Wednesday Practice Thread

[Titans Fan]

Practice

 

[aRmo]

Figured i would copy and paste an article from RTI for today's practice. Pearson is back

It was all special teams for the majority of the Vol offense during the open portion of practice today. Butch Jones and the coaching staff spent all of the open portion working with their team on kickoff coverage and returns in the final practice this week ahead of Saturday’s game against Florida.

Receiver Von Pearson was on the practice field today in full gear and did participate in the walkthrough portion of practice with the offense. Pearson was sporting a heavily taped left ankle but seemed to be moving well in the limited action we were able to see. Pearson was not on the field at all yesterday during the open periods of practice, but was welcomed back by his coach today over the loudspeaker when Butch Jones told his defense that they “…have a new guy to hit today. Somebody needs to hit Von and get him reacclimated.”

Pearson was also seen fielding kickoffs with Devrin Young and Evan Berry during a later special teams portion, but I wouldn’t expect to see him back there this weekend. Regardless of how much action he sees on the field this Saturday, Pearson’s presence on the practice field is easily easily noticeable among his teammates. The junior college transfer always has a very positive energy about him that is contagious among the rest of the players.

The tight ends got in some brief work with the quarterbacks during the special teams periods. Ethan Wolf apparently missed a special teams rep when he left to work with the tight ends that drew the ire of his head coach. Jones singled Wolf out for missing the special teams work, “It’s time to grow up Ethan Wolf. You just let your entire team down.”

The Vols also worked on recovering onside kicks, with Marquez North, Jason Croom, Brian Randolph, Daniel Helm and Marlin Lane seeing the majority of the reps in that department. It wasn’t just a drill focused on retrieving the ball, however, as they also worked on their approach to different types of kicks. Mark Elder spent a lot of time teaching his guys exactly how he wants them to approach the situation based on different looks and kick angles.

Cam Sutton, Josh Malone, Pig Howard and Emmanuel Moseley all spent time fielding punts today as Zach Azzanni hit them with a foam pad and blew whistles in their ear. There were no live returns for the punt team, but the returners appeared to field the ball well.

Just some final thoughts on practice this week: This team appears to be extremely focused and quietly confident heading into the game this weekend. There has been a lot of bulletin board material coming out of Gainesville this week and I think that it may be an underlying motivator for this team right now. There is likely no way to know about that until we ask them about it after Saturday’s game, but this team has a different vibe surrounding it as compared to previous weeks and I can’t help but think that the chatter coming from various Florida players might be playing a factor.

For all the talk about the Florida game “being in the player’ heads” in recent years (nine, to be exact), I think that this team is loose and ready to play in what will be an absolutely electric atmosphere on Saturday.

 

[Ernest T. Vol]

+1 for Pearson fielding kickoffs!

 

[VinnyWho]

I like it! Glad to hear Pearson was out there.

 

[Titans Fan]

Good stuff from RTI.

 

[joevol33]

I hope Von is really good to go Saturday!

 

[huskyvol]

The excitement is growing. Can't wait until Saturday.

 

[Peytons forehead]

Can someone please explain why butch was upset with wolf? Maybe I keep reading it wrong but if he left to go work with tight ends, I would think that would be more important.

 

[tomq_123]

+1 for Evan Berry fielding kickoffs!

fyp

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Boom

 

[Tnwoodsman]

Can someone please explain why butch was upset with wolf? Maybe I keep reading it wrong but if he left to go work with tight ends, I would think that would be more important.

When special teams practice, everyone on the special teams are a running back, tight end, lineman, etc. They have to pull away from their regular job while special teams are practicing.

 

[turdherder11]

+1 for Pearson fielding kickoffs!

Dang right. Get the ball in the playmakers hands, in open space. This coaching staff is all about that.

 

[vol-un-tear]

Where's fingers?

 

[gordonr24]

This team will be ready. We're at home and we are better coached.

 

[Fingers]

Sorry I'm late guys.

Fast Five
1. The team practiced in shorts
2. Pearson practiced, Smith didn't
3. Gilliam practiced, again
4. No Vols in green jersey's today
5. TN spent a lot of time working on special teams today.

Fast Five: Tennessee Vols football Wednesday practice

STRIPLING: As guys mature they will gain more playing time. We are building our pool.
STRIPLING: We have had a great week of practice. We have re-focused. If everyone does their job we will be alright.
STRIPLING: This is an important game for our program. It is always important for our Gainesville guys @mr_rockytop and @RockyTopMonster

ELDER: Getting Ethan Wolf back was great. He made some really nice plays adding another element.
ELDER: Evan Berry and Elliott a Berry have done a nice job with an expanded role on special teams. @Cortez_mcdowell is seeing more time too
ELDER: Matt Darr really took a step forward. He's had a better this week than last week.

MAHONEY: I can't say enough to about Jacob Gilliam. This is a guy who will not accept that fact that he might not be able to play again.
MAHONEY: Gilliam came to us and said " I'm not done." He refuses to sit out. He's moving around well. He keeps wanting more.

