University of Tennessee Athletics
Inside the T Mailbag: Checkerboard Edition
October 02, 2014 | General
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
Welcome to the first edition of the Inside the T Mailbag, where I answer your burning questions. Some are serious, some not so much. But this is your opportunity to interact with me to get a closer look at Tennessee Athletics. Usually, I'll answer your questions myself, sometimes I'll take them to an expert. But the more you ask, the better this will be. On to your questions!
Kevin, via Twitter: Where were you the last time Tennessee beat Florida?
Y8, Row 35, Seat 1, where I spent virtually every game from when I was a kid until this season. People began leaving after the missed extra point and I may or may not have spent the ensuing TV timeout screaming angrily at people that walked past us. I may or may not have also stood in the aisle to attempt to convince people to turn around. Not my finest moment.
At the end of the day, it was their loss if they were walking to their cars when James Wilhoit got his redemption. One of my favorite moments I've witnessed in Neyland Stadium. I've watched the game probably 50 times since then, and I'll forget how happy I was for him at that moment. I was a student at the time, and some of my fellow students sometimes had trouble keeping feelings to themselves the days after games. For that reason, I was very happy that everything he heard the next week would be positive.
Todd, via email: Love the things you've written for UT, what's the best part of your job?
I find something new every day. Most people would get yelled at by their boss for spending most of the morning watching the 1992 Tennessee-Florida game on YouTube, that was actually what I was supposed to be doing this morning. I have a felling I won't have to use the "Boss Button" on March Madness on Demand when the NCAA Tournament comes around in the spring.
Mike, via email: Do the coaches/players know about the #CheckerNeyland movement? If so, what are their thoughts?
Definitely, it was quite the topic for conversation at the Monday press conference. The excitement from fans for this game and every game is something the players are always aware of. It's one of the things that makes this place so special.
Brian, via Twitter: If Al Wilson is at the game please let him give the pre game speech. Can you make this happen?
Coach Jones is pretty tight-lipped on who gives a pre-game address in the locker room, even after a game. But there will be over 300 VFLs in attendance this weekend for the annual VFL reunion, and I would imagine he will be one of them. The VFLs will make the Vol Walk with the team and will run through the T before the game. There will also be a reception on Friday night.
Michael, via Twitter: Where do the Vols forecast at QB, middle LB & O-line next season?
Before I answer this, the standard disclaimer, as a school employee, I can't mention or even really allude to prospective student athletes (recruits), so any insight I can give into future lineups comes only from guys on the roster until national signing day. That said, with the kind of class that Butch Jones brought to UT last year, I think he will probably bring in players next year that will factor into position battles all over the field.
At quarterback, the staff certainly hopes that Nathan Peterman and Josh Dobbs take the kind of steps forward that Justin Worley has. Worley really started putting it together just before his injury last year and has obviously been great this season. With starting QB-like reps, the coaches think that either of those guys can make that move. We've seen Peterman in a very limited role, but he made the QB battle in fall camp a very difficult decision. Dobbs showed flashes of greatness last year when thrust into battle. As Jones says, we're only a snap away from those guys having to prove it again.
The positioning at linebacker will be interesting to watch going forward. It's going to take more than one person to replace what A.J. Johnson brings to the table there. And Johnson doesn't come off the field enough to get a clear picture of what UT is thinking in that position. Freshman Colton Jumper has been on the field when Johnson has needed a break. With Jalen Reeves-Maybin entrenched on the weak side, does that mean Dillon Bates moves to the middle when he returns in the spring? Or could we see Reeves-Maybin slide over as the QB of the defense in the middle. That's something that bears watching in the spring.
On the offensive line, Tennessee currently starts three redshirt juniors (Kyler Kerbyson, Marcus Jackson and Mack Crowder) and two freshmen (Jashon Robertson and Coleman Thomas), so you're looking at all five coming back next year. A slot down on the depth chart, two redshirt freshmen (Brett Kendrick listed at left and right tackle and Austin Sanders), a sophomore (Dylan Wiesman) and a junior (first-year Vol Dontavius Blair). That is a lot more depth returning than Tennessee has had in quite awhile.
Barry, via Twitter: Was Jalen Hurd really talking trash to the Georgia DB? Or was he actually talking to Pig about possible blitz? Thanks and #GBO!
While the fun answer would be that he was pointing and saying "I'm coming for you," the more realistic answer is much more boring. As impressive as he has been running the football, the coaching staff has said he earned his spot on the field with his blocking. Part of that is blitz recognition and helping point out the needed blocking assignments.
It was definitely a heads-up moment for the freshman.
David, via email: Paper or plastic?
When you say "ask me anything," this is the email you get right away.
Paper, because my recycling bin lets me mix paper and plastic, but not plastic bags. If I'm using paper, I don't have to empty the bag in the recycle bin, I just toss the whole thing in.
That's all for the first edition of the Inside the T Mailbag! Thanks for the questions, you can tweet them to me anytime at @briancrice or send them in via email at UTSportsMailbag@gmail.com!
