Posted by BOASoldier on April 4, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ERIC "THE SLEDGE HAMMER" BERRY Lay a hit so hard it'll make your momma stutter. b-b-b-baby p-p-p-please get up. It's yo m-m-m-momma talkin.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great honor for Berry. As impressive as that is... his comment about learning from Morley is even more impressive. It seems to suggest that the hype isn't getting in his head.

Spikes being on that list is gratuitous. There are several SEC LB's better than he is.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And the winner of the 2008 Lott trophy...........

The CEO of "the goon squad" Eric Berry!!

sjt18 ,I agree 100%.I haven't seen a more mature young man at UT since Peyton.

Posted by murrayvol on April 4, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the D-line can do it's job in 08', this secondary could be something special.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm feeling a little better about that murrayvol.

What are you hearing savage?

Fulmer was uncharacteristically complementary toward Martin. Someone elsewhere mentioned that Brown could be one of the better run stopping DE's they've had in awhile. He doesn't hurt you in the pass rush but he's better than the rest at stopping the run.

Ayers is earning alot of praise.

Good things are being said about Langley. He seems to be starting to "get it". That's important. The coaches said they liked him as well as Marvin Austin WHILE recruiting both of them and when it was still thought Austin might become a Vol. Austin played for UNC and looked fat and slow to me.

Williams, Fisher, and Bolden should be good. Williams was only a Soph last year... if he continues to improve then we could have that dominant DT we've been whining about since Harrell went down.

All in all, it sounds encouraging that the D is ready to take a major step forward especially on the DL and in the secondary.

Supposedly alot of people are impressed with the new O staff.

Posted by bigorangedude on April 4, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No surprise here! The only bad thing is if Berry has a great year will he turn pro?

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 4, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm so excited that I can't stand it. How many days until football season? Can we hit fast forward?!!

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 4, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude: No, because he can't turn pro until after his JR season.

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 4, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anybody heard anything (football related) about William Brimfield? He was a big recruit on the DL last year, but other than being in the back seat of Ahmad Paige's car, I haven't heard anything about him.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah. I've already begun to dread the end of Berry's Jr year. The goon squad will probably all go out together.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on April 4, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the rule will be changed before berry can go pro after this year

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 4, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He can't turn pro until after his Junior year since he didn't red shirt.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brimfield has moved to OL. Reportedly he blew Ben Martin up in the Tennessee drill. Not exactly a fair match up in size and weight between two tackling dummies but it does suggest Brimfield's move to OL may eventually pay off.

Posted by FlushTheJohn on April 4, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

Thanks for the info!!!

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

forgive me for ruffling some feathers.....

but, i would temper some of the enthusiasm about the secondary until, they, you know, cover someone.

this is the same group that could not defend one pass target at alabama or vandy.

now, before you start saying those in glass houses should not throw stones.....i would agree.

and as such, i have not made any declarations on the greatness of any defensive group for florida.

Posted by vol4jesus on April 4, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

reminder to 99gator and others...if pass rush is not a rush, but a snail attack, doesn't matter who is in the secondary. Can only lock someone down for so long.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol4jesus

true. but, as someone else said. if these guys are as good a group as some of you make them out to be....it will allow tenn to blitz and take chances rushing the qb.

i just have to see it before i believe it.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 4, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear you, 99gator, but I don't think people are just blowing smoke, whistling in the wind, whatever metaphor you prefer, about this year's secondary. Surely you agree that Berry is the real thing. Morley was, too, and now they are both back there. The corners last year for the most part were either freshmen or transfers from other positions. It took half a season to identify the best combination. Even then, injuries ensured that they all weren't often on the field at the same time. A poor pass rush put even more pressure on them. They now have a year of crucial experience to go along with plenty of physical talent; there is nothing like a season of watching the backsides of receivers one was supposed to be covering to make one hungry to avoid a repetition(;-P)! Agreed, this group hasn't done it all yet, but it is, IMHO, more than wishful thinking to think that they will.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

john1g00

i understand. and i tend to agree, i would just use a little caution and not go overboard. but, there are more highly prized recruits in that secondary than probably any other position tenn has.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator,

I'd say we have as much reason to be optimistic about the secondary as you do your RB's, new WR, back up QB, or OL's #6-10... and more so than any position group on your defense.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

i understand what you are getting at. but, i did not proclaim any of those things great or what have you.

as an example, my comment about the backup qb was that they are not true freshman and that one of them will play some. i did not proclaim any of them tim tebow II. heck, i did not even say any of them were good. i just said at least they are not true freshman.

and the same goes for each of those positions.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, You are pretty much on target.Langley seems to be the one creating a buzz as the 4th man in the rotation at DT.Victor Thomas has been either very good or very bad.Ben Martin is struggling a little w/ technique.He is very fast, but is only playing at 240lbs, so his pad leverage and hands must improve ,but all in all Chavis is happy where he is at.The word I keep hearing over and over about the D-line is consistency.They actually sound to be more comfortable w/ DT than DE.Ayers is the most consistent, but they are really wanting a true pass rusher to step up.(ala Ben Martin)

On the recruiting front:Hubbs said "The Vol coaching staff has done the best job I have ever seen of getting prospects on campus this spring. It is certainly a huge improvement from a year ago."

