injury notes: Nothing too major to report on this side of the ball as the first practice in shoulder pads got underway.*Rashaan Gaulden*was back on the practice field after spending some time with the injured players on Saturday.*Corey Vereen*is sporting a fairly large brace on his right knee, but he’s practicing.

• Working in the dime: Several of the defensive drills focused on installing the dime defense. They were showing a 3-2-6 look with this look: DE*Curt MaggittDimarya Mixon, DE*Corey Vereen, LB*Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB*A.J. Johnson, CB*Cam Sutton, CB*Emmanuel Moseley, NB*Justin Coleman, DB (dimeback) Elliott Berry, S*Devaun Swafford*and S*Brian Randolph.

Elliott Berry

It was interesting to see some of the combinations they worked on in that look. Ell. Berry gives them flexibility. He can function as a defensive back, making it a true 3-2-6, or you can almost think of him as an outside linebacker as well since he’d play close to the line, making it more of a 3-3-5. Maggitt is also a guy who gives them flexibility. On a few plays, he stood up and moved around upfront, looking more like a blitzing LB than a D-lineman. It was also interesting to see Mixon working with that first group, though*Jordan Williams*was off on the side talking to Butch Jones, and that’s a spot I could see him fitting in well.

•*Chris Weatherd*and*Jalen Reeves-Maybin*both looked very smooth in pass coverage during a drill where they were covering tight ends. Weatherd had a nice pass breakup and, overall, those two allowed the least completions.

• With the shoulder pads on for the first time, tackling was emphasized during a few of the periods. Maggitt had one of the best pops of the day in one form tackling drill, drawing several “oohs” and “ahhs” from teammates. The team also circled up for the “Circle of Life” drill where, generally, an offensive and defensive player square off and try to drive the other one out of the circle of teammates. It’s difficult for the media to see since the team is circled up around them, though*Todd Kelly Jr.had a good rep against*Derrell Scott.*Weatherd battledJustin King*to what was basically a draw and*Jashon Robertson*got the best of*Dontavius Blair.

• In the category of working on the small details, the defense also worked on the proper form for recovering fumbles. The emphasis was on cradling the ball with the entire body and shielding the other team from getting in there to rip it away.

• Jones was very active on the mic towards a few of the defensive players. He threatened to send Swafford in for the day if he caught him walking one more time and told Gaulden*to pick up the pace as well. He also accusedKendal Vickers*and*Jaylen Miller*of “hiding” during the Circle of Life Drill.

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

Sunday’s practice on Haslam Field began with Rocky Top blaring over the loudspeaker as the team lined up for their warmup and stretching portion at approximately 3:45. The team received another reprieve from the elements*as it was yet another mild afternoon on the field.

Here’s were the key takeaways from practice #3:

Slow Start:*Butch Jones was none too pleased with how his players – and coaches – began practice on Sunday. Jones was immediately heard yelling at his coaches and various players for their lack of energy and focus as the players went through their jogging lines. The team managed to make it through this portion without much else from the head coach, but things escalated quickly when the team hit the stretching lines.

Butch Jones made the team restart their stretch session at least six times before they completed it. Each time he did so with an*explanation the reason for the restart – clearly attempting to drive home to his team the importance of their preparation. Lack of clapping, helmet straps left unbuckled, and lack of energy were all reasons given by the coach as to why the call to restart was given.

After the fourth restart, Butch Jones called for his Player Staff to leave the stretch and run across Haslam Field with strength and conditioning coach Dave Lawson for punishment workouts in ‘The Hole.’ This was the first chance anyone has had to see exactly which players were on the*Player Staff, and they were as follows:

Offense:
Justin Worley
Josh Dobbs
Nathan Peterman
Marquez North
Josh Smith
Marlin Lane
Mack Crowder
Marcus Jackson

Defense:
Brian Randolph
A.J. Johnson
Curt Maggitt
Corey Vereen
Jordan Williams

The thirteen members were allowed to rejoin the team once stretching concluded and many of them were visibly upset at themselves and their teammates for the lack of discipline to start practice.

First Team Offense:*When the offense took the field for their walk through at the beginning of practice, these were the players who came out to take the first reps with the offense:

QB:*Justin Worley

RB:*Marlin Lane

TE:*Daniel Helm/Ethan Wolf (Both split reps with the 1st team)

WR:*Von Pearson, Josh Malone, Marquez North

OL:*Jacob Gilliam, Marcus Jackson, Mack Crowder, Kyler Kerbyson, Coleman Thomas

This is obviously a fluid group that will certainly change throughout the summer, but I did think it was worth noting that Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm split the reps. It looks like those two are set to have important roles for this team.

