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Not so fast for wish list by Clawson

Still some questions to answer heading into today's scrimmage

By Dave Hooker (Contact)
Originally published 10:24 p.m., April 4, 2008
Updated 10:24 p.m., April 4, 2008

Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson's checklist for today's scrimmage was clear:

n No. 1: "I don't want to see any turnovers."

n No. 2: "We've got to run the ball with some consistency."

n No. 3: "I'd like to see some playmakers emerge."

That may be a tall order. UT's offense sputtered in the first full scrimmage of spring practice last Saturday.

By most accounts, the Vols showed some improvement in Tuesday's mini-scrimmage.

"I thought we had a real good practice on Tuesday," Clawson said.

That got UT's coaches excited, so they gave their players even more to work with on Thursday. Not so fast.

"We short-circuited a little bit," Clawson said.

Such is the life for the Vols as they implement a new offensive attack.

Considering that and the fact that defenses are almost always ahead of their offensive counterparts early in spring practice, offensive concerns have received most of the publicity to this point.

That could change today, especially if UT's players begin to grasp the nuances of Clawson's multiple attack. Then, the focus could swiftly shift to the defense.

"Can we handle all the looks and formations the offense will continue to show them?" UT coach Phillip Fulmer asked aloud this week. "That's the questions we have to answer."

Up Front Update: Clawson isn't ready to deem the offensive line the strength of UT's offense, as one might expect when a team returns all five starters.

With center Josh McNeil sidelined with a leg injury, Clawson said even the first team offensive line is a work in progress.

"It just takes time," he said. "We have to get a lot of repetitions."

Fulmer finally had a good report on UT's second-string offensive linemen, which he severely criticized early in the spring.

"(William) Brimfield's made a little progress. We feel good about where Ramone Johnson is, if he'll play at a consistent level," Fulmer said. "I think (Jarrod) Shaw continues to make good progress."

That's quite a change for a coach that made headlines a little over a week ago by calling a handful of offensive linemen "soft."

"When I talked about being soft, I sure wasn't talking about Cody Sullins," Fulmer said, referring to the junior walk-on from Cottonwood, Tenn. "He's a guy that's done tremendous. If we have one, and we're able to do it, he'll end up with a scholarship.

"He's a guy that can truly be our second-team center right now. Tough as can be and smart as can be, he has a lot of really great qualities about him. But we still got a long way to go with that second team."

Short-timer: Cody Pope doesn't have any delusions of grandeur now that he's got a week of playing tight end under his belt.

"You won't see me in the four-wide look," the redshirt freshman said.

As a matter of fact, Pope doesn't even see himself playing tight end much longer.

"They told me I'll probably have to make the transition back (to guard and center)," he said. "I'm just there right now because we have injuries at that position. We just have to make it through the spring so I'm just trying to help the team out."

Junior Jeff Cottam's broken leg was the injury that opened the door for Pope. Pope estimates he's spent 80 percent of his time since working on blocking and 20 percent working on pass patterns.

As one of the lightest and least experienced offensive linemen, it was a natural move to slide Pope outside.

"The hardest part is just being an athlete out there," the 280-pounder said. "Getting those knee braces (that offensive linemen wear) off you feels like getting the shackles off when you get out of jail."

Berry Good: Safety Eric Berry was named to the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List. The award, which is named after former NFL star defensive back Ronnie Lott, is awarded to the best defender in the nation, based on on-field performance and off-field character.

Berry led all SEC freshmen in tackles last season with 86. He also added a team-high five interceptions for 222 return yards, which set a school record and was the second-highest figure in SEC history.

Schedule: UT is allowed 15 total practice dates by the NCAA. After this weekend, only six remain, including the Orange and White Game on April 19.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       43 Comments

Posted by 4114 on April 4, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We must stay the course

Posted by utfpmd on April 4, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sixth. Beware the double click.

Posted by bamacheats on April 4, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Title IX sux! seventh

Posted by vols1086 on April 4, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Come on at least get the title correct: "not so fast"

Posted by TurboFan on April 4, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would love to see a tackle eligible play with Pope. Assuming he can catch.

Posted by volengr on April 4, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not wearing any pants

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 5, 2008 at 3:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the love of crap,

Guys, please don't start with this first crap. I can't even read foxsports anymore because the first 10 people feel the need to do nothing more than put a number. Honestly, how old are we? It's like you're trying to get in line for an iccee or something.

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

Clawson's wish list is the same one that many Tennessee fans have had for years now. Here's hoping he gets his wish!

Posted by KnoxVolian23 on April 5, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fifteenth...mmmmmmm iccees...

Posted by fulmersbelly on April 5, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1-800-I-really-enjoy-brand-new-carpeting

Clawson so far is saying all the right things, but we'll have to see how it plays out. Of course, I felt a bit apprehensive about a new coach named "Pearl?" or something like that a couple years ago, so just goes to show you how much I know.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 5, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What volengr said

Posted by grvol on April 5, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shackles? Maybe that is why for past several years UT's O-lineman move like they have cement blocks on their feet. Take the braces off, don't be afraid of getting hurt and play.

Posted by philfan on April 5, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hooker writes a fine article. I wish we could hear what Adams is thinking about the new coaches and changes being made. Is he waiting for Hooker or Edwards to tell him what his opinion is? Seriously, I would welcome at least some kind of comment from him.

