Erik Ainge new QB for Southeastern Conference



With JaMarcus Russell and Chris Leak gone to the pros, one could make a strong case for Tennessee's Erik Ainge as the new alpha quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.

"We're going to try to use his talents every way we can," said Volunteer coach Philip Fulmer, who started this season's "spring" practice in mid February, when basketballs were still bouncing.

If nothing else, this shows how far Ainge has come. After a strong freshman season, he endured a disastrous 2005 during which the Vols wound up 5-7. Then David Cutcliffe returned as offensive coordinator after a fling as head coach at Ole Miss, and Ainge began to flourish again.

"It will help me take my game to the next level," Ainge said. "It makes me a better quarterback from the neck up."

Meanwhile, Wide receivers Robert Meacham and Jayson Swain were Ainge's favorite targets last season, and both are gone, leaving an inexperienced corps of pass catchers. Ainge said he plans to get some of the new guys -- Austin Rogers, Lucas Taylor, Quintin Hancock -- out on the practice field for voluntary workouts this summer.

The advantage to the no-huddle attack is that teams can run more plays while keeping the defense off balance. The only disadvantage is that it puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback to make adjustments on the fly.

"The quarterback is supposed to be the smartest guy on the team," he said.