GhenghisVol
August 8th, 2009, 10:12 AM
A good article by Griff the Stiff (posted below so you wont have to visit his blog)
Kiffin talks "Fab Four'' Freshmen
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin isn't afraid of a little hype, that's for sure.
Asked about the progress of freshman receivers Nu"Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague, Kiffin came up with a nickname for his the offensive freshmen.
"They've kinda been the Fab Four, those two tailbacks (Bryce Brown and David Oku), and two receivers,'' he said following Friday's practice.
That said, Kiffin concedes they all have work to do, and the first few days in pads will be critical.
"It's going to be one of two ways,'' he said. "It's either gonna be complete overload (on the players) or it will be they feel more comfortable playing their position.''
The Vols first fall scrimmage could be telling.
Kiffin said the diminutive Richardson - he's listed at 5-foot-10, but appears shorter - plays bigger than his frame.
"The catching range isn't there until he makes the acrobatic plays,'' he said.
Kiffin said Richardson ranks among the smallest receivers he has coached.
Brown, meanwhile, has the look of an every-down back.
A possible telltale sign that UT has big visions for Brown this season is his absence on the kickoff return and punt return units.
Gerald Jones, Dennis Rogan, Oku and Richardson are working on punt return. The same four are getting a look at kick return duties along with Teague and Nyshier Oliver.
Kiffin has simplified the offense and the receiver position from where it has been.
Rather than ask the incoming receivers to learn all three receiver positions, Kiffin allows them to focus in on just one.
As for Brown, picking up protection schemes will be big. Already, he has shown a versatile running style that vision and explosive acceleration.
Incumbent Montario Hardesty has an edge at the position, largely because of his strength, experience and leadership abilities.
Hardesty, however, isn't a great receiver out of the backfield and doesn't possess the lateral running skills and vision of a top-flight back.
Running North and South, it's a different matter, as few hit holes with as much authority as Hardesty.
The guess here is Vols' fans will see running back and receiver by committee early in the season.
Kiffin talks "Fab Four'' Freshmen
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin isn't afraid of a little hype, that's for sure.
Asked about the progress of freshman receivers Nu"Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague, Kiffin came up with a nickname for his the offensive freshmen.
"They've kinda been the Fab Four, those two tailbacks (Bryce Brown and David Oku), and two receivers,'' he said following Friday's practice.
That said, Kiffin concedes they all have work to do, and the first few days in pads will be critical.
"It's going to be one of two ways,'' he said. "It's either gonna be complete overload (on the players) or it will be they feel more comfortable playing their position.''
The Vols first fall scrimmage could be telling.
Kiffin said the diminutive Richardson - he's listed at 5-foot-10, but appears shorter - plays bigger than his frame.
"The catching range isn't there until he makes the acrobatic plays,'' he said.
Kiffin said Richardson ranks among the smallest receivers he has coached.
Brown, meanwhile, has the look of an every-down back.
A possible telltale sign that UT has big visions for Brown this season is his absence on the kickoff return and punt return units.
Gerald Jones, Dennis Rogan, Oku and Richardson are working on punt return. The same four are getting a look at kick return duties along with Teague and Nyshier Oliver.
Kiffin has simplified the offense and the receiver position from where it has been.
Rather than ask the incoming receivers to learn all three receiver positions, Kiffin allows them to focus in on just one.
As for Brown, picking up protection schemes will be big. Already, he has shown a versatile running style that vision and explosive acceleration.
Incumbent Montario Hardesty has an edge at the position, largely because of his strength, experience and leadership abilities.
Hardesty, however, isn't a great receiver out of the backfield and doesn't possess the lateral running skills and vision of a top-flight back.
Running North and South, it's a different matter, as few hit holes with as much authority as Hardesty.
The guess here is Vols' fans will see running back and receiver by committee early in the season.