Sunday, August 18, 2013

OPEN PRACTICE AT NEYLAND

OPEN PRACTICE AT NEYLAND ATTENDED BY 39,000 VOL FANS!


Knoxville, Tennessee  (HOUSEOFNEYLAND) We attended last night's open practice held at Neyland Stadium along with "a host of Volunteer fans."

We've attended many a football game here, but never a practice.  It was a great experience.


                                                       North End Zone
                                                   Vols Open Practice
                                                      August 17, 2013
                                                  Photo by John White

I know "The General" was a man of the military tradition and I'm sure he would have been impressed with the organization and efficiency Coach Butch Jones orchestrated in this open practice.


                                                         Warm-Up Drill
                                                    Vols Open Practice
                                                       August 17, 2013
                                                  Photo by John White


I don't like to say anything good about Alabama, but watching the Tide play us last year, I was impressed with their business like attitude.  It seemed as if each score was accepted as if expected and Coach Sabin had them geared up to get ready for the next one instead of celebrating the last.

I can see this same approach working for the VOLS under Coach Jones.  


                                                      Coach Butch Jones
                                                 Talks With SEC official
                                                        August 17, 2013
                                                  Photo by John White

While the night was dampened by the rain, most of the fans who came simply scurried for cover under the upper deck while others waited the heavy rain out in the interior of the stadium.

The Coach was himself impressed by the turnout.  

He said...

"If anybody doesn't realize the magnitude of Tennessee football, they should see this tonight."

The Vols open the season with Team 117 at Neyland vs. Austin Peay on August 31, 2013.

Despite the impressive practice, Coach Jones said...

"We're not game-ready, but we've got two weeks to prepare.  That's why you practice.  They learned a lot tonight."


                                                   Third Down and Two
                                                       White v. Orange
                                                        August 17, 2013
                                                  Photo by John White

SOURCE

"Rain doesn't stop scrimmage," by Evan Woodbery, Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 18, 2013.