KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer was a guest at Tuesday’s practice at the Anderson Training Center.
Fulmer, who was on crutches, spoke with Jones before the start of the workout.
The Vols moved indoors because of heavy rain (and expected snow later tonight).
Tennessee (4-7, 1-6 SEC) plays Kentucky (2-9, 1-6) on Saturday (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m.)
Check out some photos (above) and videos (below) from Tuesday’s session.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — When Butch Jones has an idea or wants to get the pulse of the team, he talks to senior offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James.
Here’s an excerpt from a subscriber-only story about James in today’s News Sentinel.
James said it took him a while to get used to that degree of openness from a head coach.
“It might be one o’clock in the morning and you get a text or call and he’s just thinking football, wanting to call you and talk to you. He says, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about this, I thought about that.’ You’re scared at first, thinking ‘Why are you calling me at 12?’ ”
James recreated a conversation for reporters on Tuesday:
James: “What’s up?”
Jones: “Man, I’ve been watching film and I can’t wait to play on Saturday. How are you feeling?”
James: “Well, I’m kind of tired …”
Some more videos worth checking out…
Clips from Jones and highlights from Tuesday’s practice, plus the latest installment of GVX Spotlight.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — After spending the bye week indoors, Tennessee moved back outside on Tuesday afternoon.
The temperature plummeted when the sun went down, but that didn’t stop offensive line coach Don Mahoney and tight ends coach Mark Elder from donning shorts. Running backs coach Robert Gillespie was on crutches and was sometimes driven around the field on a motorized cart. Gillespie was injured in the first half of the Auburn game while celebrating a touchdown.
The media viewing period contained more special teams coverage work. Michael Palardy boomed some incredible punts in the early period.
Watch the video montage in the highest possible setting for best results. We’ll have less mournful video later this evening.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Tennessee coach Butch Jones suggested a “fan poll” on Wednesday for the athletic department’s official website: “Who is softer? Player A or Player B?”
(He actually named his culprits, but we’ll leave that part out).
The only meaningful tidbit from our brief viewing period was seeing receiver Alton “Pig” Howard in a green, non-contact jersey. Howard appeared to be going through practice normally, so the jersey was probably just precautionary. Freshman tight end A.J. Branisel and safety Brian Randolph also wore green on Wednesday.
Branisel and Johnathon Johnson caught passes in the team period we saw.
Assistant coaches talk to reporters after practice today. Jones will be on Vol Calls tonight.
Here’s the video from Tuesday’s practice session:
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Tennessee coach Butch Jones delivered on his promise of a physical practice on Tuesday — at least in the brief viewing period open to the media.
The Vols (4-5, 1-4 SEC) play No. 7 Auburn (8-1, 4-1) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium (TV: ESPN, noon).
Tennessee lost to Missouri 31-3 last week and Jones said the Vols were dominated on both lines of scrimmage.
Jones referred to the offensive line as “Club 90” on Tuesday for the number of rushing yards Tennessee managed at Mizzou.
He interrupted the pre-practice stretch — “Listen, we don’t need no elaborate stretch!” — for his Circle of Life drills, which are essentially one-on-one blocking competitions in front of the entire team.
“Everybody wants in (to the Circle) until you’re hit in the mouth,” Jones said.
We’d need another two or three entries for all the players who got called out as soft today. But his banter with running back Marlin Lane was most humorous.
After criticizing his weight room efforts, Jones asked running backs coach Robert Gillespie, “Robert, why do you have bigger traps (trapezoid muscles) than your running backs?”
Another line to Lane, a Daytona Beach, Fla., native: “We’re working on a trade to Bethune-Cookman.”
How much actual hitting took place after we left is unclear, but give Jones credit for advancing the storyline effectively while we were there.
* The only players in green non-contact jerseys Tuesday were true freshman tight end A.J. Branisel and safety Brian Randolph. Both players have been wearing green for weeks and still playing in games. Safeties Byron Moore and LaDarrell McNeil and cornerback Justin Coleman were all in orange.
* Lot of good music today, including B.o.B., 2Chainz and apparently unedited Young Jeezy. Song of the day, however, was “Tha Block is Hot” (feat. Juvenile and B.G.), which was on Lil’ Wayne’s debut album in 1999.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It’s Alabama week — err, red team week — at Tennessee, and Tuesday’s practice clips should offer little doubt.
(For best results, watch in your highest available HD setting.)
Why are the Vols seeing red? Here’s an excerpt from my story in Wednesday’s News Sentinel:
The Vols chanted “RED!” as they wrapped up their stretching with jumping jacks on Tuesday.
When coach Butch Jones referred to Alabama by name on the wireless microphone that he totes around in practice, he quickly corrected himself to “the red team.”
Afterward, Jones downplayed the motivational ploy, saying it was “no big deal.”
But players said it was a way of tearing down some of the mystique that surrounded the nation’s top team, focusing players’ attention on the things they could control.
“Mentally, just by their name, when team’s hear that name, they’re mentally beat already before they step on the field,” said Tennessee receiver Alton “Pig” Howard. “I give them credit, but we’ve got warriors on our team as well. We’re ready to go to war.”
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — The Vols practiced on a gray afternoon at Haslam Field on Tuesday. Rain held off until overnight, but could force the team indoors on Wednesday.
The highlights video includes some good shots of receivers and some jokes from Butch Jones. As always, the video features the most comprehensive stretching you will find anywhere.
Watch in the highest HD setting for best results.
This video includes linebackers hittin’, receiver’s catchin’ and coaches yellin’. Watch at your highest HD setting for best results.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — This is a bye week, not an off-week, Tennessee coach Butch Jones reminded players (and media) on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s practice video includes plenty of receiver action, some offensive line blocks, some quarterbacks, some Young Jeezy and more.
Watch the video above in your highest available HD settings for best quality.