Erik Ainge pondered the question. What was the biggest lesson he learned in Tennessee's tormented football season that ended Saturday?

"That's a tough question,'' Ainge admitted.

Given the season UT's sophomore quarterback had, contrasted against the season he was anticipated to have, there were any number of directions Ainge could go with his answer.

"Probably,'' he said, finally, "that there are no shortcuts.

"I think we as a team thought we were pretty good early. All the hype we got, I think we might have let it get to us a little bit.''

In other words, talent would carry the day, no matter what the obstacles.

Ainge was basing his assumption on one heady freshman season.

A senior, Jason Hall, admitted after closing his career with a 27-8 win over Kentucky, that he (and others) should have known better.

"I think a lot of guys didn't realize,'' said Hall, "that we didn't have the kind of chemistry we needed this year in order to make things happen, in order to be successful on the field.

"I think a lot of things were overlooked, even by the coaching staff, that we kind of got ahead of ourselves and thought maybe the talent would overcome all.''

Talent had to overcome the most difficult schedule in school history.

Talent had to overcome the hype of a No. 3 preseason ranking.

Talent had to overcome a sordid offseason of arrests, court dates and suspensions that called the program's discipline into question.

In hindsight, Hall recalls thinking something was amiss before the season's first dropped pass.

"Once some of the incidents occurred,'' he said, "I got that sense.

"But I fell into the trap of thinking we have all this talent. If we can just go win our games, all this stuff will be very miniscule.

"I think it takes a few tough losses for it to sink in.''

There were six tough losses, the most ever under head coach Phillip Fulmer and the most for Tennessee since 1988.

Fulmer is making staff changes. The players have to understand that's only a starting point to getting the program back on track.

For Ainge, whose confidence and ego took a beating in 2005, even relative success against Kentucky was a welcome transition into the most important offseason in recent Tennessee history.

He threw two touchdown passes in a game for the first time all season. More important, he started and finished a UT victory for the first time all season.

"More than anything,'' Ainge said, "I think this will help me with the team.

"I'll be able to step up both on the field and vocally. I'll sit in the front row at meetings and be a team leader.''

This team needs leadership like a boat needs water.

An offense that ranks 89th in the nation in total yards and 101st in scoring is getting new leadership, presumably from David Cutcliffe.

If Cutcliffe is the new offensive coordinator, he isn't entirely new. Because of his proximity to the program this year, he should be up to speed on the issues that sabotaged the 2005 season.

But as Hall pointed out in his valedictory assessment Saturday, building chemistry is largely a players' issue.

Talent won't overcome all. Discipline is required, too.

The players have to get on board. Leaders must step up to drive the train and keep it on its tracks between now and August.

"I'm going to try,'' said offensive lineman Arron Sears.

"I'll get in contact with the new guy coming in. I'll try to follow the role he's got going for us and then send it down to the other players.

"It all rolls downhill.''

And, as the Vols found out, there are no shortcuts.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.