University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Defense Shines In Goal Line Scrimmage
Aug. 15, 2001
Tennessee's defense saved the best for last in this morning's workout at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols, who worked for more than an hour-and- half, ended the practice with a situational goal line scrimmage in which the defense had the upper hand.
"We certainly finished well with the goal line scrimmage", said head coach Phillip Fulmer. "Obviously, the defense took the challenge from yesterday and did a good job. It's a good toughness drill for us at the end of practice. This will be a good film to study and hopefully we can continue to make a little progress each day."
Linebackers Eddie Moore and Robert Peace and defensive tackle John Henderson had impressive stints during the goal line work, with Peace causing a fumble.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis was encouraged with his troops and said his guys felt challenged after yesterday's practices. "I think everyday is a challenge for them. If we don't take everyday as a challenge, then we are not going to get to the level where we need to be.
"It's early yet," Chavis continued. "Short yardage situation today, we got off to a good start. That's just one small portion of what we have to do. I'm pleased with our entire defensive football team right now. We challenged them a little bit about pad leverage and it was better today."
Under the hot August sun, the Vols culminated the day's grind with another 90-minute workout at Upper Hudson field. There, the Vols focused on running full offensive sets while getting in plenty of fundamental work early on.
As the clouds rolled in, they closed out the day with conditioning drills. Vols sitting out practice included offensive tackle Sean Young (knee), linebacker Andre James (knee), offensive guard Victor McClure (knee), defensive end Kevin Young (calf) and defensive end Sudan Ellington (knee).
Tennessee will hold only one practice Thursday, it being a situational scrimmage beginning at 4:40 p.m., before resuming its regular two-a-day schedule Friday. They will hold their first major preseason scrimmage Saturday.
