Jones: Vols must improve passing game ‘in a hurry’

KNOXVILLE — Perhaps Josh Dobbs simply was too close to his target.

Tennessee’s starting quarterback claims to be pretty good at hitting the crossbar of the goal posts from the 50- yard line, so asking him to do it 30 yards closer and with a few hundred students watching Saturday presented more of a challenge.

“It kind of messed me up,” Dobbs joked after the Volunteers wrapped their practice at Neyland Stadium, to which coach Butch Jones invited Tennessee students to watch.

After none of Tennessee’s three quarterbacks and a handful of students failed to rattle the south end zone’s goal posts with an accurate throw, longtime assistant equipment manager Allen “Hawk” Sitzler clanged the target with his first throw and was mobbed by a group of players.

After the fun ending to a tough practice, which included races between players and a bit of a dance contest, Tennessee is into its final week of spring practice, and Jones still is looking for his offense to develop better consistency and crispness in the passing game.

Tennessee’s defense largely kept the offense out of the end zone as the Vols worked on red-zone situations Saturday.

“Everything is about rhythm and spacing and timing, and I didn’t think we had very good rhythm when we were in the red zone,” Jones said. “We were able to run the ball effectively, but particularly in the throw game we weren’t able to win on the edges. We have to be able to win.”

The Vols are shorthanded at receiver and inexperienced beyond Dobbs at quarterback, but Jones made it clear he has not exactly been pleased with the offense’s ability to move the ball through the air this spring.

“It’s consistency,” he said. “We have good days; we have poor days. When we throw the football, we have to be consistent, and a lot goes into it. … When you throw the football, a lot of negative things can happen as well, and that’s why you have to focus on it, you have to concentrate on it, and we have another week to continue to improve that.

“I think some of it has been our depth at receiver, but we have to get a lot better in a hurry in the throw game.”

Still looking

Kenny Bynum continues to get most of the firstteam repetitions at linebacker, but Tennessee’s search for a solid option at the position alongside All- SEC candidate Jalen Reeves- Maybin remains ongoing.

Cortez McDowell and walk- on Colton Jumper, a former Baylor School standout, each got some first-team reps during one period late in Saturday’s practice, with Dillon Bates and Gavin Bryant getting some looks with the second-team defense.

“Right now we lack consistency there,” Jones said. “We’re getting better, but no one person has emerged as that leader for the No. 2 linebacker. I see progress every day that the other players are making, which has been great to see. Not one individual’s distanced themselves to be named the starter at another spot.”

Bates on the mend

Bates has been limited in some capacity this spring as the Vols play it safe with his shoulder. The four- star recruit’s freshman season was cut short after just four games by a torn labrum. He underwent surgery in late September.

“I’ve been doing everything,” he said. “There’s been a few days where it’s been pretty sore. They’ve kind of just been smart about it. I’ve been going through everything and getting mental reps whenever I’m in there not going full speed.

“It’s really not held me back that much, but ( it’s been) just getting in there, going full speed and getting my shoulder back to strength.”