Defensive coordinator John Chavis called Tennessee's spring practice the most physical one he can remember since the late 1980s.

He got no argument from his players or his fellow coaches.

Tennessee's biggest goal this spring was to develop toughness at every position.

The Vols made progress toward that end, but there's still a long way to go before they open the season Sept. 1 at California.

"I don't know if I could fill the plane with 70 guys who are really ready (for the Cal trip)," Fulmer said following last weekend's the Orange and White Game.

Tennessee entered the spring with plenty of questions, none bigger than at wide receiver. But that question, like a lot of others, won't be fully answered until fall camp hits full swing in August.

Here's a look at how the Vols began to address some of the questions posed at the beginning of spring practice:

1. Will the Vols stay hungry? With few exceptions, Tennessee got the most out of its 15 practices this spring. Fulmer praised his team's work ethic, and rarely was a lack of desire cited as a reason for slow improvement. Whether or not the Vols are as eager to prove themselves coming off a 9-4 season as they were two years ago after posting a 5-6 record in 2005 remains to be seen. Still, the spring was a solid start.

2. Who will kick off and kick extra points and field goals? Britton Colquitt entered the spring as UT's do-everything kicker and still is. Colquitt has shown solid range (including a 52-yard field goal in the spring game) and good accuracy, although having the junior do it all is less than ideal. Back-up Daniel Lincoln has made huge strides at place kicker. Backup punter Chad Cunningham averaged 45.5 yards on six punts in the Orange and White Game. Morgan Cox has the early edge on Nick Guess to take over the snapping duties.

3. Do the Vols have enough defensive tackles? Almost. Tennessee tinkered with the 3-4 defense some this spring partially because there aren't enough game-ready defensive tackles and partially to motivate players like DemontA(C) Bolden, Walter Fisher, Dan Williams and Chase Nelson. Bolden and Williams particularly stood out at times and will battle for a starting spot opposite J.T. Mapu.

Still, there's plenty of room for improvement. If that doesn't happen, the 3-4 could get a more serious look this fall, particularly with a wealth of talent at linebacker.

4. Who will Erik Ainge throw to? The answers to this question begin arriving on campus in June. Tennessee's receivers struggled with dropped passes, and coaches lamented their inability to make big plays on several occasions. Quintin Hancock was the most impressive, and Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor could still see action this fall. Taylor's impact could be felt more as a change of pace at quarterback. Still, signees Brett Vinson, Gerald Jones and junior college transfer Kenny O'Neal could have more of an impact than anyone else on campus.

5. Who will play in the secondary? The Vols got a pleasant surprise with the emergence of senior Jarod Parrish at strong safety, but junior college transfer Nevin McKenzie will push him for the starting job in fall camp. Marsalous Johnson was named the most improved defensive player of the spring, and is a penciled in as a starting corner along with Antonio Gaines. Free safety Jonathan Hefney did nothing this spring to change his spot as one of the SEC's best defensive backs.

DeAngelo Willingham, another junior college transfer, is a possible starter at corner, and heralded recruit Eric Berry also figures to be in the mix.

6. Will a tailback emerge from the pack? Not yet. Arian Foster picked up where he left off from bowl practice and looks faster than last season. Foster said he's refocused and rededicated to getting himself in top condition.

In limited full-contact work Montario Hardesty was impressive coming off arthroscopic knee surgery. Maturity remains an issue with LaMarcus Coker.

Coker was Tennessee's most explosive back last season, and the Vols played him in the slot some as well.

While no one broke away from the field, Foster took the biggest step.

7. What kind of impact will injuries have? Oddly enough, Tennessee's biggest injury this spring was more positive than negative.

Surgery to repair a torn meniscus in Ainge's knee allowed backup quarterback Jonathan Crompton to work with the first team and gave third-teamer Nick Stephens considerably more reps than he would have gotten otherwise. Ainge is expected to be fully healed by the beginning of May. All three quarterbacks managed David Cutcliffe's no-huddle offense well this spring.

Injuries on the offensive line, particularly to Eric Young, made it difficult to try as many combinations on the offensive line as coaches would have liked. An injury to middle linebacker Jerod Mayo paved the way for Ellix Wilson to impress coaches as well.

Bolden survived a scare during the Orange and White Game, and the Vols should be healthy for fall camp -- and summer workouts.

8. What kind of role will the tight ends have? UT doesn't list a fullback on its depth chart, instead turning to a talented group of tight ends to fill that role and others. Redshirt freshman Luke Stocker showed flashes this spring, as did Jeff Cottam.

Chris Brown hopes he and Brad Cottam, who missed some time due to injury, can double their combined output of 45 catches from a year ago, and that still seems like a realistic number. Look for UT's two starting tight ends to line up anywhere from the line of scrimmage to the backfield and the slot.

9. Who's got Ainge's back? Consistency in pass protection remains the biggest hurdle for Chris Scott to play left tackle. He has the required athleticism to replace All-American Arron Sears, but still needs to get stronger.

Although Scott finished the spring listed as the starter at left tackle, the fact he played all five line positions this spring doesn't seem to indicate that he'll start there in September.

Eric Young remains the most likely option to protect Ainge's blind side, although Ramon Foster also could be a possibility.

10. Who will lead from the inside? Ainge has earned the confidence of his teammates, and Mayo has shown the ability to lead. Hefney is another player who has grown into a leadership position. Brown is a player coaches would like to count on for leadership as well.