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5 keys (off the beaten path ) for the Vols

By Drew Edwards (Contact)
Originally published 05:10 p.m., April 18, 2008
Updated 05:10 p.m., April 18, 2008

By now, the major stories of spring practice are old hat. Everyone knows Jonathan Crompton will take over for Erik Ainge at quarterback this fall.

Likewise, everyone knows that safeties Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley lead a secondary that could be among the best in Tennessee history.

And everyone knows, too, that the arrival of new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson brought with it the biggest change to UT’s offense in 15 years.

If you’re in Neyland Stadium on Saturday for the Orange and White Game (2:30 p.m. kickoff), you’ll already be looking for those things.

Here’s five more things — that while a little off the beaten path — will be key for Tennessee’s success this fall.

1. Stopwatch Ends: Robert Ayers earned most-improved honors on defense at end. Wes Brown is much improved as well, and Ben Martin has made strides. But perhaps the biggest difference between those three players and UT’s starting ends from last year — Antonio Reynolds and Xavier Mitchell — is speed. Reynolds and Mitchell both posted 40-yard dash times during Pro Day that were more appropriate for tackles than ends. That’s not the case this year.

2. Clock Work: For a few plays, train your eyes to those fancy new LCD boards in the north and south end zones and watch the play clock. More importantly, watch how UT’s quarterbacks manage the game in regard to the clock. Clock management was an issue at times this spring, but it’s been vastly improved. Nick Stephens particularly had difficulties, but it’s an improved group from that respect.

3. Quick Kicks: Tennessee will miss punter Britton Colquitt (suspension) for the first five games of the season. They’ll miss him even more if Chad Cunningham continues to have a hard time getting the ball away. If it takes Cunningham longer than about 3 seconds to get the ball off his foot, that’s big-time trouble against the likes of Florida and Auburn. Cunningham has a good leg, but that doesn’t matter if the ball never leaves his foot.

4. Guarded Optimism: If you’ve never spent a few plays just watching the line of scrimmage, shame on you. To make up for it, aim your binoculars on the big guys up front. You might be a little surprised what you see. UT will shuffle players from one side of the line to the other during the course of the game, or even a series. It’s an old trick, but it’s one that could help Tennessee get favorable matchups and cut down on practice reps. Take a look and see if you notice today.

5. Don’t Lose Count: One of the biggest differences between Tennessee’s offense under Clawson will be the amount of formations and the spacing within those formations. Tennessee can go big, with two tight ends. It will go fast, with four or five receivers. It will use the fullback this season, too, provided that Kevin Cooper or Austin Johnson can prove their respective value over having a tight end on the field. As Clawson said Thursday, the only requirement is a quarterback and five linemen. That means every combination of the other five players is possible. Keep count, if you want, but be prepared to take off your shoes.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       78 Comments

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 18, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Shoes? Who needs shoes when we've got fritters?
Looking forward to an Orange victory on our way to the National Championship.

Posted by 99gator on April 18, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i hope this was in no particular order.

handling the play clock is #2......#2.

really.

snapping the ball on time.

i can't believe this made the list. the punter getting the ball off and snapping the ball on time.

sounds like some people have not passed football 101 yet.

Posted by RichRollin on April 18, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go vols. I like this switching linemen deal. No one said anything when aaron sears or eric young did it. This could come in handy with injuries and matchups. I have alot of confidence in our lineman being able to pick this up by the fall. That's why we play spring games. I found the article in the KNS saying that the d-fence was to take it easy on the o-fence in tomorrows game. Still kinda cool because I think it will allow us to see what they are trying to do on offense. Will give fans a positive vibe to take into the fall, unless the GOONSQUAD goes against all orders and slaughters any damn way!!!! Tha twould still leave a lucious taste in my mouth.

Posted by pdhuff on April 18, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator- slow punter means trouble. Hate to hear that. Kicking game is often taken for granted.

It has cost the Gators before.

Well, hope its a nice day for those who venture out to get their fix. Doldrums will make for a looong summer.

Posted by 99gator on April 18, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nevermind....

my fault.

they are "off the beaten path"

i knew something wasn't right.

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 18, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It always make me feel good after 14 scrimmages that we are talking about getting a snap off and not getting punts blocked!

Three seconds to punt a ball? Ayyyyyyeeeeee!!!

Somebody pass me some more of the Kool Aid, preferably the special edition $90 Thompson-Boling Arena kind.

