Vols players point out one thing they rarely get to do because of Tennessee's offense
Celebrations after nearly every successful play have become common at all levels of football over the last couple of decades. But if you watch a Tennessee Vols game, you'll notice that UT's players, specifically on the offensive side of the ball, rarely celebrate. Typically the only time you see a Vols offensive player celebrate is […]
Celebrations after nearly every successful play have become common at all levels of football over the last couple of decades.
But if you watch a Tennessee Vols game, you'll notice that UT's players, specifically on the offensive side of the ball, rarely celebrate.
Typically the only time you see a Vols offensive player celebrate is after a touchdown (shoutout to Dylan Sampson and his "Thriller" celebration against Kentucky…that's good as it gets).
It's not that Tennessee's players don't want to celebrate big plays, they just can't because of the Vols' up-tempo approach.
Tight end Holden Staes, discussed the challenges of celebrating in Tennessee's offense on TPL Tennessee this week.
"There's no time [to celebrate]," said Staes. "Especially at tight end. Y'all (Kaleb Webb and Dont'e Thornton) are on the outside, so y'all got time. For me, most of the time if I catch a pass outside, I gotta get back right into the core because it's probably going to be a run play. Or I might have to go to the other side of the field and be on the other side at wide out. So there's really no time to celebrate if I get a first down."
For Tennessee's offense to operate effectively with tempo, players have to be moving to their spot on the field as soon as the previous play is over. That means getting the ball in the hands of the official as quickly as possible while looking to the sideline for the play call. If just one player isn't where they need to be, the whole play could be doomed (which is what happens sometimes when we see an illegal formation penalty called on the Vols).
Even when the Vols aren't snapping the ball at warp speed, they're still getting lined up quickly so they can look for the play call.
Tennessee's players, however, don't seem to mind trading celebrations for big plays.
Josh Heupel talking about being the head coach at Tennessee will give Vols fans instant chills
That man loves Tennessee
