Posts Tagged ‘janzen jackson’

Dooley and Janzen Jackson – Day 6

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Posted 09 Aug 2011 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Finally, the prodigal son speaks. Janzen Jackson sets it straight, sort of. At least he’s getting ready to set it, or someone, straight as the Vols hold their first scrimmage today. As far as the defensive backfield goes, here’s my prediction of starters as of today, as well as a list of backups that should see significant playing time. This isn’t proton smashing or any kind of science, so here goes.

FS – Janzen Jackson,  SS – Brent Brewer,  CB – Marsalis Teague,  CB – Prentiss Waggner

Next four in line – Byron Moore, Justin Coleman, Brian Randolph, and somehow Art Evans will find his way back into the rotation – never fails

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Dooley on the first day, Janzen, Ben Martin, etc.

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Posted 03 Aug 2011 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Vols head coach Derek Dooley talks about the first day of fall camp, getting Janzen Jackson back, and seeing Ben Martin practice for the first time since he’s been head coach.

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Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm

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Posted 19 Jan 2011 — by Volunteer
Category Football

That’s quite an interesting angle seeing that Janzen Jackson got called for leading with his head on this play, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty on the Vols. Yet another in a long line of questionable calls made against Tennessee this past year.

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First Week Observations

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Posted 10 Aug 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Following a week that saw just as much talk concerning NCAA letters of inquiry and Achilles tears, the Vols actually got in a weeks worth of practice. Here are a few of my observations after the first week:

  • It seems Matt Simms continues to be the more consistent of the two quarterbacks (him and Tyler Bray), and we all know how much Chaney looks at consistency when choosing a starter. Still, I want to say that Bray’s talent and evolving maturity will eventually win out.
  • Tauren Poole continues to be the guy driving the bus in the backfield as Dooley noted that they were still waiting on someone to step up to his level. Rajion Neal is taking steps, though who knows how big those steps are.
  • If there are leaders on offense, they’re Luke Stocker and Gerald Jones. Not much has been said in the direction of Stocker and one would have to believe it’s because Dooley knows what he has in the senior tight end. Jones, meanwhile, has been vocal and is always a cool customer when it comes to the media. The same goes for the field where he just “looks” the part according to Dooley and does everything a senior wideout should. Though the hype on the offensive side has centered around freshmen Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter, Jones is no doubt consistent and as good a mentor as the young Vol receivers have.
  • On defense, the injury news about Ben Martin and Marlon Walls was sobering, but a window of opportunity for the likes of Willie Bohannon, Steven Fowlkes, Rae Sykes, Jacques Smith, Corey Miller, etc has now opened even wider.
  • In the secondary, the move of Marsalis Teague to cornerback is an exciting one. The battle to start beside Janzen Jackson is also an intriguing matchup to keep an eye on. I see Prentiss Wagner, Rod Wilks, and Brent Brewer going toe-to-toe until September.
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Pickens, Ward… Nuff Said.

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Posted 20 Jul 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

A Carl Pickens kickoff return for a touchdown, John Ward on the call, orange pants… Does it get any better than this? Oh yeah, and against LSU in Baton Rouge.

To paraphrase Dick Vermeil, this is the type of sound Tennessee is looking for. Be it from a Gerald Jones, a Denarious Moore, a Janzen Jackson, a David Oku, maybe even a Da’Rick Rogers or Justin Hunter. These are the types of big time special teams strikes Derek Dooley and Eric Russell were known for while at Louisiana Tech. It’s also a phase of the game the Vols have been sorely lacking since Pickens was playing both sides of the ball in ’89.

I believe Mark Jones was the last Vol to successfully field a punt or kickoff and return it for a score. Before that, it was Peerless Price against Alabama during the ‘98 National Championship season.

Pickens, Price and Jones were just a few of those rare Vols that played both offense and defense throughout their careers. Pickens and Price their freshmen years, while Jones played a variety of positions throughout his four years before finally settling in at receiver his senior year.

Nonetheless, this is the type of spark these Vols are going to need this year to swing some of those nail-biter games and switch momentum.

“Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.” – General Neyland’s Game Maxim No. 6

I believe we have the horses, let’s see if the trainers can live up to their billing.

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Boom Boom Pow, name’s Janzen.

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Posted 20 May 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Was there a bigger hit last season than the one levied by then-freshman safety Janzen Jackson on the Gator’s Brandon James. You gotta think James is still feeling that one.

With things having slowed to the pace of peanut butter over on the Hill, I’m left to reminiscing about past seasons, while looking ahead to September. And despite the loss of a Vol legend in Eric Berry to the NFL, I believe the Tennessee Vol defensive backfield could be one of the more pleasant surprises for Derek Dooley’s 2010 Volunteer team. Especially, with a player like Jackson returning and his ability to deliver hits like the one above.

Now, all this is wiped away if Jackson and his partner Darren Myles can’t keep their nose clean off the field, but I’m staying optimistic. Throw in veterans Prentiss Wagner and Rod Wilks as backups and incoming freshman Eddrick Loften and that’s a pretty stingy crew vying for time at safety.

Cornerback meanwhile is another topic. With the recent news that Naz Oliver will be out with a torn ACL, coupled with Dennis Rogan’s decision to forgo his senior year, that leaves Art Evans as the only returning starter, and he’s coming back from offseason shoulder surgery. Spring practice reports have heaped praise on Eric Gordon for his work at the other cornerback spot, but from there it gets murky. Anthony Anderson, Stephaun Raines and C.J. Fleming have all seen the field in various situations, though none are proven. It seems coaches will give JUCO transfer Dave Clark every opportunity this fall to grab a spot… Maybe one of the Vol receivers switches to the defensive backfield.

