Kelly focused on 'evolution' as RB after '16 breakout

[kamoshika]

Kelly ran for 630 yards and five touchdowns on 98 carries in 2016, and Robert Gillespie, the Vols' no-nonsense running backs, knows how his leading returner rusher can become a more dynamic back. "He has to get better at the next-level moves," Gillespie said following Thursday's indoor practice at the Anderson Training Center. "I made a cut-up for him earlier. Everyone knows he's a tough runner. He's a grinder. He can bounce off tackles. He has good feet to get to the next hole. The evolution of John has to be when he gets into the open field, making a safety miss, understanding angles and playing to his strengths in the open field. That's the thing we've been talking about.

"Obviously a lot of our individual periods, we're constantly working on his footwork and just making the next-level cut and making the last defender miss. Once he gets that to add to his tough running ability, shoot, he has a chance to be one of the best backs in the league."
http://tennessee.247sports.com/Article/Tennessee-Volunteers-John-Kelly-Focused-Evolution-As-Running-Bac-52183938

 

[IknoxvolsI]

Dude is gonna have to get some vision and speed!

 

[photovol]

An injury to Kelly could spell trouble for Vols, God forbidk:

Go Vols

 

[KBVol]

Dude is gonna have to get some vision and speed!

Both are much better than Hurd ever had. Kelly's gonna be really good this year imo....really, really good.

 

[marvin616]

Both are much better than Hurd ever had. Kelly's gonna be really good this year imo....really, really good.

I agree. Kelly fits the system and is poised to have a break out year. His success will take pressure off the passing game, which will be needed especially early in the season, giving Dormady or Guarantano time to get comfortable leading the offense.

 

[dcm3w]

I just wish we had a whole team full or Kellys and Jennings, their energy levels and attitudes are off the charts.

If Kelly has a great season, evolve, and can be versatile in the passing game, I think there is a chance he'll make a great pro. A chance to be drafted.

 

[BigOrange15]

Dude is gonna have to get some vision and speed!

Kelly's best attribute is his vision imo.

 

[Smokeyman]

An injury to Kelly could spell trouble for Vols, God forbidk:

Go Vols

It would indeed. Besides Kelly we need another back that can be good consistently as well. In our style, system you need 2 backs that play well consistently, as you're gonna have those 2 plus the QB running the ball several times a game.

I hope CFA and Ty Chandler are ready to go!

 

[tennrich1]

One area of concern for me is ball security. I would like to see our offense sustain long drives and ball security is huge to do that.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Yup, turnovers and penalties really hurt us last year.

Definitely cost us the aTm and SCar games and probably Vandy. Made other games closer than they needed to be.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

I like Kelly's approach to leadership and development of teammates as well as how he is working with Coach Gillispie to constantly improve his A-Game.

 

[AdmiralVFL98]

Dude is gonna have to get some vision and speed!

Speed? Are you implying he's slow? I remember him being pretty explosive last year.