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UT football head coach, Phillip Fulmer, goes over the defensive line with the media Tuesday morning prior to the first spring practice. Watch »
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UT football head coach, Phillip Fulmer, discusses the offensive line with the media Tuesday prior to the Vols' first spring practice. Watch »
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UT football head coach, Phillip Fulmer, goes over the kicking game with the media Tuesday, prior to the Vols' first spring practice. Watch »
In football, motivation hides in the strangest places.
For junior-to-be quarterback Jonathan Crompton, motivation took the form of a conjunction.
On Tennessee’s depth chart for spring practice, which began Tuesday afternoon on Haslam Field with a non-contact practice, Crompton is listed as the starting quarterback.
“Or” sophomore Nick Stephens.
“Or” redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman.
Crompton understands there will be competition for the starting job, but he still wants to force that all-caps conditional off the depth chart as soon as possible.
“The little things that people don’t think would motivate players motivate them,” Crompton said. “You can question the quarterback position because I know my abilities and I know what I’m going to do.”
After serving as Erik Ainge’s understudy for the last two seasons, Crompton enters his fourth year with the Vols as the most likely choice to take the first snap of the 2008 season against UAB on Aug. 30.
On Tuesday, Crompton ran with the first team as UT coach Phillip Fulmer and new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson promised earlier in the day.
What happens from there depends on how Crompton and the other quarterbacks perform over the next 13 practices leading up to the Orange and White Game.
Stephens’ most significant action came last fall in a junior varsity game against Hargrave Military Academy.
Coleman’s biggest moments have come on the practice field.
And while Crompton has the most experience, including major playing time against LSU and a start against Arkansas in 2006, it’s not enough for Clawson to hand him the starting job on the first day of practice.
“He didn’t play much (last season),” Clawson said. “I think he got all of 12 throws. It’s hard to evaluate a quarterback who’s up by 20 points or behind late. To me, the board is clean and we’ll see what he can do.”
Since Clawson was hired in January, Crompton has busied himself with learning everything he can about Clawson’s offense.
That includes watching all the tape he could find of Richmond games, tape of himself on the practice field and studying UT’s new playbook.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he’s been impressed with Crompton’s effort — and output.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with Jonathan,” Fulmer said. “He was in the meeting just spouting things off one after the other. He’s just worked. I think all three of them have. It’ll obviously be, as all positions are, played out on the field.
“Jonathan right now would be our quarterback.”
Still, the real work begins now, on the field.
“You can do things on a board and you can show film, but until you work with them live… I have yet to even be in a drill with these guys where they’re handing the ball off,” Clawson said. “Today you almost take a Football 101 approach with them: this is how we take the snap, this is how we work an exchange.”
With all but three starters back on offense, including all five starters on the offensive line, quarterback remains the most pressing concern in spring practice.
And that’s another little piece of motivation for Crompton.
“I love it when people say the main question mark is the quarterback,” Crompton says. “That’s fine. They can think that. I’ll be ready to go.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 302
dfreeman writes:
Good article, GREAT attitude!!
TNfaninMS writes:
Finally an article not bashing our boys. Im glad to finally see something worth reading!!
Go Vols!~!!~!!~!!~!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Having the o-line stay healthy is a big key. I think I could line up behind them and complete 70-percent of my passes...okay, maybe not.
Seriously, that should help all the QB's out. I'm sure they will 'guide' a QB having problems...
DennisVols writes:
It will come down to chemistry. Putting together a package of players that blend together like one.
The talent is there in all 3 QB's.
volsfan327 writes:
I am glad to see some real football talk starting up again, YES! It's about time to say....."It's football time..in Tennessee"
kalij#244795 writes:
I'm glad to hear Clawson is starting with a clean slate, with ball players having to actually prove themselves on the field instead of being " impressive young men" in Fulmer's eyes and obtain a starting position only to actually fall short on the field.I hope Fulmer doesn't interfere as he seems to do in this article "Jonathan right now would be our quarterback." Amen.
4114 writes:
Just remember.... We have to stay the course
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
yawn...........
GerryOP writes:
FWIW Jonathen, I'm rooting for you! You are the man!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Finally some football news. Two weeks of bliss and then darkness.
Why the heck was there not one article on how our seniors and Mayo did at the combine???
Could they not get any info that said Ainge was good bad or ugly.
What did Mayo do to improve or drop his stock?
What the heck happened. Honestly, this was the worst covered combine I could remember... from all coverages.
LargeOrange writes:
Another good and UNBIASED article from Edwards, I wish the KNS would do the same thing we expect fron CPF and Clawson and shuffle the staff based on performance. Edwards would be Sports Editor and John Adams would be coverig Volleyball and Tennis. Looking forward to seeing this new team and new direction. Go Big Orange!!
chefjorge writes:
I'm rooting for JC. I've always felt bad about what happened to Jerry Colquitt, not that it's the same situation, but he's been there and worked hard. We do need the best on the field though.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
LARGEORANGE......what is wrong with speaking the truth? Were your little feelings hurt by Mr. Adams?
newtonrail writes:
KNS, pls get rid of PLEASEGE----. Thank you in advance. All Fans in Section Q.
LargeOrange writes:
Hey PLEASEGETRIDOFTHEBIASEDMORONPOSTER - Listen to this and tell me the truth hurts, this is a hatchet job by a little man with an adgenda (like yourself). http://www.finebaum.com/media/archive...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
chefjorge,
I had some weird jerry colquitt like thought for JC a few weeks ago. I didn't post it though cause I don't even want to think like that. It's weird that you mentioned it though.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
pleasegitridof.....Quit giving the fine city of Morristown a bad name. You post almost as much garbage as Navslov.
dford9#209809 writes:
A good, QUALITY QB will be a necessity against
such teams as UCLA, Florida, Auburn, and O'Bama~!
VOLnATL writes:
Good to hear JC is up for the challenge!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Whoever the QB, we will be in much better hands this year. Both Cutcliffe (play calling) and Ainge (play making ability) handcuffed our offense the last two years. Would loved to have known where our offense could have gone last year without those two.
CrankE writes:
"Or" is not all caps. "OR" is all caps.
David Cutcliffe let slip just before the Outback Bowl that Ainge was hurt by the blindside spear against Cal a lot worse than anyone released. About the same time, Fulmer indicated that Crompton was taking 50% of the first team snaps. Which indicated to me that UT in 2007 might have had the most overprepared backup QB and the most underprepared starting QB. If Crompton isn't the clear leader right now, then what in the world has UT been doing??
ODA751 writes:
LargeOrange,
I just listened to the Finebaughm link you posted. Thanks for the insight. I don't agree with what Adams wrote, but freedom of speech must prevail. The radio show was over the top though. What a low life. I hope Fulmer gets to whip his a** some day.
GreerVol22 writes:
I think Clawsons QB approach is simple and spot on. Take it one snap at a time, see who "gets it" when it come to the playbook and go from there.
Large Orange, thank you. Listening to that again and looking up the 30+ player incidents from around the country since that story broke reminds me of why Adams has a narrow head, and beady little eyes.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
I think the Vols, and all schools for that matter need to start recruiting to replace talanted Juniors. They aren't going to stay for their Senior year in many cases.
UTFutBalPhan writes:
It's about time Crompton got the attention...I've thought for 2 years that the best quarterback was on the bench anyway.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yep, People that worry about Adams need to familiarize themselves with Finebaum's work. Adams is minor league.
On another note,wouldn't we all be surprised if the defense stepped up and we struggled on offense?
On second thought, I withdraw that because 2005 just flashed in my mind. Nope, offense has got to carry us till we figure something out to shore up the "D". Can't take another dose of that or 2007's defense.
Sound good anyway. However, best laid plans of mice and OC's .........
Sheepscape writes:
Crompton has much work ahead of him. Way too earlier to be sold on one starter.
Sheepscape writes:
Crompton has much work ahead of him. Way too earlier to be sold on one starter.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Another pretty good article from Drew Edwards, yet maybe they did not word very carefully this quote:
"quarterback remains the most pressing concern in spring practice" Were they talking about just among the offensive personnel? I feel good about our qb situation, and the rest of the offense, for that matter (but, Santa, could you bring us back a true fullback?).
