Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 3, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Only the third week of spring and Hardesty is already nursisng a knee. I hope that young man is doing well in his classes because his football career probably isn't going past the college level.

Posted by pdhuff on April 3, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor ol' Hardesty. Dang!

And Poole, too.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 3, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty will never play a full season of football. Mark that down. He's the Ken Griffey Jr. of UT football.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 3, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty will get the injury bug behind him and outshine all the backs on his way to the Hesiman Trophy helping Fulmer win his 2nd National Championship.

Fritter Logic

Posted by agentorange on April 3, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and lennon creer is doing what?

Posted by 4ss on April 3, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, what about Lennon Creer?!
I guess big "MO" will be gimpy all year again and Foster will have to carry most of the load, again!

Posted by jasvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer is worried about his tailback depth!!!??? Hello. I know we have more than three studs. Give them the rock to prove it... It is SPRING ball. Creer, yes, where is he or was he in the doghouse from this summer's rendition of "Escape from Alcatraz" or 'Smokey & the Bandit'

Posted by jasvol on April 3, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After looking at the roster, I'm with PF. He's right, now I'm worried about the tailback depth!
Can we reinstate Lamarcus Toker?

RB's on current player roster with a number
Daryl Vereen
Garrett Mozolic - ?
Josh Hawkins, Loudon Cty,

Once fall ball comes we'll have the lone 2008 Tailback Recruit coming: Tauren Poole RB 5-10 194 Stephens County H.S. (GA) He's the 21st best RB according to ESPN. He better be ready.

Posted by newtonrail on April 4, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Josh Hawkins out, but switched to LB. Daryl Vereen is where? I know he got in the police report over the winter, but didn't think he was suspended from Spring Ball.

Posted by utchris2003 on April 4, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you would have actually read the article jasvol, you would notice that Poole is already here and one of the injured.

Posted by RockyTop on April 4, 2008 at 4:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Give Dennis Rogan a chance.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on April 4, 2008 at 4:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rogan is a and recruited as a RB from farr. falcons wasnt he?

Posted by pdhuff on April 4, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Think if the reports had rated Foster a 1st rounder, we'd had to redraft ol' Jim Bob Cooter to pack the pig. LOL

C'mom Hardesty, kick this injury bug.

Dang. (coined by tngeoff)

Posted by RockyTop on April 4, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rogan was recruited as a RB and DB, but was put at DB because of the dept we had at RB. I believe he would turn some heads if they gave him a chance to run the ball. I watched him all through high school and he always came up with big plays. He is a natural RB and when he runs the ball he makes cuts that are effortless and leaves DB's shaking their heads. I know college and high school are two different levels, but I would like to see him get a chance to run the ball.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 4, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rogan could do it, but we still got Vereen and Creer to be heard from. Don't count out Hardesty; he is tough and hungry, I believe.

Posted by Vol13 on April 4, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty is a big wuss and I agree with the poster above who said he would never play a full season. So true.

Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 4, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing new with Hardesty. Hoping for the best for that young man. I like what I'm hearing about Ben Martin. He may be the force we need to step up on the D-line. Let's hope so.

Posted by waterskier3 on April 4, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hopefully they have foster doing some speed and agility drills.... he's the slowest RB in the SEC and he's our best.... he's a turtle but just keeps on going :):):) gets a 1000 yards in a 13 or 14 game season... and the fans think he's the best...

GO VOLS!!!!!! maybe creer will shine at some point....

Posted by iowavol on April 4, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When you go from 6 or 7 tailbacks to what, 4.5, the tailback situation is not what it was - but Fulmer didn't say he was worried - its just not what it was. I sure hope they figure out what the systemic problem is with Hardesty - we need his quickness. But Vereen and Creer are supposed to bring the same, so more carriers for those guys in spring isn't too bad. Can't wait to see big ben play either - it seems to me that Chuck Smith played at about the same weight or maybe a few pounds heavier than Martin is right now. Speed is everthing in the end position and we haven't had Martin speed since Smith except for maybe Ellis (is that his name).

