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UT head football coach, Lane Kiffin, talks with the media following practice at Haslam Field Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Watch »
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UT quarterback, Nick Stephens, took his first snaps of spring practice Tuesday. Stephens has been out due to a wrist injury. March 31, 2009 Watch »
Tennessee spent much of its team periods during Tuesday’s practice working on short yardage. Unlike previous years, that didn’t lead to a lack of offensive optimism on the offensive line.
The Vols picked up a handful of first downs on third-and-2 or less by running the football, something that has been a struggle in recent memory.
“We got into some live short-yardage and the offense won the first five in a row against the one (first-team) defense,” coach Lane Kiffin said. “That was great to see offensively.”
Then the defense struck back.
“We got into a four-minute drill where the offense just had to kill the clock to win the game and the defense got two turnovers in a row,” Kiffin said. “It was a great job by the defense. That’s how you win games, the plays at the end of the game.”
The fumbles by tailback Montario Hardesty and fullback Austin Johnson were great for the defense but not so good for the offense. Yet Kiffin was pleased with his power running game overall.
“It’s really big,” he said.
Kiffin said he wouldn’t typically hold such a physical practice on Tuesday, but rebuilding a program has a unique set of challenges.
“Where I was at before, we would not have gone live in spring ball on short yardage on a Tuesday. But we’ve got to find out who they are up there,” Kiffin said. “… Very pleased with the offensive line today, especially in crunch time there at the end.”
Mathis the Man? Defensive tackle Andre Mathis had one of his best practices.
“I think I did all right but I need to get my technique down more and learn how to play on coach O’s level,” the senior said, referring to defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. “Last year, I was all right but this year Coach O is actually showing us how to play it at high speed. It’s fast-paced.”
Mathis said he’s using his hands better than ever this spring. That has led to a better pass rush — a must under Orgeron.
“He stresses that we have to have a good pass rush so we can have sack/fumbles,” Mathis said.
The tutelage worked on Mathis, who forced a fumble from quarterback Nick Stephens and was one of the toughest defenders to block during line drills.
Injury Report: Tailback Lennon Creer did not practice because of a sore left knee. The junior injured the knee during Saturday’s practice but returned to team drills later that day.
“We’re looking at Lennon some more to make sure he’s OK,” Kiffin said.
Offensive lineman Vladimir Richard missed much of practice after falling to the ground after being accidentally kicked in the head during line drills. The senior was walking on the sidelines after being attended to by UT’s medical staff.
Defensive tackle William Brimfield returned to practice from a sore hamstring.
Practice Points: Receiver Quinton Hancock laid one of the hardest hits of the day when he laid a downfield, blindside block on linebacker Herman Lathers. … Receiver Todd Campbell caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Crompton in which Campbell outraced the defensive backs the last 20 yards.
A New Don: Sophomore defensive tackle Donald Langley was moved to offensive guard to provide more long-term depth at the position. The Vols likely will start four seniors on their offensive line this season.
More Morleys: Senior safety Demetrice Morley missed practice to be with his “significant other” who was giving birth to their child, Kiffin said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 56
RoadTrip writes:
4 OL seniors that are ready to play this year. No worries with the Kiff and crew.
GahLee writes:
I can't remember so many position changes...the staff knows the weaknesses of this team and are trying their best to sure those up with what they have on hand.
JacksonvilleVol writes:
(In the voice of the evil emperor from Star Wars) good. goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood............. (rub hands)
pammyvol1000 writes:
oh no.. fumbles.. I hope that curse is gone.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Congrats to Demetrice!!
OrangeMandM writes:
4 Senior OL??? We better be recruiting the fire out of some O Lineman this year.
CoverOrange writes:
If the fumbles are caused rather than just happening that is a good thing for players on both sides of the line. Hard to cure random carelessness.
utfpmd writes:
Others may try, but there is only one Witch Doctor.
teampenny#658108 writes:
4 freshman on O line next year and freshman QB that does not sound like a recipe for a great season. An exciting one though. Go Vols
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How is everthing in Gwinett co?
ThaiVolFan writes:
Happy to see Witch Doctor so excited. I can almost hear his sinister laugh as he walked inside. Go Vols!
