#VolReport: Open Week = Work Week

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With 11 days until the Georgia game, the Vols have an opportunity to assess their progress so far this season. Rather than having the mentality of `taking a week off,’ they are looking to use their bye week as a work week.

“I thought it was a very productive start to the work week,” head coach Butch Jones said. “Everything is about every individual taking accountability to improving their individual fundamentals skills. We’re looking to add depth, obviously, offensively and defensively, and also to improve our special teams.”

During the work week, the team will focus on adding depth where needed and using the time to teach the fundamentals that may have been missing in the first three games of the season. With improvements to be made, Coach Jones and the team want to use every opportunity to get better.

“It’s an opportunity for some of these freshmen and younger players to kind of assert themselves on this football team,” Jones said. “So a lot of things that we need to get corrected and to improve on this open week or work week which we call it. I thought it was a great start to the week.”

FRESHMAN HURD-LES AT RUNNING BACK

With three regular season games now under his belt, freshman Jalen Hurd is quickly making adjustments and huge strides toward his goal of becoming the complete-package running back for Tennessee. While Running Backs Coach Robert Gillespiecredits Hurd for his work ethic, natural ability and grit, he also notes that Hurd’s development has accelerated in recent weeks out of pure competitive drive. And it was all thanks to one play.

“He’s done a good job with ball security and of bouncing back,” said Gillespie. “In his first career snap, he got run over by a guy and got put into the quarterback’s lap against Utah State. That’s something he took personally and from then on, he’s done a really good job working at pass protection.”

Gillespie uses the term `complete’ running back when referring to a developmental focus for Hurd, adding that often times a running back’s job does not involve the carry but involves blocking and providing an opportunity for your offensive unit.

“That’s the thing that I don’t think people realize is the hardest part,” said Gillespie. “He understands that that’s the easiest way to get off the football field. By him being a really good guy that we can rely on in pass protection, he’s found his way into more snaps in our offense.”

While Hurd has undoubtedly benefitted from his early arrival at Rocky Top this year, Gillespie continues to work with the freshman on his running fundamentals, eye discipline and above all else, his patience. A four-yard gain is still considered an efficient run in Gillespie’s playbook, and the coach is confident that the big runs will come in due time for Hurd.

“There are a lot of things [to work on],” Gillespie said. “His pad level can get better, his leg drive to finish his runs and where to put his hands. It’s just the small details that the outside eye doesn’t see, but it’s those things that will push him to become not just a runner, but a complete running back.”

MAHONEY SEES POSITIVES IN O-LINE PLAY

Offensive Line coach Don Mahoney knew going into the season the learning curve for his offense line would be steep. Especially with Tennessee facing one of the toughest schedules in the country — and without a returning starter on the line. Arguably the toughest test the young offense line will face all season came in the form of the Oklahoma Sooners this past Saturday. Although the end result was not the one desired, according to Mahoney there were still positives to be found.

“There wasn’t really any point in the first half where our guys were truly rattled, we just didn’t allow ourselves to execute. Give [Oklahoma] credit, they did a tremendous job. In the second half, I can’t say enough about our guys keeping their poise, coming out and doing their thing, and how they kept fighting. They definitely grew up a lot.”

Two offensive lineman in particular who grew up in Norman were freshmen Jashon Robertson and Coleman Thomas, who made his first collegiate start against the Sooners. Their efforts did not go unnoticed by Mahoney.

“I wasn’t sure how Coleman would look in his first start, but from the practice Friday leaving [Knoxville], to the hotel meetings and walkthroughs, to his entire demeanor, I saw a guy who was excited – and he played that way, too. There are things that tend to go out the window when you play a ball game, where you forget your training and what you’re trying to accomplish. But for those two guys being freshman, you wouldn’t know that by the way they carried themselves.”

Saturday night was a tough test for the young Volunteer offensive lineman, and it is just one of many they will face throughout the 2014 campaign. However, has confidence in his squad as they go to war together for the remainder of the season.

“There’s frustration in the fact that we didn’t accomplish what we set out to do, but there’s a lot of reasons to be excited with the bright future that’s ahead. We have to keep developing these guys. I can’t say enough about their attitude, and that’s what makes coaching enjoyable.”

INJURY REPORT

With an extra work week available, the Vols will reassess injuries on the team including those to Ethan Wolf, Daniel Helm, Josh Smith and Trevarris Saulsberry.

Wolf, who suffered a knee injury in the Arkansas State game, is expected to be available alongside Helm.

“Ethan Wolf will be fine for the Georgia game,” head coachButch Jones said.

Both Helm and Smith were diagnosed with ankle sprains. However, Smith’s was identified as a high ankle sprain.

“We fully anticipate him being available for the Georgia game,” Jones said of Helm.

Smith will be out of practice this week allowing him to get the proper rehab needed.

“Josh isn’t going to participate in practice this week,” Jones said. “And then we will re-assess how he goes throughout the course of next week. It is day by day. There isn’t a time frame on it, he could be ready for Georgia, but we will wait and see.

“But we are going to keep him off his ankle this week, really do extensive rehabilitation and we will see, the body reacts differently on each individual.”

