Everyone has an opinion on the key to success for Tennessee's offense.

Some say a revitalization of quarterback Erik Ainge is paramount.

Some say a rejuvenating impact and demanding presence of returning offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe will exorcise the demons of last year's 5-6 season.

A few others are relying on receivers who actually make tough catches and make plays.

The bottom line is none of that happens without a stable, effective offensive line that must mature quickly in August.

"We're trying to find the right combination up front," Cutcliffe said. "Certainly, Arron Sears is a proven player. Arron is a guy you build around."

Sears is the anchor.

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior left tackle from Russellville, Ala., already has earned Playboy Preseason All-America honors and was a consensus All-SEC player last year.

Rob Smith, Albert Toeaina, Cody Douglas and Richie Gandy are gone.

It could have been a clean sweep if it hadn't been for Sears.

He gave offensive line coach Greg Adkins a huge lift when he announced this past winter he would let the NFL wait and return to Knoxville for his final season.

With that drama averted, Adkins and the UT staff went to work on trimming down a line unit thought to be too big and too slow to be effective last season.

"I've seen a lot of young people change their bodies in a summer," head coach Phillip Fulmer said last week. "We've worked hard and made some progress."

The leaner, faster bodies up front are key in Cutcliffe's mind, especially in the ability to get out in open space and block in front of screens.

"I want to see this group be the most conditioned they've ever been," he said. "We're going to be able to run, and they understand that now."

As usual, the staff is looking for versatility in its offensive front.

UT head coach Phillip Fulmer has so much confidence in Sears he suggested his veteran starter might play wherever the opposition's greatest strength is on the defensive front.

Other than Sears and possibly David Ligon, there's not a definitive starter in the mind of the UT staff.

"Steven Jones, Eric Young, Sears and Ramon Foster can all play tackle," Cutcliffe said. "We're trying to get to the point where that same group can also play guard.

"We have a group of inside players -- David Ligon, Michael Frogg, Anthony Parker, Josh McNeil -- who are involved with playing time on the interior and can play center or guard. That's a plus."

The major issue is experience.

Young (6-4, 310, junior) made starts against LSU and Ole Miss last season and could be at right tackle.

Ligon (6-5, 300, senior) started four games last season and appears to be a solid starter who could end up starting at guard or center.

"I'm excited about the potential of being good there," Cutcliffe said of the front. "It has been an area of concern, but I think these guys are ready to take the challenge and help us become a good football team.

"It starts up front and I think we're getting there, but they've got another step they can take."

Foster (6-6, 325) and Parker (6-3, 305) also received some valuable starts as freshmen last season.

Jones (6-4, 305, junior) came on strong in the spring and earned the Most Improved Offensive Player Award.

Frogg, a walkon from Kingston, had a solid spring and could be in line to earn a scholarship in the coming weeks.

Chris Scott and Malcolm Rawls provide further depth and could land starting roles at some point this fall.

One of the big keys will be McNeil's progress. The talented redshirt freshman could claim a starting berth after his fight back from shoulder surgery.

Another player to watch this fall is true freshman Jacques McClendon.

"We need somebody who is going to knock somebody off the ball on a consistent basis," Fulmer said. "We're not there yet, at all.

"I don't think we've established who are center is or who our guards are."

Outlook: This is one of the big question marks heading into the 2006 season.

Sears' return was a huge start in the right direction.

Who steps up and fills in around Sears is still to be determined in August.