On Sunday mornings, Steve Caldwell tries to be the first member of the Tennessee coaching staff pulling in the parking lot at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.

As special teams coordinator, he has to get a jump on grading the videotape of the kicking game.

This fall, that hasn't exactly been the highlight of his week.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer doesn't need to see the grades on the videotape to know UT's kicking game has been abysmal in 2005.

"In some years,'' Fulmer said, "you get the good bounces where (bad) things happen but it doesn't cost you. You correct it and go on.

"This year there's been several times where it's really cost us.''

Shoddy special-teams play -- the punt game in particular -- cost the Vols dearly in their two losses, to Florida and Georgia.

Statistics tell a dismal story across the board, with the exception of kickoff coverage, in which UT ranks second in the SEC.

The Vols are last in the SEC in kickoff returns, last in net punting and ninth in punt returns.

James Wilhoit's strong kickoffs figure in the team's excellent coverage. On field-goal attempts, however, UT is 4-of-8.

The poor showing has frustrated Tennessee's coaches and fans alike.

Special teams is a project by committee that must be squeezed into the practice time constraints the NCAA enacted in 1991.

"The big picture,'' Fulmer said, "is that it is truly one-third of a football game.

"Yet when you start dividing your time, it's hard to dedicate one-third of your time to special teams.''

But you better find the time.

"Just talking about it,'' said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, "is not going to get it done.

"We feel like it's as important as offense and defense, and if you went back and looked at our meeting and practice time, it'd be pretty close to that.''

Three years ago Fulmer named Caldwell special-teams coordinator -- on top of his duties coaching defensive ends.

Fans clamor that UT should hire a coach strictly for special teams. The reality is that virtually no program dedicates one of the nine allowed assistant slots to special teams. Everybody on the staff lends a hand.

Virginia Tech is nationally acclaimed for its special-teams play, with credit given to the personal involvement of head coach Frank Beamer.

The Hokies' trademark is an amazing record for blocking punts and kicks.

Caldwell said he has had numerous conversations with Shawn Witten, the brother of ex-Vol Jason Witten, who played at Virginia Tech.

"He said we (UT) spend every bit as much time as they do, and do basically the same type deal,'' Caldwell said. "I think we spend probably as much time on it as anyone else in the country.''

The punting game gets the most practice time, Caldwell said, because of its significance in changing field position.

Despite having a Colquitt wearing No. 47, the Vols have gone from leading the SEC in net punting in 2004 to last in 2005.

Britton Colquitt, a freshman, has replaced older brother Dustin, who went on to the NFL.

Last year UT allowed only 1.5 yards per punt return. This year, it's up to 7.8, with one going for a touchdown.

"Our net punting has killed us,'' Caldwell said.

Fulmer points out the difficult early schedule threw Colquitt into the fire.

"He's had his moments where he's been outstanding, then we've had some inconsistency,'' Fulmer said.

"It's been probably as tough a new environment as you could ever imagine. So out of that adversity, he should become better.''

UT's return game has failed to provide any edge in field position.

"Kickoff returns is the toughest phase to coach,'' Caldwell said. "You take guys back there who are not blockers but they're good athletes. They've got to adjust to (blocking) somebody in an open field running full speed.''

UT has plenty of good athletes and mixes starters and backups on the kick teams. Jason Allen, who will miss the rest of the season with a hip injury, was a special-teams ace.

Despite the lack of results, Caldwell and Fulmer see improvement. An open date provided an opportunity to devote extra time to the kicking game.

Now it's time to see if it pays off at Alabama on Saturday.

"You don't get nowhere near the practice time you do offensively and defensively,'' Caldwell said.

"But that's not any different than anywhere else. We've got to take the practice time we've got and get better at it.''