A team that struggled at times to simply get field goals past a rush, was gashed for big plays in the return game, ranked among the worst punting units in the nation and occasionally appeared to not even know how to catch a kick clearly has room for improvement. The Vols are looking for a dramatic step up in the national rankings, and they're doing more than just talking about it this spring.
"I think that's why we have like three special-teams periods a day, really," sophomore David Oku said. "Dooley is real serious about that.
"Coach Dooley said if we're not top-five in the country, he's going to be mad at us. So I'm not about to get in trouble, that's the way I look at it."
The specialists certainly caused plenty of it a year ago, though Oku was a bright spot by averaging 26.2 yards per kickoff return to finish 25th individually in the country. But finding highlights for the rest of the unit isn't easy.
UT's net punting average was a dismal 34.9 yards. Before his dismissal, return man Nu'Keese Richardson sometimes looked completely lost just trying to field the ball - twice letting it bounce through his legs. The kickoff coverage unit gave up a pair of touchdowns.
Although the most painful for the Vols, four field goals were blocked, including a couple that could have ruined a perfect season for eventual national champion Alabama.
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