This is the time of year when college football teams start plugging holes and finding replacements for players who have moved on.
Forget all that chatter about how important the practice time teams get before a bowl game is. Spring practice sets the tone and lays the foundation for the fall. Here's a look at what's going on at SEC campuses over the next two months (teams listed in alphabetical order):
ALABAMA (7-6)
Practice starts: Thursday.
Spring game: April 12.
Job openings: Help at wide receiver is on the way. Signee Chris Jackson has graduated high school and is on campus. More on the way when star signee Julio Jones arrives in August.
AUBURN (9-4)
Practice started: Feb. 28
Spring game: March 29
Job openings: Quarterback Brandon Cox is gone. New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin is using the spread offense. Kodi Burns has experience, but look for junior college transfer Chris Todd, sophomore Neil Caudle and freshman DeRon Furr to do battle.
ARKANSAS (8-5)
Practice starts: April 3.
Spring game: April 26.
Job openings: New coach Bobby Petrino will have to replace RB Darren McFadden, the Heisman Trophy runner-up. McFadden and fellow RB Felix Jones both turned pro a year early - and the Razorbacks also lost valuable FB Peyton Hillis, who was a senior last season. The most experienced RB returning is 5-foot-7 Michael Smith, who averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season as a redshirt sophomore. Smith has only 81 career carries.
FLORIDA (9-4)
Practice starts: March 19.
Spring game: April 12.
Job openings: The Gators plan to focus much of the spring on solidifying a defense that struggled mightily. The unit also lost two of its best players, safety Tony Joiner and defensive end Derrick Harvey, and has two new coaches. Freshman defensive linemen Troy Epps and Earl Okine already have enrolled in school and could make an impact. So have cornerbacks Jeremy Brown and Janoris Jenkins.
GEORGIA (11-2)
Practice started: March 3.
Spring game: April 5.
Job openings: Not many. Georgia returns 15 starters and lots of experience. TBs Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin must be replaced to provide depth for Knowshon Moreno. Reshirt freshman Caleb King is expected to share carries with Moreno. King has good speed and big-play potential and almost played last season when Brown and Lumpkin were hurt.
KENTUCKY (8-5)
Practice starts: March 26.
Spring game: April 19.
Job openings: Quarterback Andre Woodson figures to be a first-day pick in the NFL draft, and his departure creates the biggest hole for the back-to-back Music City Bowl champions. Top candidates for the starting QB job include speedster Curtis Pulley, who missed last season for academic reasons, and sophomore Mike Hartline, Woodson's backup. Also gone is running back Rafael Little, but the Wildcats have plenty of depth there, with Tony Dixon, Derrick Locke and Alfonso Smith all returning.
LSU (12-2)
Practice starts: Feb. 29.
Spring game: April 5.
Job openings: Ryan Perrilloux, who appeared to be the heir apparent to senior quarterback Matt Flynn, has been suspended indefinitely for missing classes and team meetings. For now, the only two scholarship quarterbacks will be Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch and redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee. On defense, LSU must replace both starting cornerbacks and All-America safety Craig Steltz. Chad Jones, who played well filling in for an injured Steltz in the national title game, is expected to compete for a starting job. Two starting linebacker positions are open, as well the defensive line spot vacated by All-America tackle Glenn Dorsey.
MISSISSIPPI (3-9)
Practice starts: March 17.
Spring game: April 12.
Job openings: Running back is wide open with top two players gone. Unfortunately star signee Enrique Davis of Hargrave Military Academy won't start practice until August.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-5)
Practice started: Feb. 26.
Spring game: March 29.
Job openings: Mississippi State is searching for a center to replace Royce Blackledge, a senior whose eligibility expired. That's a fact not lost on coach Sylvester Croom, who was especially blunt in assessing his team's centers. "If anybody can find Royce Blackledge, see if you can get him back out here," Croom told the Clarion-Ledger.
SOUTH CAROLINA (6-6)
Start date: March 19.
Spring game: April 19.
Job opening: The biggest question is whether last year's part-time starter, Chris Smelley, or talented redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia takes over for QB Blake Mitchell. Smelley saw action last year, but mostly rode the bench after a poor performance in a home loss to Vanderbilt. Garcia came to school last January, but two arrests his first few weeks on campus got him suspended for spring practice. He may miss a few practices this spring because of missed classes.
TENNESSEE (10-4)
Practice starts: Tuesday.
Spring game: April 19.
