Quick HiTs: Jones flips the script

An animated Butch Jones stomped across Haslam Field and quickly put his Tennessee football team through "sudden change" Wednesday afternoon.

Angered by what he deemed his team's lack of readiness, Jones switched from some goal-line team work in what was period one on the Vols' practice script straight into period 11.

"We're not ready to practice today," Jones barked. "You know what happens, coaches, when you're not ready to go? You're going to get punched in the mouth."

Prior to that point, the Vols had gotten some quick and very lively work around the goal line. Freshman starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs hit Johnathon Johnson in the right corner of the end zone for a two-point conversion in which Marlin Lane was the tailback lined up alongside Dobbs.

A.J. Branisel also snagged a pass in the end zone on a well-designed and executed play, but neither the first- or second-team offense could get anything going on what Jones deemed were third-and-goal situations from the 5-yard line. Both Dobbs and Nathan Peterman fired incomplete passes in that setting, prompting Jones to flip the script.

Jones also has continued to forge his relationship with former Vol and perpetual fan favorite Inky Johnson, who has been helping to inspire and motivate the Vols in advance of the Auburn showdown.

Beyond that, Jones had earlier opened practice with a number of verbal challenges and appeared to be one of his more animated sessions as he sought to ratchet up the level of readiness in this season's last big game.

The Vols overall continued to look relatively healthy.

Assistant coaches will greet the media this evening, and VolQuest.com will have full coverage of their comments, including stories featuring offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian's take on the quarterback position and Dobbs specifically while we get John Jancek's thoughts on facing Auburn's dangerous spread. Thursday means Brent Hubbs' weekly column, some hoops coverage and, of course, the evening's finale with the War Room.