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Nick Stephens comes from a small town in Texas. He's played football since the 7th grade. However, the sophomore that is a contender for the starting quarterback position at the University of Tennessee had only one year of varsity football in high school before coming to UT. Watch »
Tennessee Stat Book
Northern Illinois Huskies
Gerald Jones is just one of those guys.
The Tennessee wide receiver is shifty. He's tough to catch. He's fast. And he's precisely the kind of player coaches want to have their hands on the football.
But with UT's passing game stuck in a rut through four games and backup quarterback Nick Stephens making a run at the starting job this week in practice, Jones' touches could come increasingly at quarterback.
"If we're struggling to get him the ball in the passing game, which we did (against Auburn)," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said, "this ensures that we put the ball in his hands and makes sure he has an impact on the game."
With the Vols' starter at quarterback unsettled heading into Saturday's game against Northern Illinois (TV: Pay-per-view, 7 p.m.), UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Jones could see more action at quarterback in UT's G-Gun package.
Jones has taken 13 snaps at quarterback in UT's four games, and he's just fine with taking a few more.
"I'm honored to be in that position," Jones said. "For them to trust me as much to put me back there, that's a critical position right there. That's the captain of the offense. I'm honored, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to help the team win."
Even with Tennessee off to a 1-3 start, it's helped.
UT's 13 plays in the G-Gun have produced 107 yards, an average of 8.2 yards per play. While it's not always a homerun gain, the G-Gun certainly provides a spark.
Against UCLA, tailback Arian Foster took a handoff 41 yards out of the formation. UT's longest play from scrimmage in Saturday's loss to Auburn came on a 23-yard run by Jones out of the G-Gun. The sophomore had another highlight reel run against the Tigers, taking a busted play from one sideline to the other for a gain of 8 yards.
"He ran 80 yards and got like a 7-yard gain," Clawson said. "Gerald's a dynamic player."
He can also throw the ball.
Jones, who played quarterback in high school, attempted his first pass against Auburn, although it sailed high and was dropped by receiver Lucas Taylor.
"I guess the adrenaline was pumping so bad that I kind of over-strided and threw it high," Jones said. "But I was comfortable back there."
Still, the G-Gun remains a wrinkle in UT's offense. Despite it's success at times this season, it likely isn't a permanent solution to the Vols' struggles at quarterback.
"If Gerald's in the game, we're going to have a pass or two out of it, but generally we're running the football with it," Clawson said. "The looks we're getting against that package aren't really that much different right now because people are really ganging up on the running game."
UT defensive coordinator John Chavis says stopping a specialty package like the G-Gun is all about having more defensive players near the line of scrimmage than the offense can block.
To bring enough players to stop the play, a defense sometimes can't leave a safety net for the pass. And when a team has the ability to throw out of a package like the G-Gun, even on a limited basis, it becomes a riskier venture for the defense.
"There are sometimes when they force you to play zero coverage," Chavis said. "I don't want to go out there and play zero coverage every down because that's living on the edge. Those are the things that you fear the most."
On each of the 13 plays out of the G-Gun, UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton has remained on the field and lined up wide. That's not because he's a wide receiver, either.
Clawson says by keeping the quarterback on the field, it leaves the defense about eight seconds to change plays instead of being able to call a play designed specifically to stop the G-Gun.
"If the quarterback's on the field and they break the huddle, now usually you're getting a little more predictable looks against it," Clawson said, "and that's the reason we leave the quarterback on the field."
While a true quarterback will continue to take the majority of snaps in UT's offense, Jones' role continues to expand. And that's just fine with center Josh McNeil.
"Every week we're adding more and more things to it so the package can become more versatile, throwing, running, things like that," McNeil said. "He's an exciting athlete that can make a lot of plays, make a lot of guys miss and just make a lot of things happen with the football. That's one of his best traits, making plays when there's really nothing there."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 96
ibvolman writes:
First, and glad to hear the G-gun is expanding.
Musicman74 writes:
Let Jones stay at QB all the time.
TommyJack writes:
Like it.
DennisVols writes:
That pass was catchable!!!
Jones is a playmaker and I enjoy watching a player with that kind of heart and effort to make this team better.
