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OFFENSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UT coaching staff has some decisions ahead
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
July 25, 2004
Will Tennessee's offense liven up, or will 2004 be just another rerun?
The Vols' offense has undergone an identity crisis the past two seasons. Injuries, youth, inexperience and a drop-off in talent at skill positions have at times soured the Big Orange attack.
Coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders have spent hours plotting how to energize a plodding offense that slipped to 67th in the nation.
With savvy four-year starting quarterback Casey Clausen departed, the pressure is on Fulmer and Sanders to make the right calls from the sidelines. First they must make the right call on the starting quarterback.
Sixth-year senior C.J. Leak has sweated blood to take the reins. The last time Leak was in charge of an offense was at Wake Forest in 2000.
Leak has excellent arm strength and has sharpened his release. Leak is a sculpted 230-pounder with good speed, but his running abilities are merely adequate. Coaches will monitor his decision-making.
Junior Rick Clausen offers the same California cool as his departed brother, but he has yet to show the arm strength or pocket presence. With a strong fall camp, Clausen will be afforded an opportunity.
Incoming freshmen Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge possess great attributes, but youth and inexperience typically make the conservative Fulmer nervous.
Schaeffer's tremendous athleticism can't be denied, nor can Ainge's laser-like throws. Both could prove capable of winning games, but if history is an indicator, neither will be given that opportunity until proving they'll avoid mistakes.
One way or another, the situation doesn't figure to settle until the October portion of the schedule.
Running backs Cedric Houston, Gerald Riggs and Jabari Davis are an enigmatic trio, each with highs and lows over the past three seasons.
Houston hopes to shed his injury-plagued label and will get first shot at the job. Riggs believes all he needs is a chance, but first, coaches want to see consistency on the practice field. Davis' abilities are in question. He has proved to be a good short-yardage back but has yet to live up to his Parade All-America billing.
The backs hope to benefit from having a legitimate fullback in front of them. Cory Anderson and David Holbert have the right look, but until heads start banging in SEC play, the jury is out.
Fulmer's reputation for having dominant offensive line play has slipped since the 1999 season, when NFL stars Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry compensated for missed blocks.
Offensive tackle Michael Munoz anchors the squad and plans to live up to his family name. It's not that Munoz hasn't played well - he has - but expectations are enormous when your father is the Babe Ruth of offensive linemen.
Junior Cody Douglas is a well-kept secret at right guard who could emerge as an All-SEC candidate. Mammoth junior college transfer Albert Toeaina, for all his hype, has yet to show he can get it done in a Division I game. Center Jason Respert has fought through injuries and a controversial recruiting episode to emerge as a team captain and the starting center. A battle between Arron Sears and Rob Smith for the final starting spot ensures no one takes a day off in practice.
The Vols' receiving corps is exciting and deep. Redshirt freshman Robert Meachem is tabbed for greatness, but he admits he's not sure how he'll come off last year's knee surgery. Sophomore Jayson Swain has proved reliable, but has yet to take over a game.
Junior Chris Hannon has great speed and size, and it appears he has made the transition from quarterback. The clock is running on senior Tony Brown, a solid SEC receiver but not a first-day NFL draft prospect. Likewise for junior C.J. Fayton, who has 26 receptions through two seasons.
Senior Derrick Tinsley is at the mercy of the coaches' creativity and his health. Tinsley has shown flashes of brilliance, but his injuries and a slower-than-expected transition to receiver beg questions. Junior Jomo Fagan has good hands, but hasn't shown play-making ability. Sophomore Bret Smith could be a hidden jewel, but injuries have slowed his progress. Coaches like the progress Bill Grimes has made, and he's another sizable target.
Then there's James Banks, potentially the most dynamic player on offense. Banks has been a mystery; when and where will his greatness appear or disappear?
At his best, Banks can turn a game, as he did with a Hail Mary catch against Florida, an OT touchdown catch against South Carolina, and a 103-yard, two TD performance against Alabama. At his worst, Banks has tanked, making just 12 catches and scoring zero touchdowns over the final six games last season.
Banks is working through a suspension and is expected to be back with the team. Over the summer, he worked as a defensive back and could see action as a two-way player.
The UT tight ends aren't the most exciting group, to say the least, but with guru Greg Adkins coaching they'll be productive. Adkins put four tight ends into the NFL prior to his arrival at UT in 2002. Victor McClure is one of the best blocking ends in the SEC, and Justin Reed and Brad Cottam have shown potential.
Jake Finlayson is another strong blocker who can play H-back, while incoming freshman Chris Brown is one to keep an eye on.
