By Will Woodbery, Correspondent
KNOXVILLE — For Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer, spring practice is meant to focus on players, not plays.
The Volunteers’ scrimmage today will be no different, he said Friday.
“I’m looking for effort. I’m looking for guys on defense that are going to be passionate about chasing the football or rushing the passer, or breaking on the ball and knocking the thing loose,” Fulmer said. “Offensively, who’s going to take care of the ball and makes that a priority — those kinds of things, those fundamental things that you can never forget because they’ll bite you in the butt if you do.”
Fulmer said the continuing transition to a new offensive system under coordinator Dave Clawson is progressing smoothly. That’s no surprise to him.
“We actually went from one kind of a scheme in ’06 to another one in ’07 with the no-huddle, and guys did a great job,” Fulmer said. “I think that’s probably helped us, even with this transition. Now here in ’08, they’re picking it up really well.”
But the offensive transition hasn’t been without its road bumps. Junior tight end Jeff Cottam fractured his leg during practice Thursday and is expected to miss the entire spring.
“It was just an accident. He went up for a ball, and a defensive back went up for a ball and came down on his legs. It’s as simple as that,” Fulmer said. “I hate that for him. He’s doing extremely well. But the good thing is it’s a clean break, no complications, and he’ll be back in about six weeks going again.”
Asked if Cottam’s absence could help develop depth in the tight end position, Fulmer was blunt:
“We have no depth — Luke Stocker and you, if you’re interested,” he said.
Fulmer said freshman offensive guard Cody Pope (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) has been moved to tight end.
“It could be a long-term move, could be a short-term move. But just to get through the spring and the scrimmages, we had to do something,” Fulmer said.
Fulmer said the scrimmage would not be live for quarterbacks.
“We will down the road somewhere, I think. I’m not backing up on that right now. But Coach Clawson, I’m not sure I’ve sold him on it just yet.”
E-mail Will Woodbery at sports@timesfreepress.com
