Durand makes the active roster for Titans

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

There's no substitute for hard work.

A friend of Fan Fanatic Sports, Ryan Durand, is a perfect example of that.

The second-year Tennessee Titans guard, who spent all of his rookie season on the Titans' practice squad, officially made the 53-man roster in his second season.

Obviously, Fan Fanatic Sports would like to congratulate Durand on working hard and getting rewarded with a roster spot.

Durand, who played his high school football at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School (in Fitchburg, Mass.) and Syracuse University, is listed as the backup behind starter Jake Scott at right guard and the third-stringer at left guard.

The 6-foot-5, 301-pound Durand is an athletic offensive lineman and is known for his tremendous smarts on the gridiron.

Take a look at Durand's bio on the Titans' web site.

Here is the Titans' roster for 2010.

Again, congrats Ryan on a job well done.

Best of luck this season.

PHOTO CREDIT /TENNESSEE TITANS

Breaking news: Durand makes Tennessee's practice squad

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Offensive lineman Ryan Durand confirmed to Fan Fanatic Sports today that he made the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.

Durand, a seventh-round draft pick this year, found out the great news this morning after meeting with Titans head coach Jeff Fisher.

"I'm happy to be a part of the Titans," said Durand in a telephone interview this afternoon. "I'm very excited, it's a great situation for me."

While Durand was named to the eight-player practice squad, there is a 24-hour window where any team in the NFL can claim him off waivers. But if any team does, it must put Durand on the active 53-man roster.

"If someone picks me up and puts me on the active roster, I'm going to go," said Durand, who can put off his grad school plans since this NFL thing has worked out so far.

Durand, if he stays on the practice squad, is looking at his rookie season as a red-shirt type season like in college football. 

"It's going to give me a chance to develop," Durand said. "I'm taking positives out of it. I need to work on a lot of stuff."

So what did coach Fisher say to Durand during his face-to-face meeting?

"I was pretty nervous at that point. He said they were going to keep me and put me on the practice squad," Durand said. "They want to develop my skills more."

Durand also met with his offensive line coach Mike Munchak, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman.

"He told me I'm the type of guy they're looking at as a developmental guy," Durand said.

Durand's first phone call was placed to his father, Steve, who attended last night's preseason game against the Green Bay Packers and was still in Tennessee awaiting the news.

"He was so excited," Durand said. "He was probably more excited than me."

Under practice squad rules, Durand can practice with the team but can't travel to away games. That doesn't matter to Durand, who's determined to make the most of this opportunity.

"It's a great feeling to be part of the team," said Durand, noting practice squad players make around $5,000 per week. "It's a relief that I know where I stand now. I'm not going to say that I'm ready to start for the Tennessee Titans, but I feel like this is a great opportunity for me."

(PHOTO / TENNESSEE TITANS)

Tough Titan: Cuts are right around the corner -- don't count Durand out

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

This is it.

This is the last time to impress the coaches before the final cuts are made by NFL teams to trim rosters down to 53 players.

That's exactly the situation rookie offensive guard Ryan Durand is in.

Durand, drafted in the 7th round by the Tennessee Titans, knows tonight's home game at 8 p.m. against the Green Bay Packers is his final audition to make the Titan roster.

But he's trying not to let it get in his way of performing on the field.

"I don't think (tonight's game) is going to make or break me," said Durand in a telephone interview Wednesday evening. "The other games that I played in are just as important as this one. I'm just trying to do my best and focus on the stuff that the coaches have told me that I need to improve on."

But the nerves of making the team are there.

"To be honest with you, it's on my mind," Durand said. "But that stuff is out of my control. I have zero control over it."

Durand confirmed to Fan Fanatic Sports that the Titans have told all the players that they are cutting down from 73 players to the maximum 53 by tomorrow night. That's when Durand will find out if he made the team -- either on the official 53-man roster or the practice squad.

"I feel I've been consistent the whole way through," said Durand of his preseason work. "There's always room for improvement, but I have been pleased so far."

