Hello HOB… Quick pivot from hoops to football today. We’ll have DC Brad White and select coaches/players from that side of the ball meeting with us today. Practice is slated to wrap up at approx 5:30 ET. Stay tuned…
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* On reviewing last year’s film vs Vols during the open date… Can't let the ball over our head. Pretty straight-forward. Have to be a good tackling team. Have to get to the ball and tackle, limit explosives.
* On the open date… Stressed how an entire game can hinge/change on a couple of plays. Effort is there, right mindset is there, but the execution has not been locked in for an entire game. These type of things get magnified when you're tired or you think you can take a play off. You can't.
* On not subbing and conditioning… Maybe overblown. Their average drives against Cats have been really short lately. Shouldn't get tired on 2-minute drives, 1:30 drives. Very few where they're going over 4 minutes. You see a lot of plays in that short amount of time, but you have to strain at a sprinter's pace the entire time.
* D’Eryk Jackson has really grown out of his comfort zone and become more of a vocal leader.
* Vols‘ RBs really impressive this year. Still have good WRs, Squirrel White a big one. He's kind of the trigger man for their whole passing attack. Milton has that big arm but you also have to contend with him running. Same offense as it‘s been, but different names in some spots.
* On the players-only meeting... Doesn't have to be dire straits. Sometimes it's course-correction. That's the case here. You hope to fix the mistakes and create new habits. Sometimes that comes in a one-on-one coach with player meeting.
* On keeping emotions in check in a rivalry game... You have to cut it loose regardless of opponent, but in big games like this, your stars need to shine and make plays, but you can't make them outside of the scheme's concept. That's when the big plays happen that can bite you.
* Two years ago, it became apparent quickly this was going to be a shootout. How do you guard against that? "You guys just love to bring up bad memories," White responds with a laugh. But two years ago, even after they had the 72- and 75-yard plays, they got things calmed down and curbed the momentum. Took the lead and started feeling good, but gave up a screen pass on 3rd and 18 that went for 14 instead of only 7 or 8. Little things like that can change the whole momentum.
* On halftime adjustments... Always making adjustments, not just halftime. From series to series. People kinda pinpoint halftime because it's the biggest break, but you have to constantly adjust throughout the game.
*****
*****
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* On reviewing last year’s film vs Vols during the open date… Can't let the ball over our head. Pretty straight-forward. Have to be a good tackling team. Have to get to the ball and tackle, limit explosives.
* On the open date… Stressed how an entire game can hinge/change on a couple of plays. Effort is there, right mindset is there, but the execution has not been locked in for an entire game. These type of things get magnified when you're tired or you think you can take a play off. You can't.
* On not subbing and conditioning… Maybe overblown. Their average drives against Cats have been really short lately. Shouldn't get tired on 2-minute drives, 1:30 drives. Very few where they're going over 4 minutes. You see a lot of plays in that short amount of time, but you have to strain at a sprinter's pace the entire time.
* D’Eryk Jackson has really grown out of his comfort zone and become more of a vocal leader.
* Vols‘ RBs really impressive this year. Still have good WRs, Squirrel White a big one. He's kind of the trigger man for their whole passing attack. Milton has that big arm but you also have to contend with him running. Same offense as it‘s been, but different names in some spots.
* On the players-only meeting... Doesn't have to be dire straits. Sometimes it's course-correction. That's the case here. You hope to fix the mistakes and create new habits. Sometimes that comes in a one-on-one coach with player meeting.
* On keeping emotions in check in a rivalry game... You have to cut it loose regardless of opponent, but in big games like this, your stars need to shine and make plays, but you can't make them outside of the scheme's concept. That's when the big plays happen that can bite you.
* Two years ago, it became apparent quickly this was going to be a shootout. How do you guard against that? "You guys just love to bring up bad memories," White responds with a laugh. But two years ago, even after they had the 72- and 75-yard plays, they got things calmed down and curbed the momentum. Took the lead and started feeling good, but gave up a screen pass on 3rd and 18 that went for 14 instead of only 7 or 8. Little things like that can change the whole momentum.
* On halftime adjustments... Always making adjustments, not just halftime. From series to series. People kinda pinpoint halftime because it's the biggest break, but you have to constantly adjust throughout the game.
*****
*****