Volman42 writes:
"If Gerald's in the game, we're going to have a pass or two out of it, but generally we're running the football with it," Clawson said.
What a joke!!! It would be nice to see more passing out of this since he was a quarterback in H.S. The pass to Lucas Taylor on Saturday was a dropped ball by on Taylor's part. If he would have caught that, more than likely it would have been a TD. Why not keep the opponents off guard with more passing out of this formation? Also, where the heck is Lennon Creer and Brandon Warren? What was all the talk about Warren being utilized in multiple areas in the Clawffense? NOT!!! What a pathetic year to be a VOL. It's time for a change.
CoverOrange writes:
If they aren't going to use him at QB every play then move him to TB or at least HB and use him like Stanley Morgan. Not getting much production out of him at WR with the way QB play is going.
tenuscvol writes:
Sounds like Geralds a decent QB. He comments were excellent and sounds like a great team man (Can you say Tee Martin?).
You go Gerald!!!
Go Vols!!
6th! (or maybe 7th or 8th)
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Sorry guys...I know I'm in the minority, but I'm not a fun of the G-Gun as we currently know it. Though our current QB situation is in dire need, it's obvious he's running or handing off each time.
My main problem is that we use it at the worst possible time. Remember the bowl game against Wisconsin? We drove 70 yards, then employed the G-Gun for 3 runs up the middle and had to settle for a field goal. We've done that on other occasions, too.
Until he's able to drop back and pass it for some yardage, I'm just not buying it. I'm willing to be wrong on this, though.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Correction: "not a FAN of..."
My bad on the typo.
rsarazen#221200 writes:
According to Clawson, the G-Gun is just another wrinkle the Vols have in their offense. Unfortunately that wrinkle is but one part of an offense on pace of aging like a 90-year old man. Put Gerald in and leave him in and the wrinkles will begin to fade. You have to have a 3 dimensional offensive attack to keep most defenses honest and we haven't had that since Tee Martin. Tee made many 3rd and 4th down conversions en-route to the 98 National Championship with his wheels. Gerald can do this also. I trust his legs and his unproven arm over any other option we have. Wow, I just used the word option; something we haven't had in a long time. I truly believe the team would rally around this. GO VOLS !!!
utwick writes:
Start Stephens and Creer. End of story.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Great word parley: Incrompetent Clawffense. I hope that they are the only two new words created by the 2008 Tennessee Vol Football Team. Go G-Gun! Go Nick! Go BJ! SAVol
rsarazen#221200 writes:
My apologies to Nick Stephens with my prior post. He should be given a legitimate opportunity to start. Nick seems to present himself very intelligently and appears to have the intangibles of a good solid QB. If that doesn't work, I'm all for the G-Gun full-time. I hope it works out for Nick. He presents himself as a very mature young man. GO VOLS !!!
movol53 writes:
I've said this before and I'll say it again.
Put Gerald in at QB and any two of three RB's and run the wishbone. Gerald can throw on the run and none of the teams
have practiced their defense against it. We are suppose to have a great offensive line let's use our strengths while they work on a passing game in practice.
I live in Missouri and grew up in Knoxville I would have never thought Missouri would be a football school and Tennessee a basketball school!!!! My world seems to be turned upside down. Missouri always had a strong basketball program and Tennessee had a strong football program. What the heck is going on?
cobbwebb writes:
playmaker! thats all you can say about gerald jones!
BillVol writes:
This "G-Gun" is the worst marketing idea since new Coke. But even the most intelligent of UT football fans a are buying it hook and sinker. Gerald is not a major college quarterback. He is a good runner, but he cannot throw the football at all. You have to be able to do both.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I'm with you, BillVol...see my earlier post.
My only disagreement is with the reference to "new Coke"--I'd change it to say "Clear Pepsi".
tenuscvol writes:
Great Post!
eutefan writes:
Too little, and too late.
OrangePower11 writes:
Sorry, but I don't like the word fear coming out of my coaches mouths. Say, "thats living on the edge, those are situations you want to avoid." Avoid using words like fear and afraid. I know I'm being a little Knit-Picky, but I think it all goes back to the coaching staffs mind-set, passive, reactive. Not so much Chavis, but his comment jogged my memory and I've heard Fulmer use terms like that many times.
