Tennessee's secondary improves during preseason practice

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee had the worst passing defense in the Southeastern Conference last season, but coach Phillip Fulmer believes the secondary has already improved.<br> <br> A little shuffling around, some healthy players and another year of experience among the defensive backs has helped the entire unit.<br> <br> ``To even have a chance to win a championship, you&#39;ve got to be darn good on defense,&#39;&#39; Fulmer said.<br> <br> ``With our speed and our depth, I&#39;m really pleased right now. If we can carry the kind of attitude we have so far into the season and play that way, we&#39;ll find a way to get enough points to help us win.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The third-ranked Volunteers allowed opponents an average of 236.4 passing yards a game a year ago, last in the SEC and 86th in the NCAA. Fulmer was upset with the number of big plays and first downs the secondary gave up.<br> <br> ``Already, four times, five times better because we understand the game a lot better, our alignments and schemes,&#39;&#39; cornerback Roshaun Fellows said about the secondary&#39;s improvement.<br> <br> The Vols open the season Sept. 3 against UAB.<br> <br> Almost all of last year&#39;s personnel is back but with some changes.<br> <br> Most notably, Jason Allen came back for his senior season and moved from safety to cornerback, which is somewhat risky since the coaches consider him the team&#39;s best defensive back.<br> <br> Allen says what position he plays in the backfield is less important than his role as determined by defensive coordinator John Chavis and DB coach Larry Slade.<br> <br> ``I&#39;d like to have a situation where coach Chavis and coach Slade say I want you to be on the best receiver and lock him down, stay on him the whole game, don&#39;t let him touch the ball, smother him,&#39;&#39; Allen said.<br> <br> It appears Fellows, thrown into a starting spot last year as a redshirt freshman, has regained the position opposite Allen. During preseason practice he was demoted behind Jonathan Wade, who&#39;s been out recently with a hip flexor injury.<br> <br> ``There&#39;s still going to be competition out there all the way up until game week. I feel like right now we&#39;re pretty solid but anything could happen,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> Fellows jumped in front of Bret Smith to pick off Erik Ainge&#39;s pass in Tuesday night&#39;s scrimmage. Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart, projected to be the starters at safety, have each had interceptions in preseason scrimmages.<br> <br> ``We&#39;ve gotten our hands on more balls this two-a-day than I can remember in some time,&#39;&#39; Fulmer said. ``We&#39;re obviously a little bit more experienced back there this year. We were so young last year. We&#39;re much more athletic.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Hefney, a sophomore, started all but one game last season at cornerback. Stewart, now a junior, missed all of last season with a knee injury but started at corner in five games in 2003 as a redshirt freshman.<br> <br> Rookie Demetrice Morley, a Parade All-American from Miami, has impressed coaches this month and will likely get to play immediately.<br> <br> On the Net:<br> <br> Tennessee football: www.utsports.com<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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