Vince’s View: Takeaways, quotes and notes from UT Pro Day

Vince’s View: Takeaways, quotes and notes from UT Pro Day

Photo of Mickey Marvin / Credit: WNML staff

Here are some of my biggest takeaways from UT’s Pro Day on Friday.

The credentials for the NFL personnel in the photo in this post was to honor legendary VFL and Oakland Raiders star Mickey Marvin. NFL folks didn’t know about the credential photo and absolutely loved it. Credit Bob Welton for making that happen.

Among those in attendance were Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Oakland Raiders general manager and former Vol Reggie McKenzie, among others. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and VFL Jim Bob Cooter and Chicago Bears wide receivers coach and former UT wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni.

Malik Foreman’s 4.37 forty-yard dash certainly got the attention of NFL personnel.

Josh Dobbs continues to impress me and NFL scouts with his improvements as a quarterback. I talked to one scout after the workouts that broke down the change in his release that has sped-up his delivery and given him a more repeatable throwing motion. He’s coming over the top with his delivery and doesn’t have a loop with the ball back in his delivery anymore. He maybe doesn’t have quite the zip he’s capable of (although still plenty good) but he’s more accurate.

Dobbs admitted that there’s a buzz around him right now. He has absolutely shown improvement in every step of the off-season prep for the draft…Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and Pro Day. Scouts that had doubts about Dobbs from his college tape because he wouldn’t hit receivers in stride and had trouble after his first read in the pocket, now are intrigued by him. I’m guessing that makes Vols fans wonder what he could have done had those things been noticed and addressed while on campus at UT. Understandable, but he also now has a lot more time to focus on football and just himself rather than leading a team.

UT football director of player personnel Bob Welton said of Josh Dobbs’ passing display: “I’ve been to a lot of workouts. That was the best quarterback workout I’ve ever seen.”

Alvin Kamara’s exchange with Mike Griffith of SEC Country was hilarious when he asked about knee brace he wore during the 2016 season. Kamara: “Did you watch everything? No I was asking you. No, I felt good. I was going to ask you how you think I looked. That’s what I was going for. The brace? I don’t even know where the brace is at. I threw it off a cliff.”

Kamara told me that the New Orleans is the one team that has worked him out privately.

Kamara was lightning quick in responding “nope” when asked if he considered running the 40 at Pro Day. He was plenty pleased with his 4.56 time from the NFL Combine. He said he’s been working mainly on catching passes.

Josh Malone told me that he’s headed to Baltimore to visit with the Ravens. Then, he’ll visit with the Arizona Cardinals. Those are two teams that I’ve previously pegged as terrific landing spots for him.

Malone also smartly passed on running the 40 after his outstanding 4.4 time at the NFL Combine. Scouts don’t care if you don’t run at your Pro Day after posting a good time, so it is an easy decision.

Josh Dobbs told me that he’s had private workouts with three teams so far, the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. The Chargers and Saints both have veteran QBs in the final years of their career (you’d think) and a QB of the future opportunity could be an exciting and perfect situation for him.

Cam Sutton said he’s talked to all 32 teams during the process, but he’s had formal meetings with the Broncos, Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens and Rams. He would fit in any team’s system, but I could certainly see him being a Ravens type of player.

Sutton is very popular with NFL teams. He’s just not big enough for all teams to view him strictly as a cover corner. He once again looked smooth in coverage drills, change of direction and playing the ball. His 4.15 20-yard shuttle was fantastic. That was better than the speedy Foreman. He has tremendous character and leadership skills and will be a very safe pick. I wonder if the unbelievable depth of DBs in this draft may push him back a touch to late in day 2.

It would not surprise me if Derek Barnett doesn’t do many private workouts or meetings with teams. NFL teams know who he is and what he is. It’s just a matter of how much you like him and where you’d be willing to take him. I think he did a nice job in space displaying his skills to 3-4 teams, but I think it is much more likely that he lands with a 4-3 team.

I thought Jalen Reeves-Maybin looked good in the linebacker drills. He dropped a few passes early, but closed strong. Jimmy Hyams asked him if he’s confident he’ll be drafted and he said yes, definitely.

Jason Croom had a nice day catching the ball. Even though he wasn’t at the combine, he’s on NFL teams’ radar because of his size and experience as a two-way TE.

VFL Robert Meacham worked out looking for another opportunity in the NFL.

With 16 Tennessee players and 8 additional players working out, it was a long day, but one that was very well run by UT. It was a solid showcase for Tennessee to NFL teams that the school is back to sending players to the league via the draft.

Vols Impress at Annual Pro Day

Vols Impress at Annual Pro Day

Josh Dobbs / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee football program hosted its annual Pro Day on Friday morning as 16 draft-eligible Vols worked out in front of 89 NFL scouts, coaches and executives representing all 32 franchises.

Among the notable attendees at Friday’s Pro Day were Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn as well as Oakland Raiders general manager and former Vol Reggie McKenzie, among others. NFL coordinators Pat Shurmur (Minnesota Vikings), Keith Butler (Steelers) and Jim Bob Cooter (Detroit Lions) were also in attendance.

