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Tennessee wide receiver Lucas Taylor celebrates with Vol teammates after scoring on a 51-yard pass play from Erik Ainge against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., on Oct. 13 last season
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Gerald Jones, middle, of Tennessee cuts between Arkansas defenders Malcolm Sheppard, left, and Marcus Harrison (55) during the Vols' 34-13 victory in Knoxville last season.
Dave Hooker audio:
After leading the team in yards gained last season, senior Lucas Taylor is Tennessee's most proven and productive wide receiver.
But with a depth chart jam-packed with speed, athleticism and experience, even Taylor knows reprising that role will be a challenge.
"It's real tough with all those guys," said Taylor, who had 1,000 yards receiving in 13 games last season. "Those guys are real good. It's not going to be easy."
As fall camp continues, the Vols' wide receivers are working to stand out from the crowd and assure themselves playing time when the season begins Sept. 1 at UCLA.
To do that, they'll have to excel at more than one position.
First-year receivers coach Latrell Scott wants his players to be able to line up at all four positions. That versatility allows coaches more flexibility in play-calling and makes it more difficult on opposing defenses.
According to Scott, responsibilities and routes don't change from formation to formation.
"It's concept-based, so if you can understand the concept, you know where you're supposed to be," he said. "We don't teach plays, we teach concepts. We can just mix and move those guys around. If they know the concept, then they'll know where to go."
For now, everyone wants to go to the top of the heap at receiver.
Taylor, senior Josh Briscoe and junior Austin Rogers have the edge early in camp because of experience and productivity. Last year, those three players combined for 2,181 yards and 15 touchdowns.
But players like Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Ahmad Paige, as well as junior Quintin Hancock, could contribute this fall.
Jones has perhaps the most big-play potential in the group. Despite catching just 11 passes last season, he should be a major factor this fall. A lot of that is due to the fact that he has fully recovered from a hamstring tear suffered early last fall.
Since then, he's worked to strengthen his hamstrings and even changed the way he runs, focusing on picking up his feet instead of shuffling them, which contributed to his injury.
"They changed my style of running," Jones said. "It's actually made me faster, and it's keeping me healthy."
Another player to watch, says Briscoe, is Moore. As a freshman, the Texas native played in all 14 games, catching 14 passes for 212 yards.
"I don't think Denarius is getting as much credit as he deserves," Briscoe said. "Gerald Jones is a great athlete, and he's going to make a lot of plays for us. But Denarius is very good also. As a freshman, he had a lot of pressure on his shoulders coming in and playing. I think he'll be one of the sleepers in the group."
Just don't expect much sleeping from the players in the hunt for a starting spot.
"There's no off days, especially with this group," Jones said. "As soon as you take an off day, somebody's going to step up and that'll be their day."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group during the Vols' 34-13 victory in Knoxville last season. ){kind=link}
Comments » 81
wyomingvol writes:
Stacked at WR! Go Vols. I will hang up and listen to ya...
orangebloodgmc writes:
Early on, we may have to play more wr's until we get all our te's healthy and/or eligible for games.
99gator writes:
maybe the new offense will change my opinion, but i am still not big on these guys.
brandon warren....on the other hand....is a stud. when does tennessee expect the ncaa to do?
99gator writes:
oops....
what, not when.
DennisVols writes:
Welcome back to Wide Reciever U.
Hunter writes:
Drew Edwards apparently hadn't had his coffee before writing this article. I had to go back and read several sentences over again as well as try to infer absent information (i.e. "Who's Jones?" and "What year is Lucas Taylor?"). KNS needs to host a reality show with the former VH1 CelebReality people entitled "Who Wants To Be A Sports Writer?"
The WR corps looks a little lacking from previous years in Vol history, but I think Crompton and Foster in the backfield will keep defenses inching up as the game progresses and open up the field some to compensate.
gavol2572 writes:
"The WR corps looks a little lacking from previous years in Vol history, but I think Crompton and Foster in the backfield will keep defenses inching up as the game progresses and open up the field some to compensate."
well said Hunter
young_vol writes:
the thing is even taylor knows u gotta work and there is no given. the competition at reciever is a big plus for vol fans cause its only going to make these guys work harder and the harder u work the better chance at greatness. look for somethin special out of the receiving core. go vols!!!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
We return damn near 3,000 yards worth of receivers this season including the backs and TE's. The big differences will be who's getting them the ball this year and if they'll be able to get things clicking in this new offense. I like their chances. We should be very well-balanced on offense this year with a veteran "O" line and Foster & Co in the backfield....
