Tee time at UT
Vols' Martin prepares to fill Manning's shoes
Posted: Thursday July 30, 1998 07:04 PM
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Tee Martin (right)
backed up Manning the past two seasons Jonathan Daniel/Allsport |
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AP) -- For most coaches, replacing All-American quarterback Peyton Manning could be an impossible task. Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer isn't one of them.
"We had been preparing for Peyton to leave for a long time. We didn't know if he was coming back for his senior year, so we've been ready," Fulmer said Thursday at the Southeastern Conference Media Day program.
For three years, Fulmer slowly brought Tee Martin along. Martin backed Manning up the past two seasons but threw only 12 passes last year.
"He doesn't have the snaps, but he's ready," Fulmer said. "He's handled a lot of big hits and what I was most impressed with was his ability to get back up and get in the huddle."
Although he didn't see a lot of game time, Martin did lead practice last year as the Volunteers prepared for the Orange Bowl. As Manning nursed a knee injury in the weeks leading up to the game, Martin gained valuable experience.
"It helped me out a whole lot and it also helped out the team," Martin said. "The team was sitting back not knowing what to expect from me and feeling uncomfortable with me. So getting a chance to play with me last year helped everyone's confidence."
Martin said he still keeps in touch with Manning and worked out with him two weeks ago. But for advice, Martin said he turns to fellow Mobile native and former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig.
"I looked up to Dameyune when I was in high school. He was a few years older, and a friendship developed out of that," Martin said. "Through our careers we've stayed in touch and he's had some good advice for me."
Hanging around Craig could certainly be beneficial to Martin in the long run.
The Vols plan to mix in some option plays for Martin, who is a better runner than Manning. His style has been often compared to Craig's, who was known for his scrambling, freewheeling, improvisational skills.
So similar are their styles, Tennessee wide receiver Jermaine Copeland once said Martin "was Dameyune Craig in disguise."
But for now, Martin only wants to be Martin, and not the guy trying to fill Manning's shoes.
"Tee is as perfect a guy to handle this pressure as anyone can be," Fulmer said. "He goes out there and gives it his all and when he puts his head on the pillow, he's satisfied."
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