Tennessee’s Pro Day participants included Derek BarnettKenny BynumJason CroomJoshua DobbsCharles FolgerMalik ForemanAlvin KamaraLaTroy LewisJosh MaloneDanny O’BrienJalen Reeves-MaybinJayson SparksCameron SuttonCorey VereenDylan Wiesmanand Devin Williams.

“The way our players competed today and showcased their skills is what its all about,” said head coach Butch Jones. “I am very proud. You can see the culture kick in when they were finishing the drill work. It started last night during the meetings and the way they presented themselves.”

Barnett, Tennessee’s all-time sacks leader and a projected first-round pick, turned in a solid afternoon, participating in the bench press, broad jump, vertical jump, 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill as well as defensive line and linebacker positional drills.

Reeves-Maybin, who participated only in position drills at the NFL Combine earlier this month, logged an unofficial 40-time of 4.65 seconds — which would have ranked in a tie for fifth among linebackers in Indianapolis. He also recorded an impressive vertical leap of 35.5 inches.

Foreman, a defensive back, turned heads when he clocked a 4.37 40-yard dash. That time would have ranked sixth overall at the NFL Combine and was the fastest 40 recorded by a Vol since Jonathan Wade ran a 4.36 at the 2007 NFL Combine.

Quarterback Dobbs and wideout Malone capped an impressive session in their position drills when Dobbs connected with Malone on a 50-yard streak to the end zone.

The 2017 NFL Draft runs April 27-29 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pa.

Former Vols Johnathan Johnson, LaDarrell McNeilRobert Meachem and Owen Williams also participated in Friday’s Pro Day.

Pro Day Quotables

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs

(On the improvement at the quarterback position)
“When you are a quarterback, it is a constant improvement. If you go out and watch guys in the league, they are successful because they are most consistent on the fundamentals so I am just trying to continue to grow and continue to get more consistent in fundamentals. Not to say that you were not already consistent, but there is always a growth and thirst to be better. So that is what I have been able to do, and be around different guys and get different perspective and different foot works and different opinions and be able to take all of those opinions and continue to improve my craft. So it has been great.”

Defensive end Derek Barnett

(On what he is happy with from today)
“I was most pleased with my field work. I felt better and I had a little pep in my step and a lot more energy. My 40 time was not the best, it is what it is. I think I played fast on the field so I am pretty confident in that.”

Defensive back Cameron Sutton

(Reflecting his time at Tennessee)
“It was great. It was simply great. I gained a lot of friendships and obviously did a lot of great things on the field. I want to just leave my legacy on the field, but you know the type of person I am. You know how much I impacted the community and the people around and just Knoxville in general. I know this it is bigger than me. I know that it is bigger than just football. Like I said, just the relationships that I had built in my time here and the people are great. Obviously the facilities and football and everything that comes with it is always great. This is what I came here for. I definitely want to be remembered for not what I did on the field, but the type of person I was as well.”

Tight end Jason Croom

(On specific questions from NFL Scouts)
“They all pretty much ask the same questions — nothing really specific. They want to know if I’m going to be a receiving tight end or a blocking tight end. Every time they ask something like that I am trying to tell them I’m trying to bring everything to the table. I’m trying to be a complete tight end.”

Wide receiver Josh Malone

(On what the focus has been for him to show for the draft)
“The first thing I wanted to show was my speed. That was my main focus going into the combine because I felt that everybody thought I as slow. Second, I wanted to show how good and smooth I can get out of my breaks and move in-between the routes. I felt like I’ve been showing that throughout the whole entire process.”

Offensive lineman Dylan Wiesman

(On what he wanted to prove)
“I think I needed to prove that I was flexible. I am athletic and I am able to move. I still weigh 310 pounds, but I have lost 5 percent body fat since the bowl game so I am focused on changing my body and being able to move and bend.”

Defensive lineman Corey Vereen

(On if he felt any nerves for Pro Day)
“This is a little more nervous for me than when I am playing football. With that, you are training everyday and with this you have two to three months to train for something like this. It’s not exactly like football, per se, but it is some pretty good drills to help the scouts get a better look at you.”

Defensive lineman LaTroy Lewis

(On the Pro Day atmosphere)
“It is kind of surreal. Of course there are some nerves but you have to be confident in your preparation. The atmosphere is incredible to see all the people that wanted to come out to see us showcase our skills. To be on the field with my brothers one more time was really good.”

Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin

(On looking back on his time at Tennessee)
“I definitely enjoyed my career here. I wish I could have been able to finish my senior season and help the team out in that way. I do not have any regrets. I think from coming in I think a lot of us did a lot to help the team out. We definitely put Tennessee back in a better situation then they have been in previous years.”

Running back Alvin Kamara

(On what it was like to be out there with all the guys he came in with)
“Sometimes we forget that it is fun. We have fun playing football. It was just fun being out there, I was trying to lighten the guys up. Trying to get them to remember that it is the last time we are going to be together and just have fun.”

