Inside The Building This Week, The Record Brings Nobody A Pass

Running backs coach Derail Sims and Cornerbacks coach Derek Jones each spent their Tuesday media availabilities treating a fast start as a checklist of what still needs fixing, not proof the job is done. 

Jones graded his Cornerbacks a C-plus off wins over Furman and Georgia Tech. Sims came out of a career-rushing night for his lead back with what he called “a ton of critiques.”

Neither coach was interested in relitigating the scoreboard.

“It’s never as good as you think it is, and it’s never as bad as you think it is,

Cornerbacks coach Derek Jones didn’t hedge when asked how his group had played over two games.

“I would say probably a C-plus,” pointing to fundamentals, stances, and reading keys as the areas he’s grading hardest.

“Those are the things that, you know, you didn’t get tested against Furman and probably really didn’t get tested against Georgia Tech.”

After all, when playing in a conference as prestigious as the SEC there is no room for mistakes. No amount of outside noise or extracurricular activity will win you a game in this conference. It might get you through with a win against two programs that are relatively the easiest opponents on the schedule, but as coach explained in why he chose his grade, it’s in the fundamentals that can get lost behind in low stake games. stances, reading keys and receiving calls, details that have yet to be fully tested against top competition. 

His point wasn’t that the wins didn’t count. It was that neither opponent forced his group into the situations that will define its season. And what will be the next focus in the 9 game SEC gauntlet? Elite receiver play, elite quarterback play, will be the  kind of test that hasn’t shown up yet.

I’m trying to give these guys a picture of what it should look like all the time, and what they can anticipate week to week,” on Missed tackles and a standard that doesn’t bend

Missed Tackles Creating Room For Error

The most specific flaw Jones pointed to: four missed tackles through two games, the kind of error that becomes an explosive play or a touchdown against better competition, even when it doesn’t against lesser competition.

He also drew a distinction between the mental adjustment of tackling a receiver in space on a hitch route and squaring up a 230-pound running back in the open field. He said the A gap is difficult to simulate outside of live snaps. He pointed to one player, sophomore Ty Redman, who hadn’t made a live tackle since the final game of last season before missing time in preseason camp.

“It’s a mindset too,” … “It’s one thing to go hit a receiver when he turns around on a hitch route as opposed to hitting a 230-pound running back.”

Jones said he isn’t looking for his corners to be big hitters, just willing ones.

“I don’t need you to be a big hitter, but I do need you to be a willing tackler,” … “In those situations where it could be the difference in the ball game, we’ve got to be willing tacklers.”

A Test Built For Backups

Jones was direct about what he wants out of a game that most expect No.15/15 Tennessee to win comfortably: reps for players who haven’t had to handle high snap counts, fatigue or explosive-play situations yet. His backup corners, are both still working through a lack of live experience.

“We have to be patient with them, because it’s not about a light switch.”

Jones also pointed to a developing strength in his room that hasn’t been tested in a game setting: team speed. He credited the strength staff with pushing four defensive backs past 22 mph in tracked speed. It’s a number he said he hasn’t coached before.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere while I had that,”

Sims: A Committee Still Finding Its Rhythm

Sims’ running back room posted its best rushing night of the season against Georgia Tech, but his tape review afterward focused more on missed yardage than the ones gained.

“There’s a ton of critiques on them,”… “We left a ton of yards on the field.”

He broke his room down today by role. His lead back, coming off a career night, still needs to finish runs through contact rather than settle for 50-50 looks at the hole, Sims added, a second back serves as a change-of-pace weapon, using a shift in tempo to create problems for a defense that’s already been worn down. A third back is still building rhythm in pass protection but has shown the eyes and pad level Sims wants.

“He’ll have explosive runs as the season goes along,” Sims said. “Ain’t no doubt about that.”

And then, there is still one more. Justin Baker, who didn’t get a carry against Georgia Tech but partially blocked a kick on special teams.

“We always embrace our role,” Sims said. “That was a huge, huge play in the game for us.”

When asked how his players respond when a big statistical night is still met with criticism, Sims said the room has grown used to it.

“I tell them to listen to the message, not the tone,” he said. “There’s always going to be room to improve, and they see it.”

When UT kicks off under the lights vs. Kennesaw State on Saturday, both coaches made it clear today: the number on the scoreboard isn’t the only one they’re watching.

You can watch all of today’s pressers in full on the Vol Sports YouTube.