Clausen performed 'like a white knight'

If you know anything about Rick Clausen, you know he thinks Phillip Fulmer's exclamations are a bit over the top.

"The story is not that miraculous,'' the Tennessee quarterback said Wednesday at SEC media days. "Without the guys around me, there would be no story.''

Despite only token experience, Clausen was not surprised by his effectiveness last fall in leading Tennessee to wins over Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M after freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer were lost to injuries.

"I always had confidence in my abilities,'' he said, "and some of the guys on the football team knew.''

The rising senior, however, is not so interested in his 2004 heroics as what his role will be in contributing to any success the Vols are to enjoy in 2005.

With Ainge healthy and Schaeffer transferred out, Clausen eagerly awaits the start of practice to see how the quarterback duties shake out.

"It doesn't come down to who (Fulmer) likes best or whose parents he likes,'' Clausen said. "It's who produces a win, who's moving the football, who's putting the offense in the end zone.

"It doesn't matter if Erik is on the cover (of a magazine) or whoever writes that Erik should be the starter. The decision lies with Coach Fulmer. Everybody within the football program knows I can get the job done as well as Erik can get the job done.''

Clausen would love to be the starter on Sept. 24, when the Vols go to LSU, the school he left to join older brother Casey at UT.

When Clausen's opportunity came at LSU in 2002 he failed to seize it. When he got a second chance at UT two years later, he was, well, a white knight saving the day.

The difference? Maturity, Clausen said. Learning from his mistakes and improving on them.

The middle Clausen brother keeps in close contact with his siblings.

"I talk to Casey every day,'' he said.

His advice as a media says veteran? Consider his answers carefully and wear a nice suit.

As for Jimmy Clausen, a high school junior quarterback in California, Rick intends to have some brotherly input in the recruiting process.

"I'm sure I'll have a little input,'' he said. "Casey will, my parents will, my sister will.

"He's extremely talented. Ultimately, that's up to Jimmy.''