Tennessee will hold its first full-scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning in Neyland Stadium.
But about the only difference between the Vols workout Saturday and the others so far this spring will be for the skill players. For those on the line of scrimmage, it's just business as usual.
“Truth be told, every day that we go out here, the front seven on each side, it's scrimmage full-speed,” center Josh McNeil said. “The only difference on Saturday is they're going to tackle the running backs. They normally don't do that, but other than that it'll be the same to us. Pretty much for three hours a day we scrimmage.”
While UT's practices have been physical for linemen, Saturday will be a major chance for coaches to continue evaluating players as the depth chart begins to take shape.
“It's a big day,” UT coach Lane Kiffin said. “We're going to treat it just like a game, like we did last Saturday and get these guys ready to play and see who responds with a bunch of live plays Saturday.”
After a strong performance this spring, UT's quarterbacks took a step back on Thursday.
Jonathan Crompton was less accurate and didn't take care of the ball. It wasn't much better for B.J. Coleman, either.
Nick Stephens, limited by a broken right wrist for most of spring so far, should get his most extended scrimmage snaps Saturday.
For all three, quarterbacks – and the rest of the offense – avoiding turnovers will be key on Saturday.
“The No. 1 thing always when we come out here is protect the ball,” Kiffin said. “The last thing we ever want to do is turn it over. It's more important than anything we do in the program. I was disappointed to have some turnovers.
“Especially Saturday when things get live and a lot of big hits, you want to really take care of the ball. The other side of it means the defense is doing a great job (creating turnovers).”
But even with competition ongoing for several starting jobs on defense, including two at linebacker, plenty of eyes will be focused on the offensive side of the ball.
The Vols are still searching for a starter at one of the tackle spots, although Cody Pope has performed well so far. According to Kiffin, Cody Sullins has made a push at center, where McNeil has started 35 consecutive games.
“Obviously it's a big day for us to come out and prove ourselves as far as individually – go out there and prove you're the ones that deserve to be on the first team – and also for the whole team,” McNeil said. “The offense didn't have that great of a day (on Thursday), in my opinion. There's a lot of things we didn't get done. Saturday is the next opportunity to come out and prove it on a big-time scale. It'll be an opportunity to redeem ourselves, but also get better as a whole football team.”
Aside from the quarterbacks, UT's running game will be a focus, too.
Tailbacks Montario Hardesty, Tauren Poole and Toney Williams should get plenty of carries, and the offensive line will get another day of work in the zone-blocking scheme that Kiffin wants to become the Vols' calling card.
“I think we have progressed in that, just as far as understanding the overall scheme of how to do things,” McNeil said. “But we have to get to a point where we can run the zone, the wide zone, against any front at any time and be able to run it successfully. We're not at that point yet, but we're working hard to get there. That is gonna be our bread and butter. That's what we plan on it being. We just have to get it to where no matter what, we can run it and have success with it.”
Defensive lineman Wes Brown is also questionable for Saturday's scrimmage, and safety Eric Berry is prohibited from full contact because of off-season shoulder surgery.
Guard Vladimir Richard (concussion) is questionable, and his absence at Thursday's practice caused some shuffling on the line.
“We had some guys move right to left. Whenever you do that, that causes a little bit of issues,” Kiffin said, referring to the offensive line. “But it's good to work it out now because that's what happens in games sometimes.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 77
Volsfan75 writes:
1st
gohawks1 writes:
The QB situation still sounds shakey. Get well soon, Nick!
Vol_fan_in_Tampa writes:
man I wish I was in Knoxville to catch this stuff!! UT should offer this in Pay Per View!!!
volstasis writes:
I don't think that we'll know how good the offense is until they take the feild against someone else. My reasoning behind this is that the offense is taking on this stud defense we have. (JMO)
UTandETSUfan writes:
Or at least a free feed or something...
OrangeMan_86 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volstasis writes:
How do you think we put up with dumba**es like you?
Madkels writes:
Did you learn to cry like that from Tebow?
UTandETSUfan writes:
You know Boyd had knee surgery and is out for the upcoming season don't you? So, I highly doubt he would be starting for us then....
qspr91iz writes:
I hope the O-Line perfects the zone blocking scheme because we will need a physical running game to cover our inconsistency at quarterback.
GO VOLS!!!
Txvol57 writes:
Tahj Boyd is barely 6' and is not a pocket passer for a pro style offense.....in what way would he be the leading canidate?
wagee12 writes:
Jonathan Crompton was less accurate and didn't take care of the ball. It wasn't much better for B.J. Coleman, either.
This goes hand in hand with the fact that Monte put in some different stuff for the defense on Thursday and the results were predictable.
Tahj Boyd is rehabbing from knee surgery and probably will red-shirt at Clem's Son this fall. He does not in any way fit the Kiffin/Chaney offensive system and would have had to move to another position or sit on the bench.
Ironcity writes:
I understand Coleman is making mistakes that Crompton does not make but that's because his accuracy is so bad no one can catch the ball.
drewgizzle writes:
Jonathan Crompton is REALLY BAD!!!! inconsistant, slow, bad accuracy, and doesn't protect the ball. B.J. Colemans not much better. Kiffins doing a great job, but he definitly needs to get better QBs
eb502us#225637 writes:
As I stated last year, I'm not sure we have a sure-fire Division I QB on the roster. The talent level of Crompton and Stephens is that bad. And if Coleman can't beat them out, what does that say about him?
ColeTrickle writes:
Berry is going to be hungry, he is going to be head-hunting and wanting to hit someone, maybe he will save it for sept 19th
ColeTrickle writes:
i am tellin you all, Boyd would have been another Brent Schaeffer, ticked off and pickin splinters out of his rear end. he would not fit into the Kiff's system. he needs to be in a run-option or spread, not a pro-style offense. JMO
MarbleVol48 writes:
About the same number of gut shot water buffalo's three yard runs or the jump, shovel, push pass by some OLB's (masqurading as OB's)
volsfannsc writes:
Guys, you might as well get on board with one of the QB's- they're all we have. I doubt seriously if some walk-on is going to just 'show up'. Cromp has an arm but not so good judgement. Coleman...he's in the wrong division. Hopefully Stephens heals well because I think he has the brains Cromp never had. I'm sure Kiff will place much more emphasis on our running game and less on the deep threat. Speaking of deep threats- there's something Santa could bring us. All I'm trying to say is these are our QB's for the season- so get behind them- at least for their confidence level. GO VOLS!
MarbleVol48 writes:
In my opinion we are not using Crompton properly. He's 6'4", 240lbs... With a small amount of work he can successfully run for 3 yards 95% of the time. In five minutes he can learn the jump, shovel, push pass for 5 yards. Heck I'm 70 and i can do that. He only needs to become an accurate passer for about 7 to 12 yards. (We will have to develop a Percy harvin receiver type) to take it the rest of the way. He can learn to take all the credit regardless of what his defense and his return specialist do. His Coach can praise him over all of his team mates - and by golly a heisman trophy canidate is born!!!!!!!!
OrangeMagic writes:
Better that they deal with the turnovers in practice now. No quarterback or team, no matter how good, makes it through a game or season without turnovers. The better ones just do it less.
The bigger pain is listening to all the wannabes on here who don't know sh_t put down our players on a consistent basis. I'd hate to be a player on our team and come here and listen to some of the idiots on here.
littleorange writes:
"The sky is falling"...........A little early to judge...
NorthwestVol writes:
Seems McNeil is interviewed for each post. Is he the only one with a voice? I respect the guy, he's playing SEC football with a Division II body, but enough already. interview Coleman, Poole, ..... whoever. Just please get some fresh insights into the team.
Vol43 writes:
Here's one that bears repeating. Why do the gators visit this site? It has to be fear. Were they here in the Fulmer years, or is this a new phenomenon? Whatever the case it intrigues me that they subject themselves to constant ridicule. Gotta be a 'f' uped reason. We don't visit their gator sites; why would we? It's too weird.
belayvol writes:
Some perspective from the UT coaches clinic.
http://walterfootball.com/forum/showt...
