Former Tennessee HC Butch Jones gave his thoughts on Josh Dobbs leading the Vikings to a win against the Falcons
Former Tennessee Vols head coach Butch Jones, now the head coach at Arkansas State, was asked this week about QB Josh Dobbs leading the Minnesota Vikings to a win against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend. Jones coached Dobbs for four seasons (2013-2016) at Tennessee. "I've had so many interview requests and the excitement he's brought […]
Former Tennessee Vols head coach Butch Jones, now the head coach at Arkansas State, was asked this week about QB Josh Dobbs leading the Minnesota Vikings to a win against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend.
Jones coached Dobbs for four seasons (2013-2016) at Tennessee.
"I've had so many interview requests and the excitement he's brought in, I can tell you this, nothing happens by chance or circumstance with Josh Dobbs," said Jones. "Even though it's the illusion that he just got there on Tuesday and all that, I can promise you this — he was prepared to play that game on Sunday. And it doesn't surprise me. Everyone talks about the intellect of him, but it's the functional intelligence. As a coach, he was great to coach because you only had to tell him one time and he's a student of the game always. He's always really looking at himself with a critical eye. He's an incredible individual, high character, high competitive character. And no moment is ever too big for him."
"So if you would have said pick one person that if they were to handle that circumstance, who could do it, no doubt it would be Josh Dobbs," added Jones. "And excited for him to maybe hopefully get a true opportunity to really become a full time starter in the National Football League. I think it's why everyone wants him because he's always ready. He can relate to everyone on that team, he's going to be able to lead them. So I'm excited to see what he could do down the road. And you know, it's very fitting, too, he's from Alpharetta, GA outside of Atlanta. So to be able to go into ATL and lead his team from behind on the road….the mark of a great quarterback is the ability to lead your team from behind in the two minute drill on the road, that's what separates the great ones."
Dobbs joined the Vikings' roster last week after getting traded from the Arizona Cardinals. He wasn't expected to play against the Falcons, but rookie starting quarterback Jaren Hall was forced from the game due to injury and Dobbs was the only other available quarterback. Despite not practicing with Minnesota's first-team offense, Dobbs was able to lead the Vikings to a road win against Atlanta.
The Vikings are expected to start Dobbs this weekend against the New Orleans Saints, where he'll face his former Tennessee teammate, running back Alvin Kamara.
Oddly enough, Dobbs referenced an old Butch Jones quote this week during a media session with reporters.
"When I was in college, I had a coach that always said the ball is your dreams, hopes, and aspirations of literally every single person in this complex," said Dobbs.
That was something Jones said numerous times during his time as the head coach at Tennessee.
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