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UT middle linebacker Gerald Williams has finished his last class to qualify and awaits his grade. In the meantime, he's ready to take to the field for the Vols. Watch »
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Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton was back at practice Wednesday on Haslam Field after sitting out Tuesday’s drills with a sore right ankle. The junior bristled when asked about the minor ailment.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Crompton said with a sly smile. “My ankle is fine. It’s football. You get a little tweak here and there. But I’m perfectly fine, 100-percent ready to go.”
That seemed to be the case on Wednesday, as Crompton showed no ill effects from whatever might be — or have been — wrong with his ankle.
Crompton said he’s well aware that his health will be the center of attention no matter how insignificant an injury might be.
“You expect that when you come to the University of Tennessee,” Crompton said. “That’s why you come play here. You’re under the spotlight 24-7.”
Crompton denied persistent Internet rumors that he was wearing a protective boot around campus early this week.
“I’ve been wearing my tennis shoes and some sandals,” he quipped. “I kind of mix them up.”
Waiting Williams: UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he is still waiting on a summer school grade for junior college transfer Gerald Williams.
“I’m hopeful (that it will be) any day,” Fulmer said.
Williams has been moved full-time to middle linebacker after a short stint at weakside.
Practice Report: The Vols will hold their last full-scale scrimmage of fall camp Thursday. Despite that practice looming and a physical afternoon session on Tuesday, Fulmer said he was pleased with Wednesday’s practice.
“Today was one of our best practices actually,” Fulmer said.
Fulmer knows he’s got some competition for his players’ attention with class starting this week.
“The girls are back,” Fulmer said. “They’re 18 to 22 (years old), not all totally focused on football.”
Fulmer said Thursday’s scrimmage will consist of five game simulation series (first string versus second string), which could go a long way to determining who will be UT’s backup quarterback: sophomore Nick Stephens or redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman.
“I think that’s going to be an ongoing process,” Fulmer said. “Neither one of them have distinguished themselves.”
Fulmer said the competition could go into the season. Coleman said he’s pleased with his effort so far.
“I feel like I’ve had a good camp,” Coleman said. “The journey’s been great. I feel like I have a long way to go.”
Not Yet the Victor: Fulmer said sophomore defensive tackle Victor Thomas has lacked consistency since turning in a strong scrimmage on Saturday.
“I’m not going to sit here and wait until he’s a fourth year junior for him to be mature,” said Fulmer, who added that if UT’s young, reserve defensive tackles didn’t improve, the Vols would go to a three-down lineman scheme.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 56
Major_Magilicutty writes:
First...go complain about it now!
Waldorf writes:
Not serious?
I remember something that happened about this time last year to the QB that wasn't supposed to be "serious" and ended up being quite a bit worse that the state-run media would let out......
VolPride_13 writes:
Whewww!! Dodged a bullet with the ankle there!!
gavol2572 writes:
They were just talking about Crompton on College Football live. I hope he has a break out season and give all the nay-sayers some shutup juice
Major_Magilicutty writes:
agreed gosh darn. But then again, Crompton is a bit tougher than Ainge and should be able to play through an ankle injury.
Moreover, an ankle injury is a lot different than a broken finger on your throwing hand.
VolGraduate writes:
i like how it's the coaches fault when a player gets injured and can't perform. for example the lack of deep balls thrown last year were due to the coaching staff even though ainge couldn't throw it there b/c his finger
gavol2572 writes:
Way to go Major!! Fight the power
NorthfaceCB writes:
VolQuest reports it had zero to do with his ankle, especially since he practiced the entire time monday and didn't miss a snap on Saturday. Tuesday was meant to be a day dedicated to the 2nd team squad.
mdvol writes:
More bad news for UCLA!
smokey90 writes:
gavol: shutup juice? I am sorry I thought that was one word.
VOLS85 writes:
DC,
"All"? Considering, knock on wood, that we haven't had any serious injuries so far this year and crompton has already played on his bad ankle, I would say it's no big deal...
Florida, however, doesn't know how to keep their acl's from tearing, so yeah, you have had a lot more and more serious injuries to key players...
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
WHO????
CoverOrange writes:
The "serious" injury to Ainge last year that affected him all season was inflicted on the fourth or fifth (or whatever) play of the game against Cal by a helmut to the spine. It wasn't the pinky.
olozbal#646632 writes:
Speaking of weak QB's - I'm hearing Ainge is about to get cut from the jets. Anyone else hear that he ain't cutting it up there?
RockyTopVolFan writes:
Just take care of his pinky finger.
gohawks1 writes:
Alright, break it up and move along. Nothing to see here...
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
okay here is a good one.....
why will obama never carry tennessee?
if you put the letter g in front of obama what do you have?
GO BAMA
he'll never carry the state.....
GO VOLS DESTROY UCLA
BRING THE SEC SWAGER TO THE ROSE BOWL
miamiVOL writes:
gator4life, less intense workouts in the south georgia sun, enjoy that piece of advice, it's free
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"girls are back, not totally focused on football".
Ah yes, the girls.
Just have them focused 9-1-09, Phillip.
iowavol writes:
Sounds like it is a non issue. Get tough and get going. I like the attitude.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff- 2nd site hinted he is so ready he didn't need any more work.
As someone said, the whole season (as far as BCS voters) is riding on this little excursion West for CPF's charges.
1manningfan writes:
fulmer commented on going to a 3 man lineman scheme, so in just guessing he's suggesting 3-4 defense. That might not be so bad. Ck it, Ayers, Bolden, Brown, McCoy, G.Williams, E.Wilson, N. Mekenzie, Berry, Morley, Vinson, Willingham. What do you guys think of that defense on the field? IMO it is something i would love to see!!!
idiot writes:
wait a minute! what about Gerald's summer school grade? the most important gem in the article. I thought this was a done deal. Somebody clue me in.
rabidvol1998 writes:
That's worrisome about Williams. Grades were turned in last Tuesday. He must have taken an incomplete or something. Not sure how that works?
volunteer_cowboy writes:
1manningfan what about johnson? if he is healthy he is our best corner
1manningfan writes:
cowboy, who r you speaking of?
gnm53108 writes:
Hopefully that is just CPF putting a fire under Victor's but.
Good luck Phil.We really need him to play like a beast.Every freakin down!
DennisVols writes:
The only UT-UF game that matters is this years game. All the others are history and won't make a bit of difference in how this game turns out.
The won loss record against UF in the 90's happened when all these kids were in pre-school. Last years loss for that matter didn't stop UT from finishing above UF in the conference or in the final polls.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
Marsalous Johnson
gobigorange writes:
Posted by VolGraduate on August 20, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i like how it's the coaches fault when a player gets injured and can't perform. for example the lack of deep balls thrown last year were due to the coaching staff even though ainge couldn't throw it there b/c his finger
Volgrad if Ainge wasnt capable of playing last year, it is the coach's responsiblity to find someone who is capable.So last years dink and dunk was the coach's fault.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
Marsalous johnson hurt his knee against Alabama last year and missed the remainder of the year!! How soon we forget
Orangebrewbasher writes:
It's one course Gerald, get it in son, we all want to see you on the field wearing orange.
gobigorange writes:
Dont forget we did have Crompton on the team last year.If Ainge really was hurt, Crompton should have got a lot more playing time. Im just tired of the dink and dunk from last year.I was very happy when Cut came back, but now i think it may be blessing he is gone.I just think last year was too conservative.GO VOLS!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i think you better get used to conservative, with a rookie QB and a vet O-Line, foster and hardesty will get a workout..
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i actually think our offense will look alot like LSU's does or did last year, smash mouth till coach sees that crompton gets comfortable and hoping he does before Florida!!!! maybe a screen every once in a while but mostly run!!!
gnm53108 writes:
cowboy..I'm praying That is the case.
gnm53108 writes:
We should be very able to do just that.
I wouldnt mind a couple of timely tossed hitch and goes to keep the defenses honest.
cjraney writes:
Brilliant.
http://www.disposableflasks.com/
cjraney writes:
cowboy-
Do you remember when our running game effectively set up the deep routes? It's been awhile, but I hope, and believe, that will be the case this year.
gnm53108 writes:
cj..thanks for the link.Thinkin about buying stock in xela.
And yes I remember the pre Sanders era.You know,when we use to win Championships.
1manningfan writes:
cowboy, M.Johnson is garbage and i hope he never see's the field again. He got burned way to many times for my likings, and one more thing to point out lets press the recievers this season Chavis we get burned to much and give to many 3rd and long situations when we use zone coverages all the time. Were getting predictable way to much. Lets get r don this year and ride this BIAYTCH into the sunset. GO VOLS!!!
pdb73216#339474 writes:
Im new to this site, look foward to reading all of your info and opinions. I live in GA but a huge UT fan. I think we are in for a treat this year, Berry, Morley in the secondary G. Williams at LB and hopefully an improved D-line. Mobile QB, a load at rb and wr, and now B. Warren at TE. I cant wait!! GO VOLS!!!!!!!!
Ralph_Crampton writes:
You know guys if we had not blown that first game to Cal. last year would have certainly been in a BCS bowl game...and with 11 wins probably would have been ranked top eight in the this season's preseason rankings...Its weird things like that I guess happens...and what galls you is the fact Cal was not very good team in the first place...anything can happen in the season opener.
gnm53108 writes:
Welcome pdb.
I too am excited about this year.
GO VOLS!
LargeOrange writes:
Posted by cjraney on August 20, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal) Brilliant.
Excellent link CJ, thanks, I am putting my order in now. I have only been busted once in 25 yrs of hiding flasks, but with this Homeland Security BS it is getting more difficult, these should come in very handy! I hope I can get an express shipment in time for the UCLA game :-)
tnfanincali writes:
I threw my flask at the ref from the endzone bleachers in the 98 FL game after they ruled the .23484 second juggle a catch. that pissed the security off pretty good. I could actually see the flask bounce through the endzone on the slowmotion replay when I got home too. Still haven't replaced that flask... good link. almost game week.. dang 10 years with no flask...
txvolsfan writes:
I agree carolina, I think Jonathan will be a big improvement over Ainge. Hiresanders your post are injury prone!!!
GOVOLS
TXVOLSFAN
Kick some Bruin BUTT
Moaninglikeheck writes:
pdhuff@8:15 pm
Have you already given up on the 08 season?
Greyback_Vol writes:
Fulmer is considering a 3 lineman front on defense?!
He and Chavis must have some confidence in the ends, because you have to have some studs to play only 3 down.
May be a good fit for this defense, and having more speed on the field may help stop the spread also.
Go4Two writes:
I would not be surprised to see Ainge cut from the Jets. I watched the 2007 SEC Champ game yesterday we should have scored 3 TD's in the 1st half if the QB plays avg. Ainge was totally gun shy. He was never the same after the ND injury
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