Login | Member Center | Contact Us | About Us | Site Map | Archive | Alerts/Photos | Subscribe to the paper | knoxnews.com

Home › Football

Stress fracture in leg ends Hardesty's spring

Running back's history of bad luck continues

By Drew Edwards (Contact)
Originally published 06:31 p.m., April 10, 2008
Updated 09:53 p.m., April 10, 2008

Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty hit another roadblock this spring.

And like the others before him, it has to do with injuries.

Hardesty, a junior, will miss the remainder of spring practice with a stress fracture in his lower leg, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Thursday.

Fulmer said he expects Hardesty, a key reserve, to be back in time for fall camp in August.

"It's disappointing for everybody," Fulmer said Thursday. "But it gives us a chance to work those younger guys, and we know he'll be ready in the fall. He'll get himself ready."

Hardesty missed practice last Thursday and did not participate in UT's second major scrimmage of spring practice last weekend.

In UT's first scrimmage, he had 17 yards on five carries.

Yet even with limited work this spring, first-year running backs coach Stan Drayton saw enough to get a feel for Hardesty's talent.

"It didn't take long to really get a feel for Montario," Drayton said. "Just like Arian (Foster), he's a guy that has played the game before. We had an opportunity before he got hurt to put the ball in his hands and put him in a lot of different situations.

"So I definitely know what his strengths are, and I definitely know what his weaknesses are. We'll attack those when he gets healthy."

Hardesty, who was not available for interviews per UT's policy regarding injured players, is already working to get better.

Only for now, he'll remain on the sidelines, which isn't an entirely unfamiliar spot.

Hardesty missed all but two games in 2005 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he missed three games last fall with a nagging ankle injury.

"I wasn't around Montario in the past when he had these roadblocks. But the way he's handling it right now, he's trying to turn himself into a student of the game," Drayton said. "It gives him an opportunity to stand around practice and watch and pick up the script and read along with the script and learn and see what other positions are doing right now.

"I think that's all constructive and positive stuff that he can learn from and still help improve his play. That's the approach and that's the mindset that he's taking right now, and he chose to take a positive approach that way."

When healthy, Hardesty has shown plenty of talent. Last fall, he rushed for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games .

In 2006, he played in all 13 games and rushed for 384 yards and four touchdowns, including a career-long 43-yarder against Cal.

Foster, UT's starting tailback, says he's impressed with how Hardesty has handled the injury setbacks throughout his career.

"A lot of young guys will get injuries and they'll kind of be down for a while a let their school (work) slip down," said Foster. "Like I did, my freshman year, I was upset, mad at the world. I didn't handle it well. I remember him as a freshman. He handled it great when he tore his ACL. He's doing the exact same thing now. He's encouraging the young guys and myself."

Hardesty's absence has given younger backs like Tauren Poole and Lennon Creer more practice repetitions.

"It allowed those guys to get out there and play, and it wasn't like they always knew what was going on or which way to go a whole lot of times, but they realized the bullets were flying around them kind of fast," Drayton said. "They realized they had to pick the tempo up. It was a great opportunity for those guys to get better."

With his experience, Hardesty won't be hurt as badly by missing spring practice, but any snaps, especially scrimmage snaps, have a way of paying off later.

"Right now, you're preparing to win championships, so any opportunity you get to scrimmage, that's priceless opportunities," Drayton said. "Montario's missing a lot, and he realizes that. When someone goes down, someone else needs to pick it up. That's an opportunity for us to learn something that you may not be able to learn if he was healthy. We're picking it up and we're rolling."

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       62 Comments

Posted by thesavageorange on April 10, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Monterio ,I hope to see one day what you are really capable of doing.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 10, 2008 at 6:51 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by GIVEHIMSIX on April 10, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thesavageorange,

keep dreaming. Hardesty will probably never play another down at full strength.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 10, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ward don't you think you're being a little hard on the beaver?

Posted by pdhuff on April 10, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

true savageo-I thought he had tremendous potential. Sad, sad, well, others have to step up and take the role of hard-nosed N-S runner.

Dang! (patented by tngeoff-2008)

Posted by thesavageorange on April 10, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I say sit Foster the rest of spring and give the load to Creer, and end the Vereen experiment at safety.Foster is the only runner this spring to have any success against the D.We know what he's about, and these other guys need to find the lanes.

