SEC KICKOFF 2002
Southeastern Conference Football Media Days
July 30 - August 1 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Wynfrey Hotel * Hoover, Alabama

TENNESSEE PARTICIPANT AUDIO
  Coach Phillip Fulmer
  QB Casey Clausen
  LB Eddie Moore

Tennessee Quotes from Kickoff 2002 - SEC Football Media Days

Head Coach Phillip Fulmer

"We have a lot of high expectations at our place. That doesn't change. But as always, we've got to play the games. We've got a good looking football team. We have made a real transition. After spring practice, we weren't real excited about leadership of seniors, but we have had a metamorphosis over the summer and the seniors have stepped up big time and handled a couple of issues over the summer."

"When you have a veteran quarterback, it is a good place to start. Casey Clausen is an exceptional player who has a lot of outstanding wins under his belt already. Midseason or so, he really took off as a football player. He sees the field extremely well and can make all the throws. I think this will be a big year for him. We've just got to keep him healthy."

"The offensive line might be the best group we've had in sometime. Michael Munoz is back at 100 percent. At one point they were talking about him not playing football anymore. Even though we lost a good player in Reggie Coleman, I think we'll be better at tackle. Scott Wells is anchor in the middle. He is a good leader for us. This will be his third year to start. And Will Ofenheusle one of those guys you want to get off the bus first."

"Jason Witten ought to be one of the best, if not the best, at his position (TE) in the country."

On wide receiver Kelley Washington
"It's phenomenal what he was able to accomplish last year. He had a great spring and summer. He is a tremendous worker and has some lofty goals set for himself as for what he wants to accomplish after college football. He understands route-running and coverages a lot better."

On Tailbacks
"Two or three have not played a lot in games. We'll lean on them. They're talented and can make some things happen for us. I think we'll be good there."

"The biggest question mark we have is the defensive front. Two ends came to see me the other day and we were talking about the expectations of our team. We've got four defensive line seniors who have all started games for us. We're looking for some young help at defensive end and defensive tackle."

"Our secondary should be the best we've had since 98. We've had some play-makers last year, but we've got to make more plays. We had hands on lot of balls last year that we didn't catch."

"The thing I like right now is our attitude and work ethic. We've had a real good summer. We're going into the season with only one freshman who had a basketball injury and will be limited some."

On Academic side
We went through a year-and-half of scrutiny. We are very confident that issue is over. I think it did make us better. We've corrected some things institutionally that made us a little bit more accountable."

Quarterback Casey Clausen

"I don't think a lot about the NFL. My number one goal is to go out and take care of business. I want to play hard and compete. Anything after that is just a bonus for me. The awards come after the season is over."

"Getting that close to playing for a national championship and not getting there was probably the hardest thing. We just didn't get it done. WE have to go out there this season and get after it."

"Our biggest goal or challenge is to take it one game at a time. If we can do that, we have a good chance to win some big games."

"My focus is on this season and this team. I'm never satisfied with the past. I want to be the best I can be. I want to help my team to be successful."

"This is an opportunity for a lot of young guys to step up. I'm excited to get out there and see what the young guys can do."

Linebacker Eddie Moore

"That seems to be the biggest question of the day. I think a lot of people aren't taking into consideration our guys coming back now have played a lot of football and as far as the guys who left, they didn't play every snap of every game. So, I feel very confident about that."

On his shoulder injury
"The shoulder is fine. I had a great rehab. I'm just working with the trainers. I got back a lot quicker than people thought I would."

"There's a lot of pressure. I don't know where we were picked, but we have to realize that doesn't matter until we get out on the field and play. We need to go out and show everybody we deserve to be where we were picked."

On dealing with young players
"I try to teach them the way the guy before me taught me really to understand the defense. There is a difference in learning the defense and really understanding the defense. They come to me and I try to help them out as much as I can. Whether it is a little bit after practice or coming over to my house to watch film, I just try to do everything that the guys above me did for me."

KICKOFF 2002: TENNESSEE PHOTO GALLERY
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