KNOXVILLE— The Vols hit the practice field at 8 a.m. this morning for practice No. 13. Here are a few quick observations from the field.

*Receiver Vincent Dallas returned from the injured list to catch several passes. He worked mainly with the second team. Jacob Carter, Paul Harris, and Jason Croom were held out of practice again due to injuries.

*Marlin Lane and Eric Gordon were not at practice. Both continue to be away from the team for disciplinary reasons. Jones said Lane has an opportunity to rejoin the team before the Orange and White Game.

*With Peterman at the helm, the Vols ran a few spread option plays during one series.

*Worley continues to take the vast majority of first team reps.

*In team portions, Worley was 1/3 for 4 yards. Peterman was 1/3 for 20 yards. Both threw passes that could have been intercepted but were dropped by Vol defensive backs.

Worley drops back for a pass.
Photo by Reed Carringer

*At the end of the media viewing portion, the team ran a 3 vs. 3 drill between the defensive backs and receivers from the forty yard line heading toward the end zone. Worley was 2/4 with one under thrown ball and one Pig Howard drop. Peterman went 3/4 in the same drill with completions to Devrin Young, Vincent Dallas, and Cody Blanc. His lone incompletion came on a fly route where Blanc beat his man (Daniel Gray) and dropped a perfectly thrown pass in the end zone.

*Devrin Young is the most consistent punt returner on the team, but that’s a position Jones singled out as needing to improve. Pig Howard continues to struggle with fielding punts, and if the season started today there’s simply no way the coaches would trust him enough to put him back there.

*Daniel Hood wore a green jersey today and did not practice. Greg Clark filled in at tackle with the first team in his absence

*Riyahd Jones was held out of practice again. Jones said there’s a chance he’ll return in time for the Orange and White Game.

*Walk on tight end Charles Folger made a nice one-handed catch down the seam. He was immediately hit by safety Brian Randolph but held on to the ball. Randolph got called out over the loudspeaker for lowering his shoulder and not wrapping up. Jones said, “Don’t lunge Brian, wrap up.”

*Jones said the incoming freshmen will all get a chance to compete for playing time once they step on campus.

*Every player (and Jones) spoke at length about what a large crowd at the Orange and White Game would do for this team. They’re clearly excited about showing the results of their hard work to the fan base.

*Tennessee’s ends continue to do a much better job of getting into the backfield quickly. On one play, redshirt freshman LaTroy Lewis absolutely destroyed Devrin Young in the backfield just after the ball was snapped.