Snap decision: It was Smith's

So, naturally, when injuries necessitated that a veteran lineman move to center two weeks ago, Smith approached the situation with his usual energy.

He went to offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens and volunteered.

"I said, 'I'll do it,' I just wanted to be able to know it's my job and I'll go all out for it,'' Smith said Tuesday.

"I told him that's all I was going to put my mind on for the next two weeks so I'll be the best center I can be by the first game.''

The first game is Saturday when the Vols meet Alabama-Birmingham at Neyland Stadium.

When first David Ligon and then Richie Gandy went on the shelf with injuries, the offensive linemen pretty much knew what was coming next.

Some veteran, most likely a guard, was moving to center. Cody Douglas or Rob Smith?

"Yeah, I think it was better him than me,'' Douglas said with a laugh, "and he's handled that really well.

"I was prepared to move over there if need be, but I'm not disappointed they didn't choose me instead of him.''

Interchangeability has long been a Phillip Fulmer emphasis in order to get the best five linemen on the field when an injury occurs.

Arron Sears has practiced his share of snaps, but figured he was safe at left tackle.

"If they needed me,'' said Sears, "I would have been glad to take the challenge. But I knew it would be Rob or Cody before it went on down the line.

"Rob is working his butt off right now to be a great center and I know he will be.''

Fulmer said there was "some discussion" as to whom to move, but it didn't last long.

Douglas is a senior, Smith a junior. Douglas hadn't spent much practice time snapping the ball. Smith is more athletic.

Smith was willing.

"I'd rather put the pressure on myself,'' he said. "That way, if I don't do as good as I want to, there's no regrets.

"I didn't want to go halfway on it. I went all out.''

Smith can hardly wait for Saturday to see the fruit of his labor.

He's not worried about getting the blocking alignments called. And he's not really anxious about getting the snap to the quarterbacks without incident.

"If you think really hard about it, you can make yourself worry about it,'' he said.

"But I haven't had a missed snap or a bad shotgun snap in days now.''

Fulmer is not so concerned with Smith at a new position as with how a redshirt freshman handles himself as a starter in his first college game. Ramon Foster will fill Smith's old slot at left guard.

He would do well to emulate the guy to his right.

"You can't go into a game wondering if you've done this or done that,'' said Smith. "Just let it all hang out.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.