Fired up for 2007? Just listen to Sgt. Fulmer

The reference to the Guns and Roses song was hardly necessary. Reporters could hear the players from far beyond the practice field during UT's third spring practice — the first in full pads.

To further fortify the point, UT coach Phillip Fulmer addressed reporters in an unusually raspy voice. Clearly, UT's coaches were looking for intensity, even though full contact was still days away.

"I'm fired up to get their butts where they're supposed to be," Fulmer exclaimed. "They need to get in line or they're going to be watching a whole lot of football or playing somewhere else or doing something — not hanging out here eating for free."

Fulmer pointed out that UT doesn't have the upperclassmen it enjoyed a year ago, saying that the Vols expect 57 underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) to be among the 85 scholarship players this fall.

The youth isn't preventing the Vols from being innovative. UT is implementing a no-huddle offense for the first time in recent memory.

"It's been fun," senior quarterback Erik Ainge said. "It's something new. It brings a new energy to all the offensive guys."

That energy carries a new set of challenges, especially when it come to the quarterback position. Ainge and second-string quarterback Jonathan Crompton have more responsibility than ever before.

"He's as close to being ready as Erik," Fulmer said of Crompton. "He's gotten a lot of practice reps. He should be fine."

Crompton agreed, and said he's ready to provide plenty of competition.

"I'm not content," Crompton said. "Backup is not what you come to Tennessee for. You don't come to be the backup. I'm going to help the team everyway I can, but on the other hand, I'm going to help myself to try to get where I'm going to be."

The Vols return to practice on Tuesday.

Papa Smurf: Fulmer had a new moniker for defensive backs Marsalous Johnson (5-foot-9), Antonio Gaines (5-9) and Roshaun Fellows (6-0).

"It's kind of the Smurf patrol," Fulmer said. "I went to their meeting and told them 'You remember the series 'The Rat Patrol' that would go around killing everybody all the time.' That's what I want them to be — a pack of Smurfs kicking everybody's butt."

Don't blame the Smurfs if they don't remember "The Rat Patrol", which was a television series in the 1960s about a group of American commandos in North Africa during World War II.

Early Returns: As expected, UT's receivers still have to improve before they remind fans of last years talented trio: Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith.

"A ways a way to be anything close to what we were," Fulmer said. "There are flashes here and there."

Receivers coach Trooper Taylor said there's more pressure on his players in a no-huddle attack.

"I thought they competed better," Taylor said Saturday. "They did well. We've got to get the timing better."

Polynesian Progress: Senior defensive tackle J.T. Mapu's conditioning was limited by UT's brief break between the 2006 season and spring practice. After returning to UT last August following an 18-month Mormon mission, Mapu played last season at 310 pounds, 10 pounds over his ideal weight.

While Mapu's conditioning has improved, Fulmer said Mapu will need spring and summer workouts to return to top shape. Mapu also has been slowed this spring by a minor hamstring injury.

Head Start: Fulmer cited defensive tackle Donald Langley as one of five mid-term enrollees that had pulled away from the pack.

"He doesn't know what he's doing yet but he's not afraid," Fulmer said. "I like that."

For Kicks: Fulmer had some cautious praise for freshman place kicker Daniel Lincoln.

"Lincoln's doing all right," he said.

Fulmer said Lincoln and punter Britton Colquitt would be the only kickers on UT's travel squad if a game was played this weekend.