David Cutcliffe can bring a lot to a football team. His "KISS" might top the list.

"Keep it simple, stupid," quarterback Erik Ainge said as he explained the common acronym. "Go out there and make plays. We simplified it a lot."

That was Tennessee's approach during Tuesday night's scrimmage and the mental going should only get easier.

With the first week of fall practice over, UT has all of its offensive plays in place. Now is the time to pick the best ones and perfect them.

"It's nice, not just for the quarterback but for the whole offense," Ainge said upon completion of the insertion stage of fall practice. "You don't go up to the line thinking so much."

Thinking too much has caused Ainge problems in the past. Cutcliffe, UT's offensive coordinator, knows just how to handle mistakes.

"He'll jump you when it's the right time to jump you and he won't say anything to you when it's the right time not to say anything," Ainge said. "He's been around."

If Cutcliffe decides to jump on Ainge, that's not a problem. He's used to it.

"My dad was a loud-mouth, screaming, yelling coach from when I was (age) 2," he said with a smile.

No Roaming for Rogers: Austin Rogers has yet to see any work on defense despite Coach Phillip Fulmer's proclamation that the sophomore will play some defensive back this fall. The announcement is solely motivational.

"Coach Trooper (Taylor) kind of throws it at me if I do something wrong," Rogers said, referring to UT's wide receivers coach.

The potential move -- motivational or not -- seems to have a positive effect on Rogers. He's competing with sophomore Josh Briscoe for the all-important fifth wide receiver spot.

Taylor said he only plans to play five wide receivers in a game, barring injury.

"It heats it up a lot," Rogers said of the competition on the practice field. "All of our receivers, one through eight or nine, can play. There's not a big drop off after three or four."

Crompton Questions: Fulmer said Jonathan Crompton is taking most of the second-team snaps. Crompton split plays with junior Bo Hardegree during spring practice.

Fulmer said the redshirt freshman reminds him of a true freshman since he missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury.

"He'll make two or three plays -- really good plays" Fulmer said. "Then you'll say, 'Where did that come from?' We've got to eliminate that because those are the things that will get you beat."

Practice Report: Fulmer said he was very encouraged with Thursday's practice after a disappointing Wednesday session.

The offense surely was motivated after Cutcliffe berated the squad for its lackluster effort Wednesday.

"That tells you what attitude can do," Fulmer said.

UT will practice today as it prepares for Saturday's scrimmage. Fulmer said he is unsure if UT's quarterbacks will don non-contact jerseys.

Center of Attention: Fulmer said redshirt freshman Josh McNeil and junior Michael Frogg still were the two top candidates to start at center. Fulmer said Frogg has more experience but McNeil is more athletic.

Sophomore Anthony Parker also took snaps at center Thursday.

Captains Anyone?: Fulmer said he has no plans to name captains anytime soon. UT typically did so months ago.

Fulmer cited three seniors: defensive tackle Justin Harrell, offensive tackle Arron Sears and wide receiver Jayson Swain, as leaders.

"We need a lot more guys than that," Fulmer said. "There are others that are capable of being good leaders on this team."

Injury Report: Redshirt freshman tailback LaMarcus Coker returned to practice from a sore foot. Sophomore defensive end Robert Ayers was wearing a cast after suffering a broken left hand.

Junior Xavier Mitchell is expected to be released for contact next week after offseason shoulder surgery. He is not expected to participate in Saturday's full-scale scrimmage.

More Fulmer: UT's head coach said he wasn't pleased with the consistency or depth on the offensive line. Fulmer said senior wide receiver Bret Smith and junior defensive back Roshaun Fellows took a nasty fall after leaping for a ball. Both returned to practice.

For Kicks: James Wilhoit knows a strong senior season could elevate him in the minds of UT fans as they recall highly successful kickers of the recent past. However, he's not letting his potential legacy affect his approach.

"That's for you all to decide," the Hendersonville native said, referring to the media. "For me, I just have to take care of business.

"I have great respect for the line of kickers we have. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys is an honor."

Wilhoit said he was pleased with how he played last season as he returned from offseason foot surgery. In retrospect, he said he would have liked to have made another 40-plus yard field goal and eliminate any blocks.

"I'm just hoping to build on last year," he said, "and improve my percentage."

Welcome Back Barbecue: The 17th annual Welcome Back Barbecue will be held today at Thompson-Boling Arena. Doors open at 5 p.m. Buffet opens at 6.