Saulsberry, who has long battled knee problems, is still rehabbing from an injury he received during training camp on Aug. 16. As is Smith, his availability for the Georgia game will be reassessed as the week goes on.

“It is early and we don’t know if he will be game ready yet but just to have him out there,” Jones said. “He has worked exceptionally hard to get himself back on the football field. He has been extremely determined. Jason and the entire training staff has done a great job as well. So it was great to see him in full pads, being out there today for individual periods.”

PERFECT TIME FOR A BYE

Coming off a hard fought loss at Oklahoma with several starters nursing injuries, Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian says this week’s bye is coming at the perfect time.

“I think having the two [bye weeks] where they are is a pretty good combination,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever, in a season, gone into a bye week and not said, `Boy, this comes at a good time.’ It’s just from the standpoint of health and a chance to re-evaluate things and take a deep breath and focus on details, it is coming at a good time, particularly for the young guys. “

He said that a break from playing this week will give a chance to Tennessee’s many newcomers to rest, collect themselves, and prepare for the rigor of the toughest stretch of the Volunteer schedule.

“It is key. I think the grind of the season and the school year, and everything that goes into

competing at this level is new for those guys,” he said. “Now that they’ve gotten a taste of it, it’s a good opportunity for them to kinda take a step back, and take a deep breath, and refocus.”

The bye week will also give the entire offense a chance to refocus on fundamentals, as well as an opportunity to take a long, hard look at the film from Tennessee’s first three games, the Vol coach said.

“We’re definitely focusing on the fundamentals,” he said. ” We’re never going to radically change what we’re doing, but maybe tweaking some schemes here and there.

“Evaluating ourselves, doing an in-depth self-scout of our concepts, our pass concepts, our run game…usually that will lead to maybe some plays that have broken down because maybe we need to improve this technique, or maybe we need to change this alignment, whatever it may be. It’s a little bit of a self-evaluation.”

And while it is only two days into the bye week, Bajakian says he has already seen improvement from his team.

“We’re getting better every day, he said. “That’s the key, constant never-ending improvement. So we’ve just got to focus on the details and continue to improve on a daily basis and a weekly basis.”

DIAMOND VOLS AT PRACTICE

The worlds of Tennessee football and baseball collided once again on Tuesday afternoon as Dave Serrano brought his baseball Vols across the street from Lindsey Nelson Stadium to observe practice at Haslam Field.

“I love the energy that Coach Jones and his staff create here at football practice,” Serrano said. “I wanted our guys to see the level of speed and tenacity that these guys go at every day. We’re trying to get to the same level.”

They got a quick introduction. Jones called the baseball team over at the end of the stretch period to observe the “Circle of Life” drill up close and personal.

The intensity right away was exactly what Serrano wanted his team to see.

“We feel like we practice with great speed too, but I want our guys to see how these guys are coached,” said Serrano. “Coach Jones isn’t afraid to call them out and his favorite phrase is, `If you can’t handle me calling you how, how are you going to handle 102,455?’ I want our guys to see that energy and passion.”

The gates to the field were swung open for the players by someone who knows a little bit about the sports that practice on both sides of Pat Head Summitt St., Condredge Holloway. Holloway is known mostly for his exploits on the gridiron, but he was also an All-SEC and All-American shortstop in 1975 and finished with a .353 career batting average.

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from #Team118:

HEAD COACH BUTCH JONES

»(On Jakob Johnson)

“Jakob is one of those individuals we are really trying to push the learning curve. It all starts, first of all, with special teams. He is developing each and every day. He is learning the nuances of playing linebacker and the speed of the game. He is very talented but we knew when we recruited him there was going to be a growth and a maturation process from just the overall football intelligence standpoint. But he is working himself into having a role in this football team this year.”

»(On Jalen Hurd)

“I’ve been very pleased with him. He’ll continue to get better and better. When we came to work and had our team meeting on Monday, you know everything is about the power of why. Why did this happen? Why did we come up short in the outcome? So, we have a video we show them. We talk about the power of why. But to kind of put things in perspective, is Jashon Robertson was entering the 10th grade when the individual he played against this Saturday was entering college football. I think there were times that I looked out there and the whole right side of our offense was true freshmen. Jashon, Coleman Thomas, Daniel Helm, Josh Malone and Jalen Hurd. It is what it is. We have to be careful that we don’t put so much stress and expectations on these 17- and 18-year-olds. They’re still freshmen. They’re still learning how to manage a full academic workload, how to be a student-athlete, how to manage the clutter and distractions and expectations. Having this bye week, this work week, is critical for them also to get caught up academically and all those things that go into it.”

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE BAJAKIAN

»(On what he will work on this week)

“There’s quite a bit. We’re always going to talk about playing with great effort, and that’s something we always come back to. I think finishing plays, finishing drives, that goes hand in hand. The little techniques that go into ball security and protection, you name it; all of it. It’s something we’ll focus on and continue to get better at.”

