Tennessee Stat Book
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Georgia
- When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Lucas Taylor is one those players — one of those players who just does his job.
And if you think Tennessee’s junior wide receiver doesn’t, Trooper Taylor has a bet for you.
“You find a play on the tape, going through any game that we’ve played, you find one play where he loafed and I’ll give you a hundred dollars,” said Trooper Taylor, Tennessee’s wide receivers coach. “If you give me a dollar for every play that he doesn’t, I’ll bet you I’ll have more money at the end of the day than you will.”
That certainly would have been the case during last week’s victory over Arkansas State.
For the third time this season, Taylor finished with more than 100 yards receiving. Even better, Taylor finally scored for the first time since 2004, his senior year at Carencro (La.) High School.
On UT’s first drive, Taylor powered into the end zone on a 17-yard pass from Erik Ainge. He scored another in the fourth quarter, when he broke a tackle on a hitch route and went 24 yards.
“It felt real good,” Taylor says of his last touchdown. “Because it shows that it can be done.”
That’s not all Taylor can do.
When LaMarcus Coker’s scored on a 25-yard screen pass against the Indians, Taylor took a pair of linebackers out of the play before center Josh McNeil delivered the final block downfield.
Never mind that Taylor only weighs 185 pounds.
Taylor isn’t the big, tall receiver that Robert Meachem was a year ago; no one on the Vols’ roster is.
But that hasn’t kept Taylor from putting up Meachem-esque numbers this season.
Through four games, the junior is averaging six catches a game, behind only Vanderbilt’s Earl Bennett (9.33 catches a game) in the SEC. His 95.5 receiving yards a game rank third in the conference and 19th nationally.
There’s a simple explanation, Ainge says.
“I think our receivers from a discipline standpoint are more disciplined than they’ve been,” Ainge said. “Even though we don’t have a Robert Meachem, we have a lot of good players that are where they’re supposed to be every time, and I feel like my timing is every bit as good if not better with these guys.”
For Taylor, it was more a matter of getting on the field. He’s played in all but two games of his Tennessee career, but for the past two years he was stuck behind Meachem, Jayson Swain and Bret Smith on the depth chart and in Ainge’s progressions.
After joining the first team in spring practice, Taylor finally felt settled in by the time fall camp rolled around in August.
“I really started to get more comfortable and everything in camp,” he says. “It was just getting reps that got me comfortable.”
For what it’s worth, Taylor says the summer hours he put in with Ainge helped make the transition easier and develop the chemistry that is paying dividends.
When asked if he’s surprised by his output, Taylor grins a bit, and then delivers an answer that’s a lot like a downfield block on a running play.
“I don’t think I’m surprised,” he says. “I worked hard in summertime to be the best that I can be. That’s a big part of it.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 29
RangerForSix writes:
Lucas and Erik really seem to be on the 'same page', big time!
Arian and Chris are able to get open and Ainge is finding them.
Now let's add Rogers, Coker and Briscoe, etc. to 'that page'...Maybe some of the younger guys too...
Go VOLS...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Tennessee turns it on for the rest of the year and shocks the big orange nation who has turned on them like a grilled cheese sandwich.
Go get em VOLS!! 10-2... or 9-3
vol4good#206163 writes:
Lucas has been the best thing to happen to VOL Football so far this season. The one catch he made against Ark St. was Fabulous!! I see the "Al Wilson, John Henderson, Bill Bates and Reggie White" heart in this player. Work hard Lucas--Add to the legacy.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Lucas has been the best thing to happen to VOL Football so far this season. The one catch he made against Ark St. was Fabulous!! I see the "Al Wilson, John Henderson, Bill Bates and Reggie White" heart in this player. Work hard Lucas--Add to the legacy.
DennisVols writes:
Creame always rises to the top
For all the heat the UT coaching staff has taken this and the last few years one important element has been missing here. On the field leadership. Players like Big John, Little, Wilson all had something that cannot be coached or taught. LEADERSHIP. This team with all of its talent has not had the kind of leader on the field that raised the bar for the other players. Big John, and Little were Mean & Nasty hitters. Other teams respected them when they were on the field because they brought more than just talent to the game. Chavis's defense was the same one when these men played. The difference was there were leaders on the field that held themselves responsible and the others accountable. During times of adversity these kind of leaders rise to the top and right the ship. Ayers, Taylor are begining to rise. With the upcoming SEC schedule it is that kind of leadership, Big John, Little, Wilson, Manning, Martin, that will make this team resurface.
Keeping it Real
MN4Vols writes:
Wow! What a breath of fresh air to read all the great responses to this article. I agree that this kind of heart and leadership can take the Vols a long way! Go Vols!
rockytopjeff writes:
hey sphs_vol?
you care to wager on your predictions? Just come up with a number, I'm in. Nick is MUCH closer to the outcome than you are. You come here because you are a "fan" of UT Football. Some of you people are PATHETIC!! Show a little bit of faith in these young men who play here. Post your negativity on stories about the coaches, not one of the positive stories about a player doing what is right and good.
