Terry Joseph hasn't seen much of the norm lately.
But the Tennessee defensive backs coach hasn't lost confidence.
"Never too high," he said, "never too low."
Joseph left spring practice feeling good about his safety combo of Janzen Jackson and Darren Myles.
Those good feelings have been tested since.
Myles was booted from the team for his role in a July bar fight, and Jackson's missed the majority of fall practice with a hamstring injury before returning Monday.
"We just kept sawing wood," Joseph said. "I feel better now than I did at the end of spring because we have more confidence and more guys to play defense."
Two of those guys - Prentiss Waggner and former minor-league baseball player Brent Brewer - are battling for the safety spot opposite Jackson.
Both Waggner and Brewer, who hasn't played football in more than four years, got plenty of extra work in Jackson's absence.
"By him not practicing," Joseph said, "it's allowed those two guys to get reps.
"For Brent, especially, that's what he needs more than anything. I think in the long run, we're going to say it helped us out."
"It's been helping them a lot," Jackson said. "I've seen Brent make strides in the past week, week and a half."
While Jackson has the free safety spot locked down, Waggner and Brewer are battling to start at strong safety.
The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Waggner, who was playing the free safety spot in Jackson's absence, moved to the strong safety spot with Jackson's return Monday.
"He's a guy who uses his mind to put himself in the best position to make plays," Joseph said.
"Prentiss, he's just a football player," Jackson said. "He's a ball-hawk. I don't even really worry about Prentiss because I know he's going to do this thing."
Brewer, a 6-2, 205-pound freshman, signed with Florida State out of high school before picking baseball.
He's handled transitioning back to football very well.
Joseph would know - he spent four seasons in the minor leagues before beginning a football coaching career of his own.
"When (Brewer) came, my biggest concern was his body," Joseph said. "Could it hold up? Riding a bus and playing 144 games is a little bit different than running into 300-pound linemen.
"Mentally he's about as mature as you can get. He's picked up the playbook at a rapid pace, and I really see the kid helping us this year.
"I don't know where we'd be if we didn't find a guy."
Fans' Last Chance: Fans have one final opportunity to see where season tickets remain available in Neyland Stadium.
With the "Meet Your Seats" program, fans can go from Wednesday through Friday of this week to see seating options for the 2010 season.
Fans also interested in the Tennessee Terrace will be able to tour those seats, which open for the first time this season.
Fans can park for free in the G-10 garage and enter through Gate 9.
Status Update: Linebacker Greg King (hyperextended knee) missed practice again on Monday.
Cornerback Anthony Anderson, a former standout at Austin-East High School, went through individual work wearing a non-contact red jersey Monday after suffering a shoulder stinger in Saturday's scrimmage.
Patrick Brown is a freelance contributor.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 9
tree_em_smokey writes:
I enjoy reading the info from the freelance contributors as much or more than one on KNS's payroll. On topic I am glad that Brewer is good enough to be in the mix to start at strong safety. When I first heard of us getting a baseball player I couldn't help but think of last year when we got the guy to come in for support at the QB position, which by the way was useless as he was never in the mix to be of serious consideration. Glad Brent still has it! GBO!!!
DannyVol writes:
Totally agree on the freelancer. While the dietary choices of one of our linemen and Dooley's trendy hat are absolutely fascinating, it's nice to get a little football news two weeks before the season begins.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
The first thing I thought when I heard we were getting a baseball player was “oh no, another Kelley Washington”. However, I’m sure that won’t be the case this time around. :-)
monsterman writes:
Where does Marsalis Teague fit into this picture? I thought someone said he was being moved back there as well.
Tennacious writes:
If I remember correctly, Teague is practicing at cornerback not safety.
nocleats writes:
I just hope he teaches them to become solid tacklers, striking and wrapping up. I've seen enough of the trying to punish the ball carrier with a hard shoulder hit, only to watch the ball carrier bounce off like a pinball for 4-6 10 and even more yards. Damage control can be better than trying to inflict damage. It's almost the same as a QB throwing it away to live another play.
shtooo (Inactive) writes:
evolution vs. creation...discuss!
givehim6 writes:
Whomever gets the strong safety spot has BIG shoes to fill! Good luck guys.
SpiralBound writes:
I hope our safeties have less than 10 tackles for the entire year. If that happens it means our D-line kept the O-line occupied enough so that our great LBs can roam freely.
Wonder how much seats in the Tennessee Terrace will cost...
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