A few weeks ago in training camp, Durand's intensity showed as he and defensive lineman Mitch King got into a heated battle with fists flying in the air.

"I got him a few good times," Durand said. "He was going with body shots and I had an open-fisted punch to the facemask and the last one I knocked his helmet off."

Durand feels he's learned so much from Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, the Titans' offensive line coach.

"He coaches us up on the little things," Durand said. "He instantly had my respect even without meeting him. He had a 12-year career, he's a Pro Bowler and he's a Hall of Fame guy."

No matter what happens when it's cut time, Durand is thankful that he got an opportunity to test his skills in the NFL.

"It's been an enjoyable experience," he said. "I feel privileged to have had this opportunity. I definitely like my chances, I'm not counting myself out."

Tough Titan: Durand not hurting his chances of making the team

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Two NFL preseason games down, three more to go.

That's the life of rookie 7th-round pick Ryan Durand, an offensive guard who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans.

"I'm really not looking at the big picture," said Durand, who played his college ball at Syracuse University. "I'm just trying to improve every day."

So does he think he'll make the Titans' roster?

"It's so hard to tell," he said. "There's three weeks left and three preseason games. There's still a lot of football to play."

Durand has done nothing to hurt his chances of wearing a Titans uniform to start the regular season.

After a very good showing against the Buffalo Bills in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, he and his teammates enjoyed their first home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Durand played the entire second half, protecting quarterbacks Vince Young and Patrick Ramsey.

"I think I did good," Durand said. "I did my assignments. I think I played well, but not everything was perfect."

Durand enjoyed playing in front of the home fans, too.

"It was great, it was a great atmosphere," he said.

Now the Titans travel to Dallas on Friday where the Cowboys will officially unveil their new state-of-the-art stadium.

"It's the first game in the new stadium so that's going to be exciting," Durand said. "I'm expecting a great atmosphere."

Durand has grown accustomed to the demands of the NFL already.

"There's more time involved now," he said. "It's strickly football now. There's more demand on you. They don't show you stuff three or four times, they expect you to know it after the first couple of times."

Durand's mindset hasn't changed.

"Mentally, I look at it like it's a great opportunity," he said. "I'm taking the challenges as they come."

So what are the Titans, as an organization, all about?

"We're a competitive team that likes to win and works hard," Durand said. "We're a blue-collar, hard-working team that practices hard and plays hard."

That's why Durand has fit in so well.

(PHOTO COURTESY/ Tennessee Titans)

Tough Titan: Training Camping in Tennessee

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Ryan Durand is smacking helmets with the defense, studying his playbook inside and out and trying to do what is expected of him with the Tennessee Titans.

Yes, that's Training Camp at its finest, especially for a rookie 7th-round draft pick.

Durand, who played at Syracuse University, is right in the heat of the battle with the rest of the Titans in a long and grueling camp.

But the No. 1 goal is to stick with the big club.

That's Durand's only focus right now.

"My mindset is to go and practice as hard as I can," said Durand in a telephone interview late Wednesday night. "With the opportunities I get, I've got to show the coaches I have what it takes."

It's quite a long day -- every day -- when Training Camp starts. According to Durand, he wakes up around 7 a.m., he's in the weight room by 8 and it's all football for the rest of the day with various meetings, practices -- and lunch and dinner breaks in between -- and then the day ends around 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m. 

"It's a lot of stuff, but it hasn't been that bad," said Durand, who is practicing at both left and right guard. "We do have four weeks left so they're not trying to dump the entire playbook on us right now."

Durand and rest of the Titans who have under four years of service in the league are mandated to stay in the team hotel in Nashville, which is two miles from the complex, for the entire camp. 

So what does he do during his down time?

"I look at my playbook a little bit and I try to relax," Durand said. "I talk to family members, friends and my girlfriend."

Durand will get his first taste of the National Football League when the Titans play their first preseason game this Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC against the Buffalo Bills in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

"It's going to be very neat," Durand said. "It'll probably  be a breath of fresh air considering how intense our practices are."

Durand and the rest of the Titans will also visit the Hall of Fame, which will be inducting the 2009 class of Bob Hayes, Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas and Ralph Wilson on Saturday.

"I'm going to try to take it all in," said Durand about his visit inside the HOF. "I realize how special it is; It'll give me motivation, I guess."

Not that Durand needs any added motivation.

Tough Titan: Training Camp getting closer

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Nothing has really changed for Ryan Durand since last week.

He's still training, going to the gym and then heading home to relax.

Right now, there's no football on his plate.

But his mindset is going to change real soon and then it'll be football all the time, in hopes of making the Tennessee Titans as a 7th-round rookie draft pick.

"The last week before (he flies back to Tennessee for Training Camp which officially starts on July 31) I'll start thinking about it," said Durand, who played his college football at Syracuse University.

But Durand knows the time to turn on the football switch is right around the corner.

"I'm definitely trying to be in the best shape I can be in," he said. "I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best ... that's the way I always do it."

At his house, Durand has his football bible -- a notebook filled with information that he took down during team meetings. 

"I haven't looked at it too much," Durand said.

Inside that notebook are tips and the fine details of the plays he'll need to know about for his offensive line assignments.

"Those are the little details you have to know," Durand said.

The feeling of being drafted into the National Football League has obviously worn off the offensive guard, however.

"I'm very realistic with people and say, 'Yes, it's exciting but I haven't made the team yet,'" Durand said.

But Durand is already visualizing what will help him make the Titans.

"I'm going to go out every day and try to get better, try to show the coaches that I've got something to offer to keep me around," Durand said.

Regardless of where he goes, Durand always stays motivated because of that giant chip on his shoulder.

"Why change what got me here?," he said. "I guess that's the way I take on adversity. I take it on with a chip on my shoulder. That's the way I've always approached things."

Tough Titan: It's not all football all the time for Durand

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Ryan Durand's got a little free time on his hands and he's not upset one bit that he's away from organized football.

"Right now I'm not 100 percent focused on the team; you need your down time," said Durand, a 7th-round draft pick trying to make the team with the Tennessee Titans.

Currently, Durand is back home enjoying time with his girlfriend, friends and family. But he's still training hard with Mike Boyle in Boston, and tries to find a football field to do more conditioning on after his workouts are complete. 

His field of choice at the moment? Fitchburg State College.

"You do this so when you go to camp you won't be so sore," Durand said.

Durand reports back to Tennessee on July 30 and Training Camp officially opens on July 31.

The former Syracuse University guard is also excited about putting his autograph on his first professional contract.

"I went up to the GM's office and signed it," said Durand, who did that over two weeks ago.

Durand confirmed to Fan Fanatic Sports that he inked a four-year deal.

"It's better to get a three-year deal, but (the Titans) said they only give four-year deals to 7th-round picks," Durand said. "I was very excited about it. I was very glad to get it done with and glad to have some money in my pocket."

So what is Durand going to do with some of the money?

"I'm definitely going to get a new cell phone ... mine's a piece of junk," he joked. 

He also plans to put a good chuck of it in the bank just in case the NFL doesn't work out.

LISTEN UP ROOKIE

Durand and the rest of the NFL rookies got an orientation on the life of a professional football player at the end of June in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., at the Rookie Symposium. 

Durand was impressed with the speeches given by Super Bowl champion head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and former NFL wide receiver Chris Carter.

"(Tomlin) stressed coming into camp in shape, the in-shape man will win the job," Durand said. 

Carter, a future Hall of Famer, spoke on the last day and shared his positive and negative stories through his 16-year NFL career.

"He talked about not taking this opportunity for granted," Durand said. 

Durand officially signs with Titans

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Former St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School and Syracuse University star Ryan Durand officially inked his NFL contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to the Titans' team Web site, www.titansonline.com.

Durand, an offensive guard who was drafted in the 7th round (239th overall) this year, is preparing for his first training camp which is slated to begin at the end of the month.

Keep reading Fan Fanatic Sports for the latest Ryan Durand news and updates. We'll be checking in with Durand on Thursday evening and we'll ask him about signing his first pro contract and what he's doing in preparation for training camp.