Posted by hglover40 on April 18, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PearlFUTure_FulmerPast,
National Championships
Fulmer 1
Pearl 0

Go somewhere and comeback for BB season. Stop bringing down UT football fans.
I'm not fan of BB but I didn't go post negative stuff when they failed to get past the final 16. You seem to be a CLASSLESS LOSER, AND A SORRY MISERABLE "FAN" .

Posted by miamiVOL on April 18, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tEB "I want to lead the nation in INTS next year" - Iview with Fox Sports

heard it here 2nd

Posted by hmhawk on April 18, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone think our defense could be the ressurection of the "Orange Crush" from the 80's?I'm hoping for it personally.Loved the "Underdog's our ass" T's that went on sale afterwards.The bowl game with Miami I mean.

Posted by GerryOP on April 18, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A new day dawning for UT football??? A first preview.... We shall see what we shall see -- for real -- on Sept 1, 2008!!!

Posted by hmhawk on April 18, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff-went to the link.Love the movie but is the song supposed to say it all?Hope so.GO VOLS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by eb502us on April 18, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm excited to see the Clawson offense this season. Regardless of what happens, getting rid of Cutcliffe is like a new lease on life. It can only get better.

Posted by pdhuff on April 18, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stirring and mixin'.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 18, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How much longer pd?

Anyone seen my mason jar?

Posted by tngeoff on April 18, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmhawk.

Yup. Awesome movie and that song with those characters say it all. Nobody expected anything of them and they kicked booty. Everybody's dissing us and I'm hopibg we kick booty!

Posted by invisiblekid on April 18, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#2 and #5 more than likely go hand in hand. More formations = more substitutions = clock management issues, especially after only a handful of scrimmages. If it's an issue in the Fall, then I'll worry.

#3 isn't a problem, disregard any and all concerns regarding special teams, everything is fine, everything is fine.

#1 is a real question mark for me. This issue of speed off of the corner has been brought up more than once this Spring. If Reynolds and Mitchell were really that slow(and they looked to be at times), then we could see some drastic improvement up front in terms of pressuring the QB. Of course, that depends on Ayers keeping up the intensity, Martin living up to the hype, and Brown staying healthy. The pass rush has lain dormant in a comatose state for far too long. 25 sacks in 14 games is not TN Football.

Posted by DennisVols on April 18, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This offense could cut the ammount of punts we make in 1/2. Looking at the UF and Bama games last year we punted more times than we got a 1st down.
As I have stated before this new offense could be the biggest improvement to our defense. To me clock management is keeping the ball on offense more than time spent on defense. It is hard to put up points on any defense if your defense is on the field most of the time.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 18, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Understandable that you can't find it anywhere McRib, only so much can be done with rabbit ears and aluminum foil.

Posted by bricker865 on April 18, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It might be on pay per view? Not sure..

Posted by bricker865 on April 18, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid...that was funny.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 18, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Bricker, here is the schedule for the game broadcast on SportsSouth from UT Sports:

Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern time (Game not seen in Atlanta due to Atlanta Hawks playoff coverage…75-mile radius)
Wednesday at 11 p.m. Eastern time
Saturday, April 26, at 5 p.m. Eastern time (within the Hawks 75-mile radius); 8 p.m. Eastern time (all other viewers)
Sunday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 18, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hglover....

Actually national titles...

Fulmer - 1
Pearl - 1

Posted by haynes91956 on April 18, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My prayers have been answered. Tennessee is finally going to use a fullback!
The VOLS have someone now that knows how to operate and execute the running game. Will wonders never cease?

Posted by RichRollin on April 18, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

haynes91956, Dang good point about the fullback. Seemed like the h-back david buttlick kept using 1)didn't give the gaurds time to pull, 2) Flat out sucked in red zone and short yard situations, especially short yard runs. Remember when they finally tried the fullback last year against georgia and they slaughtered. Vlad richard had time to pull around the edge. Good god oh mighty can vlad richard play when he gets his chance. We got pretty good competition for P.T. at a lot of different positions. Thats why I think our guys will produce this year come fall. Can't believe it, go to b-ball blog and you got these memphis dude talkin smack. come to f-ball got these fla. guys talkin.

Posted by badawg44 on April 18, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can't wait to see this new multiple formation, ball controlling offense. By the time 10/11 rolls around, we should have a pretty good idea what y'all are up to. Same thing with Bama, Auburn and Tech with their whole new offense as well. It sounds like a good scheme on paper, but we shall see. Our D should have plenty of film to dissect that new O. btw, we're blacken' out the orange!... to mourn our fellow SEC brethren. 2-0 in BLACK.

sic'em Dawgs!

