Those goals are meant for two different time frames.

Mindful of how midseason slumps have marred the last two seasons, Johnson believes

a strong fall camp can prevent that kind of meltdown from happening in 2007. Maybe that belief is why he was a little reserved in assessing the Utes' first official practice of the season - it was great, for now.

"We were excited, but we're supposed to be excited and not get tired on the first day," he said. "What we want to avoid is that sticking point where we get tired and worn down and fight through that, because the same thing happens in the season. We don't want to do that this year."

The guy definitely is a quarterback, with the way he sees danger coming at him from all angles. The good news is the Utes, even by Johnson's standards, are ahead of schedule following a solid summer workout session.

"We have a veteran group out there, and we're light years ahead of where we were last year," he said. "We didn't have any false starts or penalties and everybody was on the cadence and knew what they were supposed to be doing."

The only gear the Utes wore Saturday were helmets, as per NCAA regulations, to acclimate themselves to the rigors of fall camp. The same goes for today's practice. Helmets and shoulder pads are allowed for the following two sessions, and full gear will be allowed the fifth practice.

Most of Saturday's practice time was spent running through drills and focusing on specific skills.

"Without pads, it is more like a dress rehearsal, but it still felt good to get out there," senior Steve Tate said. "The first day still tells a lot about the team and where we are at with character and intensity and it was good."

Both Johnson and Tate were voted captains by the team along with offensive lineman Kyle Gunther and linebacker Joe Jiannoni.

All players who were expected to report did, said coach Kyle Whittingham. Freshman Nai Fotu and transfer Damilyn Tanner are due in next week after they complete some academic requirements.

"It went like a lot of first days do, a lot of teaching and individual work," Whittingham said. "We're looking to see who will step up and who will become a wallflower in the background."

Notes: Freshman Mo Neal, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker out of Oakland, Calif., has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and won't join the Utes until January. . . . Whittingham singled out transfer running back Matt Asiata, who worked out with the first and second team, and tight end Dallin Rogers for their hustle on the first day

lwodraska@sltrib.com