Posted by auttat on April 4, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WHAT? This article has been posted for 12 hours and nobody has blamed Hardesty's injury bug on Fulmer, yet. You're slacking guys!!

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Some nice comments then some that are inaccurate... and then of course you have the common fare of waterskier3.

Foster doesn't have exceptional speed but he does have good speed. Good enough to get a 2nd round draft projection.

Hardesty deserves pity rather than contempt. Vol13, your comments are pathetic. I'd love to see you call the guy a "wuss" to his face. He has been very injury prone but that hardly means he lacks toughness. The coaches said last year that he wanted to play through his injuries but they wouldn't allow it. He knows he won't play without proving himself in practice... I doubt there's anyone more disappointed than he is.

Reportedly Vereen and Creer are coming along more or less as expected. Creer makes good cuts and has better than advertised speed. He needs to break more tackles. Vereen has supposedly improved his speed. One guy said he'd run a 4.39.

Hopefully, Poole won't be injury prone like Hardesty. For whoever didn't know, he was an early enrollee and has impressed the coaches.

Rogan probably won't switch back. He's making a real push to be a starter at CB. He 'could' move back and has definitely shown his open field running ability... but he's apparently been turning heads at CB.

Gerald Jones could be an emergency option at RB.

Posted by bigorangedude on April 4, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer should be fired for this! Fulmers training techniques has caused a lot of injuries to the team and thats why we can't win. If coach PF had any sense, he would get with some of the university scientists and figure out a way to clone Peyton Manning and big John Henderson. And with all the other arrests and problems of college football players right now at other universities, he should be fired for not getting those players to UT, because we are supposed to be the only university on the planet with those problems, and they are infringing on our territory.

Anyway, just kidding about all that, just thought Id humor you auttat, but if you stay in here long enough someone will post something similar who isn't kidding!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 4, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vol cow,

Fulton Falcons, but yeah. My school used to be one of the worst in the state but we could go head to head with Fulton when we played about 10 years ago. Ever since I left, they have been excellent. That's crazy because their coach remains the same. Weird stuff.

Don't be so down on Montario. It is very discouraging but I think he has proved he has the tools if he can just keep himself on the field.

Posted by jcvet on April 4, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to hear something about Ben Martin. I suspect we'll see big things out of him before he leaves.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IMO, Hardesty is the opposite of what they call "running within himself". I think his style exposes him too much... but his style is what makes him good when healthy. I'm worried there's no solution for him.

Another good report came out for those of us worried about the DT's. Donald Langley is apparently making a strong push. He's in very good shape and playing hard. IMO, he'll be the 4th DT by UCLA and will make a mark starting this year.

He said on one of the online mags that he comes from a proud family and has no intentions of sitting around waiting for his turn.

Posted by Vol13 on April 4, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, Langley looks good against our 3rd string OL. I'll reserve judgment until fall camp when all the starters are back.

Based on 50+ years of following the Vols, I'll give all you rookies some advice on spring practice. The advice: Wait until the Fall. If a guy looks great in the spring, then bet on him disappearing in the fall. If he looks bad, don't rule him out to be a contributor. Spring practice is pointless and I wish the NCAA would do away with it. Time would be better served with working out and doing agility drills.

Posted by BigMikeUT on April 4, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody calling Hardesty a "wuss" has apparently never watched him run. He runs as hard or harder than any back we have. Remember the run against Cal 2 years ago? An amazing individual effort...hope he gets healthy and can stay healthy this year. Running back should be the least of our worries on offense this year. Foster played outstanding football last year, I already mentioned Hardesty, Creer looked good in limited action last year with the exception of a couple fumbles, and Poole and Vereen are both very talented young guys. We should have great success on the ground this year with that stout O-Line coming back. Good to hear about Ben Martin, sounds like a great attitude. Needs to bulk up to the 250-260 range if he's gonna be of any use against the run though. If he's playing at 240 he'll make a nice 3rd and long pass rusher though.