Back to Reality for Pearson:*After being praised by his head and his first ever meeting with the media following Saturday’s practice, Von Pearson didn’t seem to have the same energy level on the practice field on Sunday and his head coach let him know about it.

“I don’t feel you today, Von. You had fifteen articles written about you yesterday and you come out today and take the day off,” Jones said. “Von Pearson takes the day off!”

Pearson was a little more talkative and energetic following the exchange.

Also, a quick aside on the receivers: North, Malone and Pearson already look like they may be among the more talented trios of wideouts in Tennessee history. They are all big, fast, strong and possess the ability to make that ‘wow’ play at any given time. It will be really exciting to watch these guys mature over the season, especially knowing that all three will likely be here*for the 2015 season.

Quarterbacks Have Rough Day:*It was not a great day for the quarterbacks during the open portion of practice. Each of them had some moments, but for the most part it was a lackluster day throwing the football. I will note that the wind was blowing fairly hard across the field, but the quarterbacks did not have good command of the football today. The receivers were clearly frustrated at the lack of catchable balls in drills but were able to work on catches with a high degree of difficulty thanks to the inaccurate throws…if you are looking for a*positive spin.

 

[005]

• working in the dime: Several of the defensive drills focused on installing the dime defense. They were showing a 3-2-6 look with this look: De*curt maggittdimarya mixon, de*corey vereen, lb*jalen reeves-maybin, lb*a.j. Johnson, cb*cam sutton, cb*emmanuel moseley, nb*justin coleman, db (dimeback) elliott berry, s*devaun swafford*and s*brian randolph.

 

[005]

That 3-2-6 sub package is just great. So many possibilities.

Could be... (with guys standing up/roaming around)

Weatherd, Maggitt, Vereen, JRM, AJ

Sutton, Moseley
Nickel: Swafford
Dimeback: Elliott
Safeties: Randolph and Kelly

And that didn't even involve Bates or Evan.

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

That 3-2-6 sub package is just great. So many possibilities.

Could be... (with guys standing up/roaming around)

Weatherd, Maggitt, Vereen, JRM, AJ

Sutton, Moseley
Nickel: Swafford
Dimeback: Elliott
Safeties: Randolph and Kelly

And that didn't even involve Bates or Evan.

Or Foreman

 

[005]

Very true!

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

Very true!

You could do a lot of interesting blitz packages in a 3-2-6

 

[005]

You could do a lot of interesting blitz packages in a 3-2-6

already a blog post idea

should have another post up in the next day or so. i don't think i'll finish it tonight.

 

[LotteryPick]

Lol at people thinking Mike Wegzyn is good.

 

[005]

Lol at people thinking Mike Wegzyn is good.

But the practice video

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

But the practice video

In the practice video, he pu$$y farted the ball there. Had no velocity. Dude is slaw city

 

[LotteryPick]

I know his brother, Matt (played for UT). Was pretty good friends with him for a minute. I don't even think Matt thinks he's good.

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Ask about QBs, here is the response:

"All 3 quarterbacks have looked pretty bad to me so far. It will be Worley against Utah State and my guess is it will be about the same as last year.

He is very average. The biggest thing is avoiding terrible decisions. He made a few today."

 

[BenTenn]

Ask about QBs, here is the response:

"All 3 quarterbacks have looked pretty bad to me so far. It will be Worley against Utah State and my guess is it will be about the same as last year.

He is very average. The biggest thing is avoiding terrible decisions. He made a few today."

But but but Swain and Ainge are really impressed by Worley.

 

[005]

Ask about QBs, here is the response:

"All 3 quarterbacks have looked pretty bad to me so far. It will be Worley against Utah State and my guess is it will be about the same as last year.

He is very average. The biggest thing is avoiding terrible decisions. He made a few today."

He's average, but dudes around him aren't. I'm not ready to say the sky is falling. No way he's WORSE than last year, so

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

He's average, but dudes around him aren't. I'm not ready to say the sky is falling. No way he's WORSE than last year, so

One would think he wouldn't be, but I wouldn't expect a Crompton like turnaround.

If he can go 18 to 22 TDs with single digit INTS, we are bowling. Not too much to ask with those WRs and his experience.

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

Honestly, I am more concerned with Dobbs. He has to click, or next year *(our come out party) may be put on ice.

*no homo