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What do you think is the biggest question facing UT football this year?
By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE Leave it to outspoken senior linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-year captain, to offer the most candid perspective on the 2003 season for the Tennessee football team.
''Great season, terrible postseason,'' Burnett said.
Ten wins, including road conquests of Miami and Florida, speak for themselves. But last impressions are typically what count in college football, and there was nothing pretty about the last time Tennessee took the field a 27-14 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
It was the second consecutive flameout by the Vols in the Peach Bowl, and another reminder that this is a program that has lost a step or two since the 1998 national championship season.
If nothing else, the Vols haven't been the same since being upset by LSU in the 2001 SEC Championship game and blowing a chance to play for another national title.
''We all know where we want to get back to, and this is the last chance for a lot of us,'' said senior offensive tackle Michael Munoz, another second-year captain. ''The only way you do that is one practice at a time and one game at a time.''
The 2004 season begins in earnest today when the Tennessee players report to campus. The first practice is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and two-a-days begin on Thursday.
Here's a look at the top storylines for the Vols as they enter what shapes up to be an intriguing preseason:
1. How long will it take to identify the quarterback (or quarterbacks) best equipped to lead the team?
Coach Phillip Fulmer has said that C.J. Leak would be the Vols' starter if the season started today. The only problem is that the season doesn't start today.
Leak has made the best of a difficult situation after the fallout with his younger brother, Chris Leak, and Fulmer. C.J. deserves the first shot and will get it. Ultimately, though, he has to do a better job of instilling confidence in the coaches and his teammates that he's going to make sound decisions in pressure situations.
The one to watch, at least early, may be Rick Clausen.
The book on Casey's younger brother coming out of spring practice was that he knew the offense, adapted well to what the defense was giving him and made very few mistakes. He just doesn't have the arm to make a lot of plays down the field. There are some in UT's camp who feel Clausen will upstage Leak and be the starter against UNLV in the opener.
There's no doubt that a freshman will play this season. The only questions are how much and how soon.
Brent Schaeffer has been on campus since June. He's extremely gifted athletically and fancies himself as a guy who simply makes plays.
Erik Ainge has only been here a little more than a month. But the Vols' receivers already love his quick release and strong arm. They also love his work ethic. He rarely goes anywhere without the UT playbook.
How's it all going to shake out?
It's a toss-up between Leak and Clausen for the starting nod in that first game. But Ainge may be the guy by the time October rolls around.
2. It hasn't been the smoothest offseason for the Vols, most notably the Tommy Gallion lawsuit flap that has dogged Fulmer. Will that be a distraction or rallying point?
Fulmer is determined that none of it will be a distraction. Sometimes, that's easier said than done.
One thing's for certain, though. His fire is stoked, and the players have noticed. Burnett said Fulmer's impassioned stand last week during his teleconference with reporters at the SEC Media Days was in many ways a unifying force for the players.
''We've got his back, and he has ours,'' Burnett said. ''Now it's time to take it to the field. That's the only thing that matters.''
3. What's it going to take for the Vols to break out of their offensive funk, and if they don't, is this it for offensive coordinator Randy Sanders?
With so much uncertainty at quarterback, it's not going to be easy.
But there's no excuse for the Vols not to be very good on the offensive line, and this is their best group of receivers in years.
Blaming Sanders for all the Vols' woes on offense has become the in thing. But, remember, this is Fulmer's offense.
There have been more excuses than answers the last couple of years, and Tennessee's once vaunted running game has lost its pop.
In short, the Vols have become far too predictable and equally stale on offense. If that doesn't change, they better get used to facing defensive alignments that make it look like the entire student body is stacking the line of scrimmage
4. How quickly can impact newcomers such as Albert Toeaina, Jesse Mahelona, Jonathan Hefney and Robert Meachem make a difference?
Toeaina will start at right offensive tackle. He's massive and just as strong, but still needs to improve his footwork. Mahelona, another junior college transfer, will start at one defensive tackle. He was the real deal in the spring.