UTFAN1993 writes:
There always has to be at least one person to whine, no matter how positive the article
ThaiVolFan writes:
All we need now is for TouchdownTN to sign in and ask "is it basketball season yet."
Good job Lucas, and good article. It really does have a feel good sense to it. I have some advice for all the other readers, Stop reading all the posts now before all the negativity starts to flow in and changes the entire feel of this article.
Go Vols!
TNvolunteer writes:
Lucas Taylor is one of a few bright spots on this years team...I hope he can keep up with the outstanding play!!
I would also like to see Vlad Richard and J. McClendon get to start...I know their pass blocking isnt that great, but when we throw a 2 yard hitch, how much pass protection do you need.
vol4jesus writes:
sphs____ don't worry I won't implode over your inability to let a positive article draw only positive postings. Ob btw, the SKY IS FALLING and my glass is only half full. Even worse, a man gave me a $100 bill and it had a wrinkle in it. Oh my life is so sad and troubled. Who spoiled it with a nice article on Lucas Taylor? My...my..my
An attempt at kinder/gentler post
leedsvol2007 writes:
Actually there are a lot of bright spots on this team:
Eric Berry being the player everyone thought he would be.
Taylor
Josh Brisoe making some nice catches and growing into his role.
Eric Ainge looking like an All American throwing with a broken pinkie.
Arian Foster returning to health.
Chris Brown giving us great tight end and fullback play.
A two deep offensive line developing that will hopefully improve even more as the season goes on.
Brent Vinson switching to corner and showing a lot of promise.
This team has two problem areas the defensive line and the defensive backfield. They showed some signs of improvement last week albeit against Arkansas State.
GoVols!
GreerVol22 writes:
Fulmer, if he had any pride at all, would start the next practice by not saying a word, showing the film of LT bustin his a$$ to get into the endzone, then immediately afterwards turn on the lights, throw his clipboard so hard it sticks in the wall like Mingo's hatchet, and then look at his defensive coordinator straight in the eyes and say..."Have either if us given that kind of effort this year?" and walk out.
auttat writes:
Well, phooey!! Now I have no reason to watch the rest of the season. sphs_vol just gave it away! Dude, its not cool to spoil the ending. For those of us that haven't seen it yet, let us just watch it, man!
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
hiresanders: yes, 5-7 is a real possibility. It amazes me though that you and others on this site can be negative toward these recievers. Have they dropped balls? Yes. But they have also, made some plays. These guys didn't come in hear with the headlines of the Meachems, Swains, and Smiths but have done a solid job and are only improving in my opinion.
finn writes:
The entire receiving group has been a nice surprise this season (aside from a couple key drops by Austin.) The season hasn't been 100% negative but to pat Fulmer on the back and duck your head in the sand is just as asinine. Individual heart, talent, and drive will always rise above even the worst of coaches. Also, this is further proof that Trooper CAN coach and I just hope he doesn't pay the price for Fulmer's short-comings. Hell, I'd feel better giving Troop the reigns and seeing if emotion and drive can make up for his lack of experience. Surely he couldn't have done much worse than .500 so far!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Let me ask you guys something: are they talking about firing the Kansas coach? He's 4-0. His team is in the top 4 or 5 in the nation in BOTH offense AND defense categories. How does he do that? His first 4 opponents were Central Michigan, SE Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International. Some of y'all say that the bottom line is just get wins. Well, Kansas is guaranteeing that. Is that how you want to do it? Why or why not? And if you take the opposite approach to their's, how might your team be given any credit for doing that? Just wondering.
invisiblekid writes:
Taylor, Rogers, and Briscoe all had a challenge before them at the beginning of the season and, to this point, I feel like they have met it. All of these guys came in unproven and all have made contributions. Taylor is on the verge of turning into an all-SEC caliber receiver IMO. Rogers and Briscoe still have some work to do(Rogers with the drops and Briscoe being more physical) but they seem to be getting there. If there is a problem with the offense, it isn't due to Ainge or the receivers. Everyone laments the lack of a deep threat, and it is a problem, but I always think back to a radio interview I heard with Peyton Manning a couple of years ago. They asked him about arm strength in comparison to other QB's and he made a good point about how many times does a team actually throw it more than 40 yards down the field and when they do how often it's completed. If you think about it, it isn't that often. I agree it's needed to keep the defense honest but I don't think that a deep threat is the major issue in our running game. Having the road graders with a nasty disposition up front is where our problem has been and maybe McClendon and Richard can be part of the answer. We'll see soon enough.
VOLFANSTKGA writes:
Soooo who really gets the reigns at the end of the season? It happened with Majors, but that was health reasons coupled with bad politics...right???? So the whistle gets handed to who Chavis or Cutcliffe.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I disagree with the predictions of 5-7. I DON'T think it is a possibility.
