Defensive end Robert Ayers was the only former Tennessee player selected in the NFL Draft, but several of his old teammates will get the chance to earn a roster spot.
At least six former Vols agreed to free agent deals or have tryouts scheduled in the coming days:
n Punter Britton Colquitt, a former Bearden High School standout and a first-team All-SEC selection in 2006 and a second-team All-SEC selection in 2007, reached a deal with the Denver Broncos.
n Wide receiver Josh Briscoe landed with the Washington Redskins.
n Cornerback DeAngelo Willingham, who started 20 of his 26 games at UT after transferring from a junior college, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
n Wide receiver Lucas Taylor, who had 1,000 yards receiving in 2007, also landed with the Denver Broncos.
n Tailback Arian Foster, who ended his career second on UT's all-time rushing list with 2,964 yards, agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans.
n Offensive tackle Ramon Foster, who started 26 consecutive games his last two seasons, landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Foster said he's excited about attending a rookie mini-camp this weekend.
"It's real great," said Ramon Foster, who said he had offers from seven other teams. "They have a few guys on the last year of their contract. They've got a few guys that are older. It's a great opportunity for me to come in and be a backup and hopefully make the roster."
A few other former Vols - likely defensive tackle Demonte' Bolden and guard/center Anthony Parker - could still sign free agent deals in the coming days.
Drew Edwards covers Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 32
kmarti26 writes:
first
HtownVol writes:
Colquitt will make the team. I doubt DeAngelo will. I really think Arian Foster will do good with the Texans. Sure hope will we show bet6ter at next years draft!
HtownVol writes:
we will... Sorry
OrangeMan_86 writes:
It's a win-win situation for the Broncos and Colquitt. He will boot monster punts in Denver. Also, because of the altitude he will be able to drink less and still get sloppy drunk. Low blow. Best of luck to these guys. I will be keeping my eye on Lucas Taylor for the most part though. I think there is something to him. The progress he made while being coached by Cutcliffe and how much he improved his speed, vertical, size etc. while working with a trainer. I think with the right coach and right system he could be an amazing slot wide receiver in the NFL or even a solid number two.
SuwaneeVol writes:
Yeah.....I think that this year's draft was weak to very weak. Hopefully next year's draft will be a little better.
Vol_4_Life writes:
Too bad you cant read
UTandETSUfan writes:
I don't know if they fixed it, but it reads Willingham and Colquitt then tampa and denver, respectively
utfpmd writes:
I know his family, and Colquitt has actually straightened his life out and is no longer drinking. He should do well, I just hope Denver really gives him a chance.
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
I agree re: Lucas Taylor. I have a feeling he could have a career similar to Eric Parker.
Parker, if memory serves, was picked up by the Texans as an undrafted free agent, let go, then subsequently picked up by the Chargers, who must have seen his abilities as a slot guy. Had he not developed chronic foot problems, he'd probably still be playing somewhere.
khelton657 writes:
I can't picture Foster making it anywhere......
volhallathunder writes:
tell britton mile high refers to the city and not to run over the goal posts on the way to work
golfballs03 writes:
Someone needs to tell Colquitt that the effects of alcohol are increased at that altitude.
Txvol57 writes:
are you kidding?....I just saw Britton in Knoxville on Friday night and he was smashed!!! Exactly how have they straightened him out?
MikeInTN writes:
He needs to be in a 12 Step Program for the rest of his life!!!
teampenny#658108 writes:
Would anyone be surprised if he is arrested for drunk driving or worse? Hope we only hear about his punting. Go Vols
vol4gzus writes:
Suggest removal!! Tasteless,uncalled for post!!
I'm sure if this was about your family your feelings/comments would be different......yeah I thot so.
vol4gzus writes:
You guys are pitiful.....the article was and is about football. Keep his past(hopefully stays that way) in the past and don't drag OFF TOPIC stuff into this one!
I hope Mr. Colquitt and Willingham do well!
golfballs03 writes:
it's not really his past... it's his modus operandi
tums writes:
I know it's basketball, but i thought it was pretty cool.
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-bask...
VAvolfanRON writes:
are you sure it wasnt me?....stones in glass houses are not good...
how many drinks did you have to be at the same place?
point those fingers....good job
BSweet writes:
It's not the drinking that's the problem. It's Britton's history of drinking then deciding to get behind a wheel. I've seen pictures of the car he hit, I know the owner of said car. It wasn't a simple bump and run. He smashed it up pretty good. Hopefully he's learned to call a friend or a taxi.
rdgshackelford writes:
dear vol4gzus,
it is exactly this type of attitude (dont bring up their mistakes because it isnt our place to judge/ make fun of) that made it acceptable for stallworth and little to get behind the wheel and kill two people. public outcry and ridicule is a perfectly acceptable means of reprimand, especially when the law doesnt seem to put forth a harsh enough punishment for a repeat offender. I am sorry that making fun of someone who obviously has little regard for the safety of others offends you, but honestly get over it.
rdgshackelford writes:
it should be public outcry and ridicule ARE, not is
GreenDevilVol writes:
Sure beats the way and what YOU PUMP !!! BOY !!!!!
miamiVOL writes:
LOL @ Colquitt jokes, holarious
VolSkins writes:
chill....
vol4gzus writes:
See paladin making jokes about breweries and Colquitt is in poor taste and obviously ewe don't get it do ya? I didn't and won't tell somebody to sweep something under the rug. Stallworth and Goodrich made serious jugement errors and will have to live with that for the rest of their lives. You and I don't know the inner torment they have to live with due to their mistakes do we?
Public ridicule may be a deterrent for some,but I choose not to throw stones in a GLASS house. He who is without sin throw the first stone....
Again this article,on topic, was about NFL draft and not about personal lives/mistakes/accomplishments.Thus my comment to stay on topic if you please.
straightshooter writes:
Well said. Guys that like to get on the blog and get personal or political need to honestly get a life. And in reality show me a person whom claims to have never done anything shameful, untrueful or illegal in their lives and I will point out a liar to you.
ncvol17 writes:
I wish all Vols well in the NFL. Put aside some of the 300K plus a rookie makes and be ahead of the rat race we commoners live in. If Foster doesn't continue fumbling as he begins getting hit by NFL quality players I'll be suprised but happy for him.
Txvol57 writes:
whatever...it was less than a week ago and he was stumbling down the strip barefoot and stopped at the pilot to talk to some people. If you want a positive spin on the situation then at least he wasnt driving. But the facts are that he hasnt stopped drinking nor does he plan to. I was simply responding to the d-bag who said his family has straightened him out.
volfaninutah writes:
I'm just wondering if Paladin was hung over in spelling class! He can't spell Tampa correctly or his popular hangout-- the brewry? The correct spelling there professor is BREWERY! Talk about drunks pointing fingers!!!
gnm53108 writes:
Did someone mention Beer?I know its beter cold.
Good luck to all our VOLS.
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