Category Archives: Today on Gameday

Worth reading 8.6.18: Vols early practice insights

There’s a TON of stuff to sort through this Monday morning, what with multiple practices and a Fan Day taking place over the weekend. Much of the best and most important stuff (insights and observations from the media) is fortified behind the moats and turrets of the paywalls. Fortunately, the always-credentialed Vince Ferrara is a friend in times of trouble and unafraid to mingle with we peasants. So . . .

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from WNML’s Vince Ferrara:

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Tennessee Vols coordinators Tyson Helton, Kevin Sherrer plan to collaborate on play-calling, via 247Sports. Hidden in this piece is confirmation that Helton did call plays for Brohm at Western Kentucky. However, if you’re a bit twitchy about the idea of “collaborating” on play-calling, you’re not alone.
  2. Vols quarterback competition good bad, via 247Sports. Word is that Guarantano looks like the early leader in the QB battle.
  3. Candid Shy Tuttle hoping to change frustrating Tennessee career, via 247Sports. I’m guessing Tuttle is not the first person to use a profanity to describe last season.
  4. Vols Alabama transfer Brandon Kennedy knows how to win, via 247Sports
  5. Jeremy Pruitt says learning multiple positions ‘important’ for OL, via 247Sports
  6. Maleik Gray has ‘some size and has some speed’ for Vols at WR, via 247Sports
  7. Vols Jordan Allen surprise visit from mom Lisa, via 247Sports. This is the mom who reportedly laid into Pruitt on first contact, but is now all-in.
  8. Who’s New? Tennessee Running Backs, via Gameday on Rocky Top
  9. Which of the Vols’ offensive players MUST remain healthy in 2018?, via Gameday on Rocky Top
  10. VOLS CAMP REPORT: BITULI, SAPP ENCOURAGED BY COMPETITION AT LINEBACKER – University of Tennessee, via UTSports
  11. VOLS CAMP REPORT: New Era of Tennessee Football Gets Underway – University of Tennessee, via UTSports

Behind the paywalls

  • Takeaways Tennessee Vols open practice, via 247Sports
  • Observations from Tennessee’s open practice, via VolQuest
  • Vols open practice standout players, via 247Sports
  • What we learned on Day 1 of Tennessee camp under Jeremy Pruitt, via The Athletic
  • Solitude and single-mindedness: What went into the Jeremy Pruitt-Tennessee match, via The Athletic
  • Charting every throw from Keller Chryst and Jarrett Guarantano, via The Athletic

Worth watching 8.3.18: Chris Rumph, preaching all the right things

If you only watch one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it Chris Rumph, preaching it:

The official day’s video from the school:


Jeremy Pruitt’s comments to the media yesterday:

And here’s more from Rumph:

And Tyson Helton:

And Kevin Sherrer:

Worth reading 8.3.18: The entire Trey Smith story, plus pre-practice news

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from ESPN’s Chris Low:

Yes, that Smith has been treated for blood clots and is anticipated to be back this fall has already been reported, but this is a more in-depth look at what and how it all happened, with some great perspective directly from Smith and those closest to him. Definitely worth the read even a day or two after the “news.”

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Who’s New? Tennessee Quarterbacks, via GRT’s Brad Shepard
  2. 10 Questions for 2018: Cornerback, via GRT’s Will Shelton
  3. Pruitt Stresses Discipline as Fall Practice Begins Friday – University of Tennessee, via UTSports
  4. Vols football roster update on height/weight changes and position production, via WNML. Chris Rumph called this “unbelievable,” and I agree.
  5. Tennessee Vols handling ‘four-man competition’ at quarterback like ‘any other position’, via 247Sports
  6. Versatile Vol Alontae Taylor opening preseason camp on defense, via 247Sports
  7. Tennessee Vols football: OL Trey Smith’s position to be ‘based upon need’, via 247Sports
  8. Todd Kelly Jr. full go Jauan Jennings limited Vols preseason camp, via 247Sports
  9. Tennessee’s Chance Hall cleared to return from knee injury, via 247Sports
  10. Vols Jonathan Kongbo natural weight move linebacker, via 247Sports
  11. Vols Jeremy Pruitt explains freshman Bryce Thompson playing cornerback, via 247Sports
  12. Vol Twitter Versus The Media – The Sequel – Orange & White Report, via Twitter

Behind the paywalls

  • Tracing Jeremy Pruitt’s rise from kindergarten P.E., via The Athletic
  • After spring experiments, Tennessee reaches time to start…, via The Athletic
  • War Room 8-03-18…welcome to ball, via VolQuest
  • Pruitt, Helton looking for game manager and leader at quarterback, via VolQuest

Just for fun

You’ll have to click on this to appreciate it.


This edition of Worth Reading is brought to you by . . . a HAT!

Sure, the Vols may be mothballing those smokey grey jerseys, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buck the trend by wearing an awesome grey hat in the stands. This one has a Power T on the front and “Tennessee” on the back, so you’re reppin’ the team even if you’re walking backwards. The hat is also apparently made with “AeroBill technology.” I don’t know what that is, but it sounds fancy. (It’s wicking technology that is designed to keep you cool.)

