By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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There’s nothing underrated about the Vols offensive line. Expectations are for James and Richardson to bookend the best line in the SEC, with only one of the six players to make up the 2012 players departing. James’ goals are even more lofty.

When the list of players who would attend SEC Media Days was released by the league last week, Tennessee had one of the more unique trios of attendees.

A hot-shot quarterback? Nope. A workhorse tailback? Negative. A big-play wide receiver? Not to be found.

New head coach Butch Jones instead chose three senior linemen to bring to the event, tapping offensive tackles Ja’Wuan James and Antonio “Tiny” Richardson along with defensive end Jacques Smith.

Was that simply a reward for being seniors? Well, not really. The reality is that the stars and most recognizable faces of the 2013 Volunteers are the big uglies. There’s no established quarterback. The receiving corps was gutted after last season. One of the two top running backs was suspended from the team during the spring.

In an era defined by championship teams having elite line play on both sides of the ball, why is a team whose strengths appear to be up front being written off by many pundits?

“That’s where it starts – the line of scrimmage,” Richardson said. “That’s why the SEC’s been so dominant.”

While its 2012 statistics would show otherwise, the Tennessee front seven isn’t lacking for talent. Five starters return, as well one part-time starter. Smith will benefit from the move back to a 4-3 alignment under coordinator John Jancek after a failed stint at linebacker a year ago.

“I’m so excited,” Smith said of the move back to defensive end. “You can get after the quarterback a little more.

Last year’s move to a 3-4 defense never got off the ground, as the Vols finished last in the SEC and No. 107 in the nation in total defense. Moving back to the more familiar 4-3 this fall, is the unit being undervalued as a whole based on last year’s struggles? Smith believes it is.

“The 4-3 defense fits our personnel a lot more,” Smith said. “I’m so glad to be able to have Coach Jancek. I’m so excited. The coaching staff has established some things that are definitely going to change the way the Vols look this season.”

There’s nothing underrated about the Vols offensive line. Expectations are for James and Richardson to bookend the best line in the SEC, with only one of the six players to make up the 2012 players departing. James’ goals are even more lofty.

“We work to be the best offensive line in America,” James said.

Despite losing most of its offensive production from 2012, the Vols believe the stability at offensive line will keep their 2013 numbers comparable to that of 2012 despite a new quarterback and a rebuilt receiving corps.

“We have a very talented offensive line,” Jones said. “We have a very high standard and expectations for this season.”

So, which of Tennessee’s elite tackles is better? As a defensive lineman, Smith seemed to be the ideal judge, but he instead provided the politically correct answer.

“Both of them are great athletes,” Smith said. “They’re monsters. I’m so glad that they’re playing for the University of Tennessee.”

Tennessee faces a daunting schedule that includes a 43-day stretch where it’ll face Oregon, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, all of whom won at least 11 games in 2012. Will its line play be enough for the Vols to pull of an upset or two?

“I’m excited for it,” James said. “In my last year of college football, I want the best schedule we can have. We go to Oregon – I feel that’s a good opportunity to show what we’ve been working on.”

Jones has used “brick by brick” as his motto for building the Vols program since taking over last December. While the bricks are still being added, the Vols foundation is as sturdy as any in the league thanks to a pair of elite offensive tackles and a reinvigorated defensive front.