Dave Hooker audio:
Sophomore Brent Vinson remains buried on Tennessee's depth chart.
After playing in every game last season and starting 10, Vinson was listed as a third-team cornerback in UT's preseason media release.
Defensive backs coach Larry Slade said Vinson did not practice with the first team Monday during UT's closed practice.
"We'll see what happens," Slade said. "It's a great competition."
Vinson declined to comment on why he has yet to regain his starting position.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Vinson is close to, if not, 100-percent recovered from offseason shoulder surgery in January, but still said that could be a factor.
"He's coming off a shoulder injury and there's a lot of competition there (in the secondary)," Fulmer said.
Vinson is listed behind sophomore Dennis Rogan and senior Antonio Gaines at the right cornerback position.
Freshman Report: Fulmer said freshman Steven Fowlkes from Banneker High School in College Park, Ga., has moved to defensive end from wide receiver.
"He's a heck of an athlete," Fulmer said. "He's got a great attitude. You don't always get receivers that are anxious to go over there and play defensive end.
"He said, 'Coach whatever you want me to do. I'm blessed to be here.' "
Another freshman, Ben Bartholomew from Montgomery Bell Academy, has been practicing at linebacker. One of the more versatile athletes in the 2008 signing class, Bartholomew could also get a look on offense, likely at fullback, according to Fulmer.
Bartholomew could also play tight end or H-back.
Practice Report: The Vols will hold one more practice in shorts and shoulder pads today before practicing in full pads Wednesday, the first day of full contact. Fulmer said UT had "a little bit of contact" Monday.
To deal with the heat, UT held a long break in the middle of Monday's practice. A scheduling quirk should also help. Because of class conflicts, the Vols have moved their afternoon practices back an hour.
Center Josh McNeil said UT's offensive line is practicing like five returning starters, which they are.
"For the first three days we've started off pretty strong," the junior said. "Usually the first couple of days there's a lot of mistakes and people are rusty."
Comparing Coaches: Tailback Montario Hardesty is playing for his second running back coach in two years. Last year, it was Kurt Roper before he left to be the offensive coordinator at Duke. This year, it's Stan Drayton, who coached at Florida last season.
"I think he's been pushing us a little bit harder," Hardesty said of Drayton. "I'm going to work hard regardless of the coach."
Happier Returns: Safety Eric Berry was asked at UT's media day Saturday if he wanted to play on special teams.
"Yeah, I want to block for Rogan," the sophomore said. "We want him to take it to the house (on punt returns). That's our goal.
"We told him, 'We'll take care of the other stuff. You just get by the punter this year.' "
Berry joked about Rogan eluding defensive backs and linebackers but being tackled by a Vanderbilt punter last season.
"Then, he got tackled by a punter two or three times this spring," Berry said with a laugh.
Berry Blitz: Berry said UT's experience on defense will mean more wrinkles this fall.
"They've put in a lot of new coverages and formations," he said. "Right now, they've (the coaches have) been talking to me about blitzing a little more.
"I think Chief (UT defensive coordinator John Chavis) feels real comfortable about the defense this year. He's back in the lab. I think he has a lot of trust with us."
Berry said he blitzed only three or four times last season.
"Sometimes, it's fun," he said. "It's just not fun when a 6-8 tackle gets a hold of you."
John Adams contributed to this report.
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Comments » 68
volwalk writes:
I am SOOOOO ready for September 1. Lets GO VOLS!
young_vol writes:
players like fowlkes is more what we need. it really is a blessing playin in the orange uniform, and him feelin like that just lets me know he'll do watever it takes to make us champions. don't worry bout vinson he'll be back he is a hell of an athlete but like I said before competion will make the secondary stronger. go vols!!!
VOLS85 writes:
Glad KNS is pumping out the articles now, no qualms!
Michael1204 writes:
the more competition at the positions, the desire to get better as a player becomes greater. Better players and desire to get things done creates success. And to quote a certain Pat Summitt, "success breeds more success."
ONUV writes:
fire larry slade
jfg1980 writes:
Vinson behind Gaines? Questionable to say the least.
utchris writes:
This could be a motivation tactic.
