good interview with Josh Smith

[jos3ywales]

WR Josh Smith defends Tennessee Vols football QBs from criticism . (VIDEO IN THE LINK)

The problems with Tennessee's offense can't be laid entirely at the feet of the quarterbacks, according to wide receiver Josh Smith.

The fifth-year senior from Knoxville was notably candid on Tuesday in defending Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano and taking exception to undue criticism and booing from fans during games.

Smith believes the players around the quarterbacks, including the wide receivers, shoulder most of the blame when it comes to assessing what's gone wrong on offense for the Vols, who rank 13th in the SEC in scoring and total offense heading into Saturday's game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.

(Want the latest scoop on Tennessee football and basketball? Make sure you're in the loop — take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Vols newsletter now!)


Josh Smith (Photo: Grant Ramey, 247Sports)
"They're competing," Smith said. "I mean, what more could you ask from them? You've got fans wanting one quarterback and some wanting the other. It's just like, how do you want a kid to perform when you've got people booing on him? He's 19 years old, and y'all are booing him? That's hard. I take that personal, but you know, they're competing.

"I feel for both of them and they're both just competing and we're ready for South Carolina."

The Vols are set to make a quarterback change against the Gamecocks with multiple sources indicating to GoVols247 on Tuesday morning and afternoon that Guarantano would replace Dormady as the starter on Saturday.

Despite going the distance against Georgia Tech and Florida, Dormady was pulled in the second half of each of Tennessee's past two games against Massachusetts and Georgia, and his two interceptions against the Bulldogs increased his total to six for the season.

Dormady ranks 13th in the SEC quarterback rating and Guarantano completed just 50 percent of his 24 passes for less than 100 yards against an FCS opponent, a winless FBS team and in mop-up duty against Georgia.

Smith believes Tennessee's receivers haven't helped their quarterbacks and should take plenty of blame for the passing game's inefficiency.

"People want to blame (offensive coordinator) Coach (Larry) Scott and other things," he said. "People want to blame Quinten, but they don't know the meaning of the play. Y'all just see the quarterback, oh he's about to throw it. They don't see the receiver that has to run a 15-yard dig and he's running a 12-yard dig or vice versa. Like, you've got to put it in that perspective.

"Our plays don't just revolve around Quinten. It takes timing, spacing. Our routes, some of the receivers aren't doing their jobs. There's blame in everything, but if one guy doesn't do their job, then it just messes up the play, but it shouldn't be just focused on the quarterbacks. It's ridiculous."

Smith said he's stressed to the rest of the receiving corps how much the position collectively must step up to help the quarterbacks get the offense back on track.

"That's a big thing and that's been my focal point, is just taking the stress off the quarterback," Smith said. "It's time, it's now. It's now or never. That's been a big topic and that's what we've got to do and that's how we're going to be successful. It's ridiculous, like, there's nothing to it. It's just executing everybody can blame the coaches and whatnot, but it's not the quarterback."

 

[volfan102455]

It is sad that a player has to defend another player. And that is not a coaching issue.

That is an issue with the media and the fans. Never ever boo a player. Yea I know some say I am booing the coach but that is just an excuse for their arrogance. It is obvious these players hear those boos and don't like them.

But ... most will be like Swain and write this off and ignore it.

 

[m1al]

It is sad that a player has to defend another player. And that is not a coaching issue.

That is an issue with the media and the fans. Never ever boo a player. Yea I know some say I am booing the coach but that is just an excuse for their arrogance. It is obvious these players hear those boos and don't like them.

But ... most will be like Swain and write this off and ignore it.

Not going to change. The boo birds come out. You say "it's just an excuse for their arrogance". Maybe that's just you being arrogant. It's one of the few means in which a fan can express displeasure and the majority of fan's intent is RARELY directed at a specific player.

It's a BIG stage and you have to accept that when you accept the scholarship to play ball at a bigtime D1 program. Unfortunately some are better equipped to deal with than others.

 

[jos3ywales]

It is sad that a player has to defend another player. And that is not a coaching issue.

That is an issue with the media and the fans. Never ever boo a player. Yea I know some say I am booing the coach but that is just an excuse for their arrogance. It is obvious these players hear those boos and don't like them.

But ... most will be like Swain and write this off and ignore it.

I think swain is one of the only honest media guys in knoxville, and Swain dont get paid by the school so he dont have to worry about what he says anymore. He brings a fresh prospective in my eyes, Basilio too even though he can get a little wild at times. Now Ainge has gone full sell out but he is forced to say what he does because he is paid by the school now.

