#VolReport: Assistants Talk #Team119

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s assistant coaches met with the media to talk about the first two days of spring practice for Team 119.

SUTTON A NICKEL CANDIDATE

Starting spring practice there are a few questions Tennessee needs to answer on defense. With the departure of Justin Coleman there is an open spot in the Nickel position in the secondary. Coach Martinez and the staff have been looking at a few players that could perform well and consistently at this spot.

“Right now it’s Rashaan Gaulden, Devaun Swafford, and Cameron Sutton,” said Martinez. “Those three guys have been taking the reps and continue to take all the reps this spring and from that we will take the guy that’s the most consistent that makes the most plays it’s obviously proved that last year when our nickel is really good, we have a chance to play really good on defense. It’s an important position for us, so those three guys will be competing for it.”

Sutton has many of the attributes Martinez looks for in a nickel.

“I just want to give Cam the opportunity because one, he’s one of our best playmakers,” said Martinez. “Two he likes it, he wants to do it and that’s also encouraging as a staff and the more that guys can play multiple positions especially the corners the better we are going to be on defense. That doesn’t say that Rashaan we don’t have confidence in him because he’s really doing well. But again you never know too, someone can get hurt and we just want to make sure we are going to be ready for that.”

Having the nickel position locked down and with someone the coaching staff trusts and relies on is a must. The player that takes over this positon also needs to be smart and able to process information well. Sutton is a player Martinez has confidence in as he looks for a replacement to a potential NFL draft pick in Coleman.

“The run game becomes a lot quicker he’s closer to the ball he’s playing against the slot receiver,” said Martinez, “a lot of time in most offenses the slot receiver is the best receiver the guy that’s moving around got tremendous speed and that’s a good match up for him he’s used to it. Just him there the first two days of being around our defense, he’s a smart player, he’s got savvy, he’s got great instincts, and like I said there weren’t many mental mistakes, he feels very comfortable, that is only is going to help us on defense.”

With spring practice just getting underway there is still plenty of time for the coaching staff to make a decision on who they feel fits best in the nickel position.

DEFENSIVE SPEED ON THE RISE

After just two days, defensive coordinator John Jancek has seen a drastic improvement in speed not just at linebacker, but at all defensive positions.

“You’ve got to have those guys, especially defensively with what offenses are doing now with the run-pass option, the linemen are blocking down the field,” Jancek said.” It gets frustrating at times but you’ve got to have guys on the field that can run and make plays for you.”

One of the players that Jancek has been impressed with speed-wise is early-enrollee Shy Tuttle.

“Shy’s an extremely mature young man,” said Jancek. “He’s working extremely hard and he runs well for a young guy at his size.”

When the remaining members of the 2015 signing class arrive on campus in the fall, Jancek is confident that they will be able to learn Tennessee’s defensive system quickly.

“I think our system is very teachable. I think it has a lot of really good rules that those guys, once they get here, are able to just hear the language,” Jancek said. “We can get those guys ready for the first game, I’m pretty confident in that.”​

AZZANNI SEEING MATURITY FROM RECEIVER CORPS

As spring football begins, Coach Zach Azzanni has admired Pig Howard’s continuation of leading by example for the wide receivers.

“He’s so talented and he’s been a good leader because he feels comfortable, he knows what to expect out there,” Azzanni said. “He’s doing well.”

The wide receivers coach also noted his admiration for the improvements Howard has made since Azzanni joined the Vols.

“That’s what happens when you completely start buying in and take care of yourself and live in the film room,” Azzanni said. “He’s night and day different from when I got here.”

Howard is one of three senior wide receivers this season, joined by Johnathon Johnson and Von Pearson. Azzanni appreciates that the three teammates work together as a senior class to set an example for the younger players.

“They can kind of feed off each other and that’s a work in progress,” said Azzanni. “That’s my job as a coach to keep developing them as leaders.”