CoverOrange writes:
What? Beating Vandy and Kentucky?
PaulTheVol writes:
Tennessee will have one of the best defenses in the conference next year. So its no surprise that the QBs will struggle now and again as everyone learns a new offense and CMK adds new wrinkles to the defense.
tennezz writes:
I live in savannah tn. across the state from knoxville. I was going to attend the spring game along with my son and grandson, but I had back surgery last week and my son has neck surgery next week, so I will have to depend on you guys for information on orange and white game. I would like to hear it from true vol fans through your posts, than read some sports writer`s opinion. Any info. will be appreciated. I have been a vol fan for 50 years and am excited about the new coaches and about keeping Bruce Pearl!
ballewville6 writes:
we got to believe that with the talent around our qb whichever one starts that he will be capable of atleat not loseing games like last year,a great defense,very talented rb,s and some real good recievers,if we can get 2000 yards or 2500 and 10 to 15 td and less than 7 ints and no fumbles returned for tdand no ints returned for td and we will win atleast 9 or more and next year we will get our top 3 qb and then the vols roll over teams and start getting close to bcs and national champs
VAvolfanRON writes:
Paul, tennezz and ballwville......it was good to read your posts.......actually responding to the article....it took awhile to get to yalls posts...
so, i think this scrimmage is gonna make and break some players.......it will tell whos ready to play and who need work.......is there anyone in here with authority to go??
VAvolfanRON writes:
tennez.....im sure your surgerys will do as you expect......RichRollins will give you a good update!!....
You'll just have to speed read from the fla trash and guys that respond...if you do that.....you'll find good info
the10sevol writes:
ORANGE SWARM!
VOLcabulary lesson:
juggernaut(n): a terrible, irresistible force (Webster's)
You can't spell juggernaut without UT
The lizards and pachyderms are justifiably nervous, as if a tsuna...nah, we'll attack by ground...
StroVol writes:
Fu.k u
bluetick writes:
The truth be told....EB isn't playing on SAT because the coaching staff thinks he might actually HURT someone and put them out for the season.
Now THAT is the truth.
OrangeMandM writes:
Does anybody know if they are going to go 1st team O vs 1st team D in the O&W game?
rudy123 writes:
Did anyone notice that the
Q.B. from Kansas, Blake Bell
committed to Oklahoma today??
I thought that CLK wanted this Q.B. badly!!!!!
VAvolfanRON writes:
I havent read it any where....but the posters on here say that it is first on first...
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
you people who ridicule tebow sound like idiots-----Oh how we'd like to have him under center for us
cobbwebb writes:
what is the over/under on, if any of us ever saw you in public, we would bounce something off your knucklehead?
cobbwebb writes:
amen!
VAvolfanRON writes:
all i know...is im expecting some serious hitting...the offensive line blowing the defense off.....compton looking good..some hard hits from the line backers.......and you people to quit responding the gators!!!
VAvolfanRON writes:
and my spelling to get better
VAvolfanRON writes:
instead of bashing the gators that come on here....bash the guys who respond!!!.....
and im not talking about the classing guys that want to talk sports.....but gatorzz....DC....etc
VAvolfanRON writes:
Big.....ugghh.......fired up!!!
you and me.....im offensive line..your are defensive!!!...LETS GO!!!!!!!
..lol
cobbwebb writes:
what if we, bash the guys who bash the guys who bash the lopers for bashing the guys??????
VAvolfanRON writes:
ah..so loping with lopers who lope is ok...but not lopers who lope
no.....99gator is biased..but he talks sports....
gatorzz, bobthevol just are dumbarzes..and its my opinion
givehim6 writes:
I knew CLK praising of jon boy would go to his head. Last week JC was on the right page, now back to realty. The boys just too hot & cold.
OrangeMandM writes:
Good. Always seemed to make more sense to do it that way. Never understood why Fulmer didn't do it.
OrangeMandM writes:
Wow. Sorry i asked. lol
OrangeMandM writes:
What happened to the Crompton of 07? He didn't play much but it seemed like he was poised and ready to take charge. Last year he looked scared and confused most of the time.
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