Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) takes the snap from center Mack Crowder (57) in a game against Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee football coach Butch Jones began the week by delivering a little bit of a message to Josh Dobbs.
The sophomore starting quarterback was voted the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the week after leading the Volunteers to a late rally at South Carolina 10 days ago and becoming the first Tennessee quarterback to throw for 300 yards and run for 100 yards in the same game.
Jones made it clear, however, that Dobbs did not practice up to the coach's standard Sunday.
"Not what we needed," Jones said Monday. "It's easy to write things when you watch a game or two, but we see it every day in practice. There's a lot different. Josh knows that for us to be successful, he has to play with great consistency day in and day out. That's his biggest challenge, and he understands it."
Dobbs' struggles in practice are the biggest reason he was behind Justin Worley and Nathan Peterman in the pecking order, and Jones, who seemed to harp on some mistakes the quarterback made in his strong debut against Alabama, did praise how Dobbs threw the ball, managed the offense and led Tennessee's comeback in Columbia.
According to Jones, Dobbs' practice problems stem more from his mechanics and fundamentals than his intangible approach and focus as Tennessee's coaches push him to improve.
"Coach Jones, he cares for everyone," receiver Pig Howard said. "He's all about pushing you. He tries to do little things to see how you'll react, because if you can't handle Coach Jones, there ain't no way you can handle a defender in front of you, or handle the adversity of playing in front of a large crowd. That's just his way of coaching.
"We all are used to it, but I think the biggest part is not becoming complacent and always having that edge."
With opponents having more on video to prepare for Dobbs, Jones again stressed how important it is he makes the routine plays when they are there while continuing to use his natural ability to make the more impressive ones.
"Josh is a very focused young man. That's one of his strengths," Jones said. "He's very focused, very even-keeled. We all know about his intelligence, the care factor -- all that. He has the quarterback intangibles. It's the overall consistency with his elbow, with how he releases the ball, from his feet, setting in the pocket, throwing a catchable football.
"He's improved tremendously from the start of August camp to where he is now, and that's a great compliment to him."
Smith has surgery
Vols receiver Josh Smith underwent surgery last Friday on the high-ankle sprain that has kept him out since the Oklahoma game in September. Jones said an "exploratory procedure" revealed the surgery was necessary. The sophomore had his ankle scoped and the joint tightened.
The Vols expect Smith, who caught 10 passes for 135 yards in the season's first three games and had a five-catch, 58-yard performance with a 40-yard touchdown against the Sooners, to receive a medical redshirt and return for spring practice.
"We were hoping to get him back, but the ankle wasn't healing appropriately," Jones said. "It's disappointing, but exciting that we gain the year back in terms of a redshirt year. We'll have him back.
"Josh means so much to us," the coached added, "not just because he's a good football player, but he's tough, he brings a whole other element, he brings an identity personality (and) he brings a personality to our football team."
Status updates
Defensive tackle Trevarris Saulsberry (knee) will not play against Kentucky. That will be the second straight game he has missed since being hurt in the second half against Alabama.
Receiver Marquez North (shoulder), who did not practice last week, practiced Sunday, Jones said, and is expected to play against the Wildcats.
Surprise visitor
Rapper Lil Jon, whose song Tennessee has turned into the "Third Down for What" tune it plays before opponents' third-down plays at Neyland Stadium this season, had a concert in Knoxville on Saturday night and visited the Vols' practice on Sunday afternoon.
Jones admitted his presence was a bit of a surprise, but Tennessee promoted it on social media on Sunday evening.
"It was great to have him at practice," Jones said. "I know our players enjoyed that, and that's the power of Tennessee. He was in town and wanted to come over and be a part of practice."
Tennessee's players enjoyed the chance to have Lil Jon speak to them, meet him and have him watch practice.
"He said he wanted to come by and show us some love in the flesh," linebacker A.J. Johnson said. "I know he did a video for us that ran in Neyland Stadium, and he was in town, so he wanted to come by and holler at us and tell us to keep fighting and get to a bowl game. That's one thing he said: We're close to making stuff happen, so we might as well finish it off.
"He said our coach was a cool cat. He liked Coach Jones a lot."
Tennessee tidbits
Kick times and television designations for Tennessee's final two games were set Monday. The Vols will host Missouri at 7:30 p.m. on either ESPN or the SEC Network on Nov. 22. Their trip to Vanderbilt on Nov. 29 will have a 4 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network. ... Jones said about 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday's game, and a sellout would be the fourth of the season for Tennessee. ... Freshman Coleman Thomas (ankle) returned to practice last week after missing the Alabama and South Carolina games, but Jacob Gilliam will remain the starting right tackle.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.