2007 Tennessee Volunteers

By Smitty

2006 in Review

The 2006 Volunteers regrouped and showed that 2005 was just a fluke. David Cutcliffe returned as offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach and apparently fixed Erik Ainge. Ainge was second in the league in passing averaging around 249 yards a game. On a funny note, Andre’ Woodson of Kentucky lead the league in passing while being coached by former Vol QB’s coach Randy Sanders. Maybe the most important coaching move was to shift Trooper Taylor from Running Backs to Wide Receivers coach. Taylor took an underachieving group and made them into studs, including first round pick Robert Meachem. Key injuries in the Air Force game to Justin Harrell and Inky Johnson really put a strain on the Tennessee Defense.

The season was rolling along smoothly until the LSU game. The Vols had come from behind late in the game, thanks to LSU’s many turnovers. But the Vols lost Ainge and the game. The next week Fulmer started back up Jonathan Crompton at Arkansas, but Darren McFadden completely dominated the Vols with a Hershel Walker like game.

Tennessee looked like they might finish in the top 12, but an embarrassing loss to Penn State in the Out Back Bowl put a sour taste back into many fan’s mouths.

2007 Positions Quarterback Erik Ainge is back after a good 2006 season. It is hard to believe that he is already a senior. Off season knee surgery may have set him back with feeling out his new receivers, but he should be ready to start the season. In both seasons where he was the primary starter he has been injured and forced to miss games. Super Sophomore, Jonathan Crompton should be a capable fill in, but will be pressed by Freshman Nick Stephens. Running Backs

This group was injury plagued and didn’t get many holes to run through all season. However, LaMarcus Coker stepped up and proved to be the home run threat the Vols have been without since Travis Stephens. Arian Foster was hurt al of last season and may even surpass Coker as the starter. Montario Hardesty may have the most talent of all the Vols backs, but is consistently injured.

Wide Receivers All three starters from last season are gone and no one in the spring really pulled away from the pack. It looks like Trooper Taylor may rely on some very talented freshman to step up early. That is never a good sign. Sophomore Quinton Hancock will probably start out as the number one with transfer Kenny O’Neal being the deep threat (trust me, he is like 4.2 fast) and Freshman Bret Vinson being the other target for Ainge. My vote for new comer of the year in the SEC is Vinson. All reports on him are that he might be the best athlete Tennessee has had at receiver in many years. He also has great hands. O’Neal is a former FSU track star and will return kicks. Josh Briscoe, Lucus Taylor, and Austin Rogers will all be in the fold as well, but really have been lack luster at best at UT. There are a few incoming freshman, like Ahmad Paige and Gerald Jones, that may pass them by as well. The Vols also have solid targets at tight end with Chris Brown, Jeff and Brad Cottam. O-Line

This is another of Tennessee possible weaknesses. The only sure starters are Josh McNeil, Anthony Parker, and Eric Young. That leaves a tackle and a guard slot open. Chris Scott seems to have won the left tackle spot and Ramon Foster should get the nod at guard. Jacques McClendon will battle Foster for his job all season. This group could be really good, but could very well be average at best.

Kicker

Daniel Lincoln will probably start off as the place kicker, but if he falters it will be punter Britton Colquitt.

DEFENSE

D-Line

Demonte Bolden, Dan Williams, Walter Fisher and J.T. Mapu will rotate at the tackle spots. Xavier Mitchell, Antonio Reynolds, Wes Brown and Robert Ayers will share time at the ends with Reynolds and Mitchell poised to cause a lot of damage. This group should be stronger that last years. Hopefully the pass rush will improve, because defensive back is green group of guys. John Chavis is also working in some 3-4 schemes, more on that in a second. Freshman Ben Martin should see some playing time as well.

Linebacker

The Vols strongest area has to be at linebacker. In fact, their depth is why Chavis wants to use a few 3-4 packages so he can get these guys on the field. Jerod Mayo, Ryan Karl, Rico McCoy, Adam Myers-White and Ellix Wilson all come to hit. Mayo, Karl, and McCoy will probably be the starters. If they can avoid injuries, they are going to be scary good. Look out for freshman Chris Donald to make an impact this season.

Secondary

The Good: All American Safety Jonathan Hefney is back and will also return kicks.

The Bad: The rest of last years starting secondary are no longer on the team.

The Ugly: Antonio Gaines, Marsalous Johnson, and Jarod Parrish all won starting jobs in the spring. None of them really seem ready to start in the SEC

Safety Nevin McKenzie and corner/safety DeAngelo Willingham, from the junior college ranks, will provide some support in the fall and will probably start. Antonio Wardlow will be a solid reserve as well. Freshmen Eric Berry may figure in too.

Punter

Britton Colquitt is the man! How could he not be with that last name? When he graduates I hope we can find another Colquitt, even if it is a sister.

Schedule and Smitty’s Forecast (This assumes everyone stays healthy)

09-01-2007	Sat	California	Berkeley, CA
09-08-2007	Sat	Southern Mississippi	Knoxville, TN
09-15-2007	Sat	Florida	Gainsville, FL
09-22-2007	Sat	Arkansas State	Knoxville, TN
10-06-2007	Sat	Georgia	Knoxville, TN
10-13-2007	Sat	Mississippi State	Starkville, MS
10-20-2007	Sat	Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL
10-27-2007	Sat	South Carolina	Knoxville, TN
11-03-2007	Sat	Louisiana-Lafayette(HC)	Knoxville, TN
11-10-2007	Sat	Arkansas	Knoxville, TN
11-17-2007	Sat	Vanderbilt	Knoxville, TN
11-24-2007	Sat	Kentucky	Lexington, KY

California- This should be a good game. I am giving the edge to the Vols after last years romp.

Southern Mississippi- Will also be a tough test, but Tennessee SHOULD pull this one out.

Florida- The defending national champs (ugh) only beat the Vols by a point last year and they lose a lot of key personnel. UT starts off 3-0.

Arkansas State- Whatever.

Georgia- UGA owns the Vols at home. I think Tennessee will pull out a close one however and get the upper hand in the SEC East.

Mississippi State- Arkansas State would give them a run for their money.

Alabama- “The Nick” effect won’t have settled in yet. Tennessee by 10.

South Carolina- Spurrier scares me, his team does not. 8-0.

Louisiana-Lafayette- 9-0

Darren McFadden…I mean Arkansas- Not with Nutt and not in Knoxville.

Vanderbilt- Vandy is going to a bowl this year, but not turning the trick again in Knoxville.

Kentucky- The Mildcats will be better this year, but they won’t stop this undefeated party.

SEC Championship Game (LSU)- The Vols come from behind late and beat LSU with a game winning field goal.

BCS National Title Game- Well I think USC will probably trip the Vols up, but I went out this far, minus well take them. Tennessee 28 USC 21, we are turning the trick in men’s and women’s basketball too!