Spring fever cures

Today, the Vols will hold their first of 14 spring practices, marking the earliest start of "spring" practice in Phillip Fulmer's tenure.

Tennessee doesn't open its 2007 football season for another six months, but what happens between today and the Orange and White game March 31 will have a lot to do with how UT looks this fall.

And it will go a long way towards answering these 10 questions:

1. Will the Vols stay hungry?

Almost to a man, UT players and coaches cited last year's spring practice as the foundation for their strong start in what wound up as a 9-4 season.

That same approach is needed this year. The Vols showed how far they've come from a 5-6 season in 2005. Now fans want to see the Vols return to the ranks of championship contenders.

With defending national champion Florida, as well as Georgia and much-improved South Carolina and Kentucky teams, the SEC East is as tough as ever — maybe tougher.

Tennessee can't afford to rest on its laurels this spring.

2. Who will kick off and kick field goals and extra points?

For the first time in almost eight years, the Vols don't have an heir apparent at place kicker.

James Wilhoit was one of the best in school history, and the Vols will miss his reliability and leadership.

Britton Colquitt is the prime candidate to handle all of UT's kicking duties, but that's a worst-case scenario. Colquitt is certainly capable, but Fulmer doesn't want to put that much strain on the junior's leg.

A lot of eyes will be on scholarship kickers Daniel Lincoln and Chad Cunningham this spring.

3. Do the Vols have enough defensive tackles?

The loss of Turk McBride, Justin Harrell and Matt McGlothlin leaves the Vols dangerously thin on the defensive front.

J.T. Mapu should be back into football shape this fall, but that leaves the Vols without another player who has consistently played at a top level.

Demonte' Bolden, Walter Fisher and Dan Williams have come along slower than projected.

Those players will be pushed by some talented freshmen. Mid-term enrollee Donald Langley is as eager to show his wares as coaches and fans are to see exactly what he can do.

4. To whom will Erik Ainge throw?

No one needs to be reminded how heavy the losses are at wide receiver. The departure of Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith can't be overestimated.

Not counting tight ends Chris Brown and Brad Cottam, UT's returning wide receivers had a combined 26 catches between them in 2006. Those catches represent just less than 10 percent of the Vols' total receptions.

There's talent among Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers and Quintin Hancock, but the returning players surely feel the heat from a talented recruiting class.

Expect Trooper Taylor to get the best out of his players, but don't be surprised if there are a few newcomers in the lineup come September.

5. Who will play in the secondary?

In December, the Vols only needed two cornerbacks for 2007.

Now they also need a safety.

Heralded recruit Eric Berry is penciled in somewhere, and the Vols signed plenty of prospects who can play in the secondary.

Jonathan Wade is a major loss, as is Demetrice Morley, who had just finished his sophomore season when he became an academic casualty.

Safety Antonio Wardlow played well at times last year. Free safety Jonathan Hefney is an All-SEC player if not more.

Antonio Gaines has some improving to do, as do Ricardo Kemp and Marsalous Johnson.

Roshaun Fellows will provide a boost when he fully recovers from a shoulder injury suffered last August.

6. Will a tailback emerge from the pack?

LaMarcus Coker became a fan favorite — and a gamebreaker — last fall, while sharing carries with two other backs.

Montario Hardesty is coming off his second knee surgery in as many seasons, and Arian Foster is eager to put his Outback Bowl fumbles behind him.

Coaches have said they like the rotation and going with the "hot hand," but a stellar spring and fall camp by any of these three could change that philosophy.

Coker has the best chance to distance himself from the pack, provided he can put some distance between himself and Fulmer's doghouse.

7. What kind of impact will injuries have?

If UT's Outback Bowl preparations were any indication, there will be plenty of contact in the next five weeks.

Defensive end Robert Ayers (shoulder), defensive tackle Fisher (shoulder) and offensive lineman Cody Pope (foot) will miss the entire spring with injuries.

Five other Vols had offseason surgery and will be limited in different ways.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee), Hardesty (knee) and center Josh McNeil (knee) all played key roles last year.

For Mayo and McNeil, staying healthy might be more important than risking further injury.

8. What kind of role will the tight ends have?

Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe wanted to get Brown and Cottam more involved this spring even before Meachem left for the NFL.

Those two tight ends combined for 45 catches and 421 yards last season.

Brown, who should continue to act as a defacto fullback, has long been touted as one of the best natural athletes on the team, and Cottam has been pegged as an emerging star by coaches and teammates.

Look for both to have a bigger role in the offense and help take some pressure off the wide receivers.

9. Who's got Ainge's back?

All-American left tackle Arron Sears anchored an offensive line that allowed just 19.5 quarterback sacks last season.

Sears is only a few months shy of becoming a NFL draft pick, leaving UT in need of someone to protect Ainge's blind side.

Expect senior Eric Young, who started at right tackle last year, and sophomore Chris Scott to compete for this spot. Guard Ramon Foster might get a look there, too.

Whoever winds up at left tackle, though, has big shoes to fill. And important ones, too, given the UT's reliance on the pass in 2006.

10. Who will lead from the inside?

Graduation hit hard at a lot of positions (see questions 2, 4, 5 and 9), but the Vols also lost plenty of leaders.

Swain, Wade, Sears, David Ligon, McBride, Justin Harrell and Marvin Mitchell contributed as much off the field as they did on it.

A new group needs to step up and lead. Ainge has gained the respect of his teammates, and they'll look to him no doubt. Who else will they listen to?

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