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EDUCATING BRAY
Sophomore Quarterback Progressed Mentally During Injury
KNOXVILLE
- While Tyler Bray was sidelined for five weeks with a broken thumb,
the Tennessee sophomore quarterback used that time gain more experience
in the film room while he was limited from physically throwing the
football.
Quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw said
Bray has made strides understanding how to guide the offense better.
Bray worked extensively with head coach Derek Dooley, offensive
coordinator Jim Chaney and Hinshaw on getting inside opponent’s
strategies.
“We did a good job over the last five
weeks working on defensive schemes,” said Hinshaw. “Coach Dooley would
take him, Coach Chaney would also, I would (take him) and we worked on
a lot of other things besides just the gameplan that week and he
got better in that area and he’s got to continue to get better.”
The
time away from throwing the ball, has given Bray time to reflect and
understand that he won’t be able to return and throw the ball as he was
prior to the injury.
“Tyler’s a guy that has good
poise about him, he understands the situation and frustration is
something you have to work through,” Hinshaw said of Bray, who averaged
316 yards in his five starts prior to the injury vs. Georgia. “You have
to understand the situation you are going through. But still understand
decision making has to be there. It doesn’t mean that you are allowed
to throw interceptions or do wrong things with the ball. It just means
you have to understand some balls are going to get away from you and
you have to learn to function with that injured hand.”
Although his dependence on playing Saturday rests with his hand, his mind is exactly where it needs to be.
“He’s
come out with a lot of confidence, understanding the defense, he
understands what’s going on,” Hinshaw said. “He’s very focused on what
he needs to do this week.”
LINEBACKERS E-VOL-VING
The
Tennessee coaching staff saw something special in freshman linebackers
A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt – enough to proclaim them starters before
the season even started.
With just two games remaining, the rookie duo continues to hit opponents, not the freshman wall.
“The
biggest step as a group, I think they have done a good job of getting a
basic understanding and continuing to be productive and not allowing
the grind of the season to overwhelm them,” linebackers coach Peter
Sirmon said. “I don’t think they have hit that proverbial freshman
wall. They have had a great spirit and they have competed well every
week.”
Johnson’s team-best 67 tackles make him the
only freshman in the country to lead his team in tackles. Maggitt is
fourth on the Vols with 42 stops, which ranks second among freshmen in
the SEC.
While their physical attributes made them
stand out when they arrived on campus, it’s their mental capacity
that’s allowing them to evolve.
“The progress has
been great for our linebackers,” Sirmon said. “They have done a good
job from the first game of the season. If you look at their production
they have been a lot more productive later on in the season. We have
integrated Curt, AJ, and Austin, we have three guys playing two
positions in nickel. That wasn’t happening earlier in the season. The
guys have come a long way, picking up our base defense and our sub
stuff, as well.
“In terms of that progress it has
been great where we can leave those three guys in there really for any
situation in the game. Earlier in the season we didn’t feel comfortable
leaving the two young guys out there for the sub packages. The
production, really up to last week we had done a really good job of
eliminating our busts or those minimum mistakes that get us in trouble.”
PRAISE FOR VANDY’S DEFENSE
The
Commodores are one of the most improved teams in the nation, standing
at 5-5. One major reason has been the defensive scheme incorporated by
new coordinator Bob Shoop. Vanderbilt ranks 22nd in the NCAA in total
defense, allowing 327.6 yards per game along with just 21.6 points per
game.
Their defense has been opportunistic as the
Commodores returned three interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive
games in the same season for the first time in history
“They
do a lot of different things and they are always in the right place and
they make plays,” Hinshaw said. “They have made plays this year that
cause frustration if you slip up for a second on them, they are going
to be in the right place and they will hit you.
In
addition to the strong pass defense, which has 15 interceptions to rank
tied for seventh in the NCAA. Vanderbilt has a stout rush
defense. The Dores have limited foes to just 122.9 yards on the
ground per game, 32nd in the NCAA.
“They have done
a great job against the run and it’s because they are all hitting their
gaps where they are supposed to hit them,” Hinshaw said. “They
understand leverage. They have good coaches over there and they are
doing a really good job.”
QUOTABLE
Quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw
(On Tyler Bray)
“There
are some things that he needs to continue to get better at this week,
the mental aspect as well as the physical, just throwing and working
through some of the kinks. Your arm gets sore because he hasn’t been
throwing. He’s working hard, he has a great attitude and he’s out there
going a great job.”
(On the effect of Bray’s return)
“The
tempo of the offense, going in and you like that. You like the fact
that he goes in there and guys are reacting because he’s played
in some battles. He’s gone out there and he’s excited to be out there
back playing.
Linebackers coach Peter Sirmon
(On moving on after Arkansas)
“I
think we always have to end up moving on. We felt it better served us
to get going and moving on faster than reliving that film. We have the
same set up throughout the week of we get rid of the game film within
24 hours and when they come back in on Tuesday they are fresh and ready
to go.”
(On the coaches watching the film from Arkansas)
“Yeah,
of course we watched it. We made too many mistakes early in the game.
We did some things we didn’t practice. All I ask our guys to do is play
like you practice. They did some things that they didn’t do in practice
so I have to find a way to make sure they compete and play the same way
they do out here. Nothing needs to change on Saturdays.”
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