Vols’ O-linemen still working on group progress
KNOXVILLE — Marcus Tatum has an idea as to where the struggles with the Tennessee offense — and the team in general — lie.
Right in his position group.
“If the offensive line is not performing well, the team is not going to perform well,” Tatum said early this week. “So put it all on us.”
A line that has been a work in progress all season long due to injuries and inconsistency is taking the blame for the season of the Volunteers (5-6, 2-5 Southeastern Conference), who need a win at Vanderbilt (5-6, 2-5) on Saturday to gain bowl eligibility.
Volunteers coach Jeremy
Pruitt isn’t laying the blame solely on the offensive line, though. In his eyes, there’s plenty of blame to go around. The team took a step forward in its Nov. 10 win against Kentucky, with a balanced attack that finished with 215 rushing yards and 197 passing yards, but could not sustain that last week against Missouri, failing to reach 300 yards for the fourth time in seven SEC games.
After the solid showing running the ball against the Wildcats, the Vols had 82 rushing yards on 28 carries and 255 yards of total offense against the Tigers. And it was evident from the first series it was going to be a struggle, starting with a missed block that led to a sack of Jarrett Guarantano on the Vols’ first play and adding a sack on the third play that ultimately knocked the team’s starting quarterback out of the game.
The Vols have been in scramble mode to find
the right mix in the offensive line, with five different starting combinations. The most recent group — Tatum at left tackle, Jahmir Johnson at left guard, Ryan Johnson at center, Nathan Niehaus at right guard and Drew Richmond at right tackle — has started the past four games together, however.
“When you play offensive line, it’s one of the toughest positions to play because lots of times when one guy moves or two guys move on the defensive side, it doesn’t just affect one guy, it affects all five of them and possibly a tight end and maybe even a fullback or something, so they’ve got to work together,” Pruitt said after Wednesday’s practice. “At least the group that we’ve got playing now have played together for the last couple of weeks. The longer you play together, you get more comfortable, which creates some confidence. This will be another week, and it will be a big challenge for those guys.”
Ryan Johnson and Tatum said improving as a group will take time. It’s “not an instantaneous thing,” said Johnson, who started the season at right guard.
Communication is important along with individual improvement, and the Vols can showcase any progress they’ve made Saturday against the Commodores, who also need a win to reach bowl eligibility.
“You’ve got to be able to work well, bond, play next to the person next to you,” Johnson said. “You have to be able to work together as a cohesive unit, and it takes time to make bonds, make connections. I think we’re improving on that, but there are still things we need to do better.”
Added Tatum, who replaced Trey Smith (who has blood clots in his lungs) at left tackle four weeks ago: “We have to get on the same page and learn to work as one, because if one person messes up, we all mess up. If one person looks bad, we all look bad, so we need to get on the same page and work all five as one.”
Status updates
Pruitt would not confirm Wednesday that either quarterback Jarrett Guarantano or receiver Marquez Callaway would start Saturday’s game. Both did practice this week.
Pruitt did say linebackers Kivon Bennett and J.J. Peterson, defensive lineman Kurott Garland and wide receiver Cedric Tillman will redshirt this season, having reached the limit of four games played now allowed by the NCAA. Bennett is a sophomore, with the other three freshmen.
“We’re not going to play any of those guys,” Pruitt said. “I’ve talked to them, and I think moving forward it’s the best thing for those guys.”
Pruitt said running back Ty Chandler tweaked a knee in practice and has been day to day, but the coach said Chandler, who leads the team with 542 rushing yards this season, “will be ready to go.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress. com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.