Posted by givehim6 on April 4, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know this, I'm very glad foster came back for his SR. year! I remember watching foster his FR. year that was back when sanders was OC. For a while he was UT'S only offence, he's been a good back, ( as long as he could keep hold of the ball ) . Hardesty does seem to have the hurt bug alot. Creer plays good at times, but was cold too, didn't drayton have a article about him being happy with Poole? Maybe once we get over "the bug" we will run wholes throw lines. GO VOLS!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 4, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny, Vol13, my 40+ yrs as a Vol fan tell me that when our guys have success in the fall, it was often foreshadowed by their work and progress in the off-season and spring. But what do I know.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, Can you site your source for claiming Langley is making hay against 3rd stringers? Scout who actually has reporters with access reported what I alluded to.

FWIW, I don't think UT has but about 12 OL's on scholarship so basically you are suggesting he's beating up on walk-ons. I sincerely doubt that's the case.

If you honestly think spring practice isn't valuable and have been watching football for 50 years... wow!

Now your observations about putting too much into performances is dead on. The coaches often work on weaknesses with the guys they plan on playing. The other goal is to find guys who might contribute.

Spring practice is valuable to the team but interpretations by media and fans aren't totally reliable.

Posted by Vol13 on April 4, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt - The offense is struggling pretty badly. Not cohesive at all. I don't know what scout is reporting, but they have to leave after the first 10-15 minutes and don't see anything that happens after that. They have about 40% of it in so to speak. But they can't execute 50% of that 40. And that's being nice about it. Crompton looks great in pads, but he hasn't been very accurate to date. Clawson is stressing to him about proper footwork, holding the ball, and release. Clawson is also wanting to implement timing routes and asking the QB's to throw to spots on the field (i.e. Spurrier). But this hasn't even gotten out of the gate yet. Coleman looks the best of the QBs in managing this type of offense. But Crompton will be the starter. You can bank on that. As for Langley, he's shining against Sawtelle, Brimfield, Shaw, Ramone Johnson, and Myers. Maybe 2nd team instead of 3rd. But you get the point. McNeil is not even playing this spring and Parker is playing out of position. Wait until the fall and see if he's still at the forefront.

gmc - apparently, not very much. Show us all some gaudy in-season stats of former spring practice legends of yore like Biggers, Yancey, Freeman, Hancock, Days, Gibson, Nelson, Mathews, Suggs, etc.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, What is your source? Are you able to directly observe practice? Are you in direct contact with someone who does?

I've run across a couple of guys who claim to have access to practice on a frequent basis. Their "insider" knowledge in the past has held up.

One in particular says the best QB is Crompton and it isn't close. Things like the first scrimmage results are supposedly in part the result of what level they are being challenged at.

Posted by Vol13 on April 4, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bob Kesling is my source. Who is yours?

Posted by VOLstuckINky on April 4, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

don't worry .. work like heck ... stay the course ... (insert corperate name) throphy within reach

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Internet poster. Just from the hints he's given... he's a student that is somehow close enough to the program to see many practices including the parts not open to the press. My guess would be a student trainer, equipment mgr, close friend of players, etc.

You'd have impressed me more if you'd said Matthews.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW Vol13.

I'll remember what you've said and then see how it turns out. All I'm doing is repeating what I've seen from credible sources. I make no claim to having direct insider knowledge... that would be kind of tough from 700 miles away.

Posted by navyvolinva on April 4, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anyone heard about how Gerald Williams is performing?....

Posted by mdvol on April 4, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since it is Spring ball I suggest the following for Foster. Show him where the North Star is. Have him point to Miami on a map. Rip the turn signals off of his car. Squeeze in the sidelines on the field and make the field only 15 yards wide. No, make that 10 yards. And, glue the ball to his hands.

