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Daniel Lincoln of Tennessee celebrates his game-winning kick against South Carolina on Oct. 27, 2007. Lincoln was solid on field goals until late in the season.
Inside Special Teams
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
- P: Chad Cunningham (Britton Colquitt, Orion Hall).
- PK: Daniel Lincoln (Devin Mathis, Colquitt).
- KO: Cunningham (Lincoln, Colquitt).
- H: Bram Cannon (Geoff Courtney).
- DS: Morgan Cox (Nick Guess).
- PR: Dennis Rogan (Gerald Jones, Austin Rogers).
- KR: Rogan, Lennon Creer (Denarius Moore, Jones).
WATCH OUT FOR
- Cunningham, who will start UT’s first five games while Colquitt serves a suspension.
KEY STAT
- Rogan’s 29.5-yard average on 13 kick returns would have put him sixth in the nation — but he needed four more last fall to be counted among NCAA statistical leaders.
As far as debuts go, Daniel Lincoln's first season as Tennessee's place kicker was first rate.
Lincoln made his first eight field-goal attempts, and went on to make 21 of his 29 kicks and earn freshman All-America honors after taking over for All-SEC kicker James Wilhoit.
"I definitely set the bar high last year," Lincoln says. "I had a lot to prove coming into the year, setting the standard for what I wanted to do here. I set a really high benchmark last year, and the only way to get past that - the only way I know how to - is to work really hard."
Despite finishing third in the SEC with 21 made field goals, there's still work to be done.
Lately, Lincoln has been working with returning deep snapper Morgan Cox to get used to a new holder. Last year's holder Casey Woods, who deserves some of the credit for Lincoln's strong debut, has become a graduate assistant coach, leaving junior Bram Cannon as the early favorite to take over at holder.
Lincoln also wants to start 2008 better than he finished 2007, when he went 0-for-3 against LSU and Wisconsin to close the season and missed four of his final five kicks. He also failed to convert four of his last five kicks from beyond 40 yards.
While Lincoln tailed off at the end of the season, UT's kick coverage and return teams finally found their stride.
After Florida's Brandon James and Cal's DeSean Jackson exposed UT's punt coverage with long touchdown returns in September, Alabama's Javier Arenas provided the only big play (a 62-yard return) against UT's punt coverage team the rest of the way.
The Vols got better on kickoff coverage, too.
UT's first four opponents in 2007 - Cal, Southern Miss, Florida and Arkansas State - combined for seven returns of 30 yards or longer. UT's final 10 opponents combined for just two: a 48-yarder by Arkansas' Felix Jones and a 55-yarder by Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore.
Add to the mix new running backs coach Stan Drayton, who spent three seasons as an assistant special teams coach with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, and UT figures to have more success in the kick coverage and returns this fall.
"He brings a lot of experience and knowledge," Lincoln said. "Maybe some of the guys need that. I think that's going to play a huge part."
Defensive back Dennis Rogan certainly played a big role in UT's return game last season as a true freshman.
The former Fulton High star averaged 29.5 yards on 13 kickoff returns, which would have ranked second only to Jones in the SEC and sixth in the nation if Rogan had reached the minimum 1.3 returns per game to be counted among statistical leaders.
After taking over punt-return duties from safety Jonathan Hefney in November, Rogan averaged 9.7 yards per return, which ranked fifth in the SEC behind James, Arenas, Georgia's Mikey Henderson and Mississippi State's Derek Pegues.
Still, one aspect of Tennessee's special teams remains a mystery.
With All-SEC punter Britton Colquitt serving a five-game suspension to begin the season, sophomore Chad Cunningham will step into the spotlight.
Cunningham averaged 40.7 yards on three punts against Southern Miss while Colquitt nursed a quadriceps injury, Cunningham's only action last fall and his only career start.
This fall, he'll have plenty of chances to prove himself starting with UT's season-opener at UCLA on Sept. 1 and later in crucial SEC games against Florida and Auburn.
Cunningham, who also will handle kickoffs, has a strong leg, but he struggled at times with consistency and getting punts off quickly enough to avoid a block.
"That's one of the biggest things just because if you can't get the kick off, it's going to get blocked and that's not going to be good," Cunningham said during spring practice. "The biggest thing for me is getting it off and being consistent with it."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 98
pdhuff#552644 writes:
DL is solid. He'll be fine.
Punting could be an adventure, though.
gavol2572 writes:
I think the kicking aspect will be ok and getting the punts off may be shaky at first but as the season progesses will be fine. I know we got better last year but I would still like to see us more stingy on our coverage. As the article stated we got exposed by Cal and Fla in that area
gavol2572 writes:
at least we dont have Fair Catch Hefney returning this year
volgrog#210164 writes:
When UT went to the spread punt formation after the FL game it helped tremendously in punt coverage. They went to a bunch-type kick-off formation which seemed to help as well. I hope they keep these aspects on special teams.
utwick writes:
God forbid if Cunningham got hurt in the first 5 games, but who would his backup be, Lincoln?
GreeneVol writes:
Man I hope we're finally turning a corner on this one. Special team coverage has been a big thorn for seems like 4 years or more now. The add'l coaching experience is good news as is the trend.
Rogan is really fun to watch.
If the special teams coverage continues to make strides and the defense makes a solid showing, this team should make it really hard on the other two top five national teams in it's division....
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Supposed to kick that dadgum ball out of bounds. Hopefully, Foolmore will throw stuff at Lincoln and yell at him during the fall practice like he did last year so he doesn't get complacent.
VOLS85 writes:
excellent work drew
tenncorncob writes:
kick the ball.....
1manningfan writes:
hey guys first time on here but i have been reading your guys comments for awhile and govolsxtra as well. I am a die hard vols fan born and raised in tenn;however i live in tampa,fl now (hate gators with a passion). I promise no dumb comments and very respectful of everyones opinions, hope the same from you fellow vols and the outsiders.
Now to football, vol fans we have are work cut out for us this season ;however, i feel confident in this team and what they bring to the table. Also, speaking of special teams im hoping they get better bc i didnt like what i saw last year ;furthermore, things will have to change in the special teams department if we want to compete (very crucial)in the SEC!!
Anyways hope you guys accept and respect my comments and opinions, and looking forward to hearing back from you guys thanks....GO VOLS!!!!
marinevol writes:
1manningfan, any fan of the Vols has my respect. I like your optimism. Welcome aboard.
murrayvol writes:
1manningfan: Welcome in my friend to the show that never ends. Many who come here are worthy of your respect. Alas, many are not. You'll figure it out soon enough.
Try not to take reactions to seemingly benign posts personally. Enjoy!
zbbb10#212690 writes:
d ro is the man but i want to see berry returning some punts. risk of injury be darned. GO VOLS! ROCKY TOP YOULL ALWAYS BE..... i can smell it in the air.
zbbb10#212690 writes:
i just tackled my girlfriend. i may be a little to pumped. looks like a sprained shoulder but i bet she'll be okay by the ucla kickoff (fingers crossed). GO VOLS!!!!!!!
OrangePower11 writes:
1manningfan...
Welcome aboard brother. I live in Lakeland and work often in Tampa...ever been to the hotel on Westshore that hosts UT fans (among other alumni groups)?
You'll love this gator homer mcbrim, he's a human punching bag. Take a number for blasting him haha
1manningfan writes:
orangepower11...
Thanks, i havent been there however i have been to the last two outback bowl games that tenn has hosted (unfortunantly). Oh and that mcbrim homer looking forward to it lol...
Bigger_Al writes:
I'm excited about our return teams. Rogan is the truth, and I can see Berry and Vinson getting involved. Coverage-wise, we did improve through the year. One thing that hacked me off is that I watched a replay of Cal's Jackson returning the punt for the TD, and there were three major clips that sprung him and were not called.
