Vols' Jones: Good Game Habits Start In Practice

Shoop Says DBs Talented Enough To Generate TOs

  • Monday, August 29, 2016
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Ninth-ranked Tennessee's season opener against Appalachian State is just three days away. Coach and assistant coaches Mike DeBord, Bob Shoop, Larry Scott and Steve Stripling provided a Monday update.

The coaches shared how the team has prepared this week for its first true game action since the Outback Bowl in January.

Butch Jones | Head Coach | 4th Season

Jones said that the coaches have stressed the importance of making practices reflect the speed, tempo and feel of an actual game.

Here is Jones' opening statement from  Monday's press conference.

"It's good to see everyone. Today is a Wednesday in terms of a football calendar, and it's continuing to get our players game-ready in everything: discipline, pre-snap penalties, all the nuances it takes to play winning football. I think our biggest challenge is for our younger players to understand that the habits that they develop in practice are the habits they are going to have in a game. So what you develop in those habits, like game-speed repetitions, is very critical. You always have to challenge your mind and challenge your body.

“When we talk about practice, it needs to mimic the adrenaline and rush of true competition. Then, when you get to the game, it becomes habitual. The habits start to form. That has really been the challenge this week and moving forward. You just have to do the small details that it takes to play winning football. I am excited to see our players perform Thursday night and see how they handle a great environment in Neyland Stadium. I am excited for our fans and student-body as well. You can start to feel the excitement, but today is a big day for us in preparation in the process of us being game-ready and playing winning football on Thursday  night."

Mike DeBord | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks  

DeBord said that the Vols expect to see a dynamic Appalachian State defense that can attack from a variety of directions. In 2015, the Mountaineers' defense ranked 11th in the nation in total yards allowed (314.5 yards per game) and 14th in points per game allowed (19.1).

"They're what I call a moving defense. They're not going to sit stagnant for you and say, 'Here, block us.' They're moving all the time. They're moving their fronts and bringing different guys off of the edge and sometimes bringing both of them. They create problems that way. I think they have really good confidence. They've won 17 out of their last 19 football games. They've got great confidence. Their defense is nationally ranked in a lot of areas. I would expect that."

Bob Shoop | Defensive Coordinator  

Shoop said that Tennessee's secondary features the talent to generate more turnovers. Interceptions have been one of that unit's areas of focus during camp and Shoop looks for the Vols to improve in that area this season.

"It's a challenge because during camp you are only going against yourselves. They have a very good quarterback, he is good enough not to throw into a bad situation and he uses his legs rather than his arms. I think Todd Kelly Jr., has had six interceptions in two years and that is not an accident. Cameron Sutton is a three-sport athlete. He played basketball, baseball and football, he has upper-level ball skills. They work as hard as anyone on those things. Micah Abernathy and Emmanuel Moseley work hard on their ball skills every day.

"I think everyone knows that last year we had 19 takeaways as a team and it's an area we really want to improve upon. Studies show that fumbles can be a random type of occurrence, but interceptions are what we are really trying to improve upon. One out every two fumbles should be recovered by us and one out of every four passes defended should statistically be intercepted by us, so this what we are working towards."

Larry Scott | Tight Ends Coach/Special Teams Coordinator  

Scott discussed his excitement about coaching his first game as a member of the Tennessee coaching staff. Scott joined the Vols in January after working at Miami (Fla.) from 2013-15. After being elevated to interim head coach on Oct. 25, 2015, Scott led the Hurricanes to wins in four of their final five games to finish the year at 8-4.

"It's always exciting, you work hard all year, year round. From recruiting to spring ball, all the office hours and all those things. Actually just get out and, you know those three hours of fun is what it's all about."

Steve Stripling | Assoc. Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach  

With the Vols' depth along the defensive line this season, Stripling finds himself in the envied position managing rotations that do not result in a drop in production. He believes that Tennessee's talent on the defensive line could be the difference late in games.

"Every day at practice it's different. Sometimes I used to worry about how would I get through the period, but now it's how will I get everybody quality reps. So counting their reps and making sure that everybody is getting the experience that they need is a different issue. They all know that there are obviously some guys that are going to play based on what their performance in practice and on the field dictates.

“The guy who is out there and has hot hands will play more than anybody else. I think for us, finding those 25 points is having fresh legs on the field. There's been times where we've had guys out there who have already played 60 snaps and it's hard to have Superman efforts and close the drive out if you've been out there 60 snaps. I think this rotation is going to put us in a better position to close games."

(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)

 

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