Photo by Saul Young
Tennessee tailback Arian Foster smiles during the opening day of spring practice last Tuesday.
As the saying goes, a house built on sand won't stand for long.
Consider these the solid rock days for Tennessee's offense, as first-year coordinator Dave Clawson lays the foundation for his new system.
For senior Arian Foster, who is adjusting to the third offensive coordinator (and third running backs coach) during his UT career, the first day was the equivalent of banging his thumb with a hammer.
More than once, too.
"It's actually totally opposite of what we were supposed to do," Foster said. "How we do it now, if we did it then, we got in trouble. We're just unlearning what we learned. It's a bit unnatural for everybody, but it's going to be OK."
Last Thursday, Tennessee's final day of practice before returning to the field from spring break on March 25, it got better.
"Everybody did it right every single time," Foster said. "It's going to take until about halfway through spring before it feels natural."
That's the goal. Clawson wants his offensive players to be reacting, not thinking, when the season begins.
One of the biggest hurdles to clear before that happens is making sure the Vols learn the new terminology associated with Clawson's offense.
Since Signing Day on Feb. 6, UT's offensive coaches have busied themselves with developing the new offensive playbook.
Some old terms remain, but plenty of new ones found their way into Tennessee's football dictionary.
On the offensive line, for example, about half of the calls remain the same.
"Believe it or not, there's a lot of similarities to what (Clawson) had known in the past in terms of some line calls," said offensive line coach Greg Adkins, the lone returning position coach on offense. "We cleaned up some things that needed to be cleaned up.
"A lot of it is staying the same in terms of line calls up front in the run game and the pass (protection). The biggest difference would just be the overall language of the offense, from the huddle standpoint."
But language isn't the only thing changing.
In individual drills, each of Tennessee's four new coaches on offense - Clawson, running backs coach Stan Drayton, tight ends coach Jason Michael and wide receivers coach Latrell Scott - have worked on the fundamental and technical aspects of their respective positions.
As could be expected after just two days of practice, the offense is still very much under construction.
"I think right now they're still lost in translation a little bit and that slows them down," Clawson said. "You can't play football games slow. Guys can't be thinking. They got to be able to react. That's something you hope gets better with every practice."
According to UT coach Phillip Fulmer, the Vols spent most of the NCAA's mandated two-day acclimation period without full pads installing Clawson's offense.
But even when UT returns to the field, it has just three days with consecutive practices that coincide with its annual coaching clinic.
By and large, the Vols are on a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule for most of the spring.
That relates to the installation blueprint, too.
"We've got practices spread out enough that it's really going to work out well for us that we can practice a day and study a day," Fulmer said. "Study ourselves, and they can study the playbook. Insert and practice a day, and they can study a day."
Fulmer said the installation process on offense will be spread out over all 14 practices leading up to the Orange and White Game on April 19.
Exactly whether UT's offensive project remains on schedule depends on how much players can grasp in a short period of time.
So far, at least, so good.
"Two days in shorts, they're going right on pace," Fulmer said following the last practice.
That pace, though, is key.
Only once mistakes have been corrected and learned from, as Clawson says the Vols have done so far, can the next step of installation proceed.
Despite a few bumps along the way, Clawson is equally pleased with the improvement from Tuesday to Thursday.
"The first practice there was a couple mistakes we made, and (Thursday) we repeated the plays and we got it right," he said. "Those are things that are real encouraging."
Senior wide receiver Josh Briscoe is equally encouraged, especially when he looks ahead to the finished product.
"This offense is great. I love it," he said. "It's going to give us a chance to throw the ball downfield more and get our playmakers the ball in space. That's one thing as a receiver I like, and the other guys do too. We're just blessed that Coach Fulmer brought Coach Clawson in.
"And hopefully just go out this fall and run with it."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 72
anthony writes:
ATTENTION THE NEW BRUCE PEARL IS NOW IN TOWN!!
TopperVol75 writes:
Step #1: Players respect their coach and buy into a new system.
But everything is "opposite of what we were supposed to do?" Playcalls, technique or what? That one is kind of scary, or maybe not.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Not me bro...I always thought and argued on this board that that was a bum rap with no supporting evidence. I always wanted to get back to the style of O that Fulmer ran when he was the OC.
