Great offseason has Scott playing well now : govolsxtra.com

It took Tennessee offensive tackle Chris Scott an off-season to lose 30 pounds. It took one Saturday afternoon to get recognized for it.

“I thought it was phenomenal,” head coach Lane Kiffin said of Scott’s performance against Western Kentucky on Saturday which earned Scott SEC offensive lineman of the week honors. “I thought he played great. a completely different guy than we’d seen in the spring.”

The accolades didn’t stop with the SEC or Kiffin. Offensive line coach James Cregg called Scott’s performance “fabulous”.

The improvement was more obvious when UT’s coaches began comparing Scott’s performance to his play in 2008 against UCLA, a team UT is scouting in preparation for Saturday’s rematch in Neyland Stadium (TV: ESPN, 4 p.m.).

Cregg said he encouraged Scott to compare his performance in both games.

“It’s a totally different guy playing,” Cregg said. “Physically, he’s determined. He’s straining. He’s competing. I was really pleased with him.”

Kiffin said Scott was equally good in the running and passing game on Saturday. Scott admitted he impressed himself.

“I thought a lot of it,” the senior said of his play. “I thought I did a lot of things well. I know I have a lot more stuff to work on. Coaches are not going to let me get complacent.”

Scott said he still has some technique issues to work on but said Saturday’s game might have been his best as a Vol. He cited energy from UT’s coaching staff as a major reason why he has improved.

Scott registered six knockdown blocks as UT racked up 657 yards — 380 on the ground — against Western Kentucky.

Scott will certainly be challenged more this week against UCLA than he was in the season opener.

“This week will be very different,” Kiffin said. “They have two very good ends.”

Scott will be most often matched against UCLA senior right defensive end Korey Bosworth, who is on the Lombardi Award Watch List, which goes to the best lineman in the nation.

Receiving Work: Junior Gerald Jones ran sprints during practice on Monday. The receiver has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain suffered during a scrimmage on Aug. 22.

“We hope to have him this week,” Kiffin said. “That would be very good for us. At the time of his injury, he was by far our number-one receiver, the most productive guy in practices.”

Wide receivers coach Frank Wilson said Jones’ return would help UT.

“I’d love to get Gerald back,” he said.

Wilson said it would mean a lot to get Jones back for a game before UT plays Florida on Sept. 19, but it’s not a necessity.

“He’s been tested,” Wilson said. “We’re confident that as long as his health allows him to that he will be able to come back and contribute immediately.”

Receiver Denarius Moore said his surgically repaired foot is healed. Moore suffered a broken bone during summer workouts but played Saturday against Western Kentucky.

“I’d say that will help out a whole bunch so I can get the feel of the game,” the junior said. “There’s nothing wrong with my foot. I can still make cuts. I hope my speed is still there. Nothing’s changed.”

Kiffin Cut: UT’s head coach said he was pleased the Vols were healthy following Saturday’s game but added that his team hasn’t been tested.

“The thing I’m nervous about is we still haven’t played a game,” Kiffin said. “Our guys don’t know what it’s like to play 80 plays in a real game. We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.

“It was good to get a lot of guys to play but at the same time we have a lot of work to do. We need to have very physical, intense practices this week to make sure we’re ready for a full game.”

Wilson’s World: Wilson said senior Quintin Hancock earned the highest grade Saturday among UT’s receivers, followed by freshman Marsalis Teague, who did “really well”. Wilson said the other receivers did “O.K.”, adding that no receiver dropped a pass.

“We’re not a finished product,” Wilson said. “We didn’t just light it up but we took a step in the right direction.”

Garza Grades: Defensive backs coach Willie Mack Garza said cornerback Art Evans graded out as the best among UT’s defensive backs, followed by safeties Eric Berry and Dennis Rogan.

Garza was plenty impressed with freshman safety Janzen Jackson, who played much of the game in place of Rogan. Garza said Jackson’s knowledge of the game is allowing him to play faster — and smarter.

Jackson’s improvement was most evident when he covered a Western Kentucky receiver that was breaking open downfield during a trick play.

“It would have been a touchdown,” Garza said. “That’s what a deep safety is supposed to do. The corner really should have been there, too, but he got tricked.”

The savvy play was certainly noteworthy for a freshman.

“He’s just a smart football player,” Garza said. “He’s got good awareness.”

More Grades: Kiffin said linebacker LaMarcus Thompson played extremely well.

“We knew coming into camp we felt really good about two linebacker positions,” Kiffin said, referring to middle linebacker Nick Reveiz and weakside linebacker Rico McCoy, “and he (Thompson) was the third one.”

Kiffin said all of UT’s defensive ends played “really well”. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron agreed, adding that UT’s defensive linemen missed four or five sacks against Western Kentucky, an understandable by-product of not hitting the Vols’ quarterback in preseason camp.

Kiffin said former walk-on center Cody Sullins was UT’s next-best offensive lineman, behind Scott.

“I thought he played really well,” Kiffin said, referring to the senior.

Cregg said Sullins and his twin brother, Cory Sullins, both played well at center and guard, respectively. Cory Sullins filled in for senior Vladimir Richard, who has been slowed by a sore Achilles tendon in his left leg. Richard did not practice Monday.

Cregg said getting Cory Sullins, who is a backup at guard and center, game experience was extremely important.

“He responded really well,” Cregg said. “It was great to get him in a rhythm.”

Scouting Report: Kiffin complimented UCLA redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince, who was 18-of-29 for 176 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown last week against San Diego State.

Kiffin said UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price could be a first round pick in the NFL draft.

“It’s going to be a completely different deal for our center and guards than it was last week,” Kiffin said.

Price was a first team All Pac-10 selection after registering 14 tackles for a loss in 2008.

Kiffin said UCLA’s special teams will be a test Saturday.