FWBVol writes:
Did I read it correctly, Brimfield is back at defensive tackle? If he can stay healthy, at 6-5, 340, he could be a real factor on the defensive front.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
so where are you getting this stuff from??????---think we can get thru this season first before speculting and worrying about the next?---your speculation will be far from the fact I'm sure
GahLee writes:
You really don't follow UT football do you? Admit it...we will not have a freshmen starter at QB next year...Can't remember the last time [if ever] a team started 4 freshmen on O-Line.
Vol_from_birth writes:
just to let ya know, it's gwinnett*. i live there too. lots of fellow vols here!
Txvol57 writes:
“I think I did all right but I need to get my technique down more and learn how to play on coach O’s level,” the senior said, referring to defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. “Last year, I was all right but this year Coach O is actually showing us how to play it at high speed. It’s fast-paced.” Mathis said he’s using his hands better than ever this spring. That has led to a better pass rush — a must under Orgeron. “He stresses that we have to have a good pass rush so we can have sack/fumbles,” Mathis said.
Coach'em up Coach "O"...just goes to show the lack of coaching that was at UT in the past....really good recruiters (nothing like we have now) but seriously lacking in the coaching department.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GVX allows geezers to spell as they choose.
Used to live in Grayson, work in Lawrenceville, finally wised up and moved to Covington.
Retired to hills.
Vol_from_birth writes:
well, i don't have the choice of where i live/work yet since i'm still in school. i've been to covington a few times. seems like a nice, quiet place to live...
gnm53108 writes:
Do doldrums have a harder time gettin up those hills.
ZR writes:
Florida is going to burn our secondary and stop our run. When are we going to beat Florida?
VAvolfanRON writes:
I love it.....offensive line....that is where it happens....
hence, these great QB's who go to another team (NFL)...then stink on another team w/o a line!!....
push em guys....blow 'em off the line!!!
gnm53108 writes:
Soon.
VAvolfanRON writes:
with that attitude..i guess never!!!...sheesh man, have some faith
no matter what, we will the best guys out there on the field that can do better then you and I....so root them on......
GO Big Orange
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
are you kidding??
covington has 3 mexican drug gangs, a klan klaven, 3 asian triads, a NOW chapter, 4 southern baptist churches with 'rapture' preachers, 6 black street gangs, and 3 or 4 white boys still trying to figure out why diesel engines don't have spark plugs.
the worst, the WORST part of cobington is, however, the senior citizens home. it's now full of 43x-1960's druggies and 'flower children', many of whom STILL don't like to take baths. ughhhh.
gnm53108 writes:
Lord I want to see Montario do good,but this fumbling sh_t has got to stop.
Hate to stop a drive that way.The only thing that comes close is a 3rd and 1 and we pitch it back 8 yrads for a sweep and get stopped 2 yrds short.
HonoluluVol writes:
Are you serious or just trying to provoke?
HonoluluVol writes:
Don't worry..... I know of 2 RBs named OKU and Brown that will make sure he gets his mind right. And if they aren't enough motivation for him, let him pick splinters out his Azz all season.
gnm53108 writes:
That is an option,but I would rather he picked door # 1,where he gets 15-20 carries a game with 80-120 yards per.
He's worked hard and has great abitily.Kept his nose clean,gone to class.I guess I'm just pullin for em.
But if that fumblin sh_t doesnt stop then that splinter option should be a forgone conclusion.
belayvol writes:
Where everybody, is somebody. Most populated county i have ever visited.
txsvol#372416 writes:
"Ooh-E-ooh-ah-ah. Ting-tang-walla-walla-bing-bang!" to you. You have a unique way of expressing yourself. SAVol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sad part is that I don't even get to see the rat race go by.
No cell service (thank you, Lord) on the creek and 2 red lights in the entire county. Do not miss the Atlanta area.
How many days, Ashley?
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
10+ years ago I was in Atlanta, had to take the Marta train to the airport...was my lucky day, we all got to watch 2 huge buffalo-butts get into one of those screaming/yelling matches...it just takes one of those to get you acclimated quickly.
that was almost as fun as being on a plane from St. Louis with some druggies sitting behind us. They hit the can, then came back talking loud enough be calling plays at Neyland in front of 102,000. Only thing is, the only word they knew was f*ck. Over and over.
