University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Begin Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Preparations in Atlanta
December 26, 2002 | Football
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| Tennessee players enjoyed a few hours at Atlanta's ESPN Zone following today's practice. This year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Queen Erin Haney shows a few of the Vols how to drive in the Daytona 500. |
ATLANTA -- Tennessee's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl preparations kicked off here Thursday with a 90-minute workout at The Marist School. Head coach Phillip Fulmer said all team members reported as scheduled and was he was pleased with the team's initial session.
"I think everybody's excited to be here," Fulmer said. "The players have
prepared well. We had great work in Knoxville and a good start today. With our attitude and energy, I saw some really positive things out there. We got a good start and, obviously, we have a big challenge ahead."
Although temperatures were in the 30s, Tennessee opted to practice outdoors Thursday instead of at the Georgia Dome, site of Tuesday's game against Maryland. The Vols are scheduled to return to The Marist School for practice again Saturday.
"You've got a lot more room here than you have in the dome and it's good to be outside and not on that hard surface," Fulmer said. "We look forward to getting in the dome tomorrow and we'll decide after that what we'll do Saturday as far as a practice site."
UT quarterback Casey Clausen also enjoyed today's workout.
"It was nice weather, a little cold but not too bad," he said. "We got some good work done today. We reviewed what we did last week in Knoxville and I thought it was a pretty good day. Tomorrow, hopefully, we can go out and get a little better."
After practice, the Vols attended a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl welcome party at the ESPN Zone. Friday's schedule includes a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast and a visit to the Scottish Rite Hospital, to be followed by a 2:30 p.m. practice at the Georgia Dome.
WITTEN DECISION TO BE AFTER BOWL GAME
UT tight end Jason Witten said Thursday he would not make known his decision regarding the possibility of entering the NFL draft one year early until after the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game against Maryland.
Witten, a junior, led all Southeastern Conference tight ends with 34 catches for 452 yards and five touchdowns.
"I wasn't 100 percent sure during the holiday break and therefore I couldn't go ahead and make a final decision," Witten said. "I also felt this would be best for the team, to try and not bring up any distractions. I felt if I waited until after the bowl, I would be doing what's best for my family, the team and me.
The Elizabethton native added that conversations with the coaching staff since the end of the regular season have helped put things in perspective.
"When you're not involved in playing games and practicing, you look at things a little differently," he said. "This will help me once the season ends."