Director of player personnel Bob Welton

(On Joshua Dobbs’ performance)
“With Josh he has — for the first time in his life — truly concentrated on football. If you think about it, with his major he has had class and labs and he did not get to spend the same amount of time on football that other college quarterbacks get to. So I think now with training and getting ready for this and his class schedule is hard, but it is minimal. Josh has been able to go practice being a quarterback. The great thing about Josh is we have always known him as a person without question and he has enhanced that with interviews. I think that people are impressed with him throwing so well. I don’t know how much you guys have watched. I have watched a lot of workouts and that was the best quarterback workout I have ever seen. That was impressive. I was really happy for him. He has done everything he has needed to do since the end of the season to help himself.”

-UT Athletics

 

Video: Josh Dobbs interview at Pro Day

Video: Josh Dobbs interview at Pro Day

Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs talked about his stellar Pro Day performance, the lead-up to the NFL Draft and he revealed which teams he’s had a private workout with. Watch the full interview below.

Florida Georgia Line Win Two Early Academy of Country Music Awards

Florida Georgia Line Win Two Early Academy of Country Music Awards

Florida Georgia Line are already big winners, taking home two of the five awards they were nominated for at tonight’s (April 2) 52nd Annualy Academy of Country Music Awards.

The duo were surprised half way through their show Saturday night (April 1) at ACM Party For A Cause: WME Bash at the Beach, when the Academy presented them with two trophies for Vocal Event of the Year for “May We All,” which featured Tim McGraw and Single of the Year for “H.O.L.Y.”

Later that evening Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley took to Instagram to announce their big win.

“Completely surprised tonight when we were stopped midshow and given two ACM awards for Vocal Event and Single of the Year. Amazing feeling, and even better to celebrate it with all of you in Vegas. Love y’all and thank you,” they posted on Instagram.

Congratulations to the duo. You can see more awards winners tonight (April 2) and FGL’s performance with the Backstreet Boys when the 52nd Annual ACM Awards air live from T-Mobile arena on CBS

Vocal Event of the Year (Awarded to Artist/Producer/Record Company–Label)”

  • WINNER: “May We All” – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw
    Producer: Joey Moi
    Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
  • “Different For Girls” – Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
    Producers: Ross Copperman, Arturo Buenahora Jr.
    Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
  • Forever Country” – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
    Producer: Shane McAnally
    Record Label: MCA Nashville
  • Setting the World On Fire” – Kenny Chesney Featuring P!nk
    Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
    Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville
  • Think of You” – Chris Young Featuring Cassadee Pope
    Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
    Record Labels: RCA Nashville, RCA Records

Single Record of the Year (Awarded to Artist/Producer/Record Company–Label)

  • WINNER“H.O.L.Y.” – Florida Georgia Line
    Producer: Joey Moi
    Record Label: Big Machine Label Group
  • “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban
    Producers: Dann Huff, Keith Urban
    Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Records Nashville
  • Humble And Kind” – Tim McGraw
    Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
    Record Labels: McGraw Music, Big Machine Records
  • My Church” – Maren Morris
    Producers: busbee, Maren Morris
    Record Label: Columbia Nashville
  • Vice” – Miranda Lambert
    Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse, Glenn Worf
    Record Labels: RCA Nashville, Vanner Records

Photo courtesy Florida Georgia Line Instagram

ACM Party for a Cause Photo Galleries, Including Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Kip Moore, Cole Swindell, Lauren Alaina & More

ACM Party for a Cause Photo Galleries, Including Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Kip Moore, Cole Swindell, Lauren Alaina & More

With 18 events across 13 venues, the Academy of Country Music’s fifth annual ACM Party for a Cause was in full swing in Las Vegas on March 31 and April 1. Party for a Cause featured performances from more than 80 artists during “The Week Vegas Goes Country” in the lead-up to the ACM Awards Show on April 2. 

Take a look at some of the photo galleries from Party for a Cause events.

ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic: Photos by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

ACM Party for a Cause at the House of Blues: Photos by Christopher Polk/Getty Image

ACM Party for a Cause Tailgate Party

ACM Party for a Cause at The Joint: Photos by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

ACM Party for a Cause Pool Party: Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

main photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM

Check Out More Than 50 Photos From Westwood One’s “Backstage at the ACM Awards” Radio Row Event, Including Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town & More

Check Out More Than 50 Photos From Westwood One’s “Backstage at the ACM Awards” Radio Row Event, Including Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town & More

More than 100 country artists came by Westwood One’s Backstage at the ACM Awards radio row event on March 31 and April 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, including Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt and more.

In addition, Westwood One’s Backstage at the ACM Awards featured exclusive private backstage performances from Lee Brice, Mo Pitney, Jerrod Niemann, Walker McGuire and Delta Rae.

Cumulus Media and Westwood One are the official national radio partners for the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Special thanks to Westwood One’s brand partners for the event, including Ace Hardware, Advance Auto Parts, Dynamic Solutions, Grainger, Outnumber Hunger (an initiative of General Mills) and Ply Gem.

photos by Jann Hendry/Westwood One and Audrey Brensing/Westwood One

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