What Butch Jones said in his weekly press conference
Tennessee coach Butch Jones spoke to the media during his weekly press conference on Monday. Here are the highlights:
With his team suffering another tough loss, 24-20, to Arkansas last week, Jones said the Vols played well enough to stop the bleeding.
Jones now at the podium. "After going back and thoroughly watching the video and dissecting it… I thought we played well enough to win."
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 5, 2015
One of the things Jones wants more of is explosiveness. The Vols rank ninth in the SEC in passing yards per attempt (6.9) and rushing yards per attempt (4.7).
Jones: "We need more big splash plays. … It's hard to play perfect in this conference. … We need to manufacture more big plays."
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 5, 2015
Defensively, Tennessee failed to wrap up on numerous occasions against Arkansas, which ran for a season-high 275 yards on Saturday.
"We have to do a much better job of tackling." Jones on defense.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 5, 2015
Of course, Jones had to defend himself against any assertions that his football team is coming apart. Instead, Jones only pointed to a few positive areas, while saying the team has played well and it’s coming together.
Butch: I still see us improving. Says Vols aren't showing characteristics of a 'lost' team (turnovers, special teams, penalties).
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 5, 2015
Butch: 'Tough times challenge you, but I really believe they form who you are. You find out a lot about yourself.'
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 5, 2015
Butch: “Ten years from now, our players will look back at this. This is forging us."
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 5, 2015
Jones met with seniors after the game. Said he's very encouraged by that meeting.
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 5, 2015
Jones: "We have to own everything that's happened. It starts with me, first and foremost."
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 5, 2015
Butch: “I speak the truth. We’re a good football team. We’ve lost to three good football teams. … We were 11 points away."
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 5, 2015
Despite last week’s loss, Jones was encouraged by the play of QB Josh Dobbs.
Jones said he thinks Dobbs did a good job of looking down to his second and third reads in his progressions.
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 5, 2015
Eventually, Jones was asked about this week’s opponent, Georgia. Despite the Bulldogs’ 38-10 loss to the Crimson Tide, Jones stressed how good Georgia is in every aspect.
JONES: UGA is a complete football team. Great, great LB corps and a very talented secondary. Offensively, we understand their depth at RB.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 5, 2015
Tennessee will try to avoid a three-game losing streak and look stylish in the process.
. @UTCoachJones: Vols will debut Smoky Gray uniforms vs Georgia.
— John Brice (@John_BriceVQ) October 5, 2015