BAJAKIAN: I feel good about our receivers in general. It was good to see @joshuamalone03 step up.
BAJAKIAN: Derrell Scott has been seeing more reps and we are getting more comfortable with him seeing time.
BAJAKIAN: I have a lot of confidence in the whole RB crew whether it's Lane, Hurd, Young.
BAJAKIAN: The more weapons you have the more ways you have to create plays.
BAJAKIAN: These freshmen have stayed very focused in light of everything (football, academics, personal lives)
BAJAKIAN: Don't lose sight of the fact that all of these guys keep getting better, North, Howard have been here, but still have a way to go.

GILLESPIE: @MrHurd_1 is a focused kid, he's what they say today "turned up."
GILLESPIE: When Derrell Scott has the confidence we will put him in. I will try to get him some early reps. He's done well this week.
GILLESPIE: Marlin Lane is ready to go. He understand how big this season is to the program and how big this weekend is
GILLESPIE: This is a running ball league. The team that controls 3rd and short has a chance to control the game. We have a challenge.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_LCkV4XXIY[/youtube]
Elder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Uoyz5yNQg&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Bajakian - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Svc6a7TqM&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Stripling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDwpmqfa8PI&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Gillespie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKaiiYgxZ6o&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Jancek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lUWX6mYGrk&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Martinez - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PO3msNDL6M&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Mahoney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNWACSMRXA&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Thigpen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFuhBY30h5k&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Azzanni - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVizY-V9HoE&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw

Putting it mildly, Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Bakakian was not thrilled when hearing that ESPN in-game commentators suggested during Saturday's 35-32 loss at 12th-ranked Georgia that Vols backup quarterback Nathan Peterman never took any reps with the first-team offense in practice.

Bajakian said those comments were "not accurate at all," and that Peterman gets "plenty of reps" each week as Justin Worley's primary backup.

“It’s not accurate at all," Bajakian said after Wednesday's practice on Haslam Field. "We keep track of reps on a daily basis. I could tell you an exact number of how many reps he took during the course of the week. Now … how many first-team reps he took, not many? But he definitely took quite a few reps throwing routes to the first-team receivers, executing exchanges with the first-team running backs, throwing routes to the first-team tight ends.

Rucker

Patrick Brown: Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie on Butch Jones calling Jalen Hurd an "angry" runner: "He's a pretty even-keeled guy." more Gillespie on Hurd: "Angry, fired up, turned up -- whatever the term these kids use -- he just goes out and plays real hard." #Vols

-Dimarya Mixon and Dontavius Blair lost their helmet stripes today.

#VolReport: Assistants Notebook - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics

And while head coach Butch Jones made certain to highlight Pearson's full return in front of reporters, the Vols' leader also chided media regarding in-practice rules --- such as no tweeting, not too much detailed formational reporting --- and more. Jones also continued to challenge a number of players, from Neiko Creamer to Vic Wharton to Ethan Wolf and others.

https://tennessee.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1687793

Instagram #ThridDownForWhat
Instagram

 

[vol-un-tear]

Sorry I'm late guys.

Fast Five
1. The team practiced in shorts
2. Pearson practiced, Smith didn't
3. Gilliam practiced, again
4. No Vols in green jersey's today
5. TN spent a lot of time working on special teams today.

Fast Five: Tennessee Vols football Wednesday practice

STRIPLING: As guys mature they will gain more playing time. We are building our pool.
STRIPLING: We have had a great week of practice. We have re-focused. If everyone does their job we will be alright.
STRIPLING: This is an important game for our program. It is always important for our Gainesville guys @mr_rockytop and @RockyTopMonster

ELDER: Getting Ethan Wolf back was great. He made some really nice plays adding another element.
ELDER: Evan Berry and Elliott a Berry have done a nice job with an expanded role on special teams. @Cortez_mcdowell is seeing more time too
ELDER: Matt Darr really took a step forward. He's had a better this week than last week.

MAHONEY: I can't say enough to about Jacob Gilliam. This is a guy who will not accept that fact that he might not be able to play again.
MAHONEY: Gilliam came to us and said " I'm not done." He refuses to sit out. He's moving around well. He keeps wanting more.

BAJAKIAN: I feel good about our receivers in general. It was good to see @joshuamalone03 step up.
BAJAKIAN: Derrell Scott has been seeing more reps and we are getting more comfortable with him seeing time.
BAJAKIAN: I have a lot of confidence in the whole RB crew whether it's Lane, Hurd, Young.
BAJAKIAN: The more weapons you have the more ways you have to create plays.
BAJAKIAN: These freshmen have stayed very focused in light of everything (football, academics, personal lives)
BAJAKIAN: Don't lose sight of the fact that all of these guys keep getting better, North, Howard have been here, but still have a way to go.

