Young players got plenty of personal time with coaches in the second session of Tennessee’s first day of practice Friday, which was reserved for newcomers and a few squad players who filled out the rosters.
But it was clear at times that the evening unit was hardly the first unit. There was clear confusion on a few of the snaps. If coach Derek Dooley thought the first session was crisp and clean, the evening one still had room to grow.
In fact, he predicted as much before the session started.
“I’m not going to expect a lot, just based on experience,” he said.
Tennessee debated whether to stay indoors, but ultimately was able to practice under muggy and overcast skies in its first practice session. By the evening practice, the skies had darkened and the Vols stayed in the indoor complex.
N o player’s health is more important to the Vols’ season than quarterback Tyler Bray, who’s suffered injuries in each of the last two years.
But Dooley said Bray’s toughness wasn’t in question.
“The concern is because he didn’t go through a full season, not because of any durability issue,” Dooley said. “He’s proven to me he’s a durable guy.”
Tight end Mychal Rivera joked about the crowded corps of talented receivers Thursday, but the question was real: Will there be enough catches to go around and still leave some for the tight end?
Bray said he doesn’t expect that to be a problem.
“I am still going to give him the ball,” Bray said. “I have to show the tight ends some love. He blocks for me and keeps me safe, so I have to throw him some love.”
Junior defensive lineman Daniel Hood missed all of spring practice after under- going shoulder surgery, so the Vols’ new coaches are seeing him for the first time this week.
Dooley thinks they’ll be impressed.
“I told Sal (Sunseri) and (defensive line coach John Palermo) they don’t know much about Dan. I think Dan is going to surprise them,” Dooley said. “He’s big and he’s tough, he’s strong and he gives good effort. I’m anxious to see how he does over the course of camp.”
Junior running back Rajion Neal is up to 212 pounds after going through spring at 205 to 208.
Neal said running backs coach Jay Graham has challenged him to make an impact this fall.
“He’s stayed in my ear and stayed on me as far as paying attention to little details,” Neal said.
The Vols practice again today and Sunday at 2:15 and 7:45 p.m. The first single-session day is Monday at 2:45.
Evan Woodbery covers Tennessee football. Follow him at Twitter.com/TennesseeBeat
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Comments » 60
VolinCalif writes:
Well I posted this on another art. But Penn St kicker has committed to Texas. as of Aug 2. If you want to read the art google Penn st football. They have a rundown of the Xfers.
TitanandVolfan4life writes:
It's now official....
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!!!!!
VFL...GBO!!!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
One thing that seems different this year is this team sounds confident;hungry and have a whole new attitude..Last year I think Dooley didn't have the players respect and he struggled to motivate the team..The major coaching turnover looked to be a large negative but instead the players love it and it's now a rally point!!Hiring Sal and a new OLine coach has really helped this team..It will be interesting to see if all our new incoming players can have the big impact we desperately need..It can be difficult to get these new players up to speed in one fall session..Iam especially looking forward to seeing what Neal can do..He's not the next Eric Berry but he has a huge upside..In the end it comes down to how well Bray and the OLine play!!The defense will be good but Bray must increase his completion percentage..Doesn't matter how good the WR's are if Bray continues to throw behind them..Considering the RB's are pretty average it's imperative the line open up some running lanes..Chaney gets way to pass happy when the runners only gets 2 yards on first and second down..Last year we had way to many 3rd and 8 situations that Chaney made worse with his totally predictable play calling
TheOpinion writes:
"No player's health is more important to the Vols' season than quarterback Tyler Bray, who's suffered injuries in each of the last two years."
He was injured last year with a broken thumb, his 1st year he sat out because he was a freshmen not because he got hurt. Get your facts straight the kid is durable.
UT4prez writes:
Bray can improve his percentage by going through progressions and checking down more. The kid loves to sling it down the field. I love it! I would rather have someone with that mentality and teach them how to better manage the game than have someone always checking down. I'm no football genius like most on here but simply put it seems if you can recognize when a team is in man vs zone then you will be a successful QB. Zone you throw to a spot. Man you let your receiver make the play. Just throw it. Even if they seem covered. Rogers may not be quite the downfield threat Hunter is but I would throw it to a covered Rogers all day. That kid is awesome in traffic. I'm sure I just opened the door for attacks on Bray's ability to read D so this is a preemptive shut up and give the kid a chance!
Huttdawg100 writes:
I'm not sure how I feel about Neal at 215. We saw David Oku put on weight, and he lost a step. I hope Neal can keep his speed at that weight. And hold on to the football.
DeltaCharlie3 writes:
You just said he missed most of his only year as THE man because his skinny thumb got cracked. How is that durable?
DeltaCharlie3 writes:
Neal put on 4-5 pounds? So what. That can be accomplished in one night of all you can eat barbecue ribs and a 12-pack of beer. And once again, Dooley seems to be smitten by Daniel Hood. I'll say it again, if UT is relying on Daniel Hood to do anything, they're in BIG trouble.
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
DeltaTurd3,
Please go stick your head in the toilet and flush.
