New receivers get a grip

This was supposed to be the week that receiver/defensive back James Banks returned to the lineup after serving a three-game suspension. Instead, he's out with a season-ending knee injury suffered in the preseason.

The Vols' receiving corps hasn't missed a beat heading into its 7:45 p.m. game against Auburn Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.

"That's the big difference; the last three years we had one go-to guy,'' Vols' junior receiver C.J. Fayton said. "I feel we're even stronger. Anybody at any time can make a play out there.''

And so far they have.

Seven receivers have caught at least two passes this season, with five of them recording TD catches in the first three games.

Chris Hannon, who leads the team with 11 catches, is one of the two wideouts without a touchdown catch.

"We've always had the talent,'' said Hannon, who broke out with a five-catch, 95-yard performance in the 28-21 loss to Auburn last season. "Banks was just getting the most opportunities.''

Banks was also making the most of his chances. It could be argued that without Banks, the Vols wouldn't have scored victories over Florida, South Carolina and Alabama.

Against the Gators, Banks hauled in a miraculous Hail Mary pass for a touchdown to give the Vols momentum heading into the second half of their 24-10 win at The Swamp.

Banks was again the hero a week later against South Carolina, leaping high to catch a TD pass in overtime that propelled the Vols to a 23-20 victory. Banks was virtually unstopped at Alabama with seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and a rushing TD from the quarterback position, to boot.

But as the year wore on, Banks wore down. He had 30 catches for 412 yards and six touchdowns through the first six games, but only 12 catches for 209 yards in the final six games.

Departed quarterback Casey Clausen started finding different targets, allowing other receivers to gain valuable experience and come to the forefront.

"Casey made Banks the go-to guy,'' senior receiver Tony Brown said. "These young guys (quarterbacks) just look for the open person. A lot of times, the ball isn't going to the primary target.''

Who would have expected sophomore receiver Bret Smith to lead the team with three touchdowns and 126 yards receiving (on just six catches) at this juncture of the season?

Through five games last season, Banks accounted for 43 percent of the receivers' yardage, and he had scored four touchdowns compared to just three for the other seven receivers combined.

Smith leads the receivers with 126 yards receiving through three games this season, accounting for roughly 21 percent of the receivers' yardage.

"It's better for us, because nobody knows who the go-to guy will be,'' said redshirt freshman Robert Meachem, who has two catches for 59 yards and two TDs. "They can't underestimate any of the receivers we have.''

Brown goes so far as to say the Vols' receiving corps is virtually unstoppable in single coverage.

"We don't think anyone in the country can cover our receivers 1 on 1,'' he said.

Freshman quarterbacks Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer haven't been on campus long enough to find a favorite target, but you won't hear either one of them complaining.

"I've been saying the same thing since this summer, that overall we have the best receiving corps in the country,'' said Ainge, who ranks fourth in the nation in pass efficiency. "We don't have one Donte Stallworth, but one through eight we're strong.''

Fayton agrees.

"It's unbelievable how far we've come,'' he said. "Now, anybody could be The Guy.''

Mike Griffith may be reached at knsgriff@aol.com.