Photo by Saul Young
Dennis Rogan, former Fulton standout, finds running room during Tennessee’s scrimmage Tuesday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.
Audio
A few thousand University of Tennessee students piled into Neyland Stadium on the eve of the first day of classes to watch the Vols' final full-contact scrimmage of preseason camp.
For the most part, what they saw Tuesday evening is what they'll see when No. 15 Tennessee opens its season in 11 days against No. 12 California.
At least in terms of personnel.
"We're pretty much settled," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We can identify our 11 on both sides of the ball right now pretty well. But second-team positions, we're still competing and that will probably continue."
On the offensive line, junior Ramon Foster appears to have locked down the starting job at right tackle, after swapping places with Chris Scott last week.
Scott will likely get the starting nod over fellow sophomore Jacques McClendon at right guard.
McClendon, who played 12 games last season and started at right guard in the Outback Bowl against Penn State, has been hampered with an ankle injury this week.
Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said both will play against Cal.
"We're trying to find five," Cutcliffe said of his offensive line. "I think Chris Scott's kind of earned that opportunity. I think Jacques's there at six. Let's get to seven and hopefully eight. That's what we're trying to push to get to."
At wide receiver, the numbers likely won't go that high.
Receivers coach Trooper Taylor said he's close to settling on the four or five players who will make the trip to Berkeley.
Austin Rogers, Lucas Taylor, Josh Briscoe and Quintin Hancock have all but assured their spots on the team plane.
Freshman Denarius Moore has been the most consistent newcomer among a talented group of incoming wideouts.
"Our three older guys, I think Quintin will be fine and I think (Denarius) Moore has moved himself certainly into that group of guys we can count on," Fulmer said after Tuesday's scrimmage. "Kenny O'Neal gives us a threat, he's just got to take care of the ball and catch it better."
Trooper Taylor said the Vols will begin narrowing the 80-page playbook to cater to individual players' strengths at receiver.
"We threw the whole playbook at some of these guys. We can start menuing it down and getting those guys where they're comfortable and knowing what they're doing," Trooper Taylor said. "When we get to that point, I think some of the guys that you think are struggling are going to help us as well."
In the secondary, Jarod Parrish and Jonathan Hefney have locked down the starting safety spots. But who UT's first two cornerbacks will be is still up in the air.
For most of fall camp, the Vols have true freshman Eric Berry, sophomore Marsalous Johnson and senior Antonio Gaines.
Johnson has eight career games to his credit, while Gaines has played in 24. None has ever started a game.
But that experience only goes so far, Gaines said after Tuesday's scrimmage.
"It doesn't give me much of an edge," he said. "The younger guys, they're great guys and great, great competitors. It doesn't give me much an edge, it just makes me work harder."
On Tuesday, Berry and Gaines were the first two corners on the field. But as far as Gaines is concerned, it doesn't matter who those two are a week from Saturday in California.
Drew Edwards may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Scrimmage stats
Offensive Starters: C Michael Frogg, OT Ramon Foster and Eric Young, OG Chris Scott and Anthony Parker, TE Chris Brown and Brad Cottam, WR Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor, TB Arian Foster, QB Erik Ainge.
Defensive Starters: DE Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds, DT J.T. Mapu and Demonte Bolden, LB Rico McCoy, Jerod Mayo and Ryan Karl, CB Eric Berry and Antonio Gaines, S Jonathan Hefney and Jarod Parrish.
Rushing Leaders (Att.-Yds.-TD): Daryl Vereen 9-34-0, Arian Foster 7-30-1, Lennon Creer 3-13-0, Roy Olasimbo 3-13-0.
Passing Leaders (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD): Jonathan Crompton 21-9-1-85-0, Erik Ainge 13-8-0-72-0, Nick Stephens 4-3-0-102-1, B.J. Coleman 3-2-0-12-0.
Receiving Leaders (No.-Yds.-TD): Ahmad Paige 2-96-1, Quintin Hancock 2-23-0, Denarius Moore 2-22-0, Josh Briscoe 2-21-0, Chris Brown 2-19-0, Luke Stocker 2-18-0.
Defensive Leaders: Nick Reveiz 5 tackles; Sinclair Cannon 4 tackles, TFL (-2); LaMarcus Thompson 4 tackles, sack (-5); Jonathan Hefney 3 tackles, 2 TFL (-4); Antonio Wardlow 3 tackles; Ricardo Kemp 2 tackles, forced fumble; Dorian Davis 2 tackles, forced fumble; Ryan Karl 2 tackles, PBU; Xavier Mitchell 2 tackles, sack (-10); Ja’Kouri Williams 2 tackles; Dennis Rogan tackle, interception (41 yards), forced fumble; Jerod Mayo tackle, TFL (-1); Wes Brown tackles, TFL (-1); Demonte Bolden tackle, TFL (-1); Chris Walker tackle, PBU.
Punting Leader (No.-Avg.-Long): Chad Cunningham 6-40.3-53.
Field Goal Leader: Daniel Lincoln 6-of-7, long 38.
