Vols hoping for health at linebacker
Tennessee's mantra through seven games has, 'been next man up'. It's a mantra that applies to almost every position on the field, but none more than linebacker.
The Vols lost middle linebacker Darin Kirkland, Jr. in the second half of the Virginia Tech game. A week later they lost Jalen Reeves-Maybin for the year. In that same Ohio game, back up outside linebacker Quarte Sapp tore his ACL. Three games later they lost Cortez McDowell to a concussion. The result was Tennessee was playing its fourth team outside linebacker in Elliott Berry.
“It happens. That's part of the game of football,” linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen said. “If you play it long enough someone is going to get hurt. Unfortunately, this year. it's been a multitude of injuries and it's next guy up. DK has been down and hopefully this week gives him a chance to get back. Reeves-Maybin is out for the season, we lost Sapp. Injuries happen and you just have to get guys ready at each position so that if they have to go out there they are prepared.
“Guys understand in the room they have high expectations regardless of whether you are the third, fourth or fifth guy. Guys have to be prepared when their number is called.”
In a game and a half of action, Berry has recorded 16 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss. With Kirkland sidelined for the last five games, Colton Jumper has become the anchor in the middle. Jumper has 42 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Thigpen said he was pleased with Jumper's leadership in the middle.
“Colton Jumper has played the whole season. Out of 500 and something reps this season, he has played over 400 of them. So really he has played all year. As far as getting our defensive line and guys in position to play he has done a tremendous job.”
For Thigpen, this week on the practice field has been about growth for his young linebackers who have been learning on the fly in the SEC.
“You hit it right on the head. If it's a pass drop. If it's rip and run footwork, if it's a re-route. One thing we lost touch with last week when the game was kind of out of reach was the fundamentals went to waste,” Thigpen offered. “One of the things we are harping on this week is when things are going well or they are going bad you always have to go back to those fundamentals. And then get some guys healed. This week gives them time to get well and extra time in the training room. But like you said going back to the basics of tackling, mental errors, little things that can help you be successful in the coming weeks.”
When it comes to health, the obvious question is can Kirkland get healthy. There's optimism that he can be back in two weeks and if he does then he will join Jumper on the field in a line up that Thigpen likes the thoughts of having.
“Got two really smart players and that's kind of the creed of the room. If you are smart and tough then you can play for us. Both of those guys have proven they can operate on a high level of intellect on the football field,” Thigpen offered. “Both of them can play in space and both of them have a lot of really good fundamentals. The fact that both of them have a chance to be healthy in the future gives us a chance in the upcoming games.”
Even though both are “middle linebackers” Thigpen said the inside and outside linebacker jobs particularly in their nickel package is very similar.
“If you go with a 2x2 formation one is outside the box. If you go 3x1 formation then the MIKE is outside the box. Both those guy's jobs are the same, it's just based on the formation you give them. So the jobs are the same,” Thigpen explained. “Sometimes the run fits are a little different, but the rules are the same for them. They understand the big picture of where everyone is supposed to be. That's the good thing about Colten and DK on the field at the same time. It's the communication part. You have another mouth that can speak with the safeties and the corners and a MIKE linebacker that can talk to the interior.”
BITULI DEVELOPING NICELY
With Jumper staying healthy, Tennessee hasn't had to go beyond their second team in the middle. And while Daniel Bituli isn't playing snaps in the middle outside of some goal line work, the freshman is developing nicely and is to the point that Thigpen would like to get the newcomer on the field more.
“He's big and strong. If you watch him, he looks like the kid Jarrad Davis at Florida. Kind of the same body type. Long arms and is very, very strong as a young guy and he runs really well. I look at him as the future at the MIKE linebacker for us. He takes a lot of pride in what he does. He embraces whatever role he's given. Our saying is you get what you deserve and he deserves to be on the field. Next week we are looking to play him some more at MIKE, probably 20-25 plays against South Carolina,” Thigpen said.