Colquitts' rivalry set in motion

Punter Britton Colquitt has had plenty of memorable moments as a Tennessee football player.

Two occurred in his first big game, which happened to be in the heart of enemy territory: The Swamp in 2005.

Colquitt, just a redshirt freshman, was called on to punt at the Tennessee 13-yard-line following the Vols' opening, three-and-out drive in Gainesville, Fla.

Problem was, Colquitt was a bit distracted.

"There's like eight Florida cheerleaders; I'm just kind of caught in a daze," Colquitt said on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page. "All of a sudden, I hear 'Punt! Punt team!'

"I'm just like 'Oh, gosh!' Everything happened so fast and I was so distracted that I ended up hitting a 54-yard punt."

That's Britton Colquitt, who is as known for his carefree demeanor as his brother, Dustin, is known for his intense focus. Dustin also punted for UT and is now the starting punter for the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I've always taken the pressure a little bit lighter than maybe Dustin and other people would think I would just because I guess my personality is so happy-go-lucky and worry free, which obviously has probably not helped me as much as it's hurt me in certain aspects," Britton said, referring to his well-publicized issues off the field.

"But in the playing aspect I think it's really helped."

Now, both Colquitts are in the same division, the AFC West. Britton signed a free-agent deal with the Denver Broncos on Sunday after not being selected in the NFL draft.

"I can't wait and Dustin couldn't be more jealous of me," Britton said jokingly. "Because we're in the same division we play each other twice a year, which is awesome.

"But I get to punt in Mile High Stadium - hopefully. Now I've got to win the job still. Dustin gets to punt in 100-mile-an-hour winds. So I'm pretty excited."

Mile High Stadium is known for its thin air, which lends itself to long, high punts.

Colquitt's chief competition to make the team is Brett Kern, the second-year pro who averaged 46.7 yards per punt last season.

"He's a solid punter," said Colquitt, who averaged 43.4 yards per punt in five games for UT last season. "He was good in college and we're about the same age so it's going to be real competitive."

Despite Kern's gaudy average, Colquitt likes his chances to compete, especially with a new coaching staff in place.

One of those coaches, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, has a history with the Colquitt family. Priefer coached the last three seasons in Kansas City with Dustin.

"He and I have been talking a lot," Britton said. "He came into it saying he would like to get me. It's kind of one of those things like when you get new coaches, they want to groom their own guys.

"He loved Dustin. He loves our family. He and I have a good relationship. So I think he would like for me to win the job but at the same time, it's a clean slate and I have to win it."

Winning a starting job is nothing new for the Colquitt family. Dustin and Britton's father, Craig Colquitt, punted in the NFL 1978-87. Uncle Jimmy Colquitt also punted in the NFL. Both punted for UT.

"I still don't think it's set in yet," Britton said of playing in the NFL. "My dad probably still hasn't slept since the night we signed. It's always been a dream for him for both (sons) to punt, much less in the same division."

The Broncos probably won't ask Britton to throw the ball anytime soon, which reminds many of another classic Colquitt moment in The Swamp.

It occurred later in that 2005 game when UT was faced with another punt in its own territory.

Britton mistakenly believed he was supposed to execute a fake then threw his one pass as a Vol, which was incomplete.

"The last thing that my muscles and mind were saying was 'Throw the ball!' " Britton said. "I like to tell people that if that (Florida) guy hadn't seen what was going on, (former UT defensive back) Inky (Johnson) might have taken that thing to the house and we could have won the national championship."