Let the first shot fly: Bolden ready to hit Florida, Tebow

Tennessee doesn’t play Florida until the third game of the season, but it’s apparently never too early to talk about the rivalry.

UT defensive tackle Demonte Bolden certainly didn’t mind talking about the game, which Florida won 59-20 last year.

“Where are we at this year?” he responded when a writer for ESPN.com brought up last year’s one-sided game during Saturday’s media day. “We are at our house. We’re at our house.

“The last time they were at our house, they beat us by a point (21-20 in 2006).”

Bolden also had an opinion on Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow.

“I don’t care about Tebow,” he said. “Yeah, he’s an All-American, but he’s a regular player. Get him back on the field. You know what I’m saying.

“I made hits on him last year. This year, I’m going to get back to him a lot quicker.

“I’m not going to talk junk. I just want to play the game.”

Bolden, who had two tackles against the Gators last season, was asked if he would have voted for Tebow for the Heisman.

“I would have voted for Erik Ainge, Eric Berry, somebody on my team,” Bolden said.

Ironically, Bolden was highly critical of Ainge after last year’s loss to LSU in the SEC championship game.

Bolden didn’t take too kindly to UT’s defensive tackles often being labeled the weakest link on the team.

“I think we should play with a chip on our shoulder,” Bolden said. “I don’t believe it (that we’re the weakest link).

“Last year we proved that we came through pretty well towards the end. We were young at the beginning of the season but I feel like as a core we came together.”

Bolden said he’s ready to step into the type of shoes once worn by former UT greats at defensive tackle: John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth.

“Last times the charm,” Bolden said of his senior season. “It’s either go big or go home.”

Injury Report: UT only has two players not expected to participate this preseason: offensive lineman Darris Sawtelle, who had two shoulder surgeries, and fullback David Holbert, who suffered a broken leg in spring practice.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said freshman offensive lineman William Brimfield (ankle) and Jeff Cottam (leg) are still recovering and will be limited for two or three weeks of preseason camp. Fulmer said Cottam’s injury has been slower to heal than expected.

“That is definitely a concern for us,” Fulmer said.

Cottam was more optimistic, saying he’ll be 100 percent within a week.

“I feel real good,” the junior said. “I’ll definitely be full speed by the end of fall camp.”

Cottam started running three weeks ago as he works through the pain associated with the fracture suffered during spring practice.

“It’s a lot slower than I thought it would be,” Cottam said. “I thought I’d be pain free a month ago.”

Cottam said his family considered seeking a second opinion but decided against it.

Fulmer publicly challenged linebacker Josh Hawkins, who has been slowed with a sore foot.

“There’s a difference between pain and injury,” Fulmer said, referring to the former Loudon High School star.

Fulmer said freshman Aaron Douglas is well ahead in his recovery from reconstructive shoulder surgery in March that some thought could require Douglas to redshirt. Douglas has already participated in some voluntary summer drills.

“The past couple of months, it’s gotten a lot stronger and a lot better,” the former Maryville star said. “It feels good. I should be ready to go by the time the season comes.”

Fulmer said all other players who underwent offseason surgeries and/or suffered injuries had fully recovered.

Fulmer said tailback Montario Hardesty also “looks to be well”.

Hardesty said he felt 100 percent by late June or July.

“I went full go the full month of July,” Hardesty said of summer workouts.

It’s Academic: Linebacker Marlon Walls from Olive Branch (Miss.) High and defensive lineman Montario Hughes from Siegel High did not report. Both have academic hurdles to clear before enrolling.

“We’re very hopeful within the next couple of weeks that all of that will be cleared up and they’ll be able to join us,” Fulmer said.

MIA: Fulmer said defensive tackle Donald Langley left Knoxville last week to be with his mother who is dealing with a “significant medical condition”.

Fulmer asked that the Langley family be remembered in fans’ prayers. Langley is expected to return to UT today.

Media Day?: Anybody who got an interview with defensive coordinator John Chavis had a scoop. He turned down an interview request from a News Sentinel reporter, and other media-types said they didn’t notice Chavis doing any interviews.

UT publicist John Painter said Chavis hadn’t adopted a no-interview policy. He pointed out that Chavis did interviews at Fulmer’s media-golf tournament a couple of weeks ago.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!