Today On Rocky Top: Butch Jones Surprises At Camp

Apr 20, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Page (6) is chased by defensive lineman Jordan Williams (54) during the second half of the spring Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

From Go Vols Xtra

"After four consecutive days of practice, Tennessee players might be exhausted, but they certainly aren’t bored.First-year UT coach Butch Jones has ensured that lethargy won’t set in.On Monday, he scrapped what players thought were the normal practice plans and called for 11-on-11 team drills. In essence, it was an impromptu scrimmage at the start of practice.“I don’t believe in being a creature of habit,” Jones said afterward. “You have to change things up. It’s our job as coaches to stimulate our players."

From Yahoo Sports

"Tennessee free safety Brian Randolph has heard the criticism of the Volunteers’ secondary and is ready to prove the skeptics wrong.”Before we get out there and start working, we get together and remind ourselves that people consider us the worst secondary in the SEC,” Randolph said. ”That has been a motivator for us. I think it got us better this offseason.”The Vols gave up the most points (35.7) and yards (471.4) per game of any team in the Southeastern Conference last year in part because a lack of speed in the secondary made them vulnerable to big plays."

From Go Vols Xtra

"After a summer of running basketball camps, Alicia Manning is stepping into the coaching profession.The former Tennessee women’s basketball player has been hired as a member of the coaching staff at John Carroll University, a private Jesuit Catholic school in University Heights, Ohio.“I am thrilled to have Alicia be the first addition to this staff,” John Carroll first-year coach Kelly Morrone said in a school release. “It was important to our program to select a candidate that could be immediately impactful in a number of ways. Her nationally recognized playing experience as a forward for the Lady Vols has prepared her to direct our post players.”"

From The Times Free Press

"Dontavis Sapp just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.Asked about his value to Tennessee’s football team, the senior wasn’t sure what to say.After three seasons as a special-teams ace and backup linebacker, Sapp simply is trying to seize an opportunity he’s waited for his entire career.“I just go out there and try to perform, no matter what I’m doing,” he said after the Volunteers’ practice Monday afternoon. “If it’s punt, punt return — if he wants me to go back and catch punts, I’ll do it. I’m just trying to get out here and play.”"