Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Tennessee offense heading into 2007 is the wide receiver position. The Vols have to replace Robert Meachem, Jayson Swain, and Bret Smith; who combined for the vast bulk of UT's passing offense in '06. In fact, those three guys had 22 touchdown catches, while the returning receivers only had 26 total catches. That's why when wide receiver Slick Shelley announced late last week that he'd be leaving the team and transferring to Tulsa, hoping to get more playing time elsewhere, it was a positive sign for the Vols' WR corps. Shelley is a former Rivals' four-star player and played in the US Army All-American game after his senior year in high school. He's not been able to find his way on to the field for the Vols, being injured in '05 and behind the aforementioned trio last year.
But the depth chart has never been more open for the school they used to call "Wide Receiver U." Shelley would have had the best opportunity to make a name for himself that he's had since arriving in Knoxville (and when you're named "Slick," how hard can it be to get noticed?). So forgive Vol fans if they're pleased that Shelley's announcement came shortly after the arrival of Tennessee's bumper crop of receivers, including former Florida State player and JUCO transfer Kenny O'Neal and Hargrave Military star Bret Vinson. Maybe Erik Ainge will have some targets out there this season after all.




