Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones got the most snaps of his career at quarterback in UT's G-Gun package against Florida.
The Vols ran six plays with Jones at quarterback, not counting a play on which the sophomore lined up in the shotgun before UT was whistled for delay of game.
Jones, who said he spent one period of practice last week working at quarterback, said Sunday night he was surprised with the number of plays he saw at quarterback.
"I never came into the game knowing I was going to run it that much," he said. "It was a surprise, but I was excited."
UT gained 25 yards on those six plays against Florida, with Jones picking up 18 yards and tailback Arian Foster carrying twice for 6 yards.
Jones, though, said the package could have been more productive if he had handed the ball to Foster more.
"I thought I did pretty good at the beginning, but then I got frustrated because I was expecting the end to crash down," Jones said. "I think I made two bad choices that probably we could have had a better run if I would have just handed the ball off to Arian. We've got to rep it more, and I've got be a lot more patient for my time to come. But for the most part, I think we did pretty good."
UT ran three plays from the G-Gun against UCLA for a total of 56 yards, including a 41-yard run by Foster, but did not use the package in a victory over UAB.
Tennessee has yet to throw a pass from the package, however this season UT is averaging 9 yards a play with Jones at quarterback and has only one play for negative yardage.
Jones said he's comfortable enough in the G-Gun to run it as much - or as little - as coaches call it.
"It's just another way for me to put the ball in my hands," said Jones, who rushed eight times for 58 yards last year when lined up at quarterback. "Anybody would be happy with that. If we run it five times or we run it 20 times, I'm fine with it."
Cottam Close to Return: Injured tight end Jeff Cottam is expected to return to practice next week, slightly ahead of the six-week timetable for his return from back surgery.
"He's at least right on schedule, probably a little ahead," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.
The plan is for Cottam to begin practicing next week with an eye toward playing at Georgia on Oct. 11, if not sooner, Fulmer said.
Cottam, who started six games in 2006, has not played this season after undergoing surgery in August.
Good Day for DL: Defensive end Wes Brown liked what he saw from UT's defensive line against the Gators.
"The thing I really noticed is guys were hustling," Brown said. "We were hustling all over the field. You saw guys like (defensive tackle) Walter Fisher making plays 15 yards down the field. That was really good to see guys just who were having fun out there. We took it as a challenge. We heard about how powerful Florida's offense was, and we wanted to go out there, make plays and get after it."
State of Mind: Fulmer said following Sunday night's practice that he didn't want the mood to be upbeat.
"I don't think anybody should be upbeat right now," he said. "It was a tough loss. We had a fighting chance, I think, if we played well. And we did not play well in certain phases consistently enough.
"By the time we get to Tuesday, I expect to see a team that's ready to go to work."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 43
BSweet writes:
Let him throw the ball or the g-gun will become useless.
orangecountry21 writes:
Why do we hand off to Foster in the G-Gun?
bluetick writes:
I agree BSweet. It is obvious what our intentions are when he is back there. If he can throw the ball then they need to do an end around to him and let him throw it down the field to a receiver.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Clearly we need more productivity from the q-back position. We had problems with both Clausen's at times, and with Ainge. It's just a real touchy thing. We were playing a Heisman Trophy winner you know. I mean did we all think we would beat Florida? Don't you think that we could have made it close without the turnovers, etc? I think we really surprised some people just to have maybe gotten close enough to have beaten them. We held Tebow to career lows? I mean when will could some of you fans get off your butts and give us and these coaches some respect!! Or are all you guys who want CHANGE just a bunch of Obama nuts?
BSweet writes:
WeLove- Did I really think we would beat Florida? Honestly, no, but I thought we would compete. I don't feel like we competed. Everyone wants to talk about holding Tebow to career lows, but to be honest, I felt they were toying with us at times. I don't think we got both barrels from Florida because they didn't have to give us both barrels. We beat ourselves before they even had to beat us. Why would they bring their best effort if they didn't need it? They blew us out and to be fair, they didn't even have to try to do it. But as frustrating as that single game was, the reason fans are so angry is because of the whole season thus far. UCLA was a game we should have won easily but lost in a humiliating fashion. Look at their past two games to see how badly we dropped the ball on that one. Even though we beat UAB, throughout the game you could see how unprepared for true opponents we looked. The UAB victory should have been easier and by a wider point margin and certain much earlier in the game than it was. Even in victory, we played poorly much of that game. Florida was just the icing on the cake. I can take losing to a better team, but we never even gave ourselves a chance. I don't think asking our boys to make it at least a competition is too much.
vtvol#210290 writes:
Gerald Jones is a stand up guy. So far, he is the only upperclassman who felt that he didn't play as well as he should have Sat.. That was pretty refreshing to hear such accountability. The funny thing is that Jones was one of the few Tennessee bright spots.
orange_n_blood writes:
What are you talking about We love...? It doesn't mean anything that we held anyone to career lows when you still lose 30-6. This isn't little league. There aren't any moral victories. You play to win. You don't play "to just have fun." I'll give them credit when it looks like they are hustling every play and not giving up when the game gets tough.
