TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge will be without leading receiver Lucas Taylor when the Vols face Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
But Taylor's 1,000 receiving yards aren't the biggest reason why Ainge will miss him in Tampa.
'Lucas Taylor does everything right,' Ainge said. 'He just came up a little short. He's as hard a working guy in the classroom as anybody we have on this team. I feel sad for Lucas. Everything he's been able to do. To me that's the hardest part, besides the fact we're missing people, is that Lucas can't be here.'
One of six Vols declared academically ineligible for the Outback Bowl, Taylor missed out on the trip because he didn't make the required grade for a course within his major.
That's a new rule instituted by the NCAA this year. Previously, players had to pass only six hours in the fall to be eligible for a bowl game.
'When you're spending three hours at practice and two hours at meetings and when you're hurt with turf toe like he was, you spend every ounce of free time you have in the training room, finding time to do homework, let alone study for tests, you end up with four to six hours of sleep a night,' Ainge said. 'I'm not making excuses for people; I'm just saying it's very tough.'
With Taylor not making the trip, UT listed Josh Briscoe and Austin Rogers as its starting wide receivers on its pre-bowl depth chart.
Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Quintin Hancock could see more playing time, and tight ends Chris Brown, Brad Cottam, Luke Stocker and Jeff Cottam could also see more passes thrown their way.
Whatever the lineup, Ainge is confident in UT's depth.
'If we go two tight ends and two receivers the whole game or five receivers, I think we have plenty of depth to be successful,' Ainge said.
Search Still On: While Wisconsin becomes the primary focus this week, Tennessee will continue its search for at least two assistant coaches while in Tampa.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said there would be opportunities to continue talking with potential candidates this week.
'The coaching search or searches are ongoing,' Fulmer said. 'We have some opportunities while we're down here, a little bit, and also once we get back to Knoxville. Some things that need to be set up prior to us getting there all of a sudden. I would like to have things (in place) as soon in January as we possibly can.'
The Vols are searching for an offensive coordinator to replace David Cutcliffe, who was hired as Duke's head coach, and a wide receivers coach to replace Trooper Taylor, who was named Oklahoma State's co-offensive coordinator.
Injury Update: Starting linebacker Ryan Karl was limited, but practiced for the first time since suffering an elbow injury against LSU in the SEC championship game.
Karl practiced without shoulder pads and with a protective brace on his injured right elbow.
Also back on the practice field was starting right tackle Ramon Foster (thumb) and defensive back Nevin McKenzie (ankle).
Foster and McKenzie should be available for the Outback Bowl.
Running back Josh Hawkins (foot) did not practice. Hawkins, a Loudon High School graduate, will redshirt.
Schedule:The Vols practice this afternoon, after visiting St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in the morning.
After practice, the team is scheduled to attend the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Roll Call: Aside from the six declared academically ineligible last week, Fulmer said all of UT's players arrived in Tampa.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274
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Comments » 64
vol52 writes:
We will probably come out in the triple tight end formation!?
Bigger_Al writes:
Here is an excerpt from a poem my 11-year old daughter (Peyton) wrote recently:
Being positive will allow many things;
Positivity will let you spread your wings.
Negativity absorbs happiness that drifts around;
Don’t be negative, it’ll pull you down!
Be positive, try to reach out; And then you’ll see that there’s no reason to pout!
Have hope in your actions, they’ll soon spread; Chasing away all the bad-tempered dread.
And next time, if you need to brighten our life;
Be positive—it saves you the strife.
