Extra practice Vols' biggest prize

Simply for playing in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1, Tennessee will receive about a $1.25-million payout.But as far as defensive coordinator John Chavis is concerned, the experience for Tennessee’s younger players is worth much more.

And it’s even tougher to put a price tag on.

“You can’t put a price on it,” Chavis said. “It’s something they need if they’re going to grow and mature.”

Some of those freshmen and first-year players — like second-team All-SEC safety Eric Berry — are already mature beyond their years.

But for some, it’s a chance to get extra practice work that they didn’t get during the course of the year.

With a game every Saturday but one, several players are getting practice repetitions the likes of which they haven’t seen since two-a-days in August.

Quarterback Erik Ainge pointed to true freshman tailback Daryl Vereen as an example.

“You haven’t really got to see much of him all year,” Ainge said. “Then we get out here and he gets to practice a lot. (Tailbacks) Montario (Hardesty) and Arian (Foster) don’t do quite as many reps.”

While Tennessee’s practices have been physical, including a 60-play full-contact scrimmage on Monday, coaches often use the month-long window between games to help players recover from the bumps and bruises and strains and sprains of a 13-game season.

That’s where younger players come in.

For every snap a veteran doesn’t take, there’s a younger player eager for the chance.

“Every case is different,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I think they all benefit from it because it’s more opportunities to practice.”

Five more full practices and one walk-through practice are scheduled once the Vols arrive in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 26.

At least one of those will be a full scrimmage, although it will likely be shorter than the one UT held Monday.

Those physical practices might not have helped UT against Penn State last year, but they did help set the tone for spring practice and fall camp.

“Last year, we really came at it hard,” sophomore offensive guard Jacques McClendon said. “We really worked hard and came out with intensity. I got a little more comfortable with the offense.

“It was very beneficial. From a coaching standpoint, technically they tried to get me right. It was just great experience.”

That’s experience Tennessee needs, even though 13 members of UT’s 2007 signing class played this season.

Three of those players — defensive backs Berry, Brent Vinson and DeAngelo Willingham — combined for 29 starts.

Bowl practice is even about keeping up with competitors, too.

Nine of 12 SEC teams — including eastern division rivals Florida, Georgia and Kentucky — are getting the same amount of holiday work as the Volunteers.

“Everybody else is getting that opportunity,” Chavis said. “If you don’t get that opportunity, then when you start spring practice you’re going to be a little behind the eight-ball.”

But just because Tennessee sets the table for spring practice now doesn’t mean that those drills get any easier.

Just ask McClendon.

“I wouldn’t say it was easier,” he said. “College football is still a different animal from high school football, so I was still in the adjustment period. Especially being a lineman. Being in the trenches is a whole different animal.”

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.