TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee safety Eric Berry has had a spectacular freshman season. Too bad, he can’t talk about it.
Before the 2004 football season, UT coach Phillip Fulmer decided to make freshmen off-limits to the media. Coincidentally, two of the most prominent players on that team were freshmen Eric Ainge and Brent Schaeffer, who took turns starting at quarterback.
Because of their prominence, Fulmer broke his rule a couple of times and allowed them to interview. Both survived the experience.
So would Berry if he had gotten a second chance.
Berry and all the other UT freshmen were allowed to exercise their freedom of speech on preseason media day in August. That was 13 games and a full college semester ago.
After all that, Berry is hardly a true freshman anymore. So it’s not surprising that several media-types asked about his availability for interviews after bowl practices this week.
UT publicists John Painter and Bud Ford both said Berry was still off-limits to the media. That’s not how they would prefer it. In fact, they have tried to get Fulmer to change his mind about freshmen in general. The coach still believes they’re better seen, not heard.
There’s nothing malevolent going on here. Fulmer simply believes it’s in the best interest of the young players not to interview.
In some cases, that might be true. That’s why the program would be better served if freshmen were evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Some are ready to play as freshmen. Some are ready to interview.
And based on how comfortable and articulate Berry was in his interview session in August, he would have represented the program as well as anyone else on the team.
Fulmer said before Friday’s Outback Bowl practice that he considered making an exception for Berry several weeks ago. When he asked Berry about the possibility of doing interviews, he said Berry told him he would rather not do it unless all the freshmen could interview.
How’s that for a mature, team-oriented response?
Berry isn’t just a star on a team lacking in stars. He’s somebody fans would like to get to know. And they could get to know him through the media.
Fans also would have liked hearing from Knoxville freshman Dennis Rogan after he became the team’s punt returner or from freshman Gerald Jones after he took the lead in UT’s “G-Gun” offense.
It’s not as though the interviews are a huge imposition. If nothing else, you could make the freshmen available only after games. It would add a few minutes to their day. That’s all.
The interviews could benefit the players as well as the fans and media.
Name recognition is a factor in post-season honors. If you don’t believe that, consider UT senior strong safety Jonathan Hefney, who made the coaches’ All-SEC first team even though he played poorly for much of the season. But, as a first-team pick in preseason, he was a known name.
Fulmer isn’t the only SEC coach who forbids freshmen from interviewing. But there also are SEC coaches like Florida’s Urban Meyer who don’t have a problem with freshmen interviewing. For example, Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin talked to the media all through their freshman seasons while helping the Gators win a national championship in 2006.
It worked out OK for those guys.
Fulmer said he will reevaluate his freshman-interview policy after the season, just as he does all policies.
Hopefully, he will change his mind.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 35
DarthVol writes:
I think a large McDonalds Coffee should be only .99 .
FLVol writes:
My name is Luka, I live on the 2nd floor.
mojojojo writes:
Zeke says, "Talk, talk, walk, talk, stalk, adams, talk, memphis, talk, kippy, same as it ever was". Go vols!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Only eight sentences into this column and I get the pitch: John Adams publicly lobbying for a chance to exploit 18-year-old kids to sell newspapers.
There is no "freedom of speech" in such a context, Adams, and you know it.
No more than you risking your job by writing a column, for example, that the college sportswriters beat has no room for homosexuals.
Or that there are rumors floating around that KNS sports editors and writers come from longtime KKK grand wizard families.
Sometimes you amaze me with your solid insights and other times you amaze me by stooping to the lowest levels of your chosen "profession." Most of the time, though, you make me yawn.
No wonder millions consider "journalists" to be among the lowest forms of organic matter.
We trust Coach Fulmer to do what's in the best interests of these freshmen when it comes to speaking with the media. We can wait until next year to get your newsroom's interpretation of them as people.
Breathtakingly cheap, Mr. Adams.
wyomingvol writes:
mmmmmm....
Hashbrowns..........
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Spam. It's like real meat... only better.
UTvols12342000 writes:
Now I too have no respect for Adams either. His own fame and name recognition cannot get what he wants, so he tries to pander to the common man for it. Sick, lawyers and reporters.....ask anyone how they feel about them John(other than your family and friends). puke
Berry, nice response and what a showing of team unity. Jon, take some lessons on class from this freshman.
GO VOLS
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Adams wants the "gurls are purty here at Tenn" and "4th grade was the best 3 years of my life", huh. Add seven "you know's".
Phil will stay the course. You'd think he'd let them say "working like heck to get better" or something like that....... Keep plugging, Adams, you've got a job to do.
OldNumber7 writes:
Sorry John, I think it's an acceptable rule. Wouldn't mind personnally if it were limited to starters and game-ball winners.
bigtimevol writes:
Can we have a Homer Simpson "Dooooop" for Mr. Adams. How in the world did Berry make SEC All Frosh team and multiple weekly awards? On the field??? For the last football week of the year this is all we can come up with...a rumor about K. Brown and a complaint about no talk frosh???
Go interview the faculty who was supposed to keep players eligibile.
CrankE writes:
And it wouldn't be a John Adams column if he didn't put in a plug for Florida somewhere.
mtnvol writes:
"Freedom of speech?" HA! What a cheap shot! If you actually believe in "Freedom of Speech" there would be no censorship on this site, you goober! We agree to live by certain rules to post on this site and the athletes agree to to live by certain rules when the sign on to play.
I've been on the "Fire Adams" bandwagon for quite some time now and this simply confirms my position. Here we are a few days away from a New Year's Day bowl game and all Jack A$$ has to write is a whine piece on not being able to talk to freshman.
kevinlimbo#326134 writes:
I was going to post, but it looks like Adams has been sufficiently skewered.
AllVol writes:
After four years this guy can't spell Erik Ainge's name right? Son of a . . . .
TommyJack writes:
I'm ok with Adams, but I don't care what the frosh say. Or any of them for that matter. It's what they DO that counts. You faithful have a much bigger problem with our HC than with sports writers. Stay the stinkin course.
volfan#207874 writes:
Apparently John thinks that editorializing is what readers want. No
need to report the positive side of anything relating to the Vols. I would love to buy him for what he is WORTH
and sell him for what HE THINKS he is worth. Sure would help ease the problem of stretching the old SS check
each month. Perhaps a visit to the old dictionary and search the word "reporting" and try to follow the
parameters as set forth by Mr. Webster
would enhance John's image to the few
readers that subscribe to his brand of reporting (i.e. editorializing.)
vol4good#206163 writes:
Anybody got a Great Grill Recipe?
Bigger_Al writes:
I think Berry's response on why he didn't want to do it is exactly the same reason Fulmer doesn't let any Freshmen talk: Some of them just aren't ready to have everything they say broadcast worldwide, and you want as much unity in a Freshman class as possible. Don't differentiate among them more than you have to.
Hunter writes:
Perhaps Fulmer should only allow team captains to speak. That would REALLY burn Adams up!
Been hatin' John Adams for a LONG time now; won't stop 'til he's gone. Who is his boss and does anyone have contact info. for him/her?
DennisVols writes:
Players need to be taught the art of interviewing. Remember the out burst by Winslow following the loss to UT in 2003?
Fans want to get to know more about their team and the players involved. At the same time some players are not ready to face the media and age is not always the factor.
Being able to interview is an art and successful individuals learn how to do it. Athletes, esp. stars, should be trainned on how to advoid "foot in mouth" situations like the one Winslow had in '03.
You've heard Fulmer say all the time how UT prepares its players for the world, well interviewig is part of that world.
TommyJack writes:
I support Adams. You faithful won't be happy til you get a UT grad that sucks up totally to the program. No contrary opinions wanted is your position.
TommyJack writes:
55_vol: Fair enough. Just tired of the constant carping about KNS because they sometimes question the Program.. Hey, I have no dog in the fight. But realize that any big time program is gonna get questioned from time to time. Many on here are not comfortable with that.
mtnvol writes:
TJ, I'm not opposed to thoughtfully written articles pro or con. Brent Hubbs seems to do a fair job of seeing both sides of an issue and reporting on the issue....not personal vendettas. All we get from the "Johns" (adams and pennington) are personal attacks especially on the coaches. Hardly ever do you see a balanced article from those two clowns. It seems to me that they write to incite, rather than inform and this is a perfect example of just that.
But then again, when have we seen anything "balanced" from the media? Where are the likes of Keith Jackson, Ben Byrd and Walter Cronkite?
TommyJack writes:
mtnvol: and Tom Siler. But Mtn....Cronkite was far from balanced...Man is to the left of Dennis Kuchinich. Come to think of it, Siler was the ultimate homer, but so what? Ben Byrd..now there was a good sports writer.
HardcoreHottie writes:
Important fact was missed here that further illustrates Berry's maturity: Fulmer did give Berry an opportunity to speak to the media mid-season. At that time, Berry told coach that he would stand by the "no Freshman talk" rule.
So, it was by his own decision that Berry does not speak to the media. Bud Ford and other UT admins simply refer back to the rule to shed away media.
gohawks1 writes:
You're not implying that Keith Jackson was fair and unbiased, are you? Man, that guy was so anti-SEC/TN that I couldn't stand watching him. I was glad to see him semi-retire to calling only the Pacific coast games.
TommyJack writes:
IP: I'm not. Ole Keith has retired more times than George Foreman. Hope one of them sticks.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
IPOrange- 12:38-second that motion on Keith Jackson. Beieve he did Tenn vs Miami Sugar Bowl 35-7 Vol win. After coming back home, I watched the replay about a week later and all he alluded to was the Vols tailback was a "track man from Virgnia". Didn't talk much about his burning their a#$. Thought the Super Dome would fall from the noise. Narrowest seats I ever sat in, but got wider as the Makers Mark took effect. Where have those type efforts gone?
JSMITH2432 writes:
Sorry but you guys really are pathetic. Is there anything you don't complain about? No wonder recruits back off from UT when they read message board comments from Vol fans. War every other team in the SEC.
TommyJack writes:
JSMITH: Are you serious man? You give this board way too much credit.
mtnvol writes:
TDTN, smile and show everyone your tooth.
Tell the truth, you weren't REALLY trying to help that sheep over the fence, were you? That's why the farmer made you marry it.
mtnvol writes:
TJ, yeah on Tom Siler. He was a good one. But we'll agree to disagree on Uncle Walty. While he was left in real life, on the air listeners couldn't tell; unlike the talking Barbie dolls we have now.
jhmclain#224991 writes:
The home spun sports editor would have in time evetually been Gary Lundy had he not passed away a couple of years ago at the untimely age of 49. He was a die hard Vols fan but could also be brutally straightforward and honest in his writings. He would call it the way he saw it even if it was negative against UT.
ncvol17 writes:
Freshmen should be required to take SPEECH classes and would then be better prepared to speak intelligently and not be nervous in front of the media. Nothing more humiliating than being an unprepared inner city 18 yr old in front of a camera being barraged with questions. Remember Travis Henry in front of the cameras? In print they could rearrange his thoughts and put him in a better light. PREPARE THESE KIDS. Berry seems like he would be an exception and would present himself well.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I'm more interested in which coach they chase down to interview after the Outback. Check the charts.
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