(Yes, Peyton has a well-known QB namesake. She was born on the 16th of October during an off-week, which allowed her mom and me to make it to the UT - Bama game the following week. Remember the Jay Graham run?)
thesavageorange writes:
Bigger_Al :You're daughter is wise beyond her yrs.I was at that game.My 1st ever.He had struggled all day.I turned to my friend(right before that snap), and said if they will open him up a little hole he's gone.Then it happened.I was sitting in section Q , and watched Jay get smaller as he headed to the north endzone.What a memory.Go Vols.
thesavageorange writes:
That was also the game that Little hit Kitchens on the fourth down play somewhere around our 10 yard line.That was an old school SEC game.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
bigger-al, That young lady has some real talent. Those were wonderful words coming from an 11 year old. You have to be proud of her. Thank you for sharing.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Bigger Al - good post. Many of us prefer realism to negativity. I wish we were in the Sugar Bowl, but realism has me getting up at the crack of dawn next Wednesday to view the warm-up game.
Semantics aside, my daughter visited Neyland when she was 11 a few times. I'm reasonably sure that wasn't what made her graduate from Florida, a fact she reminds me of a few times. Enjoy her now, she'll be gone before you know it.
Children dwarf our attention to college football in the scheme of life. Its just at times like this years Fla-Vols game I kinda dreaded the phone call. Happy New Year!
orangebass writes:
'not making excuses' huh ? you mean poor lucas has turf toe so he can't study....gee, seems like every other football player in the ncaa has to go to class and pratice and have a few minutes a day to study. what a lame statement !
Bigger_Al writes:
savageorange/volfan - Thank you very much. I showed Peyton your comments, and she was very proud of your praise. She told me to tell you that she's entered that poem in a contest in hopes of getting it published.
And yes, that was an Old School game. Those guys were knocking the daylights out of each other on that Saturday.
gohawks1 writes:
Enjoyed the poem, Bigger_Al. Tell Peyton good luck on getting it published.
I believe that we'll miss McCoy on D more than Taylor's catching abilities. He's definitely a playmaker, but with our offensive scheme being what it is (quick passes, etc.), there are others who can step in and do a good job there. Wasn't that Jones who caught that pass in the end zone during overtime in KY? We need to see more of him.
thesavageorange writes:
Bigger_Al :You're welcome.she should send it to CPF so he can post it up in the locker room.Lord knows the criticism that comes w/ being a football player at Tennessee.
james#216392 writes:
It is hard for me to believe students who are given free rides reward the tax payers by not making the grades. The NCAA needs a rule that says if you don't make the grades, you have to pay for that semester. Going into a bowl game, even minor bowls, without your best is crazy.
GerryOP writes:
'The coaching search or searches are ongoing,' Fulmer said. 'We have some opportunities while we're down here, a little bit, and also once we get back to Knoxville. Some things that need to be set up prior to us getting there all of a sudden. I would like to have things (in place) as soon in January as we possibly can.'
Obfuscation! Look it up. This is the vapid pap that Good Ol' Teflon Phil loves to dish out.
Also, Bigger_Al, my compliments to you and your daughter Peyton -- Well done.
thesavageorange writes:
Don't know the exact rule in Taylor's situation , but from my understanding he did complete the required hours , but not in a class of his major and might have been misguided by someone in this academic/athletic complex or whatever.(Wasn't told the correct classes to take)That's why you see a-lot of Jr's and Soph's w/ no declared major.All they have to do is complete 6 hrs in basket weaving.Not saying he didn't ere , but I do seperate him from the others.This version was told on a radio station in Nashville by someone who worked in that academic/athletic complex .(supposedly)So this is not 1st hand knowledge, but I hope that was the case.
philfan writes:
James,
I am actually looking forward to playing without the three starters, just to see what the outcome will be. If Tennessee really is a great team, then the depth Ainge is talking about should show itself.
I have never played football, but I suppose it would be very tough to play so much football, many times in pain, and at the same time carry a full load of classes. Ever tried working your way through college and taking classes? I did. It was incredibly rough.
