De'Rail Sims Explains How Tennessee Manages DeSean Bishop's Workload

Tennessee running backs coach De'Rail Sims met with local reporters on Tuesday to discuss DeSean Bishop's monster season, and much of the conversation centered on a practical question: how do you keep a workhorse fresh? Sims said the staff reads Bishop's body language between drives and watches for fatigue within long series, while trusting a back who seems to get stronger the more he carries the ball. Bishop, notably, has never once told the staff he was not ready to go back in.

The management extends to the practice week. Tennessee spreads reps across the entire running back room so Bishop is not overloaded, saving his work for whatever a given opponent uniquely requires. That depth shows up on Saturdays, too: Daune Morris serves as the change-of-pace option, and Javin Gordon, back after missing three weeks through injury, adds a physical downhill runner who caught a pass out of the backfield against Alabama.

Sims also credited Bishop's physical transformation. The added size has given the back more stamina and more armor for absorbing hits, along with a mindset to match his expanded role.

Next up is a South Carolina run defense Sims clearly respects. He described the Gamecocks as a group that fits the run well at every level, plays aggressively and swarms to the football with all 11 defenders. Bishop's bruising style against that front shapes up as strength against strength when Tennessee travels to Columbia.