Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is excited by the “dynamics” of his new freshmen — one of whom could be the first Vol to touch the football when the 2007 season kicks off next Saturday at California.
Freshman Denarious Moore will join junior Arian Foster as Tennessee’s top kickoff-return tandem, Fulmer said after Saturday’s practice dedicated to the kicking game.
At least seven newcomers are likely to play at Cal (TV: WATE, 8 p.m,), and several more are possibilities.
“We usually play about half our freshmen,’’ Fulmer said, “the difference being there are some real dynamics in this freshman class that will help this football team.’’
Moore and junior-college transfer Kenny O’Neal will play at receiver. Gerald Jones could get in the game at receiver.
Lennon Creer will play at tailback and Fulmer hopes to get Daryl Vereen in the game as well.
Dennis Rogan will get on the field, at least in the kicking game.
Eric Berry will play in the secondary and might even start.
Only two true freshmen have started in an opener in Fulmer’s tenure: offensive tackle Michael Munoz in 2000 and quarterback Brent Schaeffer in 2004.
Fulmer said Chris Walker could see action at defensive end soon, possibly at Cal. Chris Donald will likely play eventually this year, either at end or linebacker.
Junior college defensive backs Nevin McKenzie and DeAngelo Willingham will play on special teams and perhaps in the secondary.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting young guys,’’ Fulmer said, “and we’re going to get them in the mix as we go along.
“If we can look at some people because we can or we have to or need to (at Cal) we will certainly do that. But our first order of business is to go win the game.’’
Colquitt Update: Fulmer anticipates Britton Colquitt being good to go at Cal, even though Colquitt didn’t kick Saturday, one week after pulling a quadriceps muscle.
“I don’t know that I’ll ask him to do everything (at Cal), kickoffs, extra points, field goals and punting,’’ Fulmer said. “I want to make sure he’s available for punting. If he can do the others, that would be a plus.’’
Daniel Lincoln could handle place kicks and kick off. Kicking off is the riskiest duty for Colquitt’s injury, Fulmer said.
Coker Works: Sophomre running back LaMarcus Coker worked with the scout team Saturday, his first practice back since his suspension was lifted.
He won’t go to Cal but should return against Southern Mississippi on Sept. 8. Fulmer praised Coker’s attitude in addressing the team upon his reinstatement.
“He not only apologized for his distraction, but also warned the guys to make sure they’re communicating with their coaches, and if they have needs to express those needs ... and seek counsel and advice through the university or somewhere,’’ Fulmer said.
“I hope he’ll follow through because this is it. We’ve kind of drawn the line in the sand now.’’
Travel Squad: The Vols will take between 75 and 80 players to Cal, Fulmer said, but not all will dress due to the cramped visitors dressing room. Two injured Vols, Brad Cottam and Ben Martin, will travel.
“Brad’s been a good leader even though he can’t play,’’ Fulmer said. “I may take Ben because three weeks from now we’re down at Florida and I don’t want him to be wide-eyed in the first game he might play in.
“But you’ve got to earn your way. There won’t be anybody going for no reason.’’
Travel Plans: The squad leaves Thursday, one day earlier than usual for road games, to get acclimated to the three-hour time difference and weather that will be considerably cooler. The forecast for game day is high of 82, low of 60, with sunshine.
The Vols received a waiver from the NCAA in order move up departure to 48 hours before the 5:13 p.m. (Pacific time) kickoff on Saturday. The equipment truck leaves Tuesday on the 2,474-mile trek that takes about 35 hours of driving time.
Specialists: Bram Cannon, a sophomore defensive back from Memphis Briarcrest is the back-up holder behind senior Casey Woods. Nick Guess, a freshman from Farragut is the back-up deep snapper behind sophomore Morgan Cox of Collierville. Guess graduated early and enrolled at UT in January.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 32
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Do you smell national championship in a couple or 3 years? I hope that's what I'm smelling...
volfan73120#211815 writes:
Where is the team staying in California?
onecrazyvol writes:
I hope you are......I think i'm smelling a very good year...If we get past these first three unscathed the sky is the limit!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
If we get past the first 3 games...I am selling my car, the boat, and my underwear on EBAY for some tickets to New Orleans. Hey wait a minute- I am in Atlanta and nothing to show for 10 years..grrrrrrrr
andy112382#209793 writes:
I smell a real good year THIS season. I believe if we can ptu together a very solid year this season, we are going to be very happy with at least the next couple that follow given the youth of this team.
Guess that depth chart on the other story isn't 100% since it says here that Berry may still even start, and Moore & Foster returning kickoffs, I like it! Maybe I rather have Taylor & Moore rather than our starting running back, but either way it should be better than last season, you get to a point it is hard NOT to improve! haha.....big year ahead of us! GO VOLS!!!