Q&A with Ryan Durand

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(This is the second of several question and answers with Tennessee Titans 7th-round draft pick Ryan Durand. If you have a question for Durand, please email me at cgarner.fanfanaticsports@gmail.com and I'll try to get your question into the next edition).

FFS: Best advice you've ever received?

Durand: Play every down like it's your last because you never know which play will be your last.

FFS: Do you trash talk to opposing players?

Durand: Rarely

FFS: You went to St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School, which mascot do you like better -- Saints or Bernardians?

Durand: Saints

FFS: What are you a fan of?

Durand: Red Sox

FFS: What team did you think was going to draft you?

Durand: Cleveland Browns

FFS: Do you like country music yet?

Durand: Yes, I started listening to it in college

FFS: Favorite video game?

Durand: Metal Gear Solid

FFS: Biggest difference from college to pros?

Durand: You are not on scholarship anymore and do not automatically make the team

FFS: How many people have gotten in contact with you since you were drafted that you hadn't spoken to in years?

Durand: Many have said congrats via facebook

FFS: Who is Tennessee's starting quarterback -- Vince Young or Kerry Collins?

Durand: I don't know, I'm just a lineman

FFS: What gets you fired up to play football?

Durand: Listening to Metallica

FFS: What are the facilities like as a member of the Titans?

Durand: Fantastic, they are top notch

FFS: Have you had a "Welcome to the NFL" moment yet?

Durand: Not yet but I'm sure there will be one

FFS: Do you like signing autographs?

Durand: I do, but I don't think anyone knows who I am ... ha, ha

Tough Titan: It's like Groundhog Day

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The same old, same old might get boring to some, but not Ryan Durand.

Durand, a rookie 7th-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans, is once again going through the same routine during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

"It's been the same setup ... it's pretty standard," Durand said. "You get used to a routine which is nice. It's very exciting."

Durand and the Titans have participated in OTAs on Tuesday and Wednesday and will do it again today. They'll do it all over again next week, before getting a nice break in preparation for Training Camp on July 31.

When OTAs finish next week, Durand will head back home. He won't be sitting around and doing nothing, however.

The offensive guard will train four days a week for roughly 2 1/3 to 3 hours per day at Mike Boyle's Strength & Conditioning in Boston, and also do extra running on the side. 

"I started working out with him in December," Durand said.

Since Durand was drafted, he's been impressed with how quick everyone is on the football field.

"The speed of the game is much higher than in college, and I'm getting used to it," Durand said. "That's the biggest difference I've seen -- everyone is quick."

Plus the competition level has risen in the NFL.

"It's been good," Durand said. "The competition is good; I really enjoy it."

It may be the same routine, but Durand is just fine with it. 

His main concern is simply making the team.

Tough Titan: Durand focused on making team

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Rookie guard Ryan Durand is wearing his Tennessee Titans garb with pride.

But his dad, a diehard New England Patriots fan, won't put on the Titans' team colors -- at least for now.

"My dad's got some stuff but he refuses to wear it until I make the team," Durand said. "He doesn't want to jinx me."

Durand's still got a long way to go in order to truly call himself a Titan, but so far so good.

"I'm going out there and showing them what I can do and I try to get better every day," said the hard-working Durand, who was drafted in the 7th round. "You have to be confident at all times, it's a huge part of football. You have to be confident in your abilities."

Durand, who wore jersey No. 75 in high school at St. Bernard's in Fitchburg and Syracuse University, is now wearing No. 77 in Tennessee.

"Seventy-seven is cool," he said. "It's definitely the least of my concerns."

Currently, Durand and the rest of the Titans are going through typical workouts -- 7:30 a.m. in weight room, 9:30 a.m. team running, then karate or yoga and finish with various meetings -- before Organized Team Activities (OTAs) begin on Tuesday for two more weeks. OTAs are on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 

"It's not that bad, it's basically typical summer conditioning for football," Durand said. "It's pretty much what I'm used to."

It's also a nice little break from the grind of full-contact football.

