Fulmer is practicing anger management

You've seen Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer clapping on the sidelines during games.

You may have even cried out, "Get fired up! Get angry!"

Well, take a look at Fulmer since the Vols lost to UCLA in overtime in the season opener last Monday. Suffice to say, there hasn't been a lot of hand clapping.

"I've been really upset because our team had worked hard and worked so well," Fulmer said Tuesday during UT's weekly media day.

Mind you, it's not the first time Fulmer has been upset, despite the perception conveyed by those soft sideline chidings.

This time, however, Fulmer said he's as angry as he can remember following a loss - and it shows. Fulmer's practice tirades on Haslam Field have been heard a block away.

"I think he's very intent on getting us not to make the mistakes we made in the first game," sophomore defensive end Chris Walker said. "He's been kind of angry, but I think that's going to help us out."

That's Walker's calm and collected take away from the practice field. On the practice field, it's a different story when Walker sees the head coach heading your way.

"Man, we've got to do everything perfect," was Walker's mindset as Fulmer approached.

Perhaps it was the fumble near the goal line, the blocked punt for a touchdown, a fumbled snap, an interception or the final 10 minutes when UT's defense couldn't stop a third-string quarterback with a makeshift offensive line throwing to a group of receivers with all the explosiveness of mashed potatoes.

Or perhaps it's a loss which Fulmer believes never should have happened that has him so angry.

"I know that's not the way we play football," Fulmer said. "I'm not going to be over it until we get those things 100 percent corrected in a game and play well."

Fulmer said he's worked not to beat his team down (despite his natural intentions). He's tried to encourage as much as possible. But that has its challenges.

"I don't like it when it doesn't seem like people are responding to coaching in pressure situations," Fulmer said. "It's easy to talk about it in meetings and do it in practice but you've got to make sure it happens in games.

"I'm more than a little upset about some of that, thinking that we're above coaching. It's immaturity in most cases."

Despite all the mistakes against UCLA, Fulmer's anger also originates from the potential he sees in his team.

"They have responded the way they should respond," Fulmer said of his recent coaching style. "I'm sure there's probably some really young players that get shocked a little bit, but that's okay too.

"The tough guys will respond in the right way. And we've got a pretty tough football team."

Recovering Rogan: Defensive back Dennis Rogan is continuing to recover from a pulled abdominal muscle he suffered against UCLA. Fulmer said he doesn't think the sophomore will be limited physically Saturday against UAB.

"I keep hoping not," Fulmer said. "He's better than he was Sunday."

Rogan practiced Tuesday.

Fulmer said Rogan would return to his special teams duties once he is 100 percent.

Sophomore Gerald Jones filled that role admirably against UCLA, returning a punt for 33 yards and two kickoffs for 76 yards. Rogan returned two punts for 16 yards and two kickoffs for 50 yards.

D.T. Depth: Fulmer said freshman Donald Langley has pushed himself into the fourth defensive tackle spot, held by sophomore Victor Thomas last week.

Langley was sidelined in the season opener because of academics. He is available this week.

Brent Back?: Fulmer said cornerback Brent Vinson has some work to do before he returns from academic suspension. Vinson was not eligible for the UCLA game.

Fulmer said he should know soon if Vinson will be eligible against UAB.

Vinson started 10 games last season as a true freshman and is widely considered one of the best athletes on the team.

Pressing Players: Fulmer said he was confident his cornerbacks can play press coverage based off preseason practice. Still, there's a difference between practice and games, Fulmer admitted.

"It's amazing in practice," Fulmer said. "We're up there being just as brave as we can possibly be.

"In a game, that's real."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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