GILLESPIE: @MrHurd_1 is a focused kid, he's what they say today "turned up."
GILLESPIE: When Derrell Scott has the confidence we will put him in. I will try to get him some early reps. He's done well this week.
GILLESPIE: Marlin Lane is ready to go. He understand how big this season is to the program and how big this weekend is
GILLESPIE: This is a running ball league. The team that controls 3rd and short has a chance to control the game. We have a challenge.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_LCkV4XXIY[/youtube]
Elder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Uoyz5yNQg&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Bajakian - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Svc6a7TqM&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Stripling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDwpmqfa8PI&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Gillespie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKaiiYgxZ6o&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Jancek - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lUWX6mYGrk&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Martinez - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PO3msNDL6M&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Mahoney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feNWACSMRXA&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Thigpen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFuhBY30h5k&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw
Azzanni - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVizY-V9HoE&list=UUithVsC7-Cd452TGRkKvYGw

Rucker

Patrick Brown: Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie on Butch Jones calling Jalen Hurd an "angry" runner: "He's a pretty even-keeled guy." more Gillespie on Hurd: "Angry, fired up, turned up -- whatever the term these kids use -- he just goes out and plays real hard." #Vols

-Dimarya Mixon and Dontavius Blair lost their helmet stripes today.

#VolReport: Assistants Notebook - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics



https://tennessee.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1687793

Instagram #ThridDownForWhat
Instagram

:salute:

 

[Crazy Ivan]

MAHONEY: I can't say enough to about Jacob Gilliam. This is a guy who will not accept that fact that he might not be able to play again.
MAHONEY: Gilliam came to us and said " I'm not done." He refuses to sit out. He's moving around well. He keeps wanting more.

I have all the respect in the world for that young man. Kid will be a winner in life after football.

 

[give_him 6]

Ethan Wolf apparently missed a special teams rep when he left to work with the tight ends that drew the ire of his head coach. Jones singled Wolf out for missing the special teams work, “It’s time to grow up Ethan Wolf. You just let your entire team down.”

This is exactly the way I respond when my employees don't show up for work.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

Putting it mildly, Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Bakakian was not thrilled when hearing that ESPN in-game commentators suggested during Saturday's 35-32 loss at 12th-ranked Georgia that Vols backup quarterback Nathan Peterman never took any reps with the first-team offense in practice.

That was Brian Griese, who was saying all sorts of things that were just pure speculation on his part. Some of those color commentators just babble on to hear themselves talk.

 

[Crazy Ivan]

Dimarya Mixon and Dontavius Blair lost their helmet stripes today.

About time for Blair. Need him to step up now.

 

[emzeeee]

Putting it mildly, Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Bakakian was not thrilled when hearing that ESPN in-game commentators suggested during Saturday's 35-32 loss at 12th-ranked Georgia that Vols backup quarterback Nathan Peterman never took any reps with the first-team offense in practice.

That was Brian Griese, who was saying all sorts of things that were just pure speculation on his part. Some of those color commentators just babble on to hear themselves talk.

Yeah that was laughable.

 

[omghulkhands]

Yeah that was laughable.

But it makes Peterman's performance look worse. When there was the excuse "well, he didn't get any reps" it seemed understandable. Now he just looks like a head case that can't be trusted.

 

[emzeeee]

But it makes Peterman's performance look worse. When there was the excuse "well, he didn't get any reps" it seemed understandable. Now he just looks like a head case that can't be trusted.

Watch the offensive play-by-play that Freak posted and, like many in that thread, you'll find that he wasn't so much the problem. We went away from the playcalling that put us in the lead and he had absolutely no help from the O-Line while he was in.

 

[agent|orange]

Watch the offensive play-by-play that Freak posted and, like many in that thread, you'll find that he wasn't so much the problem. We went away from the playcalling that put us in the lead and he had absolutely no help from the O-Line while he was in.

Exactly.

Early on we were "running it through the air". That's a similar style to Ole Miss, Auburn, Miss State and others. Use a short passing game to set up the run and deeper passing game.

Then, for some reason, we got up 2 scores and just tried to go for the juggular. We started trying to go deep, which we missed on most times, and went away from Wolf. Led to more blitzes by UGA and that led to more holds by our OL and a lot of 2nd and 20 and 3rd and 15 type situations.

Then Worley came back in and we're back to driving it down the field using a quicker attack. Do what works. Worley runs the quick passing/run offense very well.

If Worley could just hit 3 out of 10 deep routes we'd be golden but I'm not sure if he's even hitting 1 of 10 passes over 20 yards.

 

[VolCowboy]

But it makes Peterman's performance look worse. When there was the excuse "well, he didn't get any reps" it seemed understandable. Now he just looks like a head case that can't be trusted.

From my seats it looked like he spent more time on his back than kelly bundy so i'm not sure what about that makes him a headcase. UGA pinned their ears back and we didnt block them while peterman was in. At least from what I could tell.