Someone mentioned a long time ago that, since football brings in big bucks to the universities, the players should be paid for their efforts. That is not a bad idea, in my opinion. It might cut down on the temptation of the athletic departments to cheat a little, or in Alabama's case in years past, to cheat a lot.
rootin4volz writes:
Math 101:
Practice: 3 hours
Meetings: 2 hours
Sleeping: 6 hours
TOTAL: 11 hours
So, that leaves 13 hours in the day. IF you're carrying 12 hours in your class schedule (a full-time load, mind you) you probably have 2.5 hours of class a day four days a week (an hour and 15 minutes each for a 3-credit-hour class). That brings us up to 13.5 total...still 10.5 hours left in the day. Okay, so we'll add 2 hours for eating and preparing meals. We still have 8.5 hours left in the day here, Eric, for Lucas to work-out, study, and socialize. Are you telling me he's in the training room for what equates to a full workday for most Americans? Come on. That's lame...
So, Eric, are you also telling me that Lucas wasn't aware of his situation, when there are people over there to support you guys in your academic work, and who check in with instructors through the Early Alert system that can let him know at least TWICE throughout the semester how he's doing, and what he needs to do to succeed in class? Again, lame...Lucas should have tended to his business, and he failed to do so. IN doing so, he let you, the team, and the entire VolNation down.
Thanks for attending Math 101. Class dismissed.
jeremy writes:
I worked a full time job and had a wife and child and still managed to graduate college without failing a class. Unless he is studying quantum physics I don't want to hear it.
wyomingvol writes:
One solitary tear......
txvolsfan writes:
orangebass you could take lessons from Peyton
He was not making excuses he was merely stating that it is hard work to be a student athlete. Then you have negative posters on websites that have no concept of what these kids go through. I couldn't imagine adding all the practice and meetings and athletic responsibilites to my studies while in college. I don't know that I would have my degree today with the added pressure these kids go through.
TXVOLSFAN
GO VOLS BEAT THE BADGERS
txvolsfan writes:
rootin4volz, you forgot the rehab time he was spending everyday for the turftoe, which can be 2-3hrs a day for some injuries plus there are more time requirements for being a starting player for a major college football team. Unless you have walked in there shoes then you probably have no concept of their lives.
jeremyholloway82 I do have a lot of respect for what you went through many props to you man!!!!
TXVOLSFAN
james#216392 writes:
Philfan. I worked 40 hours a week and carried 12 hours. I made the dean's list all but three semesters. When you work your way through, you make every minute and dollar count. Since you worked, you already know this. If I had had a free ride, I might have resorted to partying and funking classes. Bottom line is that there is no excuse.
As to paying players, aren't they being paid with free education, best food around and visits to various cities around the country.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
gerryop - vapid pap. Excellant. Nearly as good as knitting little "T" sweaters for the lemmings.
Happy New Year.
SpringCityVol writes:
Are text books not allowed in the training room?
reedt#304042 writes:
VolCR--stick your yawn! How disgusting! Get a life.
IceVol writes:
Oooh hockey game...hope they enjoy that.
orangesox writes:
That Jay Graham run in '96 was awesome, no doubt. Still, i'm partial to the one he broke in '95 in Birmingham when Bama was starting to show signs of life. They had just scored and closed the gap a bit. Some lady behind us taps my buddy on the shoulder and says "Now I hope y'all get to see our defense shut you down." No sooner than the words rolled out of her mouth did Graham run 75 yards down the UT sideline. That game may still be my favorite UT game of my lifetime. That was the end of the streak, which for a Vol fan living in Alabama was like a governor's pardon.
rootin4volz writes:
TxVolsfan and Why36knot...Yes, I DID include the 2-3 hours rehab time in the 8.5 hours that I noted. And I'm not jumping down Ainge's throat over this, but he DID make a very naive comment.
I have been a Tennessee Football fan since I was 6, and I am now 42. I hold season tickets and support every aspect of the program. But I also teach at UT, and I'm here to tell you that these kids today are W-E-A-K and full of a sense of entitlement when it comes to sucking it up and getting it done. Not just the athletes, either. Ainge is flying that entitlement flag loud and proud when he makes comments like he does, and he ought to know better. It's 6 lousy hours in your major that you've got to pass, for crying out loud! If he wasn't taking 6 hours IN his major, well then shame on his advisors. But if he was, he should have seen to it that he passed those classes with the grade that was required of him by his Major college.
