2005 Tennessee Football Offense Preview

July 8, 2005

OFFENSE

TIGHT ENDS

Justin Reed

From the standpoint of receiving a fair shake as would-be pass receivers, tight ends could file a complaint under equal opportunity statutes. But they (and we) all know the first rule of the passing game is to find those speed merchants who can turn a 10-yard gain into a touchdown. Tennessee, so richly blessed with exciting wideouts, can be expected to resort to the ages-old priorities for employment of tight ends: 1. throw a block, 2. block some more, 3. on rare occasions, be ready to catch a pass. Coaches are flexible, though, and in the event a tight end came forth with talent that can't be denied, he would become a useful tool in the passing game. Former UT standout Jason Witten fit the description of a multi-purpose tight end three years ago and was bombarded with passes. Sophomore Chris Brown, a two-game starter in 2004, was most noted for turning his first career reception into a 20-yard touchdown play. Behind the sturdy Brown and at 6-7 and 289, senior Justin Reed is an inviting target for Tennessee's quarterbacks. But with only a single catch to his credit last year, Reed's destiny more likely lies with the traditional blocking assignments. Sophomore Brad Cottam and senior Jake Finlayson hope to forge into the picture.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Chris Brown, So., 1L
Brad Cottam, So., 1L
Jake Finlayson, Sr., 2L
Justin Reed, Sr., 2L

WIDE RECEIVERS

Chris Hannon

The continuing fight for the starting quarterback job with the Vols is especially heated because of the prospect of getting to throw to a dream corps of acrobatic and skilled receivers. Any field general in the nation would like the opportunity to work with receivers the caliber of UT's, a group both deep and talented. In compiling a list of topnotch receivers, you could logically begin with Robert Meachem, who attained more and more of his heralded potential as the 2004 season rolled along. Meachem registered 25 catches as a freshman, but, more importantly, averaged a team-leading 18.4 yards per reception. Against Kentucky, he was virtually unstoppable, ripping through the Wildcats for 145 yards and a touchdown on only five catches. Several other wideouts at UT's disposal have the talent to challenge Meachem's status as the go-to man. C.J. Fayton (24 catches for 379 yards) and Chris Hannon (21 for 230) are seniors who bring the added value of maturity to the game. The list goes on, including steady juniors Jayson Swain (29 for 388) and Bret Smith (18 for 291). Nursing hopes there might be some passes left over after the established stars take their allotments, youngsters Casey Woods, Josh Briscoe and Bill Grimes know a sure-fire way to move into contention is to develop their reputations as sturdy blockers downfield.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
C.J. Fayton, Sr., 3L
Chris Hannon, Sr., 3L
Robert Meachem, So., 1L
Bret Smith, Jr., 2L
Jayson Swain, Jr., 2L

TACKLES

Arron Sears

The loss of an All-America tackle in the offensive line, where usually experience trumps everything else, can't be lightly dismissed. On the bright side, the departure of the highly decorated Michael Munoz should spur Albert Toeaina to step up to the level of maturity that will allow him to use his massive frame to full advantage. Standing 6-6 and weighing in at 355, Toeaina is quite an imposing figure whose debut following junior college training was eagerly anticipated last season. Late getting onto the field because of a knee injury, he made his first start against Georgia Oct. 9 and played as a regular the rest of the way. On the other side, junior Arron Sears, a two-year letterman, prevails as the probable starter. His versatility and well-grounded fundamentals have earned Sears the coaching staff's confidence. Last year he had five starts at right tackle, four at left tackle and three at right guard. His flexibility is key to the Vols' depth in the offensive line. Sophomore Eric Young will be watched closely as somebody who can provide reserve strength if he brings his game along, an outlook that applies also to Steven Jones and Ell Ash. Lack of experience by reserve linemen is an area of concern coaches will need to address, nowhere more than at tackle. On the bright side, improvement by some of the youngsters in blocking techniques was perceived as spring practice drew to a close.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Arron Sears, Jr., 2L
Albert Toeaina, Sr., 1L

GUARDS

Cody Douglas

UT's history of training offensive linemen to man more than one position is more than a point of pride. It's a necessity. Only two returnees at guard wear a varsity letter, an unwelcome indicator that there could be some furious shuffling of personnel at tackle, guard and center. The top performer in the entire offensive line figures to be Cody Douglas, a senior who could be described in an understated way as being much in demand. Talk has emanated from headquarters that he could wind up at center, but that would not be a desirable scenario considering how much he is needed at guard, Douglas' natural position. Keeping him injury-free is of vast importance, especially considering how much better the line performed when Douglas bounced back from a foot problem in the Cotton Bowl win over Texas A&M. In the hubbub over Douglas, it shouldn't be forgotten that Rob Smith started every game last season and tallied 17 knock-down blocks. Douglas and Smith combine to give the Vols a pair of premier starting guards. Coaches need, however, to pull a rabbit or two out of the hat from among aspiring varsity candidates Anthony Parker, Ramon Foster and Michael Frogg. Among them, they don't have a dime's worth of experience, not a pretty thought.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Cody Douglas, Sr., 3L
Rob Smith, Jr., 2L

CENTERS

David Ligon

Much of Tennessee's success in putting together a creditable offensive line will ride on the healing process with Richie Gandy, who is more of a key than anybody anticipated. When Jason Respert graduated, it was believed Gandy's versatility would solve the problem. He had played more than one position effectively last season, center among them. Plug Gandy into the hole at center, and let the good times roll. But the senior utility man hurt his knee in the offseason, setting off a scramble in spring practice to find a workable solution. Junior David Ligon went through a spring in which he indicated he's capable of productive time at the spot. centers

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Richie Gandy, Sr., 1L
David Ligon, Jr., 1L

QUARTERBACKS

Rick Clausen

A playwright could fashion a movie about the Vols' ventures at the signal-caller post last season, but the various subplots have led to a situation in which the job is still up for grabs with an August resolution the most likely outcome. Two-thirds of the way through the 2004 campaign, the odds were overwhelming that Erik Ainge would be the man. Heaven knows, he had done all a quarterback -- especially a freshman -- could hope to do for the cause, including throwing 17 touchdown passes. But then, against Notre Dame, Ainge was injured. Here came Rick Clausen riding to the rescue, showing a flair he had not exhibited in early fall practice. All Clausen managed to do was guide the Vols into the SEC Championship Game and finally into the Cotton Bowl where he led the team to a 38-7 rout of favored Texas A&M, a signal victory in which he earned MVP honors by firing three touchdown passes.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Erik Ainge, So., 1L
Rick Clausen, Sr., 1L

TAILBACKS

Gerald Riggs Jr.

For two years, Gerald Riggs Jr. was a budding star who never quite blossomed. Fortunately, it was only a temporary delay in the senior tailback's development into a full-blooming dominant role in the Tennessee running game. In 2004 Riggs teamed with his veteran running mate, Cedric Houston, to reward the coaching staff's patience for sticking with their belief in his promise. The Riggs-Houston combine slashed its way past opponents for a total of 2,112 yards, of which 1,107 were posted by the explosive Riggs. His previous best came his sophomore year when he ran for a comparatively piddling 207 yards. Riggs separated himself from his past futility when he generated 182 yards against Auburn's stubborn defense in the SEC championship match. At 6-0, 217, he is the ideal size to spark the ground attack. Arian Foster, a 6-1, 211-pound redshirt freshman, appeared to move ahead of JaKouri Williams and David Yancey in spring drills by creating the impression he could bring a little quicker pace to the running attack.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Gerald Riggs Jr., Sr., 3L
David Yancey, Jr., 1L

FULLBACKS

Cory Anderson

While playing defensive end in the spring of 2004, Cory Anderson in his wildest dreams never imagined what was in store for him. But the position switch the coaches assigned him and the positive manner with which he responded turned out to have a dramatic effect on the offense. Anderson was moved to fullback where his muscular 275 pounds distributed on a 6-3 frame created blocks that allowed Vol tailbacks to negotiate huge chunks of yardage. The surprise element played its part, but when the burly fullback caught a pass under a full head of steam, opponent defenses might as well have resigned themselves to the futility of trying to wrestle him down short of his destination. Sophomore David Holbert at 259 pounds also possesses bulk that makes him a formidable blocker and a powerful runner.

RETURNING LETTERMEN
Cory Anderson, Jr., 2L
David Holbert, So., 1L

University of Tennessee Athletics