When Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel spoke to reporters on Thursday, he sounded very upbeat about UT's defensive line.

"From the first day of pads in the spring to where we are now, it's (the defensive line) a different group," said Heupel on Thursday. "It's different on the practice field with our physicality, playing up the field, disrupting and changing the line of scrimmage. Most importantly, it's a different group inside the meeting room, who they are, accountability every single day as well as their consistency, work habits and ability to learn and want to play for the guy next to them."

"Accountability in that room is completely different, and that's why they are different on the field," added Heupel.

That's certainly a positive tone from Heupel.

The tone from defensive line coach Rodney Garner on Saturday, however, wasn't quite as positive.

Garner spoke to reporters after Tennessee's practice on Saturday and he made it clear that UT's defensive line is still a work in progress.

"There was good and bad," said Garner of the defensive line's performance in the Vols' scrimmage this week. "I thought we started out really, really good then we died. We didn't finish or strain."

"We’re a work in progress," added Garner. "There’s room for improvement across the board. We’ve all got to hold ourselves to a higher standard."

According to Vols senior defensive lineman LaTrell Bumphus, Garner is holding the DL to a higher standard than the previous coaching staff.

"He’s held us more to a standard than before," explained Bumphus. "There’s things that would have slid by in the past, but now there’s a punishment."

"He’s awesome and exactly what we needed," added Bumphus. "He just wants the best for us."

Garner came (back) to Tennessee with a tremendous reputation as a defensive line coach. We're seeing now why he has that reputation.

It would've been easy for Garner to echo Heupel's sentiments and act pleased with the defensive line this week. And while he pointed out some good, he was quick to make sure fans know that the DL still has a long way to go.

I really think this staff has a great balance of positivity and criticism. I'm sure there are folks out there who feel like maybe it's too much fun and games under Heupel. I don't think that's the case at all. Heupel has his players wanting to go to practice to get coached hard by guys like Garner.

That's the type of environment where football players can thrive and reach their full potential.

Garner is a perfect addition to this staff. He's going to make sure the Vols are nasty in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball — regardless of who they're playing.

Featured image viaCalvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services/Saul Young/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services