Dave Hooker audio
- DB coach Larry Slade talks about DB Dennis Rogan
- CB Brent Vinson talks about his fight with WR Josh Briscoe
- QB Nick Stephens talks about UT’s scrimmage
- WR coach Latrell Scott talks about Ahmad Paige, Quintin Hancock and Lucas Taylor
- QB B.J. Coleman talks about his performance in UT’s scrimmage
- Dave Clawson talks about UT’s scrimmage and the competition for the backup QB spot
- DE coach Steve Caldwell talks about Ben Martin
Tennessee defensive backs coach Larry Slade picked two words to describe sophomore defensive back Dennis Rogan.
"Big time," Slade exclaimed following UT's scrimmage in Neyland Stadium on Thursday. "He gives us that flexibility. He is tough.
"The guy is doing really well at corner, held his own versus all the competition and really would probably be the next safety in the football game."
Rogan is already a safety in UT's "Mustang" package, which incorporates one or two extra defensive backs. That allows usual starting safety Eric Berry to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
Rogan, the former Fulton High School standout, didn't start a game last season but is regarded as one of many stellar athletes in the secondary.
"He's right up there with them," Slade said of Rogan's athletic ability. "He can flat out run. He's a ball player. That's the best way to describe him."
Rogan, who also returns punts, fended off challenges from UT's other corners to hold a starting spot throughout fall camp.
Sophomore defensive back Brent Vinson is still dealing with an academic situation that coach Phillip Fulmer is hopeful will be resolved "any day".
"I'm going to be very positive about it and I think it will work out," Slade said.
As he has done throughout preseason camp, Vinson practiced as a reserve during the scrimmage. Still, Slade said Vinson has made progress despite the distraction.
"He has had a good camp," Slade said.
Vinson's most memorable moment from the scrimmage was a fight with senior receiver Josh Briscoe, in which Vinson doled out a handful of punches as both fell to the ground.
"It's just a fight man. Me and Briscoe, we're real cool," Vinson said. "I tried my best not to do anything but it just happens sometime. But we don't ever carry it off the field."
Fulmer said fisticuffs are common at this point of preseason camp.
"This time of year they're testy," Fulmer said. "They were pretty testy yesterday on a couple of occasions. That's not all bad all the time."
MIA: Junior linebacker Gerald Williams did not practice but was in attendance. The juco transfer was wearing his UT jersey and shorts but no pads. Fulmer said Williams had an academic issue to deal with.
Junior defensive tackle Dan Williams had a family matter to attend to and was not present. Fulmer said Williams should return today or Saturday.
Offensive line coach Greg Adkins also was not at practice due to a personal matter.
Who Is No. 2?: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson wasn't ready to name a backup quarterback following the scrimmage.
"Neck and neck," Clawson said of the competition between redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman and sophomore Nick Stephens. "You would love one guy to step ahead of the other and clearly be No. 2."
That hasn't happened. Clawson said Stephens looked better in UT's first scrimmage, Coleman looked better in UT's second scrimmage and Thursday's scrimmage was a toss-up.
"I'm not ready to say publicly (who is second string)," Clawson said. "Some of it might depend on the situation in the game."
Coleman, who was 7-of-10 for 36 yards, described his performance as "sloppy". Stephens said he's still trying to reign his game in.
"Coach Fulmer told me not to be a gunslinger the whole time, just try to be smarter," said Stephens, who was 4-of-9 for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Thomas Toils: Defensive tackle Victor Thomas received extensive playing time with Williams' absence. The sophomore recorded two tackles, one for a 3-yard loss.
"I feel like I made some steps forward and I feel like I still have some things to work on," Thomas said.
Thomas said consistency and pushing through fatigue were areas he needed to improve on.
Thomas' play could prove key this fall. He is the least proven of UT's top four defensive tackles and the Vols usually play at least four at that position.
"I think he's made progress but he needs to grow up more," Fulmer said. "He needs to get tougher."
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Comments » 56
cjraney writes:
I'll be surprised if Vinson isn't the starter at corner, but if not someone must've made some real progress.
jacksfacts writes:
Its football time in Tennessee!
jawjavol writes:
Gayle Sayers said I am 3rd
miamiVOL writes:
Vinson is a world class athlete, yes he missed all of Spring Practice and has academic issues lately but he will play plenty this Fall, might be starting if he can get everything in order, but i love the competition that Rogan is bringing
gavol2572 writes:
They are really hyping up this secondary. I like the confidence and the swagger, I just hope they live up to it.
jacksfacts writes:
Have a bad feeling about Williams and Vinson. Now Ill sit back and let DC tell us about how great C Rainey is going to be and Iam4ua tell us that cpf killed bear bryant. By the way ua maybe you shouldve used that 4 mil to hire tuberville because he owns you. Then again u guys have made so many smart hires since bb what do i know.
jacksfacts writes:
Florida fans: there is no doubt you have basically owned Tn since fulmer took over. However we still lead the all time series (by 1 i think). Have twice as many SEC titles (You have one more than Ole Miss OLE F'N MISS). I don't know what will happen this year. Coaches like Osborne struggled with certain schools until late in their careers. For all I know CPF may rattle off 4 straight against you or he may lose 4 straight (If he does he'll be gone). Either way youre still Florida and we're still Tennessee. So enjoy you're day in the sun because it is fading. It all goes in cycles and it's about time to start anew. My money would be on traditional SEC powers such as TN AL GA. Tick freakin tock.
1manningfan writes:
Listen i might get some phooey for this but its just the way i feel and i hope im wrong, but i think are secondary is a little overrated. They will have to prove me wrong after the results are in against Florida, period!
I have been watching some SEC games from past season, espicially the Kentucky and LSU game and we still got burned more than my taste.
Most of the blame goes to Chavis, since he has been DC he always plays to much zone and teams always seem to get us on 3rd and long,IMHO. Oh yeah, and way to much blitzing too. You see when you blitz there's always someone uncovered causing for big plays. They go hand and hand.
Get my drift fellows!
BillVol writes:
Yes, Rogan is a "football player," as Tim Priest said last season. What a shame he has not been given a chance to run the ball. Despite his supposed lack of size, he would be our best tailback IMO. Since he'll never be given the opportunity, I guess I'll never be proven wrong on this one. How sad.
jacksfacts writes:
manning: you have to hope last years secondary had to do with playing 2 true freshman and on overrated safety in hefney. Plus it wont matter how good they are if we cant pressure the qb.
If there are any ga fans onboard i hope you know you are fans of the most overrated team in the country. No OL equals 4 losses minimum with your schedule. RIP UGA.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Don't get me wrong, I love Dennis Rogan as much as the next Vol fan.... but I get a little hesitant on my positive reaction to someone calling one of the members of our secondary (not named Eric Berry or Demetrice Morley) "big time" with such little experience and having not proven anything other than against our own 2nd team offense.
I remember last pre-season Jarrod Parrish was "big time" and had made "leaps and bounds" with all his big plays in scrimmages. And he was a (RS)SENIOR!! Look how that turned out, he was yanked by the 2nd game and never saw much of the field after that... probably one of the biggest flops last year along with Kenny O'Neal.
I just can't help but wonder if Dennis Rogan is really BETTER than Vinson, Gaines, or M. Johnson. The latter two I would probably assume he is, but not Vinson.... at least not YET.
I do know Rogan showed Jon Hefney how to return punts and kickoffs last year, and he basically single handedly won the Vandy game so I can't help but like the kid and his heart.
BillVol writes:
kosmo, yes I'm saying he'd be our best runner. Not even close.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Did you guys not get a little scared seeing Gerald Williams not practicing because of an "academic issue". That kinda freaks me out.
GreerVol22 writes:
"Big Time" eh? Let's just see if he can tackle someone first...then we can throw labels...
iowavol writes:
I'm more concerned with Williams academic issues than Vinson's. We need that guy on the field. You have to wonder if Hardesty gets all those yards with Williams in the game.
This secondary has all the talent in the world. Still, we need pressure. Nobody can cover the whole field for 6 or 7 seconds. Pressure is the key. We get pressure, we lead the nation in picks (as long as we can catch them).
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
1MANNINGFAN @ 11:10...I feel you about our secondary. They definitely have the talent and potential but i too would like to see them prove it. iowavol hit the nail on the head. PRESSURE! if we get some pressure from our d-line the secondary should flourish. If not and we have to rely on our secondary...
SemperVol writes:
All these DBs are getting me confused. I can't wait until we have a depth chart posted.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yeah, nicksjuzunk, that does make me uneasy about Williams. Did he get an incomplete, perhaps?
Meanwhile, they wrote:
"Thomas' play could prove key this fall. He is the least proven of UT's top four defensive tackles"
Seems like he would NOT be one of our top 4 tackles, with Bolden, D.Williams, Fisher, and Langley also out there.
drwfocus writes:
jacksfacts - why do you continue to feed the monkeys?????
b_neas writes:
Great to see a local kid who was not highly recruited doing so well. Personally I think he is as effective as Vinson at CB, maybe not as much potential, but how long will it be before Bret lives up to his potential.
hueypilot writes:
I'll say it again. The best secondary in the country will get passes completed against it if the line doesn't apply pressure to the qb. Today's qb's, given the time, will find an open receiver. Put a good pass rush together with a good secondary that can play man defense and you get turnovers. I'm hoping for that pass rush which we didn't have much of last year.
jacksfacts writes:
drw because i live in florida so i hear the same junk from their fans all the time. Plus I despise alabama.
trip19 writes:
Monkey feeding makes for bad reading and at times it can ruin a thread.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Do we even have to name a second-team qb?