Injury Holdouts – WR Gerald Jones (hamstring), LB Adam Myers-White (finger), C Josh McNeil (illness), P Britton Colquitt (quad).
Scrimmage Injuries – TE Brad Cottam (wrist).
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Comments » 40
andy112382#209793 writes:
Sounds good to me. Nice to hear we are pretty much in game-ready mode with plenty of time left to focus solely on Cal. We got through our scrimmages with no horrific injuries (other than Holbert going down) and consistent play considering it was fall drills and the coaches were trying several things out for size, seeing where certain guys stood. I saw on utsports.com that Daniel Lincoln was 6 for 7 on FGs today, not sure what distances but that has some promise to the sound of it at least.
Anyone check out utsports.com and see the new training simulator we have now? First team in the nation to have it, there is a video on the front page about it, pretty nifty, should help a lot!
GO VOLS!!! Almost there!
andy112382#209793 writes:
I wonder if when they say only 4-5 WRs... does that include any guys on special teams that may also be able to fill in at WR is anyone goes down? Or if it is in addition to? Just curious.
tigervol9802 writes:
evolution - Why? Playing too many receivers is part of what made the offense so ineffective under the last OC. We're going to mostly run 2 or 3 seceiver sets most of the time, why get that many guys in the rotation? I am most disappointed in O'Neal. I thought he would be close to being ready to play. So far I don't think he's shown much at all.
spikevol writes:
Trooper said at the beginning he wanted 5 guys. Adding more would only water down the work they get.
For a while it wasn't looking like we had 3, so be glad!
BOASoldier writes:
I just hope that Berry goes... I believe he'll give Mr. Jackson a heck of a day if he is defending him.
Volunteer writes:
Here is an article on Deshawn Jackson on SI, looks like Cal Nation is waiting on Tennessee.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007...
BOASoldier writes:
I read that article Volunterr and other than Syd Quan talking about being tired of hearing about his cast last year in the UT game and DeSean being a great receiver ... I didn't see anything in it ... it said they all did pilates and other workouts this summer but so did our guys ... I think this will be a clash of two teams with something to prove and the one that wants it the most will win... the one that can get popped in the mouth and keep coming for more...
Volunteer writes:
Agree with you and our boys have an advantage their. I believe we can be the more phyical football team. Did you see where they are handing out the "miniture megaphones"? Trying to copy cat Tennesse! Hard to mimic 105,000 screaming UT fans though!
vol4jesus writes:
Desean Jackson is no slouch in spite of our clamping down on him last year. We better prepare as if facing Peyton and Marvin Harrison. Ready for top competition and it shows to be subpar you are ahead of the offense. If sub prepared and they come at you as billed whoa nellie you are in trouble. Sorry had a Keith Jackson moment there.
BOASoldier writes:
I agree this is not going to be the cake walk it was last year ... I just know that they have had to fill quite a few positions themselves. they had a problem with our speed last year and It looks as though we have gotten faster. It is all speculation til the game is played, but I think we will do well... And Voluteer ... I don't care if they handed everyone in the stadium megaphones it still wouldn't compare to UT crowd noise... the acoustics of our stadium matched with the 105,00 fans is hard to even come close to. I think their will be a few mistakes on both sides of the ball right at the start from the younger guys, and then once they settle down it will be a shoot out or slug fest for the rest of the time... if it's a slug fest ... we will have it won.
vol4jesus writes:
Big Orange Army Soldier there ain't nuthin like the noise at Neyland when it is revving up!!! Go VOLS!!! Bear meat special and bear rugs available on special late Saturday Sept 1. No YOGI ...no goodie baskets this time either!
Hunter writes:
Those poor Cal fans will be sipping on their merlot and listening to Phish while watching the Vols physically dominate their beloved Bear Cubs. 10 day 'til Football Time in Tennessee!!!
Volunteer writes:
Never said it came close! I was at the Cal game last year and I promise it got so loud my clothes were vibrating!
Volchaz writes:
I'm glad we've settled on an offensive line, finally. I'm thinking we'll have some growing as a unit, to do, to be where we need to be. Its almost time.
inquiry writes:
A good question would be.. "who's on the special teams" for this trip to California.. I'm concerned with their return game, and if we're taking enough talent out there to stop em..
vol4jesus writes:
Isn't interesting that the featured photo is of Rogan running the ball. Why? Because Coach Fulmer said he will probably switch to defense. Interception and hard hit might have influenced that decision just possibly.
BOASoldier writes:
I was agreeing with you Volunteer nothing more. I took yours as poking fun at them for trying to match Neyland stadium. As far as the return game goes Inquiry, was it DeSean Jackson who told Tedford he didn't want to return I know one of his players did.
Volunteer writes:
Your kidding! A player actually told his coach he didnt want to return the ball. Makes me wonder if its cause of the first play of the game last year when we sat their tight end down with a cuncussion on opening kick-off......
BOA, no worries,how do you think our young corners will stack up against their WR squad??
