Fulmer finishes off 'Last Tackle'

For Tennessee’s football team, the “Last Tackle” ranks up there with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and turkey with all the trimmings.

“The last tackle’s always special as you introduce the guys,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said.

On Thursday, though, UT’s Thanksgiving tradition had a new participant.

As usual, Fulmer said a few words about each of his 25 seniors, ending the individual tributes with a slap of the helmet or a pat on the rear.

But after the last player jogged down and slugged a tackling dummy dressed in Kentucky gear, Fulmer made his own last tackle.

“I got in on a cleanup block,” he said. “I didn’t have to hit it. It was already on the ground, so I just cleaned it up a little bit.”

Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. game (TV: ESPN2) in Neyland Stadium against Kentucky (6-5, 2-5 SEC) will be the final game of Fulmer’s career at UT (4-7, 2-5), which spans 32 years also including his time as a player and assistant coach.

Thursday marked the first time in Fulmer’s 17 seasons as head coach that he has made a run at the tackling dummy.

Asked if he had participated in the last tackle before, Fulmer said, chuckling:

“No. (Before) it wasn’t my year to be the last tackle.”

Quarterback Update: UT hasn’t officially named a starter at quarterback, but junior Jonathan Crompton will likely get the nod against the Wildcats, Fulmer said.

“We’ll take this film and study it and go from there,” Fulmer said.

Crompton started — and finished — last week’s 20-10 victory over Vanderbilt. He was 0-for-1 passing with an interception.

Redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman completed four of his eight passes for 21 yards against the Commodores, but was pulled in favor of Crompton after throwing an interception that Vanderbilt returned for a touchdown.

How much, if at all, Coleman plays could be determined by a foot injury that caused him to be limited this week in practice.

“He should be available,” Fulmer said. “We’re hopeful that will be the case, but he has missed some work this week.”

Jersey Swap: Another Thanksgiving tradition provided its share of laughs on Thursday.

For the Vols’ final full practice of the season, players always swap jerseys with teammates on their side of the ball.

Crompton wore center Josh McNeil’s No. 50, while safety Eric Berry wore defensive tackle Dan Williams’ No. 55.

The funniest, perhaps, was 300-pound offensive guard Anthony Parker’s trade with 185-pound wide receiver Gerald Jones.

“It’s hard to see Gerald Jones out there in (No.) 75 running the football,” Fulmer said.

Stocker on Streak: Tight end Luke Stocker, the only player on UT’s depth chart from Kentucky, is well aware of UT’s 23 game winning streak over Kentucky. He’s also aware it doesn’t take a win to get Wildcat fans excited.

“Even last year when it was a close game, they talked some smack after that,” said Stocker, who grew up in Berea, Ky. “I can’t imagine what would happen if we were to lose.”

Are Kentucky fans optimistic the streak will end this year?

“They know we’re having a bad year but Kentucky’s not as good this year as they were last year,” Stocker said. “They’ve got their fingers crossed.”

Stocker said his entire family roots for Kentucky but he requires them to wear orange in Neyland Stadium to get his allotment of tickets.

On The Cobb: Former Alcoa High School star Randall Cobb has certainly caught Fulmer’s eye. As a receiver and quarterback, Cobb has had a strong impact on Kentucky’s offense.

“I knew he was a good player,” Fulmer said. “He’s done extremely well.”

Fulmer said he’s a bit surprised that Cobb has had such a big impact as a true freshman.

Entering Saturday’s game, Cobb has started seven of Kentucky’s 12 games.

He’s rushed for 294 yards and seven touchdowns, caught 21 passes for 197 yards and two scores and throw for 519 yards with two touchdowns.

He has also returned nine punts for 79 yards.

Cobb considered UT before deciding to stick with an earlier commitment to Kentucky.

“He didn’t feel like he would fit into what we were doing,” Fulmer said of the recruiting battle. “He’d fit into Kentucky’s system a little better is what he said to me.”

Injury Update: Cornerback Brent Vinson is doubtful after suffering a calf injury last Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Dave Hooker contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!