Photo by Clay Owen
Buy this photo »
Anthony Parker pushes teammate Walter Fisher over too far while helping him stretch Saturday during Tennessee's media day at Neyland Stadium.
Dave Hooker audio:
Forget position battles and starting spots. With five more practices before Tennessee's first scrimmage this fall, it's still too early to start whittling down the depth chart.
"We don't have to do that right now," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said following a three-hour practice Sunday afternoon on Haslam Field. "There's a lot of water under the bridge before we have to make those kinds of decisions. We're trying to get as many people ready to play as we possibly can."
So far, the Vols are on the right track.
"I like the attitude of our team and the progress of our team after two days," Fulmer said.
Two more days of the NCAA's acclimation period remain until the Vols can put on full pads and begin full-contact work.
Once Wednesday's practice comes around, coaches and players can begin learning a lot more about who will start and who can contribute.
Still, there's work to be done and progress to be made early.
For quarterback Jonathan Crompton, a lot of that work is done above the shoulders.
UT will spend most of the acclimation period reinstalling schemes on both sides of the ball and on special teams.
It's a review session for the older players and a crash course for many of the newcomers.
But it's still important, Crompton says.
"You've got to understand it," he said. "The more I understand it, the more my teammates understand that I know it, and they'll know that I'm going to get into the right play."
Just as important, though, is getting into the right frame of mind from the outset.
"The older guys setting the example from day one," says Rico McCoy, a preseason All-SEC selection at linebacker. "Stay upbeat, do things the right way. The more the young guys see you do that, the more likely they are to follow suit."
And pick up where they left off.
UT ended spring practice on a high note in April, and senior defensive end Robert Ayers doesn't want to see that momentum wasted by a few bad days in August.
"We just don't want to lose a step," Ayers said. "We had a good spring practice. We don't want to take five steps forward in the spring and then take two steps back. We want to take those five steps and keep building on that."
Tailback Arian Foster just wants that building process to be a quiet, focused one.
As one of UT's leaders on offense, he'd rather see players focused and working than yelling and screaming.
"As an older guy, I don't want to see all this hollering and yelling," he said. "A lot of the time, it's insincere. I want to see the older guys put their heads down and go to work. I think it'll set the tone for the younger guys."
Setting the right pace early should pay dividends throughout fall camp.
"After the first week, you're back in the groove and ready to go every day because you know that it's time," Crompton said. "It's an every day thing. You're anxious to get out there and play ball, because that's what we came here to do."
For now, though, it's more about who can play - and who can play where - than anything else.
"We've made some significant changes before," Fulmer said. "(Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end) Jason Witten didn't speak to me for a week after I moved him (from defensive end). But he's not mad at me anymore.
"You're finding those spots where they're going to help your team and what's best for them as well."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
Vols' spring practice wit…
Tennessee practices in Rhode Island
Tennessee defeats San Diego State 62-59
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 112
Richmondvol writes:
Getting closer....
cobbwebb writes:
I cant wait to see how everything plays out! Will crompton get the job done ? Will the d line step up ? Can the secondary be as good as we think it can? Will foster break the rushing record? What newcomers will have an impact? I think the o line and the running game should be our work horse, im also anxious to see guys like gerald williams and ahmad paige , Bring it on im ready. GO VOLS !!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Focused and workin".
We can do the "yellin".
29 days.
khelton657 writes:
Foster doesn't sound particularly excited.....
no need to condemn others who are, Usually the people who do not act excited, are not excited...and that can mean the 2% difference , even if on one play, between winning and losing.
cobbwebb writes:
I like fosters comment , keep your mouth shut and work hard , let your play do your talking!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I like that quote about Witten.
Sometimes the kids need to realize the coaches know what's best for them and the team and if they aren't playing the position they came to UT to play, it's because their best chance to play is at another position. Alot of great HS RB's ended up going to the NFL as LB's (Jerod Mayo), DE's as TE's (Witten), and QB's as Safety's (Eric Berry, in 2 years).
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Wow, if this team overachieves and gets more than 7.5 wins (vegas odds) we could get back to the peach bowl with at least 9 wins, maybe.
MrBamSeydu writes:
khelton: I think what Foster means is... if you're yelling all the time and acting "hype" all the time, then how does someone know when you're really excited??? Whereas, if you are usually calm and go about your business... then out of nowhere you're yelling and going crazy.... it has a much better effect of getting your teamates going!
el_duderino writes:
I think this team's leaders are emotionally in the right state of mind. Let's hope that offense is running smooth by the time September 1st rolls around. GO VOLS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4R2o6...
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Silent_Fulmer, where can I place my bet against those odds?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey,
Does anyone have a slingbox they could hook me up to???? I live in Malaysia and that is my only chance of catching any games.
newtonrail writes:
nafslov, I try hard to ignore you, but I have to ask who in the devil is Nagi? And the Team isn't boycotting anyone. If they were, it would be Adams, but he's still credentialled.
ZR writes:
Can Fulmer finish in the top 10 for the 4th time?
oldorange writes:
Like each one of you, I am also anxious to see the season begin. I temper my enthusiasm only by the knowledge that the 4 big SEC east games are played after the opposing team has a week off....GO VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
good article Drew.
I love the quote by Arian."As an older guy,I dont want to see all this hollering and yelling,"he said"alot of the time it's insincere".
Sounds like he likes Drayton's style alot better than his predecessor.
Or did he think Trooper was insincere sometimes?
hmmm..
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Agree with Phil On Hardesty. Love the way he runs, if he could somehow play a full season.
gnm53108 writes:
Agree pd.I also love the way Hardesty runs.But our O-line has to do alot better run blocking.If that can happen and Hardesty can stay healthy,is it possable to have a couple of 1,000 yrd backs?