VolsFan3390 writes:
i think Gerald should get half the snaps and nick stephens the other half. this may sound dumb but it will kinda be like Brent Schaefer (before he became and idiot) and Erik Ainge in 2004. It worked out alright with the speed and the "Gunslinger" arm for Ainge and Schaefer. Mabey this could work too?
GO VOLS
VOLINCALI writes:
Warren is the second team TE, that is why his only reception of significance was from Stephens
VOLINCALI writes:
Fulmer is not the problem.
VOLINCALI writes:
Enough guys, if he could throw it at all do you really think Stephens would be the one splitting reps this week.
mdavis332#560634 writes:
Please somehow let Phil see that the quarterback position is inept. If he does not see that, then we are in deep trouble through the end of the year.
The sad part is he does not trust Nick or B.J. and that is scary because we have no one else except the G-gun and right now it is an automatic run except for one failed pass.....I'm worried.
VOLINCALI writes:
I agree with Stephens but, not ready to put Montario on the, wait sorry I forgot it was "end of story".
VOLINCALI writes:
Good job, this one makes sense.
VOLINCALI writes:
Absolut and 7 with a twist. If the bartender sends a lemon wedge, drink beer.
newtonrail writes:
I can't believe these posts. They get crazier every day. Forget about Fulmer. How many of you would want your jobs decided in the willy nilly way some are suggesting moving players around like in a PlayStation Game. "Use Jones and run option, wishbone, etc. Sounds like Al Davis changing head coaches. It takes awhile to change Offensive systems to Clawson's West Coast, which isn't that different from Pro Set we were running. Auburn is doing real well converting there's to Spread in one year, aren't they? Changing to any type option team in mid season would be complete disaster.
VOLINCALI writes:
Complete disaster like sticking with JC.
VOLKING writes:
Fulmer's not the problem??!! Good luck defending that one on here.
chrisw2967 writes:
VOLINCALI:"Fulmer is not the problem"
Then who should get the blame for all these years and who is respnsible for this sinking ship ?
I guess its Sanders,Ainge and Cuts fault ?
pathetic
kbart4033#247331 writes:
The next head coach at U.T. will be Peyton Manning--if and
when he wants the job. Until then, we could...
--hire Steve Spurrier! Oops--he has lost 2 in a row to Candy
and his offense really sucks, too!;
--hire Urban Meyer! Oops--our offense out-gained his!;
--hire Mark Richt! Oops--our guy went 13-0 with Rodney
Garner's recruits!;
--hire Pete Carroll! Oops--he has more talent than 2
NFL franchises, but he has figured out how to lose
to Oregon State (twice) and Stanford!;
--hire Bill Belichek! Oops--he just lost by 22 to
the Prairie View of the NFL!
Suggestion to all the Non-Qualifiers who are loving
this downturn: Relax. It is only a game. Give your
ticket to a kid. They get it.
fencevol writes:
I am not a football genious, but I do know that unless Gerald Jones does some play action passing, SEC defenses will soon figure out how to stuff the G-gun. We are into or 5th game and the coaching staff still does not understand this. Why do we always wait untill well into the season to be creative? Hell, Lucas Taylor threw a T.D. Pass last year and we never tried it again ? I would rather pull a Tin Cup and have the Greatest 12 in U S Open histoy than keep playing this BORING phooey. I live in Florida and some pretty knowledgeable Gator/Nole/Hurricane friends have all told me the same thing. They don't watch our games because they are BORING. They all keep asking me, "what has happened to Tennessee Football ?" God, I wish I had an answer. We'll be in Knoxville for Miss.St and Bama, and I pray we have come together by then. GO VOLS
fencevol writes:
I guess this site automatically sensors comments. On my post, I wrote " playing this BORING C___P and BORING phooey printed instead. Whats up with this?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yep, KingsportV - know the feeling. When I'm about mellowed on Makers and water, I have been know to kick up "Paradise by the dashboard light".
A couple more and you'll hear "Bat out of Hell".
