Bryce Brown has been hurt from head to hip this preseason. His eligibility is being scrutinized by the NCAA.
But neither issue was a factor when the freshman running back got the football in Tennessee's scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium.
He got the ball only four times. That was enough for the fans who hadn't had a chance to size up the most celebrated signee of UT's 2009 recruiting class.
And with each carry, you could see why UT is appealing the NCAA's undisclosed ruling. Never mind that running back is one of its deepest positions. It doesn't want to lose Brown for even one game.
There was a theme to Brown's four runs. On each one, the defense went backward on contact. His longest gain was 12 yards, but his 5-yard touchdown run provided the most compelling video. After being hit at the line of scrimmage, he maintained his balance and headed for the right pylon. He broke another tackle before stepping into the end zone.
UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin offered commentary for the rest of the staff through the phone lines.
"I was on the phone (saying), 'The bad news is we looked bad on that play,' " Kiffin said. " 'The good news it was Bryce Brown. And he's on our team.' "
Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was similarly impressed.
"He's physical," Orgeron said. "He's a big back with speed, who kind of reminds me of LenDale White that we had at USC.
"Yeah, I think he is faster (than White). He's very explosive."
Brown is starting to remind me of someone else.
This marks the 20th anniversary of running back Chuck Webb's debut as a redshirt freshman at UT. He only played one full season, suffered a severe knee injury the following year, and never made it in the NFL.
But in the 1989 season, he was spectacular. He rushed for 294 yards against Ole Miss and gained 250 more against Arkansas in the 1990 Cotton Bowl. Those still rank as the top two single-game rushing performances in UT history. He finished the season with 1,236 yards and a per-carry average of 5.9 yards.
UT's Jamal Lewis was a bigger, faster back than Webb; given his success in the NFL, a comparison might seem silly. But Webb was a more relentless, versatile runner at UT.
The defense never knew what it might get from him - sheer speed, a sharp cut or pure power. He could punish defenders as well as elude them.
Brown might not be as compact as Webb, but he has demonstrated similar running versatility in preseason camp. He has beaten the defense around the corner, busted through defenders in the middle of the line, and made the kind of moves in the open field that can turn a 15-yard gain into a 50-yard play.
As Allen Iverson would point out, "It's practice; it's not a game." But I'm starting to get the same feeling about Brown as I had about Peyton Manning, Heath Shuler, Carl Pickens and Webb before they ever played a game. And they did OK.
I almost forgot to mention: Brown wasn't full speed Saturday.
"He was questionable," UT coach Lane Kiffin said. "We warmed him up, thought (he was) about 85 percent. So we gave him a little bit of action."
And he gave them something in return. He gave them more incentive to win their appeal.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 41
DennisVols writes:
The kid is going to be something special at UT. Just wish I could hear John Ward call a game Brown was playing in.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Coach_Joe writes:
Come on NCAA! Drop the stinking charge and let the young man play!
MONTE!!!
Bigger_Al writes:
Adams left Walmart early to write this?
TSNSD4UT writes:
Brown is going to be one special runner on the hill if NCAA Natzi's will leave him alone.
RockinTop writes:
After seeing the guy today with my own eyes....he really is something. Yeah its still early to know for sure....but man, I am impressed...I agree with John all the way....he is likely going to be very special!....and he's a freshman!
Go Big Orange!
txvolsfan writes:
Brown to the 40,30,20,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 Give Him Six, Touchdown BIG ORANGE!!!
Gives me chill bumps also Dennis!!!
WOW
iowavol writes:
lot's of potential. Looking forward to him playing for 3 years in Knoxville.
757vol_fanatic writes:
CLK please please all i want for christmas is to see Brown hit Spikes (fla mlb) in the mouth 1 play, just 1 play is all i ask for!
JohnnyU writes:
Yes, the Webb comparison gets me excited too. I've always thought he was perhaps the best tailback we've had. On any play, he could score. Remember, that year we had both Webb and Cobb (the CobWeb) in the backfield until Reggie got kicked off. We hardly missed a beat with Webb, though we did lose his first game (Bama, of course) as the main guy. I was at that Ole Miss game. We were actually in a little trouble, but Webb took the game over.
Ironcity writes:
Webb always made every gain just look easy.
jman33163 writes:
Someone already mentioned it, but we had an incredible backfield that year! The Cobb-Webb combination made for a great ground game. Can't wait to see how Bryce attacks defenses!
TommyJack writes:
TJ has said it before. Chuck Webb (for 1 year) was the best running back we ever had.
Orangeblood13 writes:
let's play football
hotrodvol writes:
Johnny, I was at the game to. It was a great fall day, I had went deer hunting that morning(missed a nice six pointer,lol) drove by and picked up my nephew, and went to the game still in my hunting clothes. I made it to the game on time though. I know the joke you might be a redneck if....LOL.
BillsBrother writes:
And there are two Webb plays seared in my memory;
a)the last play against Colorado (a tie) where instead of a Hail Mary, UT gave the ball to Webb on an ordinary hand off and he headed for the end zone on an exciting run only to be stopped short.
b)the sweep against Pacific (Pacific!) where an ordinary looking tackle turned out to be a career ending play.
Let's hope John's feeling about BB is prophetic, because Webb was the best!
tennezz writes:
Chuck Webb and Stanley Morgan are the best running backs I have seen in 50 years of watching the Vols, But who can forget Travis Henry stiff arming us to the 98 National Championship!
chargervol writes:
I thought Stanley Morgan was a wide receiver. Didn't he go to the NFL and play about 12yrs. in New England for the Patriots, or am I thinking of someone else? I remember the Cobb-Webb tandem, they were good. I'm starting to think that Bryce is going to be the real deal. The NCAA needs to get this situation settled. Hopefully, they won't drag their feet too long before making a decision. GO VOLS!!!
govols22231 writes:
Just imagine......what if....1990...Reggie Cobb senior, Chuck Webb healthy and Tony Thompson ==National Championship. Not even close..plus Andy Kelly, Mims, Chuck Smith, Antone Davis, Alvin Harper, Carl Pickens,Charles McRae...talent equal to 98 team...
rjrich#235198 writes:
Greetings Vol Friends...it's been a while since I posted, but I love reading your comments.
Stanley Morgan was a WR, but Coach Battle used him as a running back as times. Stanley was only about 5'11, 175, but was as tough as woodpecker lips - and a pretty good basketball player as well. He was in my class (ok - I know that makes me older than all of the rest of you except maybe the Witch Doctor..and Doc, You Rock!) as was Mickey Marvin, Ernie Grunfeld and others. But it's encouraging to read he has that kind of drive and talent. And as the "Doc" says, - Bones Never Lie (but at my age, they do ache at times). Go Vols!
yodaorange (Inactive) writes:
Stanley Morgan, also ran a 4.1 40 in his day. He and Willie Gault were probably the two fastest players in Vol history. Agree with the comments on Chuck Webb being the greatest RB we ever had. What he did to the Arkansas defense in the Cotton Bowl was incredible. . .
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Chuck Webb doesn't need to be mentioned with anyone else. He stands alone... but glad to hear that Bryce may have a little Chuck in him!
Daily, I mourn at what Chuck Webb could have been if it weren't for the fateful day at Pacific. I was 9 years old and did a report on it at school for "A Current Affair". I obviously am a deeply disturbed individual.
allvol32 writes:
Bryce Brown is the real deal. Look at his highlight reels on youtube they're amazing. I've heard some say that the competition in Kansas HS football isn't that good but if you look at the AA all star game against the best HS talent in the nation Bryce Brown did it again - co MVP. I think we signed some great talent in the last class including Toney Williams and David Oku but BB is the crown jewel. Can't wait to see him in combination with the other talent at RB just take over games this year.
randybaseballvol writes:
We have to create a T-shirt for Brown
"What can BROWN do for you"!
It can be Brown and Orange.
