Joe Milton responds to Kirby Smart’s QB comments and the biggest misconception about the Vols' offense
Earlier this offseason, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart seemingly threw some subtle shade at the Tennessee Vols' offensive system. "It's like, a true quarterback is a decision-maker in our system because some systems take all the pressure off the quarterback and they just go really fast," said Smart in April. "We don't do that. We're […]
Earlier this offseason, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart seemingly threw some subtle shade at the Tennessee Vols' offensive system.
"It's like, a true quarterback is a decision-maker in our system because some systems take all the pressure off the quarterback and they just go really fast," said Smart in April. "We don't do that. We're a quarterback-driven offense, so can you process the information. That means get the signal, get people lined up then see what the defense is in and figure out are we in the right situation?"
On Thursday at SEC Media Days, Milton was asked about Smart's comments — specifically about the decision making process for a quarterback in Tennessee's system — by AtoZ Sports' Austin Stanley.
"I mean, that's something (decision making) we preach everyday in the quarterback room," explained Milton. "Coach (Joey) Halzle preaches it a lot, you know, don't judge the outcome, judge the decision making. Have a reason for what you're doing. So whatever it takes in our offense, if you have a play to the right or a play to the left, you know, have a reason for going either way you choose. But, you know, go through your read. Take care of it how you would take care of — you got a family, right? So just approach it the same way. Attack that play, go hard, 100 percent the whole time. Because if you wrong, you'll be 100 percent wrong, but let's attack it at the same speed as you would if you [were] right."
When asked about the biggest misconception about the Vols' offense, Milton suggested that it's the idea that Tennessee's offense doesn't prepare players for the NFL.
"Some people say it's not getting you ready for the NFL," said Milton. "But it is, because you have the coaches that either went (to the NFL) or either coached in the NFL, right? So they have the terminology for you. They have the knowledge for you that you could possibly need for the NFL."
At the end of the day, quarterbacks in Heupel's system have to be great decision makers. If they're not, then the offense just simply won't work. It's on the quarterback to get the ball to the right part of the field or to get Tennessee into the right look. Coaches can help, but it's the players who are on the field who ultimately have to make the plays.
Josh Heupel just made Lane Kiffin look foolish and recruits are going to notice
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel just made Ole Miss Rebels Lane Kiffin look foolish and recruits are going to notice
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