 

[dcm3w]

WR Josh Smith defends Tennessee Vols football QBs from criticism . (VIDEO IN THE LINK)

The problems with Tennessee's offense can't be laid entirely at the feet of the quarterbacks, according to wide receiver Josh Smith.

The fifth-year senior from Knoxville was notably candid on Tuesday in defending Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano and taking exception to undue criticism and booing from fans during games.

Smith believes the players around the quarterbacks, including the wide receivers, shoulder most of the blame when it comes to assessing what's gone wrong on offense for the Vols, who rank 13th in the SEC in scoring and total offense heading into Saturday's game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.

(Want the latest scoop on Tennessee football and basketball? Make sure you're in the loop — take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Vols newsletter now!)


Josh Smith (Photo: Grant Ramey, 247Sports)
"They're competing," Smith said. "I mean, what more could you ask from them? You've got fans wanting one quarterback and some wanting the other. It's just like, how do you want a kid to perform when you've got people booing on him? He's 19 years old, and y'all are booing him? That's hard. I take that personal, but you know, they're competing.

"I feel for both of them and they're both just competing and we're ready for South Carolina."

The Vols are set to make a quarterback change against the Gamecocks with multiple sources indicating to GoVols247 on Tuesday morning and afternoon that Guarantano would replace Dormady as the starter on Saturday.

Despite going the distance against Georgia Tech and Florida, Dormady was pulled in the second half of each of Tennessee's past two games against Massachusetts and Georgia, and his two interceptions against the Bulldogs increased his total to six for the season.

Dormady ranks 13th in the SEC quarterback rating and Guarantano completed just 50 percent of his 24 passes for less than 100 yards against an FCS opponent, a winless FBS team and in mop-up duty against Georgia.

Smith believes Tennessee's receivers haven't helped their quarterbacks and should take plenty of blame for the passing game's inefficiency.

"People want to blame (offensive coordinator) Coach (Larry) Scott and other things," he said. "People want to blame Quinten, but they don't know the meaning of the play. Y'all just see the quarterback, oh he's about to throw it. They don't see the receiver that has to run a 15-yard dig and he's running a 12-yard dig or vice versa. Like, you've got to put it in that perspective.

"Our plays don't just revolve around Quinten. It takes timing, spacing. Our routes, some of the receivers aren't doing their jobs. There's blame in everything, but if one guy doesn't do their job, then it just messes up the play, but it shouldn't be just focused on the quarterbacks. It's ridiculous."

Smith said he's stressed to the rest of the receiving corps how much the position collectively must step up to help the quarterbacks get the offense back on track.

"That's a big thing and that's been my focal point, is just taking the stress off the quarterback," Smith said. "It's time, it's now. It's now or never. That's been a big topic and that's what we've got to do and that's how we're going to be successful. It's ridiculous, like, there's nothing to it. It's just executing everybody can blame the coaches and whatnot, but it's not the quarterback."

I'm glad a player finally voiced a legit opinion instead of "we support them and we are working hard."

He's right. It's not just QD and the OC. It's a combination of small things making a big impact. But the quarterbacks have made bad decisions still.

 

[Booker512]

Receivers don’t run the right routes....so the receiver doesn’t know the route? Who’s fault is that?

If he doesn’t know, and was allowed to still play, who’s fault it that?

Kevin Beards fault. Correct?

So if Kevin beard consistently lets guys play that
Do not know routes or the playbook, and is allowed to continue to do this, who’s fault is that then?

Larry Scott, correct?

So if Larry Scott continues to allow Kevin Beard to get away with letting guys plays who aren’t able to do their job or do not know how to do their job, who’s fault is that?

Butch Jones, correct?


No one is booing these kids. Get off that damned crutch. You know people are not booing those players, just stop. Seriously.

They are booing this staff. These players are NOT being coached. That’s what the booing comes from. The booing comes from allowing Dormady to stay in a game and burn down in front of his home crowd. Everyone and their grandma could see Dormady was not having a good day and they allowed him to stay in the game. THATS the problem. It’s the lack of awareness of Butch Jones that brings boos. Not these players.

It’s the lack of coaching. Lack of coaching ability. Lack of coaching awareness.

So again, put your bleeding hearts away and stick your crutches back in the closet. No one hates these players. We PITY them because they are sacrificing their bodies for coaches who couldn’t give a flying **** if they are put in good situations or not.

