Butch Jones praises defense, quarterbacks, but frustrated over fumbles
In shoulder pads for the first time in camp, Tennessee upped the intensity Tuesday night on Day 3 of preseason practice. Butch Jones was pleased with his team’s overall energy and mindset, saying, “I thought we had a really productive day — probably the best practice No. 3 we’ve had, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Jones was happy with the play of his defense, specifically noting how they swarmed and “hunted the ball.”
Early in camp, Tennessee has focused heavily on Maxim 1 drills, with the entire defense working on different fumble-strip drills.
“I really liked the way our defense swarmed to the football today,” Jones said. “Them hunting the ball and the ball disruptions. But as an offense, we had way too many turnovers, way too many balls on the ground. You’re note going to win very many games turning the football over.”
The issue Tuesday was fumbles. Whether it was running backs or receivers, Tennessee laid the ball on the ground multiple times during its closed 11-on-11 sessions. Jones actually complemented the quarterbacks, saying both Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano did well handling the different situational challenges in practice.
“I thought our quarterbacks did a pretty good job of managing offense and taking care of the football. It’s really the first time that they’ve been exposed to situational football in terms of third-down, first-down, and then we had some field position third-down type things where we forced them to take care of the football and make great decisions,” he said. “I thought our quarterbacks stepped up and made some plays, just too many balls on the ground.”
After three days of practice, Jones was asked what he’s learned most about his team thus far in camp, and Tennessee’s fifth-year coach skillfully side-stepped the question, saying Wednesday would be “a great gauge.”
“We had a very productive night tonight. Now we’re going to get up in the morning, we have to lift, then we have summer school, and then we have the same type of practice. Can we bring it with that same effort and intensity that we had tonight?” Jones said, rhetorically.
“I think that’s going to a challenge for our football team.”
SMITH SETTLING IN AT RG
Tennessee’s blue-chip freshman Trey Smith has “settled in at guard,” according to coach Butch Jones.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound newcomer from Jackson (Tenn.) spent time at both guard and tackle during spring practice, but the early enrollee has found a home at right guard at the start of fall camp. Smith is projected to be a first-teamer for the Vols when they take the field against Georgia Tech on Sept. 4, but Jones still did his best to temper expectations for Tennessee’s top signee in its 2017 class.
“I think we have to be careful,” Jones said. “He’s never played one down of college football. Even us as coaches, we have to step back. He’s still a true freshman.
"We (have) to make sure that we don’t put too much expectations on him early. He’s competing for a job every single day. That’s what I really like about this offensive line room.”
HALL UPDATE
Jones said junior offensive tackle Chance Hall returned to Knoxville after seeking a second opinion on his knee out of town. The 6-foot-4, 316-pound right tackle has battled a pair of knee injuries over the last year. Hall underwent a procedure last August that caused him to miss the first month of the 2016 season. He returned to later start six straight games before reaggravating the injury.
“We’ll know a little big more soon,” Jones said. “I should have an update here in the next couple of days of where he’s at in our plans.”
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