I prefer this type of change where you have some connection and continuousy to the past with new blood/thinking injected. Fulmer provides the link to TN tradition, Adkins provides continuousy to a solid and improving O line with everything else new and fresh. This combination should provide a solid chance for success...just hope the D can hold up their end. The D staff could use a little renovation as well.
LargeOrange writes:
Exactly my thought sjt18, I have heard so many haters talk about how CPF would not let Sanders coach, and now recently, I read how Cutcliff was the plexi-glass that allowed CPF to walk on water. Both are rubbish. Basically while I understand that our offense has been multiple and included many many plays and formations, it is been essentially the same basic playbook since Johnny was HC and CPF was OC till now. I can see the DC's in the league starting to sweat thinking that they really don't know what our offense is likely to do in a certain down and distance next year. I love it, this is just what we need and I can't wait to see it unveiled this fall.
Skibum165 writes:
I am guilty of it sjt18! I just want to see Coach Clawson calling the plays and not Coach Fulmer calling the plays with new jargon. It does sound like the squad is making long term improvements!
GerryOP writes:
Good news! This Clawson fella' may have a future in this coaching business! The only way a guy like Clawson can succeeed at UT is to insist on change -- finally -- and Fulmer to let him do it. Here's hoping for the best.
gohawks1 writes:
LargeOrange, your point about other D coaches not knowing what to expect is a good one, and is exactly why I think a change was needed on offense. The Vols had become very predictable, and at times it seemed that the opposing team knew what our O was going to run before we ever snapped the ball. I am really excited about the new playbook and can't wait until September!
DennisVols writes:
We wanted change, we demanded change and now we have our wish.
This is exciting and it will be hard to defend because it is different, with each defensive opponent, and it will be new to defend against.
Go Vols!!!!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Phil, do you ever read the inane posts on this site.....I didn't think so, Coach.
gohawks1 writes:
Our offense is on the move, and things are looking promising at this point. Now I hope our defense can make some adjustments and be able to defend the spread. This is where Stan Drayton can be of help to us, since he saw the spread up close and personal while at Florida.
4114 writes:
Remeber....We must stay to course
LargeOrange writes:
I have posted before and still believe that CPF views Clawson as his potential successor. He said as much when he said while we were all waiting on him to name Cutcliff's replacement, something to the effect of "these are exciting times, we may be hiring the next guy when we make this hire". Next guy means the next HC. I think if Clawson and his crew can pick us back to where we need to be and win a couple of Championships in the next 2-5 years, then Phil can go out on top and have a claim to destiny when Clawson takes over and continues or improves on his legacy. I know it sounds like the kool-aid talking but it is spring for goodness sakes, anything is possible, and this would be the best case scenario in my opinion and within the realm of possibilities.
redneckerson writes:
cdldoc, that post was inane.
utchris writes:
My guess is that this will take a while to get all ironed out, but as long as it is by the first game, all will be ok. I doubt that much will be unveiled in the Spring game bc 1) more polishing will be needed 2) they will want to keep early season opponents guessing
Grim1 writes:
Posted by sjt18 on March 19, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How many people have been guilty of saying there was no way that CPF would let Clawson control or change the offense?
THAT'S BECAUSE PHIL HAS NO IDEA WHAT CLAWSON IS TALKING ABOUT...He really has no choice now BUT to let Clawson run it.
Can you image Clawson trying to explain his offense to Phil?
I bet he has to talk REAL SLOW and repeat himself over and over.
or maybe he rewards Phil with a donut every time Phil gets something right.
Rebelsfball2008 writes:
for some reason i picture a bright light incircling clawson and angels singing the halleujah chorus right about now..i agree change is on its way..and he is a VERY big factor in it..but not every D1 coaching hire is the next BP or Urban Meyer..Trust me it will happen it may not be next week next month or even completely this season..but it Will happen and clawson will be the reason why...
chrisw2967 writes:
Grim , thats too funny
newtonrail writes:
Grim 1, You have NO idea what you are talking about. Fulmer has not only been coaching and preparing teams for a few years, but he does have his Masters Degree. Do you?
FWBVol writes:
Grim1,who helped you spell all the big words? Make no mistake about it, the reason Dave Clawson is changing the offense is only because Phillip Fulmer gave him permission. The last I checked PF was still the UT head coach.
Phillip Fulmer knows more football than most of us put together, and has probably forgotten more football than any of us will ever know.