 

[Fijivol72]

The Josh Smith that is on the team but doesn't play because he never saw an injury he didn't have. He has played only slightly in the last several years. Unless you gut it out and play you should just stfu.

 

[Power T-Rev]

I think swain is one of the only honest media guys in knoxville, and Swain dont get paid by the school so he dont have to worry about what he says anymore. He brings a fresh prospective in my eyes, Basilio too even though he can get a little wild at times. Now Ainge has gone full sell out but he is forced to say what he does because he is paid by the school now.

Swain just enjoys perpetuating the rumors that float out there

 

[UTFootballFan]

The Josh Smith that is on the team but doesn't play because he never saw an injury he didn't have. He has played only slightly in the last several years. Unless you gut it out and play you should just stfu.

So, you are saying he has less standing to speak than you?

 

[Power T-Rev]

The Josh Smith that is on the team but doesn't play because he never saw an injury he didn't have. He has played only slightly in the last several years. Unless you gut it out and play you should just stfu.

I wish we had a dislike button

 

[Vfl2407]

The Josh Smith that is on the team but doesn't play because he never saw an injury he didn't have. He has played only slightly in the last several years. Unless you gut it out and play you should just stfu.

yep.
Either injured or injuring a roommate.
I’m tired of hearing from Butch and his players lecturing UT fans that we don’t understand football.
Every time that Butch is asked why something doesn’t work, he tells us that all 11 players have to do the right thing for a play to work....duh, Butch.

Ok, Butch, who didn’t do the right thing?
How is that player grading out?
Why are our assistant coaches seeing their positions making the same mistakes game after game.
The 11 player thing is a deflection.
Smiths comments that players don’t like boos is a deflection.

What is not a deflection is losing to a bad Florida team.
What is not a deflection is having to hang on for dear life against a horrible UMass team that almost won even when their starting QB got knocked out.
And, the big old bow on the cake was a 41-0 national humiliation to a team we had beaten two years in a row.
A loss where we looked completely inept in front of our own adoring checkered out fans, who just keep spending their money to come back and see this pitiful display of supposed top tier SEC level football.

We aren’t stupid, Josh Smith.
We aren’t stupid, Butch Jones.
And, I for one, resent that you think we are.

 

[CINCYVOL]

WR Josh Smith defends Tennessee Vols football QBs from criticism . (VIDEO IN THE LINK)

The problems with Tennessee's offense can't be laid entirely at the feet of the quarterbacks, according to wide receiver Josh Smith.

The fifth-year senior from Knoxville was notably candid on Tuesday in defending Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano and taking exception to undue criticism and booing from fans during games.

Smith believes the players around the quarterbacks, including the wide receivers, shoulder most of the blame when it comes to assessing what's gone wrong on offense for the Vols, who rank 13th in the SEC in scoring and total offense heading into Saturday's game against South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.

(Want the latest scoop on Tennessee football and basketball? Make sure you're in the loop — take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Vols newsletter now!)


Josh Smith (Photo: Grant Ramey, 247Sports)
"They're competing," Smith said. "I mean, what more could you ask from them? You've got fans wanting one quarterback and some wanting the other. It's just like, how do you want a kid to perform when you've got people booing on him? He's 19 years old, and y'all are booing him? That's hard. I take that personal, but you know, they're competing.

"I feel for both of them and they're both just competing and we're ready for South Carolina."

The Vols are set to make a quarterback change against the Gamecocks with multiple sources indicating to GoVols247 on Tuesday morning and afternoon that Guarantano would replace Dormady as the starter on Saturday.

Despite going the distance against Georgia Tech and Florida, Dormady was pulled in the second half of each of Tennessee's past two games against Massachusetts and Georgia, and his two interceptions against the Bulldogs increased his total to six for the season.

Dormady ranks 13th in the SEC quarterback rating and Guarantano completed just 50 percent of his 24 passes for less than 100 yards against an FCS opponent, a winless FBS team and in mop-up duty against Georgia.

Smith believes Tennessee's receivers haven't helped their quarterbacks and should take plenty of blame for the passing game's inefficiency.

"People want to blame (offensive coordinator) Coach (Larry) Scott and other things," he said. "People want to blame Quinten, but they don't know the meaning of the play. Y'all just see the quarterback, oh he's about to throw it. They don't see the receiver that has to run a 15-yard dig and he's running a 12-yard dig or vice versa. Like, you've got to put it in that perspective.