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
jacksfacts... i too live in Florida and have to listen to all these people constantly fawn over Tebow and the Gators. It gets tough sometimes and it ain't gonna get any easier until we start returning the favor with some wins. I went to Busch Gardens recently and my wifes brother went with us and he had e Tebow jersey on and i had to walk around with him all day. Needless to say i was a little naucious at the end of the day. Tebow jersey, jorts, and a 12 pack of Natural ice.
DaVols writes:
Tebow great kid, but still a gator and I'm a hater, so....A season's worth of havin' the wood laid to him lead to losses 4 gators and Vols in Atlanta. That works for me.
99gator writes:
jmbigorange
sorry, about the 12 pack of natty ice. if you had to deal with florida heat, someone should have sprung for better beer.
b_neas writes:
jmbigorange - as bad as the Tebow jersey is, natty ice is enough to make anyone more natious than the UF gear
smokeysal22 writes:
Remember before 2005 season, we were getting hyped for how good we were and we fell flat on our face, I don't think we need to be telling the media anything regarding how good our DB's and secondary are, we don;t need to give other teams motivational board material and not give our kids a big head withour even playing their 1st game yet. We need to keep cool, stay focused and silently take over the SEC.
VOLatile writes:
Nasty Ice? Goes great with the sweltering Florida heat!
b_neas writes:
Why not just drink ice water with piss in it? It's about the same thing as Natural Ice.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
That's what's so vexing. I didn't even drink any beer. Besides i'm a Sam Adams man. If i'm gonna drink beer, at least i'm gonna drink good beer.
smokeysal22 writes:
Watchin Football and drinking beer (not necessarily in that order).....gotta love the fall
b_neas writes:
good man - sammy adams makes a great brew
And yes gotta love the fall. Drinking good dark beer before the game, watching football and drinking from your flask during the game and drinking more beer after the game, what a great time!!
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
DC... You're right. Most of them are pretty silly. Although i like the G-Gun but the Mustang has been around awhile.
b-neas...I don't know about drinking from a flask but i do love some Sam Adams. Any flavor will do ya.
invisiblekid writes:
In the voice of that old MLB commercial: Sam Adams Summer Ale, it's FANTASTIC.
Can't argue a single point in that 11:23 post yemmusdarb.
invisiblekid writes:
DCFL, you're right, these names do get a little silly. Almost as bad as the new "package" Meyer has created for Timbow: "the snip and flip".
BigMix writes:
DCFlorida: Not nearly as sophomoric as going 8-4 and becoming the only heistman winner to go on a third world circumcising tour.
b_neas writes:
the mustang package has been around as long as chief has been the D-coor. Please keep up with the times or do not involve yourself in conversations.
VOLINCALI writes:
BillVol, back up the Rogan best running back theory. I am not familiar with his high school career.
This brings up a valid point. At first I thought you were crazy. Then I thought of a few RBs who have made a name lately. Bush, Slaton, and that back from Cal last year that had a field day against our defense.
Makes me wonder if our coaches get caught up in 6 foot 200 pounds being the standard for a running back. T. Stephens was 5'6 150 pounds and I believe has the single season carry record.
Good job BillVol, you made me think.
TommyJack writes:
Please don't mention the word "package" to Timmy.
b_neas writes:
stephens 5'6", lol, maybe just 5'8" but not 5'6" thats spud webb height
CoverOrange writes:
DC, naffy got the boot, but has returned under another, quieter, pseudonym.
The G-gun was penned last year.
Have yet to hear anyone on the field actually use the phrase "Wild Berry". I think that is a GVX poster's invention, but I could be wrong.
Personally, I like "mustang" better than "nickel" or "dime" that is common football vernacular but also think calling the "red" zone "orange" is a tad egotistical.
b_neas writes:
DC in case you did not know, the 8-4 mark was referring to UF last year, and congrats on having a 3 posts in a row tantrum. Good form.
invisiblekid writes:
Not 100% on this DCFL, but I don't think you can lay the Wild Berry at the feet of the coaches. Personally, I don't like it. Sounds like he should be carrying an umbrella like you would put in a mixed drink.
VOLINCALI writes:
5'6 or 5'8, same thing to me.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
DCFlorida
In Tennessee, we just like to have a thing called fun with our football. If they want to call it the "strawberry shortcake" package, thats fine with me, as long as it works and wins ballgames.
WTF do you care what we call this or that anyway? Go find a Florida charity hospital and volunteer for circumcisions or something productive if you don't like it.
CoverOrange writes:
bneas, UF was 9-3 in the regular season.
VOLINCALI writes:
Moaninglikeheck, nice.
b_neas writes:
since when is regular season record a stat that is recorded or anyone cares about or remembers? They were beat by a very average Mich team in their bowl, thus 9-4 is what UF's record was last year
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