Tennessee coach Butch Jones said the first practice of his tenure was efficient and effective, and it needed to be, because he wants to make sure each one counts.
The Vols, Jones calculated, haven’t played football in 105 days. And they’re starting behind eight of 12 opponents who played in a bowl game and received extra practices in December.
“We’re behind 15 practices,” Jones said Saturday.
The first of UT’s spring practices was conducted in helmets and shorts -- full pads won’t be added until Thursday -- so it was tough for Jones to make sweeping conclusions.
But the two quarterbacks battling for the top job -- junior Justin Worley and redshirt freshman Nathan Peterman -- had opportunities to throw in drills.
"They're students of the game,” Jones said. “The big thing is, it's not where you start, it's where you finish. Practice 1 is a gauge.”
The structure of practice itself offered a glimpse of Jones’ style.
Loudspeakers blared announcements and music filled the down times, but the practice didn’t lack for intensity. Jones spent time with each position group, but he seemed most in his element when working with the young corps of receivers.
Dozens of former players were on the sidelines, including Erik Ainge, Leonard Little, Xavier Mitchell, Jamal Lewis and Johnny Majors.
Vol For Life coordinator Antone Davis ran the show, getting credentials to visitors and introducing players.
Jones said Davis prepares a packet -- “Who’s in town next” -- for players and staff members that lists the accomplishments of visiting alumni. Jones also said he also requires his players to learn the history of their number and the players before them who wore it.
“(Former players) are the program,” Jones said. “I tell them, ‘That logo never comes off.’”
Read more observations from the first day of practice and check back later on GoVolsXtra for a comprehensive video report.
Evan Woodbery covers Tennessee football. Follow him on Twitter.
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Comments » 21
HtownVol writes:
This guy just gets it so much more than the coachs son who used to be here.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Agreed, CDD was learning how to coach, where CBJ knows how to coach and implement his system.
allvol8 writes:
From the Twitter and FB I have seen; the players seem energized! GBO!
VolzsFan writes:
Coach Jones = Amateur Hour
VolzsFan writes:
This guy did not get it when DD issued him a beating head to head now did he?
deputy658 writes:
You are a BLANK BLANK idiot. Fell free to fill in the blanks anyway you want and get over the fact that CPF is not coming back. I believe CBJ is going to do well at UT. He has never been with a team that can bring him the type of athletes and the facilites that UT has to offer.You are bashing the guy before he has had a chance to coach a single game.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Johnny Majors beat Bear Bryant in his final season at Bama..Did that mean Bear Bryant forgot how to coach?? One game doesn't define a coach or his legacy. Do you think Dick Vermil was better than Tom Landry, or Wayne Fontes was a better coach than Jimmy Johnson?? Both had beaten Super Bowl winning coaches' during their peak years..
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
They do seem more engaged than last year..
Prostar writes:
I like this, learn the history of your number. Who has worn the number and what did they do or contribute. The more I hear the more I like.
smokeygrowl writes:
Because he is a dumbaxx Fulmerite.I liked Fulmer as well.But Tennessee Football is not Mike Hamilton or donors or presidents.I agreed with his firing even though I liked him.Coach Jones had nothin to do with the great pumpkins, firing nor did Tennessee football.It was individuals ,not the program.Not pulling for current coaches or the team because you are bitter about Filmer is as about as stupid a thing I ever heard.
smokeygrowl writes:
Deputy just so you feel better the team is workin like heck. Coaches don't know how practice went til they see the film. But I think we will be in the mix and in the hunt.
allvol8 writes:
Volzfan=20+ yr veteran idiot
pingkr62 writes:
I really like C.B.J. and his staff. They appear to be busting their butts, and that seems to be effecting the team. Teaching the individual players the proud and honored history of the program is a unique approach. I LOVE IT! G.B.O.!!!
CCLC writes:
Whatever happened to the orange ceramic dog?
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
I think you sat on it..How bout the tide yesterday??
I_Bleed_Orng writes:
Folks, Volzsfan is probably a KNS plant purposely hacking people off so they'll respond and push up the comment count.
sunglaspro#374094 writes:
I liked the way Dooley talked (especially after Kiffin), so for the most part I have tuned out Jones's talk. Seems a little cliched coach speak, which is fine as long as he produces.
But I did like the history of the number and program talk.
I have never been a fan of the Miami Hurricanes, but I was impressed with how their players respected those before them and how they felt they were letting them down as the program began to slide.
As you watch shows like the Lockeroom you can see it hurts the former players, but you don't hear the current players mention letting them down.
sunglaspro#374094 writes:
I also liked a few years ago, when Ricky Williams was up for the Doak Walker Award, he researched him and was really honered to be compared to kim. He seemed genuine about it
utvolfan1955 writes:
also sevenT, Johnny_Aint_No_Del_Shofner and many others
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
It's in Athens replacing Uga as the new GA mascot
just sayin'
KnoxVegas88 writes:
Whats the matter Ballzfan? Not getting any attention at home or at the Waffle House during your shift?
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