Job openings: After patiently waiting for three seasons, redshirt sophomore Jonathan Crompton gets his shot at quarterback with the departure of Erik Ainge, but could get competition from sophomore Nick Stephens and redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman. Tennessee will have a new offensive look regardless of quarterback thanks to new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson. On the defensive side, the Vols must replace two linebackers in All-SEC Jerod Mayo, who skipped his senior year, and Ryan Karl.
VANDERBILT (5-7)
Practice starts: Tuesday.
Spring game: March 29.
Job openings: The Commodores have some major rebuilding to do. The problem was inconsistent quarterback play from Chris Nickson and Mackenzi Adams who must hold off Larry Smith, a former Alabama player of the year. Vandy wants to settle on a starter coming out of spring practice. Coach Bobby Johnson also must replace the SEC's career receptions leader in Earl Bennett and LT Chris Williams, a likely first-round NFL draft pick.
- From wire reports
Neyland Renovation nearly complete
UT vs. LSU in SEC Tournament
Photos of Derek Dooley
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 20
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Let's get it on!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Telling season coming up. Believe Crompton will be fine and show needed versatility and leg strength to run. Both were missing last fall.
The Gordian knot is the d-line play. With near-zero QB pressure last fall, this must be addressed. Cannot count on everything going your way in cliff-hangers. Trip to Ga will be crucial to confidence. Cannot win by giving up 400+ yds usually.
Defense must step up. Period.
Convince us, Clawson. Big job ahead.
WNCVOLFANOF8 writes:
This week will be like Christmas morning, you anticipate it for so long your about to bust. Finally my man Crompton gets his shot, been waiting for this since he left Tuscola over three years ago.
invisiblekid writes:
I think the Mayo loss will hurt but there will be addition by subtraction with the departure of Karl. Not meaning to get a dig in on Karl but I think Meyers-White or Wilson will offer more athleticism. The entire defensive line is a question mark IMO. Can Ayers step up and be consistent and can Brown stay healthy? I have pretty much given up on Bolden developing into a leader and dominant player after his behavior following the SECCG. Hopefully, Williams can continue to develop along with getting solid contributions from Langley and Martin. We'll find out soon enough.
IPOrange writes:
D-line is the biggest concern. Where's the beef?
invisible kid - I am inclined to agree about Bolden, but I hope he puts it all together this year. I can't remember what he did after the SECCG, though. Refresh my memory - what behaviour are you referring to? (Not disputing you, just can't remember...)
invisiblekid writes:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/d...
IPO, in case the link doesn't work here are a couple of excerpts :
_____________________________________________
Bolden ran the gamut of emotions during the game, saying he felt there was no doubt UT would win - until Ainge's first interception was returned for a touchdown.
"We was trying to keep them down," Bolden said. "It was just embarrassing. That's just embarrassing to me."
After that, Bolden said he felt the game was lost.
"I didn't feel it (that UT was going to win)," Bolden said. "I'm not a quitter. I never will be a quitter, but I didn't feel it."
Bolden declined to name exactly whom he was talking about but added, "If we could have exchanged a couple of players, we could have had some things done."
_______________________________________________
Just my opinion, but you flat-out don't throw a teammate under the bus like that regardless of the situation. Bolden has been touted as being a dominant player and a leader and he has come up short on both accounts. Down to his last chance and I hope he proves me wrong this year. If not, it could be another nail-biter of a season.
IPOrange writes:
Yeah, I remember that now. I thought Bolden referred specifically to Ainge by name, but apparently he only insinuated it. Not good for team spirit.....
TommyJack writes:
IP: I don't think he used any specific name..just frustrated with, IMO, the offense, play calling..probably wondering why the G-gun wasn't used...Hell, I was wondering the same thing....Not one of Cut's better efforts.
IPOrange writes:
Agreed, TJ. When re-reading the article, I realized that. We may be assuming that he was referring to Ainge just because the article insinuated that he was. It does seem likely.
I got worked up over the game, too, and may have even expressed my frustration on some earlier posts. Being openly critical of a team mate, though, opens the door for dissention in the ranks. Those guys have to work together, play the games together and rely on one another. I'm just thinking that calling out a team mate by means of the press may not be the best course of action for the team.
Anyway, I am excited about what Crompton will bring to the table next year. His mobility factor adds a facit to the game that we haven't seen for some time now. As someone stated earlier, the Sears Tower had more mobility than Ainge, and then there was the comment about timing him with a sundial :-).
I can't wait to see what Clawson does with Crompton and others (like Gerald Jones) on offense, assuming Crompton wins the QB job. That's not yet a given, either, but I do believe he is the one to beat.
invisiblekid writes:
Last thing on Bolden, I agree with the sentiments wholeheartedly of JohnAdamsMustGo, hope he uses his experiences from last year to mature. Also agree with you TJ, the SECCG wasn't one of Cutcliffe's shining moments. The second interception I lay on Ainge but the first was a telegraphed play call to paraphrase Zenon, the LSU DB.
As far as Crompton goes, I think it's his job to lose. If the competition is close, I think Fulmer nudges Clawson to give him the nod and rightly so. I have high expectations for the offense this year. It sounds like Clawson is simplifying things somewhat and his resume says he works his system to the players instead of the other way around. Just a gut feeling, but I expect Foster to have a big year and Jones to go to the head of the class at WR along with Paige being a breakout player.
firefulmer writes:
Fellows, nothing to worry about. By the 6th-7th game, Fulmer will finally figure out who the starters should be. By then, Fulmer will have pulled out the "charts". It's obvious we have a playmaker in Gerald Jones, but you will be able to count on one hand the number of times we see him. Adams, keep telling it like it is...keep up the good job!!!
thesavageorange writes:
TommyJack ,Agree w/ frustration.It wasn't just the championship game either.Last season we scored 267 1st half points and 154 2nd half points.(not including the 2 overtimes)I like Cut, but he struggled mightily in second halfs this yr, even when we won.(see S Carolina/Wisconsin etc...)
Not to defend Bolden though.He was hyped as the next Henderson/Haynesworth , and hasn't shown any signs of dominating and playing hard every down.
WNCVOLFANOF8 writes:
It's good to see who firefulmer is, you been doing alright John Adams, no need to hide behind the username. You and your cohorts are a cancer to this team following your either behind the whole team or your simply that stuff that gathers around the drain of a shower that tries to spread scum all over the walls.
grvol writes:
Hopefully this Clawson guy will bring some good coaching into the mix. Fulmer should step aside and let him work.
zjcvols#543765 writes:
The offense should be explosive (Let Clawson coach Phil) the secondary will be the best in the SEC. Dan Williams and Demonte Bolden will be better with Walter Fisher and Donald Langley providing backup (not worry about DT) Chavis always produce good LB corps (Chris Donald, it's go time), but will Ben Marting become the elite pass rusher he is made out to be, because if he is, I think this team can challenge for the SEC crown, honestly I do. Solid WR corps, need better depth from the RB's (Creer, your time to shine) and O-Line will be the best in the SEC, top 5 in country with tons of depth. It all depends on pass rushing and if Clawson will get the green light from Fulmer.
invisiblekid writes:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/725244.html
http://www.volnation.com/blog/
Couple of nice breakdowns on the upcoming Spring. Adams and company appear to be biding their time until after practice starts.
utwick writes:
One good(?) thing is that Clawswon has no past history with our quarterbacks and can be as unbiased as possible naming the starter. Hopefully, this will be a real competition for that position and the best man will take the reins. I hear that Stephens has a very good arm and have heard a lot of praise for Coleman. The facr that Cromptom has been there the longest might not make him the starter. Hope that the players get through spring without major injuries and that some positions are filled prior to September.
utwick writes:
Sorry, I meant Crompton.
GerryOP writes:
With a new QB and I new OC I look to this season as a new beginning. Crompton should win the QB job and do well. Clawson appears to be bringing a refreshing approach to the offense and should excell. His stating that he designs his offense around the talents of the players was all I had to hear! Looking forward to the season!
Grim1 writes:
think about this..The VOlS could ONLY win 5 games this year and win the SEC east....really...beat FL,GA,SC,Vandy and KY....The Vols could finish 5 and 7 and WIN THE SEC EAST!!!!! then get blown out by Miss ST. in the SEC championship game and not even go to the music city bowl because we finish the season 5 and 8...."BUT DANG IT...WE WON THE EAST...GIVE FULMER A RAISE AND KEEP HIM FOR 5 MORE YEARS"
guys..we can't ride a NC we won 10 years ago forever.
Tennessee is a joke to the rest of the nation,
if we were so damn good why don't we have USC to play instead of UCLA? why not Virginia Tech or West Virginia? or even TCU or Boise ST or even Utah or BYU?
even when we play non BCS schools...it's always someone we can beat the phooey out of...WHY?
why can't UT play the REAL elite of collage football?
back in the late 90s we would have killed them all, now we have to play UAB or southern Mississippi.
Think of the money we could make playing Nerbraska ,Texas (sure we get Oklahoma but that is in 2012)
if Tennessee is as good as you guys think..we could play Michigan, Ohio ST and Organ every year
and do a cupcake team at home coming..but we don't.
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