All About The Energy

KNOXVILLE, TN – August 12, 2014 – tn during practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Bruckse/Tennessee Athletics

The grind of training camp is kicking in and Butch Jones is looking to see who can handle it. He is hopeful of seeing the mental approach to the game flourish with Team 118.

“This is where as a mentally tough football team, this is where you have to fight through it,” Jones said as the Vols finished their 12th practice of camp. “This is where you have to be disciplined in your habits and in your sleep. This is where you mature, this is where you grow up and this is where you find what’s inside of you to fighting through the pans, the aches associated with training camp.

Jones has preached the message of the ‘Energy Bus,’ a book written by Jon Gordon. Personally Jones takes great pride in having incredible energy and hopes that his passion has infiltrated the entire program.

“Everything is about energy,” said Jones. “It starts with me, it starts with our coaches, it starts with our leaders. You have to get excited, practice is like recess.

“It is controlled chaos. You get to have recess, you go around and what do you love to do? You get to go play ball at recess. You have to keep in perspective , you work so hard for the opportunity to play football, every opportunity to get better is critical. It’s about energy and that mindset.”

Jones has alluded to possibly naming a starting quarterback this week. During his media session on Tuesday, he briefly talked about Justin Worley, praising the senior signal caller.

“Going through your progressions, there is a clock in your head as a quarterback and also understanding situational football and areas on the field,” said Jones. “That was great to see. I see Justin gaining confidence practice-in and practice-out.”