Worth watching 8.2.18: Kevin Simon, player development

I think everybody’s either in prep or resting up for the upcoming season, so there’s not a lot of media out there to watch today. This video of Kevin Simon talking about his role in helping players is worth a couple of minutes, though:

Worth reading 8.2.18: Pruitt’s hourglass

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from WNML’s Jimmy Hyams:

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Ohio St. places Meyer on administrative leave, via ESPN. The nutshell: Evidence is mounting that Meyer either had or should have had knowledge of a serious situation and did mostly nothing about it. The reason this is included in a list of Vols-related items is that Ohio State did not name defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as interim head coach. The national media that was so appalled at Tennessee last fall for also passing over Schiano seems perfectly fine with the decision this time around by the Buckeyes, probably because the Ohio State administration did not require the counsel of its fan base.
  2. Vols not looking back as first preseason under Jeremy Pruitt grows near, via the Times Free Press
  3. Vols excited Jauan Jennings bring energy in return, via 247Sports
  4. Tennessee Vols Preseason Camp Primer: Cornerback, via 247Sports
  5. Tennessee Vols Preseason Camp Primer: Safety, via 247Sports
  6. Tennessee Preseason Camp 4-1-1: Offensive line, via 247Sports
  7. Every SEC team’s trap game during the 2018 season, via 247Sports. The most interesting thing here for Vols fans is that Tennessee is apparently a trap game for Auburn.
  8. An open letter to Tennessee football fans: It’ll get a lot better, but probably not this year, via Saturday Down South
  9. Tennessee Vols football: Peyton Manning, Reggie White, Derek Barnett among school’s record-holders, via 247Sports

Behind the paywalls

  • Tennessee Vols football: Prized 2018 signee JJ Peterson ‘close’ to finally joining Vols, via 247Sports
  • 2018 Position Preview: The Coaching Staff, via VolQuest
  • Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Four-star, in-state WR Trey Knox sets official visit to Tennessee, via 247Sports

Worth watching 8.1.18: The Alabama defense explained

An Alabama guy explains a part of the Alabama defense, for which Jeremy Pruitt was recently responsible. Presumably, Pruitt’s installing the same concepts at Tennessee starting this fall.

Charles Kelly’s turn doing the TEAM talk:

The Piesman Trophy presents: The greatest big-man TDs ever. I didn’t actually get a chance to watch all of these, but there are few things better than touchdowns for underappreciated guys who rarely touch the ball, so if you have some extra time, this is probably worth a watch.

Worth reading 8.1.18: Trey Smith details and the mental state of meat

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from ESPN’s Chris Low:

It’s of course great news that the Vols’ best player will indeed be back to playing football this fall, but it’s also really great to hear how the staff and program handled everything, putting the guy first, ahead of his football career and ahead of the program. Here’s to continued good health for Smith.

Other (mostly) Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. JIM HARBAUGH’S MATRIX OF MEATS BY TEMPERAMENT, via Every Day Should Be Saturday. Spencer’s hilarious response to news that Harbaugh believes chickens are too nervous to eat.
  2. 10 Questions for 2018: First-Time Coach with a QB Competition, via GRT’s Will Shelton
  3. Vols Continue Recruiting Roll With Pledge From JUCO DT Savion Williams, via GRT’s Brad Shepard
  4. Is he a jerk? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Pruitt’s fire is exactly what the Vols need, via Saturday Down South
  5. Impact Analysis: Savion Williams, via VolQuest
  6. Tennessee Vols Preseason Camp Primer: Inside linebacker, via 247Sports
  7. Tennessee Preseason Camp 4-1-1: Quarterback, via 247Sports
  8. Tennessee Preseason Camp 4-1-1: Running back, via 247Sports
  9. Tennessee Preseason Camp 4-1-1: Wide receiver, via 247Sports
  10. Tennessee Preseason Camp 4-1-1: Tight end, via 247Sports
  11. Practice field expansion puts Tennessee in SEC’s top half, via the Times Free Press

Behind the paywalls

  • 2018 Positional Preview: STs, via VolQuest
  • Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Vols ‘a no-brainer’ among top five for OL Melvin McBride, via 247Sports

What we were talking about this time last year . . .

This edition of GRT’s Worth Reading brought to you by . . . SHORTS!

 

Worth watching 7.31.18: Rashaan Gaulden knows not how to go easy

VFL Rashaan Gaulden got himself into a bit of trouble (but probably also gained some respect) with the veterans for this:


More hype to hold you over:

Worth reading 7.31.18: Connelly’s Vols preview, and Rucker’s PSA

If you read only one two things about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from SB Nation’s Bill Connelly:

Not great news for Vols fans, but still a ton of great information with advanced stats. 

. . . and this, from Wes Rucker:

Public service announcement for Vols fans.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. SEC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2018, via Athlon Sports
  2. Tennessee Vols Preseason Camp Primer: Outside linebacker, via 247Sports
  3. Vols hoops come in at No. 3 in ESPN’s latest BPI, via ESPN
  4. Despite some teachable moments, Rashaan Gaulden impressing Panthers, via 247Sports
  5. Tennessee’s Best Teams Have Great Offensive Lines, via Gameday on Rocky Top. This is a reheat from one year ago today by Will. O-lines matter, y’all.

Behind the paywalls

  • Analyst: ‘Aggressive’ Jeremy Pruitt will recruit at high level, via 247Sports
  • Lawrence loves ‘chill’ environment in latest Tennessee trip, via VolQuest
  • 2018 Positional Preview: DBs, via VolQuest
  • Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Vols ‘solidified’ among favorites for juco DT Savion Williams, via 247Sports
  • Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Four-star, in-state DB sees ‘different side’ of Vols on visit, via 247Sports
  • Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Four-star LSU CB commit gets Vols offer, wants to ‘have options’, via 247Sports

Worth watching 7.30.18: The Sports Source

As always, the first thing to watch Monday morning, if you missed it Sunday morning, is John Pennington’s Sports Source:

But there are also a couple of bite-sized hype videos this morning: