Clock changes are protecting tired bodies

"Truthfully, with 12 games that you have to play, it's probably not a bad thing because of the wear and tear on the team," Tennessee's head football coach said Tuesday.

Under the new rules, the clock starts on a kickoff when the ball is kicked, not when the receiving team touches it. It also starts after a change of possession when the officials give the ready signal.

Several coaches have criticized the changes and there is speculation that they could be reversed when the season concludes.

"If they're going to go back they need to look at another open date," Fulmer said. "Start the season a week earlier or push the championship game back a week or something, because it is very, very demanding on the players."

Fulmer said the Vols average approximately 60 offensive plays per game under the new rules this season after averaging around 70 plays previously.

Scouting Report: For the second consecutive week, defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell has an athletic quarterback to deal with. Last week, it was South Carolina's svelte signal caller, Syvelle Newton. This week, it's a 260-pounder named JaMarcus Russell from LSU.

"He's (Russell's) not quite as quick as Syvelle, of course, but he is a huge athlete that is very mobile and I think has a great feel for what goes on around him," Caldwell said.

Despite his athletic ability, Caldwell said Russell would prefer to stand in the pocket.

"If you let him stand back there," Caldwell said, "he can flat pick you apart."

Then, there's Russell's running ability. The long strider doesn't seem like he's running fast.

"But there's nobody catching him," Caldwell said.

The toughest challenge for UT's defenders may be getting Russell to the ground.

"He's not one of the guys you're going to hit up high," Caldwell said. "You're definitely going to have to get him from the waist down to be able to get him to the ground."

Triple Threat: Chris Brown said UT likely will continue to utilize a two-tight end set this season. Brown and fellow junior tight end Brad Cottam each played several snaps against South Carolina last week.

"I think that's where we're moving more to," Brown said. "The tight ends have been playing really well. The coaches have been pleased with our effort, how we're playing, how we're blocking and how we're catching the ball."

Brown is UT's fourth-leading receiver with 18 catches. Cottam has six catches, after hauling in three passes last week.

Brown was the only UT tight end to catch a pass last season. He caught 14 through 11 games. UT's tight ends have 24 catches through eight games.

The Vols may be able to follow the diagram set up by the Dallas Cowboys, who are using former Vol Jason Witten and rookie Anthony Fasano at the same time.

"I love their offensive approach," Brown said. "They're very interchangeable. It just opens up a lot more things for the receivers and everyone because you really don't know what's going to happen."

As if there weren't enough budding tight ends, a third, redshirt freshman Jeff Cottam, is making progress.

"I think," Fulmer said, "Jeff Cottam is getting really close."

No Second Thoughts: One of UT's most important young players could easily have been on the other sideline for Saturday's LSU game. Redshirt freshman center Josh McNeil picked UT over the Tigers in a highly contested recruiting battle.

"It came down to the wire between them two," McNeil said. "Thankfully, I chose Tennessee. I wouldn't have had it any other way."

No Second Team: Defensive coordinator John Chavis said redshirt freshman Antonio Wardlow is receiving first-team snaps in practice. Wardlow played for most of the first half last week as starter Demetrice Morley was suspended for disciplinary reasons. Chavis said he wasn't sure who would start against LSU.

Committed: Nick Guess from Farragut High School has agreed to attend UT as an invited walk-on. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound deep snapper told UT's coaches of his decision shortly before the season began.

"They told me if I win the position, I should get the scholarship," Guess said. "I'm just going to do my best and try to get it."

UT will be looking for a deep snapper soon after this season comes to a close. Senior Ryan West has handled those duties for the Vols since midway through the 2004 season.

Guess plays left tackle for the Admirals, in addition to his snapping duties. He's also played tight end, fullback and defensive end.

"I've been a fan my whole life," Guess said. "It's a great opportunity."

Injury Report: Quarterback Erik Ainge returned to practice on Monday. He was limited with the sore right ankle that was injured against South Carolina. The junior was wearing a brace on the ankle.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jonathan Crompton took first-team snaps. Junior Bo Hardegree ran with the second team.

Redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker did some light running on the sideline with a brace on his left knee that was injured against Alabama. Fulmer said he hoped Coker could be ready for the Arkansas game on Nov. 11.