BOASoldier writes:
That's what I am talking about Kingsport ... a quote from willie Shakespeare comes to mind ... "Cry havok and let lose the" Vols "of War" lets break some hearts and legs VOLS!!!! Let's Transport Rocky Top over to Cali for a day.
BOASoldier writes:
One more time so I can spell it correctly
"Cry havoc and let loose the "VOLS" of WAR" That could have been bad ...
Lets hear some whooooooo hits gentlemen ... lets make them wish they had never taken the rescheduled matchup... Off to watch the UFC fight at BW3's GO VOLS BEAT CAL .... SEVERELY!!!!
GreerVol22 writes:
about this time next week, we will see if Fulmer has really been sandbagging and we have something special .... or he's hyping the freshmen because we dont have anything else. My gut keeps telling me that this team is better than expected and the luxury of super talented freshmen are sprinkles on the donut!
andy112382#209793 writes:
I'm one who has always thought a championship runs requires not just good players and such, but those breaks to play in your favor. Like 'The Fumble' in '98 against Arkansas, Nebraska and that play where they got a TD from a ball bouncing off the guys foot in the end zone, and so on. Well, things so far have been breaking good for the Vols heading into the season, Coker getting back into a good standing and coming back - seems like the last few years a guy gets booted in that situation when given an oppourtunity. Ben Martin turned out to have a bruise instead of a tear, last few years it seemed we had no breaks involving injuries unless it involved a bone. Ainge in spring ended up with the best case scenario with his injury and it happened early enough to not be a big deal plsu he got valuable/rare time with Cutcliffe in the booth that helped him learn some things.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not superstitious, after all being superstitious is bad luck! haha
I think this is going to be a great season. Heck the lady Vols got their first title since 1998, let's make it 2 for 2 this season for our teams on a long drought!
GO VOLS!!!
andy112382#209793 writes:
GreerVol22 - thanks a lot for mentioning donuts! Now I'm hungry!
FWBVol writes:
Anyone questioning Phillip Fulmer and the way he handled the Coker situation need only look at what PF said that Coker knows this is his last chance and he knows it. Hopefully, Coker has grown up and we will only hear good things about him in the future.
agentorange writes:
pack your longsleeves and I'll see you guys out there. call ahead and arrange a tour of the anchor steam brewery. it's worth it.
wyomingvol writes:
Just hold on to the ball Stewart...
FireFulmerNOW writes:
Lets see, we havent won a SECC since 1998, have been humiliated time and time and time again at home, beaten at home by UNRANKED OPPONENTS, looked ridiculous in bowl games (when we went), run an outdated offense with outdated coaches, play consistently not to lose instead of to win, have no DL depth, lost our top three receivers, was among the top 2 worst running teams in the SEC last season, and you people think we are going to have a good year? BASED ON WHAT? the same phooey that foolmer spits out every season only to be backed up by the same stupid excuses YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR?
You sheep must have somehow escaped the grassy fields and wandered into the pot growing in the bushes.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Hey guys, looks like CRVol has added another screen name. That just gives me one more to skip over as I read all the rest. Yet another great season comin right up. Geaux Vawls.
FatherVol writes:
Are you bitter about something, FireFulmerNOW?
andy112382#209793 writes:
orangebloodgmc - you noticed that too, huh? I figured that had to be CRVol, not many posts make such little sense as his.
UTFAN1993 writes:
I,probably like quite alot of other readers,don't post comments often.But I do have a question specifically to the FIREFULMERNOW poster,along with any others who may wish to comment.If CPF was fired, give me a short list of maybe 3 coaches who you would like to see as a possible replacement.Please add the reasons why they (he) would produce better records than CPF has during his tenure.Also what would be the probability that U.T.could acquire the services of a coach with more than one National Championship.I'm not here to criticise anyone.I'm just a loyal U.T. fan of 14 years,looking forward to another great one. Go Vols!!
utvols1 writes:
Blood, you think that there is only one person on this site that isn't frustrated with the inconsistent perf of the Vols over the last 8 yrs? You think CR is alone? He, along with TDTN (and many others) speak from facts and tell it like it is. Just because you don't like the facts doesn't mean what is being said isn't true. How many folks were defending Johnny when his time had come...a ton. Look, Phill has done a good job....but he's (in my mind) not the leader that is going to be able to get us back to SEC titles given the increased coaching talent that has hit this conf in the last 5 yrs. Being critical doesn't mean you aren't a true, bleed orange Vol fan, just like being critical of Bush doesn't make you a dem or anti-patriotic. Most folks on this site have season tickets, travel to away games and attend post season bowl games....which lately has been painful. We're still Vol fans....but centered in reality. The coaching talent level has improved and we haven't kept up. 8-4
andy112382#209793 writes:
The facts are what you make of them, utvols1. CRVol/FireFulmerNow/whatever other screen names used by that person....I was reminded of them at work yesterday when a customer was talking about the lottery, the one up to $300 million. The customer started complaining that if they won how much would be taken out for taxes. My friend and I were quick to point out 'but you would have won the freakin' lottery! You'd still have more than you started with!' That got me to thinking about the ones on here that will never be happy until we have some magical coach that never losses a single game, but we all know that is not realistic, but than again, neither is expecting those select posters on here to ever look at anything in a positive light, they get a kick out of finding the doom'n'gloom within any person, event, or place. Unfortunately we have to live with it, but fortunately once we know all of the names that CRVol uses on here, we know what to skip over reading so we don't waste those precious moments in our life reading complete BS with a couple of numbers thrown in.
