Nov. 25, 2015
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The day before families gather around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones spoke about what he and the Vols are thankful for.
“It’s a time to reflect and we have so much to be thankful and grateful for in really the resiliency and resolve that this football team has shown, the growing of this football team and the growing of this football program,” he said. “I’m very indebted to all of those individuals along the way.”
He shared his appreciation for the 19 seniors who will be honored beforeSaturday’s game against Vanderbilt and run through the T at Neyland Stadium for one final time. , young men who grew with the program in Jones’ three years.
“They have left behind a great example of resolve, resiliency, sticking to a commitment, sudden change,” he said. “All of these individuals that will be recognized on Saturday, they are Vols for Life and they have meant so much to us and our football program. We always talk about how everything is how you leave a program. Do you leave a program better because you were a part of that? Were you part of the building process? You are either part of the problem or you are part of the solution. And they have been part of the solution.”
Jones opened Wednesday’s press conference by wishing the media a Happy Thanksgiving.
“The first and most important thing is I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving,” Jones said. “I appreciate all that you do for Tennessee football and the great fanbase. So thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.”
The team will practice on Thanksgiving morning with a team breakfast before doing its Thursday routine and ending early for the holiday. UT’s team chemistry has grown stronger as the season has progressed and Jones said that every chance the team can be together is important.
Some of the Knoxville natives on the team will host teammates for Thanksgiving, adding to the sense of family that has resonated throughout the program.
“I know with my mom and with all of the other local moms, they don’t care about fixing a little bit more food,” senior Kyler Kerbyson said. “It might be a lot more food depending on who you invite. They definitely don’t mind. It’s all about family and bringing those guys in that need some support on Thanksgiving.”
The Jones family will be one of the local families hosting Vols for the holiday as well.
“After we leave the Anderson Training Center, I’m kind of taking the coach hat off and being a dad and having Alex have some of his teammates over to our house as well,” Jones said.
When asked about his favorite Thanksgiving dishes, Jones happily listed everything that will be on his plate tomorrow.
“I’m kind of a traditionalist, but instead of turkey, I’ll go with the ham, the honey-baked ham,” he said. “That’s kind of a specialty. The corn, the stuffing, the potatoes, the carrots and you can’t forget the warm, hot rolls that come out of the oven.”
SOUND BITES
Offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson
(On the heavy running game)
“I wasn’t expecting to be running the ball this much, with the huge numbers. I knew we were going to be a good running team, and we were shooting for a 1,000 yard running back. This much emphasis on the run game has definitely been a good surprise.”
(On how close is this team to turning the corner)
“We are very close to turning a corner in our game, we turned the corner of making bowl game, we turned the corner of getting 8 or 9 wins. Next year we are looking for an SEC championship and top ranking.”
Wide receiver Josh Malone
(On what to expect from the receiving corps next season)
“I think we’re capable of big things. We’ve just got to get on the field and keep proving it each and every week, just take advantage of opportunities.”
(On his happiness for the seniors)
“I’m definitely happy. They’ve been through a lot for the program with a lot of different coaching changes, different weight programs, and different coaching structures. I’m very happy that we get to send them off in the right way.”
BUTCH JONES TRANSCRIPT
(Opening Statement)
“The first and most important thing is, I’d like to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. I appreciate all that you do for Tennessee football and our great fan base. Thank you and happy thanksgiving.”
(On how much Darrin Kirkland Jr. has improved this season)
“It’s been very important and very well needed. As we continue to grow our defense and grow our football program. In terms of the overall development of Darrin, it’s been a process game in and game out, every practice. The rewarding thing is you can see him getting better each and every practice, each and every game. The game has slowed down for him. He’s done a much better job with his eye-discipline, limiting his mental errors. As we all know he’s a very gifted and talented football player. He can play sideline-to-sideline, but what separates great football players, going from good to great are the instincts, the things that you can’t coach. The ability, the knack to find the football, those little things and Darrin does those little things. Now it’s the overall discipline, understanding the scheme, lining up and making the calls for us, and that’s very difficult for a true freshman. If you recall, he did not have spring football, he was injured. Everything he has brought to the table, he’s consistently developed and improved his skill set. I’m very proud of him and how far he’s come. Also, the mentoring that our older players, starting with Jalen Reeves-Maybin and everyone around him, the mentoring the guiding that they provided for him as well.”
(On Vanderbilt’s quarterback and running back)
“I said it on Monday, the more video you watch, the more video evidence you have, Ralph Webb is one of the best running back’s we have in the conference. I know he means everything to them offensively. He gets the ball north and south, he can jump-cut on a dime. He runs with energy, he runs with passion, he runs with very good pad level. He’s done a really good job that way. It’s going to take us getting everyone to the football and tackling him, because he can break arm tackles and he can score at any point on the field. (QB Kyle) Shurmur continues to grow and develop, they do some good things with him in terms of west coast pass concepts in rhythm and timing in the throw game. We understand they are going to challenge us deep, they are going to have some big, explosive plays. The thing for us is we have to stay focused we have to have great eye-discipline. That’s going to be a challenge, and we can’t come out of coverage. You can see him getting better every game as well.”