"Our plays don't just revolve around Quinten. It takes timing, spacing. Our routes, some of the receivers aren't doing their jobs. There's blame in everything, but if one guy doesn't do their job, then it just messes up the play, but it shouldn't be just focused on the quarterbacks. It's ridiculous."

Smith said he's stressed to the rest of the receiving corps how much the position collectively must step up to help the quarterbacks get the offense back on track.

"That's a big thing and that's been my focal point, is just taking the stress off the quarterback," Smith said. "It's time, it's now. It's now or never. That's been a big topic and that's what we've got to do and that's how we're going to be successful. It's ridiculous, like, there's nothing to it. It's just executing everybody can blame the coaches and whatnot, but it's not the quarterback."

What jumped out to me about this interview, and unfortunately it is not list in the transcript is that it seemed like the status quo is enough. Just have a winning record and go to a bowl game. Everyone in that locker room needs to know that isn't good enough. Challenging for the SEC and the playoffs is what the goal should be, don't settle, dare to be great.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Swain just enjoys perpetuating the rumors that float out there

You just don't like Swain because he loves UT and when it comes to UT he has no filter and has no problem painting the picture how he see's it. If you want someone to piss down your back and tell you it's raining I suggest you stick to listening to Erik Ainge

 

[Power T-Rev]

You just don't like Swain because he loves UT and when it comes to UT he has no filter and has no problem painting the picture how he see's it. If you want someone to piss down your back and tell you it's raining I suggest you stick to listening to Erik Ainge

I love when people tell me how I feel

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

I think swain is one of the only honest media guys in knoxville, and Swain dont get paid by the school so he dont have to worry about what he says anymore. He brings a fresh prospective in my eyes, Basilio too even though he can get a little wild at times. Now Ainge has gone full sell out but he is forced to say what he does because he is paid by the school now.

None of the journalists in Knoxville get paid by the school. Ainge does film break down on the Butch Jones show and only then is paid by the school.

I wouldn't call Swain honest. He likes stirring the pot like the false Crowder punch narrative for clicks and ratings.

 

[rjd970]

This blaming the fans is old. What are we supposed to do, keep cheering a 17-13 win over UMASS and 0-41 dismantling at the hands of UGA? Keep spending money and going to games?

I’m glad he takes it personal, he should, and so should his coach, his head coach, and fellow players. Do something about it, they all should. We may not know what we are talking about, but we see effort, throwing off back foot, passes sailing way overthrown, attitudes on the sideline, missed blocks. We also see effort and determination from guys like Kelly. We stupid fans know the difference.

We all, at the end of day, understood and accepted the way things were in CBJ first two years. We understood depth, youth, and talent challenges. It’s year 5, the excuses are done. We look worse than last year. You don’t want the booing? You want fans at the games? Then fix it, and stop blaming fans and telling us we don’t know what we are looking at.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

I love when people tell me how I feel

I love when people try to tell me how to feel

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

Receivers don’t run the right routes....so the receiver doesn’t know the route? Who’s fault is that?

If he doesn’t know, and was allowed to still play, who’s fault it that?

Kevin Beards fault. Correct?

So if Kevin beard consistently lets guys play that
Do not know routes or the playbook, and is allowed to continue to do this, who’s fault is that then?

Larry Scott, correct?

So if Larry Scott continues to allow Kevin Beard to get away with letting guys plays who aren’t able to do their job or do not know how to do their job, who’s fault is that?

Butch Jones, correct?


No one is booing these kids. Get off that damned crutch. You know people are not booing those players, just stop. Seriously.

They are booing this staff. These players are NOT being coached. That’s what the booing comes from. The booing comes from allowing Dormady to stay in a game and burn down in front of his home crowd. Everyone and their grandma could see Dormady was not having a good day and they allowed him to stay in the game. THATS the problem. It’s the lack of awareness of Butch Jones that brings boos. Not these players.

It’s the lack of coaching. Lack of coaching ability. Lack of coaching awareness.

So again, put your bleeding hearts away and stick your crutches back in the closet. No one hates these players. We PITY them because they are sacrificing their bodies for coaches who couldn’t give a flying **** if they are put in good situations or not.

No Booker don't take this and try to turn it on the coaches for your narrative. If the play calls for a 15 yard dig and they run a 12 yard dig after running that play a 1000 times during their practices it's on the coaches??

If they aren't running correct or tight routes it may be why their not seeing the field.

