University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Report: Continuing To Improve
November 01, 2016 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett, defensive back Todd Kelly Jr., offensive lineman Brett Kendrick and quarterback Joshua Dobbs spoke to reporters at Tuesday's press conference in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
The players spoke about how the team is focused on improving for each of its remaining regular-season games.
The Volunteers (5-3, 2-3 SEC) take on Tennessee Tech (3-5, 3-3 OVC) in Saturday's annual homecoming game at Neyland Stadium. The game will feature a 4 p.m. ET broadcast on the SEC Network alternate channel.
Derek Barnett | Junior | Defensive End
With his 9.0 sacks now tied for the national lead, Barnett needs just 3.0 sacks over his next four games to tie the Tennessee all-time career sacks record of 32.0, held by Vol legend Reggie White (1980-83). Despite the attention, Barnett is staying focused on the task at hand, working to improve each week and create the best opportunity for his defensive unit and teammates to succeed.
"I really don't think about the numbers. I just try to be better each week that I play. I try to improve off of each week and there is always room for improvement. Last game, I was inconsistent on my get-off on early downs. So, I'm going to focus on that this week but I didn't even know I had that many sacks until someone told me. I'm not really worried about the numbers but I'm just worried about the grind, the process and the score at the end of the game. I feel like if I can just improve each week, I can help."
Todd Kelly Jr. | Junior | Defensive Back
The Vols are looking to bounce back from three-straight losses. Kelly and the team's veterans understand the importance of staying focused on the task at hand (Tennessee Tech) before thinking about UT's remaining SEC contests against Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt.
"You have to focus on the present -- the now. I think we really need to focus on that as a team, not really looking towards the future. Focus on who we have right now. Today's Tuesday, we have our Tuesday practice, so we need the best Tuesday practice we can possibly have and once that's all said and done, move on to the next phase; not to worry about what's lying ahead of us. Focus on the now."
Brett Kendrick | RS Junior | Offensive Lineman
Tennessee sophomore John Kelly enjoyed another standout performance last week against South Carolina, rushing for a career-high 94 yards on 14 carries. Kendrick described what it is like blocking for Kelly.
"I have never seen anyone run as angry as John Kelly. Little crazy legs, he got up running off the ground a couple times at A&M. I don't know, he's just unlike anybody I've ever seen before. He just gets off the ground so angry and wants the ball again. He's fun though, he's fun to block for."
Joshua Dobbs | Senior | Quarterback
The Vols held a team meeting on Sunday to discuss where UT stands at this point of the season. Dobbs shared what he and his teammates got out of the meeting.
"The mood of the team is very positive. It was just a meeting that was needed just for us to lock in and focus on finishing out the season strong. It was a very effective meeting. We got a lot out of it. It has help us make sure that our approach was right coming into this week and going forward."
More Sound Bites
Junior Defensive End Derek Barnett
(On Kyle Phillips stepping up for the interior defensive line)
"I'm very proud of Kyle. He went in, didn't ask any questions and he's been making plays ever since he's been at the three technique. He played really good. We watched film yesterday and saw that he played great, being disruptive. Sometimes, even though he wasn't getting a sack, he still opened up a sack for somebody else or he was just knocking off a block, a pull or two. Kyle is doing a great job and he comes to work every day. Nobody sees that, though. Now, he's taking advantage of his opportunity and I'm very proud of him."
(On the current mood of the team entering Week 10)
"The mood is, we just need to make plays at critical moments and stop letting games slip. We know when we go into games that we have a lot of talent and we can be the better team. We just have to finish and make plays when needed. So, that's the mood and everybody is up for the challenge. Like I said, we're ready for Tennessee Tech and the rest of the season but we're not going to be stuck on these losses. We still have a lot more ball to play."
Junior Defensive Back Todd Kelly Jr.
(On the team's meeting on Sunday and mood of team)
"I think the meeting was good. Coach Jones came and talked to us about effort and energy. The players talked with one another. With that being said, we know what we need to do and that's between the team. We are going to handle business one week at a time."
(On identity of this team)
"I would say relentless, caring for one another, and really a team-first mindset. Everyone has the same goal. It's team-oriented, it's not individual-oriented, so everybody wants and focuses on the team first. That's how I describe this team as a whole."
RS Junior Offensive Lineman Brett Kendrick
(On how the offensive line can improve)
"Well obviously we've had some injuries up front, so that's never good, missed practice time. So much of offensive line play is about communication and playing together and you just need to be used to each other to be a cohesive unit. I think we've missed some of that, but you know, whatever goes wrong for the offense, the criticism falls on us and when things go good, it goes for everybody else and that's part of our job. That's just part of what we do, and we're working to get better every day. We're looking to have a good week of practice. We had a great practice yesterday and we'll get right back to it."
Senior Quarterback Joshua Dobbs
(On John Kelly as a runner)
"He is a very passionate runner. He wants the ball in his hands. He does a great job of getting yards after contact, breaking tackles, just getting the ball north and south and not running east and west. That's exactly what we need and he has continued to grow each and every week. He will definitely have more of an impact this week as well and we will be excited to get the ball in his hands."
(On what the offense needs to do to generate the success it had earlier in the season)
"Just have all pads executing at a high level each and every play. There's players where we are 10 out of 11, nine out of 11 and not 11 out of 11. That's what's hurting us. So, having everyone execute at a high level each and every play, that will really help us moving forward. It really starts in practice with each player understanding the game plan, doing the little things and preparing well throughout the week so when we get to Saturday, we are locked in each and every play."