It seems that a-lot of the guys coming on visits have ties w/ either current or former players.(an unusual ammount) Ja’Ron Stokes a 6-foot-1, 178 pound four star wide out, was in town this week and is friends w/ former Vol Mark Jones.The staff is also recruiting 2 4* offensive lineman out of Utah, who go to different HS's, but know each other and know JT Mapu and his family.It is said Mapu is really helping us on those guys.David Oku, 5-foot-9 176 lbs 4.49 sec 40, 4* RB from Midwest City (OK) is friends w/ Gerald Jones, and said he really likes what GJ has said about the new offense and how he could fit in.

We are listed as the #1 school for a couple guys we really need.Dallas Lee of Buford (GA)is a 6'4 290lb DT.A-lot of teams are recruiting him as an OG, but he clearly wants to play DT,and the UT coaches are recruiting him as such.The coaches have also offered Daniel Hood a 6'5 DE from K'Ville catholic HS.He said he has only worked in the weight room for about a yr, so look for him to get bigger and move indide.He said he was overly excited that the Vols offered.Both are looking to commit before football season.

Sorry about the length, I'm just ready for football!

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I'm pretty sure you were more optimistic than that about the RB's and that new WR.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

the new wr i was telling you about...i have a point of reference for. if coaches and people who have seen them play say, that he will play and be better than other people who started the year before, then that must mean he is pretty good.

with the backs, i said nothing about how good they were. i said who was the better runner and who was the better blocker. i did say that as a group they are better, but that is not saying much at that position.

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage,

the direct comment I've heard about the O staff is that several insiders are saying it is the best offensive staff ever assembled under Fulmer at UT.

What can you add?

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, we have a point of reference for the secondary... and we watched them in spite of youth improve over the course of last year.

Berry is getting the publicity but it seems to be Rogan and Morley that are really turning heads in practice... that bodes well for them as a group.

Posted by auttat on April 4, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I bet Berry is on alot of people's watch list. Watching hoping they don't get "Run the f@#% over!!"

Tend to agree with 99gator. As good as Berry was, he still gave up a few long td passes. And, I remember doing alot more yelling AT Morley than I did yelling FOR him.

Nonetheless, they have the potential to be outstanding.

Posted by 99gator on April 4, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

to be fair to you, there are unproven players for florida that i have faith will be good because there is too much coal for there not to be some diamonds.

and i am sure that is true of the tenn secondary and some other positions at tenn.

i just am not going to take that faith and proclaim anything great or give anyone or any unit a nickname until i see it.

Posted by foreverorange on April 4, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would say the chances of TN's secondary being as bad as it was against CAL and FL is slim to none, and slim just walked out the door. and I am optimistic that Ben Martin will be more productive than both or out DE's were last year. Demonte Bolden is back at DT also. Could actually be a decent DL also. Sure wish Mayo didn't leave.

Posted by VolJoe on April 4, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would argue that Tebow is clearly "great" because of what he has accomplished. Therefore Berry is also "great", but clearly to a different degree (He isn't a Heisman Winner).
Mathematically, we have half of a great secondary already

Posted by sjt18 on April 4, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

foreverorange, I think Martin will be great but don't sleep on Brown.

VolJoe, I'd say 3/4... and 1/4 isn't far behind. Vinson went to Hargrave which is sends guys to major schools and eventually the NFL. The coach said that as good as he was as a WR... Vinson would be a 1st rounder if he played CB.

Vinson, Berry, Morley, and any of about 4 guys that could play at the other CB constitute the best talent I've ever seen in the secondary at UT.

In spite of 99gator's cautions, I am very optimistic about that group.

Posted by TurboFan on April 4, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No doubt a great secondary, but it won't matter if the LBs can't cover the underneath routes. To 99gator's point, Bama nickel and dimed us down the field. Say what you will about the dink and dunk, but it can move the ball if it's not covered.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on April 4, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

listen, you can have the best secondary from the nfl but if you dont have a D-Line and some LB's tebow is going to keep on running up the middle all day and also auburn now!!!!

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Receivers should be fine.Scott said his biggest problem is getting all of them involved.The 3 creating the most buzz are Jones,Moore, and Paige.Scott went on to say:"Based on Gerald's performance since we've been here, we're continually looking to find new ways to get him the ball. He's a guy who is just fantastic with the ball in his hands in space," Scott observed. "Gerald's someone who we want to get matched up on a linebacker and just get him the ball where he can let his ability take over."
"I have six or seven guys who will probably see considerable game action.

DT is still the question.The coaches seem to be happy w/ the 1st 3 (Williams,Bolden, and Fisher),but the concern is depth.Langley would be the 4th option right now, but I think CPF was hoping Victor Thomas was going to step up.The problem w/ VT is,one play he uses great technique but isn't intense, and then the next play he gives great effort but uses bad technique.They say when he puts the 2 together, he can't be blocked by 1 guy.

