Tennessee junior defensive tackle Demonte' Bolden was released from UT Medical Center on Saturday evening after exams on his neck came back negative.

Bolden was attended to at midfield for several minutes during the Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium before being carted off on a backboard. Bolden waved to the crowd as he was taken off the field.

Bolden is a key player for UT this season. His physical ability has never been questioned, but his production hasn't matched that perceived potential.

"I think he's made good progress," defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks said of Bolden's spring efforts, "(but he) still has a long way to go."

Brooks said he expects Bolden to continue to work on his footwork and pad leverage this summer. If so, the former Chattanooga Tyner Academy star could secure a starting position for the first time at UT. As for now, he's locked in a battle with sophomore Dan Williams.

"I don't know who the starter is going to be," Brooks said. "We'll go into the preseason that way."

Brooks said he's pleased with his group's improvement this fall. The key has been playing more active. Senior starter J.T. Mapu has led the group despite being limited with a sore hamstring.

"I think if we get him 100 percent healthy," Brooks said, "he'll be a quality SEC player."

Surging Set: UT's top three receivers - sophomores Austin Rogers and Quintin Hancock and junior Lucas Taylor - had 11 catches for 108 yards.

"We could go today and be ready to play with those top three," receivers coach Trooper Taylor said.

That's quite a change from Taylor's demeanor in the opening days of spring practice, when he was visibly frustrated.

"I'm a little bit more encouraged," Taylor said. "I was impressed with their work habits (early). They were getting after it. We just weren't making the plays."

Hancock caught three passes for 42 yards.

"I think I had a pretty good spring," said Hancock, who said he was most proud of the improvement he made in run blocking.

The productive day is more than just one outing. It's beginning to be a trend.

"The receivers kind of picked up where they left off on Thursday," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said of the late surge from his wideouts.

Trooper Taylor still wasn't completely satisfied. He said he expects his top three to make more plays on fade routes. As for the reserves such as Casey Woods, Josh Briscoe and Slick Shelley, it's time for them to push the first-teamers.

"When he learns to play fast all the time, he'll be able to help us," Trooper Taylor said of Shelley. "If he doesn't, then he won't."

Shelley had five catches for 33 yards on Saturday.

Bird's Eye Ainge: Erik Ainge has spent some of spring practice in the press box since he couldn't participate. The senior quarterback underwent knee surgery earlier this month.

"You can just sit up there and learn a lot by seeing the defense and what plays he (offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe) is calling. When I go out there and I see that defense, I know what he's thinking and why he's thinking that. That can really help me out."

Ainge is slated to return in June, just in time to work with UT's incoming crop of freshman receivers. How much can they contribute?

"A lot of that is going to go on those guys to look at extra film and look at extra plays," Ainge said. "We're all going to have to pull together and get everybody ready."

Senior Brad Cottam said the tight ends are ready to play a bigger role, especially if the receivers struggle this fall.

"I think they can lean on us," Cottam said. "We're able to make plays and we can carry the team a little bit."

Said Ainge, "A lot of it depends on how the wideouts go. If we've got some guys that step up and are ready to make some plays - which some we made some plays today. If we got guys that make plays we can rely on that. I know we can rely on out tight ends."

Focused Foster: Arian Foster was the second leading rusher Saturday. The junior racked up 63 yards on eight carries in a limited role. Foster, by UT's coaches' accounts, has been one of the most impressive players this spring.

"Just refocus," Foster said when asked what caused the improvement. "A lot of internal work, spiritual work. A lot of little things that people forget about when they play football sometimes."

One would think that Foster's off-season surgeries last year to his shoulder and knee would have limited his production in 2006. Not the case, said Foster.

"Nothing physical was wrong with me," he said. "It was more mental."

Vol Bites: Quarterback Nick Stephens' left (non-throwing) shoulder is giving him trouble. It will be evaluated next week. Surgery, if needed, would take about four to six weeks for recovery. Linebacker Dorian Davis did not participate because he was suspended for violating team rules. Former UT offensive lineman Arron Sears' parents accepted the Jacobs Award at halftime. Sears is in Indianapolis working out for the Colts.