KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — When coach Lane Kiffin kicked off Tennessee's spring practice, he promised things would be done his way.
That meant speeding up drills, tossing the quarterbacks' green no-contact jerseys and instilling a sense of competition among players.
The players seem to be enjoying the new attitude.
"Obviously, he knows what he's talking about," quarterback Jonathan Crompton said after a recent practice. "He's won championships before. We're trying to practice at a championship level because we know what we're capable of doing. We're trying to have fun doing it."
Kiffin has challenged the veteran players to prove themselves during the spring practice period because when fall practice arrives, it will be the incoming freshman class' time to shine.
Previous starting experience won't count, either. Only All-American safety Eric Berry has been tagged as a starter for the 2009 season.
"When coach Kiffin first came in he said, 'Practice is going to be all about competitiveness,' and that's exactly what it's about every day," said C.J. Fleming, who is competing for playing time in the secondary.
To encourage the competition, the coaching staff is keeping score during scrimmage-style drills at the end of every practice. The offense and defense can earn points based on their performances in the 11-on-11 drill.
During one recent practice, the 11-on-11 drill got so competitive that Kiffin had a hard time ending practice.
"I tried to end the practice three times, but the guys kept calling the other side out. The defense had won, and then we were done with practice, but the offense called the defense out. So they came back on them, and then the defense called the offense out," Kiffin said.
"I finally I just stopped it, but it was great to see. They kept wanting to go and kept challenging each other."
Kiffin and his staff want their players to be fast on the field, and new strength and conditioning coach Mark Smith has helped speed things up a bit with his drills.
Players must jog from drill to drill during practice. Every conditioning drill must be performed at full-speed, and stretching is done to music to encourage extra energy.
"It takes more energy, so at first the guys were a little gassed," linebacker Rico McCoy said. "Now it's second nature. It's part of our practicing. It's how we're expected to practice. It's going to make us better."
Kiffin isn't 100 percent satisfied with the players' efforts, so he shuffles things like the practice schedule and the depth chart.
"It's never as good as you want it to be. We have to figure different ways to motivate them and figure different things to do," he said.
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Comments » 132
rocky_topper writes:
1st!!!!!!! wooohoooo
mpm80#1357758 writes:
someones gotta be 1st !!!
mpm80#1357758 writes:
dang beat by 4 minutes
rocky_topper writes:
Actually, very nice article. I am loving the competition that is taking place in order to "EARN" a playing position! That's the way it should be!
I can't wait until the 18th!
rocky_topper writes:
L oser!
ravensearay writes:
I agree. This team may have alot of the same players from the past but it is definitely going to be a different team...........And that's a great thing....
GO VOLS!!!
volsfannsc writes:
I pray that this attitude holds up through summer/fall practice and into games. Last year the team seemed so lethargic and no one seemed pumped up other than EB. So far I have to say that Kiffin has impressed me. I feel he will get the most out of the talent he has, something that has been lacking for a couple of years. I thought Fulmer was a great coach, but it did seem as though he and his team had lost their fire. Great article but I see PR director Crompton is at it again. Why don't we interview our All-American more? Would love to hear EB's take on things.
rocky_topper writes:
WHO???
Welcome to Rocky Top:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc...
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Let's see, I'd say Morley, Creer, the o lineman that quit and any other player who likes to operate at their own whim and not work too hard.
Also Philfan I think misses Phil.
TNFootball writes:
Rocky_Topper, that is an AWESOME picture! You should market that one man!
Here's to Rocky Top....CHEERS!
FUGators writes:
I agree. That's amazing!
Go VOLS
Botetourtvol writes:
That is a great photo - no offense - can you take the king out of it and post it again - I will use it with and without CLK.
Thanks
gnm53108 writes:
Awesome.
And while I'm as excited as he11 about this upcoming season,I will miss seeing Phil on the sideline.
BIGEJ writes:
This seems to be a repeat of an article from last week....GO VOLS
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
I am very pleased to see the emphasis on conditioning. In a close game this will get us some victories and perhaps prevent some blowout losses which have tarnished our reputation. CLK has continually emphasised that, short of Eric Berry, all other slots are wide open. This will instill work ethic among all members of the team. Although, I am a former Fulmerite, I'm happy with the current atmosphere and direction this team is going. Will it result in a better record this year is uncertain but certainly attitude and work ethic are cornerstones to being successful. Personally, even in some victories over the last 7 seasons I was embarrassed with our play and effort. Honestly the last time watched a great game from the VOLS was the 2001 Citrus Bowl. That's way too long ago and better things are hopefully on their way. I'm a realist and don't expect a BCS berth this season, but we darn well better be bowl eligible. Heck the Music City Bowl would do for now.
minh865#393249 writes:
Did you go to Powell High?
GreerVol22 writes:
wow! a darn and a heck....you must be a Fulmerite. I was at that Citrus Bowl and your right that is was one of the most complete performances ever.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Dang, no 63-3 message;this is a travesty.
give_him_6 writes:
Looks like Kiff is setting the stage and building the foundation. Keep it going!!!!!!!!
Go Vols
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Well, all that is great, but here are some real concerns:
-are our LB's fast enough to catch SEC RB's???
-do we have a deep enough DT rotation to survive those 100-degree, 100% humidity days?
