Practice Updates 9.13.16

[Fingers]

The Vols started off with some Circle of Life action and it seems apparent that Jones is trying to force feed Alexis Johnson in an attempt to get him ready.

Johnson was called out four straight times, working first against Venzell Boulware, then going against freshman Ryan Johnson and lastly against Austin Sanders in two straight reps. From what we could see none of those match-ups resulted in a definitive ‘win’ for anyone, but Johnson seemed to show some good push and definitely was up for the challenge.

Up front on the offensive line Coleman Thomas looked like he was a bit limited today and was working with a very heavily taped right ankle.

Kyle Phillips was working at a quick pace today though still has a heavy ankle wrap, Shy Tuttle just continues to look better and better as he obviously showed on Saturday. Both Khalil McKenzie and Jonathan Kongbo appeared to be working with no issues after each got a little dinged up on Saturday.

Lewis

Coleman Thomas was back with a heavy wrap on his right ankle. Alvin Kamara got some extra work fielding kickoffs and the green shirts were Preston Williams, Josh Smith, Austin Smith, Jauan Jennings and Jalen Hurd. Kyle Phillips also had a good size wrap on his ankle.

The individual work for the offensive linemen during the special teams work was on pad leverage and a better punch in their blocking.

It appears the Daniel Bituili move to defensive end is permanent as he was again working with Steve Stripling's unit. We didn't get to see any defensive 11-on-11 work to see what they are doing linebacker wise and Tennessee has not given out their weekly release or their weekly depth chart which is unusual to say the least.

Hubbs

1. Junior defensive lineman Alexis Johnson took part in the first four downs of the "Circle of Life" drill. Johnson went against Venzell Boulware, Ryan Johnson and Austin Sanders twice. Other players participating in the drill included Marquez Callaway, Baylen Buchanan, Stephen Griffin and Preston Williams.

2. The players wearing green non-contact jerseys were Williams, Jalen Hurd, Jauan Jennings, Austin Smith and Josh Smith.

3. The "start fast" theme being emphasized this week was evident. The pace between drills was frenetic. Coaches yelled phrases like "Hit another gear" and "Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up" repeatedly.

Rhiannon Potkey

 

[McDad]

Thank you, Fingers. Your efforts are much appreciated.

 

[LotteryPick]

Excited to see Bituili under Strip's coaching.

 

[gsb0824]

Lewis

Hubbs

I hope at some point CBJ will simply place three defensive lineman in front of the OL and stunt like crazy over and over and over until they figure out how to handle stunts from all directions.

 

[chargervol]

Definitely thanks.
Season gets going, some don't follow practice as much. I and several others still do. Fingers keeps bringing the info.
Seriously appreciated.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Excellent! Definitely need a better punch in the OL blocking.



Curious to see who emerges as Jumper's backup?

 

[Nationdom]

Excited to see Bituili under Strip's coaching.

Sluggo is the best D line coach in the country.

 

[KBVol]

We need help at MLB and already have about 700 DEs. Seems like Bituli is likely to just get buried there IMO. Oh well, they're the coaches, gotta trust em.

 

[thegasman54]

Sluggo is the best D line coach in the country.

Lol obviously w all the stifling D we put on VT Saturday night. I mean we limited them to only 189 yards in the first quarter.

 

[KBVol]

Sluggo is the best D line coach in the country.

Sluggo?

 

[Nationdom]

Sluggo?

my high school coach played at CU with Stripling. sluggo is what they call him. He's the best there is.

 

[WillisWG]

We need help at MLB and already have about 700 DEs. Seems like Bituli is likely to just get buried there IMO. Oh well, they're the coaches, gotta trust em.

Bituli 6-3 235. Next season he may look more like a DE but right now he looks just like what he is, a LB. Like you said they're the coaches but after starting Jumper over Kirkland I'll stick to questioning their actions.

 

[TlM]

Curious to see who emerges as Jumper's backup?

Will Jumper

 

[VolNRaleighNC]

curious to see who emerges as jumper's replacement?

fyp 😉

 

[Biopsyman]

Alexis Johnson is not ready to play and will red shirt.. LOL

 

[orangebloodgmc]

We need help at MLB and already have about 700 DEs. Seems like Bituli is likely to just get buried there IMO. Oh well, they're the coaches, gotta trust em.

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[etcolton]

Will Jumper

Underrated post

 

[barknoxbrawler]

Excellent! Definitely need a better punch in the OL blocking.



Curious to see who emerges as Jumper's backup?

Bridge Jumper.

 

[Plano Vol]

I think the coaches need to tee up the Josey Wales homily where he tells his gang at the cabin about getting mean, plumb mad dog mean.

woof woof

 

[LouderVol]

Will Jumper

 

[Jax_Vol]

So our three deep at middle linebacker is:

Colton Jumper

Will Jumper

and

Bridge Jumper

am I hearing this correctly?

 

[Catbone]

You are correct.

 

[kayakonthefly]

What about stump jumper?

 

[Remy]

We need help at MLB and already have about 700 DEs. Seems like Bituli is likely to just get buried there IMO. Oh well, they're the coaches, gotta trust em.

I was thinking the same thing KB. Bituli must be taking a growing spurt or something as I expected him to stick at LB.

 

[2ez2dv8]

Cortez, Sapp, Bryant?