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TENNESSEE
VOLUNTEERS |
|
OFFENSE
- 7
|
------RETURNING
STARTERS------
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DEFENSE
- 9
|
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KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
Cedric Houston-TB, Tony Brown-WR, Derrick Tinsley-WR,
Michael Munoz-OT, Jason Respert-C, Chuck Prugh-C,
James Banks-WR (transferred) |
DEFENSE:
Karlton
Neal-DE, Kevin Burnett-WLB, Dustin Colquitt-P |
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|
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Defensive
Line
|
The
big reason Tennessee was able to win
the SEC East in 2004, had to do with
strong DL play. Three starters will
return and Parys Haralson has NFL
potential.
|
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Running
Back
|
RB
is a question, but likely not a problem.
Cedric Houston is gone, but Gerald
Riggs and his near 1000 yards from
2004 should fill nicely. Depth is
more of a question.
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|
|
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QB
Erik Ainge
|
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DB
Jason Allen
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* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players that
received the most playing experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing
personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers,
injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with our full 2005 Preseason
Preview due out this coming spring. |
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TENNESSEE
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Erik
Ainge-So |
Brent
Schaeffer-So / Rick Clausen-Sr |
FB |
Cory
Anderson-Jr |
.. |
TB |
Gerald
Riggs-Sr |
.. |
WR |
Robert
Meachem-So |
Bret
Smith-Jr |
WR |
Chris
Hannon-Sr |
Jayson
Swain-Jr / C.J. Fayton-Sr |
TE |
Chris
Brown-So |
Justin
Reed-Sr |
OT |
.. |
.. |
OG |
Rob
Smith-Jr |
.. |
C |
Richie
Gandy-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Cody
Douglas-Sr |
.. |
OT |
Arron
Sears-Jr |
.. |
K |
James
Wilhoit-Jr |
.. |
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Parys
Haralson-Sr |
.. |
DT |
Jesse
Mahelona-Sr |
Turk
McBride-Jr |
DT |
Justin
Harrell-Jr |
.. |
DE |
Jason
Hall-Sr |
.. |
SLB |
Omar
Gaither-Sr |
.. |
MLB |
Jason
Mitchell-Sr |
Kevin
Simon-Sr (inj.) |
WLB |
.. |
.. |
CB |
Roshaun
Fellows-So |
Jonathan
Wade-Jr |
CB |
Jonathan
Hefney-So |
.. |
SS |
Robert
Boulware-Sr |
Brandon
Johnson-Sr / Corey Campbell-Jr |
FS |
Jason
Allen-Sr |
.. |
P |
.. |
.. |
|
QUICK
ANALYSIS
|
The
Vols were moving along fine with their "duel
freshmen QB approach", that is until both
got sidelined with injuries. Their return is a
big reason Tennessee is worthy of being granted
a Top 10 preseason ranking. A few holes do exist
through out this lineup. The big reason that UT
won the SEC East had to do with the improvement
of the DL. Parys Haralson and Jesse Mahelona now
anchor a defensive front line capable of making
another conference title run to Atlanta next December.
The injury bug has not been kind in Knoxville
the last few seasons, and whether LB Kevin Simon
can return to full health remains to be seen.
But given the overall talent on defense, his prognosis
is not "do or die" for the team by any
means, just a bonus if he can return. For Coach
Fulmer to get his team back into the national
title picture, he'll need a better performance
from the secondary (ranked dead last in SEC pass
defense and only 73rd in all I-A). Jason Allen
heads up a secondary capable of making those improvements.
There is much to be excited about on the Tennessee
River by Neyland Stadium. With a few breaks and
some gritty play, the Vols will lessen their output
in the loss column. And, with only two defeats
in '04, that's not too shabby.
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