RJ_Vol writes:
I still feel kick-off and punt coverage could be an adventure. Let's hope Drayton can help us there - we need it. I know I have said that UT will have a very good season and could be even better w/ key personel stepping up and catching some breaks. However, I am more concerned about special teams play than any other area - including D-line. Long punt returns by the opponents are back-breakers in close rivalry games. However, so are punt returns by the opponent that simply flip the field. I am not a huge Urban Meyer fan, but the man recognizes that the return game is hugely important. We aren't in a conference where long drives happen often due to great defenses. However, if you can get a long return(or stop one), the game can turn on those plays alone due to field position and ease of scoring on a short field for an offense. Want an example of how a kick return can change a game, just think Dale Carter and the beginning of the second half.
RJ_Vol writes:
Bigger_Al. I definitely remember one clip/block-in-the-back. However, the bottom line is that we should have never kicked the ball to him. That was just one(of many) key special teams errors that haunted this team during the first half of the season. The onside kick/recovery by Bama is another that stands out. Once we started playing better on special teams(coverage and Rogan as you mention), the field position game began going our way...our defense began to look better...and the offense began moving the ball...and we won the East. Neyland was a pretty smart man! Stay cool, I'm out for the night.
TommyJack writes:
1manningfan: You seem green. Just remember ol' TommyJack is always right and we shall get on marvelously well. Welcome, Bunky.
BillVol writes:
The best holder ever for UT was Bobby Scott's son. I forgot his name, but he was the best. Why don't holders get the attention they deserve? Why don't they get Heisman Trophy consideration?
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
welcome manning, two more posts before everyone starts poking fun at you.
I was really impressed by the change on punt coverage- at first it seemed too high school, but it worked much better. One of the few times that we have had a glaring weakness that was addressed and corrected quickly (kind of quickly).
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
I have always wondered we could recruit a kicker who could boot it through the endzone...every time.
I mean, maybe a soccer player or someone already on campus, something. Maybe put up some flyers- Kick off for touchback = full ride plus lots of hot girls.
Our inability to cause touchbacks, even before the rule change, has always been one of my UT pet peeves. Others are not hitting the QB on options plays, giving it up on 3rd and long, not double teaming/ spying their best player. I will elaborate later in the year.
movol77 writes:
workin, I'm SICK of reading you (and a few others) continually calling our head coach a "fool" (whether you like him or not). STOP THE INSANITY and SHOW SOME RESPECT or MOVE ON!!!
(You would think that such continual, blatant "defamatory" violation of the head coach would be banned from this site. I understand a venting here or there but not the constant regurgitation.)
movol77 writes:
Here's hoping that Cunningham's limited experience last year while Colquitt was injured will be a difference maker for him to perform at a higher level in the first 5 games. He should less unnerved and game ready. I anticipate it paying dividends. Go Vols!
volfan73120#211815 writes:
movol77- Your 1:15am post was right on target. I agree with every thing you said to the letter. Keep up the good work.
UTvols12342000 writes:
I really think working is JA. I noticed that when JA was on vacation that workin's posts dropped by 90% and when JA comes back and starts writing articles again, well, workin is everywhere to be found.
Am I the only one to notice this?
olozbal#646632 writes:
Anybody hear Mark May on ESPN say UT was the dark horse team for the national championship?
He was pressed on College Football Live for the dark horse team and he said Tennessee. Pretty wild. Amazing considering everybody thinks Stafford and Tebow are the second and third coming.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
utwick 9:03 - Cunningham's back-up is a 27 year old frosh named Dupree.
From Halls Crossroads.
WVVOLFAN writes:
why does everyone assume that colquitt will be kicking after 5 games. if Cunningham is doing well, i think he should stay in. Cunningham didn't let the team down when he played last year.
Waldorf writes:
General -
I finally got nafs to concede that CJ Leak was in fact a wasted jersey. It was a breakthrough moment on the boards.
GreerVol22 writes:
I wonder how many times, right after we score on a momemtum changing drive, I will have to say, "We gotta cover the kick?" Immediately followed by 5th string seniors on coverage running right past the opposing ball carrier with nary a sniff returning it to the 42 yard line.(the avg starting field position for Tebow last year) It was the same all season, has been and will be...
