17 Days till UT kicks it off! 14 Till college football rolls. 15 days till first college football Saturday. Amazing!
I do want to remind you that we will be live on the App/Web stream with Smartway/Dalton Bearing Fan reaction/Fifth Quarter as soon as Saturday's open workout concludes. I'm highly looking forward to talking with you as we officially welcome the Vols back. What a wonderful thing that Butch Jones would take the time to do this. As Randy Moore said earlier in the week while effusing about this Jones era tradition, 'I love the open practice because it's truly the fans program. We forget this but the program belongs to the fans.' Coach Jones said last night it’s important to have a big crowd Saturday night. I think he's going to get his wish. If you're coming in from outside the area, remember out postgame show and we will keep you company while you drive home. Well put. So, download the app if you haven't already and we will break it down with you Saturday night.
Wonderful opportunity for you to catch up with an all time great Vol Saturday as Jamal Lewis will have a meet and great autograph/picture opportunity Saturday between 12p-3p at Eddie's Health Shoppe @ Suburban Shopping Center near Toys R Us. I'm really proud of Eddie has done with Eddie's Health Shoppe. That place is wonderful and they are terrific family folks. Get out and see Jamal on Saturday. Let's pack that place!
Dr Sean Sinclair told the great Dale Jones that he was a Tennessee legend in every sense of the word yesterday and Jones replied. 'Nah, I'm not a legend. I'm just family.' I LOVE Dale Jones. If you missed the interview, you can click here and you will love it for sure.
Link
Interesting that the starting QB wasn't named after last night's scrimmage. Surely they will name the starter before Saturday's scrimmage. Then again, if I was Coach Jones, I would be tempted to use the pressure of the moment on Saturday and see how each QB responds to the moment. Why not? The one consideration could be that the staff really doesn't want to see Peterman win the starting job and would risk having him show out and thus potentially show up the other two guys if they don't name a starter coming in. Couple of predictions for you.
1) UT will name Worley the starter either later today or early tomorrow.
2) Peterman or Dobbs will outplay him on Saturday night. My money is on Peterman.
You can see the script taking shape from Tyson Park to Neyland Stadium.
Glad to hear that Josh Malone had a bounce back practice last night for the Vols. He's going to be just fine and will make some huge plays for Tennessee in his freshmen season.
Stand With The Tony Basilio Show
Join the T Club
Make a One-Time Donation
Send Us A T-Mail. Click Here.
Click to subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Christian Lundy offers this analysis of UT's QB situation coupled with some inside baseball on the decision to put off the announcement.
Christian Lundy
'Tennessee's quarterback competition appears to be winding down. After Wednesday night's closed scrimmage, Butch Jones said he hopes to name a starting quarterback very soon.
“I’m hoping in maybe the next day or two we’ll make that decision,” Jones said. “I think it’s important for our football team moving forward that they know who the starting quarterback is. I’ve been pleased with all three individuals lately."
The smart money is on Jones making the official announcement at Thursday's media day. Jones will speak for roughly half an hour at 3 p.m. today and if he does make an announcement, it will likely be that senior Justin Worley will start against Utah State.
Worley has taken the overwhelming majority of first team reps and has improved steadily after a rough first few days of camp.
It's been suggested by some that a decision is being made this week so there won't be any controversy surrounding the position as the Vols host an open practice on Saturday in front of what's expected to be 40,000-50,000 Vols fans. But the controversy may just be getting started.
While Worley is touted as a game manager (I've even heard some say he would be the perfect quarterback at Alabama), his decision making has been shaky at times over the past few seasons. That's been a problem this fall as well. Early in the first week of camp, Worley made two throws off his back foot when facing heavy pressure during a team period. Either could have resulted in a turnover in game action.
If Worley continues to make mental mistakes, it may be time to give Nathan Peterman a chance to redeem himself after last September's brutal start in The Swamp.
Peterman, who entered camp as an afterthought, has raced past Josh Dobbs in the competition and will in all likelihood be listed as the second team quarterback when a depth chart is revealed for the Utah State game in the coming weeks.
And to be honest, Peterman hasn't just looked better than Dobbs, he's looked like the Vols' best quarterback in the portions of practice open to the media. He has been the most accurate passer of the group in drills, has made the best decisions with the ball during live team periods and in my opinion is the most athletic and best runner of the bunch.
Remember, Butch Jones and offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian recruited Peterman hard at Cincinnati. He fits their offensive system to a 'T'. He would allow Bajakian to incorporate the read option in to the offense, instead of straight halfback dives that are disguised as read options. The offense looked dysfunctional at times last season and a more natural fit like Peterman could be the key to changing that.
Thanks for reading
Glad Braves finally won a game this week.
Christian'
ESPN Stats Info has this doozy last night on Twitter 'Tennessee is the only FBS team without a returning starter on the offensive or defensive lines.'
We all knew the Vols were replacing everybody in the lines but that they are the only team in America doing so is telling.
Guys from Rocky Top Insider throw it down on last night's scrimmage with total team coverage.
Link
Butch Jones promises an announcement on starting QB is coming soon.
Link
Here's a full transcript of Butch Jones press comments after last night's scrimmage.
Link
Concussion issues spell the end for this Georgia fullback. That's really scary indeed.
Link
Straight up class move by Tiger Woods by taking the pressure off of US Captain Tom Watson. Woods did the right thing by withdrawing from consideration for the US Ryder Cup Team. This allows Watson to choose from a pool of deserved players. Woods gets a tip of the cap here as he probably could’ve sucked it up and played. Now, guys like Keegan Bradley, Brendon Todd, Ryan Moore and Brandt Snedeker get an opportunity at a coveted spot. The event could've used Tiger but it will still be compelling with all the great young American players. Guys like Rickie Fowler, Jordan Speith, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar and Lefty will be enough to carry the day for the US. Or at least keep it competitive anyway.
Saw where hoops Vols get Kentucky in Knoxville on Super Tuesday February 17th! Going to be fun indeed!
Steve Spurrier is gigging A&M two weeks out from their SEC Notwork christening matchup.
Link
The Old Ball coach needs to know that A&M is attempting to upgrade. 'A&M's future big nonconf games: Arizona State (2015); UCLA (2016); UCLA (2017); Oregon (2018); Oregon (2019).' Courtesy AP's Ralph D Russo.
Call me crazy but I do not believe in A&M long-term in this league. I know they've recruited well but them sustaining success in this league over time is something I'll believe when I see.
This helmet is straight up hideous. No words.
Link
Mike Huguenin of nfl.comcfb247.com joins today for his usual Thursday appearance. We will burn it up with him today on this and other hot topics. What a great guest!
Link
Terrelle Pryor, 'I was wrong.'
Link
Irv Muchnick with some excellent reportage on WWE's handling of Ricky Steamboat's brain injury issues.
Link
Top prospect in Twins organization leaves game last night in an ambulance after this violent collision with a teammate.
Link
Admire the genius of Robin Williams. In this Mork and Mindy skit he communicates with a bunch of NFL football players. This guy was not of this world. Jeez out loud.
Link
Tony