"They try to get less contact in the NFL," Durand said. "There's a time and a place for hitting -- in college we used to bang a lot. Here, they try to save your body; I think it's smart."

After those two weeks of OTAs, Durand will be back home for four weeks, before reporting back to Tennessee on July 30 for the start of official training camp on July 31.

"It's not 24/7, I was up at 6:30 and we're done at 2," he said. "We have the afternoons to ourself."

Durand has spent some of his off time "cruising around Nashville" and studies up on his playbook for at least 30-45 minutes per day.

"I feel like I've got a pretty good grasp of the playbook," Durand said. "It has come pretty easy to me."

The only news on television concerning the Titans is about who will be the starting quarterback -- athletic youngster Vince Young or veteran Kerry Collins.

So who will start this season?

"I don't worry about that, I'm worrying about me," Durand said. "They'll make the right decision."

Durand's just concerned on working hard and giving himself the best shot possible to officially call himself a Tennessee Titan.

Q&A with Ryan Durand

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(This is the first of several question and answers with Tennessee Titans 7th-round draft pick Ryan Durand. If you have a question for Durand, please email me at cgarner.fanfanaticsports@gmail.com and I'll try to get your question into the next edition).

FFS: What is a Tennessee Titan?

Durand: A hard working guy who loves football.

FFS: How much do you bench press?

Durand: 215 (pounds) for 28 reps.

FFS: What are some of your hobbie?

Durand: Video games and movies.

FFS: iPhone or Blackberry?

Durand: Neither, anything that texts and makes calls is fine with me.

FFS: If you weren't in the NFL, what would you you be doing?

Durand: Going to grad school for physical therapy.

FFS: Best advice for a young athlete that wants to play football in college and pros?

Durand: Work hard on the field, in the weight room and classroom equally. And never underestimate yourself.

FFS: Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Durand: An older brother, Matt.

FFS: Nicknames?

Durand: None.

FFS: Toughest position on the football field and why?

Durand: Quarterback. Knowledge of the game and pressure.

FFS: What's one question you'd like to ask Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher?

Durand: What is he looking for from me to make the team.

FFS: Favorite movie?

Durand: Snatch.

FFS: Biggest thing that's shocked you so far in the NFL?

Durand: How normal everyone is off the field.

FFS: Why don't offensive linemen get any love (respect)?

Durand: People take the good ones for granted and expose the bad ones. No glory.

FFS: You're with Fan Fanatic Sports, are you a fanatic about anything?

Durand: Not sure.

FFS: Is football fun now, or is it a job?

Durand: It is definitely a little of both. You have to treat it with a degree of seriousness for sure but there is no reason why you can't have fun doing it.

Tough Titan: Durand participating in OTA's

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(FFS will bring you an up close and personal look into the football life of Tennessee Titans 7th-round draft pick Ryan Durand on a weekly basis in his quest to make the team as a rookie guard.)

Tennessee appears to be Ryan Durand's home for the near future as the 6-foot-5, 305-pound guard from Syracuse officially checked in with the Titans on Sunday for the start of Organized Team Activities (OTA's).

Durand and his Titan teammates have participated in OTA's on Tuesday, Thursday and again today.

"They are two hour practices in just helmets," explained Durand. "There's a lot of team, lot of individual, just basic practice."

But don't be fooled with the players just wearing helmets, these practices can get heated.

"We're going at each other," Durand said. "We pretty much should just have pads on, it's physical. The defense is just going all out and we're going all out. It's full speed and full tempo."

In a telephone interview last night in his hotel room in Nashville, Tenn., where Durand is rooming with Titans rookie guard Ryan Schmidt from South Florida, Durand is quick to point out that he's in perfect health.

"Definitely 100 percent," he said.

Durand, who played right guard at Syracuse, has moved over to left guard with the Titans.

"There's not much difference," said Durand, who is listed as second-string, behind Eugene Amano, at left guard on Tennessee's Web site. "It's a little different technique-wise."

Durand has also been pumped about learning the art of offensive line play from Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, Tennessee's offensive line coach.

