Jonathan Crompton entered spring practice as the favorite to become Tennessee's starting quarterback.
After two days of practice, that status hasn't changed.
Following UT's second of 15 spring practices Thursday on Haslam Field, UT coach Phillip Fulmer continued to praise Crompton.
"I think Jon Crompton has prepared himself really well," Fulmer said. "Not that the other two haven't, but Jon is well ahead of them from a mental standpoint right now and a physical standpoint.
"You can tell he's worked hard since Coach (Dave) Clawson was hired to learn the offense and the cadence and the shifts, motions that we're using. Fundamentally they all have a lot to learn. Jon's still probably ahead in that category, because he's played more and taken more practice snaps."
At least early, most of those snaps have focused on fundamentals like handing the ball off and, well, taking snaps.
With the NCAA mandated acclimation period, Crompton likes that approach during the first two days.
"That's one of the most important parts of the game," Crompton said. "You've got to be polished in everything. If you can't hand the ball off, you can't win. And if you can't take a proper drop, you can't win or take a snap or things like that. I think it's been good to take that approach and get all that out of the way in the beginning."
Clawson, UT's first-year offensive coordinator, likes what he's seen from Crompton and fellow quarterbacks Nick Stephens and B.J. Coleman in the first two days.
"There's things we need to clean up, but you expect that with a new system," Clawson said. "They're doing a nice job with it. They're eager to learn and they're putting the work into it, and that's all you can ask of them."
Faster Foster: Tailback Arian Foster said he wants to be lighter than his 225-pound playing weight from last fall.
To that end, Foster said he's lost about 8 pounds since the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
"I wasn't at the weight I wanted to be last season, but things happen," Foster said. "I've already dropped some weight. I feel a little bit quicker already. Coach (Stan) Drayton's been working with me. I feel like I've added a step to my game already and some quickness and some acceleration that I didn't have before."
As for exactly what the scale reads, Foster isn't ready to reveal that just yet.
"I can't let you know that, man," Foster joked. "It's a secret. I'll tell you after spring."
More Morley: Despite spending 2007 away from football, safety Demetrice Morley doesn't feel like he's missed a day.
"It feels good to be back out here with coaches and with the team," he said. "I'm back, and I'm just happy.
"I feel like nothing's changed. I feel like I've been here all this while. I'm just going to keep working hard to get better."
Fulmer said he's pleased with Morley's on-field performance, but stressed that Morley, who missed last season because of academics, needs to remain vigilant in the classroom.
"Demetrice has never had a problem on the field," Fulmer said. "His issues come with his own personal discipline and academics and those kind of things. I think he's doing fine.
"Demetrice has gotten himself in a position, as I told him, he can't be average. He needs to excel. He's capable of doing that."
Padding Up: Tennessee won't practice again until March 25, its first day in full pads, because of UT's spring break.
Players are due back in Knoxville at 9 p.m. on March 23. The next day they have a scheduled team conditioning workout before hitting the field for full-contact work on the 25th.
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Comments » 38
andy112382#209793 writes:
Man, I can't wait for the fall so I can watch some Big Orange football! I am looking forward to seeing what Clawson can bring to this offense.
This is best case scenario, imo, for bringing in a new starting qb, what more could you ask for than to have your entire OL back (that was more than solid last season) and your senior RB w/ depth behind him plus some proven playmakers like Lucas Taylor and Gerald Jones to help take some of the focus off of the new qb......once again, can't wait!
GO VOLS!!!
anthony writes:
The rest of the country will marvel with us having Pearl, this guy Clawson, and the girls also at the Summitt. Go Vols!!
anthony writes:
The rest of the country will marvel with us having Pearl, this guy Clawson, and the girls also at the Summitt. Go Vols!!
ThaiVolFan writes:
More than likely Jon will be our starter this year. I think that he will be our best QB to put on the field to run this offense. I am just wanting to be sure that we are going to involve Jones and Berry in our offensive game planning.
We need some fresh looks with some versatile players that can really change the game, and momentum in a hurry!
Go Vols
LargeOrange writes:
I am very excited by the returning VOLS and our new coaches, new offense, new leaders. I can't wait until August, but I hate to say it but I think we could be one of the top 5 teams in every aspect and still have two losses next year. Georgia on the road with a TON of talent and a big chip on their shoulder and Florida, and all that that presents plus Auburn on the road as well as a trip to the west coast for our second game, that is a tough row to hoe. But (taking another big sip of kool-aid) I can't wait and feel good about our '08 VOLS. Go Big Orange, just get it done.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
anthony 10:51 pm, did you mean to leave Phil out or was that a slip? About the marveling.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
BigOrange...not to mention that this year could shape up for a huge recruiting haul in '09. I love that orange kool-aid.