Posted by RichRollin on April 18, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

2-0 against the red and black last two years. Cutlcliff was pretty predictable and he shredded your puppy dog defense. I'm sure it will take atleast 2 more from clawson for the weinerdawgs to get the picture. Don't these traders have their own lines to blog on. Or maybe the vols are such a hot topic they are concerned. Who knows, just makes me wonder. I could give a flip what is going on with their litte chats. I guess when you get spanked by them vols you have to spy.

Posted by TurboFan on April 18, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, bad doggie, we get it, you're wearing black for the game against us.

Posted by firefightervol on April 18, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

badpuppy, can't wait to see that overated quarterback live up to the hype. :)

Posted by newtonrail on April 19, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sports South Delayed broadcast. I remember the one on Sunday night at 7PM being the first. There were some listed after that on UT Sports official site.

Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 19, 2008 at 3:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Real, division 1 national titles, coming out of the toughest division, in the toughest conference, in your respective sport:

Fulmer 1
Pearl 0

Posted by bigbluevol on April 19, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow...UGA sucks so bad in its traditional color that it has to resort to special tricks to try to intimidate. If you're wearing that against us and we play at 3:30 your whole team might dehydrate by half time.

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg44, UT may have the best and one of the deepest secondaries in the country. You have NO proven WR's unless you want to call Massaquoi "proven".

I like UT's chances of manning up on your WR's then going 8 or 9 in the box to stop the run game.

We'll know alot about UT and UGA by then though. Your "new" offense is no more proven than UT's. UT may be awful... they may be great. UGA may be worthy of the hype... but I want to see it first.

Posted by budrhon on April 19, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

6-6 and Fulmer on the Hot seat again.

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

budhron, Saw your prediction on another thread and you attributed it to experts... Can you cite a source?

FWIW, if they go 6-6, CPF should be let go. IMO, any backsliding from last year should be cause for a less than gentle shove into retirement.

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, budhron, while you are at it, please name the teams you think UT will lose to. Any of them "can" beat UT... but IMO there are really only 4 games on the schedule that UT should not be clear favorites in- UF, UGA, Aub, and Bama. They are more talented than every other team on their schedule.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

budrhon - What are you taking about Bro? Fulmer will be holding up the Sears Trophy at year end.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And TnGeoff - Fulmer will see Florida again as he is worthy and on the verge of his second National Championship.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - Tennessee has something that the other schools do not - FULMER!

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

General, CPF has one more NC than 9 of the 12 coaches on his schedule and more wins than any of them.

If Clawson was a good hire. No worries. They'll win a lot of games maybe even a championship or BCS bowl.

If Clawson was a bad hire... there probably still aren't any worries... CPF could get his transfer to administration sooner than he expects.

Decided whether you are going to the O&W game yet? I was looking forward to your review.

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

I guess #1 is implying that Reynolds and Mitchell were too slow for end? Has that been the problem with the pass rush? Combine an improved secondary with faster rush ends and there could be some good possibilities there. However, I've been excited about the secondary before.

About the punting, let's say the punter is slow, but if you do protect and he gets it off, doesn't that allow the coverage an extra second to get downfield and put pressure on the receiver? Taking that to the other extreme, if a punter gets the punt off in 1 nanosecond, doesn't that deliver the ball to the receiver earlier, thereby allowing him to size up the coverage earlier? It seems to me you want to get it off as late as you can consistently protect.

Posted by eduardo on April 19, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We've had tremendous secondarys before. Try 2005 where did that get us? Try 5-6 and a loss to candy. Without a great pass rush a good secondary don't mean squat! Tennessee and phat phil do no better than 8-4, again. Is this good enough for our fan base? Does keeping this guy around just to break Neyland's record for the next couple of years justified? Is this program solely about F$$$lmer? He's working like heck and he's in the mix and hunt. Who's gonna be his candace parker this year?

Posted by pdhuff on April 19, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - FYI Gen F has to drive TDTN and Dupree to the Halls K-Mart. Saturday is a big day there, can't be bothered with a controlled scrimmage.

Orange kool-aid is the blue-light special. LOL

Posted by RichRollin on April 19, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rduardo, I agree with the Candace parker comment. This time last year CPF compared ainge to candace, made me wanna vomit. On the other hand, Good safties have alot to do with stopping the run game. Not as much as DT's of course, but much more than some would think. Better end play will make it easier on the DT's.

Posted by RichRollin on April 19, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we are loaded. Comes down to what it always does, injuries and depth. Who seen the 5-6 season coming, especially with the expectations we had of that team? How can you be so sure that you can prodict that now. I think we do well. If we go 11-2 then the same people will be kicked back swearing that they predicted it.

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eduardo... so let me get this straight. Based on a compliment concerning the secondary you rationalize that UT will do no better than 8-4 "again" and proceed to go into a tirade?

For whatever it might be worth, a great secondary compliments a good pass rush. Chavis seems to be suggesting that the pass rush this year will be better than last year straight up even without the help from the secondary.

Posted by sjt18 on April 19, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pd, GF said he was going fishing... I like his answer better.

Posted by mikes70gto on April 19, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Special teams are a question. But the defense and the new look offense will have the gators,dawgs and the tide on their heels. Dont forget about Gerald Jones in the mix as well as Rogan.Most of the fore-mentioned above will only improve with practice.Look for big things to happen with this team in '08.We are more diversified and stronger than last year.

Posted by RichRollin on April 19, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think special teams may be a little better because of stan drayton. Plus we know who is doing what coming in, should be set on a kick ret., kikcer etc. Last year we did not know who we wanted to do what. And the year before, and so on. I agree special teams are the determining fcator. GOVOLS!

Posted by orange4ever on April 19, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm excited to see how our d-line holds up.They should better as a overall unit assuming the second team and third team has gotten better.
GO VOLS

Posted by waterskier3 on April 19, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

stuck in texas so hopefully will be able to find it on the net........ any ideas????

want to see the offense in action

Posted by johnlg00 on April 19, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Clock management may be an issue for lots of teams this year. The rules have changed to cut down on the amount of time between snaps. With all the new formations and new offensive philosophy, it is not surprising that this would a point of emphasis for us especially at this time of the year.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've decided to go the Orange & White Game.....just got get close and personal to our legendary coach and the 2008-09 National Champions.
I'll provide a full report tonight for you sjt18 and to any others smart enough to listen to the General.

Posted by eduardo on April 19, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone going to the orange & white game make sure you wear all black. Don't forget to sit in the north end zone to show your support. ha ha

Posted by movol77 on April 19, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ditto on looking for an Internet view of the O&W game. Anybody have a lead?

Posted by firefightervol on April 19, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OTS does anyone know how Lucas Taylor got hurt?

Posted by Huntingdonvol on April 19, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No Ashley today is football time in Tennessee!go vols!

Posted by douglasawilliams on April 19, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's spring let the expectations be high. If we go 12-2 with a bowl win that would be a great season. Not a national title but still a very good season a top 10 AP final poll type season. I really don't know what to expect but I do think the defense will be improved and the offense will be very different. Say what you want about Cutcliffe but he was able to average about 30 points a game and we did stumble our way to an SEC East Title game and a nice bowl win for a change. The bad of course is being dominated by Florida and Alabama. That is bad and the stink still lingers. We play Auburn and Florida in September so we will see how 2008 will shape up early. Crompton is mobile something Ainge surely was not so that is a plus. Paige might prove to be a deep threat to keep those safeties honest and help the running game some. The key I think is how well the play of Ellix Wilson, Dan Williams and Demonte Bolden will be to see if we can stop a team like Florida. Go Vols!!!!

Posted by bigfan502 on April 19, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Was ANGIE drafter into the pros...>? let me know please.

Posted by philfan on April 19, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so excited about this new offense that I can hardly stand it. I look for Clawson and Fulmer to bring a whole new look to the Florida game, a look that will bewilder and confuse them entirely, perhaps a new formation altogether, call it the Gator Bait Formation. We will have the home team advantage, but we will have to score first to get the momentum, or all will be lost.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just got back from the Orange & White Game and here are my thoughts:
1) Crompton is the #1 QB and it is not even a close race. Sorry Stevens and Coleman fans. Maybe next year. If teams decide to stack 8 in the box, Crompton will burn them. His first pass was a 80 yard TD bomb. The kid looked good nearly all game.....smart decisions, quick and accurate release. He's developing into a very good QB - probably better than I expected at this point.
2) Hancock & the kid from NC looked really good at WR......All SEC good.
3) Secondary is loaded - Morely and Berry came up big with huge hits and IT's.
4) TN has more speed at DE. DT played just OK. Nothing spectacular but not bad either.
5) OL is really good across first team - huge drop off past about 8 players deep. Not enough and others need to step up.
6) Creer and the Poole kid are players at RB.
7) Cooper at FB - came out of nowhere and looked really good on passes and run after catch.
8) Tight Ends caught several passes. Starting TE Stocker (?) looked really good.

Only negative is the punter did not boom high deep balls. The time he takes to get the ball off is being called into question. I thought he was getting the ball off fast enough, but his punts were nothing special. Kickers looked OK.

I thought Tennessee looks MUCH better this year than last year at this point. I'm cautiously optimistic about this team. Clauson looks to be a good hire. I loved the offensive sets even though I'm sure they did not show them all. I loved it when they ran the G package and threw over the top for a TD.

This team has obviously been working like heck as they were very impressive!

Posted by budrhon on April 19, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18/GenFritter: this is the home site http://coacheshotseat.com/ sorry for the delay. I thought I posted this earlier, but somehow the KGB, I mean the KNS may have flipped it around. This Site indicates Fulmer being on the Hotseat at #25 among the Nations Coaches. An area Sports show in the Carolinas felt he should be higher and will be after the UCLA/Florida games. Their prediction from the Website is a 6-6 season. http://coacheshotseat.com/PhilFulmer.htm They posted the losses being to UCLA,Florida,Auburn,Georgia, South Carolina and Vandy. I'm thinking 8-4, can't see UT losing to South Carolina and Vandy.

Posted by jonfan on April 19, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CROMPTON, WESTERN,NC AND TUSCOLA HS IS SO PROUD OF YOU. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. #8 ROCKS

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If UT finishes 8-4 this year, the rest of the SEC is absolutely loaded. There is much more speed and experienced skill position players on this team. A little light on depth of OL and DL, but if a few backup players can step up, this team can be special.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jonfan - Crompton is the man. I'm sold!

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 19, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Trivia Question for you boys - who is currently the fastest player on Tennessee's football team (40 time)?

Posted by pdhuff on April 19, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen F 7:29 - Is it Dupree?

Or someone else......

It's sure not Foster. What about Creer or Poole?

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on April 19, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the General is similar in critique standards as TDTN, then this is a very positive report. I was hoping to hear that Crompton sounds solid.

It was mentioned in passing in a previous thread but I've been thinking that it explains much of the issue with Cutliff's run offense...I'm not sure Cutcliff is very good at the running game coordination and when we can't simply out talent the competition he's got nothing else. If he's not good at the running game and his running backs coach is also not so good (Roper), then perhaps coaches who are better at that aspect of the game can take these same guys to another level, assuming that these coaches are more compitent in designing and managing game day running game.

Cutcliff always falls back on what he's most comfortable with which is passing with a top QB talent.

Posted by IPOrange on April 19, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General, 7:29 p.m. - could it be Berry?

Posted by sjt18 on April 20, 2008 at 2:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

budhron, Do you really trust a website that predicts UT to lose to UCLA this year? They lost 21 of their 44 man two deep. Most of their defensive playmakers in sacks and INT's. Eight of their top 10 tacklers. Their two top receivers and one of their best backs.

They lost all starters on both lines.

They return two good QB's who've never stayed healthy and a pretty good RB but that's pretty much it.

If they are any good, it will be because the new staff has built them from scratch between Spring and August... I don't think that's likely. Barring a miracle, UCLA will have a losing season and finish close to the bottom of the Pac10.

Vandy? Very little chance. USC has an outside shot IMO. I'd say that UF, UGA, Aub, and Bama are the games that the season will turn on... and honestly I don't see UT losing all of them.

Of course at this point it is all speculation but as the General reports... this sounds like a better team than the one that came out of spring last year... the one that won the East and thumped #2 UGA in the process.

It really sounds more like you've run across some hacks with some bone to pick but who haven't taken the time to really do much research.

Posted by sjt18 on April 20, 2008 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The General already gave the 40 question away in another thread.

Thanks General for the report... and like VOLinDAWGland said... if TDTN is on board with you then I am impressed immensely.

BTW, what did they say the top 40 time was?

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rogan ran a sub 4.3 40 (4.2 something) and is the fastest on the team. That might surprise some folks. Berry was also in the mix......good guess.

I am only concerned about this team's lack of depth in the trenches. They have a fine 1st team.

I should have mentioned how well Moore played at WR. He's the one who caught the 80 yard bomb from Crompton on the first play of the game and I believe he was also behind the TD catch on the G-Package pass. I did not have a roster as I got there right at kickoff. I believe that we are in for a treat with this year's team.

Folks - Causen is for real!

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry - should have typed Clawson is for real. If he showed that much at an O&W Game, I can' wait to see what else he unveils in season.

Agree that Crompton should have to go against the 1st team from here on out because he is not going to draw anyone's 2nd team. On the other hand, this was a good game to build up his confidence. The way he was playing, I believe that he would have had some success against the 1st team D.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff - good guess on Dupree. He runs about a 23.4 second 40.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dupree continued - Except when there is a Blue Light Special of course.

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