Jarrod Shaw was skeptical at first.
When Tennessee offensive line coach Harry Hiestand introduced the notion of “Offensive Line Pride,” Shaw wasn’t so sure about the new motto.
“We didn’t really know what it meant. We saw it on a piece of paper, and we were like, ‘O-line pride, that sounds kind of lame,’ ” the senior guard said laughing.”
He wasn’t alone.
“At first we thought, ‘Yeah, we’ve got offensive line pride, what are you talking about?’” junior center Cody Pope said.
That attitude is long gone.
Shaw, Pope and the rest of the Vols’ offensive linemen have clearly embraced what they now simply refer to as “O.L.P.”
“Then (Hiestand) got to tell us about it, more and more about what we had to do to be what we wanted to be,” Pope said. “Then we were like, ‘Yeah, that is, and we’re not doing it.’ It just became a slogan.”
Shaw attributed the initial uncertainty to the unit’s unfamiliarity with Hiestand, who joined UT’s staff after five seasons with the Chicago Bears.
“We knew about his track record coming in,” the 6-foot-4, 331-pound Shaw said.
“During the spring guys were trying to feel Coach Hiestand out trying to figure out what type of coach he is. When he threw that term out, guys were kind of hesitant because we didn’t know what type of coach he was.
“But then in the summer he challenged us, and that really brought us together and (grew) our understanding of it. That was our No. 1 goal in the summer.”
The Vols’ linemen focused heavily during the summer on spending time together off the field to strengthen the bond among the unit.
“If you can be together as a unit on and off the field and know what this guy’s doing on and off the field, how’s he going to be, you’re going to be better on the field,” Pope said.
“That’s going to overcome a lot of things during a game. The closer we can become as a unit, it’s going to help us all together as a team.”
Pope even said he was surprised by how the entire group jumped on board.
“That’s the thing,” he said. “I’ve never been around a group of guys where we’re all together (before). Now we’re at the point where it’s all or nothing. It’s helped us bond better.”
Not only has all the time spent together over the summer increased the unit’s bond, but it’s also given it the confidence level of a veteran group.
Shaw (three starts last year) is the only “veteran.” No other projected starter has started a game prior to this season, and redshirt freshman JerQuari Schofield and true freshman Ja’Wuan James will play their first college game in the Sept. 4 opener against UT Martin.
But to Shaw, the sense of pride and togetherness makes up for the lack of experience
“As long as we believe in each other,” he said, “that’s all that really matters.”
Stocker Watch: Senior tight end Luke Stocker has been named to the preseason watch list for this season’s John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s top tight end.
Patrick Brown is a freelance contributor.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 73
Hardrocknox writes:
Pride ? I hope so they're going to need it . Go O line pride !
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Ya'll are the foundation for a surprisingly good offense this year. Thanks to the big uglies!
nocleats writes:
Maybe next year their motto will be GOFLEITP !
Gouge Out Fla Linebackers Eyes In The Pile!!
lol
rockytopatl writes:
Hiestand produced a lot of NFL linemen when he coached at Illinois. Let's hope that trend continues. If this line succeeds, this team succeeds. They are key to this team's future.
IBleedOrange71 writes:
Good stuff Coach! I can't wait to see it show on the field.
sol_way writes:
prove them wrong fellows, you guys hold your own in this league and i will tip my hat, sounds like you guys believe in each other and i think that says alot GOOD LUCK
tnsportsman writes:
Go get them O Line! This O Line and Offense will be just fine this year! Control the clock Tennessee!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
Hillbilly_Orange writes:
I am starting to get a little excited! GBO!!!
TennVolAlum writes:
How about you save the "pride" for when you win some games.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I am beginning to like Patrick Brown's articles more each week. Good Job.
n2thecheckerboards2 writes:
Every starting o-lineman for Illinois made it to an NFL roster under Hiestand.
CoastGuardVol writes:
I like it, guys I think that this team could be pretty special. We may not win every game, but I feel like we will look back on this team as a very special one. I'm with ya fellas!!! GO VOLS!!!
UTByrd writes:
Ooh lah wee,
Can't you see?
We got O.L.P.