LargeOrange writes:
Great article Mr. Hooker, I can't wait until John Adams is getting your coffee for you in the mornings :-) Seriously, I have to love this quote, "Safety Eric Berry was asked at UT's media day Saturday if he wanted to play on special teams. "Yeah, I want to block for Rogan," the sophomore said. "We want him to take it to the house (on punt returns). That's our goal." This team is going to be special, mark it down.
gobigorange writes:
I HOPE THE DEFENSE REMEMBERS HOW TO TAKLE it has been poor for past few years GOVOLS
gobigorange writes:
TACKLE sorry
zbbb10#212690 writes:
dennis rogan is gonna be a star before all is said and done. consider me on the steven fowlkes bandwagon as well. GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I don't see how Vinson is behind Gaines... why just because he's a 6th year player?? He's also 5-9 and will get owned by tall receivers. Vinson is 6-1 and proved he could hang last year, while Gaines has never really proven anything.
I'll trust the coaches with this one, only because the secondary is so deep there should be no reason to play favorites. If someone wants to cry or transfer, so be it. We also have about 39 CB/S/athletes committed for next year so we look to be going to a 2-1-8 defense next year anyway.
forkball writes:
Bartholomew will knock you into next week.
iowavol writes:
Good stuff except for the kudos Dave is throwing toward Jack A Adams. I wonder if this is Dave's way of showing support for a guy the volunteer consensus hates. Adams is worthless. This article is not.
On the other hand, it could be a way to get Dave's comment count up. Pretty smart Dave.
orangebloodgmc writes:
When it all shakes out I think the cb's will be Vinson and Willingham, but coaches are probably just sending a message that nothing will be just handed to them, they gotta work and earn it or move out the way.
leedsvol2007 writes:
I think you'll see a very even spread on snaps among the defensive backs. That will bode well for the 4th quarter where all will be fresh.
This potentially could be the best secondary group we have had since the late 60's early 70's.
It will be fun to watch.
Ironcity writes:
Nafslov just because your white doesn't make you a lousy football player. You really make some strange comments.
GreenDevilVol writes:
NEWS FLASH...........
Mcbrim is J.Adams.His isp address was traced to the KNS !!
SemperVol writes:
Vinson, you'll be aight. Just get healthy, we know you have the talent and know-how. Anyone on here going to the game in UCLA?????? I AM! In case it wasn't mentioned on TV last year, we had Berkeley inundated in orange last year. I hope we can do the same in Pasadena.
gotvols writes:
Please read the entire article. Vinson is coming off of a shoulder injury. You have to get your team together and get the chemistry going. If Vinson gets healthy enough, he can try to beat him out. Until then, he will remain where he is at. You don't want your number one corner playing at less than 100%.
Greyback_Vol writes:
"Fulmer said freshman Steven Fowlkes from Banneker High School in College Park, Ga., has moved to defensive end from wide receiver."
Wow, that's kind of a transition. At least he'll have enough speed to generate a pass rush.
SemperVol writes:
On another note, how about Steven Fowlkes? What a kid...."Coach whatever you want me to do. I'm blessed to be here." That's the spirit of a true Vol. He makes me proud and I don't even know him. Sounds like he would have made a beast of a WR. Moved to DE?!?!?
Greyback_Vol writes:
I'm pretty sure Chavis will find a way to get Vinson on the field, even if he doesn't start.
If Chavis and Slade really are working on Eric Berry blitzing more then I feel sorry for SEC QBs this year, especially with the 12-15 pounds of muscle Berry has added. Ouch!
tngivem6 writes:
Only reason Vinson is listed at 3rd string is because of the shoulder..not lack of talent..others have stepped up and can play too..the coaching staff knows what a talent Vinson is and want to keep him healthy..he's only a soph and you HAVE to give a shoulder injury time to heal properly if you want to tackle and play at a top speed..he'll get there so enough
adamsck#591720 writes:
I am getting so bullish on the Vols. If Chief can make the defense good and Crompton is adequate we can be good. If Chief pulls a 2005 and Crompton excels we can be great. GO VOLS!
Go4Two writes:
What has been missing from the Tn running game is a good blocking full back. Go Bart..
Hopson2008 writes:
Semper - I'm also going to the game, I can't wait. My prediction for the first offensive play of the game is a wheel route to Foster (see the Kentucky game last year).
Vinson will be a starter, he is just now recovering from surgery. Even if he doesn't start, we will be rotating corners a lot anyways with the depth in the secondary.
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
G'ARNGE!
VolFanInAtl writes:
"I am getting so bullish on the Vols" - I know what you mean. With the state of the other teams in the SEC east, this year could either be very good or very bad.