Silent_Fulmer writes:
YAWN, I heard we have a good chance to win 6 games this fall.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
crompton will be the QB the question will be what type of offense will he run... he is a more moble than ainge so will they let him put pressure on the corners and ends by rolling him out etc... i.e. tee martin.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
NOTSOSLIM Your so original, NOT!!!
Man you can't even get your own material, you have to steal from VOLCR!!!
PearlOwnsFulmer, I'll take that bet all day long
on six victories, you name the price!!!
One week of your salary?
or is $100 to rich for your blood!!!
Sorry tried to error on the high side of your salary!!!
With your intelligence and everything
GO VOLS!!!
TXVOLSFAN
brokebackvol writes:
Spring practice just started, and let's remember that things are not REALLY decided until the Fall practices are over - this may establish some pecking order, but Crompton better not let up a bit if he wants the job.
posivol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
99gator writes:
a question to all the folks out there (because i am curious) what do you think next year's team will do with this schedule. for those negative folks (the 6-6 crowd), where are the six losses coming from?
i am asking this question, because one of the things that amazes me about all fans (gator fans too) is that if they expect the team to be 9-3, and the team goes 9-3, they are angry about it after the season. well, heck, you thought they would go 9-3. why are you surprised and angry? if you think they are going 6-6 and they go 8-4, did they not exceed expectations?
Sat, Aug 30 UAB
Sat, Sep 6 @ UCLA
bye week
Sat, Sep 20 Florida
Sat, Sep 27 @ Auburn
Sat, Oct 4 Northern Illinois
Sat, Oct 11 @ Georgia
Sat, Oct 18 Mississippi State
Sat, Oct 25 Alabama
Sat, Nov 1 @ South Carolina
Sat, Nov 8 Wyoming (Homecoming)
bye week
Sat, Nov 22 @ Vanderbilt
Sat, Nov 29 Kentucky
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Lets be honest, Crompton has no real competition at QB and this concerns me. Dont get me wrong, I think Crompton will do great, but my concern is when and if he gets hurt, then what? As long as we have a great offensive line this year and a great running game, I think we could weather the storm if Crompton had to miss a game or 2. But I still am concerned at our depth chart at QB
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Here is my prediction 99gator
Sat, Aug 30 UAB -WIN
Sat, Sep 6 @ UCLA - WIN
Sat, Sep 20 Florida - WIN
Sat, Sep 27 @ Auburn -LOSS
Sat, Oct 4 Northern Illinois - WIN
Sat, Oct 11 @ Georgia- LOSS
Sat, Oct 18 Mississippi State -WIN
Sat, Oct 25 Alabama- WIN
Sat, Nov 1 @ South Carolina -WIN
Sat, Nov 8 Wyoming (Homecoming)-WIN
Sat, Nov 22 @ Vanderbilt- WIN
Sat, Nov 29 Kentucky- WIN
I predict a 10-2 regular season record
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
99gator,
Here is what I see (barring a large rash of injuries, particularly QB and DL)...
UAB and UCLA as wins (Bruins will be tough with Chow, but we usually beat UCLA...we are 4-1-1 against them since 1985, and our only loss came when our QB blew his knee out in the first series of the game).
I see Florida as a toss up game, because of it being in Knoxville.
I think we split with Auburn and Georgia on the road.
We beat Alabama in Knoxville in a revenge game.
I see us winning the rest of our games, as Kentucky and Vandy will drop off considerably with all of their losses in key personnel.
I see 11-1 at best, 10-2 likely and 9-3 also possible.
I will say 10-2 is my prediction.
volssam writes:
To me, all our games are winnable, but the most difficult games (ones we'll have trouble winning) would obviously be Florida and at Georgia....although I'm still not completely sold on UGA....wasn't last year either when everyone was so high on them at the beginning of the season until we destroyed them; I mean yeah, they came on at the end of the season, but we still seem to match up pretty well with them. It's Florida that we seem to never be able to match up well with, with their spread offense aka the Harvin and Tebow Show. But besides those 2 games, we COULD lose @Auburn, @UCLA, @ S.C., and then Bama....but we should probably win all those IF Cromptom does decently, now that we hopefully have an offense that isn't so predictable and IF we actually have a DLine this year. Look at what we were able to do last year (minus the Gator and Bama losses) with a weak DLine......GO VOLS!
volssam writes:
sorry....I mean CromptoN
BOASoldier writes:
BJ Coleman is good very good... I wouldn't say great but he is a very good QB ... inteligent in the pocket and has a rocket arm... not too much of a runner but isn't scared there either. Stephens is supposed to be a stud but I honestly don't know much about him. As far as next season goes I see two where the potential to lose is greater than that to win.
Sheepscape writes:
The defense is just as big a key to our success next season. Personally, I felt there should have been changes made in the coaching staff. Our DB's cannot continue to play so far off the receivers as we saw against KY for example.
If we don't stop giving up 40+ to the likes of Cal, Bama, UF, and KY(albeit in OT, but we had that game in the bag till late when the aforementioned DB's played loose) it won't matter who is QB.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
posivol I agree with you about PearlOwnsFulmer, but when you use obscene language like you did in your last post, its offensive to many, including myself, it doesnt match the name posivol. Stay positive posivol, it better suits you!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Sat, Aug 30 UAB -WIN by 3
Sat, Sep 6 @ UCLA - LOSS by 17
Sat, Sep 20 Florida - LOSS by 31
Sat, Sep 27 @ Auburn -LOSS by 20
Sat, Oct 4 Northern Illinois - WIN by 35
Sat, Oct 11 @ Georgia- LOSS by 3
Sat, Oct 18 Mississippi State -WIN by 7
Sat, Oct 25 Alabama- WIN by 4
Sat, Nov 1 @ South Carolina - LOSS by 3
Sat, Nov 8 Wyoming (Homecoming)-WIN by 28
Sat, Nov 22 @ Vanderbilt- WIN by 6
Sat, Nov 29 Kentucky- WIN by 3
looks like I got optimistic 7-5! yawn
bigbluevol writes:
PearlOwnsFulmer, just spend your fall in TBA waiting for tip off.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
I believe the worst Tennessee will do is 9-3 and I still believe if its less than 8 regular season wins Fulmer will retire!
99gator writes:
i understand that some people lean more on the positive side and some people lean more on the negative side.....
but, some of y'all might as well post "tennessee sucks".
some of you all write like you think the team is so inept that it would be an accomplishment to be able to run onto the field out of the locker room without falling down.
if some of you have tickets to the florida game that you would like to give up, let me know.
cjraney writes:
99gator-
I think bigorangedude is right on. I won't say where the losses will come but probably two L's. Very possible one could be at UCLA as we are often slow starters on defense and have so many new coaches on offense.
However, we have a chance to have a very strong run game this year if we commit to it. Which would obviously allow us to control some clock and maybe force some teams into throwing the ball more than they would like when they get the ball. This would play into the strength of our D and keep our shallow D-line fresh. I'm very hopeful we lose only one to an SEC team and think it's very possible. Could be wrong. What's your take on Vols and Gators chances?
KennesawVol writes:
99gator - I'd sell you my tickets, but I sit in section R, and the people that sit around me would KILL me the next time they saw me for selling my tickets to a FL fan!!
LargeOrange writes:
OK PearlOwnsFulmer. You seem bored, let's see if we can make this more interesting for you and find out how sure you are with your antiFulmer nonsense. I will take each of the games and using the scores you personally predicted, I will bet you $100 on each game. At the end of the season I think you would owe me between $800 and a Grand. I let you set the lines, you should win 90% of those bets, if you had a clue about what you are betting on. Come on put your money up where your mouth is or STFU.
TN v UAB -3
TN v UCLA +17
TN v FLA +31
TN v AU +20
TN v N.Ill. -35
TN v UGA +3
TN v MISS St -7
TN v Ala -4
TN v SC +3
TN v WYO -28
TN v Vandy -6
TN v KY -3
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