Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer laid it on the line for his running backs.

"We don't have a starting tailback right now,'' Fulmer said. "We're looking for more excitement."

Theoretically, the Vols don't have any starters for their Sept. 5 opener against UNLV.

Still, Cedric Houston - 1,450 yards short of setting UT's all-time rushing mark - was caught off guard by Fulmer's remark.

"I'm going to be the guy,'' Houston insisted. "I'm mad. That was a motivator. I'm anxious to answer the questions about me.''

Houston lost 10 pounds over the summer, he's down to 213, and said he had a good offseason.

The issue might not be him.

Junior Gerald Riggs has had the best offseason in his career and continued to emerge since the arrival of running backs coach Trooper Taylor.

"I'm anxious to see it on the field,'' UT offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said. "We've seen Gerald watching film and he has gone to classes and study hall. But can he stay healthy?''

Riggs has been plagued by an ankle injury.

Senior Jabari Davis, a 235-pounder, plans to be an option.

"I worked out with Jamal Lewis in May back in Atlanta,'' Davis said. "Jamal was telling me, 'Don't worry about the number of carries. Don't think you have to wait until your 14th or 15th carry to do something.' "

Davis is anxious to make the most of his opportunities.

"I have a lot of people doubting me,'' he said. "At the end of the season, I want to see those doubters.''

Banks on Defense: Junior James Banks, suspended for the first three games, will spend the majority of practice time at defensive back, Fulmer said. Banks, UT's leading receiver last season, had his picture taken at media day with the defensive backs. Omar Gaither also will see action at safety.

Weighty Gains: C.J. Leak broke Tee Martin's UT quarterback bench-press record with a 435-pound lift; Chris Hannon broke Donte Stallworth's team 40-yard dash record with a 4.31 clocking, and Albert Toeaina broke Scott Wells' team bench-press mark by lifting 550 pounds.

No Green Jerseys: There will be no green non-contact jerseys for quarterbacks or other players this fall. Captain Tony Brown said receivers will learn to run better after the catch.

Number Change: Sophomore fullback Cory Anderson is in his fourth jersey number. Anderson, a former Austin-East standout who has played linebacker, end and defensive tackle, has gone from 53, to 51, to 48, to 45.

Other new numbers: Jared Hostetter from 28 to 41 and Turk McBride from 15 to 90.