Posted by IPOrange on April 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I still think Hardesty is the one to watch. When he starts getting more totes, positive things will happen. Even last year with limited PT, I remember thinking how well he did, having several carries for good yardage. What was his yards/carry stat last year? Does anyone have quick access to those numbers?

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

navyvolinva ,I don't think GW will be here until summer.I think it would have violated the ncaa's mid-term transfer policy.The same one that caused the problems w/ Brandon Warren.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IPOrange ,4.2 ypc.89 carries for 373 yds.

Posted by navyvolinva on April 4, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Savorange

He's coming with a chip on his shoulder so others need to watch out!!!

Posted by navyvolinva on April 4, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hard needs to stay healthy!! We need a back to get us those 1-3 yrds.

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mdvol: You're too hard on Foster. Tuff to run downhill when your line is taught to pass-block for Ainge and the Chuck & Duck. I think you'll see a different Foster this year. Though last year's version was not bad.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack , Agree 100%.I predict 1st team all-SEC for Foster.People tend to forget he rushed for 1,193 yds scoring 12 rushing TD's while catching 39 balls 340 yds and 2 scores.That's 1,533 yds of production.He averaged only 17 carries a game.Make that number to 20-25 a game ,and he's a 1,500 yd on the ground back.

mdvol,That was pretty funny though and point well made.Clawson is changing blocking schemes and even said they may differ depending on who's toting the fritter.

Posted by IPOrange on April 4, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage - thanks for the stats. I couldn't find totals, but I did find game by game stats from last year. Hardesty's numbers don't really look as impressive as I thought. Actually, Creer looks better on paper.

Agree with TJ on Foster, though - don't be surprised if he is one of the premiere running backs in the SEC next year; he may even look good nationally.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IPOrange ,If you remember though,Creer got 107 of his 214 yds in one game, Louisiana Laf. averaging 15.6 yds per carry.Hardesty has shown those brilliant flashes ,but has caught the Cottam bug.Let's just hope we get to see how good he is.

I know this is comparing apples and oranges , but if you gave Foster the number of carries McFadden got last yr his numbers would have looked something like this.(on the ground)

325 carries for 1,592 yds 16TD's

Give D Mc Foster's carries it looks like this:
245 carries for 1,372 yds 12TD's

All of this was based on yd's per carry, and touchdowns per carry.Both were averaging a TD every 20 carries.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 4, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

man this leather helment offense will never work!!! GO GATORS

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

helment? You're an ungulate, gator8.

Posted by IPOrange on April 5, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ungulate? Is he a Perissodactyl or an Artiodactyl? (I confess - I had to look that one up...)

Posted by invisiblekid on April 5, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

An "ungulate"......hahahahhahahahaa.

Anyway, I hope they utilize Foster's pass-catching ability more out of the backfield this year. Worked out pretty well for Westbrook under Clawson.

Posted by pdhuff on April 5, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess an ungulate is better than being a slow furrahin.

Foster is very adequate but Hardesty ran hard like he stole something. As TJ said, the o-line blocked so well they even stopped up the running lanes.

Thus RBs headed East or West. Then we would dink or dunk. Either option was to keep our "D" off the field.

UCLA first, huh, instead of neighboring UAB. Whew, boys, hitch 'em up tight!

Posted by TommyJack on April 5, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I must confess. Had to dig deep for that one. Popped up in a novel I was reading. Had GVX written all over it.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dig up last years skore. 59-20.....remember dat

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 7, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

Vol13, I never said that every player who did well in the spring would do well vs. the SEC in the fall. But you said the opposite:

"If a guy looks great in the spring, then bet on him disappearing in the fall."

I'd say that's going too far, and some guys will look great in the spring before they do indeed go on to good productivity in the SEC. And some will flounder or fizzle. Jerrod Parrish could be an example of the latter, after looking last spring like a promising late bloomer (a la Chris White), he didn't seem to pan out last fall. But I do credit Parrish for staying with it over the years.