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• Hamilton not afraid to make coaching change
• Clawson on Warren: I don't think we've been fair to him
• Fulmer increasing light contact in practices

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When Tennessee resumes spring practice Tuesday, the Vols will have another holiday on the horizon.

Don't worry, though. Banks will still be open. The mailman will still come at the appointed hour.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer has the calendar circled for his old standby of a holiday.

"In the next few weeks we'll have - I always kid about this - but it's a 'National Twos-Get-Better Day," Fulmer said, noting that UT will use a day to give reserves about 90 percent of practice reps. "We'll get that happening for us with the twos and threes."

Once UT dons full pads Tuesday for the first time this spring, the search for depth begins in earnest.

Nowhere is that depth more necessary than on the defensive line.

The Vols need players like Walter Fisher, Chase Nelson and Victor Thomas to elevate their games behind starting defensive tackles Demonte' Bolden and Dan Williams.

At end, Wes Brown, Chris Walker, Ben Martin and Robert Ayers must find a way to replace starters Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds.

"I don't know that they fully understand it, but that's my responsibility to make sure that they will," defensive coordinator John Chavis said of his defensive line finding some key reserves this spring. "I can assure you that before spring practice they will."

Even offensive line coach Greg Adkins, who returns five starters and a key reserve from last year, wants to find more players who can contribute.

Along with individual versatility, Tennessee was able to overcome an injury to starting left tackle Eric Young because of superior depth.

That means Adkins will have his eye on the next group of super subs up front.

"What we've got to be able to do is get the Ramone Johnsons, the Jarrod Shaws, the William Brimfields, the Cody Popes to where we can count on them," Adkins said. "Ramone showed that some last year. Cody Sullins, I don't want to take anything away from him. He's going to be working with the second group at center. He's a tough guy.

"Those are the guys that have truly got to be guys we can count on. Sort of like (starting left tackle) Chris Scott going into last year really hadn't played all that much, took a huge step. If I can get three or four of those guys to do that, then depth will be good. If not, then we'll be a little limited. I'll be honest."

Regardless of position, Fulmer wants to see those second- and third-teamers make positive steps in the coming weeks.

"There's a good many of those young guys that we need to come on to close that gap, to play in games or maybe even push themselves into a competitive starting position," Fulmer said. "We'll find out a lot more of that when we get back to pads."

Luxurious Backfield: New offensive coordinator Dave Clawson counts himself among the lucky after inheriting a 1,000-yard tailback.

Senior-to-be Arian Foster returns after leading the Vols with 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

But that's not all that Clawson likes about UT's backfield.

"It's a luxury anytime you inherit a guy that's played as much as (Foster) has," Clawson said. "I think the exciting thing about our running back position is we do have quality depth there. These guys are going to have a chance to compete, and we'll see what they can do."

Montario Hardesty returns for his junior season after averaging 4.2 yards on 89 carries, as does rising sophomore Lennon Creer, who averaged an impressive 5.6 yards per carry last year.

Tauren Poole is physically mature for a freshman and could also factor in the mix.

Clawson said he would like to have primarily a two-tailback rotation that utilizes runners with complementary styles.

"We'll use the best ones," Clawson said. "I'm not a big fan of rotating four or five guys in there. I think you need to have a lead back and you need to have a complementary back that maybe gives you a little bit of a change-up. We like to have a 1-A and a 1-B."

Wise Words: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton showed he knows one of the most important parts of being a quarterback: Give plenty of props to your offensive line.

Crompton praised UT's front five, calling them the best line in the nation.

"The whole thing starts and ends with them," Crompton said. "If they do their job, everybody else can do their job. If they don't, we can't. They don't get enough credit, in my opinion. Going down the line from left tackle to right tackle, we have in my opinion the best offensive line in the country. I'll put them up against anybody."

Last year, UT's line allowed an NCAA-low four sacks in 14 games.

Schedule: Tennessee returns to campus for a team meeting at 9 tonight, followed by a conditioning session Monday.

The Vols return to practice Tuesday, their first day in full pads.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.