Fulmer was the offensive coordinator during some of UT's best statistical seasons, and, as the saying goes, you can look it up.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Isn't it great to look forward to an offensive system that is designed to get playmakers the ball. Cutcliffe never did have a clue.
wjackson#226202 writes:
What an inane post Grim1. At least it's not Glome and Dome. I am excited about the upcoming season. I am in Maryland. It sounds to me like even the players think the new offense is better. Now Let's watch what CC does at duke. Will it resemble the UT of old?
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Even if Duke has a bad year it will still look like Duke had a successful season and made the right decision in hiring CC. what could the expectations possibly be at duke, the only coach to briefly turn that program was spurrier, and as we all know, CC aint no spurrier.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
Maybe the BP parallels aren't so far out there!!!
The one thing Pearl does is get the ball to his playmakers in space and let them go. Playmakers want the ball and it sounds like Briscoe thinks he is ready to be a playmaker. I love it when players are excited, this could be the change we need!!!!
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
HotlantaVol writes:
It's hard to keep my enthusiasm reigned in, but I have to keep reminding myself that we haven't played a single down against an opponent with this new offense. Nor will we until the UAB game. I wouldn't call Clawson the next Bruce Pearl until he proves he can win like Bruce Pearl.
How many of you have to manage projects in your work? Does everything ever fall exactly into place at exactly the right time to work as planned the first time? Of course not. There are too many variables out of your control. We'll just have to wait and see.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
GO Vols!!!! we'll see this fall how this all works out................... can't be as bad as sanders and coach cut was an upgrade but.... 3rd and short always seemed to confuse cut.... or he would call the opposing coaches and tell them what he was going to run... not sure which :):)
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
You know fellows, sometimes the comments are just SO STUPID and out of touch with reason that they aren't even worth commenting on. Maybe our resident football genius Grim1 can school all of us and coach Fulmer on his mad X-BOX skills on Madden Football '08. Gimme a flippin' break.
debaser11 writes:
What's happening on DEFENSE?
Hotllama2 writes:
I'm excited. I'm a loyal Vol fan and alum, but I grew up in Richmond and currently live there, my father played tailback at Richmond, and is a huge Spiders booster. He knows Dave Clawson personally, plays golf with him, and hasn't missed a Richmond game in years. I knew very little about Dave Clawson when we hired him. My father's reaction to the news was; 1) It was a phenomenal hire for Tennessee and 2) This was going to wreck Richmond's team. My dad is a Spiders fan, first and foremost, but is also a converted Vols fan, after writing all those tuition checks you kinda have to be. More importantly, he's a football fan. My old man says Dave Clawson is the real deal. He's a stand up guy, no questions asked, and one of the best young coaches out there. His offense is innovative, efficient, and the majority of his plays are designed to take it to the house. Everyone's got a take on the new offense, but I thought you might like to know a little about the man running it. Apparently Clawson is a true gunslinger, who has the passion and offensive system to reinvent Tennessee football. Time will tell.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Dang Hotllama2...
now you got me all excited, too bad the season is still over 5 months away.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Hotlama,
Thanks for the info. He does sound like the ticket to the future. It just really, really SUCKS that the Vol Nation is more preoccupied with useless, repetitive, mundane complaints about Fulmer than welcoming the new changes and taking a "wait and see" attitude. We *should* be welcoming this guy and fostering his success. Somehow I think, if it weren't for the great career advancement opportunity, he might not have even bothered and turned down the job.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Bama fan, remind me...When was Alabama's last SECCG appearance? 1999? Seems that was the last competitive team Bama fielded. Talk when you have a trophy and can beat Tennessee more than once every decade.
va_vol16 writes:
we will see who phil wants to call plays when fla comes to town phil will tight a$$ it and not let clawson do his thing
Volunatic writes:
What's "bravaro"?
Hotllama2 writes:
Like everybody else, I was hoping that The News Sentinel would delve a little farther into who Dave Clawson is as a man. I have never met the man personally, so all of this is coming to me second hand. Granted it's from my father, so I GUESS I'll take him at his word. In talking about Clawson, my old man truly believes UT could not have made a better hire. I don't want to make Pearl comparisons, however they seem to possess a lot of the same intangibles. Clawson is an affable guy, who was all over Richmond in his time here. He's a guy who goes to the grocery store and "presses the flesh," and gets everybody excited about football. When he got to Richmond in 2004, Richmond football was borderline horrible. He turned the program around completely, won two Coach of the Year Awards, and was able to actually get people to go to the games. He did a lot of good things for Richmond. They used to play at city stadium downtown, and no one went, not even the students. Pretty soon, they were selling out the games and winning big. His legacy will remain intact because he spearheaded the movement to build a state of the art stadium on campus. Ground was broken last year. Clawson is a great leader and mentor of young men, an innovator, a motivator, and a winner. I'll take it.