Oh yeah, the other big difference will be the hopefully much improved defense.
young_vol writes:
I'm new to this site but r u freakin kiddin me hunter. these guys will make plays better than any core we've had in a while. there r studs on the roster. competition competition competition. just wait the recievers will end up being a strong point in the offense this year.I'm a high school coach and I know competion brings out the best and the recievers r very athletic. I can't remember a corps being this deep in talent. just wait til they hit the field. little lacking where have u guys been.
OrangeMandM writes:
I really hope these guys live up to all the hype. As well as the secondary, RB's, and O-line. We NEED a big 3 or 4 to step up above the rest and not just a bunch of "good" players in the wide-out dept...
Volsrule92 writes:
the wideouts are the strength of the offense. foster isn't consistent and the line is only good on the pass. the receivers were really good last year, and this year will be amazing.
gobigorange writes:
could have been better last year if cutcliffe would have called some deeper plays but hard to get alot of yds on 5 yd pass to the flats maybe clawson will open it up some like the older days in UT football i can remember when on UT's first play of every game it would be a deepball ready for it or not I MISS THEM DAYS
gobigorange writes:
OH AND IT WOULD HELP IF CHAVIS TELLS THE D TO QUIT ARM TACKLING AND KNOCK SOMEONES TEETH IN THE DIRT
OrangeMandM writes:
gbo... I agree. Even though it worked alot of the time, I was and never will be a fan of the "dink and dunk" I love to see a lot of air under the ball. I always like a good play-action bomb. But, I know that can't happen everytime. Crompton does have a big arm, maybe they will unleash it alot more
VolFanInAtl writes:
I too would like to see better run blocking and a more consistent running attack. A defense that has to crowd the box is easier to get behind.
zbbb10#212690 writes:
you couldnt go deep last year because ainge was timid. 3 step drop and throw it no matter what. still makes me cringe. we will take more sacks this year but our boy crompton will make way more big plays happen. let them nuts hang jon.
ZR writes:
Too bad it will be a season and a half before we get to see if they can catch a deep ball, much less a ball with a little velocity.
GreerVol22 writes:
what a concept...playing assignment football. It's genius I tell you, pure genius.
iowavol writes:
I agree with youngvol - i think. The competition at this position is awesome and should raise the bar quite a bit. That said, these guys will remind us of what Tee Martin's group did for him, make him look a lot better. I like the mentality if the ball is in the air and close, they are going to get it.
WVVOLFAN writes:
since vinson is now 3rd team CB, move him back over to WR. speed kills.
tngivem6 writes:
one thing about the offense, specially the running game is we have a lead blocking full back...think Foster can hit the holes now..BOOM..play action pass..TD..
our offense should be very productive in scoring and also short yardage..cut down on Turnovers and..
"so your saying I have a chance.."
GoVol writes:
I love the fact that our receiving talent is spread across 6-7 guys. Since everyone of these guys are capable of making big plays this puts a lot of pressure on defenses because they cannot key on any one or two individuals without taking a huge risk.
With FL's weak secondary and our balanced attack we'll beat FL this year in Neyland. Tebow will get circumcised right there on the field in Neyland this year!!
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
99, I think Warren should be cleared unless he has grade problems, he did sit out a year. Or mabe Bowden has some friends in the clearing house.
Go Vols!!!
GreenDevilVol writes:
Mcdumbasz, Most teams with any kind of mentality will RUN the ball,much like the tebow cloud of dust.Opps,he wont be doing that this year correct?Target acquired,homing in,contact,BAM..mission accomplished.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Warren sit out a year to GAIN his eligibility to play.We should know by Friday.
Greyback_Vol writes:
Mcbrim - I'm not going to bash you like some others on this site, but you must keep up with the Vols more than your mighty Gators. Sometimes your links are a better source of info than the KNS!
Slowly, very slowly, the details about this new offense are coming out, and I like what I'm hearing. Being more flexible at receiver will really put some strain on defenses, much like what Meyer does at Florida.
diggerland17#448133 writes:
Lucas Taylor has the best #'s of any returning WR n the conference but do u c his name on the 1st or 2nd team all sec? NO! this receiving core is flying under the radar. They r ranked behind Ole Miss n wr units n the SEC - Ole Miss? This unit will b as solid a group as we have had 1 to 6 n sometime. Denarius Moore will b the homerun threat that the offense has been missing since Peerless. We will run the ball more this year (thats a good thng)but when we throw it downfield these guys will make plays! GO vols!!!
GreenDevilVol writes:
NEWS FLASH...........
Mcbrrim is really J. Adams. His isp was traced to the KNS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Mcbrim, what is your thought process when you write stuff like that? Are you really a UT professor who just wants to make us go and look stuff up? Because I did that and the last 2 yrs we totalled 7113 yds passing on 598 completions after 949 passes were thrown their way. Kinda sounds like some receivers were getting to catch some balls, doesn't it?
