Everyone’s getting ready.

You could feel the buzz of activity swirling around the University of Tennessee football complex Thursday.

Players moved into Gibbs Hall.

Managers made sure equipment was ready to be pulled off the shelves.

Coaches went over itineraries and plans for the next four weeks.

Today is the day the exorcism of 2005 demons begins in earnest.

A new season is unveiled when the Vols hit the practice field for the first time at 4 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

UT strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long can’t wait.

"This is probably very close to one of the best conditioned teams we’ve had in a while," Long said Thursday. "I thought last year’s team was in shape, but this year we’ve pushed the buttons a little more."

That’s what happens after a 5-6 season — buttons get pushed, players get challenged.

One of the biggest changes Long had to contend with was a new NCAA rule limiting offseason conditioning to eight weeks instead of 12.

Long and his staff crammed everything possible into those eight weeks.

There was an early emphasis put on heavy weightlifting routines and conditioning work with running in the summer sun beginning almost immediately. That included runs with 20-pound vests on every player all eight weeks.

"I wanted to get team unity involved in this offseason," Long said. "A lot of that was built up with team runs at 6:30 every Friday morning.

"Everybody got a chance to see everyone else working hard."

Long was especially proud of the way running backs Arian Foster (shoulder and knee) and Montario Hardesty (knee) bounced back from offseason surgeries.

"Both of those athletes look phenomenal," he said. "I’m anxious to see how Montario is going to do out there. You know what Foster has because he showed you bits and pieces last year.

"Montario’s a power back who has great vision and he’s definitely going to give Foster a run for his money. There’s not a coach in America who wouldn’t want to be in this situation, with the 1-and-2 tailbacks so good."

On the offensive line, Long said the 60 pounds lost by redshirt freshman tackle Chris Scott is the most noticeable change. Running has been the key.

"We really got them fatigued and tried to push them hard for eight solid weeks," Long said. "We probably have four or five 500-pound benchers, and I know we’re way over the 15 to 20 guys squatting over 600, so our leg strength held up really well through the conditioning."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said once again Thursday night he’s "fired up, focused and prepared" for the challenge of starting practice.

Fulmer said he wouldn’t comment on incoming freshmen and their status until UT’s media day on Saturday.

Gerald Williams continues his year-and-a-half battle to be cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Freshman Stephaun Raines and juco transfer Justin Garrett are also awaiting academic clearance.