That's how it's goona be!
We're gonna take their D's
and turn their he's into she's.
Cuz we got O.L.P.
That's how it's gonna be!
The whole time we'll be goin'
Tee hee hee, tee hee hee.
Cuz we got O.L.P.
That's how it's gonna be!
Go VOLS!!!!!
*Swiperboy, see what you can do with dis, lol.
GerryOP writes:
Our Vols are gonna surprise and shock quite a few people this year ... including a whole bunch of Vol fans!
VolGrad writes:
Without pride, why should you care whether you win or lose? The coach and players have it right, here. Take pride in yourselves and in the offensive line unit. Then, you're more likely to do the stuff it takes to win games.
james#216392 writes:
Step up and surpirse some people.
Congrads to Luke Stocker just being mentioned in pre-season is an honor.
VolinCalif writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
VolinCalif writes:
I am hoping you mean this is a good way.In which case I do fully agree.
TennVolAlum writes:
Do you take pride in losing? Oh wait....let me guess, you are a big fan of "moral victories".
Bigger_Al writes:
Versatile Offensive Line?
movol77 writes:
Vanguard Offensive Line?
movol77 writes:
Vanguard - the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force.
VOL03_NC writes:
Call it anything you want, as long as it works!
movol77 writes:
Trophy!
OrangePsyched writes:
I'm not VolGrad but he** yeah I believe in moral victories. If you play a superior opponent and we will occassionally and leave it all on the field...that's pride. It's not getting whipped it's how you fight that counts. It doesn't mean you accept losing..it just makes you work harder to win. ROCKY TOP!
TennVolAlum writes:
That's great man. Maybe you can lobby the BCS for Tenn to play for the national championship this year, based on all of our moral victories. Oh wait....let me guess for you too....you're a supporter of handing out "participation trophies" to all youngters that play?
How SAD is it that some Tennessee fans have now resorted to finding comfort feelings in moral victories????? I'm just sayin!
AWOLVol writes:
Victorious Offensive Line?
AWOLVol writes:
Vindicated Offensive Line?
Vols4Braves writes:
Good attitude champ... Really love your "pride"
Vols4Braves writes:
What's SAD is that you call yourself a Vols fan. If you don't have pride and confidence in yourself and your teammates, don't expect to play a lick of good football. How sad is it that "Alums" like you turn so quickly. Get over yourself.
usnavyvol writes:
No moral victories..just pride of being a Vol. Any alum should know better. Your card just got pulled for BS..UTK class of 98'
DannyVol writes:
Totally agree. Good job, Patrick!
OrangePsyched writes:
TennVolAlum...no I don't believe in everybody gets a trophy. I do believe in pride for effort. No one celebrates losing but if you're all out and lose you have to give the other guy or team their props. I'll bet you were always the sore loser and the other team always cheats to win. You believe the ends justifies the means and would put us on probation just to win. I was upset with the ending but yeah I was proud of this team against Bama last year. I wasn't high fiving my friends at the ending but I recognized that our team did fight till the bitter end. ROCKY TOP!
always_vol (Inactive) writes:
My loyal readers (all 2 of you) already know what I think...the offensive line and, to only a slightly less extent the d-line, are the keys to a football team.
Volapalooza writes:
You down with O.L.P.? Yeah, you know me.
CroKev writes:
Somebody help me here but if memory serves me correctly, last year's team was supposed to have a weak OL as well. I remember how amazed everyone became when the OL gelled and had one of the fewest sack ratios in the SEC and helped produce a 1,000 yard+ rusher.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
After watching the refs give you an undeserved 15 yards on a bogus unsportsmanlike call on UF, then "forget" to restart the clock afterwards, giving you 15 yards AND 25 seconds more than you should have had, without which you would never have had time to get in FG range, yeah, you should feel real proud of that "accomplishment".
But you know what? Without that loss, maybe we don't fire Zook and hire Meyer, and don't win those two national titles. So be happy about an undeserved win, it helped UF a lot more than it did UT.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DooleysOrangePants writes:
actually it is a Volunteer based "newspaper" web site, hence the name goVOLSxtra not goSPORTSPAGExtra. the kns has a seperate sports page/website with other sports news on it. so cry about the gatazz losses somewhere else we(UT) fans dont care. you(UF fans) dont have to worry about UT for a while but you have bigger fish to fry like alabama whoopin you like a red headed stepchild again.