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

John Adams steals icees from little kids, and laughs his weaselly laugh.

Posted by iowavol on April 5, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This article is telling us nothing. We hear Foster is the key to the running game but he has one carry in last weeks scrimmage and now Clawson saying he's looking for more consistancy. WHat's the problem? Come on KNS, give us some detail on how the line is doing, how the backs are doing, where the issues are. Is the QB not handing the ball off correctly, is the RB not reading the hole correctly, is the offensive line not reading their blocks correctly? This sort of crap isn't worth reading.

Posted by THE_VOL on April 5, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ahh yesssss....things are definitely looking up! The Vols are about to get a WALK-ON back-up at center! After ALL those GREAT recruiting classes not a single lineman can beat out a WALK-ON and the doughboy is calling em all soft!!! Damn that FOOLmore is a genius! What an inspiration he is!! Of course he has that legend-in-his-own mind QB Crompton to lead the way in a (supposedly) brand new offense so who says this team can't win at least 6 games!!!???

Posted by waterskier3 on April 5, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

isn't ut practices closed? that's why we're hearing most of this from the coaches not the KNM.... is that correct?

i think everyone should read the article about mich(cnn sports) and how the practices were closed... players being treated like kings,,, practice was very easy...no emotions during practice.... its a good article to read because i think fulmer is doing a lot of that at UT... coach rod is shaking it up and turning up the tempo...

i think its interesting because mich has great talent but under acheived alot kinda like UT...hopefully the new OC is shaking it up....

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL--are you really the idiot that you sound like. i really like the sense of optimism you have. not one kickoff yet and you are trashing fulmer and clawson. you have no idea what the season is going to be like.

Posted by miamiVOL on April 5, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier3, you think calling an entire core of players "Soft" is treating them like kings?

Rich Rod, is one of the biggest weasels in all of college sports, look at the situation he is going thru trying to leave WVU: not pay 4M buyout, allegations of stealing recruits from Purdue, havin about half of his new team transfer, including the star QB recruit. Also a starting Guard from last year is transfering from UM to OSU, that would be like Josh McNeil transferring to UF, again, dont ever bring up Rich Rod again, Thanks -Mgmt

Posted by THE_VOL on April 5, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hey jimmyr - screw you and your optimism! Fulmer should have been gone 2 years ago and this is a train wreck about to go over the cliff! Unless of course you think beating SouthwestStateU is an achievement! Go ahead and admit it - it'll set you free of all that orange kool-aid FOOLMORE serves every year!

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL--i appreciate your low life remark.

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL--again, i think you are depriving a village somewhere in the world of having its own idiot. let the season begin and then start complaining. however, if we won the national championship, i have a feeling that would not please you. you must be one of Johnny's legions that are still angry about his termination. and the screw you, coming from you i consider that a compliment. i just looked at the source of the comment and knew it was said with hate in your heart

Posted by vol88 on April 5, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what jimr07 said.

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

For the Love of God

Can you all PLEASE stop using FOOLmer for Fulmer

It was not funny or clever 6 years ago....guess what? It still isn't.....

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

way to go vol88, nafslov, the dude. i agree

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will not be allowed to play in the Tigers' spring game on Saturday, but he's been cleared by coach Les Miles to return to the team in full on Sunday.

thought this was interesting. way to go Les.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 5, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Should be a great year. I am looking forward to a bit of a surprise with a lot of things unproven such as QB. Florida should be great but maybe this is the year that people finally begin to adjust to what they are doing and expose them schematically.

Posted by jovi on April 5, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL put your money where your mouth is.I'll bet you a weeks pay check. Hell a months pay check. But i think you wouldn't even bet a dime that the vols would only win six games. I want to know if you ever coached in your life or even played team sports. I think i know the answers to these questions but i want to hear them from you.

Posted by mojojojo on April 5, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Zeke says, "Cast your vote now. Press # for THE_VOL, or * for jimr07. Polls close in one hour. Also, support your local dry cleaner".

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

heck in 05 they just won 5......so give me your money..ha ha vols are pathethic

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jovi--he ain't gonna answer you. when you pin him down, he goes quiet. he is nothing but a fulmer hater and winning the n.c. would not suit him.

Posted by jimr07 on April 5, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8--you know what is pathetic. someone like you that has to come on this blog to get attention.I doubt very seriously if both of your friends will listen to what you have to say. it looks like you did not get enough attention when you were growing up. by the way, what do you want to be when you grow up. and when you grow up can you let us know. pay no heed vol fans, he is a jerk and he knows it. your mother is calling you.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

YOU WANT ATTN: THEN BEAT FLORIDA FOR A CHANGE IM TIRED OF BEATING THE VOLS SO MUCH...FEEL ME!! HA..HA & HA

Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 7, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

grvol-

The knee braces are mandated by the NCAA. Offensive linemen everywhere have to where them in practices and games. I'm just wondering how Pope knows what it's like to have shackles taken off?

In all seriousness, I'm more concerned about the running game now than the quaterback situation. Crompton will be fine if UT can establish a consistant running game.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 7, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8 - you better fear us. We have Fulmer and you don't!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 7, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cut him some slack, he's only 8.

Posted by kjcross35 on April 8, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I Salute you General_Fritter. We must pound the fritter to be sucessful!!

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