Volzo writes:
Actually, I am an Obama nut! Do you have some kind of a problem with that? Respect? Sounds like you need to have a couple of classes on it. Go to class Mister!
zack83329#523283 writes:
We love... we were never close enough to having beaten them, the closest we got was 24 points. They only people that were suprised were some vol fans who believed their team would come out somewhat prepared after getting blown out the year before.
UrbanCryer writes:
you have to get the ball in this kids hands any way possible
rblakeh writes:
Jones sounds like a football genius. I hope to see the ball in his hands more and more often. The DOLPHINS(!) beat the Patriots by running the single wing on Sunday. Hopefully Clawson can find a way to balance Jones running the single wing, while still utilizing Crompton's deep ball ability (by far his biggest attribute) and ability to throw on the run. It's no coincidence that Crompton does his best work out of play action. The reads are easier and quicker. Clawson has been putting too much on his shoulders too soon. I'm glad that Fulmer (and more importantly Clawson) are taking some of the blame for Crompton's mistakes, because they (especially Clawson) aren't doing him any favors.
BillsBrother writes:
We held Tebow to career lows by giving FL the ball
inside our 50
inside our 25
allowing a punt return for a touchdown
There is not much need for our opponent to stretch the field when you give them 17 points on a gain of just 50 yards.
BNR10 writes:
was it just me or did the G gun not work at all!!! do somethin else with ... throw it.. florida was in a run defense every time you did it cause it was so predictable!
bloodrunsorange writes:
Well volzo, viewing our Tennessee team, we can learn a very important lesson. When you put someone in charge that doesn’t have any of the real needed experience you’ll have some real problems. The Vols will come around because they’re trying to do the right thing for the whole team and the school. Sometimes in our history at UT we have witnessed the “I or me” approach in some athletes and it has cost us dearly. The idea of some that give to me because of who I am and not because of what I have earned has destroyed a season. I hope the coaches and fans have learned to not ever make the same mistake twice and learn from the one who thought something was owed to them. The team is what is important not the individual. We have been down the road of empty uniforms where there is no experience and the wrong motives. I am saving myself for the pros. The money is more important than the school and the ones who got me here because I am what matters not the team. I want our athletes to learn on the practice field not in the game where mistakes really hurt everyone concerned. Crompton will get better because of his motives. He was put into the situation with very little real game experience. Imagine if he had NEVER played football what UT's future would be like! At least there is hope because I do believe the team comes first with him and not because he is owed something HE HASN'T EARNED just because he is there!
richvol writes:
You basically admit we beat ourselves...why not put the blame where its due?
Florida didn't even break a sweat in that game. They beat us so easily it was pathetic.
rockydog writes:
bloodrunsorange-
I certainly agree with some of your statements ( "I attitude). However, it sounds like you are defending Crompton's awful play. I agree he hasn't had a lot of actual game playing time, but he has had enough not to be making the mistakes he is making. He has had enough practive alone that should have resolved some of his issues. The worst part of it is that he doesn't seem to understand he is playing so poorly or that he actually needs to make some changes in his play judging by his quotes. I hope he is just putting on a "brave face" for the media. I hope he does get better. I just think three games (two against cream puffs) is enough to start getting it. GO VOLS!!
GoVol writes:
WeLOve - Respect is something that is earned, not given. You say you want the coaches to be respected by the fans, then they must simply earn it!!!!!
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Jones is our Berry of the offense. Problem is we only have one of him. Creer, Moore, & Paige i think will be stars but Fulmer has his head in the sand. What's to lose? Gotta give these guys. Can't do any worse right now. I'd like to see Stephens some too but it's scary to think that if they are willing to stay with Crompton after the way he's played that doesn't say much about the confidence they have in our backups.
volntx writes:
Jone needs to start at QB, think Vince Young at Texas. He was/is a so-so passer but it worked.