GerryOP writes:
I'll say it again, if UF is depending on Little Willy to to do anything except provide sideline entertainment, they're in BIG trouble. What in hell was Folly thinking?
62vol writes:
Te quarterback is supposed to read defense and check off on many of those plays. It was not the play calling, it was the execution. Bray has said so himself.
DeltaCharlie3 writes:
Nice try. Muschamp was the hottest HC candidate in America, just as Meyer was. Dooley, not so much...LOL... Muschamp also happens to be undefeated against UT, as Meyer was.
Having said that, he better make a move this year. Gator Nation doesn't sit around in denial like you people. If he can't do it, he'll be gone sooner than later and we'll hire the next hottest candidate in America.
chuckfromwoodberry writes:
It's getting better every day! Trolls enjoy the next few days. The season is going to be a nightmare for you.
crimsonviper writes:
When the Vols and Bulldogs drill the Gators,Lil' Willie will go....Then Foley will be thinking Petrino....And ZZ can book that.
BolivrBob writes:
lmao...Hottest Head maybe.. The guy is wacko... Sounds like you already know that and have already accepted the fact he won't last long
chuckfromwoodberry writes:
The gatas are getting ready to go down. The receivers coach resigned due to the NCAA investigating him. Little wille will have his plate full this year.
Orangeblood13 writes:
We are hoping you will miss the season with a busted mouth. So we don't have to hear your negative phooey
jobrando#216494 writes:
Probably the least durable QB in VOL history starting this year. Hopefully it will change but I never thought he had the body for the SEC.
lemme_axya_this writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Based on what? Because he broke his thumb? Why not say Justin Hunter is probably the least durable WR ever starting at UT? He's had more trouble than Bray.
PUL4VOLS writes:
I am glad they are underway and finally with a full roster even if lacking depth in some places. Doming is just around the bend, 27 days. Strap in everybody. It's gonna be a ride!
mtthw741 writes:
He was thinking the same thing Hamilton was when he tried to hire him.
volsn3 writes:
Get ready TROLLS, cause the "log-ins" are filling up. Time to start changing yours.
Hound_Dog69 writes:
If muschump has another season like last year all you crybaby gator fans will run him out of town faster than you did zook. CDD to over a team he had to rebuild, Muschump got a team that was fuly stocked and did nothing with it, barely making a bowl game. What a shame, all that talent and a coaching staff that couldn't coach them better than an average talented team.LOL GBO!!!!!
Rumblefish writes:
HAHAHAHA!!!! You owe me a new keyboard! Mine has my coffee spit out all over it!
Nice one
jobrando#216494 writes:
Just because he's been pumped by the media as a super QB. That's funny because he's yet to show that title with a real quality SEC win. I just got this gut feeling he's a backyard QB that want study the game like a Manning does. This is really his first year to show us his ability. I doubt Hunter will survive the year either but DaRick is the real WR for the NFL
orangeman1 writes:
Rivera could be a huge part of this offense if utilized right. When Dooley first came in, wasnt he billed as a coach that uses his tight ends? I'm wondering what Rivera actually said when he "joked" about the receivers. I just hope Bray throws to the open receiver/TE and doesnt worry about spreading the "love" around.
orangeman1 writes:
Not sure why you think Hunter wont survive the year. From all accounts he's healthy, fully recovered, and practicing. You are right that Rogers is the real deal. He showed his talent last year. Bray's shown he has the tools so I think with all the weapons he has at his disposal, he will have a record year.
tennrich1 writes:
Just for fun and its a Saturday let me jump in....you're on a Vols website, your a gator fan, and you're talking about denial....as you say...LOL!!! Priceless...
USNCorpsman writes:
Breaking your thumb on another players' helmet is in no way indicative of your toughness. A broken thumb is a broken thumb, any way you cut it.
SouthPaVol writes:
Bray throws down field very well, which usually spreads the defense and opens the run. Which in turn makes last year's absent running game even harder to accept. Theoretically, having a QB that looks down field and throws the ball as well as Bray, plus having the receivers we have, the Vols should average 6 yds/carry. Bray and speedy receivers put cornerbacks on their heals and forcing safeties deep.
We have tops in the nation at catching the ball, but a receivers' job doesn't end there. Gotta take that corner/safety out of the run play as well. If we average 6 yds/carry, it doesn't matter if Bray has the ability to check to his 2d or 3d receiver. I realize that's tough running against SEC defenses, which means we need to average 8 yds/carry against the cup cakes on the schedule.
My left-handed comment: if we average 150 yds/game rushing the ball, coupled with a strong QB and the nation's best receiving corps, we win 10 games and play a bowl game after the New Year rolls in.
voloffaith writes:
Romney will not, nor will Ron Paul accept the job if vacated by tirade man....
tennesseetyler writes:
I think history shows we beat vandy and kentucky in the same season plenty of times. Florida will never beat a team 26 times in a row with Muskrat at the helm. Heck he was too much of a whimp to take the tennessee job..
tennesseetyler writes:
Muskrat was too much of a whimp to take the UT job because he knew he was not good enough to turn the vols around. I dont care if Muskrat wins again this year because we will all remember he turned down the the Vols because he could not hack it with a tough rebuilding job ahead. He waited until he got a cream puff job and with all that talent has almost the same record as Dooley..