wjackson#226202 writes:
Hotllama2, It kinda does sound like Pearl. Maybe whoever said mike hamilton had more weight in the hire was right. He sure made the right decision with Pearl. There have been a lot of rumors from people who have no idea about Bruce going to IU. However. As genuine as a person as he seems to be. I think he will be with us for along time. And I hope that Clawson turns out to be the same.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
"It's actually totally opposite of what we were supposed to do," Foster said. "How we do it now, if we did it then, we got in trouble. We're just unlearning what we learned. It's a bit unnatural for everybody, but it's going to be OK."
To me, this is good news. But I agree with the others who suggest we wait and see until a big game is on the line and then we'll know just how long the leash is in Fulmer's hand.
Not incidentally, for everyone who thinks Cut was a QB coaching genius, check out the lowdown on Erik Ainge from the NFL combine...
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/e....
GoVol writes:
sjt18 said "Maybe that was one of the things Clawson disagreed with him on in their interview"
No - Fulmer was trying to teach Clawson a cheer or two during the interview and Clawson wouldn't have any part of it.
BOASoldier writes:
mbumburu... the negatives are pretty harsh:DANG:
Negatives: Has a tall, slender frame, built more in the lines of a basketball forward than a football player...Has marginal muscle tone and definition with slender shoulders, but has a frame that can carry additional bulk...Displays marginal quickness on the move and loses accuracy when forced to throw when flushed out of the pocket...Does not have the speed to be a valid threat carrying the ball...Not the type of athlete that can play through pain and there are questions about his physical and mental toughness...Has good arm strength, but it is not always evident in his long throws, as he puts a lot of air behind those tosses and fails to place it along the outside shoulder of his target...Has an adequate feel for pressure and looks sluggish when sliding to avoid it...Lacks the loose hips to avoid the pass rush and does a poor job of setting his feet before throwing when flushed...Can put air behind his deep throws, but needs to step into those attempts better (will throw off his back foot at times), as he throws a lot of passes that are easily deflected due to low trajectory (had 51 throws deflected in 2007)...Has had a series of minor lingering injuries, raising durability concerns...When he stands in the pocket too long, it is because he fails to sense backside pressure...Must do a better job selling pump fakes; defensive backs don't usually bite...Needs to learn how to step up and out of the pocket, as his accuracy suffers on the move...Improved his foot mechanics as a senior, but when he fails to set his feet, he struggles with the follow through on his pass attempts...Will get into a rhythm where he misfires, but rather than hand the ball off, he will continue to fire into spots.
Compares To: KEN DORSEY-Cleveland...With his lanky frame, Ainge is in dire need of a weight trainer to add bulk and strength. He lacks the foot speed to elude pocket pressure and his accuracy suffers when forced to throw after being flushed out of the pocket. He is a precise short-to-intermediate passer, but even though he puts a lot of air behind his deep throws, he fails to place it over the outside shoulder of his target. Because of his slight frame, he has had a fair share of injuries, but he is slow to recover, making one wonder if he has the physical and mental toughness to be more than a clipboard holder at the next level, much like Dorsey.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
The only cheer Clawson needs to know is how to sing "Rocky Top".
GoVol writes:
Chavis - come on...we need for you to have a defense this year! The better the D the more effective the O will be, and the opposite of course.
invisiblekid writes:
Only thing I was guilty of regarding the Sanders era was believing Fulmer let it go on about two years too long. If Fulmer was a little more cutthroat, Sanders would/should have been gone after 2002. Not that any of that makes an iota of difference in 2008.
If everything is as advertised, I think the players will respond well to this new offensive philosophy and Clawson will shine. Most players want to "showcase their skill set" as opposed to worrying about their assignments on each and every play. If the defensive braintrust can address their weaknesses from the past couple of years, no reason to think the Vols can't contend next season for a title.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Hey, that scouting report thing about Ainge is not quite accurate. For one thing it says he was recovered from his broken finger this year in time to start the first game. Not quite accurate; it bothered him more after that, contributing to critical fumble in Florida game for one thing (did it happen in preseason?). Also it basically says he only missed one game the year before, the Arkansas game. But he also missed virtually all of the LSU game, playing only one wounded possession as I recall, so he "started" that game, but didn't get squat for stats.