CoverOrange writes:
"You saw guys like (defensive tackle) Walter Fisher making plays 15 yards down the field."
Uhh, Wes, 15 yards down field means they got past you.
I agree with Orangecountry, how does handing off to Foster baffle the defense? Further, last year Jones took the direct snap and rushed straight ahead, usually for big gains. This year he is running sideways, if you're gonna do that then make him a true option QB.
luckymacy#423360 writes:
Wow, where to start. Is KNS throwing these red meat headlines so they can get an easy "HOT" flag on every one within 5 minutes of posting? ;-)
OK, I'll bite. Gee, from the results, so is every halfway decent D-fense that sees it appears to be "comfortable" with it too. Get real. UT offense, grow some you know whats and pound the freaking ball without the silly fumbling and penaltys and you'll be fine overall...Find someone who knows how to use a TE on the coaching staff and get them more involved in the short passing game to give it more balance. We need to find someone who can teach the O-line and receivers how to block more effectively and differently. We need to pick off a coach from the Air Force Academy and teach these kids how a small guy can block a faster, stronger guy long enough to get some yards per carry...
G-Gun: Just another Foolmer gimmick to appear to be doing something "new and improved and fixed" blah, blah, blah...
Volgrad777 writes:
The g gun is a simple zone read play. Gerald has the option to hand off or run it , he is reading the end , if he crashes on the back he tucks it and runs if the end stays at home he has to hand it off. Its designed to force the end to commit one way. If Gerald runs it every time he would get drilled over and over again. Thats why we hand it to Foster. I agree though that he is going to have to throw a few balls to make it as effective as Arkansas was. But we arent the only ones who know that. Auburn knows it , UGA knows it , Bama knows it. Doenst mean they can stop it , just means they know he can toss it up.
Alabaster_Jones writes:
I was thinking the same thing as ar as Warren goes, I'm afraid he's going to the bench since Fulmer is all about being loyal. Keep being loyal Phil you only have 9 games left then your gone!
The G-Gun will only be at full potential when they give him the green light to throw. Someone made a Miami Dolphins reference, they were successful due to misdirection and the pass. The G-Gun/Spread is basically an offense that keeps the defense guessing, when we run it teams know we are going to run the ball.
I really don't see the lught at the end of the tunnell with this team or staff. Now I don't know about Clawson yet because I don't think he has 100% control of the offense but as long as Phil is here we're a laughing stock and will be mediocre for years to come.
Go Basketball Vols!
Dobervol writes:
Yes, Volzo, this is America, where at least for now we have freedom of speech, which means people have the freedom to advocate for coaching change, you have the freedom to be an Obama nut, and others have a right to "have a problem with that". Thank you for having the courage of your convictions to identify yourself as a socialist in favor of raising taxes and mandatory government servitude.
VOLHbomb writes:
This is unbelievable! How do we as passionate Big Orange fans stand for this kind of performance from a coach that has not brought 1 SEC title home in a decade. I feel like we and Notre Dame are both way to quick to sign Fulmer to contracts, and should start thinking about the future of this program....LIKE TODAY!!!!!!
Can anyone tell me why we extend contracts for coaches after 2 losses by 30 or more to Alabama and Florida in THE SAME SEASON!!!! I hope everyone has seen this video to....check this out....Florida reporters giving it to Fulmer & Staff...
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?ti...
scootervol2001#385313 writes:
I have thought the exact same thing about the "G-Gun", if we're not going to throw the ball, then trash the G-Gun. If Fulmer truly wants to be loyal to Crompton, then let Jones pass it. Give our offense a chance to show what Crompton can do. The confidence is shaken cause we can not finish drives without self destructing. And Fulmer, just because you change your philosophy doesn't mean your a bad coach. So what if you get away from the I-form/iso run just a little bit? People are yelling to run it cause Crompton can't throw. If Jones can move the ball, let him. Our running backs can not hold onto the football, so try something new. You wanna hang around and collect that check, you wanna break Neyland's record, you hear the calls for your head, you need to figure out how to do something different. Maybe take the Bobby Bowden/Joe Paterno path and just oversee things. Let your coordinators coach and then take credit for it. Works at FSU/PSU, and you could focus more on recruiting better talent like we used to get.
scootervol2001#385313 writes:
...oh wait, they're calling for Bobby's head too. Then you MUST change philosophies. How good of a coach would you look like if you could switch gears that easily? When Majors was running the ball on every play, you came in and threw the ball around and look what it got you...your "dream job". Now people are saying the same thing, "We're doing the same old same old, we need to change things!" Phil, if you were smart enough back then to realize the talent was geared more towards another PHILosophy, and smart enough to utilize the talent you had, you can do it again. We loved you the first time you did it!
ibvolman writes:
Jones does need the green light to throw the ball in this package. Otherwise, defenses will commit to 2 players in the package, and it will become easy to stop dead in its tracks.
Here is a thought...G-Gun with Hardesty and Creer in the backfield. Give jones the option to throw with TE Warren as a TE screen target. You essentially force the defense to cover 4 weapons while increasing the manpower to block and open the lanes more efficiently, making it harder to defend. It would then not just be an option play, but a quadruple threat.
imnotwithphil writes:
Gerald should be our QB. He was Mr. Oklahoma football in HS at the QB position. Only someone as stupid as Fulmer would stick this guy out as a receiver.
I mean... what happened the last time we had a talented, athletic QB calling the shots...?
PS - If we are going to relegate Gerald to the G-Gun - don't you think we should let him throw at LEAST ONCE?
givehim6 writes:
I think as long as phil refuses to play anyone eise at QB except Crompton or Jones, Jones should be aloud to throw the ball some. I'd like to see a Jones to Warren.
Sheepscape writes:
G-Gun? More like G-Run.
TommyJack writes:
Exactly. Totally confuses the defense. :)
Col3_23 writes:
Yeah maybe jones can get it to open recievers like warren is 80% of the time. every time warren is open crompton seems to overlook him for some reason. I thought this offense was supposed to utilize the playmakers. Well... warren is a playmaker and we rarely get it to him. He's a mismatch for most linebackers. then after plays where warren is overlooked we take him out and put Luke Stocker back in the game. Some things i guess ill just never understand because i "dont play the game"
ravensearay writes:
3 games and you're already want Cutcliff back.............
Some of you people crack me up. Did you not notice that we had the ball more than Florida. Gained more yards than Florida. Had the same amount of 1st downs as Florida. Now the other things we had.....We had more turnovers, we had more penalties, we made more big mistakes than Florida.
This game was closer than the score indicated and all some of you want to do is jump ship. I'm not happy either, but I saw a lot of things that with some minor tweaking and getting everyone to perform their assignments correctly at the same time this team will be impressive. It seems like we have 10 people do great on a play and one person will do something wrong. It's just that that one thing stops the whole play. I'm not ready to jump ship yet. Let's go kick some War Eagle A55!!!!!!!!
tnbanker_govols writes:
Ya know what would make the G-Gun even more effective, how about passing the ball. Of course that's out of the question since Crompton is the only one the team that can pass. You think any other coach wouldn't be executing a few pass plays from the G-Gun?? Maybe they need to put it on a chart first....
Sheepscape writes:
Hey Raven,
You do realize Florida's starting field position was much better than ours right? Holding a team to less than 250 yards doesn't help when they only have half the field to cover for a score. In no way was it closer than the score indicated. That's moral victory sophistry, nothing more.
You did see our lousy punting and coverage right?
Urban_Weiner writes:
I think the G-gun is the answer! It was last year against LSU, and has been successful this year. However, let the boy loose and throw the ball every once in a while cause we have to much talent at TE and WR and plus it will keep the D honest! He WAS a QB in highschool and he had a great pass in the spring game so he CAN throw the ball! Also, I think we need to have like a 2 back set in there sometimes with Creer so we can get some more trickery/ball fakes and SPEED! I think the options to this package are endless..and if we play it right, it will be very tough for All SEC defenses to handle!
GO VOLS!
pammyvol1000 writes:
I agree with urban weiner.. we need more plays out of it other than the run. I am still waiting on my bomb.. maybe Gerald will be the one.
by the way.. has Gerald Williams played at all?
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
well put bill
vol2211insc writes:
They need to let that man pass out of the formation. This season is bad enough but we really don't have anything to lose. I mean you've got to assume that Jones can pass to the open man with some consistency. So I say just let him run a series, hand off sometimes...pass from time to time, run a trick play, do something!
GahLee writes:
Vince was way better than a so-so passer while at Texas, and how dare you compare the two. Gerald seems to be a playmaker but he really has not done anything yet. Vince was one of the greatest that college football had to offer. I would suggest that you think more along the lines of Brent Schaffer.
GahLee writes:
Has anyone seen Brandon Warren? I think I seen him on a milk carton.
MarbleVol48 writes:
Why not in the red Zone??????????
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