It looked like business as usual when Tennessee's football team returned to practice Friday afternoon after a five-day layoff for final exams and recruiting time for the coaches.
UT coach Lane Kiffin said the Vols were not affected at practice by the NCAA's investigation into the roles played by the Orange Pride representatives in recruiting and the national media's hoopla with the issue.
"That's got nothing to do with them," Kiffin said after the 90-minute practice inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex. "I said that (Thursday). That's completely irrelevant to this team and these players, so I doubt they've ever even thought about it."
With school out, Kiffin will try to keep the Vols focused on football as they take part in bowl practices leading up to the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech.
"I think they've come out with good energy," Kiffin said. "They understand the importance. We have team meetings every day before practice to make sure they understand we've got to have a great practice, and although they get time off to concentrate on studies and to get their legs back a little bit, when they come out here, it's got to be a work mode and they've got to come out with a very physical practice.
"We still do a lot of one-on-one stuff with front-line guys going against the first-team defense."
Kiffin gave his younger players plenty of snaps during Friday's practice and will continue doing so as the Vols get closer to game-day preparations.
Kiffin said backup quarterback Nick Stephens continued to be impressive.
"I thought last weekend he had really good practices," Kiffin said, "and probably (last) Saturday was probably the best practice maybe he's had since we've been here, so it's good to see him more comfortable and trying to take a leadership role and obviously he wants to be a starter next year."
That goes for a bunch of players during these bowl practices.
"It's a big time for guys that are potential starters next year," Kiffin said. "They understand they're in a competition with some guys (recruits) who aren't even here. We remind them all the time that we're going to sign a great recruiting class and those guys are going to come in and get shots to start, so they'd better have great bowl practice and great spring practice.
"We potentially could have 11 or 12 mid-years (recruits) come in in this class, which would be an unbelievable number for us to fill a lot of holes and make our roster more competitive."
UT will practice this morning at 11 and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Thompson Update: Kiffin had no update Friday about UT linebackers coach Lance Thompson, who is expected to be a candidate to join Charlie Strong’s staff at Louisville.
“I was with Lance all day recruiting,” Kiffin said. “He’s down at a state championship game right now.”
Kiffin declined to say which state title game Thompson was watching.
Berry Talk: Junior safety Eric Berry said he has not made a decision about forgoing his senior season for the NFL in 2010, even though it sounded like a done deal when he was interviewed Thursday night after winning the Jim Thorpe Award.
"I'm going to really miss the fans," Berry said in response to a question from host Chris Fowler of ESPN.
After Friday's practice, Berry said he's still undecided.
"I still have to sit down and talk about it with Coach Kiffin and get his intake on the whole situation," Berry said. "Once I do that, I'll let you know."
Berry, however, said the NFL has the edge over returning to UT.
"Right now I'm kind of leaning toward leaving, but I still want to make sure, just to get some other opinions about it," Berry said. "I've talked to (former UT players) Jarrod Mayo, Jason Allen, a lot of guys, just talking to people who have been in that situation. I'm just trying to get as much feedback as I can."
Richard Out: Senior offensive guard Vladimir Richard was held out of practice.
Kiffin said Richard was the only player who would normally be practicing who was held out.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 14
imw8n4u writes:
Stay focused guys, VT is no pushover and we need the bowl win bad.
OwensboroVol writes:
I see where FOX Sports is ranking the Chick-Fil-A Bowl as the 11th best Bowl Game. The Outback Bowl,who let Auburn buy their way into the game, is rank as the 26th best Bowl Game out of 34. They also had some pretty negative comments about the quality of the game. That a Boy Outback Bowl and Slive. Nothing like putting on a game that no one wants to watch. Lets see how the Outback is going to like it next year when the Sponsors are hard to find because of low viewers.
BTree4UT writes:
If Kiffin can do to Stephens what he did with Crompton, next year will be awesome!!
bobbytodd writes:
Let them practice after church. They shouldn't be forced to miss it.
CoverOrange writes:
Some churches open at 8. Those that want it will find it.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I don't know how others feel, but I would feel very uncomfortable about allowing Thompson, Gran or Wilson recruit using UT budget $$$. Will they have their heart in recruiting for UT? It would be hard to keep Thompson out of recruiting if he hasn't announced that he's leaving yet. That's a tough call.
Hounddog writes:
Talk to the Billionaire, Peyton Manning.
Let's play football. Hounddog
Hook'um Horns...just this once.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Glad to hear CLK gave a nice plug to Stephens, based on what players and teammates have said they are excited to see Nick at QB next year and be a team leader, have a solid year and get to Atlanta in 2010--everyone saw a Jonathon Crompton, finally relax and know that he was not going to get pulled and Crompton head became clearer and he just had fun and played ball...and looked what happened-- a kid that played freely and lead by example---I wanted to see Stephens in 2009, but cannot disagree with how they handled Crompton and taught him to be a QB...now duplicate across the Orange Pride...no pun intended
volbald writes:
Thompson would be foolish to join Strong at Louisville. Strong will last 3 years at best. Remember Ty Willingham at Stanford and ND? Then all of Strong's coaches will be looking for head coaching jobs at local high schools or position coaching jobs at Div. II colleges. Rodriquez and Patrino made serious mistakes by leaving successful programs. Kelly has too. ND has turned to coaching quicksand. Let's hope Thompson has better sense.
FWBVol writes:
Wilson is already gone. I don't know if Gran is still on campus or not, but I think it's a safe bet he isn't doing any recruiting.
Just because Thompson might be a target for Louisville doesn't mean he'll leave. A lot of coaches at major schools receive nibbles and even offers each year, but stay put.
Rockytop38 writes:
I hope we can keep the rest of this staff together. Good hires has benefited this team and recruiting has gone well with back to back top ten classes. Keep it up! Go Vols!
go_vols_go writes:
EB, take some advice from Peyton Manning! One more Year!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
What? Strong will do a great job at Louisville especially if he surround himself around great coaches like Thompson.
UTDaddy71 writes:
ERIC BERRY FOR HEISMAN 2010
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.