The role of “G-Gun” quarterback has gone to another receiver.
Tennessee has looked elsewhere for help in the return game, and even at his normal position Gerald Jones hasn’t been able to make much of an impact.
Injuries might have kept the Vols’ multi-purpose threat from doing as much as he wanted early in the season, but Jones isn’t feeling anything wrong physically lately. So the fact the receiver has still been a non-factor for UT is taking a toll mentally instead.
“It feels like no matter what I do, something wrong comes out of it,” Jones said. “It’s not just getting it from the coaches, it’s from myself. It’s like, ‘What am I doing wrong to not get the ball? Am I not getting open fast enough? What is it?’
“I feel healthy as far as running, so I don’t think it’s me moving. I’m blocking very well; think I had about seven knockdowns against Florida, so I’m blocking well. I’m really working hard on the blocking game, I’m not being selfish, it’s just my competitive attitude wants me to help by making a play.”
The problem at the moment seems to be reconciling the need for Jones to make them as a run-blocker instead of a pass-catcher or decision-maker in the backfield.
The junior apologized Monday for his emotional outburst late in Saturday’s win over Ohio when his frustration with a toothless passing game spilled over on the field. But given his competitive nature and the difficulty UT has had finding a rhythm through the air, the issue isn’t likely to go away soon whether Jones is truly healthy or not.
“I don’t look at it as me cutting a safety and getting him down and springing a long run, I consider that helping, but I don’t consider that me really being a part of the team even if it’s a big block and Montario (Hardesty) may score a touchdown if I make the block,” Jones said. “I think me catching the ball and actually showing what I’m really special at is me helping the team, and I haven’t got a chance to really do that. I’m frustrated.
“I really haven’t done anything. I haven’t played quarterback, haven’t helped in that spot. Special teams, haven’t helped in that spot. On offense, I don’t feel like I’ve helped a lot … and really haven’t had a chance to showcase my talents. It’s not about me being selfish because I love blocking for (Hardesty). I’m not saying, ‘Give me the ball, give me the ball.’ But I just want to have a chance to make a play.”
No Respect: Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has clearly been impressed by Auburn’s 4-0 start. It’s taking a little longer for the Tigers to have the same effect nationally.
The schedule might not be the most difficult in the country, but Auburn has handled all four opponents with ease and scored at least 37 points against each of them. But it hasn’t cracked the top 25 in any of the three major polls.
“This team, looking at the rankings this week, I’m very surprised that this opponent is not in the top 25,” Kiffin said. “They’re 4-0 coming into the game, and they haven’t played a game that has been within 10 points.
“They’re extremely explosive. … Two weeks ago we played, at the time, the most explosive offense in college football and here we go again with one of the top three.This is going to be a big matchup for us.”
Fan Plan: Kiffin has called on a vocal crowd already this season to deliver on third downs and got what he asked for. This week he’s asking for even more from UT fans at Neyland Stadium, particularly after a relatively quiet effort last week against Ohio.
“We’re going to need a big-time day from our fans,” Kiffin said. “We’ve asked before about third downs, we’re going to need it on first, second and third because they do a bunch of no-huddle and hurry-up stuff that has a lot to do with the communication of the quarterback and the other 10 players out there.
“The louder that our crowd can be on first and second down, as well as third down, would help our defense a lot.”
Streakers: There’s been turnover on both staffs since Auburn knocked off the Vols last year in an ugly 14-12 slugfest to run its win streak to four games. But even if Kiffin hasn’t been a part of the recent history in the series, he’s at least brushed up on it — even if it doesn’t matter much to him.
“I don’t know how that would really matter,” he said. “You’ve got two new coaches, two new coaching staffs, a bunch of new players. I think we’ve lost to them four times straight, so it would be big from that perspective for Tennessee and for our fans to get back on a winning track.
“I know at one point there was a long streak versus Auburn that Tennessee had won a bunch in a row. Over the last four (games), for whatever reason, that has changed. It’d be nice to get that back going our way.”
Time of Nick: UT hasn’t exactly finalized plans for filling the shoes of middle linebacker Nick Reveiz. But the Vols might have to use more than guy to do it.
The depth chat released Tuesday listed Nigel Mitchell-Thornton as the starter this week, though Savion Frazier appears to be a more likely candidate based on practice reps with the first-team. Both players figure to see action with Reveiz out for the season, and their workload could be directly tied to formations.
“We’re going to look at a couple different options, and it may even be two guys in different personnels when we go to our substitution personnels for nickel and dime,” Kiffin said. “We may go with a different guy so that way only one guy is having to master certain stuff. There’s a bunch of different things we’ll look at this week and figure it out by game time.”
Health Nuts: Defensive end Chris Walker and offensive lineman Vladimir Richard continue to be held out of practice. They were joined on Tuesday by senior safety Derrick Furlow, who appeared to be bothered by a left-leg injury.
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Comments » 87
mattgb7c writes:
Hey Gerald, it's because we don't have a QB that can throw you the football.
rockytopatl writes:
Gerald, you need to just chill and let it happen. I think you might be thinking about it too much. Do your job and get open and if you get really, really lucky, the quarterback might see you and throw a decent pass.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
The good news is that Jones is a junior. NEXT year we will have a QB that can get him the ball.
RockinTop writes:
...and a QB that never sees you open, I did though many times.
Ladies and Gents, these comments are a tell tale sign that this lack of QB change is on the players minds....and its BS! It's ridiculous to continue with Crompton.
Hey adamleepowell....I see Kiffin agrees with me on Auburn even though they havent played anybody as you regurgitated on another thread....funny how he made nearly the same comments I did....the Vols are going to have their hands full....and if we can't put points on the board, we're in big trouble.
go big orange.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Maybe this stems from the actions on the field Saturday it was a 3rd and long and Crompy airmailed it somehwere, he and Crompton did not look like they were making dinner plans...then CLK sprinted and got into GGUN's grill--GGUN was benched and was selling his point to Montario...sad to say that these players see the samething we see
reidtownriverrat writes:
Last year Jones had 30 catches, 323 yrds and 4 tds, he needs to get the ball. He got it last year, there shoudnt be a drop off should be an increase.
Orangeblood13 writes:
probably right about the QB, but how bout running the right route, or blocking through the play or stop dancing and get your arse up field.
yap yap yap, play ball
VolunteerLifer writes:
Gerald, stop whining and do your job, man. Your job is to run your routes correctly. If you do that and the ball doesn't get to you, then I can understand your frustration. But if you don't do that, then I can't. And even if you run your routes correctly and the ball doesn't get thrown to you, maybe you should keep your frustrations out of the newspapers. All you are doing is causing the fans to feel frustrated over the qb situation even more than they already are. Hearing Crompton get booed, especially when the routes are not run correctly, is bad for everyone. So stop whining and just do your job better than you have been doing it.
bluetick writes:
He needs to stay after and get the timing down with Crompton. I agree that we don't have a QB now. A blind man can see that, but the truth be told Crompton is the best QB we have on the team. Putting in Stephens now for all who do not understand this just YET is going to do NOTHING POSITIVE for this team. Get over it already. If he WAS better, he would have been the starter when the season opened. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY GOOD QB'S ON THIS TEAM THIS YEAR...deal with it and quit crying. Don't expect any miracles next year either. The year after next we can expect big things. Just how it is dudes!
pammyvol1000 writes:
I see his point! Freshman are playing more than him. But.. he was injured so that was a factor also.. Go Vols!!
TommyJack writes:
Keep off his azz. He will contribute big at some point. Sheesh, some0you sound like you have the whine flu.
volfan28 writes:
I know this doesnt have to do with G Jones but it does with recruiting. Check out my article at http://rootzoo.com/articles/view/NCAA...
tell me what you think.
