Those physical practices may have caught up with Tennessee’s football team on Friday, the fourth day of preseason practices.
Not so fast, says first-year UT coach Lane Kiffin.
“No, actually I believe we had two people not practice that had come into camp practicing, so that’s pretty good for 104 guys,” Kiffin said after the three-hour practice at Haslam Field.
Most noticeably absent from practice were starting weak-side linebacker Rico McCoy and left cornerback Brent Vinson, listed as a co-starter with Dennis Rogan on the depth chart. McCoy and Vinson were on the sideline during the practice.
“Rico, we’re looking at his knee and had him checked out (Friday) morning and some tests during practice, so I don’t know for sure yet,” Kiffin said.
How about Vinson?
“Looking at his hamstring, couldn’t practice today,” Kiffin said.
Freshman running back Bryce Brown, the Vols’ marquee recruit of this year’s class, took part in some of Friday’s practice but was held out of contact.
Brown took three hard hits during Thursday’s practice, the Vols’ first practice in shoulder pads. UT practiced Tuesday and Wednesday wearing helmets and no pads.
“(Brown) just had a slight concussion that the trainers wanted to run some tests on,” Kiffin said.
Sophomore tailback Tauren Poole, slotted at No. 2 on the depth chart behind senior Montario Hardesty, went down Friday during the seven-on-seven drills.
Poole stayed on the ground for more than 10 minutes, was helped off the field, and didn’t return. His injury appeared to be to his upper left leg.
“It looked like all it was was a cramp, but I don’t know,” Kiffin said. “We moved the drill, so we’ll see.”
Today, it will be full speed ahead for the Vols, who will practice for the first time in pads at Neyland Stadium.
Kiffin has no plans of slowing down.
“We’re going to scrimmage,” Kiffin said. “We’re going to tackle and see who can really tackle, see who can play off cut blocks and play real football when everything else is going on.
“We’ll go in the stadium for the atmosphere of that just because that’s where you play and it’s pretty important every scrimmage is in there even though you don’t have a crowd.”
Anderson Steps Up: Sophomore cornerback Anthony Anderson, former standout at Austin-East High School, got a chance to show his stuff due to Vinson's injury. Anderson took full advantage.
He intercepted a pass by Jonathan Crompton and returned it for a touchdown during seven-on-seven drills.
“I saw that (the receiver) was running a slant and just bit on it,” Anderson said. “Luckily the quarterback threw the ball and I just took it to the house.”
Anderson, who played strong safety, wide receiver and returned punts at Austin-East, was recruited by UT as a safety. He moved to cornerback the third week of spring practice.
It appears to have been a good move. Anderson is listed behind Vinson and Dennis Rogan at left cornerback, and with Vinson out of practice, Anderson moved in with the No. 2 defense.
“It’s an honor, actually, because this was my first time ever getting a big opportunity to play in this summer camp,” Anderson said.
Lil’ Wayne Tune: At 3:23 p.m. Friday, “Put Me In The Game,” by Lil’ Wayne started blaring from the sound system. The Vols were amidst their first session of practice and stretches, and it was clear they enjoyed the tune while it lasted.
Friday Highlights: After Crompton threw the pick to Anderson in the seven-on-seven drills, he completed a pass across the middle to Marsalis Teague and then threw a touchdown pass to Gerald Jones, who dunked the football over the crossbar of the goalpost. … During the 11-on-11 drills, Hardesty broke a long run up the middle for a touchdown and was hardly touched. … Prentiss Waggner had a nice interception on a pass by Crompton early in the 11-on-11 drills.
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Comments » 67
GoodOleRockyTop writes:
GO VOLS!
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
A little off the subject, but I wonder what is the staus of our 2 recruits in the clearinghouse situation. Ga just got Geathers cleared--seems everybody except our guys get cleared.
LetemLookThruTheirEarholes writes:
what about laimonson,dont know if i spelled his name right
DennisVols writes:
100 MPH and the brakes are missing.
You have to practice like you will be playing if you expect to be ready when the real games begin.
The competition for the starting position will make every player practice harder, hit harder, and commit more to becoming better.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
set_em_up_sk writes:
Good news nothing serious happened to Poole. This offense needs all it can muster and he could be a solid contributor this season.
mdvol writes:
Several early interceptions? Several?
InertGas writes:
Physical play is something that has been missing from Tennessee football for way too long. Go Vols.
LetemLookThruTheirEarholes writes:
has anybody heard anything about our juco qb that threw for 3500 yds. and avg.3 td's a game. last i read he was learning the playbook. nothing going on in practice ?
IamScaredOfTrees writes:
Nothing to defend. This is football. If you're going to get hurt you're going to get hurt (qb and kickers being the exception).
TommyJack writes:
Lest you own a crystal ball, I would say it's way too early to be evaluating B.Brown. JMO
tdforvols writes:
Our defensive backs are awesome baby!
Down_The_Field writes:
humm.....i see a coach that believes the more physical team is at an advantage......wants to run the football......make defense a priority. i'm lik-un this staff more and more every day.
fear the kiffin.
TD_4_UT writes:
Edwards has been cleared to practice, Green (WR) will probably have to JUCO, no word on Marlon as yet.
Cldvols1 writes:
I'm already gettin frustrated that our QB's sound just like last year! Come on guys, get with it and Go Vols!!!
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
agree totally i have never seen so much criticism on a guy for four practices he will have been through hell and back by west ky game and that will be good for him and the team
NoogaVol55 writes:
I agree....not sure what we expected him to do. The kid is going to take some punishment, but let us not forget, he is also getting a ton of praise from coaches and other players. I have no worries!!
Word on the street, Oku is turning heads as well!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Every year we wait and wait and wait on the NCAA clearinghouse while other schools get their players in and out. What the he!! is up with that?
TD_4_UT writes:
I'm afraid our QB's are still gonna take more time than Kiffin has to give. They need to start working on the side with Rozier and Liamason to see who can actually lead this team and make good decision's with the ball.
the10sevol writes:
hey, kappy, just a thought...
i notice the earlier "preview" posts re: injuries are now gone. if the intent was to chum the waters and increase anticipation of an end-of-practice report, it's really not necessary. Vol fans are already in near-frenzy state for any info, so i suggest not going the "twitter" route of reporting, and giving us one comprehensive report at the end of the day, with input from all the staff who're assigned to it.
just my thoughts. thanks to the staff for keeping us updated.
GBO
mdvol writes:
No doubt. I mean, can't one of these guys just be Andy Kelly Adequate? I don't need a Peyton Prodigy or Erik's Ego. If this were the pros, Crompton's collapse would be the equivalent of Shuler with the Redskins.
GerryOP writes:
If, on the 4th day of practice, all of these kids were performing flawlessly and executing without error, I would be concerned. They're not, and that is why we have a coaching staff.
29 -- Fear The Kiffin...
RockinTop writes:
Agreed....B.Brown, it's way to early to be issuing verdicts...and the reports say he immediately jumped up....and obviously one of them he sustained a slight concussion...... Most RB's have never faced the kinds of defenses in high school the SEC offers.
Go Big Orange
TnScooby writes:
No need to defend the physicality of these practices...setting a physical tone begins now and IMO it is much needed....glad to see that the list of injuries is so small and apparently not of a serious enough nature to miss much time on the practice field...I applaud the intensity of both the staff and players!
Go Vols!!
DennisVols writes:
Agreed totally
While no one will rest easy about the QB situation until after they see otherwise in a game, it is all about improving daily leading up to the season. The defense was going to be ahead of the curve if for no other reason they were already good from last year.
A whole new playbook and several months w/o coaching input to their progress on offense.
The fact that there are already some minor injuries tells a lot about the level of intensity and competition on the practice field.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
kabzs writes:
Your comments:
1. QB play is worrisome.. neither QB is taking the lead in this race as of yet, which means neither is any good to play at UT (which we all knew last year)
..
....They have not been in pads yet. Its easier to implement defense than offense. They are trying out freshmen receivers to see if they can play, as well as underclassmen. That beingt said it seems that JC and NS still hsve work to do. Lamaison has a gun and the players like him as a natural leader, but he will need a few months to fully absorb what he missed from spring practice. Wouldn't be surprised to see him start by the time we play Alabama. Still plenty of time to see how they develop. Remember too they are practicing against perhaps the best secondary in the country.