By the way, what was the Poole injury?I can't remember.

Posted by VolPride_13 on April 10, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate to see this over and over again cuz he is good player!!
Does anyone know if he has made it through a single Spring Practice without getting injured?

Posted by kimjasontaylor on April 10, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Clawson said he favored a 2 back system, one pounder and another change of pace back..this just clears the way for Foster/Creer combo without trouble..

Posted by miamiVOL on April 10, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this injury shouldnt effect him come Fall, Hardasty has real potential and would like to see him healthy for a yr, but if it cant come together this year, he can NOT be the feature back next yr with that history, might as well start giving Creer an opportunity, thats all he needs

Posted by invisiblekid on April 10, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to keep our collective fingers crossed that Foster doesn't have any problems. Poole has the meniscus problem and now Hardesty is out, depth is getting a little questionable. If Foster goes down, we have Creer as the only RB with any game experience.

Posted by beachvol1 on April 10, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Still like to make fun when somebody gets injured is sick....if you are going to post, at least make it constructive to some degree...put yourself in Hardesty's position if you are capable..think he isn't frustrated...he does have tremendous potential, no doubt...

Posted by TommyJack on April 10, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Savage: Poole has torn meniscus. Will get scoped after spring.

Posted by ncvol17 on April 10, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty picked IT over home state UNC. He ill always be a VOL. Good Luck Montario.

Posted by TommyJack on April 10, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry: Good link...looks like the kid has a good head on his shoulders too.

Posted by IPOrange on April 10, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dadgummit. Get well soon, Montario.

Posted by et_vol_fan on April 10, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Reminds me of Sam Henderson. Just snake bit when it comes to injuries. Oh, well best of luck to him.

Posted by Bigger_Al on April 10, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fiddle faddle.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 10, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Relax fellas,

Montario will get better by fall. After that... who knows. Poole has a minor knee problem that will be cool by July. Creer and Foster are healthy. RB is not as scary as you think. We are still OK but I hope Hardesty can put together a season.

Posted by movol77 on April 10, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Hey Hardesty, maybe cheerleading is better suited for you."

Wooooooo, I'm sure he's trembling now and hoping you don't show up to tell him that face-to-face. ;)

Posted by givim6 on April 10, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Montario: Show these morons, who knock people when their down, that you're more man than any of these $h1theads could ever be.

Hardesty is a fighter. I, for one hopes he finally gets the year he deserves. The kid is a force to be reckoned with when he's healthy.

Posted by marinevol on April 10, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a little confused as to why people are slamming one of our players for getting injured. Hope we get him back this fall. Thanks for laying it on the line for Tennessee, Montario. Go Vols!

Posted by AcroAir on April 11, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, marinevol!

Posted by midtennvolfan on April 11, 2008 at 2:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ain't it great to see people who say they are Vol fans pick on to a player, who decided to come and play for Tennessee, because he has an injury... Makes me proud to be a Vol Fan. (it's hard to show sarcasm in text)

I would pay to see some of these "tough guys" that write stuff on here go through just ONE of the practices or scrimmages that these guys put themselves through.

These are the same people that, come September, will be cheering and hollering when Hardesty puts some in the checkerboards. Ain't it great...

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on April 11, 2008 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Montario, most of us out here know what you're capable of -- no doubt about that. Work hard, make good grades, and be ready for August camp.

WE NEED YOU. You have our best wishes and respect.

Posted by TommyJack on April 11, 2008 at 3:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Denmarkvol: dittos

Posted by IMAVOL2 on April 11, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

montario , we are with you brother . stay strong !

Posted by vscebail on April 11, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Uh-oh, Here goes the injury bug again... Peerless Price, Jamal Lewis, Al Wilson --- Oh, that's right - those guys all won a national championship!

Posted by BOASoldier on April 11, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmusdarb: It would be awesome to see you on the football field getting nailed to the ground. Not because I necessarily wish you or anyone else ill will ... I just want to see how you hold up. If you are some superman that can with stand the beating that these guys go through then more power to you ... if not then shut the heck up. I love how panzies talk trash and can't back it up. Like the guys in the back rows of a fight booing someone for getting knocked out... at least the person getting knocked out has the balls to get in the ring... lol. panzy

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 11, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Montario will be back, he's a tough kid.