Another receiver showing improvement during spring football is sophomore Josh Malone, who Azzanni says now knows the expectations of being a Tennessee wide receiver.

“He’s able to correct himself when he knows he made a mistake and come over and say “Hey, did you see that release? I should’ve did this, I should’ve did that.” He’s had a good first couple days,” said Azzanni.”​

THIGPEN PLEASED WITH ATHLETICISM AT LB

At a position that lacked true SEC speed a few years ago, linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen is pleased with the athleticism this current batch of linebackers have displayed through the winter months and into the initial spring practices. With the return of Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the outside, Thigpen has turned his early attention inside to the MIKE linebacker.

“I thought at the end of the season we lost some athleticism at the MIKE,” he said. “This year we need to gain it back.”

One of the moves made toward that end has been the transition of redshirt freshman Dillon Bates from WILL linebacker inside to the MIKE. There, Bates will compete alongside Kenny Bynum — not to mention Jakob Johnson and Darrin Kirkland, Jr. — to grasp the nuances of the centerpiece defensive position.

“The MIKE linebacker has to get everybody lined up,” explained Thigpen. “For the WILL, the keys are a lot different when you’re playing out in space. Then when you’re playing in a MIKE position, just the action is a lot faster … The MIKE is always in the core, and in our system, he’s the guy that’s gotta get all 11 guys lined up.”

Still, the Volunteers expect to have a wealth of team speed at the linebacker position and Thigpen anticipates a healthy dose of competition throughout the spring and into the fall can only enhance the development process.

“With Cortez [McDowell] and Elliot [Berry] at that position now, both those guys can run. Then we’ve got Dillon and Kenny Bynum — he’s dropped three or four percent of his body fat. He’s changed his body and playing a lot faster. What makes guys better at the position is competition.”

BLAIR IMPRESSES EARLY IN SPRING PRACTICE

When Butch Jones received his letter of intent during the 2014 recruiting cycle, junior college transfer Dontavius Blair was expected to be an immediate impact to a depleted offensive line.

The former four-star offensive tackle ended up redshirting during his first year on Rocky Top, following the emergence of former walk-on senior Jacob Gilliam. Now, Blair is looking to impress coaches and show why he should be on the field on gameday.

“In two days, he has really made a lot of progress in the strength gains and conditioning level,” offensive line coach Don Mahoney said on Blair’s progress. “Last year, he was more fighting the practice more than the guys in practice in terms of the technique, the fundamentals and the scheme. He was battling his own physical condition. Now, he is in better shape and is stronger. His sense of urgency is great. We haven’t hit yet, but technically, a lot of the things he has done have impressed me.”

Last year’s offensive line returned zero starters from 2013, resulting in one of the most inexperienced lines in the country. This year, the Vols bring back four of the five starters and will look to improve during these extra spring practices. Blair will be relied on this year by the coaching staff.

“He just has to step up and respond that way,” Mahoney said. “Competition, in general, has been the key for anyone no matter what position or what they do. I think there were guys last year who weren’t to the standard of what this program is all about. Everybody has to step up.”

Although Blair has the size and strength to be a starter, he won’t get it without a fight as freshmen early-enrollees Jack Jones and Chance Hall have quickly shown why they were some of the top-ranked talent in the country.

“I am excited about them,” Mahoney said about his pair of freshmen. “Chance is getting healthier and is increasing his reps. Jack Jones is what we thought all along. He is so athletic and natural in his movements. Once we put pads on, Jack will be able to use another part of his game that is his strong suit with his toughness and mentality. They want to do everything perfect, which freshmen have a tendency to do. I told them they can’t be perfect, and if they make a mistake, make it at full speed and understand so we can correct it the next day and move on. Chance has such a big frame and balance. It is a matter of him getting healthy, but I am impressed with both.”​

SOUND BITES

Here are sound bites from #Team119:

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MIKE DeBORD

»(On being back on the practice field)

“It was the most fun I have had in a long time. It has been great, I love the passion of the players, the excitement. I love what our offensive coaches are doing coaching wise. I have seen a lot of great things these last two days. “

»(On if his saw this future for Butch Jones)

“Without a doubt I did. He always had great passion. Great teacher, great energy. He has always had that. I just knew he had to have opportunities and when he did have opportunities he took off. It didn’t surprise me one bit.”

