Offense has better grip on assignments : govolsxtra.com

Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said he is pleased with Tennessee's progress through four practices this fall.

"I'm encouraged, because I think we're a step ahead of where we finished the spring," he said Tuesday. "You finish the spring and think over the summer, they're going to lose something and you take a step back. We came back much ahead of where I thought we'd be. Now it's a process of just keeping it moving forward and try not to take too many steps back when we get everything in."

UT continues to install the playbook on offense and defense of the ball, but Clawson is particularly pleased that players are more certain of their assignments than in spring practice.

"There's not a lot of assignment mistakes and I think they're playing faster than any point in the spring," Clawson said.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer credits offensive players for being diligent during the summer.

"The guys used the summer and they studied hard," he said. "We're making strides that way."

Today's practice marks the first day in full pads. However, Tennessee will continue adding plays during its afternoon practice.

Clawson hopes the offense can continue to handle the workload.

"Every time you add more and every time the defense adds more, you're just multiplying the amount of assignments," he said. "The big thing I look for every step of the way is very little missed assignments. I think we've done a great job of keeping those to a minimum.

"The first day you get the pads on, guys get all excited, they get aggressive. Usually there's a tendency that you're going to have more missed assignments. I hope that doesn't happen, but at the same time I know it probably will."

Injury Report: Tight end Jeff Cottam did not practice Tuesday. The junior participated in the first three days but is still slow to heal from a broken leg suffered during spring practice.

"He did a lot for three days, just couldn't go today," Fulmer said. "Hopefully he'll be well closer to game time. I think he will because he had three good days."

Offensive lineman Cody Pope missed practice after becoming ill shortly before practice began, and defensive tackle Chase Nelson suffered a knee sprain.

Fowlkes Staying On Defense: True freshman Steven Fowlkes will remain on defense for the foreseeable future after starting fall camp at wide receiver.

"I think he's found a little bit of a home right there," Fulmer said of Fowlkes, who spent the last two days at defensive end. "We can start getting some weight on him and getting him stronger. If he can give us a few plays as a pass rusher along the way, that'd be a nice addition for a freshman."

Vinson 'In Mix': Cornerback Brent Vinson can get back in the battle for a starting job at cornerback, provided he finishes summer classes on a high note.

"He's got some academic things he's working through," Fulmer said. "He's in the mix. He gets work with the twos and threes mostly. Certainly he'll have a chance, if he does all he's supposed to do, to get himself back in the mix as a starter."

Vinson, who started 10 games last fall, is listed third on UT's depth chart.

First Day: Linebacker Rico McCoy said today's first practice in pads is particularly important for younger players to learn the speed of the game.

And it's pretty tiring, too.

"All I remember is being drop-dead tired after because I was playing 110 miles an hour all day," he said. "Whether I knew what I was doing or not, I was (going all out).

"It's probably the most exciting day of fall camp, except for the last day."

Stephens No. 2: Fulmer said that Nick Stephens has a slight edge over B.J. Coleman at quarterback behind starter Jonathan Crompton.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

Offense has better grip on assignments

First full-pad workout will test progress