"You get to sit down with coach and watch film and he coaches us up," Durand said. "He's spending a lot of time with us, it's really fantastic. He motives us, but he's really laid back. He's a real coach, he coaches you up."

The laid back approach goes all the way up to the head coach with Jeff Fisher, according to Durand. 

"He's a laid back guy, too, but when it's time to get down and dirty, it's time to get down and dirty," Durand said.

Sixteen-year veteran center Kevin Mawae has also impressed Durand.

"Kevin Mawae was helping the young guys out and was going over plays," Durand said. "They've all been really helpful."

Over the years, under Fisher, the Titans have been known for toughness on both sides of the ball. You either play that way, or there's no spot for you on the Titans.

"On the field you get your hard hats out and go to work," Durand said. "I feel like that's the way I am. I respect that."

How confident is Durand at the early stages of his professional career?

"I feel there's a learning gap, there's definitely a speed gap," he said. "But I feel very confident. I feel that I've improved a lot from the first practice to the second."

Durand is still trying to get used to calling himself a pro athlete.

"Sometimes I think I'm just with a different football team, but other times I'm like, 'Wow, this is my job,'" Durand said.

Football is the only thing on Durand's mind at the moment, however.

"It's 100 percent on football now," he said. "It's kind of funny, it's my job. That's where I am in my life. Now I'm in the NFL and it's just football."

It's football, but in completely unfamiliar surroundings. Let's face it, Tennessee is a lot different from Massachusetts.

"I think it's a great city from what I've seen," Durand said. "There's a lot of country roots, it seems like a pretty laid back city. It's like a country city in atmosphere and lifestyle."

It's also a place Durand could see himself living as a member of the Tennessee Titans.

Durand getting his shot with Titans

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Former St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School (Fitchburg, Mass.)  star Ryan Durand, who played his college football at Syracuse University, was all smiles by the end of the NFL Draft. 

In the 7th and final round, Durand got that magical phone calling letting him know that he was the newest member of the Tennessee Titans.

"It was kind of nerve-wracking and kind of exciting," said Durand, who was chosen with the 239th overall selection. "It was a complete surprise. They called me 10 picks before their pick and said that if I'm still on the board when they pick, they were going to take me."

The reason why Durand, a smart, tough and athletic 6-foot-5, 305-pound guard, was shocked was because he didn't have any contact with the Titans throughout the whole draft process. Durand was thinking he'd either get selected by the Bears, Browns, Packers or Panthers, or sign a free-agent contract after the draft.

"I was happy because I really wasn't expecting anything," said Durand, who took part in rookie camp last weekend in Nashville, Tenn.

During rookie camp, from Thursday to Saturday, Durand had to sit through several meetings, including positional meetings and things pro athletes can expect when they're rookies in the NFL. He also had three practices with the drafted players and free-agent pickups and workouts in the weight room. 

"I thought I grasped (the meetings) very well," Durand said. "They didn't overload us at all. It had about 10 running players and five passes."

Durand did position drills with only the offensive linemen -- fourth-round pick Troy Kropog, a tackle from Tulane, and South Florida free agent guard Ryan Schmidt.

"I feel like I compare very well to the other draft pick and free agent," Durand said. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I didn't feel like I was in over my head."

Durand's plan to stick with the Titans is simple: He's going to work as hard as he can to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

Hard work is the only thing he knows.

"My overall expectation is just to go in there and do my best," he said. "I really have no idea what to expect."

The one thing you really need to know about Durand -- the player -- is you want him on your team, you don't want to have to play against him.

"There's definitely and on- and off-field personality," Durand said. "Some people (on the field) refer to me as a mean SOB. I'm definitely very aggressive. I'm not a dirty player, but I'm going to try to mash your face into the ground. I take pride in fighting in the trenches."

Durand also gives credit to his girlfriend, Sarah Marden, a 2005 St. Bernard's graduate.

"I couldn't have done it without her," Durand said.

Durand reports back to Tennessee on May 17 for six weeks of organized team activities. Training camp open at the end of July.

(PHOTO / Syracuse University Athletic Communications)