Ironcity writes:
I understand his frustrations. As bad as Crompton is throwing to his right he is worse throwing to his left where Jones usually lines up. I bet its tough when your open but the QB never looks or if he does see you, he whales it over your head or into the dirt.
If I am Kiffin, I put in a few quick screens and a reverse for Jones. I might even throw in a reverse pass. He is to good to just never touch the ball.
volfan28 writes:
Yeah screen pass and hit the backside reciver in the middle of the field would be 6. Crompton would have to be smart enough to throw the ball backwards tho
volcycle writes:
Gerald has had the ball thrown to him on numerous occasions. He has not produced. If you're a great receiver, you make great catches. You don't step out of bounds, you don't tip the pass to the defender,...you do the right things and make the catches. In the first game, Crompton spread the ball around to several receivers. When Jones came back, he locked in on him and kept throwing it to him, so he can't say he hasn't had his chances. Crompton is far from perfect, but he is delivering the balls where they should be caught by these receivers if they run the right route, don't let it bounce off of their hands, or just get open. We could have Tebow as our qb and our passing game still wouldn't be much better. Both Crompton and the receivers are slowly getting better. We just have to have patience. I wouldn't expect anything better from Stephens this year, but I do expect him do great next season as the starter with a year in the system for him and these receivers. Hard to say it, but....Just have patience and don't be so negative. Negativity doesn't help anything!! Go Vols!!!
CoverOrange writes:
Emotional outburst? Did I miss something in all these articles from KNS? I couldn't see the game so what "emotional outburst" did GJ have to apologize for?
Psychovol writes:
Get him the damn ball or somebody for crying out loud. This is a no excuse game. Nobody can talk about this is only the fourth game with this coaching regime as that's true for both teams. Show us the money!
doubledown writes:
Let's throw him the ball and see what he can do except run his mouth whining...
jst4tdyvols writes:
who does he think he is cant stay in bounds cant run the right route dosent make catches that a great reciever would sounds like he has a case of the whine flu.Tighten up be a player and do something diffrent.GO VOLS
smashmouth98 writes:
gerald, you can help out by running the correct route and making sure you stay inbounds. I understand your frustration, but making those mistakes does not help your lack of production!!!!! shut your trap and do what you are supposed to do. It's the little things.
Madkels writes:
If Crompton had thrown the ball 1 second earlier, he would have been in bounds.
caverunner writes:
Gerald..Good things come to those who wait. Just keep doing the fundamentals right and all else will eventually come around. We do need a qb that can get the ball downfield better, but our receivers need to work on getting open earlier. Makes for quicker reads, earlier throws, and a chance to make more plays once the receiver has the ball in their hands.
toto_cold writes:
I don't understand why he gets on the field period. His first game back can't run a route correctly, then doesn't even make an effort to catch a pass that by my accounts as I watched it over and over again only went over his hand by about 12 inches and he didn't even jump. And, it was Crompton's fault? It is amazing to me that there was a simmilar play and Hancock went up and got. Speaking of Hancock it is weird that Crompton hasn't had any mis-communication with him and he seems to know exactly where he is going to be. He has had only a few mis-communications with the freshman but that is expected from freshmen. Another problem running at of bounds in the endzone a freshmen mistake committed by a junior. And if he thinks that what he does is considered blocking he is kidding himself. He and Denarius Moore couldn't block my grandmother and she is 94. Several times in the Florida game in particular if they just touch their guys Hardesty scores easily. My opinion is that Jones is an "I" and he hasn't bought into the coaching staff's philosophy and still longs for the days that Fulmer just allowed him to do what ever he wanted. Go with the Freshmen forget the upper classmen receivers except for Hancock when he gets back. At least if we get freshmen mistakes it will be from freshmen not upper classmen who play like freshmen and with lack of effort. P.S. I am not a Crompton fan. I just noticed when all the mistakes started they started with Jones.