BOASoldier writes:
I think Berry is 5'11" 195 with the same speed and agility as DeSean Jackson at 5'11" 168... it will be good for us
BOASoldier writes:
SydQuan is new as a starter... I think our guy will give him trouble
jlange#632002 writes:
If it's close late, watch out for those PAC 10 refs. They got a track record.
BOASoldier writes:
Doesn't the visiting team bring the refs from its conference?
BOASoldier writes:
That's awesome ... hopefully it will be a fair competition and we will win...(I mean may the best team win)
BOASoldier writes:
After reading posts on Foxsports and Volnation even oregon fans want us to win.. I think everyone is cheering for us to win except for some bama and GA fans ... it looks like we'll be just fine.. if we do well in our first three... look for the NC talk to start ... but first we have to do well in our first 3. oh and if you ignore jwray he'll go away, from what I've seen he is a follower anyways... kind of like a bully just look the other way and he'll leave cryin' that noone wants to play... but every other site that i have seen paints a good picture for us. We will see on the 1st ... GO VOLS!!!
vol4jesus writes:
Ha...Ha..jwraymond. Uh in our offense there ain't no fullback. Good, well thought out question again showing you to be a master of sidebar issues. Call Coach Cutcliffe and ask him? Why ask the question one would say if you know the answer already? The answer, he is blowing in the wind. I think Coaches know what they are doing so lets see how it plays out.GO VOLS!!
mdvol writes:
Tough break on Cottam. My guess is he'll be back for Georgia. Meanwhile......WE ARE GOING TO FREAKIN' KILL CAL! Vols 34 - Cal 17. The only thing worse than ONE ass whippin' is a SECOND ass whippin'!
BOASoldier writes:
Humble man of God or not holds no water ... Christians are supposed to lead by example, but regardless they are still human and do make mistakes ... only thing different between sinners and saints ... "one is forgiven and the other one ain't" a little George Jones quote there
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
Bank of America Soldier?
BOASoldier writes:
That's pretty good ... I wish that was it ... then I may have some ties to the bank of america... nope ... its Big Orange Army Soldier or bring on anyone... no really its Big Orange Army
auttat writes:
Let's see, 5 o-line men, 2 te, 2 wr, 1 back and 1 qb. Does that make 11? How is my math? Anybody ever read jwr's basketball posts? Wonder just how long it would take him to turn on Pearl?
invisiblekid writes:
Not sure that we should be happy that SEC officials will be overseeing the game. Seem to remember a blown call or 6 last year in various games. Hope the starting five on the offensive line comes through and performs up to expectations without seeing any lineup changes. If there is a unit that requires cohesion and unity, it's the O line.
GreerVol22 writes:
There seems to be a truckload of Heisman talk around this Jackson kid and invisiblekid has a valid point on blown calls. All, you have to do is watch the Vegas odds on sat am. to see how the refs will call it.
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
Cal will be tough....we have inexperienced DB's....so we must get some pressure on the quarterback or it will be a long day. Our WR's have to make a play or two as well. I hope the offensive line feels like punishing somebody! It has been along time since I have witnessed that scene.
mdvol writes:
WE ARE GOING TO FREAKIN' KILL CAL! A few injuries during camp but overall the team has fallen into place much better than previous years. I'm confident in the O-line. Could be our best in years. Add the double TE sets and watch Foster/Hardesty/??? go crazy. Our D sounds solid with super strengh at safety, LB, and DE. Are we perfect? No. But even USC has SOME questions. Vols 34 - Cal 17. Sneaky game against Southern Miss and then look out Tebow. Here comes the BIG ORANGE!
BOASoldier writes:
This is what I like to see my fellow Vols hypin up the season ... this year will be great....
ROCKY TOP YOU'LL ALWAYS BE HOME SWEET HOME TO ME .... GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP (Whoooooo!!!) ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE...
Lets go BIG ORANGE lets put Cal in their place and leave em cryin' Volun'tears'
vol4jesus writes:
Thanks for the well timed rebuke men, Sorry I did go over the top on the sarcasm bar for sure. I'm trying to be kindler/gentler in responding and not so abrasive, yet still get the point(s) across. Raymond knew what he was doing...stoking the coals of 'ORANGE TINTED' glasses fans. He be ok sooner or later. Preferably sooner for his sake first.
abrown#232236 writes:
Sounds like Berry works hard and leads through a competitive spirit. He may be young, but a peer that can establish work ethic and focus is highly valuable. Peyton Manning. Al Wilson. We LOVE guys that lead by example. Berry may be the next guy that has all the right stuff.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Abrown, he might be. I believe Berry's dad was one of our captains, wasn't he? There ya go.
Dalton writes:
Don't dig the Frogg nod at center....thought Chris Scott was a future star there...of course if he's just filling in for McClendon then necessary evil...hoping we don't make the same mistake with Creer that we did with Jamal Lewis. Remember the Mark Levine nod was on Cutcliffe's watch....screw blocking...give me a RUNNING BACK!
Dalton writes:
Updating my last post.....got McNeil and Scott confused.....don't hate....I own up to my flub....Santa Claus bless the Vols.
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