»(On if anything has surprised him this spring)

“I really believe we are further along than I ever anticipated. What I mean by that is, technique, knowledge, scheme. I have thrown a lot of football at them in just two days and we will continue to add more football as well go. I have been pleasantly surprised how far we are along after just having two practices. Like you said, we are going to find out more when we get in pads, we have to block those moving targets so that is different.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHN JANCEK

»(On being creative with the defense based on injuries)

“You don’t want to be so creative that you’re teaching them things that you’re not going to do. We anticipate getting those guys back. So with the Andrew Butcher’s, the Shy Tuttle’s, we don’t want to teach them something different than what we’re going to do in the fall. You’ve kind of got to bite the bullet a little bit in terms of you know you’re not developing those guys up front and there’s some things that you can probably do scheme-wise, but it’s not going to be how you’re going to function in the fall. So you really would go through and waste the whole spring. We’ve just stayed the course, going to work on the things I know we’re going to implement in the fall, just continuing to get better.”

»(On Curt Maggitt having multiple roles this season)

“His role will be the same. He’s got to get about 18 sacks this year. That’s the only difference. I think that’s good for Curt to be able to do that. It keeps him engaged and he’s smart enough to handle it.”

»(On the lack of healthy linebackers not changing the spring dynamic)

“I’m going to do what we do in the fall so that the Butcher’s, the Shy Tuttle’s, the Kirkland’s, the Kyle Phillips’, all those guys are getting the teaching as best they can. I know those guys are injured but you’d be wasting the whole spring if you said, `Well we don’t have any d-linemen, let’s run a 3-4 scheme,’ and then when the fall hits you’re back to what you would’ve done if you had all the healthy guys. That’s kind of been my approach. We’ve got to be smart. The teaching component has to be what you think you’re going to do in the fall.”

DEFENSIVE LINE COACH STEVE STRIPLING

»(On Dimarya Mixon moving to defensive end)

“I think it is going to take him a little while mentally because it is a lot different game out there. There is a lot more responsibility for those guys. He was in doing extra work today with Coach Stewart. So I think it is a little bit more of a mental process than it is a physical. He cut weight. He is quick. He has good hands. I think it is more mental.”

»(On practice with a small amount of defensive linemen healthy)

“You have to get real creative. To be honest, I think I am going at a little slower pace. When you have more bodies you are rapid fire machine guns. The positive part of that is you can slow down and coach a little bit. Shy Tuttle is getting some detailed coaching right now. It is all good.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH WILLIE MARTINEZ

»(On having now experienced safeties, LaDarrell McNeil and Brian Randolph and what that does for the team overall)

“What it does it helps your entire football team. Those guys are like coaches now so when something is being said and its being coach up, they are actually beating me to it. From a leadership standpoint it’s unbelievable it really is that’s what it does. That’s why I’m talking about that competition you never can get enough experience and they’ve got that, they’ve got great leadership qualities and they are like coaches on the field and you have to be that way to be defense now. As fast as the offenses are you have to be really smart at processing stuff and that’s where you get the advantage of having guys like Brian and Jalen Reeves-Maybin who makes the calls.”

»(On long athletic players at cornerback)

“You have to have guys that are long. Emmanuel Moseley is long, long arms tall. He made some plays last year strictly from his arm length and his speed that he made plays. That’s a big part of it, recruiting is always going to be at the end of the day about players and he did a nice job at doing that but you look at all the guys now, Rashaan, Cam’s long, and Emmanuel. We have recruited Justin Martin and Micah Abernathy, long guys that can run. You have to do that to be able to match up on these receivers that are tall also.”

