wagee12
August 16th, 2009, 06:47 PM
ig Orange Report 8-17-09
By Warner Agee
Head knocking continues
Camp Kiffin is certainly no place for the faint of heart or for those who fear bone-jarring collisions. After two weeks of pre-season practice, boys are becoming men and high school superstars are learning that press clippings don’t protect one from the fierce blocking and tackling involved in Tennessee’s most physical and demanding practice sessions since the days of Coach Johnny Majors.
Several key players have already been nicked and dinged up, but right now none have been ruled out for the opening game. Quotes and statements from several of the players would seem to indicate that they would be willing to take the field in a walking boot, remove it, put on football shoes and cover on the opening kickoff. Smash mouth football is returning to Neyland Stadium this year as the Vols will move to restore order and once again make the massive stadium a place that should be feared by any invader.
Some starting jobs almost nailed down
While spirited competition continues at several positions, it does appear that we can project that several starting jobs have been all but decided after two weeks of work. Senior Jeff Cottam has moved ahead of junior Luke Stocker at tight end. Cottam has been listed on the early watch list for this year’s John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation’s premiere tight end.
Along the offensive line, only the right tackle slot has not been settled. Slimed down junior Jarrod Shaw, who has dropped 30 pounds of dead weight, is trying to hold off a challenge from red-shirt freshman and converted tight end Aaron Douglas at that RT position. The other four starters may be set and they are all seniors this season. Josh McNeil, who had to gain weight, is holding on at center. The guards should be power lifting champion Jacques McClendon and the guy who may be the squad’s best blocker, Valdimir Richard. Chris Scott, another lineman who has streamlined an over-weight physique, has looked solid as a rock at left tackle.
With the staff giving extra work to the younger guys at tailback, it would certainly appear that senior Montario Hardesty will start the first game. Sophomore Tauren Poole has been the star of pre-season practice on offense thus far and is pushing hard for playing time. The highly decorated freshmen, David Oku and Bryce Brown have been coming on strong after their rude introduction to college football by unsympathetic Vol defenders.
If Tennessee played tomorrow, the front four on defense would be Chris Walker and Gerald Williams at the ends, with Dan Williams stationed at nose tackle and powerful freshman Montori Hughes at the other inside position. Gerald Williams had a magnificent week of practice and overtook and passed projected starter Ben Martin.
Veteran linebacker Rico McCoy has been nursing a bruised knee but will start if he is good to go in three weeks. The other two linebacker jobs are still wide open. Herman Lathers was making his move in the middle until an injury shut him down for a few days. Freshman Greg King is in the mix at the other outside backer position.
In the secondary, the cornerback work is being split between four or five different contenders right now. Eric Berry is a fixture and Heisman candidate at strong safety and Prentiss Waggoner is the odds on favorite to start at free safety.
Place kicker Daniel Lincoln, a junior, has been squaring the ball and he looks like he is well on the way to shaking off the sophomore jinx that plagued him last fall. Lincoln was a freshman All-American two years ago. The punting job is still available with incumbent Chad Cunningham maintaining a slight edge at this point.
Latest Commitment—What do Florida, Michigan, Southern Cal, Alabama and Miami have in common? They were also-rans in the sweepstakes for the verbal commitment of Delvin Jones; a top 150 prospect out of Palmetto High School in Miami, Fla. Jones (6-6, 230, 4.6) is a two-way player who will get a look at both defensive end and tight end when he arrives in Knoxville next year. Last season he posted 20 sacks and intercepted nine passes. He has run a 10.7 in the 100 meters.
Featured Prospect—Chucky Currie—Offensive lineman (6-6, 310, 4.95) from East Central Mississippi CC—Currie is one of the top juco offensive line prospects in the nation and he currently lists Tennessee as his leader. He claims that he will graduate in December and be able to enroll in school in time for spring practice 2010. He is a powerful blocker with the speed and quickness to get to the second level of the defense in a hurry.
Vol notes—Quarterback Tyler Bray (6-7, 195, 4.8) will visit Knoxville for the opening game against WKU. Bray, who hails from Kingsburg, California, has seen his stock rise significantly after two marvelous showings at elite camps.
