Vols understand importance of charity

Photo by Elizabeth Olivier, University of Tennessee

Quarterback Erik Ainge, defensive end Ben Martin and tight end Chris Brown, left to right, of the University of Tennessee football team visit with a East Tennessee Children’s Hospital patient on Monday. Vols visited patients at four local hospitals.

Tennessee's football players got a first- hand look at life far worse than 2-2.

More than 40 players spent Monday afternoon visiting patients in four local hospitals: East Tennessee Children's, Fort Sanders, St. Mary's and UT Medical Center.

"If anything, it reminds us how in the public eye we are and how what we do affects so many people," senior quarterback Erik Ainge said. "If one of us is to make a bad decision, we're not (only) letting our team and our family down, we're also letting that 12-year-old kid that's sitting upstairs watching TV down.

"It kind of puts things in perspective."

Ainge was more than willing to visit East Tennessee Children's Hospital, but he was far from taking up residency.

"It's hard," he said. "I couldn't work in a hospital. … It's tough. I think that us coming here, it definitely helps. But if nothing else, it makes you realize how much more often you should be doing stuff like this."

Senior defensive end Xavier Mitchell has seen more than his fair share of suffering since Hurricane Katrina hit his home state just over two years ago.

"I take it personal," the Mississippi native said, "just being able to give back to people."

Mitchell said visiting with those less fortunate make the perceived drudgeries of football seem far less taxing.

"We do a lot, from lifting weights to running," Mitchell said from UT Medical Center. "Some people would give their right arm just to do the things we do."

"It means a lot just to be able to give back to the community and do some things that really mean a lot to people."

More Man, Says Mitchell: Mitchell said more blitzing could be on the horizon as UT's young secondary gains more experience and requires less help in pass coverage from its front seven.

"That's going to make us a better defense, with the secondary jelling," Mitchell said. "That's big for us."

After starting four different secondary combinations in four games, the Vols seem to have a definitive direction with DeAngelo Willingham at cornerback.

The junior college transfer started his first game for UT on Saturday. His insertion into the lineup allowed freshman Eric Berry to move back to safety, his more natural position.

If Mitchell proves correct, that would certainly please defensive coordinator John Chavis, who's known for his aggressive style.

"Coach Chavis is known for bringing the house," Mitchell said. "That's what he enjoys doing."

Mitchell added that blitzing more as the season unfolds is another Chavis trait.

"Coach usually eases his way into things," Mitchell said.

Tennessee's Trios: Through four games this season, UT's top three receivers - Josh Briscoe, Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor - have combined for 67 catches, 824 yards and four touchdowns.

Last year through four games, UT's top three receivers - Robert Meachem, Bret Smith and Jayson Swain - combined for 50 catches for 819 yards and seven touchdowns.

The 2006 version, however, averaged more yards per catch than this year's trio - 16.4 to 12.3.

Game Time: The UT-Georgia game will begin at 3:30 and televised by CBS (WVLT locally). The Florida-LSU game will follow at 8:30, also on WVLT.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.