3/27/2008 - Vols Preparing For Saturday Scrimmage; Cottam Suffers Injury - Sports

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May 15, 2008

Vols Preparing For Saturday Scrimmage; Cottam Suffers Injury
posted March 27, 2008

KNOXVILLE -- Two days in pads and Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer already is looking toward the team’s first full scrimmage. That comes Saturday as a wrap-up to the annual UT Coaching Clinic, which begins Friday.

Thursday at Haslam Field, the Vols included 35-40 scrimmage plays as part of their 21/2-hour workout. It only seemed to whet the appetite for more from UT’s head coach.

“It was good to get our first scrimmage work done,” Fulmer said. “I certainly would deem it as productive, although we’ve got to get a lot better at taking care of the football. We had two turnovers, which doesn’t bode well for the offensive team when you stop yourself.

“But there were some good efforts, including an outstanding run from Lennon Creer. It at least gets us started toward the scrimmage Saturday.”

Friday’s practice in front of the clinic coaches will be light, followed by Saturday’s half-practice and half-scrimmage format.

“Spring practice is about players,” Fulmer said. “It’s not necessarily about plays, although this year has been a little different with the offense inserting so much of a new numbering system and new scheme. But you’re still looking for players who can help. We’re established in several positions but we’re trying to build depth and trying to work at finding the right position for some guys.”

Also during Thursday’s practice, junior Jeff Cottam suffered what head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh reports was a right leg fibula fracture. McVeigh said the tight end will miss the remainder of spring drills but expects him to make a full recovery by fall.

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)

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