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John Ward, former 'Voice of the Vols', left, and Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer hold the 1998 national championship trophy during a 10-year anniversary tribute at Saturday's Orange and White Game at Neyland Stadium.
Photo by Clay Owen
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Tennessee defensive end Wes Brown (94) and receiver Ahmad Paige, right, exchange words during the Orange and White Game on Saturday.
Step right up ladies and gentlemen and gaze into the oblong-shaped crystal ball before you, wherein lies Tennessee's 2008 football future.
Why wait for fall to see the strengths and weaknesses of your beloved Vols?
It's all right here: the good, the bad and the questions that spring practice just couldn't quite answer.
Quarterbacks
The Good: Junior starter Jonathan Crompton continued to improve and grow this spring in a new offensive system. Crompton was at his best in the Orange and White Game on Saturday, completing 13 of 20 passes for 266 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
The Bad: Turnovers were a persistent issue, even in the spring finale when Crompton threw an interception on his last pass. Worse yet, neither sophomore Nick Stephens nor redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman seem ready to step in if something happens to Crompton.
The Unknown: How will the cards fall? Crompton is much more of a gambler than his predecessor, Erik Ainge. We'll see if the good outweighs the bad.
Doctors say the junior should easily bounce back from elbow surgery. But anytime the starting quarterback has his throwing arm operated on, there's cause for concern.
Running backs
The Good: Senior starter Arian Foster looks a step faster. Sophomore Lennon Creer seems ready to become a regular contributor. Freshman Tauren Poole has shown signs of being a future star.
The Bad: It's hard not to feel sorry for junior Montario Hardesty after yet another leg injury. Can he ever completely regain the promise he showed as a freshman?
The Unknown: How will UT's coaches divvy up carries among tailbacks? And how much will Creer push Foster for more playing time this fall?
Receivers
The Good: Sophomore Gerald Jones is on the verge of a breakout year downfield and at quarterback playing the G-Gun.
Redshirt freshman Ahmad Paige was named one of UT's four most improved players of spring practice. Add his name to a growing list of solid contributors who are eagerly competing for playing time.
The Bad: Senior Kenny O'Neal has gone from potential star to potential bust. Head coach Phillip Fulmer was obviously displeased that O'Neal missed most of spring practice while improving his academic standing.
The Unknown: Junior Quintin Hancock has had tremendous practices throughout his UT career, but can he finally get that to translate to games?
At 180 pounds, is Paige big enough to get off the line of scrimmage and through a full season?
Offensive line
The Good: Pass protection improved throughout the spring. Mistakes were limited in the Orange and White Game.
Flopping offensive linemen didn't cause as many problems as it could have, showing that the Vols have a smart, experienced group up front.
The Bad: The Vols never became a consistent running team against their first team defense. Some say that flipping offensive linemen makes an offense more predictable.
The Unknown: In his third year, junior center Josh McNeil has had his fair share of injuries. Could that become a reoccurring theme for the relatively light lineman? And how quickly can he pick up UT's new offense this fall with no spring practice?
Can junior tackle Chris Scott become a dominant lineman?
Defensive line
The Good: At tackle, senior Demonte' Bolden and junior Dan Williams seem ready to become formidable starters. Senior Walter Fisher also made a late push.
At end, there is more speed and likely more playmaking ability with senior Robert Ayers and junior Wes Brown than there was last year.
The Bad: Not much depth at tackle. Fulmer regularly cited junior Chase Nelson and sophomore Victor Thomas as underachievers.
The Unknown: Can Ayers and Brown be sufficient run-stoppers? Can Ayers maintain his maturity level on and off the field?
Just how good can sophomore end Ben Martin be with a full off-season? He was receiving Eric Berry-like praise before suffering a knee injury last August.
Linebackers
The Good: Junior Rico McCoy is ready to be the next elite, playmaker at the position. Senior Ellix Wilson will be solid in his first full season starting at middle linebacker.
The Bad: The Vols didn't get much work out of former safety Nevin McKenzie on the strongside due to injury. Senior Adam Meyers-White has potential but there's concern at that position, which is often key in pass coverage.
The Unknown: Who will be the leader that the Vols have grown accustomed to at linebacker? Jerod Mayo left big shoes to fill.
Defensive backs
The Good: Berry, a sophomore, and Demetrice Morley, a junior, can be UT's best safety tandem since Deon Grant and Fred White - if not better. Berry and Morley, both very versatile, are already less predicable than Grant the centerfielder and White the run-stopper.
Cornerback is solid with spring starters DeAngelo Willingham and Dennis Rogan, not to mention that 2007 starter Brent Vinson couldn't practice this spring because of shoulder surgery.
The Bad: Even the most pessimistic can't find much wrong with this group.
The Unknown: Can they stay healthy? Berry and Morley love to hit. Injury is the only thing that can keep UT's secondary from being spectacular. And just how good will Vinson be when he returns?
Dave Hooker may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Comments » 99
Volfan1 writes:
Nice article, but...
"Can Ayers maintain his maturity level on and off the field?"
What kind of slam is that?
He's already more mature than John Adams is on or off of the KNS(and radio).
MrBamSeydu writes:
What he means by maturity is not being a big cry-baby when someone writes an article about your coach and refusing to talk to the media because of it. His other team mates still do interviews, does that make them unsupportive of Fulmer? No, he's the only whiner (outside of these message boarders) who still wants to bring up an article from months ago that wasn't THAT far off the truth in the first place.
He could've said "Can Ayers stop taking steriods to get up to 280lbs and still trying to play DE?"
That'd have been a slam.
mparker writes:
yeah, thought this was dumb too:
"Some say that flipping offensive linemen makes an offense more predictable"
umm, no, not if you call your plays correctly. It can also make defenders switch sides if they key the tight end. Really dumb statement.
vtvol#210290 writes:
I really like this team. Tennessee is poised for a HUGE season!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
who
andy112382#209793 writes:
vtvol - I second your comments. I am pumped and eager to see this Clawson offense hit the field against the competition this fall, a lot of 'unknown' for opponents trying to scout us out, maybe this will be one of those times we actually say 'good thing we play florida early! they didn't know what was coming at them until it was too late!'
I really think that WR stable has depth that is being unmentioned for the most part - Denarious Moore showed up big in the spring game, Paige could step up, Jones is solid as is Briscoe, heck we didn't even see our leading WR from last season, Lucas Taylor! Don't forget about the TEs and FB!
The schedule is loaded up front with UCLA, Florida, Auburn and UGA - get by those with a bit of suprise with our new offense and this could be a spectacular follow up to a 10-win season last season.
GO VOLS!!!
byobbio writes:
I have to echo vtvol's statement. I really think this team could be special. Even though we had a subpar recruiting year last year, it doesn't matter because we have some stellar athletes. We're going to be good and i think this offense is what this team has needed for some time now. Mark my words, Dave Clausen is the future of Tennessee. Fulmer will turn over the reigns to him when he's ready. I think we're in good shape. It's great to be a vol.
And Hooker: Learn how to spell. Please.
MrBamSeydu writes:
mparker: No, it's not a dumb statement. The "strong side/quick side" basically uses your strong run blockers on one side and your strong pass blockers on the other side. It makes it better to run on the "strong side" or roll your QB out on play action towards the "quick side". You would also throw more WR screens to the quick side because they get out on blocks quicker.
So yes, it does tell the defense what you are doing. The only way to combat that is by doing the opposite of what they expect (like you are saying with play calls), but that means you are running plays that aren't to your strong suite.
VOLS85 writes:
...umm, it's clawson...let's not harken back to that (clausen) name...
badawg44 writes:
hmmm.. can't wait to see this "special" team. Depth at y'all DT will prolly hurt y'all in close games. That's where I think Knowshon Moreno should explode for 5-6 yards a pop. It'll be a close game, it may decide between the trenches.
4 long hot summer months 'till kick off... sux!
sic'em!