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Neal's a solid runner, but he did have a problem holding on to the fb..Surely the weight room will help with his hand strength..GBO!
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Yeah, he could have stayed at Texas and been handed the keys to the city and at the time he alluded to Texas being his dream job..Sure enough as soon as Foley called (an arch rival of UGA, muskrat's former school) he jumped all over the opportunity..That proved he has no fortitude and no honor as well as being a liar..UF and muskrat deserve one another.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
You have no bearing on anything Foley decides..So get off that high opinion of yourself and gator fans in general. Right now the Florida fan base has flip-flopped back in FSU's corner as it was through most of the 80's and early 90's..The most fickle fair-weather fans in the country reside in Florida.
USNCorpsman writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
USNCorpsman writes:
I guess my last post was removed, so I'll try this again without suggesting anyone is fat.
Athletes can't just chug some beers and devour some ribs and call it a day. They have to drastically increase their caloric intake while carefully balancing their ratio of fats, proteins, and carbs consumed. On top of that, they have to up their cardio and strength regimens carefully to put on meaningful weight - muscle.
HtownVol writes:
This board is starting to remind me why I dont read many comments anymore.
Will Muschamp blah blah blah...
Dooley blah blah blah.
Come on kids, talk about facts and football. Not childish "my team is better than yours".
I am all for posotive UT comments but I am willing to read negative also, facts are facts. Dooley has not shown much at all thus far. I think he stinks. How many times has UT gone into the half within a score and got blown out in the 3rd quarter? I put that on Dooley.
That said, he has squat to work with. That is no longer an excuse. UT has as much talent on Offense as anyone and has a capable defense.
8 wins minimum.
GO VOLS
HtownVol writes:
More talent...COME ON!
I had to reply to that one.. Anyone who follows college football would never try to say UF is down on talent.
What a joke.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
No doubt, but you or nobody can claim CDD should have done better in the situation he walked in on..Tom Landry couldn't win without talent and CDD is not at fault for the talent dip since 08..GBO!
volvann writes:
Silly comment, that was a freak play where where his hand hit the top of a Georgia players helmet on the follow through of his throw. I am sure you have never had anything odd ever happen to you, since you made the comment.
Section A, Row 43, Seats 28-29, the hottie next to me is my wife....
volvann writes:
+1.... Lovin it....
GerryOP writes:
Nice try at whitewashing a loser. "... hottest HC candidate in America...?" Woooohoooo, big whoop. He was a head coach in waiting at Texas who was told the wait was going to be a bit longer. Folly got Lil' Urbie's 3rd threat to leave and Folly bit. A match made in football heaven. Folly panicked and gave Little Willy a blank check.
Little Willy came in with a UF stable of top 10 reruiting classes and turned in a record one game better then Tennessee last year. Derek Dooley inherited a depleted roster and he quickly threw together a staff. Realizing that a complete rebuild has to be completed is not denial. Denial is a school like UF who hires a coach that succeeds at doing the least with the most. Little Willy should be on a very short leash. You guys claim to have a good defense this year, but, how are you going to score points?
Anybody up for a get together at Neyland on the 15th? I'll be unavailable during the game but would be willing to come down and share a beer with y'all at half time. If you dare... Of course lil' DCGataBoy, at half time you'll probably already be drafting your scathing report on Gata football, just like two yars ago.
UT4prez writes:
I'll bite GatorBait. So what is the issue? I find it hard to believe that there are that many players simply not living up to their billing. So is the issue UF coaches not developing the players? That would be my thought. If you agree then is it the current coaching staff or former coaches? In my opinion that was a big issue with Fulmer in his later years. He would bring in top talent but there was little player development.
GerryOP writes:
Yup, it happens every summer. Lil' ZZGataBoy comes on here and posts his silly nonsense about the Vols. Then HIS Gatas take a bath and he has to hide his head in shame ... but he keeps trashing our Vols. Whatta guy!
Lil' ZZGataBoy has no pride and has no shame. And he didn't have the 'nads to meet me last year in Benny Hill.
GerryOP writes:
tntyler, Little Willy could not meet the quals for the UT job. The UT job required a candidate with head coaching experience. Little Willy is only a head-coach-in-waiting ... and that's all he still is. But, that was good enought for UF!
oldster writes:
I have never met a coach that did not like players who gave it everything they have every time, all the time - including those who have zero to give. Hood has more than that. Remember your God, Kiffin, gave Hood the scholarship.
GerryOP writes:
"Just wait until Muschamp reels in more talent?" What makes Little Willy's 4* and 5* recruits better than Lil' Urbie's 4* and 5* recruits? Little Willy still has to coach 'em up!
Little Willy ... the head-coach-in-waiting who does the least with the most!
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