You think our perception is wrong... let's get this straight. This is Tennessee football. 2005 sucked. It won't happen again. This IS a good team that got beaten by two very solid teams. This is going to be the slow train coming year for TN. Maybe a bit slow to start moving... but now that we are moving... your negative comments provide all the "support" they need to go out and prove you wrong.
We all wear the orange though don't we? GO VOLS!!
Someone pass the koolaid.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I want whatever NICKSJUZUNK is snorting..it has to be new..
RangerForSix writes:
As long as we stay healthy, continue to complete balls to 8-11 guys every week, all over the football field, we'll start scoring 40-something a game.
I like Foster and Brown over the middle, Cottam too. 'Big targets' with guts and good hands.
Lucas and Erik seem to be in a 'better zone' than Erik and Robert were at this time last season? But...the scouting reports of our opponents will start working to take certain receivers out of the ball game(i.e. Lucas Taylor doesn't touch it)
If Ainge continues to 'throw strikes' like he has been, if they go 1 on 1 against Rogers, Briscoe, Brown, Coker, Foster, Cottam, OR, even drop into a semi-soft zone, etc: Ainge and the '"O" line' will tear apart the secondaries with the above mention receivers!! Then if Lucas is 'just patient' and continues to run 'sell out' routes and will consistently 'run block', his time will come every game. Sometimes it'll come in bunches, sometimes it'll be 6-9 yards a catch: a game of 'throw', 'catch', 'tackle'. Which is OK if our QB stays hot throwing strikes!
Just keep 'scoring early and often' and we should be very fine indeed!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey yeavols:
Yeah. It's great stuff. I hope you'll be on it after Georgia gets stuffed.
And on this site... it is new.
It's called confidence in the Vols!!!
wyomingvol writes:
F n A Nick J, You are a Vol Fan, love it and I expect to see some Orange over in Micronesia, I meant Malaysia.
I tell folks everywhere that the Big O nation spreads out. I was at the Cal game with a dozen buddies from TN that live there. I live in the Rockies with a bunch of TN alums. We all live breath and believe Orange.
Keep It up!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
brdteton: On my days off, I represent K-town with my Jayson Swain jersey in Malaysia. People say "Wow! you've got a rapper shirt."
It is then that a solemn look comes across my face and I sit the young children down and educate them in the ways of peace, happiness, and Tennessee football.
Envision a dozen young people sitting around listening to a man in bright orange under a cherry blossom tree. Buddha? I think not.
OK, so it's not quite that dramatic but I do tell people how it is. I have been forced to begin to enjoy English Soccer as a coping mechanism for my football withdrawals. I have to say, I do enjoy it... but it ain't got nothin on my VOLS!!!
orange_glory writes:
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT A MAN NAMED PHIL A RICH VOLUNTEER BARELY KEEPS HIS TEAM IN GAMES. THEN ONE DAY THE FANS GOT FEED UP AND SAID PHIL RETIREMENT IS THE PLACE YOU OUGHT TO BE AND HE LOADED UP THE U-HAUL TRUCK AND MOVED TO ANYWHERE BUT HERE. NOT HERE THAT IS, WE WANT TO BE A TOP 5 TEAM AGAIN, BEAT OUR BIGGEST RIVALS, WIN A BOWL GAME, AND HAVE RESPECT. (WITH APOLOGIES TO THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES)
texan writes:
Hey guys, talking about rich coaches check this out.
Think it goes on at UT or not?
http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headl...
WYLOVER writes:
5 and 7 could happen. if you can't look at that and see it happening, you are on crack. we could be get 8 wins as well...just never know. look at last weekend's results...4 top tens going down. I did think UF was the only legit one. OU is probably legit as well, I just have an anti big 12 view.
Bottom line is that we need to improve as much as USC and UK have or we are going to become the fifth best team in the EAST. Painful.
I still think we need a new coach. I'm willing to deal with the first one being poor (Zook) to find a winner (Meyer).
I just don't buy that our talent level is this far down. WR is a problem talent wise, as is D line. That being said, we should have a good running attack (the fact that we don't is poor planning).
I am bored with being a bad team.
Let's all remember that winning against UGA (20% chance) will not make us a good team.
Go Vols. Is 1998 again yet?
gohawks1 writes:
nicksjuzunk's comments insinuate that the big orange nation has turned on the team, but this isn't the case. Yeah, the fans are down on the coaching staff, but not the team itself. This team has talent and heart, and I'll be a fan no matter what the rest of the year brings. Personally, I believe there will be more victories than losses. I could be wrong, but I'll be cheering the VOLS on.
I know one thing for sure - I'll never HOPE for more losses just to make the case stronger for the firing of PF as some others seem to be doing.
GO VOLS! BEAT THOSE BULLDOGS!
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