Dooley Wants His D-Linemen Digging Wells

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Derek Dooley is a sharp guy.  Derek Dooley is a pretty funny guy, too.  And when Steve Spurrier finally hangs up his visor in a few years, if Tennessee’s coach is still around he’s liable to become the league’s new go-to quote machine.

One week after using a copy of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” to make a point to his team, the Vol coach told his defensive tackles that he wants them digging wells this fall:


“They don’t have to have sacks, but tackles can push the pocket.  You ever try to throw out of a well? … If you’re standing at the bottom of a well and you try to throw a ball out, it’s hard.  There’s no room to follow through, right?  You’re sitting there and there’s a wall.

Two good tackles who can push the guards back into the lap of the quarterback, then he’s throwing out of a well and he short-arms it.”


Tennessee is looking for the right mix at tackle.  Currently, top returner Malik Jackson is banged up which leaves two sophomores, a juco transfer and a converted offensive lineman to work at the position.