David Cutcliffe is seeing a light of recognition flickering in the eyes of Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge.

"He's playing at a much better tempo," Cutcliffe said after UT returned from spring break to the practice field Tuesday. "We've solved a lot of his problems with his footwork which has made him throw the ball better.

"He's throwing the ball with more confidence and I like what I'm seeing. He's starting to command more of the offense and you see that in his eyes. He's starting to understand the big picture."

The big picture in the world of UT's offensive coordinator involves a quicker tempo and eliminating mistakes.

"For the first time, I know what tempo really is," Ainge said. "It's a lot faster.

"We're getting in an out of the huddle and we're playing fast. That's the term you use: it's fast-break offensive football."

And there are consequences for mistakes.

Ainge paid for inconsistencies last season by splitting time with former quarterback Rick Clausen.

This spring, for the first time in his career at UT, he's getting all the first-team snaps. He admits he and the receivers are beginning to develop that "sense of urgency" so often mentioned since a 5-6 record in 2005.

"They know if they drop the ball, they're going to pay, and I know if they're open and I miss them, I'm going to pay," Ainge said. "It's not playing scared, but it's a sense of urgency."

The Vols have tinkered with a wide variety of offensive sets, but with several of the key running backs - namely Arian Foster - out of action for the spring the exact formula for success for this team is still to be determined.

"Offensively, we've got a look at a lot of different things," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "But we really haven't found an identity or polished anything just yet to say we have this identity."

Fulmer and the coaching staff spent part of spring break last week talking about progress made and areas of concern.

"We're playing harder at receiver," he said. "We're playing faster at quarterback. In the offensive line, we haven't been very consistent. Chris Brown (tight end) has really elevated his level of play.

"Defensively, we're probably a little ahead having to replace all those guys up front. They've looked pretty darn good."

Hardegree transfer?: Junior quarterback Bo Hardegree admitted he has considered a transfer.

"I have (considered it), but I'm here and I just wanted a shot," Hardegree said. "That's all I've wanted since I was a freshman."

The Jackson Central-Merry graduate has gotten his looks this spring despite being slowed by a sore arm.

"I'm finally, my third spring, getting a shot," he said. "We'll just see how it goes.

"I'm on the team here so I'm perfectly happy."

Hardegree was 13-of-19 passing for 87 yards and one TD in UT's first big scrimmage of the spring two weeks ago.

Hardegree's father, Jim, had been a finalist for the vacant Powell High School coaching position, but had withdrawn from consideration.

Harrell Surprised: Senior defensive tackle Justin Harrell was caught off guard by questions involving his nomination as a 2006 Lott Trophy Award contender.

"It's a surprise to me because this is the first time I've heard that," Harrell said after practice Tuesday. "It's always good to get recognition like that, but all that is hype.

"I've just got to go out and prove it on the field and show people what I can do."

Harrell is one of 42 players on the preseason watch list for the award given to the Defensive Impact Player of the Year.

Hardesty Action: Fulmer was happy to see running back Montario Hardesty back on the practice field Tuesday.

Hardesty, along with LaMarcus Coker, have been cleared for limited action after returning from injuries suffered last season.

"Montario Hardesty actually ran a couple of plays up in there today, and looked really good," Fulmer said. "He's not supposed to be doing that around 11-on-11 situations so we took him out, but it was good to see him make a cut and do some things."

Freshman Josh McNeil is also back on the field and cleared for full contact after shoulder surgery last year.

One player still not on the field is receiver Jayson Swain. The senior-to-be is still slowed by knee problems and missed his fourth consecutive spring practice.

Big Orange Caravan: The 17th annual Big Orange Caravan kicks off April 10 and runs through May 17.

Stops this year will be made in Selmer, Memphis, Cookeville, Cleveland, Chattanooga, Greeneville, Johnson City and Nashville, as well as trips to Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.

Fulmer, Pat Summitt, Bruce Pearl and Bob Kesling will make appearance along the way.