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Why is Fulmer talking to the media (even if it was media day)?
I fully expect Fulmer to close all practices and wear a straw hat to show his defiance.
Thanks,
P.S. Where's Ashley?
Silent_Fulmer writes:
I think vegas has the 7.5 wins at something like -140 or -160 though, so the true over under is probably something like 8 wins.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
8 wins!!!! Give Foolmore a contract extension!!!!!!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
So Foolmore gets an automatic contract extension for being below average? LOL!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Naffy: Our 5th game is with N. Illinois. If we lose one of the first 4 games, who will our fifth opponent be?
iowavol writes:
It really is hard to believe that John Adams still has credentials. For that matter, it's hard to believe KNS still has credentials. Anyone figure out what nafslov is talking about? STJ, that was funny. On the other hand, if nafslov was to quit being a vol fan and start being a gator fan, the IQ of both groups would go up.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gen W 7:24 , Will the shuffle hurt the twins?
Tj, what is the exact date the "8 is enuf" contract roll over?
Silent_Fulmer writes:
little man sjt18 - how did you factor in the fact that they play 12 games now rather than 11?
I guess your fact finding data just got thrown in the dumpster.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
LOL at "little man sjt" and his "stats"!!!!
VOLstuckINky writes:
Tebow = crack sound = bye bye
TommyJack writes:
PD: Hard to foretell. Ask me late on 9/1. :)
Could be early...could be at the Poulan Weedeater Bowl. 9/1 will give us a glimpse into the future. I've got a good feeling about it.
Naffy's algorithm projects we are 28 days away.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Workin, a few months ago you said you would stop calling Fulmer the ever-so-clever "Foolmore" once he gave an interview to the media. Last week he did the car wash at ESPN so take your medicine like a man and come up with a new pet name.
If I could stomach reading thru all your previous post I would go find it. As it is I hope you can just man-up and admit it.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I'd actually forgotten about that. Thanks for reminding me of that. No more Foolmore for Fulmer then.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Thank you!
TurboFan writes:
680 hours to UCLA.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Turbo, that makes it seem so far away, I like 27 days instead :)
Orangebrewbasher writes:
I think the new OC will shake things up for the better. Cutcliff's offense was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Nafslov-
I hate to burst your bubble because I know you are real proud of the MBV Wrecking Crew nickname, but there is a real possibility that Vinson won't be a starter. I think he is behind Willinghelm and Rogan on the depth chart right now.
thesavageorange writes:
Serious question.
If this club goes 10-3 w/ 1 of those wins being the bowl game, would you consider the season a success?Would it depend on who we lost too, and how?I'm asking b/c I am having a hard time not saying 11-2 or bust.I am assuming we don't make the SEC title game b/c even if we beat UF, I Don't see a 2nd loss.Easiest schedule in the east.
murrayvol writes:
burntorange: What are the consequences if workin has a brain cramp at the keyboard and that loathesome nickname leaps into cyberspace in the absence of malice? Just curious.
thesavageorange writes:
General, by the end of the season I thing Rogan w/ start at safety and Berry will move to corner.If not this yr then surely next yr.Good safeties are easier to find than lock-down corners.You will see this in the mustang package some too.Rogan is definately a baller.
Waldorf writes:
savage -
All things considered with this team and esp. with the strengths versus weaknesses, part of me is wondering if we might see more of the mustang package as the base set in a lot of cases with maybe a bit more agressiveness to it.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Well I have no way to enforce any kind of punishment. I'm just hoping he's a man of his word and proof reads his post before submitting.
He’s reestablished a little respect (from me anyway) just for owning up to this point.
TommyJack writes:
Savage: My prediction is somewhat limited, not knowing in advance which slacks we will wear in certain games.
thesavageorange writes:
GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer ,the word is they will.Chavis said he's gonna blitz more out of the mustang b/c he believes there are enough good players in the secondary to do so.He even said he's gonna cut Moreley and Berry loose.Obviously he has faithe in Rogan,Vinson,Willingham etc...You don't take a player out of his natural enviornment unless you trust the guy behind him.This defense will be better.How much remains to be seen, but should certainly be more fun to watch.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
nafslov-
Rivals has the full depth chart 2-3 deep at every position. Also, it relfects all the articles I've read about the secondary and who is currently winning the position battles. That doesn't mean that Rogan and Willinghelm will both end Fall practices ahead of Vinson. He is a heck of an athlete and may very well win a starting job before September 1st.
murrayvol writes:
savage: I for one would hate to be out on that 11-2 limb. I do think it's possible but I always feel that way in August. Must be the heat.
It will come down to who we lose to and how. Close losses to either (pick 3) UF, UGA, Auburn, or SC wouldn't wreak so much as the Cal, UF, & Bama nukings of 07'.
Agree that Florida (absent a Tebow injury) will visit the Occupied City in Dec.
murrayvol writes:
I have a serious question as well.
Does it hurt more to lose 59-20 or 21-20?
orangebloodgmc writes:
Dbs ... I'd be OK with 5 dbs ... IF one of them was Mckenzie or Myers-White.
Meanwhile one of the articles in the Tennessean (seems to me like it ought to be Tennesseean) said that both Vinson and Rogan had gained 15lbs of muscle. Vinson has a little bigger frame to carry it and could use a bit more wallop at the corner, but I hope that this would not slow Rogan down, if it is indeed correct.
volboy81#211803 writes:
28 DAYS TIL ITS FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!
27 TIL THE FLIGHT FOR L.A. LEAVES!!!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Murray, I don't think a real close one hurts as much.
TommyJack writes:
murray, 1:24: I think I know which score our recruiting staff would prefer.
BornNBredAVol writes:
28 days, 6 hours, 17 minutes till UCLA!
Share your thoughts
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.