vol4jesus writes:
Ok, who locked the medicine cabinet? Ewe know the individual with multi-poster names needs his meds. You see what happens when not medicated on time. Oh whats that you say? That is on medication? Now I'm really stumped...Well go VOLS!!! Remember children don't feed the bears. Sorry Yogi no goodie baskets this trip.
FireFulmerNOW writes:
I dont know what you guys are talking about with someone named CRvol. I never came to this crappy website when it was a paysite. Barely come now that its free. Some fulmer buttsniffer said can i name three coaches if we fired fulmer? how about an automaton. some robot built in eastern russia thats programmed to clap and smack players butts after bad plays and say idiotic things like "we have 5 db's that start here" to the media.
ANYBODY would be better. ANYBODY. RON FRICKIN' ZOOK would be an improvement. Foolmer was a decent coach in his day, but his day is long gone. The hottest young coach in CF right now resides at Boise State, (who has by the way, won as many BCS games as we have) and a big name program is gonna snatch him up but it wont be us because we'll still have this retarded fossil here spitting out excuses and looking at the tape and trying to get better.
Sickening.
AllVol writes:
How's it goin', CRVol?
vol4jesus writes:
Suggest removal on 4:33pm post if individual can't refrain from over the top personal,uncalled for remarks. Lack of respect is a lost principal in our country for sure. Went with the dinosaurs I guess...you know fossils. Proper usage by the way. Futbol next Saturday!!! GO BIG ORANGE!!!
FWBVol writes:
Hey FireFulmer, the Boise State coach must really be hot. You don't even mention his name, which, by the way is Chris Petersen. As for the Zook comment, oh well, ignorance is bliss.
threehundredbowler writes:
If this site is so fricking bad and Fulmer is such a bad coach,get the hell out of our space.We do not need another meat head like CRVandy.You ,like some others need an attitude adjustment.Fulmer is our coach until someone with authority says different.I will support him as long as he is here and will support anybody that replaces him.That dosen't mean I have to like it.Just means I will back our coach and school regardless the coach or our won loss record.Maybe he is not the coach we need right now and then maybe he is.I don't know.I do know that no one that posts here [ except maybe CRVol who claimed to be the one that was responsible for the firing of Buzz Peterson]can do a damn thing about who our coach is.Love the Vols or close the door when you exit this building.
vol4jesus writes:
Ewe mean like yesterday between you and jrforte? Ahhhh is right. You have noted the excess drivel between posters. I will keep mine brief to try and adhere to my kinder/gentler promise. GO VOLS BAET THE BEARS!!!
vol4jesus writes:
baet is not French for BEAT. BEAT THE BEARS!!!
AllVol writes:
CR, you're actually kind of funny--in a non-funny way. One question for you: When we start actually winning game after game, do we have to hear you tell us what a "bad win" it was? I mean, I'm sure our stats won't please you. I'll be anxious to see if you stick around. It must really be hard rooting against the team you root for. I love any and all news about the Vols, and you present an interesting case study for my thesis on cognitive dissonance on the side. Oh, yes, it is curable . . . .
vol4jesus writes:
Did we ever determine,unless ewe want to tell us, what CRVOL really stands for? Put to rest our mistakes at your true poster identity Clark.
MuskratOrange writes:
Can anyone explain to me why we have our starting "between the tackles" running back returning kicks? Number #1, the opposing team gets a 40 yard head start to light up our #1 tailback and Number #2, since when did Arian Foster become the 2nd coming of Rocket Ismail? Were is Vinson or O'Neal? We need speed back there.
thevol writes:
I actually have enjoyed the banter Cr. It is PRESEASON after all and you do know football. If everybody agreed it would be boring. The paysite was no different. DSAVol was very similar to you but he quit posting on football and sticks to B-ball only. Ralphie on the other hand was like JW or Fire Ful that they just run their mouth and offer nothing to the discussion. My only complaint has been the constant negativity but at least you agreed about Berry looking good and do seem to go to games and want us to win. Don't get a bighead you aren't the first hated poster and won't be the last. But, you are on the verge of the DSAVOL PRESEASON A-HOLE AWARD.CONGRATS! Andy once again wins most inspirational fan with BOA a close 2nd. It's game week guys. Get Psyche and have fun. Go Big Orange!
Thevol formerly Ambrozia.
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