HotlantaVol writes:
I'm glad Cunningham was able to get that first game over with last year . . . does anybody remember the last time we broke in a punter in a game at UCLA? U-G-L-Y
threehundredbowler writes:
We are in good hands with the kicking game.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Didn't they move the kickoff point back about ten yards a couple years ago? That's why there aren't many end zone kicks anymore.
hueypilot writes:
A former player tells me two salient points about the kicking game. 1) Unless the HC puts big time emphasis in the kicking game no one wants to do it except the guy who wants to return kicks. Why? Not because of the fact you might get injured. Because you have to run your butt off in practice. 40 yard sprint after 40 yards sprint. The second fact is one that Dickey preached to them every year about the percentage of times you score getting the ball inside your own 20 vs the percentage of times you score getting the ball inside the other guys 50. Despite today's high flying offenses, field position is still a big factor. BTW most of you guys are right. Nafslov is a drooler. Probably a closet Auburn fan.
HotlantaVol writes:
Last year the kick-off was backed up from the 35 YL to the 30 YL. It was an attempt to get more kids hurt . . . oops . . . I mean, it was an attempt to reduce touchbacks and make the game more exciting.
Go4Two writes:
1manningfan;
Welcome I was also rasied in Tenn and how live the Tampa. We watch all Vol games at Bostons...It's almost football time in Tennessee
jimr07 writes:
movol77-give it up. this is the only place workin can spew his venom. has absolutely nothing positive to say. we could be talking about archery or water ballet and he is going to bash fulmer in some fashion. try not to pay any attention to him. this is the only place in the world that anyone pays attention to him. he is the village idiot.
ctownvol writes:
1manningfan- Welcome aboard. Glad to have you, but I must reiterate that by having Manning in your name you WILL be accosted by a poster named nafslov. Notice that is volsfan spelled backwards. It's ok. He's relatively harmless but he hates Peyton and will remind us over and over and over blah blah blah. Just don't pay him any attention and he eventually goes away. Anyway, enjoy yourself.
BigMix writes:
Jeff Hall and David Leverton played pivitol roles in 98.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Hello everyone! My first time posting although i've been a member for a while now. Hey orangepower11, I live in Auburndale & work in Lakeland. Where are you located? Good to have some VOLS nearby.
1974Vol writes:
Those of you who remember when George Cafego coached kickers and special teams will remember they were truly special then. Maybe Stan Drayton will bring some of that back. Let's all hope so!
murrayvol writes:
1974Vols: Do you still believe in miracles?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
"That's one of the biggest things just because if you can't get the kick off, it's going to get blocked and that's not going to be good,"
Thank you Captian Obvious!!! If I didn't know better, I would've sworn that was a John Madden quote.
Dennis Rogan is going to be electric in the return game this year. Teams will be kicking it away from him by mid-season.
G.W./ BigMix-
I posted some great footage of ol' BigMix gettin down on the strip over on the SEC Media Day board from yesterday. I'm glad Workin was able to figure out who he was.
Workin-
You keep bagging on Fulmer for the way he coached Lincoln last season, but he must've been doing something right if the kid made Freshman All-American right? Way to turn a plus into a minus wherever possible Workin.
1974Vol writes:
Not when it comes to football MV - just hard work and good coaching. ST's need to be made as important as the O & D. Think how many games you have seen that turned on a ST play. In 2007 Cal for sure in 2006 Florida & Ga. The list goes on.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Lincoln made 3 of his last 8 FG attempts and was 1 of his last 5. Hopefully, this doesn't carry over into this year because we all know Foolmore loves to kick FGs. I guess Foolmore quit throwing stuff at him. Foolmore was quick to take all the credit for Lincoln's development.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Welcome manningvol and jimbig.
I would like to think that our special teams bottomed out early last season and started coming up in the second half to go from liability toward being an asset. Yes, my doctor has me on an all-koolaid diet right now.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
There's no soccer player in Europe or South America who can just kick it out of the endzone everytime. If there were, USC would already have signed him, given him a car, gotten him an agent to get his family a house and found a job for his father. So there isn't one.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Bass_Vol 1:07 a.m., all excellent points.
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