Hefney, who attended prep school last year after not qualifying out of high school, will battle Jonathan Wade for a starting cornerback spot and definitely will play in the Vols' mustang package. He's also a blur returning punts.
Meachem was the Vols' best-looking receiver during the first part of preseason practice last August before knee surgery forced him to miss the season and redshirt. He has it all size, speed and strength and should be a staple in the passing game.
The only concern with Meachem is that he's able to stay healthy. He was slowed by a hamstring injury during spring practice.
5. Is this the year that Gerald Riggs Jr. finally breaks out of his own Big Orange purgatory?
There have been just enough flashes from Riggs the last two years to know that the guy can play.
But how could you count on him? He was either hurt, fumbling or missing class.
Riggs vows that those days are behind him and has backed up his words with a stellar offseason. He didn't miss a workout and is in the best shape of his career.
The Vols desperately need a difference-maker at tailback this season, a guy who gives them that something extra that has been missing in the running game the last two years.
Is Riggs that guy?
''I know I have that capability,'' Riggs said. ''God willing, it will happen. But I believe I have the ability to help this team. I just had to do a little bit of growing up, a little bit of soul searching and say, 'Hey, look, time is running out.' ''
Some other storylines to watch:
Who's going to emerge at the two safety spots, where the Vols were depleted?
Can Parys Haralson become that dominant pass rusher off the edge and be more of a finisher?
Can Cory Anderson get it done at fullback, or will freshman David Holbert factor into the equation?
Can the Vols count on James Banks, or is he doomed to be a poster child for wasted talent?
With Matt McGlothlin suspended for the season and Greg Jones not expected to play, where does defensive coordinator John Chavis find depth at tackle?
Will the linebacking corps be as good as advertised with Kevin Simon moving to his natural position in the middle, and is Kevin Burnett finally completely healthy?
Do the Vols find a way to get Omar Gaither on the field as much as he should be, whether it's at linebacker or strong safety?
Given the logjam in the backfield, do any of the running backs redshirt?
By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer
KNOXVILLE Leave it to outspoken senior linebacker Kevin Burnett, a second-year captain, to offer the most candid perspective on the 2003 season for the Tennessee football team.
''Great season, terrible postseason,'' Burnett said.
Ten wins, including road conquests of Miami and Florida, speak for themselves. But last impressions are typically what count in college football, and there was nothing pretty about the last time Tennessee took the field a 27-14 loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
It was the second consecutive flameout by the Vols in the Peach Bowl, and another reminder that this is a program that has lost a step or two since the 1998 national championship season.
If nothing else, the Vols haven't been the same since being upset by LSU in the 2001 SEC Championship game and blowing a chance to play for another national title.
''We all know where we want to get back to, and this is the last chance for a lot of us,'' said senior offensive tackle Michael Munoz, another second-year captain. ''The only way you do that is one practice at a time and one game at a time.''
The 2004 season begins in earnest today when the Tennessee players report to campus. The first practice is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and two-a-days begin on Thursday.
Here's a look at the top storylines for the Vols as they enter what shapes up to be an intriguing preseason:
1. How long will it take to identify the quarterback (or quarterbacks) best equipped to lead the team?
Coach Phillip Fulmer has said that C.J. Leak would be the Vols' starter if the season started today. The only problem is that the season doesn't start today.
Leak has made the best of a difficult situation after the fallout with his younger brother, Chris Leak, and Fulmer. C.J. deserves the first shot and will get it. Ultimately, though, he has to do a better job of instilling confidence in the coaches and his teammates that he's going to make sound decisions in pressure situations.
The one to watch, at least early, may be Rick Clausen.
The book on Casey's younger brother coming out of spring practice was that he knew the offense, adapted well to what the defense was giving him and made very few mistakes. He just doesn't have the arm to make a lot of plays down the field. There are some in UT's camp who feel Clausen will upstage Leak and be the starter against UNLV in the opener.
There's no doubt that a freshman will play this season. The only questions are how much and how soon.
Brent Schaeffer has been on campus since June. He's extremely gifted athletically and fancies himself as a guy who simply makes plays.
Erik Ainge has only been here a little more than a month. But the Vols' receivers already love his quick release and strong arm. They also love his work ethic. He rarely goes anywhere without the UT playbook.
How's it all going to shake out?
It's a toss-up between Leak and Clausen for the starting nod in that first game. But Ainge may be the guy by the time October rolls around.
2. It hasn't been the smoothest offseason for the Vols, most notably the Tommy Gallion lawsuit flap that has dogged Fulmer. Will that be a distraction or rallying point?
Fulmer is determined that none of it will be a distraction. Sometimes, that's easier said than done.
One thing's for certain, though. His fire is stoked, and the players have noticed. Burnett said Fulmer's impassioned stand last week during his teleconference with reporters at the SEC Media Days was in many ways a unifying force for the players.
''We've got his back, and he has ours,'' Burnett said. ''Now it's time to take it to the field. That's the only thing that matters.''
3. What's it going to take for the Vols to break out of their offensive funk, and if they don't, is this it for offensive coordinator Randy Sanders?
With so much uncertainty at quarterback, it's not going to be easy.
But there's no excuse for the Vols not to be very good on the offensive line, and this is their best group of receivers in years.
Blaming Sanders for all the Vols' woes on offense has become the in thing. But, remember, this is Fulmer's offense.
There have been more excuses than answers the last couple of years, and Tennessee's once vaunted running game has lost its pop.
In short, the Vols have become far too predictable and equally stale on offense. If that doesn't change, they better get used to facing defensive alignments that make it look like the entire student body is stacking the line of scrimmage
4. How quickly can impact newcomers such as Albert Toeaina, Jesse Mahelona, Jonathan Hefney and Robert Meachem make a difference?
Toeaina will start at right offensive tackle. He's massive and just as strong, but still needs to improve his footwork. Mahelona, another junior college transfer, will start at one defensive tackle. He was the real deal in the spring.
Hefney, who attended prep school last year after not qualifying out of high school, will battle Jonathan Wade for a starting cornerback spot and definitely will play in the Vols' mustang package. He's also a blur returning punts.
Meachem was the Vols' best-looking receiver during the first part of preseason practice last August before knee surgery forced him to miss the season and redshirt. He has it all size, speed and strength and should be a staple in the passing game.
The only concern with Meachem is that he's able to stay healthy. He was slowed by a hamstring injury during spring practice.
5. Is this the year that Gerald Riggs Jr. finally breaks out of his own Big Orange purgatory?
There have been just enough flashes from Riggs the last two years to know that the guy can play.
But how could you count on him? He was either hurt, fumbling or missing class.
Riggs vows that those days are behind him and has backed up his words with a stellar offseason. He didn't miss a workout and is in the best shape of his career.
The Vols desperately need a difference-maker at tailback this season, a guy who gives them that something extra that has been missing in the running game the last two years.
Is Riggs that guy?
''I know I have that capability,'' Riggs said. ''God willing, it will happen. But I believe I have the ability to help this team. I just had to do a little bit of growing up, a little bit of soul searching and say, 'Hey, look, time is running out.' ''
Some other storylines to watch:
Who's going to emerge at the two safety spots, where the Vols were depleted?
Can Parys Haralson become that dominant pass rusher off the edge and be more of a finisher?
Can Cory Anderson get it done at fullback, or will freshman David Holbert factor into the equation?
Can the Vols count on James Banks, or is he doomed to be a poster child for wasted talent?
With Matt McGlothlin suspended for the season and Greg Jones not expected to play, where does defensive coordinator John Chavis find depth at tackle?
Will the linebacking corps be as good as advertised with Kevin Simon moving to his natural position in the middle, and is Kevin Burnett finally completely healthy?
Do the Vols find a way to get Omar Gaither on the field as much as he should be, whether it's at linebacker or strong safety?
Given the logjam in the backfield, do any of the running backs redshirt?
lol:
