University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Coming of 'Good Solid Scrimmage'
August 22, 2008 | Football
Aug. 22, 2008
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and the Vols coaching staff centered Friday's 90-minute practice at Haslam Field on corrections from the Thursday scrimmage. Fulmer had the following comments afterward:
"The first units really were pretty darn good. I think (linebacker) Ellix Wilson had one of his best scrimmages and we really needed that. He definitely can become a good leader for us.
"The No. 1 secondary played really solid all the way around. The first team defensive front was good and it was the same with our offense. It was a good effective day for our ones. They know how to practice and know how to prepare themselves for a game.
"There were a good number of No. 2 guys as well -- (offensive lineman) Ramone Johnson had a good scrimmage, which is great to see. (offensive lineman) Cody Sullins had a really good scrimmage and, obviously, (wide receiver) Quintin Hancock had maybe his best day since he's been here. I wouldn't count Quintin as a No. 2, really; he's a guy we're going to count on a lot.
"The second team defensive guys and a few second team offensive guys just don't understand what it takes to play in the Southeastern Conference. You're one step out of the National Football League -- really, it's just the next step down from that -- and you've got to be willing to pay the physical price.
"Sometimes it's a growing process, and if we have to play with 30 guys that's what we'll do. I'm expecting them to go out there and give their best effort every time they go to the practice field or game field. I don't think we got that Thursday.
"Now if you take the whole scrimmage and evaluate it by breaking it down, there were a lot of good things from it. I don't want my tone about a few guys on the second team not understanding to make it look like we didn't have a good scrimmage. We had a good solid scrimmage by a lot of guys.
-- The Vols hold their annual kicking scrimmage Saturday morning. The entire practice is dedicated to on-side kicks, fakes, returns, coverages, substitution patterns and the like.
"Our punter did fine with times and everything Thursday," Fulmer said of Chad Cunningham. "The snappers, holders, kickers -- we've kind of gotten into a really good groove with that."
-- Tennessee's scout teams sported blue jerseys for the first time Friday afternoon. Blue jerseys -- as in the 2008 season opener at UCLA is fast approaching.
"Eight days," were Fulmer's first post-practice words to the media, referencing the time until Tennessee departs for Pasadena's Rose Bowl and a Labor Day national spotlight kickoff. Start time Sept. 1 on ESPN is 5 p.m. Pacific (8 p.m. Eastern).
McNEIL NAMED TO RIMINGTON WATCH LIST
Tennessee center Josh McNeil was among 43 college standouts named this week to the Rimington Trophy watch list. The award is presented annually to the center or offensive lineman with the most first team votes from the following All-America teams: American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America.
A junior from Collins, Miss., McNeil is one of five players from the Southeastern Conference to make the list. The list also includes two finalists from the 2007 watch list, as well as the 2007 Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas.
McNeil earned All-SEC honorable mention by the Associated Press last season after being a part of the Tennessee offensive line that lead the country with only four sacks allowed. The team's combined 534 pass attempts meant opponents sacked UT quarterbacks once every 133.5 attempts. He also received SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after contributing 10 knockdown blocks in UT's 33-21 win at Mississippi State.
SELECT SINGLE GAME UT FOOTBALL TICKETS AVAILABLE
Individual game tickets for four University of Tennessee home football games - UAB (Sept. 13), Northern Illinois (Oct. 4), Wyoming (Nov. 8) and Kentucky (Nov. 29) - remain available for purchase online at utsports.com, via phone at (800) 332-VOLS and at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tickets for Northern Illinois and Wyoming are $40 each plus shipping and handling. Tickets for UAB and Kentucky are $50 each plus shipping and handling.
The athletics department also has a very limited number of single seat, non-renewable season tickets on sale for the 2008 season. These tickets will be sold for $315 and will be available for purchase only at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office or by phone at (800) 332-VOLS.
