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Article published Oct 8, 2008
Fulmer suspends two offensive linemen
By Ryan Callahan
of The Daily Times Staff
KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee sophomore offensive linemen Ramone Johnson and Darius Myers have been suspended for two weeks "for lack of academic effort and violation of team rules," coach Phillip Fulmer announced Tuesday.

Neither will be allowed to practice until after UT's home game against Mississippi State on Oct. 18.

Johnson, a tackle from Chicago, has played in all five of the Vols' games this season, lining up primarily as an extra blocker at tight end in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He also is listed as the backup to starting tackle Chris Scott.

Myers, a guard from Cordova, appeared in two games last year but has not played this season.

Academic problems are nothing new to the Vols this year. Sophomore cornerback Brent Vinson and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Donald Langley served academics-related suspensions for the Sept. 1 season opener at UCLA.

TOO CROWDED FOR CREER: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said he "would like to" get sophomore tailback Lennon Creer on the field against Georgia after he failed to get a carry in UT's 13-9 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday.

He said the Vols even had a package designed specifically for Creer that they never got a chance to use against the Huskies.

"You get in a game like that and you never really had control of it, and (starting tailback) Arian (Foster) was productive in his carries," Clawson said. "When you're in a tight game and the back you have in there is productive and you don't have the ball that much, sometimes you're a little reluctant on when you put him in. ... In the second half, the first few times we go down the field and, you know, we get a field goal and we score a touchdown and now you're thinking, 'Get him in.' And then the other team takes the ball and goes all the way down, and now it's a one-score game again. ...

"I was really disappointed that we didn't get him into the game more, but I know why we didn't."

D-LINE DEPTH: Fulmer said the Vols' lack of proven depth at defensive tackle has presented problems in UT's first five games of the season.

Starters Dan Williams and DemontĂ© Bolden have played a majority of the team's snaps. Senior Walter Fisher, who is listed as a co-starter behind Williams and Bolden, is the only backup who has seen the field on a regular basis.

"We really still haven't gotten to the point where we can play enough defensive tackles," Fulmer said. "But those three guys -- Dan Williams and Walter Fisher and DemontĂ© Bolden -- are being tough and playing well."

HIGH PRAISE: Tennessee already has played 11th-ranked Florida, losing 30-6 on Sept. 20 to the Gators and their Heisman Trophy-winning junior quarterback, Tim Tebow.

But UT will face a better offense, Fulmer said, at No. 10 Georgia on Saturday.

"They have the ability to throw the ball very successfully down the field," Fulmer said. "Their receivers are very good after the catch to make plays. It's the best offense we've played to this point."