Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson is an unabashed optimist, so it's no surprise that he found blue skies in a gray spring for a football program which took some hard injury hits.

Following the team's Black and Gold Scrimmage, which was held to 62 plays as numerous players either played sparingly or not at all, Johnson was in Chuck Tanner "smiley face" mode.

"We didn't get a chance to play some guys because of injuries and couldn't substitute as much as we'd like, but I thought the kids' overall attitude was really good," he said. "Despite the lack of numbers, our guys played hard."

Coach-speak aside, if the 2008 team matches last year's five wins, it will be a significant accomplishment. The game's most important position -- quarterback -- is undecided, the Southeastern Conference's all-time leading receptions leader is no longer around and the offensive line will be all-new.

Neither quarterback who started last year -- Mackenzi Adams or Chris Nickson -- stood out in the Black and Gold Scrimmage. The duo combined to complete just 4-of-14 passes and led just one scoring drive in the event's 13 possessions.

On the other hand, the Commodores shouldn't drop off much on defense. The secondary is full of proven SEC talent and the defensive line will generate a solid pass rush most weeks, even against the best teams. But expecting them to carry an offense which doesn't have a lot of speed or skill is expecting a bit too much.

--DE Broderick Stewart could have started for a lot of defenses last year but had to be content with a backup role. With Curtis Gatewood having graduated, Stewart will now pressure quarterbacks regularly. He had two tackles for loss, including a sack, in the Black and Gold Scrimmage.

--CB D.J. Moore saw limited action in the Black and Gold Scrimmage due to an injury, but there was no need to push him. He showed what he could do last year, earning All-SEC honors as a sophomore and displaying his big-play ability on special teams and a sprinkling of offensive snaps.

SPRING MOVERS:

QB Jared Funk -- A lot can happen between now and preseason camp, but Funk couldn't have hurt his cause by producing two scoring drives on a day when last year's starters struggled. Funk threw for a score and ended the scrimmage with a 13-yard touchdown run.

LB Chris Johnson -- Someone has to replace the likes of All-SEC pick Jonathan Goff and Marcus Buggs. Why not Johnson, who led all tacklers in the Black and Gold Scrimmage with five? He filled in for Goff the last two years and appears to have the frame (6-1, 230 pounds) which can hold up in the SEC.

TB Jared Hawkins -- In part-time play the last two years, Hawkins has averaged 5.5 yards in 103 carries. While Jeff Jennings will probably be the starter in 2008, Hawkins is a very capable No. 2. He ran for a team-high 44 yards in the Black and Gold Scrimmage.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're not at the point of saying who will start at some positions, but it's not for a lack of competition." -- Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson on the team's position battles at quarterback, tight end and the offensive line.

2008 OUTLOOK: The good news: The defense should be able to keep Vanderbilt in just about every game. The bad news: The offense might really struggle in the SEC after losing heavily to graduation, especially on the offensive line, and seeing WR Earl Bennett leave a year early for the NFL. If the Commodores match last year's total of five wins, Bobby Johnson probably should win SEC Coach of the Year.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: All-time SEC receptions leader Earl Bennett is gone, having left after his junior year for the NFL. All five starters on the line have graduated, including first-round draft pick Chris Williams. No one knows who will be the starting quarterback. Unless some surprising answers are unearthed, this unit will have a difficult time sustaining drives and producing points against SEC defenses.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: If Vandy is to approach last year's five wins, the defense will lead the way. All four starters return to the secondary, including All-SEC CB D.J. Moore. DEs Broderick Stewart and Steven Stone know how to find the quarterback. LB Jonathan Goff will be missed, but overall, the defense should be this team's strength. But can it be strong enough to prop up an offense which could keep it on the field for long stretches?

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Both PK Bryant Hahnfeldt and P Brett Upson return, although neither has exactly been a paragon of consistency. Both are two-year starters who have had big moments, but have also hurt the Commodores in critical spots. Moore is one of the SEC's top kick returners, but the loss of PR Alex Washington (knee) for 2008 takes away a big-play threat from a team which doesn't have many.

ROSTER REPORT:

--OT Eric Hensley suffered a fractured foot in the Black and Gold Scrimmage, but is projected to be 100 percent when preseason practice starts July 31.

--CB Jamie Graham, who missed most of spring practice while playing guard for Vandy's NCAA Tournament basketball team, switched to WR/KR in the final four spring drills.

Previous Report: 05/01/2008