Tennessee HC Josh Heupel appears to respond to Kirby Smart's shade
Earlier this month, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart appeared to throw some shade at the Tennessee Vols and Josh Heupel. Smart didn't directly name Tennessee, but he referenced offenses that just "go fast". In Smart's opinion, offenses that use tempo don't put as much on the quarterback. "It's like, a true quarterback is a […]
Earlier this month, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart appeared to throw some shade at the Tennessee Vols and Josh Heupel.
Smart didn't directly name Tennessee, but he referenced offenses that just "go fast". In Smart's opinion, offenses that use tempo don't put as much on the quarterback.
"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. "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, after Tennessee's second scrimmage of the spring, Heupel appeared to respond to Smart's comments.
Heupel was asked how much responsibility the quarterback has when it comes to the Vols' run game.
“Our guys control everything," said Heupel. "I don’t think there’s anybody in America that puts more on their quarterbacks. Run-run checks, run-pass checks, loaded boxes, alerts, kills, they’ve got to do it all. So he’s (QB Joe Milton) highly instrumental in the efficiency and effectiveness of our running game.”
Heupel is obviously just responding to a reporter's question there. But the mention of no one in America putting more on the quarterback than Tennessee feels like a direct response to Smart's comments.
Georgia is still the team to beat in the SEC, but the Vols are one of their top challengers. And I have a feeling that Smart's comments are going to give Heupel and his team a little added motivation when the Bulldogs come to Knoxville later this fall.
Game on in the SEC indeed.
