#VolReport: Always On The Ready

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s assistant coaches had a consistent message on Wednesday: always be ready and prepare to start.

While Justin Worley’s health is “good and continues to progress,” according to offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, sophomore back-ups Nathan Peterman and Joshua Dobbs are ready to play if needed this week, he said.

All three quarterbacks have received solid reps in practice this week to be prepared for any scenario.

“Well, regardless of the situation, our guys get a lot of reps,” he said. “[The quarterbacks] have all done a good job, and that’s been the case throughout the season.”

Bajakian also said that Peterman and Dobbs have still steadily improved throughout the season, despite their limited playing time.

“They definitely have, both mentally and physically,” he said of the two sophomores. “Those guys are doing a good job. We always stress to all of our players, quarterbacks obviously included, to prepare as if you’re a starter.

“The approach never changes for them, and when you approach day-to-day with an intensity to improve…and you never know when you’re number’s going to get called. They’ve continued to improve throughout the season.”

So far, Peterman has been the only quarterback other than Worley to see action in a game, but Bajakian says Dobbs could also see action if the situation presented itself.

“Josh has always prepared since day one to play when called upon, so he’s always ready to go,” he said.

THE STATE OF THE O-LINE

Coach Don Mahoney admits that his offensive line depth entering this weekend is not ideal. With Jacob Gilliam nursing his way back into the unit following a torn ACL, as well as minor injuries to Marcus Jackson and Coleman Thomas, Mahoney has been rotating his linemen through multiple positions in preparation for any situation.

“We’re working some guys at different spots,” Mahoney said. “[Dylan] Wiesman at guard, [Kyler] Kerbyson at guard. Those are two guys there that have an understanding of the offense and are playing multiple positions, which ordinarily you try to avoid. You have to have a plan for if things were to happen. With offensive linemen, the things that are key are being smart and tough, and now being able to play multiple positions.”

While his up-front scenario is not ideal, Mahoney feels the reps at different positions will ultimately create a well-rounded unit and help establish a better understanding of the Vols’ offense.

“The thing that’s glaring for us is, we’re one or two guys away on a given play from it being a good play,” Mahoney said. “That’s a lack of the execution by us up front and it’s not an entire whole as a unit. It’s just one or two guys and that’s what we’re working to get cleaned up.”

Among the group, Mahoney is encouraged by the levels of confidence and steadfast work ethic he has seen from his linemen.

“Brett Kendrick has improved in the way he’s played,” Mahoney said. “Austin Sanders struggled on some things with the defensive movement. He’s got to turn it loose and not so much be ok with making a mistake, but snap and clear and move on. The confidence level has been really good with what they’ve been able to do in practice. Now, it’s got to translate into the game.”

Arguably one of the most-impressive efforts from his unit continues to be Jacob Gilliam, who practiced again today with the group and has expressed a desire to play more live reps against Alabama.

“Jacob Gilliam has been working at the right spot,” Mahoney said. “I ask how he’s feeling and he tells me he’s good to go. I don’t know how he’s doing it. Well, I do know how he’s doing it; it’s his heart and his mind. He’s determined to play this year and that speaks a lot for his character and exactly what is going on in our room. Guys like that are the kind you enjoying coming to work with.”

Mahoney can also see Gilliam’s determination and example hitting home with other members of his line, as the freshmen show a grit and will to improve more than any other group he’s witnessed.

“People don’t know this but Coleman Thomas got rolled up on the second play of the [Ole Miss] game,” Mahoney added. “He played 29 reps after that with a heck of a rolled up ankle but refused to come out of the game. Seeing those guys and knowing their commitment, there is no question at all. That’s when I look at them and say, `You know what, we’re going to be alright. Just keep pounding the rock, keep on digging for gold and we’re going to get there.'”

WIDE RECEIVERS PROGRESSING

With five SEC games left in the schedule, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni sees the progress that his group has made. Injuries and all, the group has provided depth at the position, allowing him to insert a handful of different receivers.

Since suffering a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, Von Pearson has made his return to the field. His progress is ever improving and Azzanni is sure of the return of his impact play capabilities.

