Dooley believes Vols ready to deal with adversity

  • STEVE MEGARGEE - AP Sports Writer (AP)
  • Posted August 26, 2012 at 2:46 p.m.
Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley leads practice at Haslam Field on Monday, August 6, 2012. (Saul Young/News Sentinel)

Photo by Saul Young, Knoxville News Sentinel // Buy this photo

Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley leads practice at Haslam Field on Monday, August 6, 2012. (Saul Young/News Sentinel)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Derek Dooley believes his team is much better equipped to deal with adversity this season.

The Volunteers already are facing a major distraction as they prepare to open the season without suspended all- Southeastern Conference wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers. Last year, Tennessee finished 5-7 and never recovered from injuries to star wide receiver Justin Hunter and quarterback Tyler Bray.

Another issue lingering over the team this season is the job security of Dooley, who has gone 11-14 in his two-year tenure.

Dooley notes that this year's team has more depth and experience. After relying heavily on newcomers in Dooley's first two years, the Vols don't have a single freshman atop their depth chart for their season opener Friday against North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome.

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