University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Wrap Up Game Week Preparations
December 31, 2003 | Football
Dec. 31, 2003
WEDNESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE
(Coaches Chavis, Sanders With Seniors Wells & Baker)
PHOTO GALLERY
ATLANTA ? With the season?s end less than 48 hours away, Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer paid tribute Wednesday to the 23 seniors who will be wrapping up their careers with the Volunteers.
The team?s goals of an 11-win season and a top-five national finish hinge on the outcome of Friday?s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game with Clemson. But the tone of Fulmer?s final evaluation of the 2003 squad has already been set.
?This has been a special group,? Fulmer said at the team?s Georgia Dome workout. ?Guys like Scott Wells, Casey Clausen, Constantin Ritzmann and others have been outstanding leaders. We didn?t have anyone ineligible and didn?t have to leave anyone at home. Those things make a difference in how you look at a season.?
Tennessee?s seniors have led the Vols to a 10-2 record and a 37-13 mark over the past four years, with four bowl appearances and a pair of Southeastern Conference Eastern Division titles.
Senior defensive back Jabari Greer has played in every game since coming to Rocky Top four years ago and will be making a school-record 51st appearance Friday, topping the mark of Jeff Hall. But the Vols are especially experienced on offense. Wells will start his 49th consecutive game at center, bettering Jeff Smith?s Tennessee record for starts by a position player. Meanwhile, Clausen has posted a 34-9 mark as the starting quarterback over four campaigns. The veteran leadership has made life a bit easier for offensive coordinator Randy Sanders.
?It?s been one of the most fun years I?ve had coaching,? Sanders said. ?That?s not because of 10 wins or the way the season?s gone or anything like that. It?s because of the attitude of not only the offense, but of the entire football team. The guys have been hungry. That started in Knoxville last January. They made up their minds that they were going to respond and have the kind of season we wanted to have. They?ve done that. They?ve gone to work each day and they?ve been intent on getting better.?
Senior free safety Rashad Baker, who has 11 career interceptions, is determined to close his career with a flourish.
?It?s my last game as a Volunteer and I?m definitely going to miss it,? Baker said. ?It?s very important to play the best game of my career with the guys I came in with, the guys I?ve taken in as my brothers. It?s going to be kind of hard for me at the end of the game.?
Fulmer is hoping for a happy ending as well.
?It?s been a fun team to be around,? he said. ?I?ve been real pleased with the attitude these guys have maintained. I hope it carries over into the game on Friday.?
INJURY REPORT (Peach Bowl Week) ? Probable ? Michael Munoz (calf); Questionable: Marvin Mitchell (knee), Turk McBride (thumb).
VOLS? STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING STAFF CHOSEN FOR LAS VEGAS ALL-STAR GAME
Four members of the Tennessee football strength and conditioning staff have been chosen to work at the Las Vegas All-American Classic Jan. 17.
Head strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long will be accompanied by staff members Chris Stewart, Jeff Smith and Eric Ciano for the all-star game featuring some of the nation?s top seniors.
Also representing the Vols will be defensive end Constantin Ritzmann, linebacker Robert Peace and offensive guard Chavis Smith.
