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Ellix Wilson, Ramon Foster, Chris Walker and Ben Martin talk about the Vols' game against UCLA. Watch »
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UT's offensive coordinator, Dave Clawson, talks about how the offensive line faired during the UCLA game. Watch »
While Brandon Warren is back home, he's still on the move as he prepares for his first game at Neyland Stadium.
The Tennessee sophomore tight end has received a crash course at fullback, adding a different dimension to his role for Saturday against UAB (TV: WVLT, 12:30 p.m.).
Before any play is run, however, Warren has another run in mind.
"It's going to be a treat coming through the 'T' (in pre-game) for the first time," the former Alcoa High School star said with his trademark grin. "I'm looking forward to it."
Warren said he'll have at least 20 family members in attendance. Countless friends and fans are also on the prowl for tickets.
It's a big day for those who have waited for Warren to return home. First, Warren chose Florida State over UT in 2006.
Then, he left Florida State after one semester and was forced to sit out the 2007 season in order to make himself academically eligible to enroll at UT. Lastly, Warren had to wait on the NCAA throughout preseason camp to become eligible.
That was Warren's first frustration of the 2008 season. The season-opening loss at UCLA was the second.
"We just didn't play a good game," Warren said. "That's not what Tennessee is going to look like this year."
When pressed further about the game in which he had only one catch for five yards, the usually affable Warren decided it was time to move on.
"I don't want to talk about UCLA," he said after a long pause. "We didn't play good at all."
Following the UCLA loss, UT's coaches claimed they made every effort to get Warren more involved, along with fellow tight end Luke Stocker, who had only had one catch for 11 yards.
The Bruins made every effort to limit the Vols' inside receivers with tight coverage underneath and it worked.
Since then, the Vols are trying to find ways to capitalize on Warren's varied talents, especially if UT faces a UCLA-like coverage in the future.
That means more plays and a new position has been thrown at Warren. And he's had to absorb it all in little more than 10 days.
"The thing about Brandon is because how athletic he is, we're just trying to see what he can handle from each of those positions," tight ends coach Jason Michael said.
Warren certainly isn't complaining about the extra workload. He's even growing comfortable with his multiplicity.
"I pretty much can line up almost anywhere on the field and understand what to do," Warren said. "I guess they (UT coaches) are going to get me more involved.
"I have to learn a lot more. That's why they put me at fullback, to utilize my versatility."
Learning the playbook wasn't Warren's only offseason challenge. He also was faced with readying himself for game speed after sitting out the 2007 season.
Preparing yourself in the film room and practice is one thing. But nothing can prepare a player for game speed.
"The game is a totally different speed," said Warren, who was a Freshman All-American at FSU in 2006. "Being out of the game for a year, I kind of took some steps back."
That, Warren believes, has already been remedied by his one game back on the field. Now, it's time to really excel - as long as he keeps his cool.
"You can't get too hyped," Warren said. "You've just got to be relaxed and ready to play.
"It's going to be a packed house."
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Comments » 40
wkjq#213863 writes:
I'll be the one in orange cheering my azz off!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Countless friends are on the prowl for tickets" - Warren, tell them to prowl from Cumberland down to Neyland on Sat morning. They'll get in.
Good luck, young man.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Brandon, I cannot wait to see you run thru the "T" for the 1st time. I wish I could be a fly on your shoulder and hear the roar of the Big Orange Fans cheering you to a victory. WoW.. is all I can say and good luck my man.
pammyvol1000 writes:
phhuff; your are so nice. :)
WalkingClassic writes:
Plasticman... I read a article about Amhad Paige and that his high school girlfriend committed suicide by driving her car in a lake and was trying to call him. That seemed to slow his progress as I think it would do to anyone. On a good note at least Warren is admitting they played terrible, you haven't heard that from Crompton or fumble Foster.
Couchdummy writes:
Giving Brandon Warren a chance to really play is my biggest hope!!! UT coaches do a masterful job of taking talent and not using it properly---under the concept that it takes so long to "learn the system".
givehim6 writes:
Let's hope phil left the playbook in Cal. and now he's home a new one will be wrighten.
xvolx writes:
an awful lot of positive talk from players who couldnt beat an inferior ucla team. all i hear from this coaching staff is plenty of blah, blah, blah and no accomplishment. we are sick of talk and no results. the bottom line is results and we havent seen any yet. I dont care how bad you beat uab, and you probably will. I will reserve my enthusiasm until after fla.. bread and butter(hah). only butter i have seen is on fosters hands.
orangesox writes:
Who among us wouldn't love to just once run through the T?
Tenn_Dawg writes:
This guy is suppose to be an All-American TE so why waste him at FB. Watching the UCLA tape should show Fulmer how a team should utilize a very talented TE. I don't know maybe they want to get him more touches but it just seems like they are abandoning the plan after one game. I would keep him at TE and use him like Dwight Clark type of TE/Slot receiver. The kid has all the tools to be that kind of player.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I believe Warren will have a good game this week. Geaux Vawls.
orangeinbama writes:
Fullback? That big kid we had playing fullback was the best blocker I saw on the field. Take an All American tight end and make a fullback out of him....
Truevol writes:
I have to admit that I am guilty of jumping on the hate wagon after the UCLA game but I have moved on. I would suggest that everyone else does as well. The UCLA game is over and theere is nothing we can do about it. If all you haters are that upset with UT then find a new team. I find it humorous when fans talk about boycotting games...that would be the worst thing we could do to this program. You want to talk about a hit to our recruiting. Don't fill Neyland and find out what happens. We will rebound and beat FLA and Auburn and all you haters will end up coming to Neyland just to get pissed off about something else. Do you wake up pissed off or does it slowly happen through the course of a day? Remember this, there are more important things in life than football and yesterday serves as an example. Get off the hate wagon and support you're team...whoever that may be.
Couchdummy writes:
BW is a proven player and doesnt need to be "coached down" by the UT Staff. Seems we always take a great athlete and try to "mature" him into mediocrity (sp)!! Turn him loose and let him play!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Coachdummy, you spelled mediocrity correctly. A chuckle for several who have cited our "mediocracy" in the UCLA game.
BTW, I suspect that Brandon Warren's new position will be more like "H-back" than fullback. Maybe Clawson doesn't use that terminology. In that position, he can go in any direction on pass routes and will not be expected to be a road-grader in the running game. On a running play, they can send him in motion one way and run a counter in the other direction. Just a thought.
miamiVOL writes:
I can ONLY HOPE this is just a special package for Warren, Kevin Cooper played fine against UCLA and is also only a sophmore with a lot of upside.
And if it is a package, how many different packages is Clawson going to create for this team. We have already heard from Warren and others that this offense is very complex, hopefully he doesnt pull a Cutcliffe and out think himself
PS: RUN THE FKING FOOTBALL
pdhuff#552644 writes:
pammyvol 10:32 - I have been accused of that every once in a while, but Big Fletch would laugh out loud at that.
Are you ready for Oct 11th? Do you go Hwy 78 or 316 to Dawgville?
RunRunPassPunt writes:
Fullback? Please make me understand this better on Saturday. Two weeks ago they were talking about using him as a defensive end too. Geeez....
VolGraduate writes:
the vols win big...in part due to warren...my prediction: vols 56, uab 13 (how you get to 56? i have no clue)
orangebloodgmc writes:
Sometimes line up both Warren and Cooper in the backfield with Foster or Hardesty behind them. One or both fullbacks can stay in to pass block or both can catch, so flare out one or both, put into motion ... they give lots of options for run block, pass block and safety valve receiver.
Making Warren more versatile is a good thing.
t.oconnor#636219 writes:
His friends and family should not have a problem finding tickets for this one, or next week either, if we don't play better than we did against UCLA.
dvols writes:
just play football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
VolGraduate, 8 X 7 = 56. Guess you didn't major in math (;-P)! Maybe you meant you didn't have a clue how we might score eight touchdowns and kick eight extra points; if so, I apologize, since I'm doubtful we can score that many, either.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yes, should send out red flags for the Florida faithful.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
DCflorida, I'm pretty sure Cooper (#45) will play a lot at fullback--I agree that he looked like a great blocker and a good receiver. Clawson made it clear that we will (eventually) be a multiple offense--NOT a spread as some seem to think--so it makes sense to try to find different ways to use Warren if he is as talented as we think he is. It is clear from the UCLA game that he is not quite there yet.
utkedu writes:
This seems like a logical move to me. I imagine the theory is that we had a great deal of success passing to the fullback (who has limited speed and agility) as an outlet against UCLA's defense that blitzed heavily and clogged up the middle of the field for the tight ends. If Warren would have been the outlet, there might have been more opportunities for long gains.
Right now, I am less concerned about getting Warren the ball than I am seeing protection schemes that allow Wide Receivers enough time to get open for Crompton. That having been said, this is a good weekend to get the offense running smoothly. I expect a touchdown pass from the G-Gun or WildBerry formation so FLA has something different to prepare for and a slight edge over the 31 point spread - TN 55 UAB 21.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agreed, GW. That is why I was so mad that we gave up on the running game; if we had, we could have made even more of them cramp up.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Meant to say, "if we HADN'T given up the running game".
pammyvol1000 writes:
pdhuff,
I'll be having some nephew down to visit that weekend. My son plans to show them the town on Friday night and then watch the game at my house Sat.. we'll grill some ribs and have few of those famous orange margarita's.
Will you be in Athens? Did you know Tn practices at Brookwood High School. My friend always takes off work to watch them.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
pammyvol, wasn't Brookwood or some school on 5 Forks Trickum (real street, guys)?
Flew the orange T flag proudly on Hwy 84 many a fall day. Had moved away after the streak ended.
Ga's stadium is the hardest to get in and out of I've ever seen. What a crush of humanity, albeit many where attractive women.
tntorbett writes:
I didn't see Kevin Cooper do anything wrong in the UCLA game. He's one of the best fullbacks we've had in a long time. Great lead blocking out of the backfield, as well as receiving out of the backfield. Leave Warren @ tightend. He's great there, can go pro from that position. Why screw w/ the kids future, when there's no obvious need to.
luvorange writes:
Kevin Cooper looked stout, he needs to stay right where he is. It doesn't matter where Brandon Warren is if Crompton doesn't play smart or float the ball. He looked just flat nervous to me. Also, does anyone else think that this offense could be "jack of all trades, master of none" with too much of this philosophy? That isn't going to cut it in this conference. I am confused and hope that all this preseason hype finds some daylight. Where is Mark May's optimism when we need it?
GreerVol22 writes:
Don't trip, don't trip, don't trip....
spvol writes:
I want to win Power Ball so I can contribute enough to get to run through the "T"!
Smokey91 writes:
PDHUFF: Five Forks Trickum Road1! Lilburn Goergia, around the Killian Hills area, right? I used to go to church at Gwinnett Bible Chapel, which sits between Killian Hills and Ronald Reagen Parkway on Five Forks Trickum. Great neighborhood but bad place for Vol fans to live. A lot of Vol haters down that way. Kind of nice last year, eh?
pammyvol1000 writes:
Pdhuff,
Brookwood is on Dogwood Rd. off Five Forks. Yes, you can also get there via Ronald Reagan and exit Webb Gin House. My kids graduated there. I think they usually do a Thurs. practice but not sure on the time. I can find out. They stay on Pleasant Hill.
I do remember the Vol flag flying on 84.
pammyvol1000 writes:
spvol,
when you win, take me with you. I'll ride piggyback.
invisiblekid writes:
DCFL, 1:37, that's where rotating 3 DT's the entire game gets you. Langley and Thomas have to step up for this team to be competitive in the SEC.
VolFanInAtl writes:
The train has left the tracks.
There's so many things wrong with this I can't even get my head wrapped around it. Hopefully is just an attempt to use the media to throw an opponent off guard.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
maples -4:34 as long as we're off the tracks, I even used to frequent JD Dempsey's and one other establishment way down near the end of Five Forks on the left.
Will Henry's , I believe.
Strictly for the mental giants that hung out there.
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