VolGraduate writes:
chill girls...vinson will play plenty. he's probably getting back into shape and learning the new schemes
SemperVol writes:
Hopson my man we will prevail. I was so elated to find orange company in Berkeley. And then we filled half of their stadium. Sad outcome, but fun trip.
And oh yes, I remember the wheel route...65-yard romp for six! This is my first game since graduating from UT last fall. I'm a proud ALUMNI and will follow the Vols ANYWHERE....Even into that mosquito-ridden cesspool of a refuse pit they call Gainesville. I did last year. Maybe I'll have better luck as an ALUM.
SemperVol writes:
Big tree fall hard, DC.
It's not about size. It's technique, angle, speed, agility...especially when he'll be standing there waiting for a WR to get open against this blanket of a secondary.
UTvols12342000 writes:
so you concur that Rich is right then DCFL? Vinson was a 5* recruited by Florida and he would be in the mix to start with that pathetic bunch you have back there now.
HotlantaVol writes:
DC - Size doesn't necessarily matter. Regardless of his nickname, Tebow is not Superman. He can be knocked down. Hard. Here is a good example of why Tebow should beware of Berry, even though he is smaller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScioc...
cjraney writes:
RichRollin-
To DC, "It's bad enough you sniff our n#ts all day..."
Good stuff man.
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
Wow dc, sounds like Timmy gave you an orange shower and you refuse to wash it off.
Don't forget what Berry did in our bowl game (p.s. we won our bowl game). He almost KILLED their qb- seriously I was afraid for his life. Timmy may still be playing scared like he did against UGA anyway.
VolGraduate writes:
the chuck norris jokes were mildly humorous until all the florida jort wearers decided to insert tebow's name...by the way didn't tebow get hurt last year thus the 4 losses???....and i know the answer..."it was the defense"...bullsh!t
HotlantaVol writes:
DCmoron: a figure of stupidity revered by mcbrim and hated by those of intelligence. Known to frequent Chinese restaurants located in former pet stores that never had a going out of business sale.
cjraney writes:
DC, the reason people on this Vols site don't like you is b/c you have zero objectivity. If you're only interested in spouting homerisms and biased views the place to do it is on your team's site.
Til then, keep sniffing the Vols' jocks and lovin it.
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shar...
Here is some coverage from Tony Barnhart on his daily football blog. Seems pretty reasonable- so most of you won't like it.
SemperVol writes:
Attacking 8-year olds now, DC? Your true colors are showing through now. Have a little respect about someone else's children. It seems the real child is yourself.
And pay attention to the articles. Vinson is still nursing his shoulder so he's sitting out a few practices. He hasn't had his job taken over. Shoulders are important elements in tackling.
orngejuice writes:
stop feeding the troll
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
sjt and being wrong go together like a horse and carriage. LOL!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Good link BassVols. One thing I didn't find surprising was that Fulmer did this interview over a meal:
“I was doing my film study during the spring and when David was here I might have had one page of notes on things I wanted to ask him about because we knew each other’s thoughts. We had worked together a long time,” Fulmer said over breakfast."
auttat writes:
Is Florida the only team UT plays this year? Shut up with this phooey! Even the damn team is talking like that. DCFlorida can say whatever he wants. 59-20 remember?
UT plays UCLA in Pasadena in a 9/1. Only game that matters right now.
TommyJack writes:
DCf: Let me get this straight. A gatorloper is advising a TN fan what to post here...then tells him to leave. What's wrong with this picture? Go to GGX and watch boys kiss.
VolGraduate writes:
"...then i'm gonna step"
oh chit watchout we have another BOAsoldier on our hands...you do NOT want rich to "step"
jeremyinitalia writes:
see you in Pasadena!
VOLS85 writes:
What Tommy said...
This Florida phooey is getting old...
BillBrasky writes:
DC- a.k.a Dumb Chotch......You obviously have your jorts in a wad over your team. First of all there is no reason for a moronic Gator fan to be on this site. 2nd of all anyone who understands football can tell youre an idiot who never played, or played at a sh!tty high school.
"Haden and Pierre-Louis are all-SEC selections at cb. Vinson isn't even a starter for UT. If Vinson can't start at UT, there's no way he supplants two all-SEC cb's. In the immortal words of John Adams, "facts are stubborn things." VINSON STARTED 10 GAMES LAST YEAR. HE'S AN F-IN STARTER AND WILL BE COME SEPT 1ST. GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR JORTS.
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