Cldvols1 writes:
Big game comin up, a team that we can beat if we execute! I went to see em play West Virginia and had it been dry the Neers would've beat em. True they're 4-0 but the haven't played a decent defense yet. Our D needs to have a UF-type game and shut down Malzahn's offense. Plus with a noisy crowd we can create some miscues for the Tigers. Go Vols get a victory!!!
P.S. Players need to stop whining and start contributing. And JC needs to get his head out of his arse and realize he's the starting QB for the University of Tennessee!
toto_cold writes:
A-MEN!!
57TexasVol writes:
exactly right...Crompton made about half dozen bad passes against Ohio, Jones hasn't done anyhting to help but run his mouth alot this year. I've seen a number plays Jones (and others) didn't run the right route, or make adjustments to help the QB. Shut up. Listen to your coaches. Learn. And play ball!
tngivem6 writes:
but I don’t consider that me really being a part of the team even if it’s a big block and Montario (Hardesty) may score a touchdown if I make the block,”
What the heck kind of comment is that Gerald?
A team player blocks for his RB and runs the correct route and stays inbound for a TD that could have change the aspect of the UT-Fla game..
Stop being a mamma's boys, grow a set and play some dag-gum Football!!!!
tngivem6 writes:
couldn't have summed it up better myself..
GJ is crying for mommie because coach kiffin isn't using him like Fulmer did..
This is also the kid that got busted smoking the wacky weed witha top recruit too..no displine if you ask me..hold over from the Fulmer 4 strike rule days..
soccervol writes:
Funny how he apologizes...Where is our QB when is comes to that? Oh yeah, not his fault...
volsn1 writes:
lets just split the Quarterbacking between jones and Richardson.
Futurecoach16 writes:
This has been a pattern I have seen for a long time with our receivers. We have had great receivers when they get the ball in their hands, but when they know they are not going to get the ball, they just go through the motions. We haven't had a VERY good receiver that will do the little things without the ball to help the team in a long time. The last guy I remember doing it is Carl Pickens (i.e. the game winning TD in the Miracle at South Bend, where he took his defender out the back of the endzone where the guy couldn't make a play on the running back). We need guys that'll give 100% with and without the ball. And help the QB out, especially when the QB is not very good.
SEAL_9821 writes:
Totally agree! Gerald is a hell of an athlete and we need his "A" Game bad. The problem is that Gerald has been killing himself. I've seriously watched this kid during a game and he runs lazy routes, doesn't remember the route at times, and not to mention the stepping out of bounds at Florida. Gerald has been at this position long enough and shouldn't be making these type of mistakes and mental errors. This is freshman mistakes.
smokies_old_soul writes:
"...... showcase my talents."
"It’s not about me being selfish."
"I’m not saying, ‘Give me the ball"
you're not being selfish ??
actually, yes, that's exactly what you are being.
if i was coach, you wouldn't see the field because you obviously care more about 'showcasing your talents' than you do the team. worried about your draft status a little gerald ?
shut up ....... and stay in bounds next time.
the10sevol writes:
no pressure for you this week, huh, lol?
here's my take, go to the Vol mall site and order a new shirt. if you order tonight, you should be able to get it by the weekend. i gotta feeling you're gonna get up sunday morning and want a fresh Vols shirt to wear to breakfast. (can also be worn over the top of a three-piece suit, for those who attend sunday services).