(On Tennessee’s seniors)
“First of all, they’ve left behind a great example of resolve or resiliency, sticking to a commitment, sudden change. You look at what they’ve experienced over the course of time in their Tennessee football careers. They’ve seen many come and go before them, but just the stick it out. But also to have that leadership role and take pride in really being a “Vol for Life.” All these individuals that will be recognized Saturday will they’re “Vols for Life” and they’ve meant so much to us, our football program. We always talk about how you leave a program. Do you leave a program better because you were a part of it, part of the building process. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution and they’ve been part of the solution. The other thing is a work ethic, a capacity for work. We have a number of offensive linemen, and it started with Kyler Kerbyson, where now in between offensive series he turns and he sprints. He goes from the end of the play turns and sprints to the sideline, touches it and sprints back to get extra conditioning. All of a sudden when the younger players start to see the older players doing that it makes them want to do it as well. It permeates throughout the course of your football team and that’s what they’ve been able to do for us. In terms of emotion and all of that…you can never be emotionally high-jacked, and these players haven’t been. It’s been focus on the things we need to do to win the football game. They haven’t really gone back down memory lane. That’s for February, that’s for March, that’s for down the road. Focus on the task at hand. One thing you can never get back is time, and every time we go out on the practice field, every time we are together as a football team is very critical.”
(On the team’s upcoming schedule and his favorite Thanksgiving Day food)
“First our schedule, we will practice in the morning, and so we will have team breakfast mid-morning and do our typical Thursday. In terms of a rhythm or routine, that won’t be interrupted that won’t change. We’ll get done a little bit earlier so our player can get together. I have some family coming in from out of town, we’ll have players over to our house. A lot of our players are going to their teammates houses. Some may venture home if they are within a proximity that we allow. We really like to keep them here to stay focused and watch football, and have a lot to be thankful and grateful for. ”
“In terms of the ‘go-to-dish’ I’m kind of a traditionalist, but instead of turkey, I’ll go with ham, the honey baked ham. That’s kind of a specialty. The corn, the stuffing, the potatoes, the carrots, and you can’t forget warm hot rolls that come out of the oven. I’m kind of a traditionalist, but it’s time to reflect and we have so much to be thankful and grateful for and really the resiliency and resolve that this football team has shown and the growing of this football team and the growing of this football program. I’m very indebted to all of those individuals along the way.”
(On Marquez North)
“Marquez North will be a game-time decision. Jauan Jennings will practice today. We’re going to practice in Neyland Stadium today. We’ll also have senior tackle today, so it’s a very special day for us. We anticipate everyone being available. We’ll know a little bit more on Marquez by game time. I’ll know a little bit more after practice with Jauan, but he will practice today.”
(On Jauan Jennings’ injury)
“It’s been a thigh. Just took a helmet there. He’s done a great job in terms of getting it back, and as we all know, he’s as competitive as anyone we have on our football team, so I’ll know a little bit more later today. He went through some of practice yesterday, but he’ll go through the entire practice today.”
(On what makes Kyler Kerbyson so good and connecting with teammates)
“First of all, the shared experiences. The experiences he’s had on our football program. The ability to communicate. He’s very down to earth. He’s very approachable and he’s a true team player. He wants everyone to do well. He wants Tennessee football to do well. He’s very willing to give his opinion. It’s all about performing and winning football games, and winning in the classroom and that’s what he exemplifies. He’s basically seen anything and everything you can see. So he’s a wealth of experience, he’s a wealth of knowledge for these individuals. He’s one that really has worked on his technique. He’s worked on his craft every day. He’s very cerebral. He understands the schemes. He understands what the defense is trying to do, and as a younger player that probably the biggest challenge. You’re trying to understand your schemes and your technique, and a lot of time the football intelligence becomes second to understanding the power of “why”. Why are they trying to do that, how are they attacking us? That’s where Kyler has really elevated his game.”
(On having Jashon Robertson back and what he brings up front)
“Experience. He’s played a lot of football games for us. He plays with very, very good leverage and has the ability to sustain blocks. You know, unfortunately for him, it’s been one of those years where it’s been one injury after another but that’s the first time he made it through an entire game. And he has practice this week. So it’s been great to have him back and I know our players have welcomed him back as well, which has been great. But again, the entire offensive line, all the individuals that have played and are going to play, they’ve all contributed to the recent success of running the football and protecting the quarterback.”
(On players transitioning into student-coach roles)
“Well, Elliott [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Berry] is still a football player. He has had a knee injury and so he’s going to have a scope done after finals. We wanted him to finish strong, in terms of finals. He’ll have a scope, it’ll be about a six week process and then he’ll be back. He’ll be better and he’ll be stronger. Elliott is a very intelligent football player, so anytime we can get him helping, that’s critical. Obviously, we’ve talked about Devaun Swafford and the same thing with Trevarris Saulsberry. Those two individuals, their careers were interrupted with injuries and it was very unfortunate. But they’ve still made a mark in our program and they still have helped develop our football program.”
(On whether practicing at Neyland provides an early look at the turf)
“Don’t read into it. No.”
(On the local football players’ families welcoming out-of-town athletes during the holidays)
“You bring up a good point and that is [important], with the families in the immediate area. We told them this when we recruited their sons; you’re going to become parents, second parents and third parents to a lot of these individuals from different states and different parts of the state of Tennessee and you’ll enjoy it. You’ll enjoy them coming to your house. You’ll enjoy the players coming over and you’ll have a special part of it. They’ve done that and they’ve done a great job of having our players over and I’m kind of looking forward to after we leave the Anderson Training Center, kind of taking the coach hat off and being dad and having Alex have some of his teammates over to our house, as well. Those families have meant a lot.
“In terms of getting into the stadium, it’s senior hit day and it’s very fitting that we would do it in Neyland Stadium. Again, it’s very special to play in that great arena, that historic venue, just to be able to get in there and be able to compete in practice.”
(On whether Senior Day was recently moved to Neyland Stadium)
“No, we’ve held Senior Day in there the past couple of years.
“Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and have a great weekend.”
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