No postseason. No bowl practice.

Time for reflection.

Several former Tennessee football players are offering their opinions on why the Vols slipped to 5-6 this season.

Former UT wide receiver C.J. Fayton said many of the problems started with UT's two-quarterback system. Fayton said the ongoing competition resulted in poor on-field chemistry and no rhythm.

"I do think the chemistry was a problem this year with the offense," Fayton said on the Sports Animal radio station on Nov. 30. "It's kind of hard going back from quarterback to quarterback. Who's going to start this game? Who's going to start that game?"

Former UT lineman Cody Douglas said the varying cadences also affected UT's offensive line.

"I don't get to go to a bowl game," Douglas lamented on Dec. 2. "My career got cut a little bit short."

Senior Rick Clausen and sophomore Erik Ainge split time at quarterback. Clausen's pass efficiency rating was 119.06 for the season. Ainge's rating was 89.94

"When Rick was in the game, everything just seemed to flow a little bit better," Fayton said. "That was obvious from spring to the offseason to the fall workouts. Ainge went in there and started the season off and everything just wasn't right."

Fayton said it was natural for the team to be split on who should be the Vols' quarterback.

"You had half the team go with this guy and half the team thinking that we should go with this guy," he said. "Coach (Phillip) Fulmer had to make the decision. That's what he gets paid for and that's what he did."

Fayton said UT's receivers struggled in the beginning of the season catching passes from the contrasting passers. Ainge is a strong-armed right-hander while Clausen is a left-hander who relies more on touch passes and timing.

While Fayton admitted the Vols had several issues, he was adamant that none of his teammates played harder for either quarterback.

"I don't think that's fair," Fayton said. "I think we played hard for whoever's in the game because we all want to win the game. But I think when Rick was in the game, the offense just flowed a little bit better. Rick's attitude and mentality is so much different from Ainge."

Ultimately, Clausen's approach to the game, not his talent, gave him an edge.

"He's different from Ainge," Fayton said. "He's more laid back. His personality really came out on the field."

Fayton said he never sensed any disagreement among the coaching staff. Fayton, a former quarterback, said Ainge's confidence seemed to drop as he struggled.

"Having somebody like Rick over your shoulder doesn't help at all," Fayton said referring to the experienced senior. "I think he was just in a tough situation."

Fayton said he and his teammates went to Ainge and tried to boost his confidence when he began to struggle.

"We told him, 'We believe in you. We know you can get it done. Just make the plays you're used to making,' " Fayton said.

Fayton said UT fans need not worry about 2006. He expects better days ahead at the quarterback position.

"I think next year he'll be a lot better by it just being his show," Fayton said. "It's his job to lose."