“He’s responding well,” Azzanni said. “I don’t think he had the game he wanted to have the other night. He made some good plays, good catches but the fine details weren’t there like he had going into the injury. I’ve worked really hard with him on those details this week, so he’s coming back.”

Josh Smith has begun the next step in his rehabilitation progress now by running. Although it is not sure when he will be ready, Azzanni is making sure not to push him and to let the progress improve as it should.

In rotating the receivers, Azzanni focuses not on giving a player a certain number of reps but bases his decisions off of what he sees during the game.

“It’s all rotation,” Azzanni said. “If we had an eight-play series, I have an idea when I’m looking out there if Marquez (North) just ran three deep balls or can tell if he’s a little winded then Jason (Croom) can go in. It’s really based on how I think the game is progressing. There’s no rhyme or rhythm.”

This season, North has proven himself with starting nods in all seven games. He is tied for catches with 26 and already has three more touchdowns than he did his freshman year with four.

“The one thing I can tell you about Marquez is he doesn’t care what anyone thinks,” Azzanni says. “He just cares what he thinks, how he plays, how his teammates think of him. He would like to have that one play back, but he also made some nice plays. He had a big time catch and got bent over the middle and came down with it. Everyone wants to talk about the one he didn’t make.

He’s made some great catches and he will make some great catches. He doesn’t say a word. He just comes out and works his tail off. That’s one of the things I like about him.”

CONSISTENCY FROM THE SECONDARY

Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez understands that the defense will be up against one of the best offenses in the nation in Alabama. He has confidence in his corps and is pleased with how well the group has improved since the start of this season.

Consistency is among the adjectives that Martinez uses to describe the group of talented defensive backs. Leading that group is sophomore Cameron Sutton. An individual who played his entire freshman year and has become a leader both vocally and through his consistent play.

“With Cam, it’s been consistency,” Martinez said. “You can see him improve each and every week. He’s totally focused on the moment and doesn’t get ahead of himself. Every small detail is important to him.

“The confidence is spreading within the group, which is what we asked from him for being a good leader. He’s one of our best players. One of the best ways to lead is to set the example and be consistent with your play.”

Senior Justin Coleman is also having a standout season showing consistency and great effort since being moved to the nickelback position.

“Justin Coleman is having a great year,” Martinez said. “He’s been really solid for us at the nickel position since we made that move. It’s been very good for us on defense. It has allowed us to do a lot of things.”

BARNETT SETS SACK STANDARD

Freshman defensive end Derek Barnett has drawn high praise since early in training camp. On Wednesday he earned a place in the Tennessee record book. Following a statistical adjustment, Barnett was credited with a third sack in Saturday’s game at #3 Ole Miss. With three sacks, Barnett became the first freshman (true or redshirt) to record three sacks in a game in Tennessee history.

Barnett’s third sack, which was changed from being only a tackle for loss, came on a second down-and-9 on the Ole Miss drive that began with 9:22 left in the first quarter. Barnett pressured Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace out of bounds for a 3-yard loss. Barnett also sacked Wallace for losses of one and three yards in the second half. He finished the game with a career-high 10 tackles including 4.0 TFLs and those three sacks for seven yards.

On the season, Barnett has 38 tackles including 9.5 TFLs and four sacks for 17 yards. His 38 tackles are the most among true freshmen defensive linemen in the SEC and his 9.5 TFLs are the second most among all players in the league.

With the three sacks, Barnett is also tied for the third-most sacks in a game in Vols history. The record of 4.5 sacks was set byCorey Miller in the 2013 regular-season finale at Kentucky. Miller broke the 30-year old record of four sacks in a game was held by Hall of Famer Reggie White, set in 2013.

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from the assistant coaches after Wednesday’s practice

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE BAJAKIAN

»(On shuffling the offensive line)

“The good thing is, there’s been a lot of, quite a bit of shuffling throughout the course of the season, and those guys have shown the versatility to play multiple positions, so they’ll continue to do so. And again, all those guys have repped left and right – and I shouldn’t say all – but a lot of the guys have repped left and right positions, guard and tackle positions, so that experience throughout the course of training camp and the season has benefited for these type of scenarios.”