Posted by fencevol on April 11, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GIVEHIMSIX
You are a GUTTLESS COWARD. I guarantee you have never worn a jockstrap in your whole life. You might have put one over your head so the you could smell a real athletes _alls. It is a disgrace what you have said about this fine young man. I appologize to Montario that UT has some absolute MORONS as "fans" Get a life you CREEP.

Posted by bkgunter on April 11, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fencevol
what are you smoking? givehimsix was defending hardesty.

Posted by fencevol on April 11, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE to GIVEHIMSIX !!!!

My rage was meant for yemmusdard. I was so _issed off that I wrote down the wrong name. Thanks for the correction.

Posted by bigbluevol on April 11, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's sad the way Montario's career has gone thus far, but it's good to hear that he's stayed positive and is thought so highly of by his teammates and his new position coach. I just hope that we are finally able to see more than just glimpses of his talent. I truly hope he can get and stay healthy.

Posted by CoastGuardVol on April 11, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here recently I have not even read the posts because of the fact that some people feel that it is their responsibilty to bag on our team. Why dont you guys go root for another team cause I for one hate hearing it. It sucks when the guys get injured, it sucks when the the stuff is hitting the fan, but I dont have the priveledge of living in my home state because of my job, and I come to this site to read about the team that my whole life I have supported and I hear nothing but a bunch of Sallys talking crap about players, a coach and a team that they supposedly "love" sounds like fair weather fans to me. Get better Montario, good luck, and GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 11, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

uhh Why did they remove my comment? All I said was "Surprise surprise, Hardesty's hurt again". What is this The View? Can't hurt anyone's feelings?

Posted by sjt18 on April 11, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love to watch Hardesty run. He reminds you of the glory days... but he has had a terrible history with injuries. One thing after another. Hopefully divine justice kicks in soon and he gets rewarded for his patience and perseverence.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 11, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the record this is Hardesty's 304th article written on him since being at UT.

Posted by King53 on April 11, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this poor guy has the worst luck I have ever seen....i wish him a speedy recovery and a strong heart to stay after it with all the obstacles he has faced.

Posted by sjt18 on April 11, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's not all you said yemmusdarb... your smart aleck comment concerning cheerleading was totally uncalled for and made you look like an absolute jerk and moron...

You should be apologetic and thankful that it was removed to save you the embarrassment.

Posted by VOLS85 on April 11, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

An aside, but Mike Hamilton is on the money hungry move again. In an article released in the Daily Beacon today, it has been stated that students will be required to pay for football tickets next year.

A $90 charge for 7 games has been levied without the consultation of SGA or any other governing body. They have not removed the built in student activity fee, which was the athletic department's charge that's included in tuition, allowing students to enter games for free.

Sketchy behind the back move at best...

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 11, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Students don't have pay enough tuition as it is? Going to UT and getting to go to football games for "free" was part of being a student at UT. Obviously, they still have that option at a discounted rate. Alot of students can barely even afford to go to UT much less come up with extra cash for football tickets.

Wasn't this part of the original student activity fee anyway? Make the grandfathered season ticket holders donate (there are more of them than they are students) what everybody else does and getting $90 bucks from every student isn't even an issue.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 11, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols85 just opened a can of worms:

So, you save $15 bucks if you get season tickets as a student? We're talking about students who wait until the last minute on everything. Back in the late 90s I knew some guys that would wait too long to get tickets when they were free. I'd think alot of students would go on game to game basis, so the football team better be playing well or games vs. Northern Illinois, Wyoming, UK after Thanksgiving are going to be lightly attended. I realize Hamilton and the UT AD is probably thinking that they can take the unused ticket student ticket allotment and sell them at face value so all I can say is good luck with that. I've never been able to sell ULL, Wyoming, HC game, Vandy/UK for face value. Sometimes I can't even give them away.

I also love how they decided to do this without coming up with a ticket distribution or seating plan.

