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Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton throws to a receiver during practice Friday at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee didn't have to worry about running afoul of the fire marshal in Neyland Stadium on Friday night, but its prime-time practice drew a crowd despite cold and rainy weather.
About 2,000 watched the Vols' third practice of the spring and their first in full pads, with some even lining up outside the stadium several hours before the workout began.
And although the crowd fell short of the limit of 10,000 imposed by authorities because of ongoing construction on the stadium's west side, those who showed up were loud.
And the players took notice.
"We already had a different level of intensity where it was our first day in pads," defensive end Chris Walker said. "But when we came out and saw the fans there, it really jacked us up to see I don't know how many at a practice. It just jacked us up and made us come to a different level and play and compete."
The Vols began practice at Haslam Field, working for about an hour before busing to the stadium. They gathered in the northwest tunnel before taking the field to a roar from fans.
For safety Eric Berry, it conjured thoughts of game day.
"Practice is crazy," he said. "It was so much fun even yesterday, and we practiced on our own field. The atmosphere was so crazy. It was like a real game. Just having people there cheering while we're going through our drills, it made us go even harder. I felt like it was a pretty good practice."
The Vols went to the crowd-pleasers early.
After taking the field, they held the first "Tennessee Drill" under the new staff followed by a full contact 5-on-4 drill that pitted offensive linemen against defensive linemen, receivers against defensive backs and fullbacks and tight ends against linebackers.
Berry didn't participate in those drills, but was active the rest of the way despite being limited by a surgically repaired left shoulder.
"It's still in effect," Berry said when asked about being restricted from full contact. "I wasn't (hitting). I was just moving out of the way, wasn't taking on any fullbacks or nothing like that. I was in the mix. But during the 'thud' period, I can go around, but as soon as (athletic trainer) Jason (McVeigh) says I run into somebody, he's pulling me out. I just make sure I don't run into anybody and try to go for the ball all the time. That's it."
It's not easy to pull back, though.
"Football's a contact sport, and I love contact," Berry said. "Just being out there playing two-hand touch is pretty much a bummer, I guess you could say."
UT coach Lane Kiffin was pleased with the energy UT's fans brought to the workout.
"It was really neat," he said. "Our players felt it and our coaches felt it. Our coaches have never been in here before. It was really neat to be in here and see guys come out. It was neat to see the fans come out here and support us. It helped us a lot."
Quarterback Jonathan Crompton hopes the intensity of Friday's practice - and that of UT's first two practices - remain when the Vols return March 24 following UT's spring break this week.
"We've got really high intensity because the coaches, how they coach, it trickles down to us," Crompton said. "The intensity's been there now the first three days. I'm pleased, but we're always going to have more to get to. I really expect the Tuesday we get back for our first practice (after spring break), there's going to be even more."
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Comments » 50
BillsBrother writes:
And apparently EB got his first Oskie of the season!
SLOBBER_knocker_U writes:
Finally! Enthusiasm! and hard work! or "Workin like heck" as the great pumpkin would say.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Tonights Practice; Can some Verify that Crompton threw 3 interception, Coleman fumbled the snap twice..... and Nick Stephens is healing and will be back in a week....ready to takeover as #1 for good
OldSmokey writes:
Was a great practice.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
If anyone that went to the General's house: i heard Crompton threw 3 more Interceptions, Coleman fumbled a couple of snaps and Nick Stephens is chomping at the bit to take the job in 2 weeks....
dvhill100 writes:
I understand people booed Crompton. Let it go. Last year in a new system, he didn't perform well. Everything I have heard says he is trying his best and competing. He made a mistake.
If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all.
rblakeh writes:
Crompton did not throw 3 ints. Just 1, and it was to Berry. Crompton had 1 fumbled handoff for sure, I think, and there were a couple other fumbles by the QB, but I'm not sure how it broke down. BJ definitely had at least one.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
A one hop pass hitting the ankles is an incompletion..people booed #8 because he just is not a good QB and KnoxVegas deserves better, he is wearing #17
rblakeh writes:
Booing Crompton at a practice was retarded and completely unnecessary. It's stuff like that that will make CLK think twice about inviting the fans back.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
I guess somethings never change...just change the QB and you will not hear booing
TxFatBoy writes:
So WHAT if KnoxVegas deserves better??? If he's what they HAVE then why would a bunch of idiots be BOOING him? Do you think THAT'S going to make him better? Will it make OTHER recruits want to come to UT? That's the problem with college age KIDS....many of them have NO sense and less INTELLIGENCE!
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
I agree booing does not make sense or anyone better, but people feel they have the right to vent..the fact is JC cannot get any better #8 hit his peak 2 years ago...Fulmer cannot save his(crompton) job this year...
