Scrimmage about depth, basics

Tennessee's football team has a scrimmage on the brain.

The Vols' two-hour workout in shorts and helmets Friday morning inside Neyland-Thompson Sports Center was all about getting ready for this afternoon's first major scrimmage of fall camp.

"It's not about who wins or loses a scrimmage at all," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "There'll be certain situations that we're looking at, but (the scrimmage is) a lot about the players, particularly a number of young players that we need to get moved into position to help build our depth."

UT's defense is all but finished installing its full playbook, while the offense is about 90 percent done, Fulmer said. However, second- and third-teamers will be limited from a scheme standpoint for tomorrow's scrimmage.

"We're just fundamentally trying to take steps and build depth and look at some scheme stuff," Fulmer said. "But the schemes are not what's important to me. The effort, the fundamentals, just general blocking and tackling and catching and running - those things are important. It's not about who wins the scrimmage."

Fulmer also stressed ball security for the offense, which struggled with turnovers at times in spring drills.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton said he has become much more comfortable in UT's new offense since spring practice, as have his teammates.

"We've been in the system for a good amount of practices now," Crompton said Friday morning. "We understand it. We know what we're doing now."

Outside In: Defensive end Wes Brown could see a few snaps at defensive tackle, primarily on passing downs.

"They told me just to know what to do," Brown said. "When we go in third-down packages, when we put in pass rush. Obviously I won't be able to play three, four, five snaps in a row at defensive tackle, but I can get down there in pass rush situations and even play a few downs on first and second downs."

UT used end Robert Ayers the same way last fall, and Fulmer said the Vols have done similar things throughout his tenure.

"We've done that forever," Fulmer said, adding that the Vols also can use three down-linemen and bring pressure from linebackers or defensive backs.

"We're going to get our best four pass rushers on the field, regardless of the position they play. We can work around not having enough effective pass rushers. That would be the only reason Wes would go inside, or Robert. The defensive tackles should take that as a challenge."

Still Waiting: Asked if he had any indication of when Tennessee would receive an answer on tight end Brandon Warren's hardship appeals to the SEC and NCAA, Fulmer again appeared frustrated by the delay.

"We've got one lady in the compliance office on a hunger strike right now," Fulmer said. "So we're hoping pretty soon."

UT filed the appeals on Warren's behalf shortly after the former Florida State freshman All-American enrolled at UT in early June.

Going Green: UT's quarterbacks will be in green, non-contact jerseys for today's scrimmage. That can be a challenge for the mobile Crompton, but it's not a change in mentality, he says.

"It's not really dialing it back because you've still got to play like you're in a game, like you're in a white or orange jersey," he said. "That's how you get prepared. We're in a green jersey so we don't get hit, but we've still got to play like we are. If somebody's there, we've got to get out of the way, not just sit there."

Cunningham Improving: Fulmer praised punter Chad Cunningham, saying the sophomore has made progress since spring practice.

"I'm really proud of him," Fulmer said. "His timing's much better. His kicks have been real consistent, the direction has been real consistent. Tomorrow's a big day for Chad."

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