40-second clock helps no-huddle Gators

Florida's no-huddle offense is certainly a concern for Tennessee's coaches - and their players' conditioning.

"What no-huddle people would like to do is wear you down," UT defensive line coach Dan Brooks said, referring to Saturday's matchup with Florida in Neyland Stadium.

It seemed to work last season as Florida pulled away from the Vols with a 59-20 win in Gainesville.

Thanks to an offseason adjustment to the game clock, that might be even easier for the Gators this season.

"With the new rule, it makes it a little bit better for those no-huddle teams," Brooks said. "They can snap the ball as soon as it's put on the ground if they don't substitute."

Under the rules that were revised this offseason, the 40-second play clock begins as soon as the ball is placed on the ground following a play. That means the ball can be snapped almost immediately.

Under the old rules, a team had to wait for a signal from the official before the ball could be snapped and the 25-second play clock began.

In order to fight off fatigue, Brooks would like to play as many as six defensive tackles.

That seems unlikely since Brooks admitted he's only comfortable with UT's top tackle trio: Demonte Bolden, Dan Williams and Walter Fisher.

Donald Langley, Victor Thomas and Andre Mathis are battling for playing time behind the top three.

"Somebody needs to stick their head out of the pack," Brooks said.

Willingham Injured: Starting cornerback DeAngelo Willingham, who has started both games and recorded an interception in each, practiced Thursday with a large wrap on his left hand.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer did not provide specifics on Willingham's injury, although the wrap covered all but his index, middle finger and thumb.

Fulmer and defensive coordinator John Chavis said that they expect Willingham to play against Florida.

Safety Demetrice Morley continues to wear a cast on his right hand, and is expected to play Saturday.

Captains: Fulmer named six captains for Saturday's game: linebacker Ellix Wilson, defensive tackle Dan Williams, offensive tackle Ramon Foster, tailback Arian Foster, defensive end Robert Ayers, offensive guard Anthony Parker and wide receiver Austin Rogers.

Crompton OK: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said that quarterback Jonathan Crompton has not been limited by a sore right ankle since missing practice Tuesday.

"We've been able to do everything with him," Clawson said. "Been able to roll him out and throw on the run and run him a little bit, so I think Tuesday really helped him."

Clawson's Call: Clawson confirmed what many saw last Saturday against UAB: tight end Brandon Warren was open on at least a couple of pass plays in which Crompton decided to throw elsewhere.

"That's something you'd like him to see," Clawson said of Crompton.

Clawson, however, was far from critical of Crompton's performance. Actually, his assessment was quite complimentary.

"The positives far outweigh the negatives, but our job and our goal is to never miss a read," Clawson said. "It's never going to be never but that's what our goal is."

Keep It Simple: Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said its up to UT's coaches to put their players in the right position against Florida's spread option offense.

The goal: to limit UT's defenders' need to read plays on the fly.

"It's very tricky what they (the Gators) do so we as coaches try to make it simpler for the defensive end and linebacker by calling different movements or stunts so it clarifies exactly who they have," Caldwell said.

Caldwell said sacking Florida quarterback Tim Tebow isn't the only goal on passing downs. Collapsing the pocket while limiting Tebow's running lanes is also imperative.

"We're not being as aggressive on our pass rush because of the quarterback," Caldwell said. "We've got to do a great job of keeping him in the pocket.

"It definitely ties you down as a defensive end."

Despite the significance of the game, Caldwell said he'll still play sophomores Ben Martin and Chris Walker for significant snaps at end.

Caldwell said both showed marked improvement last week against UAB after disappointing games against UCLA.

Real McCoy: Linebacker Rico McCoy has already seen fewer tackles coming his way this season.

"The D-line's just playing that much better this year," the junior said.

UT's top three defensive tackles - Williams (7), Bolden (5) and Fisher (4) - have combined for 16 tackles this season. McCoy is fourth on the team with eight tackles. Wilson leads the Vols with 19.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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