Some notes and observations from the offensive side of the ball from the open portion of Tennessee’s Tuesday practice as the Vols continue to prepare for their trip to South Carolina on Saturday night…
Quarterback situation: Justin Worley was in full uniform at practice going through the various drills, but none of the quarterbacks made any throws during the open portions of practice. They also didn’t line up in any formations or go through any live situational reps, so it’s hard to get a feel for what Butch Jones is thinking in terms of depth chart at this point.
Butch Jones did say yesterday that Joshua Dobbs would get first-team reps this week in practice, however he didn’t commit to what percentage of the work he would get.
When the quarterbacks took snaps from the centers, it was Worley with starter Mack Crowder, Dobbs with Dylan Wiesman and Nathan Peterman with Marcus Jackson. That doesn’t mean a lot, however. Worley took snaps from Crowder last week during practice and didn’t play a down in the Alabama game.
Offensive line: We didn’t see the a starting five working as a group, though Marcus Jackson appeared to be full-go during practice and Coleman Thomas was not present during the open portion.
Jones said on Monday that he anticipates Jackson being available to play and called Thomas “ahead of schedule” after both of them missed the Alabama game. There are several line combinations they could go with and it will be interesting to see how much they want shake it up after last week’s starting five of Brett Kendrick, Kyler Kerbyson, Mack Crowder, Jashon Robertson and Jacob Gilliam had likely the best game of the year for the offensive line against Alabama.
Other notes:
• The practice squad wore black uniforms and ‘Sandstorm’ and the rooster crowing were both played over the loudspeaker at practice to help the Vols get ready for the Gamecocks.
• WR Von Pearson continues to practice with a brace on his ankle. No sign of WR Josh Smith, who Jones has ruled out this week against South Carolina.
• Jones gave Marlin Lane a hard time at practice, saying that the New England Patriots “passed on him” because he’s “not on the punt team.”
