"This will be more important than anything they've done."Lane Kiffin
Other than lacking 100,000 fans, a marching band and TV commercial breaks, Tennessee hopes to simulate a game-day experience at Neyland Stadium today.
In the form of a 12:21 p.m. scrimmage - 14 days to the minute before the Lane Kiffin Era kicks off - the Vols will hold what will be essentially a last full-contact audition for starting jobs.
"This will be more important than anything they've done,'' said Kiffin, not one for understatement.
"They will have no excuses not to perform to the best of their abilities. We'll figure out where we are as a team in all three phases.''
The Vols will scrimmage on fresh legs. Kiffin limited Friday's practice to a brief walk-through in shorts, all the better to get in a game-day frame of mind.
"We're going through the whole nine yards,'' senior center Josh McNeil said Friday, "treating it just like a game, so it's really going to be nice because every coach has different styles on what they do on game day.
"It's going to be really good to get used to what our coaches like to do. Football players are huge creatures of habit.''
While Kiffin has made few proclamations on starting jobs, the depth chart has been settling into a somewhat recognizable form.
A number of positions, however, are still to be determined. Here's a rundown on some obvious ones and several other areas to watch:
n Quarterback: Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens both know how high the stakes are today. Kiffin and staff are expected to grade the scrimmage and name a starter for the Western Kentucky game by mid-week .
Crompton appears to have the edge, judging from reps with the No. 1 offense, but Kiffin has been tight-lipped.
"You don't really think about that,'' Crompton said. "When you do it just puts pressure on yourself.
"You just go out there and have fun and play ball and compete your butt off. Just take care of yourself and do what you can do.''
n Center: McNeil leads the squad with 35 consecutive starts, or 27 more games than Cody Sullins has even played. But the two are still battling.
"That's the first thing you think of when you get in the meeting room and the last thing you think about going on the field,'' said McNeil. "How did I do today? Did I outperform the other guy? Did he outperform me?
"It's always in your head and especially this late into the preseason, with the competition still going on.''
n Receiver: Freshmen Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague are trying to work into a rotation with veterans Gerald Jones, Brandon Warren and Quintin Hancock. It's no time to be dropping passes.
n Defense: Starting jobs - other than Eric Berry's - special packages and second-team status are still up in the air.
n Signals: Kiffin promises to stay on the sideline and signal plays into the huddle for the first time since he opened spring practice.
How will the quarterbacks respond to managing the game without the comforting presence of their coach in the huddle?
n Kicking game: This third phase hasn't received nearly the live-action attention as offense and defense.
Will the coverage teams and return teams be up to speed? Return jobs are there for the taking.
Students Invited: UT students with a valid ID are welcome to enter at gates 1, 2 or 3, beginning at noon.
The Vol Walk will take place about 90 minutes before kickoff, which would be 10:51 a.m.
Quiet Fridays: Media and even the sports information staff were caught off guard in finding out Kiffin won't address the media at Friday walk-throughs. Everyone, it seems, is learning the new coach's preferences on the fly.
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Comments » 22
chrisw2967 writes:
14 more days and it will be Football Time in Tennessee
stayingorange writes:
I predict a Vols win.
OrangeAppeal writes:
What's an "n" Quarterback and an "n" Center, etc? That's what happens when you copy-and-paste from MS Word. Where's the "n" editor to stop this madness!!! ;)
volfan2002 writes:
The defense will probably win tomorrow I just hope it is not as bad as last time.
imw8n4u writes:
Let's go students, show up in force and make some noise. You need to be practicing as well so you are in mid season form by the time WKU comes to town.
the10sevol writes:
n i wish i could be there tomorrow.
n GBO
smokey_vols writes:
I know this is off topic but please pray for the schools of knox west and sullivan south and the family of Jake Louge. South had a player collapse tonight at knox west and he passed away at UT Med Center. He was a Senior at South. Sad
BamaVol writes:
Sorry to hear about the player from South, My prayers to the family.
richvol writes:
I would imagine that this is a routine that Kiffin learned from Carroll at USC but even so it makes perfect sense to format your fall scrimmages just like a game day. I really like the professional way that Kiffin is running the football program. There is no wasted motion or time as everything is scripted to bring this team to a level of performance that did not previously exist. One can see it from something as telling as the fact that there have been NO,NADA,ZIP arrests of players since Kiffin arrived. The kids are working harder than they ever have...and they are liking it. I am very impressed so far with what Kiffin and his staff have done and even if we lose a few games this year that is not going to change. The direction that Kiffin has established for this team will bring ultimate success in the win column.
opvol writes:
I live in northeast Florida (Gator country) and they are xpecting to beat us by 100 b/c of Kiffin's comments...I think they (Gators) will be so pissed off it knocks them off their game...Just like Kiffin planned when he said those comments; if he pulls off a 3-0 start including a win in Gainsville his new nickname should be "The Mad Scientist of Knoxville!"
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
I don't think WKU knows what they are running into. This team is ready to hit someone besides themselves. If they come out of all cylinders, the fans will yell like it's a SEC championship game. This team is ready for redemption. It won't be close.
GO VOLS!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Great enthusiasm..just take it one game at a time and remember what a disaster last year was. GO VOLS!
smokey8555 writes:
I'm glad WKU and UCLA have the caliber of teams they apparently do. Experience teaches that you don't get better by playing cupcake teams; you can only delude yourself in thinking so. UTK should win both games and learn a great deal about themselves and how to win such games. Those two battles will likely help to form a cohesive unit that travels to the swamp better than they were only a few weeks ago. Here's hoping my analysis holds merit.
the10sevol writes:
wku is coming off a 2-10 disaster last season, and i think i read somewhere last spring that they have a couple of freshmen and a fifth year senior at qb, and almost no playing time among the three. anybody confirm that?
GBO
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
You said the perfect word that describes what the players and fans want "redemption". We all have no idea of how the season will unfold, but consistently watching the offense run 3 plays and punt is something that is unacceptable and was the main reason why CPF was fired. Even if you don't get points on a drive at least rest your defense for 5-6 minutes of game clock and make them go 80 yards for a score.
ethanfrome writes:
I can't confirm that, but I can confirm that CNN/SI ranked WKU 120th out of 120 teams in their pre-season poll.
Volfantm writes:
Can't confirm that but have seen their preseason ranking is 118 of 120. Also here is article about scheduling cupcakes that refers to WKU and UF: http://community.foxsports.com/lisah/...
the10sevol writes:
just curious if this comment will be removed, but hey, it's slow waiting for scrimmage news.
will "stimulation from simulation" grow hair on your palms? where is the witch doctor when we need him?
GBO
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
I would be in favor of "The Cerebral Assassin"
Ralph_Crampton writes:
The Ucla coach was interviewed on radio sports show the other night...ans stated his QB would be a redshirt. He would not comment about the upcoming season...beyond the opener against the San Diego State...he said his team will be better than last year...especially the defense..he did mention the word "Rockytop", but stopped talking about anything but San Diego State...probably not wanting to give Vols incentive material...he indicated the Bruins are much improved from last year. He outcoached the Vols last year at the Rose Bowl...and he sounds as if can do it again.
757vol_fanatic writes:
"He outcoached the Vols last year at the Rose Bowl...and he sounds as if can do it again."
actions speak louder than words my fried....i'm ready to see him try
volstokke writes:
I agree CRN is a very solid coach. Dont be surprised to see the game turn into a war. We better not overlook UCLA thinking about Florida. Tennessee will have to bring there "A" for sure.
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