2. Bryce Brown is not going to be a factor early in the season as I'd hoped, he's been playing in an easy high school league where he's simply run sweeps and sped his awy from defenders. That's not now going to be the case, and I'm concerned if he can actually take an SEC-level hit(s) for 2 hours. Actually, I'm sure he can't.. yet.
..... His game needs pads because his legs have such strength. Yesterday's shot from Lathers was outside of what he expected. He made a freshman mistake of not protecting himself when wearing a helmet and shoulder pads. He assumed he was to stop in the hole, whereas his game would be to power through it. He will be the real deal.I've already ordered my number 11 game shirt.
3. Brandon Warren needs to Man-up or he's on the bench until he gets his masters.
......He will be superman. Kiffin's in his head and warren is already learning to use his wide body as a screen to make catches. He will be a monster, (assuming the QB play develops)
4. Defense - OMG I think these guys will be better than last year's Defense.. they love to hit.. and hit and hit.
We agree
5. Concerned that we haven't heard any news on the kickers, which probably is the same as last year.. average to below-average at best.
......Yesterday one of the new punters was kicking 43 yds per kick. Gran wants 40.
6. Sounds to me we need to get the passing game upgraded quickly this August and have our running game/offensive line blocking well on each play to maintain possession and run the clock.
.... We agree. If our OL gets injured we may be hurt. Its reasonable to assume they will stack 8 in the box, because they don't think our QB's can beat them. What they don't realize, there will be lots more underneath passing stuff and throws in the open field this year, much like Fla used Percy Harvin last year.
Orangeblood13 writes:
bleh
to many armchair qb's. seriously, I doubt snyone of us can evaluate like our new coaches.
let Kif and the crew do their thing, let us get behind our guys and root em on
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Amen.
Let the ultimate guide grade this staff.
The scoreboard.
ThaiVolFan writes:
Agreed and well said.
GBO!
Davy_Crockett writes:
I recall the other extreme last year. Practices were soft, with the band out on the field, the team not scrimmaging very much, a bowling trip, etc.. The change is welcomed.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
i think everyone should give it another week before all these expert opinions come out.
RJ_Vol writes:
Ditto. Let the coaches coach. We need to get tougher physically. IMO practice should be tougher than the actual game. These guys are going to break some face masks in the SEC. There are going to be some collisions this year. Time to say farewell to the doldrums. Thank goodness...
bluetick writes:
I believe Kiffin is doing things a bit differently. Instead of bringing in a highly recruited QB and then having the recievers follow he is doing it the opposite way. What happened with the visit today with Cobbs?
EricBerry4Heisman writes:
You have to watch the video from yesterday's practice. Berry and McCoy got thier licks in. But don't they do that anyways upper classmen that have been in the SEC for 4 years?
Anywho, Brown has only in pads for about 2 or 3 hours on the college level with contact. Hold off on the evals for couple of weeks.
http://www.cstv.com/allaccess/player/...
bluetick writes:
VOTE FOR ERIC BERRY HERE!
http://www.southernpigskin.com/index.php
xvolx writes:
way to early to evaluate anything. maybe he meant modest observations.
VolsRaysBucs writes:
The beautiful thing about true competetion is that even the 2nd and 3rd stringers play like 1st teamers because they honestly believe that if they play hard and produce, they will have stake at the 1st team slot. They worry not about seniority or any other b.s. tactic mid talent teams employ to lure mid level recruits.
xvolx writes:
please, no more bubble screens and mustange defenses
TNdog writes:
This is what I heard from a friend who was listening to a radio talk show: some of the players don't like Brown - he's missed some team workouts for no apparent reason and they may think that he's too high on himself. They let him know it once they donned the pads! I hope he's not a percy-boy.
Voluvr writes:
I can't wait for the Western game. We're going up early and I'm taking the wife and kids to that restaurant that advertises on here The Mouse's Ear. Is that pretty good food?
Voluvr writes:
That sounds like a credible source.