Lofton4Three writes:
nafslov-
Biggest racist in GVX history. Congratulations. Always trying to keep the white man down aren't ya?
Go4Two writes:
MC
Football is 1st and foremost a running game..VL.
vol4gzus writes:
nafslov has the record for most dropped posts.....27! Congrtaulations from a white dude that really doesn't care what your color is anyway! God made us all and he doesn't make mistakes. So get coached up and see we are all made in His image. Only colored glasses allowed on this site are ORANGE COLORED!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Repeat after Fulmer:
"Young, talented bunch."
Also, yawn...Paige won't have more than 15 catches this year.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I like white people. They all look the same.
vol4gzus writes:
Todays early typo award goes to me! Congrtaulations...oops..that should have been Congratulations to nafslov!
chad_t31 writes:
People with no knowledge of sports should not be allowed in here...oh and you racists #@$! too. The Vol receiving corp will be just fine. I too have always been a fan of the deep ball..Crompton HAS the arm and we HAVE the receivers. You pessimistic punks are always "we're gonna be 6-6...phil needs to go...ainge sucked....we can't recruit 5 star players..." Omg, shut the hell up and support your team!! Apparently, you didn't receive the phone call from knoxville saying they didn't want your freakin' opinions on how to run the team. Get back to flippin' burgers, get off the library computers, and let the rest of us enjoy having normal conversations.
JHCRANE writes:
Good post general watermelon. We have the talent to be better ,but it is all about ball controll, no fouls, and good defense. If we can do that we will be alright. GO VOLS!!!
JHCRANE writes:
Go chad t31 tell em.
VolGraduate writes:
get those meds in you chad...that was a CRAZY post
GW: did you take chad's meds? that was way too optimistic
on a different note, the widereceivers will be great. whoever said they won't is an idiot. i just hope when balls are dropped they rotate new guys in to give them a chance. i hate to say it but nafslov is right about the dropped balls...
TommyJack writes:
gobigorange: DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR TOES?
VolFanInAtl writes:
"Just catch the football!!!!", Nov. 4 2006
Go4Two writes:
Football 101
If you see teams playing 2 deep safeties you can not attack with the deep ball. You must (1) run the football to draw the safety into run support or (2)throw short passes in front of the safeties. Great teams are able to keeps teams out of that coverage by RUNNING the ball. Cal thought they could play us with their safeties at the line supporting the run two years ago. WRONG.. Some people think you have one on one coverage on all pass plays..Please watch the defense before making comments
Madkels writes:
Reasons to be optimistic about this team:
1)New offense and OC.(new playbook and schemes)
2)Little respect from media and some fans.
3)Hungry players with less ego showing (for now).
4)Gators come to Neyland
5)New focus as mentioned by Fulmer...(out with old ways, dink/dunk, and complacency)
6)Defensive Secondary
7)Crompton wants to show he was worth the wait.
8)All focus on UGA & UF
9)Strong work ethic so far
10)Better offensive line play
orangebloodgmc writes:
Good analysis, General and Madkels, and Chad I agree with also. You notice mcbrim never contributes anything substantial, just immaturely tries to stir up stuff. I'm beginning to think GreenDevil is right: mcbrim has the mark of johnadams all over it. I'm looking forward to a great season for the Vols.
VolFanInAtl writes:
Playing devils advocate
Reasons for concern:
1)New offense and OC.(new playbook and schemes)
2)Crompton wants to show he was worth the wait.
3)Poor run blocking in 2007 by OL
4)Poor rush defense by DL and LBs in 2007
5)Poor pass rush in 2007
CoverOrange writes:
I don't see Warren contributing much early on, if cleared. He has a lot more learning to do than he had at FSU.
McB knows how to use the internet too well to be JA. If some of you guys weren't so hypersensitive to criticism you might increse the breadth of your perspective from the links he provides. Besides, posting here keeps him from being bothered by the other inmates in his asylum.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
I for one am glad McDingleberry and DCf post on this site. Didn't used to feel that way, but I've noticed Vol comradere when they take over the board with their phooey. I'd rather see us all pounce the "gatorlopers" than each other.
Funny, I've noticed that when they are swarming the board, idiots like Workinlikeheck take a backseat. Must be annoying for him and his "buddy" Silent_Fulmer.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I've taken a backseat yet am still top of mind for some posters. LOL!!!!
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Hey question.
We talk about traditions a lot on this site. Does anyone know what ever happened to the Tennessee Walking Horse at home games? I remember growing up and going to games with my dad and seeing the Walking Horse when Majors coached. I can't remember seeing them trot one out except for maybe a homecoming game in many years. What happened there?
I know, completely off topic.
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