Butch Jones held his regular Monday press conference this afternoon and addressed several questions relating to the South Carolina game, player availability, and the upcoming game against Alabama.
Among other things:
- The problems in stopping the run come down to being on the field too long, the offense having too many 3-and-outs, and the defense not being able to get off the field on third down.
- Darrell Taylor is still suspended, and Jakob Johnson is out of practice, but other than that and the previous injuries, the team emerged from the South Carolina game fairly healthy.
- Kicker Brent Cimaglia “thinks he’s a football player” and often goes down to make tackles after kicking. He learned on Friday that he’d be the starter, and he was ready.
- Jones isn’t focused on this being his toughest game so far in his career at a time that is also the most important for him, he’s just focused on getting ready to play.
- The wide receiving corps is learning what it’s like to play in the SEC, namely that every catch is contested. They’re working hard and progressing, but need to have more big plays and better consistency.
- There are a lot of things that go into executing a big play. Some of it is play-calling, some of it is winning one-on-one matchups, and some is the timing of the call and where you’re at on the field.
- Jones thought the tempo was good on offense in the first quarter, but suffered in the second half due to too many 3-and-outs.
- When asked if Jarrett Guarantano’s play may cause them to open up more of the playbook, Jones said yes, maybe, but that he also didn’t want to give him so much that his mind would tie up his feet.
- Regarding whether they might consider running the one-minute offense during other periods of the game due to its success last week, Jones said that they would evaluate that.
- They may or may not be done shuffling the offensive line. Continuity is good, but matchups matter as well. Plus, Tatum struggled a bit at right tackle, his problem generally being the “anchor of his sets.”
Here’s the whole thing:
Re: stopping the run.
Just consistency. Been worn down at times. Kids are playing hard, but combination of discipline and being on the field as long as they’d been.
Darrell Taylor?
Still suspended. Working through the criteria that has to be met.
Jakob Johnson is out of practice today.
Otherwise, pretty healthy.
Q: Kickers, how did that happen and work out?
Brent is passionate. He thinks he’s a football player, not just a kicker. Makes tackles. He was ready to go. He did well. He has a lot of confidence. Found out Medley was out on Friday, so Cimaglia was ready.
Q: Toughest game so far and at a tough time for him.
A: I don’t worry about that. We’re getting ready.
Calbert and Hall: Have they had surgery yet?
Not yet for Hall, but yes for Calbert.
Q: WR position?
A: Same as it’s been. We’re evolving, but need more big plays and consistency. Continuing to work hard. Very young corps; they’re learning what it’s like to play in the SEC. Level of physicality. Every catch is contested.
Q: What goes in to executing a big play?
A: Have to win one-on-one matchup. Also, some play-calling. Some execution. It’s in the timing of the call. Where you’re at on the field.
Q: Tempo
A: In 1st quarter, we played to our style. Were efficient. Got lined up fast. Second half, way too many three and outs. Stifles tempo. It’s because we couldn’t sustain drives.
Q: JG do some things that opened the playbook?
A: Yes, some things, but can’t give him too much. Don’t want his mind to tie his feet up. Want him to play freely.
Q: JG liked the speed up in the last 73 seconds. Woud you think about doing that more, just not late in game?
A: Yeah, he did well in one-minute drill. We’ll evaluate.
Q: Done shuffling OL?
A: Depends on matchups. Continuity is good and matters, but matchups matter, too.
Q: Tatum struggled?
A: We’ll continue to look at it. His problems were in the anchor of his sets. He’ll keep working on it, and we’ll keep evaluating.
That’s it. Short and sweet.
Thanks Joel… good summary. Go Vols!