Hickmc writes:
Kinda like Gaffney's drop in the end zone that they called a touchdown a few years earlier? yeah that's right you remember don't ya? Go back to your sewer referred to as the swamp.
Colliervol writes:
Hope springs eternal Gerry. If they do "shock" several people, Dooley will be Coach of the Year.
DavidB writes:
How about having enough pride in your team to support them no matter what? Believe it or not Pride wins games. If you have pride in your game you have confidence and if you have confidence you will be successful.
I watch these boards on a daily basis and the negative fans truly get on my nerves. If you have to be negative about the VOLS then stay off the boards. Some of us out here have all the faith in the team. Wins / Loses may be important but they are not everything. We know we are in a rebuilding year and maybe we will be next year as well. Imagine what a recruit thinks when they come to watch a game and even if we are down our fans are still cheering for the team they love.
Just my thought on the matter. GO BIG ORANGE
gatorhator4eva writes:
it's almost football time in tennessee!!!
TennVolAlum writes:
to everybody that responded to me....
yall seem to have the "positive outlook" blinders on. i'm a vol fan through and through, but at least i have a solid base in realism. please try and lay off the kool-aid fellas. why so up in arms based on a "negative comment" about the football team? what?--people are only allowed to say positive things or you call for their departure? god forbid anyone lay out the truth for you fellas! freaking fascists.....
pride is based in accomplishment, and losing games is accomplishing nothing for the players, the program,or the fans. deal with it.
SIMSVOL writes:
TennVolAlum - the pride among true Vols fans is in the school and what it represents - win or lose. Get a life!
mrvol2u writes:
One of the worst post I have read in awhile. I didn't know life worked that way.
At least our offensive line is aware that you have to work hard before you reap the rewards.
That being said, O line and coach seem to be on the same page. We may not see as many wins as we and they would like but I believe CDD has winner on staff. I think we are seeing that with some of the commits we are getting.
TennVolAlum writes:
I guess y'all will have to excuse me for being one of those "results oriented" type of people. my bad. shame on me! boo hoo.
mrvol2u writes:
2 for 2 TVA. Two of the worst post I have read in awhile. Lay off the Kool-Aid? If you can't figure out that the only way to improve a situation is to take ownership(pride) in it and work towards a goal then you are beyond help. No where in this article does it mention taking pride in any thing other than working hard and forming a cohesive unit.
As far as the rest of us having blinders on, better look in the mirror. You are the one not facing reality. The reality is that U.T. cannot go from an average season to the championship in 1 year. You could hire Sabo, Urbie, and Papa Joe and UT is still going to have to rebuild. We know that but we appreciate our players getting up every day and committing themselves and putting in the time to do so. Putting pride back in the program is good start.
Kiffool replaced Big Orange Pride with Reggie "show me the money Bush" and U jealous of us SC. I like what these guys are doing over there to instill UT pride. I will be patient with the growing pains it will take before we return to compete for the top spot again.
You are the type of fan that will be sporting the jersey of which ever team is winning.
smifrat writes:
What is wrong with having enough "pride" to practice hard and get better during fall camp? I say nothing at all! I'm glad to see that they are proud of what the are doing to prep themselves for the 2010 season. They know the success of the team lies with them to make it happen. The more wins we get, the more pride they will have! TennVolAlum, I'm sure that's what you were trying to say, right?
TennVolAlum writes:
Nice try friend. But, you made the arguement for me when you said...."no where in this article does it mention taking pride in any thing other than working hard and forming a cohesive unit." Well buddy, that's all just dandy. And maybe after that, we can ride our unicorns over to the end of the rainbow where our pot-o-gold will be waiting.
No, I don't expect to win a NC this year or the next. But, I sure as heck won't have much "pride" in the football team if we finish below Vandy and Kentucky. Again, I guess I'm one of those jerk results oriented people.
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