»(On spring practice)

“Spring is an opportunity to showcase who you are, who we are and what we’re about. We talk about style of play on both sides of ball, even with special teams every single day. We just have to embrace those roles whatever they are. Each player knowing their role on the team and everybody has a role. Everybody’s important to this team.”

PASSING GAME COORDINATOR / WIDE RECEIVERS COACH ZACH AZZANNI

»(On Josh Smith and Marquez North’s improvements)

“Marquez has been just doing some individual routes. He hasn’t been doing any team stuff. I just don’t need him to get hit yet. He’s just not fully right there yet. He hasn’t been in there in those situations, but Josh has. He’s done everything, knocking the rust off. I’d lie to you if I said he’s a finished product right now. He’s got a long way to go, a lot of technique issues. He has not picked up where he left off in Oklahoma. I expect him to, he just needs more practice.”

»(On Johnathon Johnson)

“I love Johnathon Johnson. He’s a heck of a player. When people come out there they always go, “My gosh who is 81?” He always gets overlooked. Maybe that’s because he could walk under this table but he’s been awesome. Being a senior, he knows what to do now. He’s everything I’m looking for except he’s not 6’5. He’s tough, he’s a great leader, he knows the whole offense inside and out. He’s been nothing but great. He’s getting better, too.”

TIGHT ENDS COACH / SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR MARK ELDER

»(On tight end Neiko Creamer)

“He moved in to the tight end position after all the install had occurred during camp last year. He missed a lot of that. So this is really the first time he is taking it from day one and moving forward. You see a lot of talent from Neiko. He is still a work in progress as far as taking what we are doing in skill development and practice and taking that to a group setting and being able to execute and understand every little bit of it. You see a great promise as far as his future. He is very athletic, he is willing to be physical he is a strong young man. So I think he has a bright future.”

OFFENSIVE LINE COACH DON MAHONEY

»(On guys who are standing out)

“Kyler Kerbyson, Mack Crowder and Marcus Jackson have all been steady with everything from lifting to meetings to leadership. Those three in particular, but Jashon Robertson has really grown up a lot. He is being more vocal in practice. He is putting the ball in his hand. I told him that he can’t be just a guy who plays guard. He has to have value at center, and he has responded to that. As we progress through spring, he is going to keep getting put into that situation.”

»(On Mike DeBord on staff)

“Yesterday was a tremendous day. We practiced on Tuesday, and then we came in yesterday to watch film. O-line guys are different in nature in a lot of ways, but it is fun to watch film with him because we can relate on so much. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t say enough about him. I worked with coach [Mike Bajakian] for eight years, and our working relationship was outstanding as well, but this is just a different approach to things. I love that he has the background of O-Line.”

LINEBACKERS COACH TOMMY THIGPEN

» (On the development of Dillon Bates at MIKE linebacker)

“I like him. He’s really picked his game up. He comes in every single day and is talking football. I’m surprised at what he knows right now considering he was an outside linebacker last year and he never played the position. But he’s taking a lot of pride in it. He’s coming in every single day. I thought today he had a really good day. So he’s going to be able to compete. I think right now it’s a job between he and Kenny Bynum and he’s got a lot of athleticism, a lot of savvy out there. So I’m very pleased on Day 2 where Dillon Bates is at.”

»(On the pursuit of depth at MIKE linebacker)

“We lost players last year and we had Kenny at the MIKE but we didn’t have any depth at that position. So, to me, it’s the best way to get [Bates] on the field. With [Jalen] Reeves-Maybin out there, you know him being the WILL linebacker and us playing so much two-linebacker schemes with the nickel, you want to get your fastest player on the football field. Reeves-Maybin has done a really good job playing the cover down at WILL linebacker and we need a MIKE that is more athletic and vocal.”