GreerVol22 writes:
There are some twins from Loudon that think Raleigh was not the right man for the job and needs to be dismissed. I'll bet they feel that same way about Clawson.
It comes down to execution. Crompton may know more and bench press more but is he is a leader? He sounded really good in his interview and showed the passion for his teammates. "doubt me all you want, but by God don't doubt my teammates". Thats a leaders message.
Greyback_Vol writes:
It's good to see D. Morley back on the field, not only because the kid can play and will probably step into Jon Hefney's old spot, but also because it's good to see a kid make it through some adversity and get back on the team. That shows character and a willingness to work.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I don't like the thinking of Berry being on offense as well as D.
Just trying to think, who was the last player doing that...was it Mark Jones???
Anyway, let Berry focus on D and not risk injury.
Fulmer is correct, Morley has to take care of biz and be a 'star' player.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Mr. Morley: Some of us out here are very impressed with your determination to return. It speaks to your character that you worked hard to get back. We wish you the best...and keep hitting the books.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
good to see Foster dropping a little weight. I hope he proves all the doubters wrong this year and becomes the best 4 year RB in TN history.
ckwhite writes:
Terrible title Drew!!!
Am I the only one that read " A snap for Crompton after two practices" and thought, INJURY!!??
Oenoboy writes:
If our Defensive front gets the job done, I feel we are in for a very good season.
I agree with mparker that Berry needs to stay on the defensive side of the ball. Keep him rested and healthy. We have plenty of speed and talent with our WRs.
If Foster stays healthy, he should have a great year. JC is taking over the helm at the right time. He has a solid bunch of seniors surrounding him including Foster and Taylor at key skill positions. All he has to do is get the ball to them safely.
Oenoboy writes:
Posted by ckwhite on March 14, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrible title Drew!!!
Am I the only one that read " A snap for Crompton after two practices" and thought, INJURY!!??
____________________
Only the column writers title their articles.
ckwhite writes:
Then I would say "they" should do a better job.
thesavageorange writes:
ckwhite ,I thought that too.Phew!He may or may not be the answer, but I would like for him to stay healthy enough to find out.
I said ,when Morley came back, that the 1st thing he should do is find Eric Berry.(good academics,no trouble etc...)That's exactly what he did ,and they have become close friends.We are proud of you DM, keep it up.
A toast to "the goon squad"!
givehim6 writes:
The thing I'd like to see is quality depth. It is so great to hear the starters are working hard, and getting it done! But a bad injury to a key player or two can change a season. I do not want sound all dome & glome, I'm all Vol! Just a question.
TommyJack writes:
givehim6: Beware the dome & glome.
invisiblekid writes:
Not to nitpick sjt18 but where is Gerald Jones on the depth chart? OK, so maybe a little nitpicking hehe.
Sounds like it is Crompton's job to lose based on the comments from Fulmer, no suprise there. Looking forward to seeing Crompton step up this year and I think he is ready.
philfan writes:
Morley is the kind of guy you can really root for. I look for him to be a team leader and make a lot of critical plays in some critical games. This is the person you would want to see featured in a pregame show, and then follow his career in the NFL. He wants to be at Tennessee!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Possiblities abound for this secondary to be special.
Crompton seems to be a gamer. Should be more than adequate to produce points.
RB will be interesting to see Clawson's use of this position with the talent available. Hope Hardesty stays healthy. 160-odd days out.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
i think we'll be fine offensively its the defense still concerns me.... our secondary which we have most of the kids back got smoked in every big game they played... could have been d line issue or lb issues but their past perf still has to be a big question mark... at least for me....
on foster losing weight.... who cares he's still the slowest starting back we have... period.
again i'm going to go in 08 with low expectations so maybe i'm pleasently surprised!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
I read where Clawson has been working alot w/ the fullbacks in the running game so far.I think Foster has a chance to shine in a power running game.
pdhuff,Agree about the RB's.I am also intrigued about the WR's.May be a different looking group out there in Sept.
rockydog writes:
waterskier,
I agree our secondary got toasted early in the season, but really improved later in the season. They may have looked worse than they were. Considering our great lack of a pass rush (except for the Wisconsin game - and then sporadic), its a wonder UT didn't give up 800 yards a game. No DB can cover a WR indefinitely. This group has the potential to be eye poppingly good. A lot depends on the defensive line being able to provide some pressure. I actually believe this group will be so good, they'll make our D-line look good. (Can't block forever either.) Eagerly awaiting kick off.
