Peyton Manning will be on hand Saturday for the start of the Lane Kiffin Era.
Manning will attend the dedication of the Peyton Manning Locker Room at Neyland Stadium.
The ceremony is at 9:30 a.m., for media with credentials.
Manning, who started at UT from 1994-97, donated $1 million toward stadium renovations in 2006. He will start his 12th season with the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 13.
Scouting Report: Kiffin described Western Kentucky as extremely multiple on offense, defense and special teams.
The Hilltoppers have two new coordinators. Mike Dietzel returns to the defensive coordinator role he held from 2004-05. This is his seventh year at WKU.
Walt Wells, the offensive line coach the past six years, takes over as offensive coordinator.
Three other coaches are new this year: Bob Cole, quarterbacks; Kurt Barber, outside linebackers; Scott Booker, secondary.
“At the end of the day,’’ Kiffin said, “it will be about us. We don’t really know what they’re going to do.’’
Kiffin said he believed the Hilltopper offense had “a lot of Florida in it.’’
Injury Report: Receivers Denarius Moore and Gerald Jones won’t play. Nor will center Josh McNeil.
Defensive ends Gerald Williams and Ben Martin were questionable on Thursday. Media was not allowed to attend Friday’s walk-through at the Neyland-Thompson Complex.
Just a Peek: Kiffin said he occasionally looks in on the defensive game plan formulated by his father, Monte Kiffin.
“It’s not to give him ideas where maybe I’d look at it different before,’’ Lane Kiffin said. “We have a lot of trust. I think we have the best defensive staff in the country.’’
Move the Chains: Kiffin said he believed the most important statistic was turnover margin. Second was first downs.
“Having a lot of first downs shows me that you’re doing a lot of things right,’’ he said.
Legends: Defensive back Andre Lott (1998-2001) and linebacker Scott Galyon (1992-95) will be Tennessees’s Legends of the Game today. Look for Johnny Majors next week against UCLA.
Opening Day: The Vols should get off on the right foot for the first time since 2006. Opening losses to California in 2007 and UCLA in 2008 snapped a streak of 12 consecutive opening-day wins from 1995-2006.
Big Plays: UT is looking for play-makers. Last year, the Vols had only 34 offensive plays of longer than 20 yards — an average of fewer than three per game. Eleven of the 34 were compiled by the two injured receivers, Jones and Moore.
Bounce-Back Streak: Tennessee has the nation’s longest active streak of avoiding consecutive losing seasons: 93 years.
That dates to 1910 (3-5-1) and 1911 (3-4-2), which followed a 1-6-2 record in 1909.
Watching at Home: Dave Neal calls the play-by-play for the SEC Network, with Andre Ware as his analyst and Cara Capuano roaming the sidelines.
Ware won the Heisman Trophy in 1989 at Houston. Capuano is a 1995 graduate of UC-San Diego.
Dave Hooker contributed to this notebook.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 48
DenverVol writes:
Sweet. Make sure Peyton and Bray have a chance to meet!
GO VOLS!
GeneralNeyland96 writes:
Mr. Manning....Please be sure to make Mr. Bray feel at home during his visit!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say the "Closer" in for Bray. Welcome to the Vols Mr. Bray. Bones never lie
Volnauburn writes:
It's gonna be too much for Bray to say no. Go Vols!!!
murrayvol writes:
When something sounds too good to be true, it often is.
That said, I too think he will cast his lot with the Vols.....but it's still a long way to February.
Oh yes, thanks for dropping by Peyton.
chargervol writes:
I'll bet VolrobE won't be within a hundred miles of Knoxville. He'll be afraid he'll run into Peyton and pee on himself. GO VOLS!!! P.S. That will be like a dream come true for Bray, very well could seal the deal.
murrayvol writes:
CLK offered that the WKU offense "had a lot of Florida in it." What it doesn't have is a lot of Florida players.
UT - 38
WKU - 13
BigT_Chief writes:
Yeah, I'd say having Manning there will be the "Closer" for Bray. After seeing/talking to Peyton, Bray will be like "San Diego who?"
gavol74 writes:
Bray said he has a strong arm, is accurate and has good footwork — all attributes modeled after Manning. Yet he is looking for more than to just follow in someone’s footsteps.
“It would be nice to meet him,” Bray said, “but that wouldn’t have anything to do with my decision.”
Tyler Bray on Peyton Manning....Yes sit is a DONE DEAL...Welcome to Knoxville Son....
warriorman86#667191 writes:
February? You do know he's a mid term enrollee, right?
utrxlax writes:
Not sure, but wouldn't it be a recruiting violation for bray to meet Peyton? I believe one of the suspected reason's for the discontinuation of Lady Vols-UCONN annual game was cause of the recruitment of a top player through use of a former player.
But who really knows what the NCAA would consider a violation...
smokeyvol1 writes:
Depends on if it happens in any of the "49 other States"! If you know what I mean?
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
Not totally sure about the possible violation if Bray meets Manning. If I'm not mistaken, Bray isn't on an official visit. He's just going to be there. I could be wrong. If he's on an unofficial visit, and they don't do anything to facilitate the two meeting, it's probably not a big deal.
I'd also think it would be OK for Bray to be present at the locker room dedication, as long as they don't introduce him to Peyton. Just seeing his hero there should be enough. He'll know that once he signs on the dotted line, he and Manning can hang out.
Volsnfl writes:
Peyton.is.there.to.talk.to.THE.players.cant.help.if.Bray.is.there,Peyton.is.a.great.speaker.when.it.comes.to.kids...GO.VOLS!!!!!,MY>SPACEBAR.dosnt.WORK.SORRY.
Volsnfl writes:
WOW.LOL
dch2929 writes:
I think this fall a lot of teams will be gunning for Bray. I am so Amped and I sure a lot of you feel the same as I. Witch DR. it took me a while to catch on but you make my days with your posts. Keep up the good work
TDTN writes:
Why is Gerald Williams questionable? I think Ben has the flu.
CladnBigOrange writes:
Tennessee 52
Western Ky. 10
colt writes:
There will never be another Manning. He always makes us proud. No one loves Tennessee more than Peyton. Bray cannot resist Peyton and our coaches. He will be a VOL. Tennessee 42 WK 10
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say he do have few Pro-Bowls, Super Bowl Ring and MVPS. Witch Doctor say in all fairness Wuerffel do have new 42' Cub Cadet...Witch Doctor just kidding.(Wuerffel fine young man and great gardener!)Witch Doctor say you guys have Tebows "statement" plaque.(Witch Doctor poke in fun) Bones never lie
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
Ankle I think. CLK expects him to play some.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor "get" it. Witch Doctor wish Z good season(Witch Doctor say off record..of course) Go SEC.
Bones never lie
TurboFan writes:
If it is an unofficial visit then Bray is just wondering around the campus like any other tourist/fan. Fans don't get invited into the locker room. Now if Peyton were to stand out side on Peyton Manning Pass giving autographs and shaking hands with the general public and Bray happened to walk by....
TDTN writes:
WD, the Cub Cadet comment is the funniest post I have ever read on here!! You are absolutely right, Danny Wuerffel is a first class guy. I hope he finishes cutting grass in time to watch some football tomorrow. Word is Peyton gave him the day off.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor grounded. Witch Doctor mother in law in town. Witch Doctor gonna have to watch on magic box. Witch Doctor say your thing sounds like fun in a gator kinda way.lol Bones never lie
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor just giddy silly that Football time here finally. Witch Doctor just about have Witch Doctor wife convinced Witch Doctor need one of her "zanax" Bones never lie
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor always attracted to smart women. Witch Doctor "need" woman smarter than Witch Doctor...lol Bones never lie
Witch_Doctor writes:
you know Witch Doctor wife too? Witch Doctor hear that before....Bones never lie
murrayvol writes:
A pure classic. Straight from the hip.
On a par with the Tebow "statement".
GahLee writes:
Hilarious...you never cease to amaze...Danny is also novice with the paint brush...Hilarious.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
I say Peyton should be Mr Bray's host for the weekend. Maybe take him fishin at some of his favorite spots. Maybe dinner at The Mouse's Ear. Heck, our country girls will have Tyler singin Rocky Top all night long. And Pops too.
Stepchild say "Daddy don't beat me"
mjw2e writes:
How is 1911 only 93 years ago???
allvol32 writes:
WARNING - Simpleton Alert! Bones never lie (apologies Witch Doctor) - This LOSER is OBSESSED with The Big Orange!!!
There will likely be a Public Service Announcement soon educating us about the newly discovered mental illness known as LOBO or "Loser Obsessed with the Big Orange" Disorder.
This dude's eat up with it...poor pitiful bastard...
TurboFan writes:
There were 4 years when no games were played.
newtonrail writes:
Robert "Naffy" Ellison, you should read the "Third Saturday in Blogtober". They've been having a count down of the top 50 Tennessee players. Guess who's Numero uno? That's right, No. 16 in your program, and No. 1 in your heart. Go see him, maybe he'd break wind in your direction.
newtonrail writes:
Oh, and I'm still waiting for you to tell me how he wins 4 Florida games, when he only played in 3. Get your head out of your arm pit. Your brain is poisoned.
Navalorange writes:
A poll question for you, naffy. Which of the following would you choose.
a) P. Manning wouldn't waste his breath on you.
b) T. Brady wouldn't waste a breath on you
c) Neither P. Manning nor T. Brady would waste their breath on you.
WhiteHotBleedOrange writes:
When Bray meets Manning it will remind us of a great quote from Witch Doctor a few days ago...Bray will be "so excited he pee a little."
volpreacher writes:
Just one question. Why do all of you think WKU is going to score 10 points. Only if a lot of third and fourth teamers play. I say 56-0. If WKU scores 10 points on our first teamers, we are in trouble in the SEC.
OrangeBlur writes:
Real classy govolsxtra.com! You let the Gator trolls talk smack all they want and decide to delete my post? CLK=Coach Lane Kiffin; C**= Coach Urban Meyer. I didn't know that your spell check would denote explicit initials before texting....on another note Peyton is going to bring UT some more championships as head coach one day. GBO!! Perhaps they will delete GBO too.
Hounddog writes:
Because he CAN.
Let's play football. Hounddog.
bloodrunsorange writes:
Well said!
With Peyton we have a chance. All along I wanted Blake Bell or Tyler Bray simply because of the 6-6 or better height. Heaps is good but at 6-1 to 6-2 and in a college or pro pocket the taller the better (if you have the arm strength, talent, football smarts, leadership skills, and of course the work ethic). IMO Bray is the one for us this year. He will put on 25 to 40 lbs and has the arm strength now than can only get better.
logansdad writes:
What a d-ck!
IPOrange writes:
Your ENTER key seems to be malfunctioning, too. :-)
crimsonviper writes:
You never stop do you?...what a goob
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Are you SO lacking in self-awareness that you have NO idea how UTTERLY tiresome you are? Believe me, WE all see it! GO VOLS!!!
et_vol_fan writes:
Sage Rosenfels wouldn't waste his time on Naffy.
doubledown writes:
Did everybody notice how Peyton leaves the sideline pre-game and goes upstairs somewhere? Didn't he use to roam the sidelines during games as a guest of Fulmers? mmmmm
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