Today On Rocky Top: Vols Practice In Full Pads; Jason Croom Using His Size
By Zach Ragan
Nov 2, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers safety Braylon Webb (9) intercepts the ball at the one yard line as Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jason Croom (18) pushes him out of bounds during the second half of the game at Faurot Field. Missouri won 31-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
From The Daily Beacon
"It finally felt like it was football time in Tennessee.After two no-contact practices over the weekend, the sound of players colliding returned to Haslam Field on Tuesday, as the Tennessee Volunteers broke out their pads for the first time this spring.“It’s always a good feeling to get the pads on and to get hitting – that’s the big thing – instead of just running around in helmets,” linebacker A.J. Johnson said.The pads, however, didn’t bring the results head coach Butch Jones wanted.Following what the second-year head coach termed as a “good” weekend in terms of tempo, a key factor in Jones’ offensive scheme, the extra weight seemed to slow the team down.Read More at The Daily Beacon"
From The Times Free Press
"At 6-foot-5 and pushing 230 pounds, Jason Croom is as impressive physically as Tennessee has in its receiving corps.The rising third-year sophomore still is learning to play like he looks.Croom had a solid debut season for the Volunteers in 2013, but he felt he wasn’t playing up to his size on some occasions, and that’s what he has targeted during spring practice.“Every day that’s what I’m thinking about,” he said after Tennessee practiced Tuesday afternoon. “You’ll see it on the field. Coach Z [receivers coach Zach Azzanni], he’s still coaching me up and teaching me different ways, and I’m watching film myself to watch bigger receivers to see how they use their body. I can use it myself.”Read more at The Times Free Press"
"It was not much, but it was enough to end a three-year losing streak.Scoring the fewest amount of runs it has against MTSU since 2001, Tennessee halted its five-game skid against the Blue Raiders with a 2-0 win at Reese Smith Jr. Field Tuesday.And the No. 17 Vols scored the win in minimal fashion.After trying the power route in the second inning — a pair of hard-hit singles bookended by long outs to right field — left two runners stranded, Tennessee took a lighter approach in the third inning.Three straight hits down the third-base line — a bloop single followed by a pair of bunts — loaded the bases for the Vols, and they capitalized.Read more at The Daily News Journal"