Yeah...I'm sure Ainge will miss him. As will the team. As will I as a fan watching the game. But Lucas should have taken care of his own business, as the other 5 should have, and then we wouldn't be sitting here talking about this, now would we?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
thesavageorange:
Wild stuff. That was my first game as well and I sat in Q!
FWBVol writes:
james, tax payers don't pay one dollar for a UT scholarship athlete's tutition, room, board or books. All of those things are funded by the athletic department gate receipts ot from donor money supplied by the VASF. UT's athletic department doesn't receive any state money for operating expenses, and that includes facilities upkeep, all salaries associated with the athletic program from the AD down to the groundskeepers and all the expenses included in an athletic scholarship.
rootin4volz, please don't be too hard on Lucas when you can't spell Ainge's first name correctly when he's been on the team four years. It isn't E-R-I-C, it's E-R-I-K. And the proper spelling appeared in the story.
It's not just you, but others constantly spell the names of players wrong that have been on the team three and four years, and are in the story they are posting about.
ORANGEAND2 writes:
sure,lucas taylor will be missed! as in the past others will have to "step-up" to the call. we have plenty of others can do that.be thankful we know & (have known) weeks in advance about this in order we might prepare. we,obviously have austin rogers.briscoe,the tight end brothers,on & on. let's just adjust and deal with it.we can still whip their tails!! deal with it vol fans!!much orange 2 u!!!!!!!!!
hippie60 writes:
As Dean Wormer told Flounder: Fat dumb and stupid isn't anyway to go through life. Seven years of college down the drain. Get with it guys!
4ss#446072 writes:
Bigger_Al,
thanks sooo much for sharing that poem from your daughter with us. That really made my day this morning....coming back from the Christmas break and getting back to work into the old grind! She is very talented and wise for an 11 year old! My gosh! That was great. Thanks again man.
GreerVol22 writes:
I agree with jeremy and a couple others on here. I too worked 60+ hours a week, played IMs and still graduated with honors....I also had the occasional sprained ankle to deal with too...Ainge may be a good guy, but he sounds like a buddy instead of a team leader...I think one of his many flaws.
ORANGEAND2 writes:
ball players are recrurited for just that.what is so surprising about (a few)players for not making the grade?? it's best to know about it now rather the the whole program be "punished" later. right? it's not like we are playing for the national championship.if we lose because of them--we probably shouldn't be there anyway.
eduardo writes:
I've got a poem for all you F$$$lmer sheep. How 'bout if you don't get a ring it don't mean a thing! Outback bowl big whoop! This team with a senior qb should've been better than what they showed that's for sure!
waterskier3#226480 writes:
if that was peyton manning he would say lucas is a DA and he just cost the team a chance to win the game... to many students work full time, study and work out, have fun and do volunteer work... work all summer and these students are taking more than 2 classes.... so leave the phooey at home....
lucas didn't prepare for what was expected of him and now he has to pay the price... bottom line... no excuses young man except you didn't take the team, your role or your education seriously.... its time to wake up...
ainge needs to quit defending him and be a leader and learn how not to choke in big games....LOL
this coaching staff and team has been nothing but excuses all year....
GO VOLS AND PLEASE OH PLEASE WIN A BOWL GAME FOR ONCE......... keep phil away from the cheese please
bigvoltrumpet writes:
you gotta give this kid a break...i mean i took 12 hours a semester for 5 and a half years to graduate, and it took everything i had to get up by 11AM to get to class after partying every night. Those 11:40AM classes with a hangover are hard especially when you have to go to the bar again with your friends that night. I couldn't even imagine doing ALL of that AND have practice and meetings too. Heaven forbid I got turf toe in the middle of it too. How in the world would I make it to Gus's at 3AM when OCI kicked us out?!?!?! That trek would be next too impossible with that injured toe! These are student athletes, you don't know how rough they have it!
