The Tennessee Vols opened practices yesterday with heightened intensity under first year coach Lane Kiffin. The Vols open the 2009 football season against Western Kentuckyon September 5th and Kiffin is making sure that his squad is well prepared for opening day. Yesterday’s practice was the usual standard procedure sans pads and contact but emotions and intensity ran high while Kiffin encouraged physicality on both sides of the ball.
Kiffin has been a walking soundbite since arriving in Knoxville but he claims that his harsh talk and banter is part of a plan. UT players were excited about the new era and enjoyed the electricity of the first practice. Defensive backs were bumping receivers running routes, running backs were constantly having the football swatted from their hands, and there was plenty of pushing and shoving throughout the course of the three hour practice. Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Kiffin has brought an energy to Knoxville that has been non-existent in recent years. His players love him and he has been successful in getting Tennessee’s name back in the national spotlight.
Volunteer fans have high expectations this year after landing a top-20 recruiting class and the new leadership of Lane and Monte Kiffin. Although they have been mired in injury, there is still top flight talent on both sides of the ball that will allow them to compete in the ultra competitive SEC. It will be interesting to see how the first year under Kiffin goes. We all know that he can talk the talk, but can he translate that onto the football field and win ballgames. Only time will tell.
