UT’s Parker proud of UT O-line

Four years ago, Anthony Parker left his hometown of Jonesboro, Ga., just a long punt away from Atlanta, for a recruiting visit to Tennessee.

Parker had no idea as to his potential college football destination. He had already visited Indiana, Maryland and N.C. State, but wasn’t ready to make a choice.

Following his trip to Knoxville, Parker was ready.

"I said when I had that gut feeling that I felt comfortable, I would decide then," he said. "This place felt a whole lot more comfortable."

These days, Volunteer coaches and fans feel a lot more comfortable with Parker manning left guard and serving as part of the nation’s best pass-protection unit.

While the quick release and decisions of senior quarterback Erik Ainge help, Parker and the O-line have played a vital role in keeping Ainge upright and defenses uptight.

"I think the O-line is playing pretty well," Parker said. "At the beginning of the season, we had a couple of issues executing in short-yardage [situations], but overall, we’re playing well."

Parker is a big reason why. The coaching staff likes his reliability – Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt will be his 23rd straight regular season start – as well as his strength and technique.

It was his block last week against Arkansas that helped spring Arian Foster down the left sideline untouched for a 59-yard touchdown run in the third quarter during UT’s 34-13 win.

Just as important, Parker and his mates up front set the tone early. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe went for a 4th-and-1 from the Vols’ 45 on the game’s first possession, and quarterback Erik Ainge converted with a three-yard sneak. It was precisely that type of situation which UT had struggled with during September.

Later in the first half, the Vols ran the ball on 16 consecutive plays from scrimmage.

"Knowing that he’s going to give us that call and do it over and over gives us that confidence to run the ball," Parker said of Cutcliffe’s play-calling.

"I think it was a confidence-builder for us as well as coach Cutcliffe."

Pass blocking hasn’t been an issue for this unit since Parker joined the starting lineup last year, when UT allowed just 19 sacks in 415 pass attempts.

This season, the line has taken it to a level Peyton Manning would admire. It has allowed just three sacks in 366 pass tries, by far the lowest number in the Football Bowl Subdivision. What’s more, the Vols have allowed just one sack in their last eight games.

And the line hasn’t stayed intact this year, either. A season-ending quad injury to NFL-caliber left tackle Eric Young forced coach Phillip Fulmer to make a couple of changes.

Right guard Chris Scott moved alongside Parker, with Jacques McClendon taking Scott’s place. For Parker, the switch required no adjustment.

"Funny thing is I played with Eric since I’ve been here, but Chris Scott and I went to high school together," Parker said. "It was like going back to the old days.

"I went from my old left tackle to my older left tackle."

And Parker will be going to the Southeastern Conference title game if UT beats Vanderbilt and Kentucky in its last two regular season games.

For a player who admitted going to practice was "no fun" in the weeks after the Vols absorbed a 59-20 drubbing from Florida Sept. 15, it would be a redemptive ending.

"We wanted [Florida] so bad, and we didn’t get it," Parker said. "But if we had let that game get to us, our season would have been totally different. We still had a chance to get the job done."