Thigpen's Linebackers May Hold Key For UT Vs. Georgia

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In preparing his linebackers for Georgia, which fields one of the premier rushing attacks in the country, coach Tommy Thigpen has put an emphasis on three things this week: running fit, every man doing his job and above all else, tackling.

"Our emphasis has been, we've got to tackle," Thigpen said.

"When the day of reckoning comes, you've got to make those plays and tackle one-on-one."

Tackling one-on-one is sometimes easier said than done, especially against a team that boasts an impact player such as tailback Todd Gurley. Gurley's power and speed set him apart and as Thigpen notes, he's a difficult player to match up one-on-one. Other opponent's attempts have proven to be a mismatch this season, as Gurley simply outruns their coverage.

"[Gurley] has great vision, knows when to cut back, tuck it and run, and when to shake," added Thigpen. "He does it all. He can give you shake like a little back, power like a big back, and speed like a small back."

Tennessee's linebacker corps is resilient. They adapt, they improvise and they show leadership within the entire defensive unit. Despite Georgia's strength at the tailback position, Thigpen is excited to see execution and production from his group, led by senior A.J. Johnson.

"This is his kind of football game," Thigpen said. "It's an old school, smash-mouth, we call it, `double chin strap' this week. Line up and let's go play. [Jalen Reeves] Maybin is really smart. He is the epitome of being a smart player. He lines up exactly where he's supposed to be and he is really good at tackling now. [Curt Maggitt] also does a good job at the point of attack. For those guys, playing in space and taking on the full back will be a good challenge for them this week."

Working together to communicate in yet another hostile environment will be key for the Vols entering Sanford Stadium on Saturday. But when their moment comes, Thigpen feels confident that his linebackers' level of mental toughness, physicality of play and field awareness will guide them.

"It takes eleven guys to play in a run-fit. What [Georgia] is doing can create a lot of challenges," Thigpen said. "The theme for this week is, `Every man does his job, one play at a time.' Don't overdo it, just handle yours. When the time comes for you to make a play, make the plays you are supposed to make."

Special teams coordinator Mark Elder realizes that there are some items to be addressed when it comes to the Vols special team performances. From kicking to returns, improvements can be made.

With expectations of a punt that will provide Tennessee an advantage with field position, consistency in the punting game is one of Elder's goals.

"Matt Darr needs to be consistent with his punting, and consistent with good distance, good hang time and good accuracy," Elder said. "He had been showing that and fell off a little bit in the last game and didn't punt to the expectation that I wanted. He knows that. He knows what the expectation level is and he's ready to get back to that."

Analyzing the issue with punting, Elder had the ability to use the additional work week to prepare with Darr.

"His drop was getting a little bit off which was causing him to hit the ball a little differently because the leg swing, but that is correctable. That happens. You're going to have small things that occur throughout your career and you just have to get back to the basics and be able to correct that stuff."

As far as returns go, the team has been unable to return punts for significant yardage. Blocking down the field is one of the biggest improvements needed for success.

"We want to have good returns and we're not there right now in the punt return or the kickoff return," Elder said. "We have to do a better job blocking for both of those units. We haven't been consistent enough in either unit.

"When we only have two returns on punt return because they're forcing fair catches, that's because we're not doing a good enough job of holding up and blocking. We need to block at a better rate than what we are."

After an extra work week to improve, the special teams group will be tested when they face Georgia on Saturday.

The Vols defensive line will get a boost on Saturday. Coach Steve Stripling anticipates having junior Trevarris Saulsberry back in action after the junior missed the first three games of the season. Saulsberry re-aggrevated a knee injury during training camp, which caused him to miss much of last season.

The Gainesville, Florida native will provided added depth and experience.

"I think he brings a lot to the table in that he's an older player, so he brings some maturity to the room," Stripling said. "He's a popular guy in the meeting room, too. "He brings presence in that he's a 300-pound guy. We're a little short on those kinds of guys right now. It's good to see him out there working with the reps." Stripling has been happy with Saulsberry's work heading into the Georgia game. "He had a good week," Stripling said. "We just kind of let him go this week. We let him just kind of manage his situation, and he did great. I anticipate him being on the field Saturday."

Saulsberry has played in just eight games in his four seasons with the Vols, four each in 2012 and 2013 as he has been plagued by ailments. He has 10 tackles.

Day in and day out, senior offensive lineman Jacob Gilliam is on the practice field staying active as he rehabs from an ACL injury that was suffered in the season opener against Utah State.

His devotion to not just a team but sport he loves has been communicated through his relentless work ethic.

"That sums him up," offensive line coach Don Mahoney said on Gilliam staying active during practices. "His character, his work ethic, his passion, and his want to is who he is and what he stands for. It's just hard work. He has tremendous character. It's not a surprise to me."

"Some guys when it's their senior year, they're willing to sacrifice even that much more because it's so important to them, and they never want to look back and have regrets. I think that's the biggest thing with him. I can't say enough good about him. I love seeing him out there."

Although it is unlikely Gilliam will be able to return to the field to play, his character and work ethic remains at the top of mind for the coaches.

"Jacob is an individual, as we all know, that is extremely competitive," head coach Butch Jones said. "This football team means everything to him and we will continue to progress. He still has a dream in the back of his mind of still playing. So we will see how he progresses." On Tuesday, coach Butch Jones similarly mentioned Gilliam's dream of playing for the Vols one more time.

"This football team means everything to him, said Jones. "He still has a dream in the back of his mind of still playing. So we will see how he progresses." 

(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)