Voluvr writes:
You know this is bunk. Do you actually think that he would be playing if he missed one team meeting? Okay. What station? Is that credible. Who was talking? Who's the source? Was it a coach? You set up a friend is listening to a show then go in and state it like it's fact. No one misses meetings and no one believes this gossip garbage.
DC_Vol writes:
Great analysis great post!!! Keep it up! Bryce Brown has incredible speed, ability, moves that you just can't teach. Give him time to learn to take the physical hits. Anyone coming to the SEC has to learn to deal with the most physical conference in college football. Go Vols!!!
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
try the pink tacos and bring your own beer and alot of ones
DC_Vol writes:
Voluvr,
Hey buddy,
By the way great posts!
TNdog is not credible source at all. Look at his recent ridiculous posts. He is just trying to stir up trouble. When ever I read these troll posts, I just check to see the nature of the posts to determine credibility. Or I determine if they signed up recently because they have been blocked by GoVols! For example GatorZZ or alias First Amendment and many other loser names.
Ignore TNdog not worthy!
UCFgradVOLatHEART writes:
I went to HS with a guy that played for our beloved Vols. He was the starting Center for our NC team. He was as physical as you could get. I feel that TN football is getting back to the way those teams played. They lined up and hit you in the mouth and dared you to get up from it. I still think Spencer was one of the best linemen to play at TN. His heart and his motor were both unmeasurable. We find a couple of big nasties like him and we will be ok
TX_VOL_FAN writes:
1. If Brown and Oku are faster, bigger, stronger, can hold onto the ball, and have a better vision than Arian Foster (which probly isnt very hard to do), they'll be good enough for me. I rooted for Foster, but I got nervous during EVERY hand-off.
2. I don't know if this is saying that Crompton still sucks or if our secondary has gotten that much better. I prefer to think that he has gotten better, and our defense is gonna be the #1 D in the nation.
All I know is that I have a lot of faith in the coaching staff as well as the team leaders. I have nothing but positive excitement for the new season. I hear a lot of good things about just 4 days of practice, so I can't wait to see what they're gonna be like with another month of practice. Lets stay positive. Lets give our coaches the benefit of the doubt and trust that they WILL put the best guys in the game. If somebody gets hurt when they're not even in full pads then maybe they're not tough enough to play in the SEC. and please, lets hold off on the negative comments until we ACTUALLY see them play on SEPT 5. Then maybe there won't be many negative comments. Lets let the players play, the coaches coach, and fans CHEER. No more negativity. Just be a TRUE VOLS FAN. I hate hearing "Vols Fans" talk phooey about their team. That annoys me. Be supportive. Be positive. We ALL wanted a new coaching staff. Well here it is. Lets support them 100%.
GO VOLS!
richvol writes:
Amen...a 5th year senior like Crompton should not be throwing ints all over the place every practice. OCCASIONALLY, a senior might get one picked off but to do it every practice just indicates to me that he has the same judgement issues on when to throw one away that he had last year.
Ainge blew that game in the SEC Championship when the team outplayed LSU the entire game and he tried to force a couple into tight coverage instead of having the sense to throw it away. I want Crompton to succeed as much as anyone but I don't trust him to make the right decisions. I don't care if a QB can throw a ball on a rope for seventy yards flatfooted...if he is going to get you beat by making mental mistakes then he cannot and should not be playing.
crimsonviper writes:
Dude, You don't need to believe everything you hear on talk radio.Do like I do and get your info from internet message boards,then your will have credibility,book it.
smokyredbone writes:
The Defense wasn't suppose to blow them up like that. I read where Monty was even a little pissed, but like CLK said its better he learns that now than during the season. Let them get the pads on and TB's expecting the hits and see how young BB handles himself before passing judgment. The best thing I read into it was that he bounced up after each hit. They said the Lathers hit came from the blind side and was huge. Those hits hurt on a high school field from a fat backup, much less a headhunting SEC LB! No doubt the biggest hit he has ever taken and he jumped up and ran back to the huddle. GO VOLS!
p.s. its nice to see the LB's landing those big hits as well!!!
volstokke writes:
I love the fact practices are physical. Thats just part of the SEC. Thats what made Bear Bryant so effective @ Alabama. If guys will lay out teammates then the opposition BEWARE.
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