Tennessee Vols' competition philosophy is Butch Jones' with a little Bill Belichick throw in

Dan Fleser
Knoxville
Tennessee's quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) lines up a pass during Tennessee fall football practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee on Thursday, August 24, 2017.

Butch Jones began talking about starters last Monday morning and it took awhile for Tennessee's football coach to stop.

His train of thought wound its way through recent college football history toward the far reaches of the Vols' depth chart.

"The way I look at it," Jones said, "the term 'starters' or 'starting' is kind of a thing that really has gone out about 10 years ago. The way I look at it is you need a number of starters."

► Adams:Vols' attrition has taken toll on Butch Jones' approval

Jones eventually arrived at this conclusion: "It's not who takes the first snap. It's about reps. The game of football now, everything is about being fresh. But the other thing, it's a long football season as well."

With that in mind, Jones and his coaching staff have stressed competition throughout preseason practice. Compete against each other. Compete with yourself. Compete for your playing status. Make each other better and we'll all be better off.

The theme, at least publicly, will carry over into game week ahead of the season opener Sept. 4 against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. For example, the Vols have yet to name a starting quarterback. Even three-year starter Aaron Medley hasn't officially gotten the nod as the starting placekicker.

► More:Breaking down the Vols by position

The players seemingly have climbed on board with the coaches' directive. 

"I haven't seen anything negative with the competition that's going on," senior tight end Ethan Wolf said. "Everybody knows what we're working toward and we're all working toward the same thing."

What does Bill Belichick have to do with UT practice?

Perhaps the best affirmation of the process has come from the most high-profile position. The quarterback competition between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano has played out with little drama. The other players seem content with whoever lines up behind center.

"Every day is a competition and I tell them, 'Go out there and don't compare, just compete," quarterbacks coach Mike Canales said.

The latter advice has become a watchword. Wolf indicated it's been a talking point throughout the team.

Canales also has referenced another useful thought from a proven resource, namely New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

"Don't worry about beating someone else out or doing that," Canales said. "Just do your job on the field. Bill Belichick said it best — just do your job."

The quarterbacks' actions are more important than any advice they've received. Guarantano joined the position battle in earnest this spring. During the team's media day on Aug. 13, he said the competitiveness that he and Dormady share hasn't cost them in terms of camaraderie.

"There's that savviness between the both of us," Guarantano said. "We're both very confident in what we do. There's always that little level of that type of thing. But I think that we're spot on, and I think we have a good relationship. We're just ready to see who's going to be the starter the first game and whatever we can do to help the other."

How experienced players are pushing competition

In general, seniority hasn't diminished any jockeying for positions. Jones doesn't think so anyway and lauded the upperclassmen for a football form of altruism.

"I've been very pleased the way they've handled the competition," he said last week. "They've done a good job of embracing our younger players and holding them accountable."

Junior running back John Kelly began his tutelage of the freshman backs by convening a group chat last spring. Kelly has continued his work in person during preseason practice.

Senior safety Todd Kelly Jr. said the safeties push each other for pass breakups, hits or interceptions. Junior defensive back Micah Abernathy has commended freshmen cornerbacks Shawn Shamburger and Cheyenne Labruzza for their work and their ambition.

Tennessee's defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) participates in a drill during Tennessee fall football practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee on Thursday, August 24, 2017.

"They're always trying to get ahead of the older guys," Abernathy said, "so they'll both be good."

Senior linebacker Cortez McDowell has seen the same sort of synergy within his position group and believes everyone benefits.

"It's that competition that we need to bring out the best in you every day," he said. "Because we know if you lack in the day, somebody could pass you up."

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop hopes the Vols will count the ways they're better by being able to count on more players.

"We need to get guys experience," he said. "It's not just players one through 11, but 12 through 22 and 23 through 33."

Vols offensive linemen, from left, Drew Richmond (51) and Venzell Boulware (50) with offensive line coach Walt Wells at practice on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

What offense, defense are sharing

Defensive end Jonathan Kongbo makes a point of lining up against offensive tackle Drew Richmond in one-on-one pass rush drills.

"If I can make him better, he can make me better," Kongbo said..

Kongbo and Richmond go one-on-one after practice as well, comparing mental notes from their skirmishes.

"We bounce off (each other): 'Yeah, this is what I'm seeing from you. This is kind of the weakness I'm seeing,"' Kongbo said. "He does the same thing back."

They compete and critique, helping each other and inspiring another watchword to serve the overall purpose.      

► More:Vols quarterbacks are being watched everywhere

► More:Tennessee's John Kelly intends to set good RB example

 

 

 

    

      

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