BRENT’S TAKE:
After a week off, the Vols returned to the practice field Tuesday afternoon in full gear and without their two studs.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin is out with a shoulder injury and will be the rest of spring so that means a lot of reps for Q. Sapp and C. McDowell. I'm expecting that Sapp gets a ton of work in JRM's spot.
Defensively there was plenty of work on tackling. Tennessee has new padded tires they use to help with open field tackling. It's clearly an early emphasis this spring from defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Both Austin Smith and Darrell Taylor jump out when you see them working in drills. Hard to imagine that those two can't play.
On the offensive line it was about going fast for line coach Don Mahoney who was working at break neck pace with his linemen. The result was veterans helping coach younger players like Drew Richmond, Charles Mosley, and Venzell Boulware.
Tight ends coach Larry Scott worked a lot of leverage drills with his tight ends. Scott worked with tight ends and offensive tackles.
In the passing game, Preston Williams and Jauan Jennings continue to show themselves well along with veteran Josh Smith.
I will also say this: I've seen enough of Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd. I would have no problem with those two being shut down.
JOHN’S TAKES:
Bob Shoop and Willie Martinez worked extensively with the Vols’ defensive backs, with Martinez focusing intently on helping the defensive backs get more cleanly into their backpedal breaks. It was interesting also to watch Cam Sutton in these drills, as he was definitely a player-coach as well.
Elsewhere on the defense, the Vols began to rep other guys to get ready for Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s absence the remainder of spring. Quarte’ Sapp already had been generating some positive buzz this spring and this situation will give him a chance to enhance that chatter. Additionally, Cortez McDowell can make a move. Colton Jumper remains the backup to Darrin Kirkland Jr. at Mike ‘backer.
Offensively, the Vols up front continued to work combo blocks and other elements. Drew Richmond has shown much better progress and the ability to work through mistakes and keep going, all elements of Richmond’s maturity.
Alvin Kamara looks good, naturally, and John Kelly is making an impression this spring.
As Hubbs notes, Kamara and Jalen Hurd are like Sutton and Reeves-Maybin: plenty proven.
Preston Williams is just hitting another gear; it’s amazing to see his continued development and frankly just how far he has progressed.
AUSTIN’S TAKES:
It was a different feel on the practice field today with Jalen Reeves Maybin, Jalen Hurd joining others on the DNP (Did Not Practice) list. I thought, both Jauan Jennings and Preston Williams looked solid again for a fourth straight practice.Vincent Perry struggled to find the ball in the sun a few times and had some drops. Butch Jones was very much in his ear with both coaching and encouragement. I didn't feel like Josh Dobbs had his most accurate day during the open periods. Defensively, the Vols were clean in the five periods we were able to watch.
PAUL’S TAKES:
Tennessee returned to the practice Tuesday and they seemed to be pretty focused on the task at hand as things ran smoothly through the early viewing periods we were able to watch.
So, what caught my eye? Preston Williams seemed to pick up where he left off as he was looking to lead the receiver position and continued to catch the ball well. The quarterbacks still aren't as crisp as you'd like especially as they tried to throw certain routes deeper down the field.
On the defensive side of the ball I'll be interested to see what Bob Shoop says about Stephen Griffin on Thursday. He has praised him on the practice field here recently and I think he likes the work he's done so far at safety.
On the recruiting trail, 2018 offensive lineman Max Wray was on campus as were some other recruits.
After a week off, the Vols returned to the practice field Tuesday afternoon in full gear and without their two studs.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin is out with a shoulder injury and will be the rest of spring so that means a lot of reps for Q. Sapp and C. McDowell. I'm expecting that Sapp gets a ton of work in JRM's spot.
Defensively there was plenty of work on tackling. Tennessee has new padded tires they use to help with open field tackling. It's clearly an early emphasis this spring from defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. Both Austin Smith and Darrell Taylor jump out when you see them working in drills. Hard to imagine that those two can't play.
On the offensive line it was about going fast for line coach Don Mahoney who was working at break neck pace with his linemen. The result was veterans helping coach younger players like Drew Richmond, Charles Mosley, and Venzell Boulware.
Tight ends coach Larry Scott worked a lot of leverage drills with his tight ends. Scott worked with tight ends and offensive tackles.
In the passing game, Preston Williams and Jauan Jennings continue to show themselves well along with veteran Josh Smith.
I will also say this: I've seen enough of Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd. I would have no problem with those two being shut down.
JOHN’S TAKES:
Bob Shoop and Willie Martinez worked extensively with the Vols’ defensive backs, with Martinez focusing intently on helping the defensive backs get more cleanly into their backpedal breaks. It was interesting also to watch Cam Sutton in these drills, as he was definitely a player-coach as well.
Elsewhere on the defense, the Vols began to rep other guys to get ready for Jalen Reeves-Maybin’s absence the remainder of spring. Quarte’ Sapp already had been generating some positive buzz this spring and this situation will give him a chance to enhance that chatter. Additionally, Cortez McDowell can make a move. Colton Jumper remains the backup to Darrin Kirkland Jr. at Mike ‘backer.
Offensively, the Vols up front continued to work combo blocks and other elements. Drew Richmond has shown much better progress and the ability to work through mistakes and keep going, all elements of Richmond’s maturity.
Alvin Kamara looks good, naturally, and John Kelly is making an impression this spring.
As Hubbs notes, Kamara and Jalen Hurd are like Sutton and Reeves-Maybin: plenty proven.
Preston Williams is just hitting another gear; it’s amazing to see his continued development and frankly just how far he has progressed.
AUSTIN’S TAKES:
It was a different feel on the practice field today with Jalen Reeves Maybin, Jalen Hurd joining others on the DNP (Did Not Practice) list. I thought, both Jauan Jennings and Preston Williams looked solid again for a fourth straight practice.Vincent Perry struggled to find the ball in the sun a few times and had some drops. Butch Jones was very much in his ear with both coaching and encouragement. I didn't feel like Josh Dobbs had his most accurate day during the open periods. Defensively, the Vols were clean in the five periods we were able to watch.
PAUL’S TAKES:
Tennessee returned to the practice Tuesday and they seemed to be pretty focused on the task at hand as things ran smoothly through the early viewing periods we were able to watch.
So, what caught my eye? Preston Williams seemed to pick up where he left off as he was looking to lead the receiver position and continued to catch the ball well. The quarterbacks still aren't as crisp as you'd like especially as they tried to throw certain routes deeper down the field.
On the defensive side of the ball I'll be interested to see what Bob Shoop says about Stephen Griffin on Thursday. He has praised him on the practice field here recently and I think he likes the work he's done so far at safety.
On the recruiting trail, 2018 offensive lineman Max Wray was on campus as were some other recruits.