The way it looks:  Safeties – Myles and Jackson, Cornerbacks – Evans and Gordon

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The Tennessee Vols Post-Spring Practice Fearless Predictions

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Posted 22 Apr 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football
Dooley heads out on the summer recruiting trail.

Dooley now heads out on the summer recruiting trail.

I’ll say this following Tennessee’s Orange and White game this past weekend – I’m on the Tyler Bray bandwagon. I mean, this is basically a write-off year for new head coach Derek Dooley, right? So why not throw the kid to the fire and see what he can do. I don’t hear anyone saying let’s save Jawuan James, so why not give Bray the keys to the car?

That said, here’s one man’s predictions on what the Tennessee Volunteers will look like come September.

Quarterback:

Tyler Bray and let’s roll with it. Now, Simms could have a great fall and come out guns blazing, but the future is now for this team. Bray starts, Simms sees action regardless at some point.

Running Back:

Tauren Poole looked the part Saturday rushing, as well as receiving, and I believe it’s his time to shine barring a huge setback this fall. David Oku will provide quality depth to Poole, Toney Williams gets a few carries along the way and freshman Rajion Neal could be the sleeper of this year’s freshman class once he arrives this summer. Either way, Poole is a runner and will be the horse Dooley hangs his visor on come fall.

Fullback:

Kevin Cooper is an underrated and unheralded blocking back that paves the way for another 1,000-yard Vol rusher in Poole.

Wide Receiver:

Seniors Gerald Jones and Denarious Moore have made their mark on the program and will continue to show leadership this year. They were both clearly on their game Saturday and looked to be in mid-season form. Marsalis Teague and Zach Rogers will provide solid backup this fall and some combination of freshmen Da’Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter and Matt Milton should push the upperclassmen for playing time.

Tight End:

Dooley awaits the return of prized tight end Luke Stocker from injury. Ben Bartholomew and Mychal Rivera could also see minutes in an offense that leans heavily on multiple tight end formations according to Dooley.

Offensive Line:

While thin, this line could really come together under the direction of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and line coach Harry Hiestand. Following spring, it looks as though Jawuan James and Dallas Thomas will man the tackle positions with Thomas protecting Bray or Simms’ blindside. Jequari Schofield and Jarrod Shaw look to have hammered down the guard spots with Cody Pope at center. I’d say that freshmen James Stone and Zach Fulton will also figure into the rotation somehow once they arrive on campus.

Defensive Line:

There is some needed quality, as well as quantity, when it comes to the defensive end positions in the form of returning senior starters Chris Walker, Gerald Williams and Ben Martin. With Martin still injured, look for Walker and Williams to start with Martin and Willie Bohannon providing backup and freshmen Jacques Smith and Cory Miller already pushing the seniors for playing time.

Inside, beyond Montori Hughes and Marlon Walls, the tackle pool is pretty shallow. The Vols await the arrival of juco transfer John Brown, a one-time Florida Gator, and will slide Bohannon over for depth.

Linebacker:

Lamarcus Thompson has nailed down one spot and Nick Reveiz likely will take his middle backer spot when healthy. Greg King, after a sensational freshman year in 2009, takes the other outside spot. The backups are strong in Savion Frazier, Herman Lathers, Austin Johnson, Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, Jerod Askew and Robert Nelson all competing for serious playing time this year.

Defensive Backs:

At cornerback, Eric Gordon has taken hold of one spot and it’s likely that Art Evans, when he gets healthy, will take the other spot with Naz Oliver and Dave Clark, when he gets here, as backups.

Super sophomore Janzen Jackson has one safety spot locked up as long as he wants it, and for good reason. He looked the part Saturday in wanting to carry the torch Eric Berry left behind after declaring for the NFL Draft. Darren Myles looks to have a good hold on the other safety spot despite game-ready depth in the form of Prentiss Wagner and Rod Wilks. Freshman Eddrick Lofton could also figure into the rotation.

Kicking:

Vol Nation patiently awaits the arrival of freshman Michael Palardy and his dynamic left leg.

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Tennessee Vols Orange & White Game Highlights

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Posted 20 Apr 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

The Tennessee Volunteers concluded their spring with the annual Orange & White game in front of 36,000-plus fans at Neyland Stadium. To say I was a bit surprised at the attendance figures would be a huge understatement. Still, when it’s football time in Tennessee it’s football time in Tennessee, no matter the time of year.

Following the game, freshman quarterback Tyler Bray was the talk of the town and for good reason – he showed a live arm, pretty good accuracy, poise in the pocket and few mistakes. All that and a touchdown toss to fellow Tennessee Vol Denarious Moore made for a pretty good day for Bray and maybe a few less worries for new UT head coach Derek Dooley.

Other bright spots included various new defensive looks from the Tennessee defense, a great day running and receiving from Tennessee Vol running back Tauren Poole and strong individual performances from the likes of Jawuan James, Gerald Jones, Montori Hughes, Austin Johnson, Eric Gordon and Janzen Jackson.

Looks as though the Volunteers head into the summer with optimism after seeing some success from their starting units on both sides of the ball, though depth could eventually become a problem. For me, fall can’t get here soon enough.

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Head Coach Derek Dooley and the Vols on first scrimmage

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Posted 05 Apr 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Head coach Derek Dooley talks about the Vol’s first scrimmage of the spring – one that was for the most part dominated by the Tennessee defense with the exception of a long run by Tauren Poole. Accordingly, these bursts from the junior tailback have become a bit commonplace during the spring. Here’s hoping this year Poole gets some meaningful game action because it seems like he deserves it more than anyone so far.

Quarterbacks Nick Stephens and Matt Simms talk about their play during the scrimmage – neither of which was anything to write home about, but it’s still early. Volunteer running back David Oku, defensive end Chris Walker and safety Janzen Jackson also talk about the Vol’s spring work and their objectives from here on out.

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