Lincoln leg behind Colquitt

If Daniel Lincoln has anything to be thankful for, it's that he only had to deal with the former during the 2006 season.

Even though it was just a pull, Lincoln felt like his leg was broken.

Lincoln said he first injured his kicking leg during fall camp, and had to battle it the rest of the year.

"It was definitely something I had to work through," he said. "I didn't take any days off. I didn't want to be a young guy who came in and took days off."

Over Tennessee's break for the holidays, he visited with his kicking coach back in Florida.

That helped. So does being fully healthy.

Tennessee's coaches would like to see Lincoln come on this spring and help take some of the strain off Britton Colquitt's leg.

The All-SEC punter is slated to handle kickoffs, extra points and field goals as well.

For Lincoln to earn the spot, he knows what's expected.

"Kicking here at Tennessee is a pretty demanding position," he said. "It's got to be perfect. That's why I came here."

Being healthy has helped Lincoln, who is noticeably better this spring than he was last fall.

The freshman says he still needs to get his kicks off quicker -- and boot them higher, too.

But being healthy is the big boost.

"Kicking's kind of like golf," he said. "Tiger Woods has his up days and his down days. You're either on your way up or on your way down."

Thumbs Up For No-Huddle: Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said he's pleased with the way UT has taken to the no-huddle offense in its four practices so far this spring.

"There are going to be little things, kinks you have to work out," he said. "To be honest with you, I'm amazed at how our kids have adapted to it."

Fundamental Focus: For the second straight day, UT coach Phillip Fulmer stressed fundamentals and toughness.

"Scheme is important, but whatever you do you've still got to block and tackle and do the fundamental things," Fulmer said. "That's what we need right now. I'm not ready to start naming names (of players who are underachieving) but I'm close."

Scrimmage Set: Tennessee's first full scrimmage of the spring will take place Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.

Each team is permitted three full scrimmage dates in addition to its spring game.

Mayo Update: Linebacker Jerod Mayo did not participate in any contact drills Tuesday because of some swelling in his left knee, which he had scoped during the offseason.

Mayo said he expects to be cleared for contact in about three weeks.

"I see the guys like Ellix Wilson and Rico McCoy out there doing their thing, and I just want to be out there with them," Mayo said.

Speedy Wade: Jonathan Wade ran the third fastest time among defensive backs in the 40-yard dash in the final day of the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Wade finished in 4.36 seconds, behind only Arkansas' Chris Houston (4.32) and LSU's LaRon Landry (4.35).

Only eight players posted sub-4.4 times.

Wade also impressed with a 40A 1/2-inch vertical leap, second best behind Boise State's Gerald Alexander (41 inches).