»(On Worley’s toughness)

“He played a tough, physical performance. He obviously did the two interceptions and the fumble, we can’t have three turnovers, but he bounced back and he’s resilient. And as much as anything, when a quarterback can stand up and dust himself off, and step up and call and play the next play after getting hit or something like that, it shows the rest of the guys that ‘man, our leader is one tough son of a gun.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH WILLIE MARTINEZ

»(On the importance of using this week to prepare for SEC play)

“We’re evaluating what we’ve done for three games. We’re going to give the young guys more reps this week and give them an opportunity to improve on some of the things schematically that they’re behind on. It’ll give some of the older guys less reps, so hopefully that’ll help them feel more confident.”

»(On the safety competition between LaDarrell McNeil and Todd Kelly Jr.)

“I think it’s healthy. I think it’s good. The more competition we have, the better we are as a defense and it’s all about developing depth, really at every position. LaDarrell had an unbelievable game and an unbelievable impact in special teams, along with defense. We just play the hot guy and that’s why he played more reps, because he was playing really well.”

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH STEVE STRIPLING

»(On what needs to be improved on before Georgia)

“I think pass rush is an area for us. We let a couple get away. I think we did a good job in the run game to hold them up as best as we could. Just converting on pass and knowing when it is pass. More violence in our hands and our pass rush is kind of the focus for us this week.”

» (On how many on the defensive line he feels comfortable playing)

“In the Oklahoma game, there were 6-7 that played. I would love to get that number up as I gain confidence in certain guys to get to 8-9.”

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH ZACH AZZANNI

»(On Josh Malone)

“Josh has gotten progressively better every week, and that’s what you hope for with a freshman. He looks like a different guy than he did game one, which is really nice to see. He had a really good day at practice today, so he’s coming along nicely. I’m really pleased with his progress…he can be as good as he wants to be, I’ve said that from day one. He’s a good kid, too.”

» (On Vic Wharton and Ryan Jenkins)

“Still a work in progress. For sure, still a work in progress. I always say this, the light comes on for different guys at different times. Josh Malone is a little bit ahead of those guys in terms of a lot of different things, just because, I don’t know, the light just pops on a little bit earlier for him. Not to say those other two aren’t coming along, because they are. They’re just a little bit further behind right now, but they’re working their tails off and we’re going to need them this season. They’re going to play.”

» (On North’s role growing with injuries)

“It will put a bit more on his plate, but Jason’s coming along, Josh Malone is coming along, Jonathan Johnson is a very good player, so there’s still options there. It didn’t feel like that last year. It didn’t feel like there was guys as ready to take some heat off of him. Pig is doing a great job. So there’s still options out there if those guys aren’t ready to go.”

RUNNING BACKS COACH ROBERT GILLESPIE

»(On developing patience within the running backs group) )

“With the running game, you have to be patient with it. The old joke is that when you run the ball, you hand the ball off six yards behind the line of scrimmage. So, you have to get six yards in order to get one yard and that is when you have to be patient with it. It’s not one of those things where it’s always going to be a big play. You’ve got to take the two-yard gains and the three-yard gains.”

»(On teaching his group to maximize every carry)

“One of the things we talk about in the running backs room is having efficient runs. We consider a four-yard run efficient. I do a good job of trying to make those guys understand how to make a run efficient. It is imperative to get that three-yard run to a four-yard run, and that’s just effort and leg drive. In this league, there are not going to be big gaps all the time. We have to do a great job of breaking tackles and it’s our job to make those guys right at times when they’re wrong.”

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH DON MAHONEY

»(On Kyler Kerbyson)

“I have to hand it to him, he’s a guy who if we ask to drive the bus, he will. He says “coach, I’ll figure it out and I’ll do it.” I’ve been proud of his efforts and his commitment to whatever we need to do. He’s waited his turn long enough, he’s attacking it and now he has a chance with this open week to settle in even more. I’ve been proud of the way he’s attacked it.”

LINEBACKERS COACH TOMMY THIGPEN

»(On guys playing too many snaps)

“A guy like A.J. (Johnson) has superb endurance, so it’s easy for him to play a game and play on kick-off and all those things. You know, you get in a game like that against Oklahoma, a more experienced football team, and a lot of moving parts, and the gaps are changing on a snap, you want older guys in there. So unfortunately, my younger guys, young guys like the Bates, and the Elliott, and the Jakobs, we didn’t get to put them in there as much as I wanted. I kept looking at the older guys and asking them, `How do you feel?’ They kept saying, `Coach, we’re fine.’ The weather was conducive to us playing a whole game of 70 plays, and it wasn’t really a fast-moving tempo.”

»(On Jalen Reeves-Maybin)

“He’s really a rookie to the game. You know, last year coming to the room in such a latter part of the year, I still look at him like he’s a true freshman out there. But the fact that he can spit the game back out to us and talk football to us and go into the room and tell us exactly what he was seeing on the play, I saw what he saw once he explained it to me. He blew a couple of coverages, and he talked them out in the meetings the last couple of days. He understands. That’s the great thing about Maybin, he’s a cerebral kid, he understands the game, and if things happen, he’s going to ask questions and not be embarrassed to ask them.”