Hello all. Back over at the JCFTC for today’s practice report. We’ll have both coordinators and some select players joining us today. We’re scheduled to speak with them around 5:30 ET. Stay tuned…
RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* On run game success last week… A combination of factors. MSU has a really good defense, but it’s geared toward today’s spread/tempo offenses, and he felt like Cats had a real good chance if they made it a heavy-set fistfight type of game. "We were able to get into our world.... You're hoping that our style of play will wear on them, and at some point the dam will break."
* Eli Cox had his best game of the year.
* Some mistakes early in the game, but eventually got it to go the way they had planned.
* Their slower tempo is a mindset, Scangarello said, and if you’re efficient it can be a big weapon against good teams. Part of the plan. "We're not going to do it (the way a lot of people are playing up-tempo now)." Opening drive came away with nothing, but it was still a 13-play, 5 1/2-minute drive that eventually takes its toll on the opponent.
* Still got out of the huddle a little better in this one. Had some times when they wanted to snap it quicker, especially on third down against their blitz package.
* Really good physicality from WRs and TEs in blocking game last week. With T-Rob out, needed that kind of effort. Dane brings that effort every game. Thought Lewis really stepped up, even though he had that fumble. Played a nice game. Magwood blocked hard and got under the skin of their good corner, No. 13. Kattus was really phsyical. Really need that against the kind of teams they have coming up.
* If you pull Levis and C-Rod out of the equation, Scangarello points out how young they are on that side of the ball. There's still a lot of untapped potential. They're trying to find some ways to get even more guys involved. This week is a good time to look at that.
* Really good practice today on both sides of the ball.
* On the learning curve the first seven games of guys getting used to him… Takes time, plus you get C-Rod back and have some injuries along the way, and he himself is getting a better feel for the league.
* Called C-Rod one of the best backs in the country. "He's special."
* "I like where we're at. Gotta eliminate silly penalties and mistakes like that. If we do that against the team we play next, they’ll lap you.”
* Had a RB in for the game that loved what he saw, I'm sure. Thinks they're recruiting really well, like Stoops' staff always has. "So far, it's been great." Excited about the guys they're going to be adding to the program.
* On telling recruits who the next QB will be… “They gotta trust you.” Says he has no concerns there due to all his contacts and how many guys he has developed relationships with for a long time. "Those things will always help you down the road."
* Good time for the younger players to get a break and improve both mentally and physically. They need it right now. They still have a lot of potential that they're leaving on the field. So much talent yet to be seen.
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Much closer to the complete game he’s been looking for. "Much, much closer. Came out with good energy, finished with good energy." Nice job of responding to the drive after halftime. Didn't bat an eye or flinch after giving up that TD. Still room to get better.
* Focused on yourself or UT right now? Gotta take care of yourself first because you just don’t have time for the fundamentals and technical stuff during a typical game week. Recalibrating now, getting bodies right. Starting to look ahead to Vols soon.
* Part of the fun of this profession is trying to find a plan that works against a team like UT, White says. A great challenge. "There's no perfect blueprint for anybody you face, especially this next one coming up."
* Tackling was biggest improvement between SC game and MSU game, and really between the 2021 MSU game and this one. A lot of their explosives allowed this season have been simply due to a missed tackle and not rallying too the ball. Will need to do that again vs. UT.
* First game of the year, bowl games, and open dates are the three times that concern DCs the most with tackling after not doing as much in an effort to heal up. UT game will put a lot of guys in 1-on-1 situations where that guy has to win his battle and get the guy down. Key word: Isolated. There's nowhere to hide. But his guys are excited and understand the challenge.
* On Kobi Albert… Got so much athleticism and quick twitch to close a lot of room fast. Has all the tools. It’s figuring out what to do that will be his biggest step.
* On 1 DL, 10 guys up sets they showed against MSU… Walker gives them some things he can do with that because he’s “like a house” in there. Part of their tool kit.