Grim1 writes:
Tennessee was poised for a HUGE season in 05 too.
newtonrail writes:
I personally didn't care for Adam's article about Fulmer, but then I've been writing on here since GVX existed about John Adams. That's all the time I want to waste on that... However, I had to preface my comments with that because KNS can't get us much information out of the football team. Adams and Hooker have caused major strife, and with practices closed; the only way to get the real info is to get close to source. Drew Edwards might. Strange just reports. I've rambled on to say we aren't going to get a lot of info unless the new coaches start talking.
bamacheats writes:
Did you guys here about that man that is pregnant? They say that has never happened before, but from that picture it looks like Phil is full term already.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
An article titled, "What to know about the 2008 Vols" and it doesn't even have a section about special teams! Well they're looking good as well. Guys are getting their hands on a lot of punts and fg attempts. The place kickers are hitting some long ones. The back up punter looks good.
On another note, we just got a verbal commit from a 4-star speedster athlete out of VA named Damien Thigpen. He's only 5' 8" 170, but he runs a 4.34 - 40 and he's got some time to grow!
02champs#209256 writes:
"Some say that flipping offensive linemen makes an offense more predictable"...Hooker, did Adams or Pennington(idiot) tell you this...? Never heard that one before...must have been Pennington's(idiot) sources (disgruntled ex-vols who Fulmer canned)that made that call.
GIVEHIMSIX writes:
I just watched Damien Thigpen's highlights on rivals. He's small, but he can fly. in the sec, it never hurts to add more speed to your team.
it's nice to see the Virginia connection already paying off. That area is loaded with talent.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Yeah, the guy is pickin em up and puttin em down in a hurry!
Welcome to Tennessee Damien. It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Grim1 - yea, that was known nationwide given the preseason ranking, but this year, if you look at any preseason polls that are already out (way too early) most people have Tennessee anywhere from mid-teens to bottom of the top 25 at best.
This is more like '98ish.....we know we have talent, but due to a QB change, people tend to think that means we are in a rebuilding of sorts, all we have is a junior who has been in mop-up duty only just like in '98, at least that is what you read.
bruteforce7#630403 writes:
Was it just me or did anyone else notice that our play action looked so much more defined than in years past? I went to the game in person and it just looked like to me that the fakes looked like they were carried out so much better than before. Maybe its just my imagination.
bigtimevol writes:
My biggest concern is not the D, or that we will spread the ball around to skill players...I think we'll do that. My biggest concern, though we have plenty of returning skill is can we run the ball with power and consistency when we need to? Let's face it, we haven't really run the ball with authority in years. But w/ Foster, Creer, Poole, we seem to have the tools.
wjackson#226202 writes:
bruteforce7. It is not you. I often asked that while watching Ainge play. He was terrible at the play action. If you ever watch Peyton do it. It is incredible. If you saw Crompton doing it much crisper than Ainge. I am not surprised. But I am very happy to hear it.
99gator writes:
i see some of y'all trying to find ways to compare 2008 to 1998 (i understand why)
however, you all should know better. in no way did that team have as many question marks as this team.
that team had two question marks.....
1. how do you replace peyton manning, even if tee martin turns out to be pretty good?
2. can tenn actually beat florida?
that was it.
they had jamal lewis back (who got hurt), peerless price back, lineman back, a whole slew of defensive people back, and i think even their kickers came back.
people sold that team short because the thought of beating florida without peyton manning, when tenn could not beat florida with peyton manning seemed like an unbelievably daunting task.
this year......
their are concerns on offense and defense (including both lines of scrimmage, a new qb, new coaches who are operating a new system, and depth concerns especially on defense)
before people start telling me how great the offensive line is.....i want to see them blow good teams off the ball in running game an provide more than a second and a half of pass protection first. 'cause the 1998 team did not have to prove that before the season.
not to mention.....the 2008 vols will face a tougher SEC than was around in 1998.
i am not making any predictions here. i am just saying the scenarios entering the season are completely different.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Phil didn't drop the old Grail.
Not up to Fla standards. Gotta break a few.
BillVol writes:
Hooker, how can you tell from one game who is ready or isn't ready to step in???