GBO
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
An old theme for the KNS crew:
KNS, where idiot trolls go to mouth off.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
This is a must win as far as team confidence goes;Bigger test than FLA for our defense..All of a sudden Todd's playing good and they have a big time passing game,,Edge goes to the Vols on defense; Teams have been putting up 20 to 30 points on Auburn; If we continue to play this predictable vanilla offense auburn will hold us to under 20 points..Still waiting to see Chaney's big time pro style offense and it hasn't been totally because of Cromptons bad playing
Ironcity writes:
Are you serious? Jones ran the right pattern he did what good leaders do and took the blame saying that other receivers run the route deeper. The reality is that he was perfectly in between the two defenders. It was an easy pass to make and would have been a big play had Crompton thrown it well. Toto I am not sure how old you are but try running full speed in one direction and then jump in the air straight up 18 inches. Their is no way Jones or any other receiver in college could make that play. The defender made the play and he was almost 10 yards away. Jones did screw up stepping out of bounds where he did but for the most part Crompton hasn't been able to get Jones the ball. If I were him I would be frustrated to if I busted my butt to get on the field and the QB can't seem to get me a ball that's not going to get me killed. By the way that INT that tipped of Jones is fingers was a terrible pass that would have taken a spectacular catch a long with a potential concussion from being hung out to dry by his QB.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
If the Vols lose, Crompatition will be the scapegoat. If the Vols win, the O-line and young Mr. Hardesty will be the heros.
I'm afraid things don't look good for young Mr. Crompatition.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
And while we are at it, we can coach by polling this site.
NorthwestVol writes:
I disagree this time TommyJack. Seems to me Gerald is the one doing the whining.
tennezz writes:
Please stop the booing no matter how bad we play, We have recruits visiting at these games and this will only turn them away from UT!
Shake_Bake writes:
Do you guys remember when Tennessee was known as "Wide Receiver U"?? We had some great ones down through the years! Some good QB's too. I really hope this thing gets turned around in the next one to two years! In the meantime, we just have to grind it out.
HallowedHill writes:
He'll get his chance, he just has to capitalize. You can't blame Crompton for trying to dial up Bryce or Brandon first given their recent production.
HallowedHill writes:
Tune in next season and check this out...
http://tennessee.scout.com/a.z?s=7&am...
xvolx writes:
I have to respectfully disagree. You have had a chance. Ball bounces off your hands for INT. Going out of bounds in endzone. Running wrong pass routes. You have also missed some blocks downfield. Don't get angry. Get even.
RJ_Vol writes:
This team is going to come unglued if CLK doesn't get Stephens off the bench. The grumbles will only grow louder if/when we sit at 3-5 w/ 4 to go - because a coach is too stubborn to make a tough move at the QB spot. The potential we have on offense is being squandered. If we lose to Auburn, only the empty seats will be screaming.
CrankE writes:
Jones, If you don't consider throwing a block that springs a touchdown worthy of your best effort, then by all means, feel free to leave the team at any time and free up your scholarship for someone who will.
caverunner writes:
The only way this team comes unglued is if there is a lack of discipline. Under the last staff i could see that happening. I honestly believe that if we had a better qb sitting on the bench, he would be in the game. I don't buy into the conspiracy that they are starting JC because of recruiting. As long as this team is putting out 100%, I will be supporting them and this staff. CLK cannot undo what CPF did in 3 or 4 games. Its going to take about 3 years. Lets support these kids and this staff, even through the "lean" times. Thats when they need our support the most!
RockinTop writes:
I am not crying....except from laughing at your post. I am not emotional on this thing as many of you are.
Numbers don't lie and that's what I am looking at. Statistics clearly show Crompton is a train wreck. Pick a year. Stephens, with what chances have been given IN GAMES, statistically is better.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how long this madness continues. I suspect this Saturday we'll find out.....course then again, Kiffin will likely be afraid to let Crompton throw again.... So we may not.
I am not surprised tickets are available. But Auburn fans will buy em up.....I am confident that if us Vols knew there was a QB change this week those seats would be sold to Vols..... but some are sensible enough not to spend big money for same Crompton, different year. Much more economical to watch wrong way Crompton from home (that play made me laugh last week. The whole team goes left and Crompton goes to hand off right).
Excitement sells, less than mediocrity doesn't. It's the facts, now you deal with it there bluetick.
go big orange
RockinTop writes:
Oh my gosh! That is so spot on and well stated!!! Unfortunately I am beginning to wonder if CLK understands this.
go big orange
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