ELI COX Q&A:
DEANDRE SQUARE Q&A:
RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* On run game success last week… A combination of factors. MSU has a really good defense, but it’s geared toward today’s spread/tempo offenses, and he felt like Cats had a real good chance if they made it a heavy-set fistfight type of game. "We were able to get into our world.... You're hoping that our style of play will wear on them, and at some point the dam will break."
* Eli Cox had his best game of the year.
* Some mistakes early in the game, but eventually got it to go the way they had planned.
* Their slower tempo is a mindset, Scangarello said, and if you’re efficient it can be a big weapon against good teams. Part of the plan. "We're not going to do it (the way a lot of people are playing up-tempo now)." Opening drive came away with nothing, but it was still a 13-play, 5 1/2-minute drive that eventually takes its toll on the opponent.
* Still got out of the huddle a little better in this one. Had some times when they wanted to snap it quicker, especially on third down against their blitz package.
* Really good physicality from WRs and TEs in blocking game last week. With T-Rob out, needed that kind of effort. Dane brings that effort every game. Thought Lewis really stepped up, even though he had that fumble. Played a nice game. Magwood blocked hard and got under the skin of their good corner, No. 13. Kattus was really phsyical. Really need that against the kind of teams they have coming up.
* If you pull Levis and C-Rod out of the equation, Scangarello points out how young they are on that side of the ball. There's still a lot of untapped potential. They're trying to find some ways to get even more guys involved. This week is a good time to look at that.
* Really good practice today on both sides of the ball.
* On the learning curve the first seven games of guys getting used to him… Takes time, plus you get C-Rod back and have some injuries along the way, and he himself is getting a better feel for the league.
* Called C-Rod one of the best backs in the country. "He's special."
* "I like where we're at. Gotta eliminate silly penalties and mistakes like that. If we do that against the team we play next, they’ll lap you.”
* Had a RB in for the game that loved what he saw, I'm sure. Thinks they're recruiting really well, like Stoops' staff always has. "So far, it's been great." Excited about the guys they're going to be adding to the program.
* On telling recruits who the next QB will be… “They gotta trust you.” Says he has no concerns there due to all his contacts and how many guys he has developed relationships with for a long time. "Those things will always help you down the road."
* Good time for the younger players to get a break and improve both mentally and physically. They need it right now. They still have a lot of potential that they're leaving on the field. So much talent yet to be seen.
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* Much closer to the complete game he’s been looking for. "Much, much closer. Came out with good energy, finished with good energy." Nice job of responding to the drive after halftime. Didn't bat an eye or flinch after giving up that TD. Still room to get better.
* Focused on yourself or UT right now? Gotta take care of yourself first because you just don’t have time for the fundamentals and technical stuff during a typical game week. Recalibrating now, getting bodies right. Starting to look ahead to Vols soon.
* Part of the fun of this profession is trying to find a plan that works against a team like UT, White says. A great challenge. "There's no perfect blueprint for anybody you face, especially this next one coming up."
* Tackling was biggest improvement between SC game and MSU game, and really between the 2021 MSU game and this one. A lot of their explosives allowed this season have been simply due to a missed tackle and not rallying too the ball. Will need to do that again vs. UT.
* First game of the year, bowl games, and open dates are the three times that concern DCs the most with tackling after not doing as much in an effort to heal up. UT game will put a lot of guys in 1-on-1 situations where that guy has to win his battle and get the guy down. Key word: Isolated. There's nowhere to hide. But his guys are excited and understand the challenge.
* On Kobi Albert… Got so much athleticism and quick twitch to close a lot of room fast. Has all the tools. It’s figuring out what to do that will be his biggest step.
* On 1 DL, 10 guys up sets they showed against MSU… Walker gives them some things he can do with that because he’s “like a house” in there. Part of their tool kit.
ELI COX Q&A:
DEANDRE SQUARE Q&A:
