Dave Hooker audio:
- Dave Hooker interviews P Chad Cunningham
- Dave Hooker interviews RB coach Stan Drayton about Tauren Poole
- Dave Hooker interviews LB Gerald Williams
- Dave Hooker interviews DB coach Larry Slade
- Dave Hooker interviews CB Dennis Rogan about his pass interference penalty
- Dave Hooker interviews S Demetrice Morley about backup S Prentiss Waggner
- Dave Hooker interviews OL coach Greg Adkins
- Phillip Fulmer’s post-practice comments
At some point you'd think Tauren Poole would start looking like a freshman.
Surely the star running back from Stephens County High School in Toccoa, Ga., can't keep turning in sensational scrimmage plays and impressing Tennessee coaches with a diligent work ethic beyond his years.
Surely the pressure of the college game and/or college life will eventually get to him.
Maybe not.
"He just keeps getting better and better," running backs coach Stan Drayton said. "The more reps he gets the stronger he tends to run the football.
"We just keep piling on the information and he keeps eating it up. He's a student of the game. He loves to play it and I'm real satisfied with his effort. Hopefully he keeps it going."
Poole put up a modest stat line during Saturday's scrimmage, 14 carries for 38 yards and two receptions for 12 yards, but showed dynamic flashes, especially on a twisting, multi-tackle-breaking 22-yard run behind UT's second-string offensive line.
"He has the ability to put his foot in the ground and make a vertical cut," offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. "Tauren is really good at seeing leverage on a block and ... hitting the thing north and south and not bouncing things laterally and losing yards or running out of room."
Perhaps that is Poole's most surprising attribute. At just 5-foot-10 and perhaps close to his 200-pound listed weight, Poole seems most comfortable running between the tackles and absorbing contact.
"He's starting to play fast now," Drayton said.
Poole almost certainly wouldn't be in this position had it not been for his early entrance at UT. Poole enrolled in January to get a head start on his football career.
Now Poole is battling for playing time with sophomore Lennon Creer, the speedy tailback from Texas who had 70 yards on nine carries on Saturday.
Creer, however, fumbled the ball following a jarring hit from freshman reserve safety Prentiss Waggner.
"That was a good hit on Lennon, although he should have had it higher and tighter," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We don't ever accept a fumble."
For Poole to be a factor in games and not just scrimmages, he'll have to prove he can help protect quarterback Jonathan Crompton. If there's one shortcoming of Poole's game, it's pass protection - for now.
"He's got to get better at it," Drayton said. "He's not afraid. There are times when he's a little overaggressive.
"There's a point in time in protection when you have to be patient. He doesn't quite have that timing down. That takes time."
UT's coaches have no reason to think Poole won't eventually pick up pass protection. There's so much confidence in Poole that Clawson is already thinking of ways to utilize the emerging freshman.
"He's doing things that we need to create a role for him," Clawson said. "Whatever that is, we've got to find a way to get him on the field."
Tough Spot: Clawson admitted that preparing an offense without his expected full complement of tight ends has been challenging. The Vols are still waiting on a decision from the NCAA on transfer Brandon Warren and junior Jeff Cottam has been slow to recover from a broken leg suffered in spring practice.
That leaves freshman Aaron Douglas, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and sophomore Luke Stocker, a standout performer in spring practice.
"Luke Stocker is a tremendous tight end and we need to develop some depth there," Clawson said. "At the same time we have to develop a plan to play without a tight end. That's the challenge."
The Vols relied heavily on two-tight end sets last season, and they'd likely do the same in 2008 with a full stable of tight ends. However, with the issues at tight end and emerging fullback Kevin Cooper, more I-formation could be an option.
Off And Running: UT's top four tailbacks - senior Arian Foster, junior Montario Hardesty, Creer and Poole - averaged 4.45 yards per carry in Saturday's scrimmage.
"We wanted to run the ball tonight and move the line of scrimmage," Clawson said. "It's one thing to say it and another thing to do it."
The Vols certainly did it at times, just a week after struggling to run the football in their first scrimmage.
"Our defense presents enough problem that it's a challenge every day," offensive line coach Greg Adkins said. "It looked like there were some good things that happened out here.
"You should make the most progress from the first to the second scrimmage. I thought we had a good week of practice, period."
Injury Report: Defensive tackle Chase Nelson was released from the hospital Friday after undergoing successful repair of a torn patella tendon in his left knee.
According to a UT release, head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh remains hopeful the junior can return as early as next spring, but expects a full recovery in time for 2009 fall camp.
Sophomore defensive end Chris Walker suffered a groin injury and freshman H-back Austin Johnson suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's scrimmage. Neither injury is thought to be serious. Both are expected to return within a week, according to Fulmer.
Young Ones: Fulmer said he expects to play eight to 11 newcomers - transfers and freshman - this season. Freshman offensive lineman Preston Bailey from Montgomery Bell Academy has been one of the latest to impress.
"Bailey has really come on at offensive guard," Fulmer said.
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Comments » 45
Silent_Fulmer writes:
WHO???????
Silent_Fulmer writes:
1ST, 2ND, 3RD..........WHO???????????
Silent_Fulmer writes:
YEAH, like Foolmer is going to let a freshman back who doesn't know the blocking scheme get in the game LOL!!!!!!!!
Volnation writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
vtvol#210290 writes:
The fumble aside, you gotta like the breakaway speed of Lennon Creer.
rabidvol1998 writes:
anybody got the scoop on Gerald Williams qualification status?
There sure are a lot of things to feel good about. Can't wait til UCLA. I can still vividly remember the '89 game when the team came over and cheered the fans. Seemed like there were 10k of us there. Should be a big crowd of orange this year. I doubt UCLA even sells out.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Poole I like a lot from what I saw in the spring game and everything I've heard since then that squares with what I saw with my own eyes. Geaux Vawls!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yeah, Creer is explosive, should get on the field at least some and maybe even a lot.
MrBamSeydu writes:
I heard it was Rod Wilks that hit Lennon Creer causing the fumble, not Waggner.
And I agree about the whole "1st" thing.... it's really elementary and irrelevant. Noone cares who has the first comment, especially when it isn't even a comment to begin with.
TNfaninMS writes:
Williams is qualified. Warren is not yet or not that I have heard. But from what I hear Williams is a beast and I cant wait to see our D face off against everyone this year. GO VOLS!!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yeah I heard (Tennessean) the Waggoner lick was on Hancock, said to be the hit of the scrimmage.
xvolx writes:
Im not sold on Foster or Hardesty. neither are north to south hard runners. Foster fumbles too much. He also could have cost us ky. game with his temper. Dont hurt the team just because you couldnt turn corner and run over d back.
jacksfacts writes:
i always look forward to silents comments with her wealth of football knowledge. she always brings so much to the table. msfan i dont think williams has been cleared (hope im wrong). if he is cant wait to see he and tebow collide. im afraid offense may struggle the first few games so d better be improved.
iowavol writes:
Well said Volnation, well said. Playtime is over and it's now time to talk serious football. Enough of the childlike "1st" antics.
I like what I hear about Poole and Creer. RB appears to be in good shape for the year and beyond. Also, not comfortable about TE. WHere the he11 is Hamilton on Warrens behalf. Come on Mike, we pay a lot for you to have some influence, now use it. Time to get Cottom on the field as well.
cleVOLand writes:
Something about the way Poole carries the ball reminds me of Travis Henry. Me likey.
Gigavol writes:
I think Foster is better than most when it comes to fumbling over the past two seasons. His fumbles have unfortunately been painful, though (Outback, at Florida) when they do happen.
I did not find stats to back that up. Anybody have them?
Cherokee writes:
This is potentially great news about Poole. Lennon Creer may be great but is pretty untested at this point with most of his yards last season coming in the game against a weak directional Louisiana team; Hardesty has an unfortunate history of injuries, and even Foster has a bit of a gimpy knee. Poole may get to play earlier than anyone expects by necessity, so it's good to hear that he's doing well.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Not bouncing things laterally"- Good insight, Bro Clawson.
But this is against each other, not a D wanting to spread violence. Practice is one thing, games are another.
We can only hope...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read at al.com-Sec info.
Many articles. Auburn leads SEC in infractions, etc.
Great breakdown on money divied up in SEC. Vandy came close to UT in their share of the pie.
How we trailed Bama in SEC dough is hard to fathom!!!
xvolx writes:
kosmo. hope you are right. I would like to see more travis stephens type running. you wouldnt happen to know how many of fosters yards are overtime yards would you. I mean in his three years we have played a lot of overtimes. I dont think these stats should count, even though they do.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
i said it once and i'll say it again, POOLE will be our top running back next year.He was very UNDERRATED.
volroadwarrior writes:
Poole is only a 3 star. He shouldn't be doing this good!!!!
TNfaninMS writes:
Anyone want to see a funny video about BAMER FANS? Bunch of idiots!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i86oME...
richvol writes:
If you intend to run the ball you give it to your best runner. If it's obvious to everyone in the stadium that it's a passing down then put someone else in who knows all the protection schemes.
I doubt that Vince Dooley gave a damn about Hershel Walker's ability to protect the QB. Put the best talent on the field...period.
One more thing...if a kid is really talented, quick and elusive don't ruin him by putting 20 pounds of weight on him. The weight room is great but it has lessened the effectiveness of runners at times. Don't worry about his weight if he can't be hit solidly like this young man.
VolGraduate writes:
the star ratings are overrated. stars don't matter once to get on the field
volroadwarrior writes:
SJT18. So true. The jury is still out on Poole because he hasn't done anything yet. Granted, the odds are that 4 and 5 star players are LIKELY better, but to knock players who in someone's opinion is "only" a 3* is crazy. There are too many factors, such as levels of competition, high school coaching, teenage maturity, girlfriends, family situations, etc., that affect the evaluation of differences between the ratings. After all a 3* is probably a very good player and many turn out to be good or great collegians and pros.
Go4Two writes:
Watching the 2001 Fla game on CBS C. This was clearly the most important Tenn/ Fla game ever played. Winner takes the SEC East and a chance to play for the NT. Govols
miamiVOL writes:
it appears that R.Wilks is a heck of a athlete, hopefully he makes an impact on special teams early then gets into some real game situations to develop depth
TommyJack writes:
marc: Good link. Funny.
DennisVols writes:
Results not predictions win games.
Predictions of the talent by way of starts never won a football game, predictions of who is #1 going into a season never won a football game.
In the end it will be as it always has been whoever excutes the best, creates the most turnovers while limiting them for their team will win. Teams with lesser talent have won games because they did that better. Remember Michigan-Appy State? The players on ASU were not good enough for Michigan for the most part but in the end they played with more heart and excuted their game plan better.
UT seems to be really focused and come game time in the Rose Bowl we will finally get to see the results. Until then it is just opinions and we all know that everyone has a...
Go Vols!!!
pammyvol1000 writes:
I wonder if Ga. recruited Poole. He was pretty close to Athens.
junder13 writes:
sjt18 you seem to be right regarding the analysis on the recruiting class being too harsh. There may be some better talent there than we originally thought. Poole, by all accounts, is a stud. Waggoner sounds like a potential great (although looking back at his high school stats I'm shocked he wasn't more highly regarded--they're incredible). Wilks sounds like he's going to be the next dominate LB once he gets experience. Preston Bailey is getting rave reviews from Fulmer, which is quite a statement since he rarely, if ever, over plays an OL's ability. I hope that DT who's trying to become eligible, the LB from AL (Wall), and the highly rated athlete from NC all pan out just as well.
Have you heard anything on that athlete from NC or any of the other guys who haven't gotten much pub yet?
SemperVol writes:
"Fulmer expects to play eight to 11 newcomers this season."
Finally, he can swallow his pride and put guys out there who are too young to know what kind of spotlight they are in.
Put blinders on those kids and send them out there with reckless abandon.
Glad to see Stocker taking to the game so well. I never was really sure about him. He looks like he could be fast.
givehim6 writes:
Well, maybe between Foster, Hardasty, Creer, & Pool someone will notbe hurt, orfumble. Enough not make us look one dimensional with are passing.
murrayvol writes:
givehim6: IMO these guys are going to make each other better. A solid running game would make life much easier (and the secondary a lot less crowded) for Crompton. As pd might say, we can hope.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I hope our rbs don't break the line of scrimmage and think, "Oh, 6 or 7 yds is a good enough run." I hope they have a sense of urgency to fight and thrash loose to break it farther downfield (without fumbling, of course).
auttat writes:
Nope orangebloodgmc, they are going to hit the floor once they pass 6 yards. Are you serious with that post?
orangebloodgmc writes:
I seriously think of one of our rbs in particular with that post.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
I seriously think of an idiot when I read that particular post.
TNfaninMS writes:
Can't we all just get along? Anyone heard about practice today? Just curious about what we worked on. SAVAGE - you got any insight tonight bud?
Ralph_Crampton writes:
THe Vols must take care of the ball..If we lay the ball on the ground or throw silly interceptions...especially in first quarter it will be same ole thing..we will be doomed.
Southland writes:
I keep seeing comments about someone hitting TeeBow. Hey, I hate Florida as much as anyone on here but the kid took everything we had in his freshmen year and made us look silly. The guy is tough. I wish we had him. He is a class act even though silly butt people try to make him look bad. I hope UT can beat them, man do I hope we can. It ruins the season for me when UT loses to them and Bama. But TeeBow is a tough kid. He has been hit many times by some of the best and he has shown he can take whatever.
orangesox writes:
Rewatched that 2001 Florida game today. God bless you Travis Stephens, wherever you are!!
Urban_Weiner writes:
XVOLX,
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! You dont think Foster is a good runner! You gotta be joking! He is about to break the career rushing record at UT and is the best back we got! He hits the hole hard, holds onto the ball, is big and tough to take down, and is now very agile and has good speed! And for Hardesty, if he can just stay healthy, he will be great! A very hard nosed runner who takes on the hits and sheds them!
But as for Creer, I think he might have the most talent if he can just hold on to the ball!
For the youngster Poole, he has a lot of potential after what I saw at the scrimmage, made our defense look slow with his speed! He is going to be Great!
OVERALL, our Halfback position is loaded!! Good luck to the coaches trying to split up time!
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
And in 2010 FINALLY Poole will get his legitimate shot.
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