-Can ANY receiver get separation on a 10-yard out?
-Can ANY QB hit the 1o-yard out?
-Will our O-line block well enough for us to run?
-Can ANY RB take it to the house from 60 yards out?
-Can the defense get stops on critical drives?
-Can our punt and kick coverage stop the return game?
-Can OUR return game get us some field position?
You all know these are not 'basher' questions, they are questions that will ONLY be answered when we tee it up against SEC competition. Think seriously on these, because they are the issues we have faced in the past few years.
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
arkansas and georgia in 2007 were pretty good games too, but I get your point
Volumni writes:
Can you hit the 10 yard out......and keep going!
kjneel#238751 writes:
yes, LB's are good enough-see Nick Rev
yes, DT's will drink water
Yes, we practice the slant 100 times a day
QB's --?
OL yes, last year was bad coaching
RB-Seriously dude? Oku, Poole, Brown
Defense-yes, Monte will adjust unlike Chavis
Kick coverage, yes. Kiff will play starters unlike fulmer
Return game- OKU, Brown, Nukeese. Yep
Overall I predict a 10-2 season (close losses vs AL & FL)
return to the BCS and UT glory. Next year we win it all.
CrankE writes:
Here's another question;
-Do we have a mean-ash RB that can get 2 yards on 3rd and 1?
If we had all of that, we'd still be workin' like Heck with Fulmer.
Kiffin is planting the seeds, and feeding the crops. The harvest will just take some time.
volaholic45 writes:
I like the whole high-energy thing. Beats the heck out of workin' like heck. But what past championships is Crompton talking about? I hate to get the idiot lopers going, but to what part of Kif's resume is Crompton referring? Am I missing something?
TD_4_UT writes:
Crompton's probably trying to suck-up to Kiff like he did with Phil, I don't think it will work. GO BJ!! GO VOLS!!!!
StroVol writes:
When Kiffin was under Carroll. Actually Carroll's Championship's. What do you expect? It's Crompton talking here.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I'll take 10-2 and UT Glory. Hell, yeah. Good post.
montanavolfan writes:
I am asking because I do not know, has Carrol won any more championships since Kiffin left?
99gator writes:
if, and i know this would be a complete guess at this point but not much going on, the season started today.....
what would the vols starting lineup be? include freshman if you anticipate true freshman starting (i know they have not even arrived on campus yet)
StroVol writes:
Good question, I don't think so
StroVol writes:
who knows? scram you pest
jujuvolz writes:
mparker...do you have ANY positive thoughts in your head at all? Everything I read that you post is negitive! Have some faith and a positive attitude and maybe then, your post will have a better impact on all of the rest of us! IMHO GO VOLS!!!
finn writes:
Hey Jerome,
I'm guessing that is you. I like the optimism and think every aspect of UT ball is looking up but a NC in 2010 might be a bit aggressive. I would love to be wrong but that's setting the bar a little high!
See ya,
Steve
StroVol writes:
"Can Any RB take it to the house from 60 yards out?" Cmon guy? What does that mean? I guess it depends on the team we're playing. I think a few of our best backs in the history of UT football did it. I don't see the names Lewis,Houston,Stewart,Graham,or Garner on the roster so maybe?
Voluvr writes:
My new wallpaper.
Voluvr writes:
If we can consistently convert 3rd and short. We can beat anyone.
checkerboards writes:
We can argue all we want about the questions that this team has and how many game we will win, but to me right now, it doesn't really matter. We have a new coach and a new staff that is lighting a fire under these guys and teaching them that it takes more then just competing on Saturdays in the fall, it takes a year round passion to get where we want to go. No one can question the energy and passion that coach kiffin has put back into the program. If you can't be optimistic about UT football right now, then don't come hopping on the band wagon when we make it back to dominance.
Voluvr writes:
yeah.
scvols writes:
We got to keep working like heck. (Have you seen Heck, I heard he is fat and lazy.)
Voluvr writes:
All this is exactly what Tennessee needed. Exactly.
Voluvr writes:
And all you hear is Yeah, but can he coach. Every step of the way, he's surprised and exceeded expectations, I believe this fall will have the same results.
SCarolinaVols writes:
Tell Florida were coming...and were bringing Heii with us
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Where are all the Fulmer butt-kissers? Do they miss "working like heck", "good practice", and "the charts". My guess is their head (especially newtonrail)is finally out of Fulmer's sorry, pathetic, fat arse, and these people can see the new work ethics, intense practices, fire, intensity, discipline, excitement that has been missing for years. Crompton still sucks (Lane had better just bench him), but the Vols will win 8-9 games this year.
rocky_topper writes:
GFY!
Volchaz writes:
of course, they did play in the pac 10... but i'll take it...
TalbottVols writes:
Kiffin couldn't get practice stopped... thats awesome!!
wonder if Phil ever had that problem
StroVol writes:
Hilarious. Are you gonna finally watch a Florida game at the swamp? Doubt it, since you've never been.
givehim6 writes:
Remember the report last year when it was leaked some former Vols made comments about the lack of competitive spirit? Those guys had 9-10 or more winning seasons, the fires back! Look for the Vols being in a better bowl then the Music City Bowl.
Volunatic writes:
urban meyer, nick saban, and steve spurrier.
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