By Warner Agee
Head knocking continues
Camp Kiffin is certainly no place for the faint of heart or for those who fear bone-jarring collisions. After two weeks of pre-season practice, boys are becoming men and high school superstars are learning that press clippings don’t protect one from the fierce blocking and tackling involved in Tennessee’s most physical and demanding practice sessions since the days of Coach Johnny Majors.
Several key players have already been nicked and dinged up, but right now none have been ruled out for the opening game. Quotes and statements from several of the players would seem to indicate that they would be willing to take the field in a walking boot, remove it, put on football shoes and cover on the opening kickoff. Smash mouth football is returning to Neyland Stadium this year as the Vols will move to restore order and once again make the massive stadium a place that should be feared by any invader.
Some starting jobs almost nailed down
While spirited competition continues at several positions, it does appear that we can project that several starting jobs have been all but decided after two weeks of work. Senior Jeff Cottam has moved ahead of junior Luke Stocker at tight end. Cottam has been listed on the early watch list for this year’s John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation’s premiere tight end.
Along the offensive line, only the right tackle slot has not been settled. Slimed down junior Jarrod Shaw, who has dropped 30 pounds of dead weight, is trying to hold off a challenge from red-shirt freshman and converted tight end Aaron Douglas at that RT position. The other four starters may be set and they are all seniors this season. Josh McNeil, who had to gain weight, is holding on at center. The guards should be power lifting champion Jacques McClendon and the guy who may be the squad’s best blocker, Valdimir Richard. Chris Scott, another lineman who has streamlined an over-weight physique, has looked solid as a rock at left tackle.
With the staff giving extra work to the younger guys at tailback, it would certainly appear that senior Montario Hardesty will start the first game. Sophomore Tauren Poole has been the star of pre-season practice on offense thus far and is pushing hard for playing time. The highly decorated freshmen, David Oku and Bryce Brown have been coming on strong after their rude introduction to college football by unsympathetic Vol defenders.
If Tennessee played tomorrow, the front four on defense would be Chris Walker and Gerald Williams at the ends, with Dan Williams stationed at nose tackle and powerful freshman Montori Hughes at the other inside position. Gerald Williams had a magnificent week of practice and overtook and passed projected starter Ben Martin.
Veteran linebacker Rico McCoy has been nursing a bruised knee but will start if he is good to go in three weeks. The other two linebacker jobs are still wide open. Herman Lathers was making his move in the middle until an injury shut him down for a few days. Freshman Greg King is in the mix at the other outside backer position.
In the secondary, the cornerback work is being split between four or five different contenders right now. Eric Berry is a fixture and Heisman candidate at strong safety and Prentiss Waggoner is the odds on favorite to start at free safety.
Place kicker Daniel Lincoln, a junior, has been squaring the ball and he looks like he is well on the way to shaking off the sophomore jinx that plagued him last fall. Lincoln was a freshman All-American two years ago. The punting job is still available with incumbent Chad Cunningham maintaining a slight edge at this point.
Latest Commitment—What do Florida, Michigan, Southern Cal, Alabama and Miami have in common? They were also-rans in the sweepstakes for the verbal commitment of Delvin Jones; a top 150 prospect out of Palmetto High School in Miami, Fla. Jones (6-6, 230, 4.6) is a two-way player who will get a look at both defensive end and tight end when he arrives in Knoxville next year. Last season he posted 20 sacks and intercepted nine passes. He has run a 10.7 in the 100 meters.
Featured Prospect—Chucky Currie—Offensive lineman (6-6, 310, 4.95) from East Central Mississippi CC—Currie is one of the top juco offensive line prospects in the nation and he currently lists Tennessee as his leader. He claims that he will graduate in December and be able to enroll in school in time for spring practice 2010. He is a powerful blocker with the speed and quickness to get to the second level of the defense in a hurry.
Vol notes—Quarterback Tyler Bray (6-7, 195, 4.8) will visit Knoxville for the opening game against WKU. Bray, who hails from Kingsburg, California, has seen his stock rise significantly after two marvelous showings at elite camps.