Colts are fans of McClendon and Steelers take Scott in the fifth round

Jacques McClendon won't be just watching one of his favorite players anymore.

Now the former Tennessee guard could be in charge of keeping that player upright.

Indianapolis went back to the UT well to beef up its protection for Peyton Manning, looking to the Vols in the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday to help keep the most famous of them all safe in the pocket. At pick No. 129, the Colts found somebody who already owns a Manning jersey and is clearly excited to ensure the real version stays clean.

"I've got a Peyton Manning jersey," McClendon said during a conference call. "I've got his autographed helmet in my mother's house, so you know I'm a huge Peyton Manning fan.

"I can't wait to get to work and start learning from him. I know I have to be on top of everything."

The Colts don't expect that to be a problem for McClendon, who blew the franchise away with his total package of intelligence, athleticism and size. But he wasn't the only UT lineman to impress leading up to the draft, nor was Manning the only franchise quarterback to get some extra help up front.

Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger may be on the shelf for four to six games with a suspension to start the season, but when he comes back Chris Scott could be part of the group making his return more comfortable. The Steelers picked up the former Vols left tackle in the fifth round, and though he'll likely be moving inside to guard at the next level, like McClendon he should have a chance to compete for playing time for a team needing more depth on the line.

"It's a good deal, man," Scott said. "I really have a good feeling about it. I tell you, from the outside looking in, (waiting to get picked) can't be as hard as people make it out to be. But after going through it, watching television and the picks and waiting for that phone to ring, it can get a little nerve-wracking.

"But when that phone actually does ring, you're so happy. I'm just ready to go to work for them. Everybody's telling me the organization is top-notch, and hearing all this stuff about their organization and their situation, it seems like a perfect fit."

It might not have worked out quite as perfectly for Scott as it did McClendon, but obviously neither had any complaints after their names were called after three days of waiting. Now they're both going to be on the back of pro jerseys, which McClendon can surely appreciate.

And both Manning and Roethlisberger might be thankful as well after seeing the work their new linemen did last year for one of the best pass-protection teams in the nation.

"We worked hard," Scott said. "We didn't get a lot of the things done that we had wanted to accomplish at the beginning of the season. But by the end of the season, overall we can't be mad about what we all did.

"All of us had our opportunities, and all of us pretty much took advantage of our opportunities."

Starting now, it could be up to Scott and McClendon to create some for a couple of the most famous quarterbacks in the league.

Free-Agent Signing Day: A handful of Vols went overlooked through seven rounds, but it didn't take long for them to find a team that wanted them.

According to various reports, long-snapper Morgan Cox signed a free-agent deal with Baltimore, linebacker Rico McCoy landed with Tampa Bay, receiver Quintin Hancock is headed to Seattle and tight end Jeff Cottam signed with Cincinnati.

Former Fulton High School star and early draft entrant Dennis Rogan wasn’t selected in the draft after leaving UT following his junior year, but the defensive back also signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay on Saturday.