For Chris Brown, there’s hope on the horizon.

Tennessee’s junior tight end thinks the days of being the final option in the Vols’ passing game may be coming to an end.

"We’re getting the ball a lot more and we’re getting a lot more looks," Brown said after spring practice Thursday. "It’s not like we’re the last option. We’re the first options in a lot of the packages we run."

Tight ends? First option?

Those words haven’t been in the Vols’ offensive vocabulary since the days of Jason Witten in 2002.

"It’s about the talent and a new approach," Brown said of the influence of new offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.

"As tight ends, we knew what we could do. We felt like we never got the opportunity last year."

Brown’s numbers back up the claim.

Out of 186 receptions for 2,178 yards in 2005, the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Brown had 14 for 141 and no touchdowns.

First-year tight ends coach Matt Luke is trying to convince Brown — along with fellow tight ends Brad Cottam (6-8, 260) and Jeff Cottam (6-8, 255) — that their involvement in the offense revolves around their desire to get better.

"The good part about it is it wasn’t too long ago that you had Jason Witten," Luke said. "We watch Jason Witten tape and we’ll watch Dallas Cowboys’ film.

"You can catch the ball here. It can be done. You just have to develop confidence in going to the tight ends, and that starts in practice."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer has talked about running the gamut of offensive formations from three tight end sets to five-receiver sets.

Anything is an option after the disappointment of last year’s offensive production.

"We’ve got some sets when they’re all three in there at the same time," Luke said. "We’ll spread them out, motion them, and use them in different places.

"You never know, we might get 6-8 matched up against 5-8. That’s a pretty good matchup for us."

Brown had nothing but praise for UT quarterbacks Erik Ainge, Jonathan Crompton and Bo Hardegree this spring.

"Erik has stepped up big-time from last year," Brown said. "It seems like he has more control of the offense. He knows what he’s doing. He’s studying film all the time.

"He just wants everybody to be better. He wants everyone to trust him when he’s in the game. We’re building a trust for him. He’s taking charge in the huddle and doing everything a quarterback should do."

Opportunity knocking: Linebacker Ryan Karl is trying to make the most out of this spring’s wide-open linebacker competition.

Kevin Simon — gone.

Omar Gaither — gone.

Jason Mitchell — gone.

That leaves the junior-to-be from Battle Ground Academy in Nashville hoping a starting job comes his way by this fall.

"I’ve always wanted to get into a starting spot," Karl said. "That’s hasn’t changed for me.

"I just have to work that much harder because I know it’s right there at my fingertips."

Senior Marvin Mitchell returns with the most experience. Jerod Mayo and Rico McCoy are talented young players, but they’re battling back from injuries.

"No one knows what position they’re going to be in yet," Karl said. "Spring practice and fall we’re going to see who comes out on top."

Looking To Be Physical: After watching film of Tuesday’s 60-play scrimmage, Fulmer said the most glaring problem was a lack of physical play out of the offensive and defensive fronts.

"Today was about correcting mistakes," Fulmer said. "After seeing those things and correcting some things, we should be a whole lot better in the next scrimmage (1:30 p.m. Saturday at Neyland Stadium)."

Fellows Recovering: Junior defensive back Roshaun Fellows has been held out of practice with a toe injury.

"Roshaun has a badly infected toe and he should be back on Tuesday," Fulmer said. "He had a little surgery on it to open it up."

Sears Watch: Senior offensive tackle Arron Sears is getting plenty of national respect already.

The Vols’ only returning starter to the offensive line — an All-SEC first-team selection a year ago — is one of 44 players named to a preliminary watch list for the 37th Rotary Lombardi Award.

Vintage football: Tennessee fan Bo Ryan came to practice on Thursday and presented Fulmer a 1938 football formerly owned by former UT great Johnny Butler and signed by all of the ’38 Vols.

"We’ll take good care of it and get it in the museum somewhere," Fulmer said.