**i hope you can taste the sarcasm in this post.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Lucas is good, but I think we have wr's that can step up, te's also. Geaux Vawls!
TommyJack writes:
Agree with EDUARDO. If it's all about education, send them to the Ivy League. Football is big bidness here. The opportunity is there for those "student athletes" that want to partake.
If they don't, then so be it..just stay eligible.
Tired of hearing how hard you all had it too.
I was a 5 yr. man, played, worked, and still had a ball. But I wasn't getting my brains beat in at practice and games. This is football country, like it or not. Wake up Amurca!
rootin4volz writes:
FWBVol...Talk to me about something I care about. That's a weak argument against my post. Give an opinion on the actual CONTENT of it, or stay home.
And TommyJack...What are they gonna do once they get out of here and DON'T make the NFL, or if they get hurt and have their career ended...What are they gonna do if they make the NFL as a scout-team guy for two years, and then it's over? Pull your drawers up...your crack is showing.
TommyJack writes:
rootin4volz: What?? I'm for them. I'm just saying...you can't have it both ways...the opportunity for education is there for them. You want to recruit all Rhodes Scholars, be willing to suffer the consequences in FB. Lighten up, bub.
missrvrvol writes:
Ainge will not have to worry about Taylor when he throws 2 pick 6's to the guys in red.
bernardking writes:
Hats off to you guys who worked full time jobs, took full loads and made your grades, but blaming Fulmer is the most idiotic and ignorant thing I have ever heard. I know you hate Fulmer, TDTN, it is your perogative, but please lose the Krispy Kreme jokes as I have read in other posts. He would mop you up in about 2 seconds. Criticize his coaching all you want. Your yahoo character is evident when you start attacking him personally.
mjohnsonvols writes:
another great post from our words of wisdom and greatest coaches in america guys-VOLCR and jwraymond. Thanks guys you conitinue to impress with your wonderful comment of yawn.
GO VOLS!
bernardking writes:
No, I am not the real Bernard King. He made some bad choices in college, no doubt, but I would be willing to bet his IQ is considerably higher than yours. You're a real tool, aren't you? Hey, don't worry, there are just as many uninformed knuckleheads like you out there. YOu're not alone.
Must be miserable to live in such hate and jealousy.
Huntingdonvol writes:
TOUCHDOWNTN,Great movie and pic.why have you held out on this for so long!And the chick in the far left corner is a fox!On benard,hell that cant be him he would never been able to type that statement>full time job!!!!!!give me a fricking break benard,the blame IMO is Trooper,I think it was his job to make sure they get to the classes and their proper hours!Sorry but IMO Benard Kink was proly one of the best UT -players of all time<but he could not carry THE PISTOLS SHOES WHEN IT COMES TO ALL TIME GREATEST IN THE SEC.By the way touchdown i do agree with you most of the time but deep down do you think we have a chance in this bowl game?
invisiblekid writes:
Bigger_Al, nice poem by your daughter, hope she gets it published. Pretty impressive for an 11 year old, looks like she may have a future in writing. I just wished we didn't have the recent disappointments on the field to make following the message so hard to follow.
invisiblekid writes:
"following the message so hard to follow". Sorry for the redundancy there fellas, not much sleep last night.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Well, after suffering through two minutes of that "film", my suspicions about TDTN have been proven accurate. They syphilitic fever is in the dreaded third stage: dementia.
DadwasaVol writes:
bernardking - well said.
invisiblekid writes:
"I would like to have things (in place) as soon in January as we possibly can."
I guess Fulmer looked at a calender, realized when signing day was, and decided to back off of his earlier comments about not making a decision until after the AFCA convention. I know many have downplayed the effects of the coaching turmoil on recruiting but if the Vols tank this year, that will be 2 subpar classes in 3 years and it won't be anything but a detriment to the team down the road.
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