TxFatBoy writes:
People feel they have a right to vent, well they do. But they aren't smart enough to realize they cause more harm than good. Their booing isn't going to make Coach Kiffin's decision...nor even influence it. Coach Kiffin is a grown man who will base his decision on who HE thinks gives UT they best chance to win. However, there are many young recruits who are still BOYS for all practical purposes...maybe not physically but certainly mentally and EMOTIONALLY! When THEY hear fans BOOING their QB it may very well aid them in their choice of schools.....NOT UT.
dvhill100 writes:
Agreed. I promise if I was LK, the fans wouldn't be invited to another practice. We had BB and other recruits there, and these idiots are booing a kid who made a mistake, a kid who is better than they will ever be at football.
This is also the first pads practice with a new coordinator and system. Mistakes are going to be made. That is why they practice.
boonhower writes:
Bryce Brown was there. That's a good sign.
VolJunkie writes:
ESPN will probably report it is some type of ncaa violation ... was he carrying a gas can? ;)
NUCLEARVOL writes:
Witch Doctor says shut up witch doctor! NUCLEARVOL has something to say! GOOOOO VOLLLLLLLLSS!!! The coaches think that was cool well wait until there are 106,000 baring down on them. I trust Kiffin will put the right quarterback on the field. I'm glad he said the oline did well for Hardesty.
I hope what you all say iis correct when you say Brown is in the bag! I'm not going to say anything until the letter of intent is in Knox!
Al-Davis go away please!
tree_em_smokey writes:
Anyone who booed at the practice is a complete idiot. The reason the coaches invited fans to an open practice is to pump up the fans, which if they are (cheering) will pump up the players and will make them practice better and harder. Like they said if you don't have anything nice to say SHUT UP!!!!!!!
gbo61#226781 writes:
I agree completely. Frankly, a true fan should never boo one of our players, but to do so at the third practice of the year is inexcusable. I would like to think that those booing were planted by Florida or Alabama and were tarred and feathered after practice. Regardless of who is playing any position at any given time, they will need fan support. Anything done to damage the confidence of any Vol is counterproductive. Let the coaches deal with errors. Fans support the team!
NUCLEARVOL writes:
09/19/09
NUCLEARVOL writes:
I'm going to have to agree with you! However, you will never going to be able to control the booing! I know it doesn't show class, but there are fans like that in every crowd!
HollySpringsVOL writes:
The "boo birds" need to fly south. They have only been at practice for several days. JC may be "big D" done, but support the effort by keeping you negativity to yourself. If JC can't cut it, he will be on the bench. The commentary, while it is a fan's "right" isn't necessary nor is it constructive. Show the team some respect.
VolGrad writes:
Last year was a travesty. A new offensive system hamstrung by a lack of discipline and accountability. Everyone was just "working like heck," the QBs were "trying real hard" and no one had any real answers as to why we were stinking up the General's Stadium. You can talk about the abysmal play of all our QBs, not just Crompton, from last year. No one was any more critical than myself. It still makes me sick just to remember it. But it doesn't mean anything now. Get over it. This is the same Crompton who came in for an injured Ainge a couple of years ago and almost beat (losing 24-28) an LSU team that finished 11-2 and ranked 3rd in the country. The difference was Coach Cutcliffe. It always has been. But now everyone should have a clean slate. I know some of you just can't wait to see Crompton fail so you can tell the rest of us, "I told you so." But I don't understand that mentality. I personally would like to see Crompton manage to get last year's freaking monkey off his back and succeed. If he succeeds, the Vols succeed. If he fails, we are that much weaker overall.
It is a new year with new coaches and a new playbook. Please get on board by learning a new song and dance. Enough already.
TxFatBoy writes:
Excellent post! I agree completely!
hueypilot writes:
Regrettably it only takes a couple of half drunk exhibitionist idiots out of a crowd of a couple of thousand to draw attention to themselves by booing and thus we have a booing incident. At a PRACTICE for pete's sake. And the ones doing the booing probably couldn't throw the ball in the water if they were standing in the boat. But I'm glad they got noticed. Maybe next week they can audtion for Jerry Springer and move up to the big time.
EnglewoodVol writes:
only 2000............i heard that there were gonna be a million so i went strait down town. next time i'll know to raise hell with real people
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
totally agree--------no class and totally stupid to boo a kid at a practice----
Ironcity writes:
Who on earth would waste time posting thousands of comments on another teams boards? He would have to be a real loser like yourself Butch.
Madkels writes:
Do you think that the basketball team playing in the SEC tourney at the same time would have anything to do with only 2000 fans showing up? DUH!
hotrodvol writes:
Rich, your right this booing phooey is getting out of hand. I heard very little, and yes I did enjoy watching Crompton and the center take a lap. But like you said it was his very first snap of the practice. No way Crompton will be our starting QB.
What about Monte coming out on the field and getting the crowd pumped up, first thing? Orgeron right in the middle of the TN drill, also right in the middle of a fight, that was great, those guys were fired up, the crowd was fired up! CLK was running around like he was on red bull! Eric Berry with an INT that was over thrown.
BIGEJ writes:
"Glory day BOYS or wannabes" aged chronologically but their spirits consumption further reduces brain cells and brain cell activity leading to their obtuse actions. They will not mentally mature as they continue to destroy brain cells.....ignore and/or pity them. Pilot, you were mostly correct in they could not find water but remember the stains on their jeans from making "water".......GO VOLS
hotrodvol writes:
What about spotting Brice Brown and everyone chanting his name, you know he has to be thinking of that. If he hasn't signed then he will after that, plus the excitement of everyone there.
BigDaddyVol writes:
Anyone caught booing at a practice should be considered a fan of another school. They should be dragged on to the field and be used as tackeling dummy for the rest of practice. If you buy a ticket to the game and want to go and boo your own team thats one thing, stupid, but your choice. Going to someone's practice and booing is going too far. Practice time at this level is too vluable to waste one second listening to some drunk freshman boo your players. This better not happen again!!! Don't make me come up there!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!
BigDaddyVol writes:
Glad to hear we have more class than that. Thanx Rich. You can disregard my last post bashing the alleged boo birds.
BigDaddyVol writes:
Wish I could of been there. Sounds like one of those big orange chill bumps moments. Call me crazy but it happens every time I go to the stadium. Come on fall!! Go Vols.
marvinVol writes:
Couldn't make it to the friday practice, but can't wait for the orange and white!
Great to be a Vol!
BigDaddyVol writes:
Emotion, rather than going through the motions will pay bigtime come fall. The last few years UT football has been just going through the motions all the way down to us fans. Doesn't matter whos to blame or why. Now that we have some emotion back in our coaches,players, we need to get it back in our stadium seats. If one is lucky enough to make it to a few games please use that space wisely and get into the game. Get loud. NS should be the most feared in the SEC. Lets make it so!!
TD_4_UT writes:
I have ben a VOL fan and keeping up with UT since 1974. I don't like saying this and probably have never ben critical of any players at UT. But I don't have and have never had any confidence in Jonathan Crompton. I hope he proves me wrong, but that's how I feel. Even Cutcliff spoke more highly of BJ Coleman. Unless a player has confidence in himself, his understanding of an offense, his ability, how can the team or the fans get behind him?
montanavolfan writes:
idiot.....
volmattna writes:
GO BIG ORANGE!! Lets get it on!
littleorange writes:
I was in attendance last night at the practice.Fans were great , very enthusiastic, excited and respectful. There was NO BOOING......just a slight groan when Crompton fumbled the first snap. Both Crompton and the center immediately ran a lap.....returned and competed very well.
TxFatBoy writes:
You might as well call me crazy too because it's ALWAYS given me chill bumps to walk into the stadium on game day. Watching the team run through the Power "T"! Hearing Rocky Top played! There's NOTHING I like better!!!!
HonoluluVol writes:
I understand that the practice was HYPE, but was it PRODUCTIVE? How did the RB's do? Did Warren catch any passes? How did the CB's fair?
rocky_topper writes:
I was there, and I did not notice anyone booing Crompton. I just called a buddy of mine who went with me, and he didn't notice that either.
Make sure those who say there were boos were actually there; otherwise, stuff like that spreads like wildfire even if it isn't true.
Bama or Florida fans probably started this anyways.
rocky_topper writes:
yeah, just saw this...i should've read comments first!
i was there, and no one was boo'd whatsover! you guys need to stop believing what some of these people are starting....you fall for it everytime it seems!
the fans who were there were REALLY UP and EXCITED for the team and clapped, whistled, and hollered for them the entire time. NO BOOS whatsoever!
go vols
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Talk about turning off recruits let them here UT fans boo their own players. This is Knoxville not Philadelphia!! We shouldn't boo are own.
VolGraduate writes:
Wasn't there.....going to reserve judgment ntil the O and W game
And booing your own team is gey.::::.......usually
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
okay, I see many of you are running smoke off of rumors. jesus christ, if you are not a real vol fan, get the hell out of here and stay out.
the open practice is a great idea. Maybe CLK will pull more of those as he can. Players love to have fans watch a practice, it gets them more juiced up, and takes away some of the boredom of just running drills. I can remember this as a player: you LIVED for scrimmage time and games...
thanks rich and others for first-hand updates.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Good post. Remember how poorly Ainge played in 2005 after a promising 2004 freshmen season(last UT team to beat Florida)? The difference was Cutcliffe, he gave him the discipline to get rid of the football after 3 seconds of progressions and no open receiver. I really can't say if Crompton will be the starting qb or not but spring practise is no time for booing. Last season, I didn't see Stephens exactly leading the team to any victories but overall he looked like he could get the ball downfield with more accuracy. Coleman is the wild card and could also be our starting qb. The criticism of our qb play obscures the futility of our rushing attack. I don't remember It's rushing stats of the Alabama and Florida games but it wasn't many. Maybe Oku can be a bolt of lighting for us or even Brown if he signs tomorrow. My hope is better conditioned athletes will result in better play and more SEC victories.
Halls3 writes:
I can't believe only 2000 people showed up. As fired up as fans in Knoxville are I figured at least 10000. I'm disappointed in the Vol faithful.
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