From: Rick <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:46:29 AM
Subject: [gatornews] Gerald Jones blames team chemistry for UCLA loss!
Gerald Jones takes blame for loss to UCLA
By Dave Hooker
Originally published 08:25 p.m., September 16, 2009
Updated 08:57 p.m., September 16, 2009
Gerald Jones took full blame for Tennessee’s 19-15 loss to UCLA in his
first public comments since last Saturday’s game.
“As far as I’m concerned, I put the game on my shoulders,” the junior
receiver said following Wednesday’s practice. “I feel like it was my
fault. I never told anybody that.”
Jones said he was at fault for two plays in particular. The
most
noticeable resulted in an incomplete pass on UT’s final offensive
play, which allowed the Bruins to run out the clock. Senior
quarterback Jonathan Crompton was demonstrative in his disapproval of
Jones following the play.
“It kills me and not because he pointed at me,” Jones said. “I’m mad
at myself because I made the mistake. That’s just what type of player
I am. It sucks when a quarterback overthrows you and some stuff like
that happens. We’re taught to put that play behind us, especially if
there’s more game left.”
Jones blamed a lack of chemistry for another miscue, an interception
in the second quarter. Jones, who has been limited in practice since
suffering a high ankle sprain midway through preseason camp, said he
didn’t run the route like his replacement, freshman Marsalis Teague,
did during Jones’ injury.
“I did what I normally do; He’s so used to throwing
it to 10 since
I’ve been out,” Jones said referring to Teague, who wears jersey No.
10. “10 keeps it (the route) a little higher than I do. I think that’s
how he threw it and that’s why he overthrew me.”
Jones said UT’s coaches said he should have run the route deeper.
Jones said he prefers to flatten the route to stay away from both
safeties. Jones said he was sure that he would have scored on the play
had he and Crompton connected.
“I’m going to run the route different than 10,” Jones said. “10 is
faster than me. 10 might run a route quicker or faster than I do. I’m
more of a savvy-type guy. I’m smarter. I don’t have the blazin’ speed
like they do but I find ways to get open.”
