Vols players not only ones who need to be re-evaluated

Tennessee coach Butch Jones said Saturday that every position on the team would be up for re-evaluation during this bye week. That's hardly a surprising declaration after a 41-0 loss to Georgia all but eliminated the Vols from the SEC East race just two games in.

But Jones needs to re-evaluate his coaches, too. And that also means looking in the mirror.

More:Vols' priority is making bowl, but problems need to be addressed

This is an experienced team, full of former four-star recruits who were sought after by big-time programs throughout the country. Maybe some of those recruits were overrated. But they can't all be overrated.

Tennessee currently is No. 7 in the 247Sports composite team rankings, based on its 23 commitments for the 2018 signing class. That tells you Jones' revamped staff from 2017 can recruit. But can it coach? 

In UT's 3-2 start, where can you point and say, "No worries in that area"?

As good as running back John Kelly has been, the Vols need to develop more depth at the position. And not even Kelly could make any headway against the Bulldogs, rushing 16 times for 44 yards and fumbling after a 44-yard pass reception.

More:Vols football can't come close to Georgia, but close to getting Butch Jones fired

Because of Kelly, running back is a team strength. So is punter Trevor Daniel. But there's a need for vast improvement everywhere else.

That's not just on the players. That's also on the coaches.

You want to be optimistic? Well, you could say the defense has gotten better, despite giving up 41 points and 294 yards rushing to Georgia.

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But consider the starting point. Although Tennessee beat Georgia Tech by a point in double overtime, it gave up 41 points and 655 yards, including 535 yards rushing.

More:Vols football best, worst vs Georgia: Peyton Manning, Checker Neyland, awful offense

And consider the track record under defensive coordinator Bob Shoop. In 13 games against teams from Power 5 conferences, Shoop's defense is giving up an average of 34.7 points and 493.1 yards per game

Stats aside, UT's defense now looks better than its offense, which is getting worse by the game. What does that tell you about new offensive coordinator Larry Scott, who coached tight ends last season; new quarterbacks coach Mike Canales; new wide receivers coach Kevin Beard; and new offensive line coach Walt Wells?

Scoring only 17 points in a four-point victory against UMass set off alarms. Scoring nothing against Georgia set off more alarms.

Quinten Dormady has shown flashes of talent in his first season as a starting quarterback, but his play is in decline. Backup quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was a much-heralded recruit but couldn't move the team when he relieved Dormady against UMass or Georgia.

More:Tennessee Vols consecutive scoring streak ends at 289 games; sixth longest ever

That makes me wonder what kind of coaching they're getting from Canales and what kind of help they're getting from an offense that has averaged 12.3 points over the past three games.

Scott is in his first coordinator's job since he ran the offense at Sebring (Fla.) High School 13 years ago. But perhaps Jones thought he had uncovered a play-calling whiz whom the rest of college football had overlooked.

You could decide for yourself after the past two games.

Reach John Adams at john.adams@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6284 and on Twitter @johnadamskns.

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