Vols Go Back To Basics In Hopes Of Slowing Bulldogs

Tennessee WR Alton Howard Dismissed From Team

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2015
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com
Alton "Pig" Howard, center, is shown in action against Western Carolina University earlier this season Vols' head coach Butch Jones announced on Wednesday that Howard had been dismissed from the team for violations of team rules.
Alton "Pig" Howard, center, is shown in action against Western Carolina University earlier this season Vols' head coach Butch Jones announced on Wednesday that Howard had been dismissed from the team for violations of team rules.
photo by Dennis Norwood

 With Saturday's SEC showdown against Georgia now just three days away, Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones and a select group of players spoke to the media early Wednesday afternoon:

(Opening Statement)
"To kind of give you an injury update on Wednesday, and a lot of this obviously will change by Saturday, but Stephen Griffin did practice.

He has been limited but we fully anticipate him being ready for the game. Brett Kendrick was limited. That will be ongoing. He's limited right now so we will see how he progresses, but to his credit he keeps grinding it out and could get better by Saturday. Same thing with Marquez North. He did practice, limited, but continued to improve.

"Probably the most positive story is Kyle Phillips, who will practice today after going through some rehabilitation with his shoulder. It's very stable. It's very strong, so that's been a positive. Kyle is going to practice today and we'll see how it goes. Dylan Wiesman practiced yesterday so that was a positive, and Dylan's a tough young man so we fully anticipate him being ready to go. In terms of Alton Howard, as you all are very aware of, he's had concussion-like symptoms and many nagging injuries. However, he has been dismissed from the football team and [that is] totally unrelated to his injuries.

"In terms of moving forward with Georgia, kind of our theme this week [is] getting back to the basics, the fundamentals, the fine details of what it takes to play winning football and we've been talking to them all week about D & D. Not down and distance, but discipline and details. For us it's our eye discipline, it's running our feet on contact. We know we're going to be challenged this week with two very, very special running backs coming in here. And understanding down and distance. We have to create big plays offensively because they are a very gifted, very skilled defense. So, big plays are going to be critical. And then obviously defensively, we cannot give up big plays."

(On if Pig Howard violated team rules)
"Correct."

(On what rules were violated)
"That's between the student-athlete and ourselves, but [I] was just made aware of that today."

(On manufacturing big plays with the healthy wide receivers)
"I will tell you this. The individuals that have been there have done an exceptional job. They've been remarkable in their preparation. They've done a great job of taking care of their bodies. They're doing a very good job of leading the room. We talk about power of the position. They've done a great job with that.

"We're still teaching a youngster in Jauan Jennings how to play wide receiver. Josh Smith has done a very good job of mentoring and guiding. I thought Josh probably had his best practice he's had all year. He finally looked 100-percent healthy. He looked smooth in and out of his breaks, caught the ball exceptionally well. Josh Malone has been another individual who really has been a model of consistency. I've been so proud of him. He's really improved his game. We have to get him the football, but he's worked exceptionally hard – his effort, his blocking, his fundamentals, his details. He's done a great job. Johnathon Johnson has been limited, but he's getting back to being healthy again. We've been limited. I think Von Pearson is starting to get back to regain his old form. He's done some good things in practice.

"They're a prideful group. They take great pride, and what's happened is they have to know a number of positions. We can't just concentrate on knowing one position. A lot of these individuals have to know all three and four positions in our offense."

(On defensive plan for Georgia's passing game)
"You do have to stop the run, first and foremost, but that is what makes them dangerous. They can beat you with the play-action pass. They can beat you with the throwing game. They have gone into each game very similar, in terms of game plan, like we do. Each game is a different game. Everything in football is about matchups. How do you matchup against this individual? How do you matchup against this scheme? How do you matchup against this team? They are very capable of throwing the football and beating you if you're not ready to go. They have done that a couple of games, where they started the game of with the passing game being a point of emphasis. You can see that in their play calling. [Greyson] Lambert manages the game. They have a very good offensive line that is athletic. They have some very good wideouts that can run and are very skilled. We have to do both, but any time you can make an offense one-dimensional, it obviously helps."

(On where the program is at now and where he thinks it should be)
"I think we are way ahead compared to when we came here. The program is in much better shape. Your gauge is on wins and losses. I get that, but in terms of the overall character, culture, competitive component, there are phases in building a football program. The first phase is culture, getting your locker room right. The next one is your work capacity, understanding the importance of practice and details of what it takes to play a winning football game. The third thing is producing, executing those in games and being able to do that. Our players have a done a very good job of maintaining a workman-like approach. Sometimes you see results that outside people don't see because you're gauged on wins, but I see tremendous progress from our kids. They keep working. You can look at our recruiting. For me, I am as impatient (as) anybody. I feel the pain of everyone involved. I am responsible. I get that. I hurt with them, but I also see the progress, and I think that is evident by the number of people that have reached out to us from all levels, saying `Stay the course. You're getting close.' Inky Johnson called me yesterday, and said, `You have to remember one thing; everyone wants the prize, but no one wants process.' We are going through that process right now. Nobody wants to hear it, but it is what it is. I see remarkable strides being made each and every day."

RS Senior DB Brian Randolph

On confidence going into game given last two games vs. UGA)

"Yeah, we definitely know we can play with them. From the start of the season, we knew we could play with anybody. We play with the best teams in America. Our confidence is not an issue. We just have to go out there and focus on our fundamentals, tackling and just get the job done."

(On playing Georgia being a Georgia native)

"I definitely have to be able to say I beat Georgia. This is a big rivalry for me. I am from Georgia and always love playing them. It is always a good game. They are very talented. It should be very fun."

Junior DB Cameron Sutton

(On if he sees a difference in practice routine when UT wins or loses)

"I don't, not necessarily because like I said we have the same approach and same mindset each and every day and each and every week. The only thing that we change is obviously the opponent each and every week and the things that we'll do for the week facing that opponent but probably just still high intense, high energy and guys are getting after it and getting prepared for each and every Saturday."

(On how hard it is to lead a team that is going through adversity)

"I think it has its pros and cons. Even with winning, you have your pros, but you have your cons as well. Obviously with losing you get your pros and what you learn from them sticks and you have your cons but obviously you're losing. We learn from it, we build from it and we continue to get better each and every week to obviously limit those losses and mistakes we have out there on the field and hopefully come out with wins."

Freshman LB Darrin Kirkland Jr.

(On the message the defense wants to send)

"Really that we are a disciplined defense. We come to play every week, and it doesn't matter who we play. We will try our best in our 'orange swarm' defense."

(On small details on defense)

"It's small details, but it's small room for error. The losses that we've taken are small small errors that are easily correctable. But, we are looking forward to the challenge of getting better."

Sophomore OL Jashon Robertson

(On UT’s run blocking)

"From last year to this year we've improved a pretty good deal. Guys are working hard on the fundamental aspects of the run game, hands, feet. Our numbers have improved which gives us a little boost of confidence. When you see Jalen [Hurd], Alvin [Kamara], Joshua [Dobbs] make those big runs it just makes you want to block that much harder."

(On run blocking vs. pass protecting)

"The run game complements the throw game. We need to stay ahead of the chains. 3rd-and-7 is a lot different than 3rd-and-4."

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

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