Vols recall football-less December of 2005

David Ligon was working an internship in Memphis.

Jerod Mayo was on his couch in Virginia, just angry.

Whatever the Vols happened to be doing in the last week of 2005, they weren't playing football.

With four days left until No. 17 Tennessee faces Penn State in the Outback Bowl on Monday, the Vols are soaking up the final days of 2006 in the Florida sun.

Life without football last December was tough, but it wasn't earth-shattering for Ligon.

"A lot of guys say it was pretty tough," said Ligon, who worked for a bond-trading company in Memphis during the break. "There was a piece of me in there saying it would be fun to be playing in a bowl game just because we weren't. You're talking to the wrong guy to get the, 'Oh my God I missed this,' quote. It's not that big of a deal."

It was for receivers coach Trooper Taylor.

Taylor couldn't recruit because of the NCAA dead period. He spent time with his family and watching bowl games on TV.

Like Ligon, who earned some extra money during the break, the Vols' bowl-less December paid off for Taylor.

Albeit not in a way he would have liked.

"It was a good thing," Taylor said. "Because usually when we go to the coaches convention, those guys that go to bowl games have to buy the first round. Last year, I didn't have that problem. This year, they'll be trying to get it from me."

There are plenty of perks for UT this week.

Following Thursday's practice, the Vols joined Penn State at Busch Gardens.

Today they'll be heading to GameWorks, an arcade in Ybor City.

Saturday they'll hit the beach before taking in a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game that night.

The Vols will still be practicing those days, but quarterback Erik Ainge doesn't worry about his teammates being distracted.

"It might be for some guys," he said, "but the way the coaches get us cranked up and demand so much from us on the practice field, there's really no way. You'd get exposed if you were out having too much fun."

Great Scott?: Offensive tackle Chris Scott took a big step last offseason by losing 60 pounds.

This offseason, he'll need to gain some poundage -- on his bench press.

With All-American Arron Sears gone after Monday's Outback Bowl, Scott, listed at 325 on the UT roster, will be next in line to play at left tackle.

That means he'll need more strength, says offensive line coach Greg Adkins.

"Chris quite honestly had a transformation in his body from last offseason," Adkins said. "He did lose some strength within that process. It will be an important offseason for him to get his strength levels back up where it needs to be an everyday player in this league."

Scott played in seven games for the Vols this season.

Good Scrimmage: The Vols conducted a 24-play scrimmage Wednesday, their second day of full pads in Tampa.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he was pleased with the scrimmage, which pitted the first-team defense against the second-team offense and vice versa, for 24 plays each.

"It was a good scrimmage," he said. "It served its purpose in that we played football live. It was good in that the 1's won. I've been on the other side of that coin."

The Vols also ran an additional 10-12 plays with third-team on third-team.

Wednesday's scrimmage was the second in a physical bowl preparation.

"We have gone hard at it, and that's with purpose," Fulmer said. "We have to get better. We'll see in the ballgame."

Alumni Presence: Several former Vols paid a visit to Thursday's practice at the University of South Florida, including offensive tackle Antone Davis, guard Rory Cunningham, defensive back Derrick Edmonds, quarterback Orian McCants and assistant coach Jimmy Dunn.