Philip Fulmer a.k.a. Schreddy Kreuger

Toughness.

By the end of 2006, Tennessee head coach was heard to wonder whether his team had enough. If the Vols are to make it through a murderous 2007 schedule, they’re going to need gallons of it.

Coming off their fifth loss in seven postseason appearances following a thumping at the hands of a decent but not spectacular Penn State squad in the Outback Bowl, Fulmer put his players through the ringer in the spring. That is, those who were on the field.

The notable absence from spring practice was starting QB Erik Ainge, who finally decided that listening to noted QB guru and Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe was a good idea and had a breakout year in ‘06. After noticing swelling in his right knee during the start of spring practice, an MRI revealed a partial tear of the signal-caller’s meniscus, an injury he may have sustained in high school. Doctors removed the meniscus (drastically reducing the recovery time) and Ainge resumed workouts in May and is expected to be the starter in week 1. If Ainge can stay out of his own head and keep that right knee out of harm’s way, he could be the SEC’s most consistent quarterback. With a fairly young offensive line, Ainge may have to make some plays on the run and that knee could become a problem. Vols’ fans could see backup Jonathan Crompton at some point during the season should Ainge’s knee become problematic.

108 yards per game. That was the season-long production of UT’s rushing triumvirate at running back that included Arian Foster, LaMarcus Coker and Montario Hardesty. Production that was good for 10th in the conference, 96th in the country and the Vols worst since 1964. Though plagued by injuries and off-the-field problems (Foster was arrested in November and Coker was banished from a week of bowl practice), the trio of running backs could have a big year in ‘07 and have to bump up their production if the Vols are to be a presence in the SEC East.

No unit on this team has more to prove that their receiving corps. Gone are Robert Meachem and Bret Smith and a significant portion of the Vols offensive production; the three combined for more than 2,400 receiving yards. Fulmer will need Lucas Taylor, Quintin Hancock and Austin Rogers to step up and fill those vacancies. Expect to see Juco transfer Kenny O’Neal and freshman Brent Vinson get some time in the slot as well.

The one thing that impressed me most about the Vols last season was their defense. Against Cal, the unit played fast and fearless and really made the highly-touted Golden Bears offense look soft and ineffective. Gaps in the defensive line (particularly at defensive tackle) could make the Vols a little vulnerable against the run and make the linebacking corps’ jobs a little more difficult if they have guards and tackles in their faces on 1st and 2nd down.

The success of John Chavis’ unit could rest solely on the production of his linebacking corps. If junior Jerod Mayo can get his knee healthy, he could very well find himself as a Butkus finalist at season’s end. Simply put, when healthy, Mayo is a monster, accounting for 83 tackles, 12.5 for loss and five sacks, including three in week one against Cal. Ryan Karl and Rico McCoy will have to continue to develop and the unit will need Adam Myers-White and even true freshman Chris Donald, who some considered to be the best high-school linebacker in the country, to work into the rotation and log some minutes.

The Smurf Patrol. The name affectionately given to senior corner Antonio Gaines (5-9, 180) and sophomore Marsalous Johnson (5-9, 180). Gaines and Johnson will split time at corner with senior Jonathan Hefney, the unit’s only returning starter, moving back to corner after playing last year at free safety. The trio (all of whom are under 5′10″) could have a difficult time matching up against the conference’s bigger receivers. With the departure of senior corner Roshaun Fellows in April for violating team rules, Vols fans could get a glimpse of the future if true freshman Eric Berry, Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, can work his way into the rotation as a nickel back. Berry could also see some time on the offensive side of the ball as well but there’s little doubt that Fulmer will need him in the secondary.

In the SEC it really is all about the schedule and Tennessee’s is as tough as any. They open the season at Cal, who will look to avenge that year’s throttling, and Jeff Tedford will field a team that is better than last year’s team, despite the loss of running back Marshawn Lynch to the NFL. All roads will run through Gainesville this year, if Tennessee can pull out a win at The Swamp, they can almost assuredly punch their tickets to Atlanta for the SEC Championship.

Bottom Line prediction: 10-2. While I think it’s possible that the Vols go into The Swamp and beat the Gators at home, I don’t think it’s likely. Another loss could come in week 1 at Berkeley against Cal or in Tuscaloosa against Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. I think in his first year, Saban will be looking for a banner win. He won’t get it against LSU, he could get it against UT. 

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