Gustoly writes:
This team has National Championship all over it. Can't wait until the naysayers are kissing our collective butts. Fulmer will be the highest paid coach in the SEC after next season - after he's holding the Sears Trophy. SEC Championship! National Championship! Can't wait.
*************************************************
What the heck have you been smoking ???
National Championship ? Hell we won't even win the SEC East. And I'm not a naysayer. I am a realistic fan who took off the orange glasses some years ago, We don't even have an SEC championship in the last 10 years. Good grief. Oh yea.....P.F. is over paid now.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gen F - is there any chance that insiders will be able to buy a replica (acryillic, of course) of the 2008 Grail? Or maybe a 3/4 size bust of Phil hoisting it. Ah, the glory........that awaits us...thanks General
wjackson#226202 writes:
Holy Cow!!! Not the dome and glome. LMAO
moose_47 writes:
I would like to see them utalize Dennis Rogan on offense rather than Eric Berry. Berry is too valuable to the D to risk injury. Rogan is dynamic with the ball in his hands. When you consider all of the depth in the secondary, an injury to Rogan would not be as devastating to the defense as one to Berry.
Kudos to Dee Morley; he went through hell and came out a stronger and, hopefully, a more mature man.
hueypilot writes:
General Fritter and company. Do you really think you are funny? You need better writers, more original material, or, I know, a different website. Please share your witticisms with others so they may laugh until they wet themselves. Go forth and prosper, but mainly just go away.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Hey TDTN, err, I mean General_Fritter, your TDTN slip is showing. If it's sooooo painful for you with the Fulmer regime, perhaps you'd benefit from a break from Tn FB for a couple of seasons.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
thesavageorange,
FB is a staple in the West coast type of offense. There should be plenty of opportunity for FB to catch the ball as well. West coast also utalizes the TE quite a bit, particularly faster receiving types of TEs. Look for a lot of crossing routes between TE and WR with another WR running through the open area created by the crossing routes. It requires a good decision making QB who can find the open zone quickly during the heat of the play. If Crompton can do that, he should be good. West coast style is also friendly to mobile QBs.
We need a name for our implementation of the West coast...Orange coast, Smokey Mtn offense, or something.
cwayne17 writes:
How about....SMOKEY MOUNTAIN THUNDER!! Can't wait till the season starts...Have yall seen our 2009 schedule yet? We got Western Kentucky the first game..and 7 home games. Have we ever played that many home games?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
cwayne 2:28 - Are you really that excited or is there a reason we need to be thinking about 2009?
I'm just getting used to becoming the Dook of the Smokies.
VolinDawgLand - Never fear- Gen Fritter will stay the course.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
I'm optimistic about the offense next season. Way too many three and outs last year let teams like South Carolina back in the ball game. The reason for my optimism is speed at the QB position can create many oportunities for continuing drives when the defense has a play well covered. Can you imagine how much more effective Ainge would have been if defensive backs worried that he would bolt out of the backfield for a quick 10 yards? That is what Crompton can give us. He is a tough kid and doesn't mind contact at all. GO VOLS
scttmcdonald#551862 writes:
WOW! I mean WOW! Talk about a complete change of composure. I purposely stayed away from this message board for a few months (never visited or read a thing here) because everyone (it seemed like everyone anyway) was all doom and gloom. I cant believe what I am reading here. I'm glad spring is about to be sprung and there is a good feeling about Tennessee football in the air. Glad to see the optomistic atmosphere is back. Cant wait to see how it all plays out this fall, my excitment has been rejuvinated.
volusherG writes:
Hey VOL fans!
How about helping a BIG ORANGE BROTHER out!
Click or copy and paste the link below and vote for awVols1985, the TENNESSEE representative on CBSsportsline's Member Mayhem contest! Once you get there click on the page 1 link to cast your vote. Let's keep UT in the essay tournament too!
Thanks for your interest and participation!
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....
GO VOLS ! ! !
romevol writes:
Gustoly - no, you are simply a naysayer. It's ok to admit it. I'm leaving my orange glasses on! Go Fulmer...Go Vols!!
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