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Tennessee opened its spring practice festivities on Monday with a joint press conference featuring head coach Butch Jones, offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
One of the biggest takeaways was just how thin the Vols will be on the defensive line during workouts as five players recover from injuries:
Butch: 11 #Vols — and 5 DL — are out this spring with injuries. Derek Barnett, Shy Tuttle, Kendal Vickers, Andrew Butcher, Kyle Phillips.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) March 7, 2016
Tennessee will be down six defensive linemen this spring if you include the suspension of Alexis Johnson.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
11 players out for the spring: Barnett, Tuttle, Vickers, Phillips, Butcher, Robertson, Hall, Evan Berry, Malone, Stocstill and Joe Young.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
Here are some of the other highlights from Monday’s press conference:
Butch opens up congratulating Peyton Manning on his retirement. "He is truly a legend."
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Volquest_Paul/status/706872046895108097
The new mantra: "Searching for those 25 points" that were the difference in the five losses in Vols' last 18 games. Get used to hearing it.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
Position changes: Austin Smith from LB to DE, Micah Abernathy from CB to S, Jason Croom from WR to TE. So no new ones.
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Volquest_Paul/status/706873303890317312
Shoop: "You always try to put as much speed on the field as you can. … I'm really excited to see Darrell Taylor and Austin Smith."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Volquest_Paul/status/706874754251231232
#Vols OC Mike DeBord: DeBord: We've got to improve our passing game in every aspect, starting with the pass protection.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) March 7, 2016
Butch asked about Drae Bowles allegations. Says he stands by the statement he released two weeks ago and now wants to talk only footbaw.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) March 7, 2016
Butch on JRM, Kamara & Co participating in Saturday's protest: "They're just more than football players. They're students. I respect that."
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 7, 2016
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