The joys of urban living.
aurora0317 writes:
Funny thing is that Gwinnett County has more square miles than Rhode Island... it's HUGE!!! and traffic is just downright obnoxious
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yep, but its just a short hop to a different world in Newton County. Thru beautiful Loganville. Avoided I-20 like the plague.
We used to say a prayer that Conyers was a buffer zone from the Atl.
Did enjoy listening to Buck Belue and his Yankee counterpart after Tenn kicked their azz, though.
aurora0317 writes:
I live north, in Dahlonega... best place in the world!! Escaped Atlanta as soon as i could!!!
drwfocus#660070 writes:
Totally agree with TurboFan's reply to you. If there are no fumbles would you criticize the defense? It is football. There always has been fumbles and there always will be. The objective therefore becomes to minimize them - as Turbo says - especially the careless ones.
Greyback_Vol writes:
"3 or 4 white boys still trying to figure out why diesel engines don't have spark plugs."
Now that's funny.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Does the big D still run those horrible speed traps??
I used to love to visit there, go to one of the old restaurants, and browse the furniture stoe. I soured on it when I got a ticket for being like 3mph over the limit on the road into town...
We'd take trips to their, Helen, and some of those other little towns just for something to do.
Docrok writes:
I had two thoughts run through my head when I read this article, the first was hey maybe UT will actually be able to run for 1st downs again! And then the second thought sank in which was what if it was the same D-Line that gave up 6 yards on 3rd and 4 last year. What I would like to see is TN stop the Tebow draw on 3rd down when the whole frickin world knows its coming! For the last three years I have never understood that! It and the jump pass in the endzone! Who didnt see that coming! Anyway back from the past and into reality. While it is still a fear, I am more confident that it was the O-line performing well, as I have faith in Orgeron's line coaching capabilities!
OrangePride writes:
This is good.........very good! My opinion last year was that a big part of the offensive problem really started with the offensive line play and not just the quarterback inconsistency. There was no doubt that we had talent along that line, but they just never jelled as a unit and the run blocking was mediocre at best. So attention to this right now is a great sign....especially in short yardage. I am looking forward to seeing them work at the O/W game. This could be the most interesting spring game in years. GO VOLS and keep up the good work coaches!
cmoore7 writes:
Andre Mathis is a senior? My, how time flies when you're not one of Fulmer's favorites.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
He's probably talking about 2010. It is a fact that our numbers are thin on the O-line right now and we will probably have four senior starters in 2009. So it does not seem at all unlikely that we will have several freshman starters on the the 2010 O-line.
Another recruiting goal is to get a top-notch QB for 2010, so it is also possible that we will start a freshman QB in 2010. All this sounds like trouble ahead unless our recruits are all absolute studs. I agree that it is more important RIGHT NOW to concentrate on 2009, but it is no sin for a fan to peer into the future a little bit.
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
You must have been stopped by a state trooper as local police can only stop you if going more than 10 mph over limit in GA; this in response to the Ludowici speed traps in the past.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
Others may try, but there is only one Witch Doctor.
-yeah, but he's no KingCotton for anyone who remembers back to 01-02.
10volunteers98 writes:
Speaking of freshman QB`s,man I hope Kiffin can get Jake Heaps to sign with the Vols.I like Nick Montana,but this kid Heaps is something else.He can throw the long ball,and put it right on the money.He`s very accurate even when he throws on the run.If you haven`t seen him on utube,you should check him out.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
True.
Covington was so laid back they thought "In the Heat of the Night" was going to make a comeback.
The legendary Sparta, Miss.
1974Vol writes:
Its all speculation at this point. The UCLA game should be a barometer of where the Vols are. A lopsided win by the Vols and this group really starts believing that they can go to the Swamp and sing Rocky Top all night long! Then it might be 2003 all over again.
friendut writes:
Witch_Doctor, if you are at the O&W game, I want your autograph. I'll be wearing a cap with an orange T on it.....What?
Volunatic writes:
I'm glad the 1st-team O-line is practicing against the 1st-team D-Line, but I'm not sure what to take from the results.
Neither unit was very good last season. I am hoping that there is a LOT of improvement for both due to better coaching this season.
GO VOLS!!!
Volunatic writes:
Mr. Hooker,
It's "Quintin" Hancock, not "Quinton".
He's a Senior-- you might as well get his name right this year.
Good reference site:
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-foot...
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