If he is serious about an NFL career, he'll muscle up. Otherwise, there's a whole world of things to do other than NFL QB. Good luck, Erik.
GoVol writes:
I believe Fulmer has no choice but to give the offensive reins totally to Clawson.
If you believe Hamilton had a heavy hand in the selection of Clawson, then Fulmer has to let Clawson do his thing. Doesn't make since for Fulmer to handcuff Clawson if Clawson was hired to eventually replace Fulmer.
philfan writes:
givim6 at 11:40 p.m. wrote:
Will we still sit on leads in the 2nd half?
I have read articles about Clawson's offense and it was described as ''constantly attacking. '' I think the answer to your question is an emphatic, NO!!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
sjt18, that's one of the most insightful posts I've ever read on here. "Neyland would probably throw out Neyland's maxims." In today's game, indeed.
"Conservative is the most risy way to play it." I think you've summed up Coach Fulmer's innate, default philosophy rather succinctly.
LargeOrange writes:
Stj18, as is the case more often than not, you are correct, in my view. CPF coached teams, have definitely had the tendency to take their foot off the accelerator petal way to early and it has cost us several times and almost cost us many more times. I don't think you should leave your key starters in the game too long when the outcome is decided, obviously to avoid needless injuries, but over the years we have had the tendency to try and run the clock out beginning early in the 3rd qtr and that does not work with today's offenses. A team can get back into the game too quickly.
LargeOrange writes:
I should add, especially when you do not have a dominating defense that can keep the other team's offense off the field in the 3rd and 4th qtrs.
GerryOP writes:
Fulmer will "turn Clawson loose." I believe that Hamilton's statement mid-season that Fulmer has earned the right to make his exit on his own terms was tantamount to the classical "behind you 100%" vote of confidence. Surely, Hamilton sees the same things that many of us do but he is an astute enough business person to know better than to challenge Fulmer in public. But, that does not mean that he has not discussed things with Fulmer rather frankly in private.
Never forget, upon his ascension to the AD slot Hamilton identified some rather specific goals that he expects his head coaches to accomplish. One goal was to win a SEC title every 5-6 years. The guy who moved to Conway, SC did not accomplish that -- he is gone. The baseball HC did not accomplish that -- he is gone. In the meantime, the other major sports are meeting or progressing nicely toward that goal. In the public eye, Fulmer is bulletproof and he justly earned that shield! But, those of us who have worked behind "boardroom doors" may have a sense of what has gone on between Fulmer and Hamilton in private. The "die is cast" and it is up to Fulmer how the story ends. Clawson will be given the opportunity to excel. JMO.
DennisVols writes:
A productive offense will be the biggest improvement to our defense.
If everyone remembers our two biggest defeats last year they both had one big thing in common.
In the 2nd half there were few if any substained offensive drives. Our defense was on the field most of the time while the offense failed to take more than a couple of minutes off the clock with each possession. Our defense was left to defend short fields because our offense failed to move the ball or even get a single 1st down on many drives.
Against UF Berry's interception for a TD placed UT in position to still be in the game. Then the defense makes a stop and we had the ball only to have a Ainge-Foster hand off to fumble and we never threaten again.
I for one am looking forward to an offense that won't be so predictable, that will spread out our opponents defense and take advantage of thier weakness instead of the other way around.
UTByrd writes:
Clawson is going to be the opposing def. co.'s worst nightmare. Look at he talent he has to work with. Running backs: experience and the explosion of youth. Receivers: raw but very talented. Quarterbacks: unproven but should click because...Offensive line: The BEST in the country.
DennisVols, you nailed it about the defense. A lot of people put down Chavis and his defense. They have been responsible for a whole heck of lot of W's but get blamed for most of their losses.
As far as Coach Cut, for all you naysayers, how many Div. I head coaching jobs have you had? Let's see, HC at Ole Miss, Of. Co. Notre Dame(bad heart took that away), HC at Duke, and long time Of. Co. for UT. I'd say that's not too bad of a resume.
Anyway, here's hoping the Vols go all the way in both tourneys and the football team exceeds our wildest expectations.
I'm definetly looking forward to an exciting year in Volunteer sports.
Go Vols!!!!!
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