Lets get it going -
VOLsince68 writes:
Nobody has mentioned Charlie Garner?
jasonn1970 writes:
FREE BRYCE BROWN!!!
blitzshoot writes:
"What did he do? He scored. Touchdown Big Orange!"
Really miss John Ward.
Bufforange00 writes:
BEST UT BACKS LAST 30 Years
1. Chuck Webb
2. Travis Stephens
3. Travis Henry
4. Jamal Lewis
5. Charlie Garner
6. Jay Graham
7. Reggie Cobb
8. James Stewart
9. Aaron Hayden
10. Tony Thompson
This list is in terms of production and dynamic ability while at UT. Chuck was the best, evidenced by his 2 school record games. I give Stephens #2 based on his performance at Ga in 1998, and his performance at the Swamp in 2001. Travis Henry helped us after Jamal went down, and made it darn tough for Jamal to win his job back in'99. Jamal is probably the best back on paper, and was fantastic in '98 before his knee injury. But he ran timid in 1999 before leaving early.
Garner was supertalented, but spent only 2 years at UT. Graham had moments of brilliance, but played tight in UF games (1995, 1996). His 2 big moments came against Ohio State in 1995 and Alabama in 1996.
Reggie Cobb would have finished higher had he not be dismissed. He was dynamic. James Stewart, and Aaron Hayden backed up Garner but were excellent backs. Hayden had one of the all-time great pass receptions vs. Notre Dame in 1991. Tony Thompson proved to be a very good back when Webb went down in 1990.
Honorable Mention-Johnnie Jones, Keith Davis, William Howard, Shawn Bryson, Roland Poles, Jeff Powell.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Honorable mention for Johnnie Jones?? I thought his overall production was much better than that.
givehim6 writes:
Yes Brown will be great, and with Oku, will be the next great duo for UT! Would love to have John Ward come out of retirement just 1 or 2 years to call a few games for them. Give him 6 touchdown Tennessee! GO VOLS!
murrayvol writes:
One great season. One really bad injury. Twenty years later and we're still talking (and mostly agreeing) about this guy. He was special.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Great list! However, for me, I would move Stephens down two notches, right beneath Lewis. He was fantastic for one season and we will all remember when he treated Florida like his own personal Madden game, but I feel 4th is right.
volntx writes:
Reggie Cobb still holds the record for most total yards from scrimmage. I would rate him # 2 right behind Jamal Lewis.
volntx writes:
"season"
Daytonavol writes:
I would love to see UT start dominating the line of scrimmage on offence again. Running the ball right down the defences throat is the best way to take the life out of the other team, including Urbans boy's.Maybe this year might year be a tough one, but we have to beat
florida to get to the top again. Backing into the SEC championship does not give us the respect we want. I'm tired of all the cocky gator fans here. The only way to shut them up is beat them. GO VOLS!!!!!!!
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
In the spirit of "CobbWebb" how about "BrOku" fot Brice Brown and David Oku.
Fryinpansvols writes:
I think UT will surprise some teams this season. Everyone keeps picking them third East but I think we might end up second. Go Big Orange!
MarbleVol48 writes:
We did have one tailback finish second in the heisman voting - Johnny Majors!!!!
madcountyvol writes:
We're going to run all over the hilltoppers like a treadmill. Vols 49 WK 3
DMSVOL writes:
I agree with the majority. Chuck Webb was without a doubt the best. I just don't see how anybody could leave Johnnie Jones out of the top ten. His performance against Alabama was incredible and it came at a time we needed it the most. "The Great Southern Shootout" was a very, very important game in the anals of Tennessee football history and without Johnnie it's a differnt outcome.
RockyTop876 writes:
Here are vintage Vol VIDEO highlights from Chuck Webb's record breaking game vs. Ole Miss. Amazing to watch! He totally dominated!
http://volsvideos.com/view/83/tenness...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Ouch! TWO "n's" in "annals", please(;-P)! BTW, I loved both Webb and Jones. One great thing about discussions like this is that it helps remember how the moments make the men and the memories. Greatness is never just a matter of stats, except maybe for the baseball Hall of Fame(;-P)!
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