Posted by VOLS85 on April 11, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This doesn't affect me, as I am an exiting senior, but if I were a student coming in next year, I would be really upset about the situation. I understand that some other schools in the SEC charge a fee for games, but some do not, and our biggest rivals follow as such:

Florida: $10 a game
Georgia: $8 a game
LSU: $12 a game
South Carolina/Vandy: Free

So how do you go from charging nothing for students to enter, to one of the highest fees in the country? My experience at UT has been the best time of my life, and football is an enormous part of that. UT needs to realize that these students are the ones that will be handing out donations and paying gross amounts for season tickets the rest of their lives, but if they don't get to experience that as a student because they are strapped for cash, how do you expect them to give back in the future?

Posted by MemfrisVOL on April 11, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Students should NOT have to use their gameday drinking money to buy "student tickets."
The Neyland noise level has dropped noticably over the last decade. We need to keep that decibal level up. The last thing we should do is sober up our homefield advantage.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 11, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, another piece of bad luck for a good guy and a good player! Glad he is keeping more of a positive attitude than some of our posters. Keep your chin up, young man! Thanks for becoming a Vol!
I REALLY hate to hear about the HUGE price increase for student tickets! There is no doubt that I would not have been able even to attend UT if it had cost as much then as it does now. (I probably couldn't have QUALIFIED for UT today based on my high school record then, but that is another story(;-P)!) I agree with MemfrisVOL that making it harder for students to go to games will hurt our home field advantage. I also agree with VOLS85 that the Alumni Association and the VASF will have a hard time getting contributions from the next few graduating classes after this insult. Talk about "taxation without representation"!

Posted by MemfrisVOL on April 11, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Mike Hamilton, If you want to make more money, SELL BEER!!! We will have a 300,000 seat stadium with gold bleachers and diamond studded goal posts by 2010. It might help a bit with recruiting as well.

also sell crack so we can get the west side of Neyland (the geritrics) to quit sitting on their hands. No offense loyal Vol fans over 60, I love ya.

G'ARNGE!

Posted by MemfrisVOL on April 11, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry, geriatrics

G'ARNGE!!!

Posted by TommyJack on April 11, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Memfris: No apology needed. The geezers remember when we had it all figured out too. Stupidity is just part of the process. You'll outgrow it. If you live long enough.

Posted by MemfrisVOL on April 11, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, When do I start sh%tting my pants?

Posted by jimr07 on April 11, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MemfrisVOL--please be kind to us geezers. i feel depressed enough without someone reminding me that i fall asleep around the middle of the second quarter.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 11, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a reminder on darb, he was the same guy who argued that the tornado that hit downtown ATL during the SEC basketball tournament wasn't that big a deal and some of the folk who live down there were being overdramatic. Sensitivity doesn't appear to be a strong suit along with lacking a shred of intelligence.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 11, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This news is shocking.

Fritter Logic

Posted by GoVol on April 11, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty actually has the best talent as RB on the team. Problem is, as everyone knows, he isn't durable enough. When he's healthy, he's hard to beat!

Posted by objk1 on April 11, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Talent gets coaches fired.
Talent or no talent give me a back who produces.
Averaging 400 yards a year for three years to me says put someone else in there.
Outside of the run against Cal he hasn't done much.
I'll take Foster any day.

Posted by givim6 on April 11, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Clear up any confusion confusion about Montario, read my previous post (April 10 10:57) and compare to what GIVEHIMSIX POSTED.

I don't ever want anyone to think I would ever be negative towards any young man who chooses the Vols and gets injured.

I have been posting on here since TouchdownTN was a pup and WILL NEVER SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT ANY OF THESE PLAYERS.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 11, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Givem6 - Since TouchdownTN was a pup? You must be nearly dead.

Posted by givim6 on April 11, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm old, but I'm spry.

Posted by givim6 on April 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General_Fritter: I'm so old that I pee in morse code.
(Only those of you with enough maturity will appreciate and understand this statement).

Being a true Vol fan has nothing to age;

It's loyalty when things are going badly that shows the true mettle of a real Orange fan.

It's being appreciative of the athletes who chose our University as the basis for their future.

And It's showing support for those who persevered over injuries and disappoinments of not living up to their billing out of high school.

And lastly, it's not taking the support so seriously that it skews one perspective on what is really important in life.

Geez, I guess I really am an old fart! A few years ago I would have been kicking some serious butt over some of the things that are posted here.

Posted by TommyJack on April 11, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

givim6: You're making way too much sense for some of the mopes on this board.

Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Username:

Password:
(Forgotten your password?)

Your Turn: