Butch Jones 'starting to relax,' Gillespie talks Ty Chandler, more

Much has been made about Butch Jones lack of microphone use this spring. The normally loud and demonstrative Jones has been much more laid back through three weeks of spring practice. According to players, that has led to a more productive team and a group that is following their coaches lead.

"Coach Jones is starting to relax a lot," Justin Martin said. "The team takes the vibe of the heat coach because that's just how it is. So coach Jones is starting to get looser and starting to relax a little bit more. I think that is opening everyone up."

Martin, speaking with the media for the first time in his Tennessee career, recognized that he is getting more faith from the coaching staff as they show him trust. He is very much taking the chance he has been afforded and defending it to the best of his ability. He's also showing more maturity with the belief that this team is in a better spot.

"Communication is a major key," Martin said. "That goes for everybody. There was a lot of behind the scenes drama with people not communicating. You don’t ever want to just hold stuffing because when you hold stuff in eventually you’ll explode and that’s never good. I feel like a big piece is communication, everybody getting around each other. If a problem occurs we address the situation immediately and move on about our business."

And Martin and other teammates can sense and see the difference with the camaraderie amongst each other. It's not just on the field or off the field.

"Everywhere," Martin said. "On the practice field. Inside the meetings. I think we are a real close group together. It's not anybody on the team that is separated. We all hang out outside of football. I just think we are close."

GILLESPIE TALKS INCOMING 'BACKS

Tennessee must replace the production left by Alvin Kamara (and even Jalen Hurd) next fall, so position coach Robert Gillespie is doing everything he can to make sure the Vols' three incoming freshmen running backs will be ready to roll when they hit campus this summer.

While junior tailback John Kelly is Tennessee's anointed starter, the Vols will need a rookie or two to step up with legitimate depth concerns at the position.

"You have to recreate yourself, that's why we go out and recruit," Gillespie said.

"I think Ty Chandler is a helluva football player. He's going to come in here and be ready to play. Trey Coleman. First time I've been able to say their names. But Trey Coleman, Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan, those guys are going to come in and be ready to play. We need them."

Kelly has been a dynamo this spring, but Gillespie has had to be careful managing his reps with just two scholarship tailbacks currently on campus.

"We've just got to be smart about it," he said.

Meanwhile, the Vols runnings backs coach is prepping Chandler, Coleman and Jordan on a daily basis, going over film of the previous practice so they'll be comfortable with the playbook.

"We talk football almost everyday. So the same install that these guys just did, we're going to go watch that with those guys tonight," Gillespie explained.

"Technology is something special with Skype and all that. Those guys will know the offense and be ready to play."

QUOTABLE

Defensive end Jonathan Kongbo offered up some praise for freshman offensive tackle Trey Smith on Thursday after the two had a nice, competitive battle during the practice's "Circle of Life" drill.

"Trey Smith is very impressive. He came in here and just put his head down. I've got a lot of respect for him," Kongbo said.

"Everyday, we push each other to get better. There are times he gets me, and there are times I get him. He doesn't look like a freshman or seem like a freshman."

THIS & THAT

Gillespie praise Kamara and wished him future pro the best. He said AK "had a long road to get here," but "has his best football ahead of him." ... Despite being dinged up recently, Carlin Fils-Aime has had "a really good spring," per Gillespie.

"This spring is like John Kelly's spring last year. You guys really weren't asking about John Kelly a lot. John had to prove he was a guy who could play meaningful snaps. ... Same spot Carlin is in."