Tennessee Scrimmage Report - August 8

by Will Shelton on Aug 8, 2009 8:15 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

[Note from Will 10:21 PM - Updated with video highlights & interviews from UT's official site]

The Vols went into Neyland Stadium for their first fall scrimmage of the Lane Kiffin era, and came out with the offense feeling a lot better about itself than it had all week in practice.

Playing with the ones against the first team defense, Jonathan Crompton finished 11 of 14 for 178 yards (KNS), including a 9-for-9 start. That's right kids, it's good news about our man under center for a change, and what a great way to start his first live action under Kiffin's watch. Nick Stephens also filled the stat sheet with the second team offense, going 9 for 13 for 100 yards.

Several players saw limited action: Rico McCoy and Brent Vinson did not participate as they nursed injuries, and Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty played only a few plays; I would assume both of those guys are considered to be ready.

In Hardesty's absence, it wasn't Bryce Brown or David Oku who got the most publicity, but Tauren Poole, who was the star of UT's official scrimmage release. He pulled in a 20 yard screen pass TD from Crompton, then ripped off a pair of touchdown runs of 44 and 75 yards against the second team defense. Clearly, his leg "injury" from yesterday was no big deal.

You're going to continue to hear the names Nu'Keese Richardson, Marsalis Teague, and of course Brown and Oku as camp progresses, as all four continue to see significant action with the offense. Hooper attended practice first hand on Friday and mentioned how much fun it seemed like the guys were having, and with the offense showing some spark today, it makes us all feel better about our chances of having some fun too this fall.

Lastly, to build on a theme that won't go away this offseason...are those just practice unis we're seeing in the picture from today up there, or are we actually going to have something new on the field this fall?

The new stripes on the jersey down the side are new and an adidas touch, they weren't used in spring practice, and nothing has been said about them...but if they do make the field on September 5, hey, I kinda like 'em. The white road ones also look kinda like our RTT Create Your Own Uniform contest winner from devildogutk...

The team gets Sunday off for UT Media Day, so you're sure to hear plenty more about this team in the next 24 hours...quotes of interest and updates as we get them...

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IIRC, those are just practice uniforms.

I can’t find a link for you, but I remember something about these just being practice unis and that the regular season ones won’t have the three stripes on them.

Perhaps those are simply Nike repellent for when the recruits see (or hear about) how totally awesome and fun our practices are…

;-)

by David Hooper on Aug 8, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

And boy, it's good to hear that Poole is ok.

That he had such a good day is just icing. Tasty, tasty icing.

by David Hooper on Aug 8, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

For paying VolQuest subscribers

They have an excellent write-up here

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Aug 8, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the paying warning

You saved me a back-and-forth visit. Gratefully,

by memphispete on Aug 8, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

CTRL + Click

It’s your friend. Open it up in a new tab and there is no back-and-forth.

by rblakeh on Aug 9, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

What's the mac-equivalent?

Still trying to get used to it. Appreciate the tip, btw…

by memphispete on Aug 9, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

the apple key thingy + click

(I’ve always preferred to call it ‘apple key thingy’)

by David Hooper on Aug 9, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm actually surprised they haven't put a little Apple logo on it yet.

What the heck do you call that thing on it now?

by wvvol on Aug 9, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Command?

Is that right?

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 9, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Command is right - not sure what that square with the 4 squiggly corners is tho.

As the dude with the piercings in the Apple store said, “It’s an Apple thing. You just wouldn’t understand…”

by memphispete on Aug 9, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

In other words,

he didn’t have a clue either.

by David Hooper on Aug 9, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Could it be a screwed up window?

;-)

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 10, 2009 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions

If the Wikipedia entry is correct (and it probably is), then that Apple guy was blowing smoke.

Turns out it was simply that they wanted something other than yet another apple and that symbol looked kinda cool.

It’s called St. John’s Arms and the history is far cooler than the Apple story. I wonder if Apple guy can comprehend it…

(Sorry, I hate pretentiousness.)

by David Hooper on Aug 10, 2009 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm a right click

plus “open in new tab” kinda guy, personally.

by bobo_the_vol on Aug 9, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems to me that the qb slot is Crompton's to lose.

It’s clear that neither Rozier nor Lamaison are going to be the starter when the season begins, so it’s a two-horse race.

Neither Crompton nor Stephens has been the model of consistency this week, but the overall body seems to favor Jonathan a little bit. I’m thinking it’s probably time we start assuming he’s making a comeback unless something happens to make us change our minds about it.

by David Hooper on Aug 8, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions

I would LOVE to see

two good days in a row. That’ll make me a believer faster than anything else, at least until the real deal starts next month.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Aug 8, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

No kidding.

As long as the coaches have a good idea what to expect, they can game plan for it. Even it it’s simply average and dependable in that John Parker Wilson sort of way, it’s workable. The roller coaster isn’t.

by David Hooper on Aug 8, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

This is great news for Crompton, but I hope he can continue to build on it rather than squander it. Would love to know if they were “safe” passes and if the defense was somehow limited (other than Berry being held out). If high-percentage passing plays along with the running game can do that against our first teamers on defense who aren’t playing with one hand behind their back, then that is really, really encouraging.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 9, 2009 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Some thoughts picked up from here and there...

- It wasn’t a limited defense according to Berry and Kiffin, though I’m sure it’s not the fully-implemented one either and they were playing without Rico and Brent Vinson as well.

- He threw a bomb to Gerald Jones that was on the money, and another deep out that a couple of reporters called the best pass he’s thrown in any scrimmage or game in his Tennessee career. (more on Crompton from John Adams)

- Jim Chaney warned that what looks good in an early practice may simply be the result of busted coverage or a misinterpreted defensive assignment, so there is that. Over under on the number of losses before UT fans start making fun of Kiffin for saying “We’ll go back and study the film” with the same frequency Fulmer did: 3.5.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Aug 9, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

"average and dependable"

I think in the biz they call that a “game manager” – I know because I’m a Titans fan and we have Kerry Collins.

RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!

by Pride of the Southland on Aug 10, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Crompton needs to distribute the ball (quickly) and not lose games

His job should be handing the ball off to the backs or tossing it very quickly to the proper receiver or hit the check-down receiver. He isn’t supposed to thread the needle or scramble to make the great play. That’s why we have the #1 recruit in the country at RB; the #1 all-purpose back and the FL receiver. They are supposed to make the plays – not Crompton.

If we can get him consistent enough to do that – get the ball in the hands of the right skill players on a regular basis – , then he has progressed a ton over last season. That’s all we can expect of an average QB – not to lose games and let the system protect you.

by memphispete on Aug 9, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

If Berry had played more...

… Crompton would have started 2-9 with 5 INTs.

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on Aug 9, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

5 INTs?

What, do you think Berry would’ve dropped two passes?

Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs

by Chris Pendley on Aug 9, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions