Vols Opened Practice Sunday For Fan Day

Big Orange fans got an early glimpse of the U-T football team yesterday.
The Vols held their team picture day and opened up their practice session to the public.

Everyone was all smiles on picture day, until you mention last year’s 4-8 record.
Said defensive lineman Shy Tuttle:”I mean shoot. We all know how it felt last year. We are over that now. We don’t want to get that feeling again. We are excited and ready for this season to come.”
Part of the excitement is a new defensive minded coach in Jeremy Pruitt.
Said defensive lineman Paul Bain:”He wants everything to be precise. He’s invested in making sure everybody knows their technique right. He knows all the techniques for every position. And I mean every position.”
Every position will need some work. Tennessee finished 83rd in the nation in scoring defense last year, allowing 29 points a game.
Reporter:”What do you think will be the biggest difference in the defense this season as to what it was in previous seasons?”
Said Tuttle:”To start with we are a multiple defense now. Last year we were a 4-3. We are doing a lot of two-gaps and stuff so.”
Staying healthy up front will be a huge factor.
Said Tuttle:”We need everybody. This is the SEC, so you need depth. You need two’s and three’s in every football game. From my personal experience anything can happen. You know injury. Somebody might get injured, so we’ve got to be locked in and ready to go. The next man up mentality.”
Tennessee has four quarterbacks fighting for the starting job. Coach Pruitt says he has seen some good, and some bad so far from his QB’s.
Reporter:”What’s the good you’ve seen?”
Said Pruitt:”Well they all have arm talent. They all have some leadership qualities. They can extend plays.”
Reporter:”What’s the bad you’ve seen?”
Said Pruitt:”The inconsistency. You know changing the protection or changing runs in the run game or throwing the ball to the wrong spot. You know late with the ball. Just speeding everything up.”