Good read at tennessean.com - sports on Dook.
thevoice writes:
The contract extension and raise Hambone Hammy gave can be bought out, else he wouldn't have done it. If indeed the Rocky Top faithful big donors squirm enough, they're prepared to buy him out. A soft landing for a coach that brought a National Championship, albeit 10 years ago! The buyout would be spread over 4 years anyway, which makes things a little easier to deal with economically. It was a planned setup. Just wish they would have have let Fulmer go earlier, when they saw the writing on the wall.
thevoice writes:
I agree things will take a while, and am not at all ready to give up on Clawson. But how do you explain: untimely fumbles by our RB (then putting him in the next play), complete misreads by the QB, botched handoffs, and an apparent broad lack of team discipline? This team looks like a Jr. High team at times and has no leadership.
thevoice writes:
The only problem is, they've spent the majority of their practice with a QB under center and have always considered the G Gun an occasional mix-up. Under Fulmer, they've always have a traditional QB under center. The offensive line has not been practicing with a moving pocket QB in the spring or now.
hillsborovol writes:
It makes me sick that Nick Stephens has only played one in one game this year and very little in that one. Fulmer really needs to explain why, when we were down 27-0 to Florida, midway through the 2nd half that we didn't put in Stephens. I still think Fulmer was afraid Stephens would come in there and make the Crompton decision look stupid. Even if Crompton was so much better than the others (let's hope not!), then why , if you are Fulmer, would you risk injury to your #1 QB in the Florida game that was out of hand late in the 2nd half?
But, Fulmer said we were never out of the game in pointed to the two point conversion attempt to prove it. Just for arguments, let's say we were still in the game. Now which is tougher late in a game where you are down 27 - 6: Score 2 more TDs, 3 two-pt conversions, AND kick a field goal, or 2) score 3 more TDs? I've never seen a game where someone was shutout that late in the game and came back with 3 consecutive two point conversions and kick a field goal.
mpm80#1357758 writes:
the coaches only let him pass once in the game thats a real shame like dude said taylor should have caught that pass ! jones cant be as bad as cromptom has been! give that young man a chance. id like too see him play a whole game at qb
xvolx writes:
look at the bright side. we are 1-3 and working like heck to go 1-4. there is notre dames record last year to shoot for. foster also closing in on record for most game losing fumbles.
Striker writes:
this will be my first positive post in some time.
Its nice to see our Coaches at least attempting to make major changes. Give either of them a chance, and if you end up going with Jones, at least keep crompton off the field, for that matter Nick as well. The wishbone would be a nice suprise with him back there.
We're already bad so taking more losses wouldnt hurt. But Crompton had his chance and lost out. Happens all the time folks from little league try outs to picking sides in the back yard. Please quit worrying about his feelings. Its competition folks!
fredrickb writes:
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
http://muschampforut.wordpress.com
xvolx writes:
northern ill. is in so much trouble. facing this off. machine, the spread must be 40 pts. awsome off. line, rb faster than a speeding bullet, qb able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... sorry, thats another fantasy.
xvolx writes:
anyone that gives up 256 yds. to tenn. off. couldnt be very good def. cord.
invisiblekid writes:
I agree Newtonrail. Most of the blame is obviously going to Crompton, and rightly so, but it's not as if the rest of these offensive guys are doing great either.
I am sure some of the WR's have run the wrong route, offensive line play has been subpar with glaring mistakes IMO, RB's have failed to pick up blitzes, etc. etc..
To try and completely overhaul the offense at this point in the season when the players can't excute the base plays they have been running for years would be a desperation move at best and would likely be a disaster at worst.
CT_VOL writes:
I love it. Tennessee has one over used trick play, and we're talking about it as though its going to to save our offense.
Very bad sign!
Frank
invisiblekid writes:
I understand the theory of leaving Crompton in during the G-Gun formation to try and keep the defense honest but, it isn't like they are respecting the pass when Jones goes under center anyway. Why not sell-out totally and put the extra blocker in the game? Clawson said it himself that the plan is to run out of the formation, doesn't seem that much different in principle to a goal line formation where everyone knows the intention is to run.
thevoice writes:
Agreed! Nice to see some of us have eyes.
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