Notebook: Jones frustrated with lack of production

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.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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