Tennessee football 2008: Offensive line

Photo by Michael Patrick

Center Josh McNeil, left, and Anthony Parker, right, protect quarterback Erik Ainge from the rush of California's defensive line on Sept. 1, 2007, at Berkeley, Calif. The Vols' offensive line allowed only four sacks during the 2007 season, best in the nation.

Photo by Michael Patrick

Center Josh McNeil, left, and Anthony Parker, right, protect quarterback Erik Ainge from the rush of California's defensive line on Sept. 1, 2007, at Berkeley, Calif. The Vols' offensive line allowed only four sacks during the 2007 season, best in the nation.

When new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson took the reins of Tennessee's offense in the spring, he didn't have to look far for horses.

"The offensive line is the group that has to give us stability," Clawson said. "It has to be counted on to play at a high level every single week, whether it's in the run game or protection-wise."

Good thing for Clawson that the Vols return all five starters from the last six games in 2007.

Back is All-SEC performer Anthony Parker, who also earned second- and third-team All-America honors and elected to return for his senior season. Back, too, is Ramon Foster, one of UT's most versatile and consistent performers at guard or tackle.

Former freshman All-SEC center Josh McNeil is a junior, as are a pair of road-grading guards in Jacques McClendon and Vladimir Richard.

And fellow junior Chris Scott made a seamless transition to left tackle from the right side after last year's starter, Eric Young, went down with a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina.

"The experience we have coming back, that's something you can't teach or explain how important that is," says McNeil, who is back in full swing after missing spring practice following knee surgery. "We have five guys, six including Vlad, that just know how to play with each other. If we play the way we're capable of playing, we should be one of the strong points of the team."

Just because the Vols return starting experience doesn't absolve those experienced players of the need to improve.

UT averaged just 139 yards rushing per game, which ranked ninth in the SEC. Part of that can be attributed to former offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe's play calling, but some of that also belongs to Tennessee's inability at times to execute in short-yardage situations.

Still, there's one area where UT's offensive line left itself almost no room for improvement.

Last year, the Vols allowed four sacks, fewest of any school in the country and in one more game that most, and starting quarterback Erik Ainge was only sacked three times. A lot of those numbers had to do with Ainge's tendency to get rid of the ball quickly - either to a receiver or via an incomplete pass - but a lot of credit goes to Tennessee's linemen for giving Ainge time.

With Jonathan Crompton at quarterback, UT's sack total will likely increase. Crompton is more athletic and mobile, which should allow more time for plays to develop downfield, but also will allow oncoming rushers more time to reach Crompton. And, in spring practice and limited game experience, Crompton has shown a willingness to hold the ball longer and absorb a few more hits than Ainge, which also means the Vols will probably yield more sacks.

Another issue for the offensive line is adjusting to Clawson's new offense, which will see linemen play on both sides of the line in a "quick" and "strong" side scheme. It also puts added emphasis on making the right call at the line of scrimmage, which falls on McNeil.

"In this new offense, I'm having to communicate with the offensive line," McNeil said. "It's a lot of added pressure, because if you bust one call, it could make the difference between the line going one way or the other. It's definitely a hard thing to do, but it's a challenge I'd like to think I can take on."

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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