"Let them play!"

"Let them play!"

It was the inspirational cheer that fans rained down upon the motley crew in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.

Now, Tennessee fans should bring back that cheer as the Vols head to Tampa, Fla. to play in the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin.

I say play the freshmen, especially where seniors have once roamed. No position is anymore obvious than quarterback.

That's not to say Phillip Fulmer should bench Erik Ainge. But how about playing Jonathan Crompton for three or four series?

How about Ben Martin playing extensively? How about more Lennon Creer, Chris Walker, Denarius Moore and Gerald Jones?

Play as many young players as possible, within reason. Get this team prepared for next fall.

Because, in the end, any bowl game other than a national championship game isn't half as important as a rivalry such as Florida, Georgia or even South Carolina.

Look to the future. Not the past.

I proposed such a plan to Fulmer as the Vols opened practice last weekend. I got a chuckle. And a reminder that that's not the way the Vols do things around here.

But I'd remind Fulmer that changes have worked this season. The no-huddle produced an explosive offense that took defenses by surprise in the first half of the season. The G-Gun, with Gerald Jones at quarterback, was very successful against LSU in the SEC championship game. And moving practice to Sunday from Monday in midseason now seems like a no-brainer.

So why not a youth movement?

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