PRACTICE: Day 2

#1
Volstorm

Volstorm

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#1
Vols Find Sunday Practice to Their Liking
utsports.com
Aug. 8, 2004

With its 2004 season opener exactly four weeks away, Tennessee's decision to hold a Sunday afternoon practice didn't seem like such a strange idea.

"It's unusual for us to practice on Sunday but it really worked out," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We had a great chapel this morning -- the players actually put that together with (FCA Director) James Mitchell. Then we had brunch and came on to practice together.

"I don't think it made much difference to them about what day it was."

Tennessee hosts UNLV in its season opener Sept. 5 -- the first Sunday game in Neyland Stadium history. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern time.

UT turned in another three-hour session at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, completing the first two days of the mandated five-day acclimation period. The Vols add shoulder pads to their repertoire Monday and Tuesday before dressing in full pads Wednesday.

Thursday marks the first of two two-a-day practices and the initial team scrimmage is set for Saturday.

Fulmer said his Vols continued working through several issues early in the training camp process.

"Not only do we not have some positional things solved yet, but depth-wise we still are really short," the coach said. "So we've got a lot to do.

"We worked on the kicking game and I'm really happy about the way Dustin (Colquitt) and Britton (Colquitt) both have started. I'm happy about the way James Wilhoit's kicking the ball and (Ryan) Fusco actually kicked it better as well."
 
#2
#2
UT's OBs

0807mediadaysqbsapstanding_e.jpg


Leak, Ainge, Schaeffer, Clausen
 
#3
#3
Fulmer says RB race remains undecided
By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer


KNOXVILLE — Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer is doing his best to stoke the competition at tailback.

Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs Jr. received the bulk of the first-team carries yesterday. But Fulmer said the job remains wide open - with very specific requirements.

''We'll see once we get in pads if somebody can come out of the box and be a great back in the line of what we've had here before,'' Fulmer said.

The Vols will put on shoulder pads today, but won't go to full pads until Wednesday. The first scrimmage is Saturday.


Quarterback update: Fulmer said there wasn't much progress yesterday on the Vols' search for a starting quarterback.

''There were enough good plays to keep you encouraged, but plenty of not-so-good ones to keep you worried,'' Fulmer said.

The next two or three days will determine who gets the most repetitions in the scrimmage on Saturday, and most importantly, who gets the most snaps with the first-team offense.

''We may do it one way one week and then change it completely to make sure we give everybody a chance,'' Fulmer said.

''We will do everything we can to make it as good for us to judge as we possibly can.''


Poker face: Noting that fullback Cory Anderson looked good catching the ball out of the backfield, Fulmer offered a little sarcasm concerning his offense.

''That might be, with where our quarterbacks are, what we do,'' said Fulmer, grinning.

''We may dink it to the tight end, dink it to the fullback, throw it deep and take away all that other stuff.

''We may have to do that … and run the draw.''


To be continued: Chris Hannon beat Jason Allen on a deep pass for a touchdown and was quick to let everybody know.

''I'm the best receiver in the nation,'' exclaimed Hannon, looking at several media members.

As he jogged back to the huddle, he looked at secondary coach Larry Slade and said, ''Nobody can stick me.''

Allen, the Vols' second-team preseason All-SEC cornerback, had pretty good coverage, but Hannon was able to cradle the pass thrown by freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer in the back of the end zone.

After practice, Allen playfully interrupted Hannon in an interview.

''He got a good release,'' Allen said, smiling.''We're 1-1 right now. I want him to come again, but he won't come.''

Allen compared Hannon to Charles Rogers of the Detroit Lions and said their battles in practice would make each other better.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Hannon ran a 4.28 40-yard dash this summer to set an all-time record for Vols' receivers.


Calling out McDaniel: Fulmer doesn't mince words when he talks about the importance of 6-7, 300-pound sophomore defensive tackle Tony McDaniel having a breakout season.

The Vols are down to four true tackles with Greg Jones and Matt McGlothlin both out this season.

''As physically imposing as he is, Tony could be a dominating defensive lineman like (John) Henderson and (Albert) Haynesworth,'' Fulmer said.

''But he looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane sometimes.''

Fulmer said McDaniel, Justin Harrell and LaRon Harris all have plenty to prove.

''The toughness needs to come to the front with that group,'' Fulmer said.

''We haven't been very tough, none of them.''


Orange slices:

*Quarterback Jonathan Crompton, who committed to the Vols this summer, attended practice yesterday along with his mother and sister.

Crompton chatted with several of the players and coaches after practice.

• Tight end Victor McClure, all 310 pounds of him, had his second straight strong day of catching the football.

''Vic was the show,'' Fulmer said.

• Quarterback Rick Clausen is wearing a prescription visor on his helmet for his eyes. (and he's a QB?)
 
#6
#6
What was Deon Sanders 40 speed in college? Anybody remember?
 
#7
#7
The Vols are down to four true tackles with Greg Jones and Matt McGlothlin both out this season.
Click to expand...


I am hearing that Jones may be redshirted. :dunno:
 
#12
#12
Alright! Alright! I'm going to bed!!


Y'all better not make a mess in here!!


:p


Night clowns.
 
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