Sluggish Vols pumped up by McClendon’s intensity

When Tennessee needed a lift Tuesday in the first full-contact drill of preseason practice, they turned to sophomore offensive guard Jacques McClendon.

“After Jacques went, we really got pumped,” sophomore offensive guard Vladimir Richard said. “His intensity was there and it got us pumped.

“I don’t know about the rest, but after Jacques went, I really got hyped.”

McClendon got his teammates’ attention when he registered one of the most dominating blocks of the day in the Tennessee Drill — a one-on-one exercise designed to test desire, intensity and pad leverage.

The defense certainly took notice. When McClendon next stepped to the line, he and junior defensive tackle Walter Fisher fought to a stalemate that quickly evolved into an extended scuffle with both players landing several head shots.

Fisher, who jammed a finger on his right hand during practice, said the animosity ended as soon as the tussle was broken up.

“We’re family,” he said. “Brothers fight everyday. It’s nothing.”

Fisher’s play this fall has UT’s coaches confident they’ve at least found their third defensive tackle, behind junior Demonté Bolden and senior J.T. Mapu. And, maybe, Fisher can push even further than second string.

“Walter Fisher is making a move,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I’m excited about where he is.”

McClendon, who was listed as the second-team right guard behind junior Ramon Foster to begin preseason camp, also has his coaches’ attention.

“I think Jacques is growing up some,” Fulmer said. “Today, I saw him really, really get emotionally into it. That’s what I’ve been waiting to see.

“Somebody’s got to rise to the level of an SEC player (on the right side of the offensive line). Jacques is physically capable of doing it as anybody on the field.”

Drill Bits: Although stalemates ruled the day in the Tennessee Drill, some players managed to stand out.

Sophomore defensive end Andre Mathis twice slung redshirt freshman offensive tackle Darius Myers to the ground. Then, Myers struck back, hitting Mathis so hard that his helmet flew off.

Junior Nevin McKenzie turned in an outstanding play when he sidestepped sophomore receiver Quintin Hancock and tackled an unidentified ball carrier.

Sophomore Rico McCoy pulled a similar move on freshman tight end Luke Stocker to tackle freshman tailback Josh Hawkins. Richard laid a strong block on freshman defensive tackle Victor Thomas.

“There wasn’t really a score,” Richard said, “but I felt I won both my matches.”

Sophomore linebacker Dorian Davis held his ground against senior tight end David Holbert to register a tackle.

“Defense is going to make a point this year to go hard,” Fisher said. “Those front four on the line, everybody’s been talking about us, wondering if we’re going to be as strong as we were last year.

“We take it as a challenge.”

Scrimmage Report: The Vols held a 46-play scrimmage, the first of preseason practice, as per NCAA rules. Fulmer said he and his coaches limited defensive stunts and blitzes to test some young skill-position players.

“I don’t think, offensively, we accomplished everything we wanted to, but most of what we wanted to accomplish was to get a look at the (young) guys,” Fulmer said.

Fulmer said, despite the limitations, the defense performed well.

“There were a couple of helmets knocked off and a couple of balls on the ground,” Fulmer said. “That’s the only way they’re going to learn. Welcome to college football.”

High Expectations: UT’s receivers had a handful of drops during the periods open to the media.

“It’s going to happen anytime you’ve got some young guys in there trying to get their timing down,” receivers coach Trooper Taylor. “Wasn’t disappointed about the dropped balls at all. That wasn’t the problem. Problem to me was making big plays.

“I want to see somebody go over the top and make some special catches.”

Taylor held his receivers after practice for extra drills and a “pep” talk.

“The good thing is we don’t play tomorrow,” Taylor said.

Roll Call: Fulmer said the Vols didn’t have any heat-related issues despite the oppressive, humid weather.

Fulmer said junior Kenny O’Neal has a slightly pulled hamstring, not leg cramps as Fulmer mistakenly told the media Monday.

Receiver Austin Rogers and tight end Jeff Cottam missed practice. The two sophomores had an accounting exam.

“We’ve gotten through our first five practices in pretty good shape,” Fulmer said.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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