UT coaching staff has some decisions ahead
By MIKE GRIFFITH, knsgriff@aol.com
July 25, 2004
Will Tennessee's offense liven up, or will 2004 be just another rerun?
The Vols' offense has undergone an identity crisis the past two seasons. Injuries, youth, inexperience and a drop-off in talent at skill positions have at times soured the Big Orange attack.
Coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders have spent hours plotting how to energize a plodding offense that slipped to 67th in the nation.
With savvy four-year starting quarterback Casey Clausen departed, the pressure is on Fulmer and Sanders to make the right calls from the sidelines. First they must make the right call on the starting quarterback.
Sixth-year senior C.J. Leak has sweated blood to take the reins. The last time Leak was in charge of an offense was at Wake Forest in 2000.
Leak has excellent arm strength and has sharpened his release. Leak is a sculpted 230-pounder with good speed, but his running abilities are merely adequate. Coaches will monitor his decision-making.
Junior Rick Clausen offers the same California cool as his departed brother, but he has yet to show the arm strength or pocket presence. With a strong fall camp, Clausen will be afforded an opportunity.
Incoming freshmen Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge possess great attributes, but youth and inexperience typically make the conservative Fulmer nervous.
Schaeffer's tremendous athleticism can't be denied, nor can Ainge's laser-like throws. Both could prove capable of winning games, but if history is an indicator, neither will be given that opportunity until proving they'll avoid mistakes.
One way or another, the situation doesn't figure to settle until the October portion of the schedule.
Running backs Cedric Houston, Gerald Riggs and Jabari Davis are an enigmatic trio, each with highs and lows over the past three seasons.
Houston hopes to shed his injury-plagued label and will get first shot at the job. Riggs believes all he needs is a chance, but first, coaches want to see consistency on the practice field. Davis' abilities are in question. He has proved to be a good short-yardage back but has yet to live up to his Parade All-America billing.
The backs hope to benefit from having a legitimate fullback in front of them. Cory Anderson and David Holbert have the right look, but until heads start banging in SEC play, the jury is out.
Fulmer's reputation for having dominant offensive line play has slipped since the 1999 season, when NFL stars Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry compensated for missed blocks.
Offensive tackle Michael Munoz anchors the squad and plans to live up to his family name. It's not that Munoz hasn't played well - he has - but expectations are enormous when your father is the Babe Ruth of offensive linemen.
Junior Cody Douglas is a well-kept secret at right guard who could emerge as an All-SEC candidate. Mammoth junior college transfer Albert Toeaina, for all his hype, has yet to show he can get it done in a Division I game. Center Jason Respert has fought through injuries and a controversial recruiting episode to emerge as a team captain and the starting center. A battle between Arron Sears and Rob Smith for the final starting spot ensures no one takes a day off in practice.
The Vols' receiving corps is exciting and deep. Redshirt freshman Robert Meachem is tabbed for greatness, but he admits he's not sure how he'll come off last year's knee surgery. Sophomore Jayson Swain has proved reliable, but has yet to take over a game.
Junior Chris Hannon has great speed and size, and it appears he has made the transition from quarterback. The clock is running on senior Tony Brown, a solid SEC receiver but not a first-day NFL draft prospect. Likewise for junior C.J. Fayton, who has 26 receptions through two seasons.
Senior Derrick Tinsley is at the mercy of the coaches' creativity and his health. Tinsley has shown flashes of brilliance, but his injuries and a slower-than-expected transition to receiver beg questions. Junior Jomo Fagan has good hands, but hasn't shown play-making ability. Sophomore Bret Smith could be a hidden jewel, but injuries have slowed his progress. Coaches like the progress Bill Grimes has made, and he's another sizable target.
Then there's James Banks, potentially the most dynamic player on offense. Banks has been a mystery; when and where will his greatness appear or disappear?
At his best, Banks can turn a game, as he did with a Hail Mary catch against Florida, an OT touchdown catch against South Carolina, and a 103-yard, two TD performance against Alabama. At his worst, Banks has tanked, making just 12 catches and scoring zero touchdowns over the final six games last season.
Banks is working through a suspension and is expected to be back with the team. Over the summer, he worked as a defensive back and could see action as a two-way player.
The UT tight ends aren't the most exciting group, to say the least, but with guru Greg Adkins coaching they'll be productive. Adkins put four tight ends into the NFL prior to his arrival at UT in 2002. Victor McClure is one of the best blocking ends in the SEC, and Justin Reed and Brad Cottam have shown potential.
Jake Finlayson is another strong blocker who can play H-back, while incoming freshman Chris Brown is one to keep an eye on.
