A few questions were answered. A few questions remain.

Consider it a typical spring practice under atypical circumstances.

For the first time in his career, Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer spent his spring trying to resuscitate a program still flat-lining from a 5-6 record in 2005.

Last season, using Fulmer's word, was a "valley."

"We're doing everything we can to fight and scratch and work, and take each little step we can to get back to where we want to be -- and that's at the peak," Fulmer said.

He wanted to see a change in attitude. He wanted to see a renewed hunger for success. He wanted to see results.

In some areas, Fulmer got what he was looking for.

We take a look back at 10 questions coming into spring practice and see how things unfolded in March and April.

1. NEW STAFF, NEW IDEAS, WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Fulmer's reshuffled offensive staff, led by coordinator David Cutcliffe, made substantial strides towards increased "tempo" and a "sense of urgency" talked so much about since last November.

Kurt Roper (running backs) and Matt Luke (tight ends) joined Trooper Taylor (receivers) to bring a fiery, youthful approach to practice and relating to players.

"The offensive staff has very talented people," Cutcliffe said. "They're energetic and they've worked hard to put all this together.

"This is a really exceptional group."

Special teams work split among coordinators Cutcliffe and John Chavis also took some positive steps throughout spring.

2. QUARTERBACK DILEMMA?

Consider it a dilemma no longer. Junior-to-be Erik Ainge nailed down the No. 1 spot with a solid spring, a big change from 2005.

His Orange and White Game outing was key. Ainge looked comfortable and in control.

He completed 14-of-22 passes for 210 yards and two TDs. In three open scrimmages, Ainge was 41 of 76 for 490 yards, three TDs and one interception.

"He's getting pretty confident," Cutcliffe said. "He knows what he's doing and knows where he wants to go with the ball. He's in control of what we're wanting to do right now."

Fulmer also praised freshman Jonathan Crompton for coming a long way in his command of the offense in a short amount of time.

3. CHEMISTRY?

UT players continued to say all the right things throughout March and April.

They understand chemistry was a huge missing ingredient in 2005.

Players admit now there was a definite case of overconfidence associated with last year's preseason No. 3 ranking.

"I think we got too big for our britches at times last year," Fulmer said. "As I've said, I was probably a part of that."

Off-the-field discipline issues were another problem.

Then came a split in loyalties between Ainge and senior Rick Clausen in a season-long quarterback merry-go-round.

All of that disappeared this spring.

The Vols' only chemistry issues this spring have been identifying which direction the offense is going to go.

Fulmer said the "personality" of the group is still to be determined.

Cutcliffe simply wants options. He wants his offense to be able to throw the ball 50 times a game if necessary, or run the ball with equal efficiency. Stay tuned on that one.

4. LINEBACKER AND DEFENSIVE LINE LOSSES?

It turns out this wasn't as big a concern as first thought.

The Vols lost some big-name players with years of experience, but Chavis and his staff have a new rotation ready to step in and fill the void.

"Defensively, we had a really good spring," Fulmer said. "We closed a lot of ground in a lot of areas.

"We can't possibly be as experienced as we were last year in the linebacker corps, but guys like Ellix Wilson, Adam Myers-White and Rico McCoy are really doing well and playing with great attitudes."

Since 1995, Chavis' defense has ranked lower than fourth in SEC total defense only once (seventh in 2004).

The Vols have had the best rush defense in the SEC three times since 2000. Coaches Dan Brooks and Steve Caldwell always seem to get players ready.

5. WHO SHAPES UP AND SLIMS DOWN ON NEW-LOOK OFFENSIVE LINE?

This could be the top question still remaining going into offseason workouts.

Arron Sears and David Ligon, according to Fulmer, are the only two players who have locked down a starting spot.

"It has been a little difficult up front because we've played so many combinations trying to test our people and see where they play best," Cutcliffe said. "That's a little difficult for a lineman.

"It's an area of concern, but I think these guys are ready to take the challenge."

Cutcliffe wants these linemen to "be in the best condition of their lives," and a lot of that will happen in the next four months.

6. LEADERSHIP, WHO WILL STEP UP?

Offensively, it had to be Ainge.

The quarterback admitted he was at times confused last season. With Cutcliffe's direction, confusion is being replaced by some much-needed confidence.

Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell and an experienced secondary have stepped up and taken on leadership roles on defense.

7. WHO SUPPLIES CONSISTENCY AND BIG PLAYS, ESPECIALLY AT RECEIVER?

Taylor, who moved from running backs coach, got the attention of these guys in a hurry.

Robert Meachem made the biggest strides in that direction with Jayson Swain limited this spring after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Lucas Taylor is another player who coaches raved about as far as his play-making ability.

"Receivers are better because they're blocking their rears off and catching the ball more consistently," Fulmer said. "They're trying to do more things with the football after they catch it."

8. RUNNING BACK VOID IN SPRING?

Arian Foster is ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery and should be ready for fall camp after a breakout redshirt freshman season. Montario Hardesty was extremely limited after last season's knee injury, as was LaMarcus Coker.

David Yancey, Ja'Kouri Williams and Ricardo Kemp got most of the work this spring and impressed Cutcliffe.

Cory Anderson and David Holbert give the Vols some versatility at fullback.

9. WHO WANTS TO WORK?

Coaches made this a priority all spring, especially on the offensive side.

Fulmer said after the Orange and White Game the most obvious positive coming out of spring "was these guys learned how to work again."

Slacking off wasn't an option.

Now comes the big test. Will the players continue to work without the supervision of the coaches heading into summer?

10. WHO WANTS TO WIN?

More now than ever, the answer remains everyone.

Fulmer isn't making any promises. He isn't talking about playing for a national championship, other than to say that always remains the goal.

"We're all climbing out of that valley together," Fulmer said. "They're all feeling more confident in each other.

"This team has a sense of being hungry and being focused."

The Vols find out where they stand on Sept. 2 when California comes to town.