Foster is relishing leadership role in final season

Tailback Arian Foster will have plenty of impact on the field this season for Tennessee. But as he sees it, one of the biggest things going for the Vols is what's happening off the field.

Foster, a senior, said UT's team has become closer during the offseason and that a senior-freshman gap that existed when he arrived on campus in 2004 is all but gone.

"When I was a young guy, I wasn't real close with the seniors," he said. "Our seniors now, we kind of try to bring over, 'Hey this is our team. This isn't the seniors' team. This is our team.' "

Part of that has been increased dialogue with underclassmen, something Foster said wasn't great when he arrived on campus.

"Freshmen on up, everyone can contribute," he said. "We're all in this together. We kind of try to bring that to the table, that you can talk to us about anything, we can talk to you about anything.

"It's not us and you. It's us."

And since a run of off-field incidents in January and February, UT coach Phillip Fulmer likes the way his team has come together and leaders have emerged.

"To our team's credit, to our coaches' credit - particularly to our seniors' credit - we haven't had anything that's come up really since February," Fulmer said. "I like that. I think that says something about our focus and our attitude, about what this team could and hopefully will be about it."

Honoring Holbert: Foster plans to wear injured fullback David Holbert's No. 30 jersey for the season opener Sept. 1 at UCLA.

"That's a big deal to me," Foster said. "I asked him first and he said, 'Yeah.' I go out there everyday and he's in the back of my mind."

Holbert, a fifth-year senior, suffered a traumatic knee injury during the first scrimmage in spring practice. His playing status remains uncertain, although Foster said Holbert has talked about trying to return at some point.

"He wants to play again," Foster said. "Whether his knee heals all the way back or not, he wants to play. It's out of our hands. I hope everything works out for him."

Comfort Zone: Foster likes where the new offense stands heading into fall practice, citing a growing comfort level near the end of spring practice.

Foster likely won't see many reps in fall camp, both to keep him fresh for the start of the season and to avoid increased chance of injury.

Foster understands why he'll have limited reps, but isn't necessarily crazy about the idea.

"If it was up to me, I'd do everything," he said. "I guess you've got to find a median to where you're still going through it with your teammates. Camp is a bonding experience. You don't want to single yourself out at all. You want to be part of that."

Pressure Packed: It's no secret that Tennessee lacked a consistent pass rush last season.

According to defensive end Robert Ayers, there's no secret to getting after the quarterback, either.

"Just come to practice, work hard at practice, listen to (defensive ends coach Steve) Caldwell," Ayers said. "We don't have a crystal ball to read the future, but if we do those things we feel like we'll be all right."

Preseason Schedule: Tennessee begins practice Saturday afternoon, following media day and picture day in Neyland Stadium that morning. The first day in full pads will be Aug. 6, and the Vols will have two-a-day practices Aug. 12 and 14 in addition to scrimmages Aug. 9, 16 and 21.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!