Williams gets some extra work

KNOXVILLE -- Dan Williams is every bit as important to other sore University of Tennessee football starters, but the senior defensive tackle didn't enjoy the same easy Saturday as many of his veteran teammates.

Williams, unlike several other proven players, worked beyond the first few possessions of a long scrimmage in Neyland Stadium.

"It's always different for us big guys," Williams said in between his standard giggles. "But seriously, it's no big deal. I'm healthier than a lot of those guys on the sidelines."

Williams, who missed a practice last week with something coaches described as general soreness, entered preseason camp heavier than expected and has worked to get his 6-foot-3 frame back down to the 300-pound range.

The Vols have also played without senior Wes Brown for much of camp's full-contact drills, though, and that combined with Williams' minor weight issue has left Williams on the field more than most would have anticipated months ago.

"It would be nice to get more rest every now and then, I guess, but I can't complain. I'm a football player," Williams said. "The team needs me out there, especially when Wes can't go. I'll always be out there when my team and my coaches need me out there."

Williams, even at less than 100 percent, is the defensive line's linchpin. His return to practice last week immediately hindered UT's running game.

"Oh, gosh, he makes a huge difference, no question," defensive line coach Ed Orgeron said last week.

The same was true Saturday, when Williams led a defensive front that plugged up the same rushing attack that piled up large chunks of yardage in the first major scrimmage.

"Big Dan gets it done in there," junior defensive end Chris Walker said. "It takes a couple of guys to block him ... and that helps everybody else make plays."

SPECIAL TEAMS WATCH

Several freshmen worked as kickoff returners Saturday, including tailback David Oku, cornerback Mike Edwards and wide receivers Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague. The Vols didn't break any big returns, though, with only Oku advancing near the 30-yard line.

Richardson -- who also took snaps as a special-package quarterback -- split punt return reps with junior defensive back Dennis Rogan. Both simply called for fair catches, though.

Junior wide receiver Gerald Jones, who has missed most of this week's work with an injured wrist and other nicks, has also worked at punt returns. Jones and Rogan have handled most of those duties the past two seasons.

The Vols' kickers were solid Saturday. Daniel Lincoln went 3-for-3, connecting from 49, 42 and 36 yards. Punter Chad Cunningham helped the second-team unit by crushing a 47-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare.

"We hit the ball really well today, and that's a testament to what we've been doing during the week," Lincoln said. "Spring was step 1, and camp is step 2, and everybody keeps hitting the ball really well. It's a good feeling.

"We joke with Chad, because he pulls those out of nowhere sometimes. Other times, though, you don't know where it's going to go."

LAMAISON LACKING

Sophomore quarterback Nick Lamaison, a late-summer, junior-college transfer from California, continued his struggles in catching up to UT's playbook and Southeastern Conference speed.

Lamaison piloted just two possessions, and redshirt freshman safety Rod Wilks ended the first with an interception returned for a touchdown.

Walk-on linebacker Jake Storey ended Lamaison's only first-scrimmage possession the previous Saturday with an interception.

Still, the Vols have just three scholarship quarterbacks, so Lamaison is the only viable option (who doesn't play a different position) aside from Jonathan Crompton and Nick Stephens.