Vols nearing end of mini-camp phase

Tennessee moved its December mini-camp to Neyland Stadium on Friday for the first of two practices. The Vols worked for two hours in full pads during the morning session, continuing their mini-camp emphasis on fundamentals.

“It was a good physical practice today,” head coach Derek Dooley said. “We did a lot of tackling and ended on a goal-line period. There was a lot of energy and a lot of hitting. I was real proud of how they came out today.

“It’s good to come to the stadium and get a little work. There was a lot of good energy.”

Dooley’s second phase of preparations for the Dec. 30 Franklin American Mortgage Co. Music City Bowl against North Carolina is mirroring the dog days of August, minus about 60 degrees from the air temperature.

And the Vols head coach likes his team’s efforts thus far.

“The spirits have been good. It’s always tough when we’ve got all these practices ahead of us before we play. But that’s why I try to keep things in a real short term. I don’t want them thinking about North Carolina and all that prep. I think by doing it that way it has kept them pretty focused.”

Tennessee practices again Saturday before taking Sunday off. Monday begins Phase III, when the coaching staff introduces the scouting report and begins game-week prep on North Carolina.

BRAY FEELING FINE

Freshman quarterback Tyler Bray has benefited as much as anyone from the three-week hiatus since wrapping up a 4-0 November run to the Franklin American Mortgage Co. Music City Bowl.

Bray threw for 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions during that stretch, three times earning the SEC’s Freshman of the Week honor. But his career-high afternoon against Kentucky — 20-of-38 passing for 354 yards — came against the backdrop of a sore throwing shoulder.

“He was hurting bad,” Dooley said. “We were really worried about him going into the game. But he’s recovered from that. It was really just bruises and stuff.

Bray and the rest of the Vols have been focusing on fundamentals during Tennessee’s early bowl practice work. The fine-tuning will come as the Dec. 30 date in Nashville’s LP Field approaches.

“He’s not as sharp as he was when we finished the season,” Dooley said. “You don’t notice it on all throws, but there are certain ones that take a lot of work and timing with the wideouts that he’s got to get back. But he will get there. He’s not far off.”