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Thursday Practice Notes
-Thursday marked the first day of practice in shoulder pads. And once again, Kiffin described the practice as 'very physical'. Three days in, that's been a common theme to this point. Pads were popping.
"It was a very physical day," Kiffin said. "It was the first time with shoulder pads on, an extremely long practice, extremely physical practice. It's the great thing about fall, these freshmen give us a bunch of numbers we can add to the group so we can really get after it. We're going to try to bury them, but they're not letting us.
-After yesterday's practice, we learned that the quarterbacks didn't play particularly well. Several interceptions were thrown that were, according to Lane Kiffin, a combination of poor execution by the offense and stellar play by the defense. By most accounts, the quarterbacks were much sharper on Thursday.
"I thought the quarterbacks were better (Thursday)," Kiffin said. "After the film (Wednesday), it was not a very good day, but I thought (Thursday) they came back and played better and took care of the ball better. They threw a number of picks (Wednesday), so it was good to see them bounce back (Thursday)."
-Prentiss Waggner was one name we heard mentioned repeatedly yesterday for his outstanding play. Today was no different. Waggner picked off a Jonathan Crompton pass in the endzone. However, according to Dave Hooker, Waggner didn't even have to move to make the interception. Crompton never saw him.
Eric Gordon also had an interception. He picked off a Nick Stephens pass -- also in the endzone.
-The biggest buzz of the day seemed to come at the hands of linebacker Herman Lathers. Lathers laid down the smack on freshman running back Bryce Brown in a shot heard 'round the campus -- which resulted in a fumble. "It's just, 'Welcome to SEC ball'," Lathers said after practice.
It's worth noting that Brown later fumbled again. This time Rico McCoy was responsible. “I doubt he’s been hit like that before ever,” first-year UT coach Lane Kiffin said. “Some guys get hit like that and they stay down for a while.”
Lathers is competing with Nick Reveiz for the starting middle linebacker spot.
-The Tennessee fullbacks actually got into the offensive action on Thursday. Austin Johnson beat man coverage on a wheel route and caught a long TD pass from Jon Crompton. Johnson is currently battling Kevin Cooper for the starting spot.
-Gerald Jones, wasn't pleased with his effort on Wednesday when he reportedly dropped three passes. But Jones redeemed himself on Thursday, catching three touchdown passes on the afternoon -- two from Crompton and one from Stephens.
-Led by four seniors, Kiffin appears please with the first team offensive line. "The first group is really playing well," Kiffin said. "We've got some young guys that we are really trying to develop, so we will continue to work them. Obviously, until we scrimmage, we don't get to see our run game to its full effect."'
-John Adams wrote a column about the 'coupling of the old and new eras of UT football'. Of course he's referring to Eric Berry and Monte Kiffn. Adams notes that the teacher is genuinely wowed by the pupil at this point. It seems Monte has finally figured out first hand, the reason for all the fuss over Berry.
-With Austin Rogers out for the season and Denarious Moore currently injured, Todd Campbell is looking to make a name for himself. Campbell is much more comfortable on the football field so far this year. The difference? His ability to be more physical and get off press coverage. Something he was unable to do last fall.
-Tennessee ran a reverse, and no, Kenny O'Neal wasn't in the game. It was Nu'keese Richardson and he picked up a few yards even thought the defense wasn't fooled on the play. Dave Hooker also noted that Richardson was 'introduced to Eric Berry'. The good news is, unlike Bryce Brown, Nu'keese was able to hold on to the football.
-I didn't see any reports on Lamaison, but Mike Rozier fumbled a handoff after bumping in to the tailback. His play was described as 'rusty'
-Video: There are three videos on Wes Ruckers column and a video of Kiffin after practice. There is also a video at utsports.
-Thursday marked the first day of practice in shoulder pads. And once again, Kiffin described the practice as 'very physical'. Three days in, that's been a common theme to this point. Pads were popping.
"It was a very physical day," Kiffin said. "It was the first time with shoulder pads on, an extremely long practice, extremely physical practice. It's the great thing about fall, these freshmen give us a bunch of numbers we can add to the group so we can really get after it. We're going to try to bury them, but they're not letting us.
-After yesterday's practice, we learned that the quarterbacks didn't play particularly well. Several interceptions were thrown that were, according to Lane Kiffin, a combination of poor execution by the offense and stellar play by the defense. By most accounts, the quarterbacks were much sharper on Thursday.
"I thought the quarterbacks were better (Thursday)," Kiffin said. "After the film (Wednesday), it was not a very good day, but I thought (Thursday) they came back and played better and took care of the ball better. They threw a number of picks (Wednesday), so it was good to see them bounce back (Thursday)."
-Prentiss Waggner was one name we heard mentioned repeatedly yesterday for his outstanding play. Today was no different. Waggner picked off a Jonathan Crompton pass in the endzone. However, according to Dave Hooker, Waggner didn't even have to move to make the interception. Crompton never saw him.
Eric Gordon also had an interception. He picked off a Nick Stephens pass -- also in the endzone.
-The biggest buzz of the day seemed to come at the hands of linebacker Herman Lathers. Lathers laid down the smack on freshman running back Bryce Brown in a shot heard 'round the campus -- which resulted in a fumble. "It's just, 'Welcome to SEC ball'," Lathers said after practice.
It's worth noting that Brown later fumbled again. This time Rico McCoy was responsible. “I doubt he’s been hit like that before ever,” first-year UT coach Lane Kiffin said. “Some guys get hit like that and they stay down for a while.”
Lathers is competing with Nick Reveiz for the starting middle linebacker spot.
-The Tennessee fullbacks actually got into the offensive action on Thursday. Austin Johnson beat man coverage on a wheel route and caught a long TD pass from Jon Crompton. Johnson is currently battling Kevin Cooper for the starting spot.
-Gerald Jones, wasn't pleased with his effort on Wednesday when he reportedly dropped three passes. But Jones redeemed himself on Thursday, catching three touchdown passes on the afternoon -- two from Crompton and one from Stephens.
-Led by four seniors, Kiffin appears please with the first team offensive line. "The first group is really playing well," Kiffin said. "We've got some young guys that we are really trying to develop, so we will continue to work them. Obviously, until we scrimmage, we don't get to see our run game to its full effect."'
-John Adams wrote a column about the 'coupling of the old and new eras of UT football'. Of course he's referring to Eric Berry and Monte Kiffn. Adams notes that the teacher is genuinely wowed by the pupil at this point. It seems Monte has finally figured out first hand, the reason for all the fuss over Berry.
-With Austin Rogers out for the season and Denarious Moore currently injured, Todd Campbell is looking to make a name for himself. Campbell is much more comfortable on the football field so far this year. The difference? His ability to be more physical and get off press coverage. Something he was unable to do last fall.
-Tennessee ran a reverse, and no, Kenny O'Neal wasn't in the game. It was Nu'keese Richardson and he picked up a few yards even thought the defense wasn't fooled on the play. Dave Hooker also noted that Richardson was 'introduced to Eric Berry'. The good news is, unlike Bryce Brown, Nu'keese was able to hold on to the football.
-I didn't see any reports on Lamaison, but Mike Rozier fumbled a handoff after bumping in to the tailback. His play was described as 'rusty'
-Video: There are three videos on Wes Ruckers column and a video of Kiffin after practice. There is also a video at utsports.