 

[Power T-Rev]

I love when people try to tell me how to feel

Sorry you feel that way. Just to be clear, I've listened to both Swain and Ainge and find myself disagreeing with both of them on several occasions. I'm just not a big fan of media presenting rumors as facts

 

[Roustabout]

There are at least a handful of receivers that let the program early who would provide experienced depth.

Butch has done a horrible job managing his roster and locker room.

Josh needs to step up and stop his whining. He's been a non factor the last couple of years.

 

[Roustabout]

This blaming the fans is old. What are we supposed to do, keep cheering a 17-13 win over UMASS and 0-41 dismantling at the hands of UGA? Keep spending money and going to games?

I’m glad he takes it personal, he should, and so should his coach, his head coach, and fellow players. Do something about it, they all should. We may not know what we are talking about, but we see effort, throwing off back foot, passes sailing way overthrown, attitudes on the sideline, missed blocks. We also see effort and determination from guys like Kelly. We stupid fans know the difference.

We all, at the end of day, understood and accepted the way things were in CBJ first two years. We understood depth, youth, and talent challenges. It’s year 5, the excuses are done. We look worse than last year. You don’t want the booing? You want fans at the games? Then fix it, and stop blaming fans and telling us we don’t know what we are looking at.

Exactly. Don't like the booing? Well them do something to stop it. I don't think Josh or any of the players or coaches will admit how bad it is over there. The UMass and UGA games would have to be the worst two game offensive performamce of the last 30 years, maybe longer.

 

[Booker512]

No Booker don't take this and try to turn it on the coaches for your narrative. If the play calls for a 15 yard dig and they run a 12 yard dig after running that play a 1000 times during their practices it's on the coaches??

If they aren't running correct or tight routes it may be why their not seeing the field.

The likely hood of a well coached receiver running a play 1000 Times a certain way, then suddenly just forgetting his entire muscle memory and awareness, is extremely low. And that’s NOT what our problem is anyways, our receivers cant run routes 50% of the time. The only guy on our offense that runs his routes correct almost 100% of the time is Branden Johnson. Go figure.

And as far as guys messing up and not seeing the field:
Then explain Josh Palmer then, I feel like that kid had been targeted a million times and has like 5 catches.

Or explain why we barely targeted Callaway against Georgia until late in the game.

Josh Smith, himself, ran a wrong route against Florida if I remember right and caused an INT or almost one. I’ve tried to block out as much of that crap show as I could, so I may be incorrect, but something along those lines occurred.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I think swain is one of the only honest media guys in knoxville, and Swain dont get paid by the school so he dont have to worry about what he says anymore. He brings a fresh prospective in my eyes, Basilio too even though he can get a little wild at times. Now Ainge has gone full sell out but he is forced to say what he does because he is paid by the school now.

I wouldn't trust Swain to deliver my paper.

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

Not going to change. The boo birds come out. You say "it's just an excuse for their arrogance". Maybe that's just you being arrogant. It's one of the few means in which a fan can express displeasure and the majority of fan's intent is RARELY directed at a specific player.

It's a BIG stage and you have to accept that when you accept the scholarship to play ball at a bigtime D1 program. Unfortunately some are better equipped to deal with than others.

What a sad way to look at a college football game. If you boo the team you claim to be rooting for then you should be ashamed of your drunk self. And i pray that those who are booing at least have that as an excuse...

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

This blaming the fans is old. What are we supposed to do, keep cheering a 17-13 win over UMASS and 0-41 dismantling at the hands of UGA? Keep spending money and going to games?

I’m glad he takes it personal, he should, and so should his coach, his head coach, and fellow players. Do something about it, they all should. We may not know what we are talking about, but we see effort, throwing off back foot, passes sailing way overthrown, attitudes on the sideline, missed blocks. We also see effort and determination from guys like Kelly. We stupid fans know the difference.

We all, at the end of day, understood and accepted the way things were in CBJ first two years. We understood depth, youth, and talent challenges. It’s year 5, the excuses are done. We look worse than last year. You don’t want the booing? You want fans at the games? Then fix it, and stop blaming fans and telling us we don’t know what we are looking at.

Yes, you should keep cheering at what ever opportunity you get.

Do you boo you local high school team? Middle School? If not, why not?

Why is it all of sudden acceptable behavior to start booing at the college games? Because their on scholarship or is it because you can be a little more anonymous and safe because you know their dad isn't likely to be sitting beside you?

Would you boo if you were sitting beside QD's dad? CBJ's family? If not, why not?