99gator writes:
sjt18
i do not know how good tenn will be. i was just stating that the scenarios between 1998 and 2008 are completely different. and to be consistent, i am not going to make any sweeping declarations after spring practice.
another thing about the 1998 team was they were coming off a year when they won the SEC in 1997.
florida and tenn are kind of in the same boat this season. both expect some weaknesses to be improved.....the question is how much. the one difference is florida has a strength (its offense), that they know is going to be there.
agentorange writes:
if i worked for the kns, which would mean i'm a communist from some other sec school/rival such as bama or lsu, i would at least run a spell check on the articles i put on the web site. "predicable"? Really? here's what that word (used to describe morely and berry) means: something that may be predicated; especially : one of the five most general kinds of attribution in traditional logic that include genus, species, difference, property, and accident.
chrslyp writes:
i agree about the effectiveness of the playaction. I can't remember ever being fooled by play action while watching a ut game on tv, however, last night while watching the ow game i was faked out a good three to four times. i was impressed.
DroopyDrawers writes:
Tuscaloosa John or Donkey Adams! He is still getting it thrown at him. I don't know how his boss sleeps at night knowing he has a loose cannon not doing his job which is covering the Vols. Not Alabama & LSU!
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
You can talk about 5 star recruits and 3 star recruits and so on, but no one really knows who has the heart and who don't. We may not have had a steller recruiting year last year according to the sports writers, but I think we have a good group and I'm looking forward to as great year.
Go Vols!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Doldrums.
We must let it go.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I think I'm gonna like this offense, but I kinda prefer my qbs on handoffs to keep ball more hidden against belly raher than extending it way out there at full arm's length for all to see. What do you guys think about that?
I'd say this was a pretty fair article, but one small quibble with Hooker casting doubt on Myers-Whites pass coverage. From what I saw this weekend, he seemed to be able to stay with a receiver better than most linebackers I've seen.
rootin4volz writes:
bradsummey, you're as big an idiot as Adams...that article was WAY off-base, out of line, and uncalled for. Adams should apologize, and until he does, he should not be allowed anywhere near the football program.
99gator writes:
ashley
1. what would anybody playing football at miami know about studying?
2. i would hope that people on this website would hope that folks at places other than miami are studying the florida offense.
tigervol9802 writes:
5-7 boys.
My opinion will only change if they beat Florida. Not play 'em tough, have a call go against them, or lose because of an injury. Until they beat Florida, this team will continue to be nothing but mediocre at best headed towards another disastorous season.
At least I know the information minister from the athletic department will constantly remind us of how warm and fuzzy it felt 10 years ago when we won our last national and SEC titles.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I feel sorry for people who have to have perfection in their lives or they are miserable. Pretty sad. Go back and listen to the father's speech at the end of Ole Yeller, where he said that if we dwell on the bad in life, we'll miss all the good.
Vols have everything they need for a pretty exciting season, if we can avoid kicking breakdowns and our defensive linemen eat their Wheaties. Geaux Vawls!
99gator writes:
ashley
ok
tigervol9802 writes:
99gator -
Please excuse Ashley. He must have been a guinea pig for the special $90 Thompson Boling Arena Kool-Aid and is still feeling its effects.
You got to admit, it looks like it's some pretty good stuff.
khelton657 writes:
Glad Fulmer is now calling people out when they don't give their all...
leedsvol2007 writes:
There are parallels to the 98 team in this group.
Without researching it totally Leonard Little, Peyton Manning, Marcus Nash and Terry Fair had all graduated.
Shawn Bryson had been moved to fullback, Tee Martin was assuming the QB duties. Shaun Ellis had been seriously injured in a car accident and it was unsure if he would be back and how well he could play.
Peerless Price had been an outstanding player but his ankle injury limited his contributions until late in 97 and there was some question as to whether he could fully replace Nash.
Jeff Hall was coming back from a back injury and surgery.
In the end these and other questions were answered affirmatively and we had the magic year.
Will 2008 be a repeat of 1998? The potential is there but just as in 1998 the dominoes have to all fall in place.
One final note the 1998 team had a link to the 1938 undefeated untied team Will Bartholomew and his grandfather Sam the captain of the 1938 team.
Another of Sam's grandsons will be on the roster this year. Hopefully it is an omen.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Perhaps the intangibles in beating Florida will be Morley and Berry. Also, a huge play from Gerald Jones could be possible. Losing so badly to Florida last year should fire the team team up and they will play hard. We will need to win the turnover margin can't spot them an advantage there they are still very good. More importantly, for saving face will for UT to beat Alabama, they had the best recruiting class in the nation and I know Saban will play those guys now like that big wide receiver. GO VOLS!!!!
cjraney writes:
tigervol-
You need to lay off the koolaid man. 5-7??? Come on, now, all "non-koolaid drinkers" know we'll lose every SEC game, lose to UCLA and finish 3-9. That's just being objective. Sarcasm intended.
You win the 1st annual "Yemmusdarb Most Improved Fan" award of the spring.
Huntingdonvol writes:
I was very impressed with our playaction,the defensive players seem not to know where the ball was and the linebackers bit on the run!Now we must remember the defense was limited to stright up football with no blitz or sceams.Was most impressed with the use of a fullback in the new offense!The key to stoping Florida is Tebow!On defense i would use a monster linebacker and key on and hit him everywhere he went with the ball!The ole saying offence sells tickets and defense wins champships has got this VOL team staring stright at it!As for the kid from Paris we need to get his counterpart, i seen them play last year and i promise you they are the real deal!Good luck VOLS and please stay out of trouble this summer!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Posted by yemmusdarb on April 20, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mparker: No, it's not a dumb statement. The "strong side/quick side" basically uses your strong run blockers on one side and your strong pass blockers on the other side. It makes it better to run on the "strong side" or roll your QB out on play action towards the "quick side". You would also throw more WR screens to the quick side because they get out on blocks quicker.
So yes, it does tell the defense what you are doing. The only way to combat that is by doing the opposite of what they expect (like you are saying with play calls), but that means you are running plays that aren't to your strong suite.
Yea, but the system is very doable. Running mis-directions, delays, etc are plays that don't nec. focus on strong suits. I think if the play calls are good (as you've stated) the system could produce some good results. It will be a lot about execution this season.
BigOrange1 writes:
How about that new four star athlete we just got a committment from...he runs a 4.3 40 yard dash. We're off to a good start in recruiting. Keep it up boys!
tigervol9802 writes:
cjraney -
Thanks, and I hope my award is a barrel of the special $90 Thompson Boling Arena Big Orange Kool Aid. I hear if you drink that stuff and then hear the propaganda about the 10 year anniversary of a national title and how we have played for 3 SEC titles since them, you forget that UT isn't viewed as a threat by anyone anymore and that we've not won an SEC title in 10 years. I hear it'll also make you demand less than being the best too.
givehim6 writes:
I thought the first team offence, and defence looked very good can't wait to see how the VOLS will look when that play another team and the 1st team O&D both play together in the same game, Only concern is as the day wore on both O&D seem to slow down, but that could be tiredness and a new system. I just hope with more pratice the new system will stay together.
mparker writes:
marc and brad:
I played on a line that swapped sides. What it really does is let you work against diff defensive linemen. After a while you get to know what works...and one guy maybe doesn't just kill you all day.
If you are on defense, you have to adjust your positioning and tactics to whom you are playing, PLUS be aware of the play tendencies.
I will say this: on defense, it was MUCH more fun to play against
the weak side (with no tight end).
99gator writes:
now that spring is over.....
can someone give me the VOL starting lineup....
offense and defense.
bigbluevol writes:
99 here you go, as best as can be stated due to injuries:
QB - Crompton
WR - Taylor, Briscoe, Jones (just a guess)
TE - Cottam/Stocker
OL - Scott, McClendon, McNeil, Parker, Foster
RB - Foster
FB - Cooper
DE - Brown, Ayers
DT - Williams, Bolden
LB - McCoy (Strong), Wilson (middle), Myers-White/McKenzie (Weak)
SS - Berry
FS - Morley
CB - Vinson, Rogan, Willingham, Johnson, Gaines (this won't be defined until fall b/c Vinson, Gaines and Johnson all missed spring)
K - Lincoln
P - Cunningham until Colquitt returns from 5 game suspension
PR - Rogan
KR - Creer and Rogan perhaps
bigbluevol writes:
Obviously if there's a fullback or a tight end, there won't be three receivers. Those 3 are just the ones I would imagine are most likely to get the starting nods.
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