»(On the team’s attitude)

“I love these players. I love the guys on our team. They’re attitude is phenomenal, and it’s part of Coach Jones’ program to instill the ability to overcome adversity, and these guys have faced adversity since day one in all their training. So, the adversity they face during the season is part of the process of them growing and becoming better football players. They haven’t balked one bit, and they haven’t…they, like myself, look in the mirror and evaluate themselves and say to themselves, `where can I improve?’ I give them credit for that.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHN JANCEK

»(On the defense pressuring the quarterbacks)

“The consistence of the guy’s hard work coming in each and every day getting better week by week.”

»(On the matchup between AmariCooper and Cameron Sutton)

“Cam is very confident. I trust Cam with everything we ask him to do. Having a player like Cam Suttonperiodis good.”

»(On Alabama)

“They are a complete team from every position: O-Line, receivers, running backs, quarterback. They have it rolling.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH WILLIE MARTINEZ

»(On going up against # 4 Alabama)

“I think the entire group is looking forward to it because they’re obviously outstanding on offense. Not only do they have some great wide receivers but they have great running backs, and Blake Sims has done a great job. And saying all that, they have a great offensive line that is very strong and athletic.”

»(On the matchups against Alabama)

“They’re really good at every position. They have really good running backs. They have a lot of good receivers. It’s not just one. A great offensive line. A solid, experienced quarterback in running that offense. I didn’t even say about the tight ends. It’s really a complete offense. That’s why they’re as good as they’ve been, very productive and consistent. You can’t focus on just one player because all of the other guys are very talented. They can make you look embarrassing if you just concentrate on one thing.”

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH STEVE STRIPLING

»(On the Alabama running backs)

“The running backs are absolutely unbelievable. First of all, they’re big. They’re really athletic, and I think they’re really patient. They buy their time and then they have the ability to stick a foot and cut. They run a lot outside zone-type plays. Outstanding backs.”

»(On the improvement in the pass rush)

“Well I think pass rush is a process, and it’s a mentality. I think we’re getting there. I think the third down emphasis has helped that when we get excited on third down. Those are the critical downs. We’re putting a lot of time into it. We’re getting more effective at it. We’re getting better experience, developing our FBI, knowing when it’s run or pass. We still have a lot of work to do, but other than that we’re going to keep working on it.”

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH ZACH AZZANNI

»(On the Alabama secondary)

“They’re a great secondary. Landon Collins I thought last year was one heck of a football player. Ever since he was young and on special teams, he has tremendous instincts. Things you can’t teach. He has it. He has the `it’ factor. He plays all over the place.”

»(On the receivers helping the offensive line)

“We knew we had a young offensive line and some guys with not a lot of experience. We’re going to go out and try to make up for that a little bit on the perimeter. I think at times we have, and at times we haven’t. And it showed up. Sometimes with inexperience, those things get magnified. A drop gets magnified that might have been lost in the shuffle. You’re never going to play a perfect game. We just do our job and try to help them out.”

TIGHT ENDS COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR MARK ELDER

»(On Aaron Medley’s performance thus far)

“We expected him to be able to do this. We watched his high school film and perform live. We thought he was very talented young man and certainly a guy who was capable of going out and doing what he is doing for us right now. That was the expectation that he was going to come in and be very successful.”

»(On Evan Berry bouncing back from this past weekend’s ball security mishap)

“He was back in there the very next one [return]. He had a good solid return. Got it out to the 35 or 36 yard line and was in some traffic with guys ripping at the football. I don’t see that as an issue going forward but obviously it was a critical mistake over the weekend.”

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH DON MAHONEY

»(On sophomore Dylan Wiesman learning multiple positions)

“Dylan is working in at guard. Center and guard, just as he’s been in the mix of things for what you would plan if [injuries to other linemen] were to happen. He can cross train and play center and guard. Really, he can play any one of the guards but he’s been working in at left guard.”

»(On keeping realistic expectations among his young offensive linemen)

“The guys want to play perfectly and play extremely well and I tell them, “You’re not going to play a perfect game.” With that being said, when guys are playing perfectly, they tend to slow down a bit mentally. There are guys that have been busting their tails and the results aren’t what we want right now. But you know what, we’re going to keep on chipping away. This is a group that we’re going to find a way somehow to keep working together and to keep getting this thing right to where we want it.”