Tennessee wide receiver Jayson Swain, right, and quarterback Jonathan Crompton demonstrate the Vizual Edge, a training and performance program UT is using to improve focus on the field.Through red and green tinted 3D glasses, Tennessee football players are looking for an edge.

Quarterbacks want to read defenses quicker.

Receivers want to find the ball quicker.

Running backs want to find the holes quicker.

After a disappointing 5-6 season in 2005, Vols' strength and conditioning coaches have gone high tech in their search for any possible advantage.

That's where the Vizual Edge System comes into play every day at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex.

Tennessee is one of three Division I football programs using the computerized visual training program developed by Dr. Barry Seiller.

"It was a chance to try something new and it was great for us," assistant strength and conditioning coach Brian Gearity said. "It was another way for us to make Tennessee cutting edge.

"Everybody has a 12,000 square foot weight room. Everybody has a 120-yard indoor (facility). But when Georgia Tech, Northwestern and us are the only teams using this system, that's a selling point to recruits."

Receiver Jayson Swain and freshman quarterback Jonathan Crompton were the guinea pigs chosen to put the Vizual Edge program through its paces during a media opportunity Thursday at UT.

Each performed exercises geared to test their ability to focus and recognize tasks quickly and correctly on a laptop computer.

"It literally stresses your eyes," Swain said. "But results don't lie.

"All the All-Americans seem to do well on it. So I'm going to keep doing it because I believe in it."

Gearity said former Vol' defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, an All-American, tested out with the highest grade of any UT player last spring.

Among the UT baseball team, the players with the five highest batting averages last season tested with the five highest scores.

Tennessee currently has two computers hooked up with the Vizual Edge system and hopes to add two more in the coming weeks.

"We're hoping to make this a part of our every day program," Gearity said. "Right now, we're working with 35 to 45 skill players."

The goal, coaches hope, is for athletes to gradually strengthen eye muscles, decrease reaction times and improve concentration abilities.

Receiver Josh Briscoe already told Gearity he has noticed a difference in his ability to find the rotation of an incoming pass.

"When you're 5-6, you start looking for things to help you get better," head strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long said. "They're all in their competing, looking at their scores and trying to get better. It's a really nice tool."

Shelley Out Of Hospital: After undergoing a minor abdominal surgery, wide receiver Slick Shelley was released from UT Medical Center.

Shelley, a redshirt freshman, should make a full recovery over the next couple of weeks, head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh said in a UT release.

Manager/Trainer Reunion: The guys behind the scene, the ones who really make the entire UT athletic department run on schedule, are planning a get together.

A first ever reunion of former UT managers and trainers is scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 8-9 during the Vols' home game against Air Force.

A golf outing at Willow Creek and a social meeting at Calhoun's on the River are set for Sept. 8.

On Sept. 9, there's a tailgating session planned for before and after UT's game with Air Force.

For more information on the reunion, contact Earl Anderson at 865-556-9812.