Maybe a change in play callers would spark Tennessee's offense
John AdamsAfter Tennessee was shut out by Georgia, coach Butch Jones analyzed the lack of production, reviewed the videotape and concluded the Vols needed an offensive spark.
That’s why he makes the big bucks.
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He then made backup quarterback Jarrett Guarantano the designated spark plug. Making his first college start, Guarantano sparked the Vols to three field goals in a 15-9 loss to South Carolina.
Making his second college start, in Saturday's 45-7 loss to Alabama on Saturday, Guarantano couldn't spark so much as a single scoring drive.
Could former starting quarterback Quinten Dormady have provided more sparks? Maybe against South Carolina, not against Alabama.
I’m not trying to provoke a quarterback debate, just pointing out that the Tennessee offense needs more sparks than any quarterback on its depth chart can provide.
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Jones repeatedly has singled out a lack of big plays as an explanation for an offense that barely can get out of its own way. Perhaps, he should focus on the play calls as much as the shortage of playmakers.
UT offensive coordinator Larry Scott might be an excellent recruiter and administrator. He might be a successful head coach one day.
That doesn’t mean he should be calling plays, though. And until this season, he hadn’t called plays since he was an offensive coordinator at Sebring (Fla.) High school in 2004.
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Nothing in his track record suggested he should have been promoted to offensive coordinator at Tennessee. You can check the stats for confirmation. Not the stats against Georgia and Alabama. Those defenses could make any SEC play-caller seem feeble-minded.
However, scoring only 17 points against UMass should have set off sirens in Jones’ head.
Tennessee’s repeated struggles close to opponents’ goal line have raised more questions about the play-calling. That was evident again against Alabama.
At least the Vols finally gave the ball to running back John Kelly inside the 5-yard line. It didn't work out against a defense of Alabama's caliber, but it might have against Florida or South Carolina when games were hanging in the balance.
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You also have to wonder about the lack of production from sophomore wide receiver Marquez Callaway, who was the catalyst to Tennessee’s double-overtime victory over Georgia Tech in the season opener.
He demonstrated his leaping ability when he rose above a Yellow Jackets defender to make a catch in the end zone. He showed his speed when he turned a short pass into a long touchdown.
And with his game-turning plays in the second half, he clearly established himself as the best playmaker in UT’s receiving corps.
Since then, the Vols have struggled to get him the ball. You can’t credit defenses for the totality of that struggle. The best way to succeed as a play caller is to get the ball to your best players. Tennessee isn’t doing that often enough.
So why not consider other options? Quarterbacks coach Mike Canales has plenty of experience as a play caller.
He might provide a spark.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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