Tennessee has had their say in Hoover and now it is time for Butch to get back on the jet in anticipation of the Tri-Cities Big Orange Caravan stop tomorrow. Butch Jones isn't known for being the most forthcoming coach with the press, so you have to pick through the coach speak to get to any meaningful information. The good news is that there weren't many of the facepalm worthy statements of the past. He had a message and passed it along pretty clearly for him. He was contradicted a little bit by Kendal Vickers on his most cringe-worthy comment regarding whether or not last season was a disappointment, but all in all this was one of his best press appearances since year one.
The first really big news to come out today was that Shy Tuttle is running again and should be available in a limited capacity at the start of camp. This certainly doesn't guarantee he'll be available to start the season but should improve the odds of him being ready near the start of the SEC slate.
Kyle Phillips also got a very positive update regarding his health, reportedly having the all-clear from the medical staff. If Phillips is indeed 100% right now as stated, that is a huge boost to the defensive end position.
Speaking of defensive end, Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor were also praised as players who have built on their strong springs with an equally impressive summer. They appear to be in line to start this season, which would give the Vols a pair of long, athletic ends.
Jones talked at length about having a more mature team with much better leadership throughout the roster than teams past. Perhaps this is indeed true as the captain positions will alternate weekly, seemingly being awarded based on merit. If the team is indeed well-suited with leaders, this will help the team continue to emerge in those roles in order to earn the right to be a team captain each week.
Butch talked about the quarterback competition, and he mostly said what you'd expect regarding not naming a starter until he's ready and the competition carrying on throughout the summer. Normally I'd dismiss those comments, but Jones has shown a willingness throughout his career to make a change if he feels one is warranted and holding open competitions as long as he deems necessary.
Of greater interest regarding the quarterbacks is the fact that the door continues to be left open for both Quinten Dormady and Jarrett Guarantano to be major parts of the offense this season. Now, I know how gun-shy people get about the idea of a two-quarterback system, but I don't think it will be a true version of that situation where the guys are alternating drives. Both quarterbacks have their own strengths and weaknesses and Jones would be foolish not to take advantage of the strength of Guarantano's running or Dormady's precision and strength as a passer. A situation similar to that with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow seems much more likely than a revolving door at quarterback.
Swinging back around to the leadership issue, it sounds like Shaq Wiggins is growing into one. At least that's how his primary competition for s starting job, Emmanuel Moseley, sees things. Wiggins is plenty battle tested, as is Moseley. Toss in Justin Martin, Baylen Buchanan, Marquill Osborne, and a trio of skilled freshmen and you have a recipe for improvement in one of the Vols weakest areas, especially under the watchful eye of Charlton Warren.
Rock Gullickson continues to get praise heaped upon him by Jones and by the players. By all accounts, the players have made huge strides under Rock, and true to his name he's going hard on them. Jones raved about how this summer has gone, and I have to say that he seemed much more genuine in his praise this time around versus years past.
Another thing that seems to have paid off was allowing 7-on-7 this summer. For a team needing to improve timing between the quarterbacks and receivers as well as fixing flaws in pass defense, this should be an invaluable tool. Jones quipped about having to run the players out of the facility for their own good.
Honestly, that's about it, but it's also probably the most information I've gotten from Butch at media days during his time at Tennessee, so I'm happy to take it and pass it along to you. GBO!
Good stuff, Corey
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