The keys IMO:
1.Staying healthy
2.Bolden living up to expectations.(He's already a legend in his own mind)

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 4, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry is a smart kid who will finish his degree before going pro. I only hope it takes him four years.

Posted by murrayvol on April 4, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator @ 2:02: We're roughly 150 days from kickoff. What better time to throw caution to the wind and/or go overboard with predictions for the upcoming year? It's what we do best.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 4, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

auttat wrote:I bet Berry is on alot of people's watch list. Watching hoping they don't get "Run the f@#% over!!"

That's what the f@#% I'm talking about!!It's going to be a long summer.Kick the ball already!

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

KingsportVol ,I'll drink to that!You may see other teams come up w/ their own version of the dink and dunk w/ D-Mo and the Head Hunter lurking around.5 yrd out and 5 yrd curls then hit the ground.Don't get caught slippin.

Hope they have the smelling salts ready."The Goon Squad" is coming.

Posted by Gigavol on April 4, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry is definitely the best underclassmen safety to ever play college football. He will put Tebow in a full body cast, 99gator. If you remember he intercepted big bag tebow in Berry's first game playing the position. Then he ran it back for a touchdown and smoked Tebow with the ball.

Posted by pdhuff on April 4, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I'll go out on a limb and say the "D" will be better than 2007.

It just about has to be. You make a good point about Vandy , Bama and others throwing for a zillion yards, it seemed, to wide open receivers.

It was about as thrilling as watching Fla's "D" destruct vs Mich. I guess you've noticed we're tippy-toeing around the D-line with our PC musings. Who knows?

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

berry good but he percy will shake him like if fulmer was trying to cover him.........speed!!! yall see this gator speed soon....ha ha

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gator8: The KK brings out fresh hot ones at 6a.m....you've never seen CPF at 5:55. Speed is impressive. (sorry folks...I couldn't help it)

Posted by KingsportVol on April 4, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8 Berry will cover percy like he was Fulmer covering Waffle House.Smothered,Covered &Chunked!Go Big Orange

Posted by thesavageorange on April 4, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8 ,Speed you say?
Eric Berry 4.33 sec 40.
Percy Harvin 4.4 sec 40

Speed?
You better hope he can stay healthy.He missed 2 games last yr b/c of migraines, and is having surgery on his heel.Not knocking Harvin(great player), but I don't think Meyer will put Harvin near Berry.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 4, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

speed is when fla was 3rd and long and percy ran past yallz corner like he had blocks in is pants.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 4, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i like berry but he's on the wrong teams all

Posted by pdhuff on April 4, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ 8:39 - Rounding into preseason form, I see.

Posted by TommyJack on April 4, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Lost control. doldrums. long hard summer. ready.

Posted by TurboFan on April 4, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8, why would percy put blocks in his pants? Oh, I see, you haven't finished your junior high school english class yet.

Posted by drwfocus on April 5, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HELLO - what the hell is going on? Most of the comments on here are very interesting and informative. Only one negative anti-Fulmer post from Ashley (TJ's attempt at humor doesn't count and I am right there in the doldrums with him).

Posted by pdhuff on April 5, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

drwfocus 9:25 am -the doldrums do that to you. Some things fade a little but swing back into full reality along toward the end of August.

There is no doubt Phil will furnish enuf ammo for the realist vs the "Ites" battle to be rejoined. Roiling has just ebbed as it wont to do in the climes of Apr-May-June, etc.......

My big buddy Fletch feels this schedule opener change is Mikeys way of putting Phil straightaway in to frying pan. With no warm-up. Produce or else. Just a smiling vote of confidence. Et tu.......

Crazyy theory, huh!

Posted by murrayvol on April 5, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff: A conspiracy theory. At last the clouds are swept away. We can all look forward to a great summer of yeas & nays.

Posted by miamiVOL on April 5, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Eric Berry is a hybrid of Ronnie Lott and Deion Sanders, without the eGo, IMO he will be a top 15 caliber pick after THIS YEAR

Posted by TommyJack on April 5, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PD/Murray: The conspiracy thrives during doldrumz.
Biggest loser in the re-arrangement could be UAB's offense. Alas, only time will tell.

Posted by pdhuff on April 5, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol 10:49- In the vein of fairness, big Fletch also feels that there never should have been a front-wheel drive car or an extended cab p/u.

He wouldn't take a new Ford p/u if you gave him one. Chevy man to the bone. Doubt if he would pull our current coach out of a ditch. He is open-minded, his way or the highway! He says my 7-5 is too optimistic. He can eat 50 hot wings thou and loves Killian Red. And the Vols.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 5, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fletch for President

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

berry is no REGGIE NELSON

Posted by KingsportVol on April 5, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry is a Berry

Posted by thesavageorange on April 5, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8,Let's take a look!
Reggie Nelson's FR yr:
46 tkl's ,1 int 6yds o TD's,1 FF,1 FR 0yds, and 1 pbu's.

Eric Berry's FR yr:
86 tkl's ,5int's 222 yds 1TD,1 FF,2 FR 55 yd's,and 4 pbu's.

You're right Berry isn't no reggie nelson!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 5, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice and Unbelievable to see positive posts!!

I'm going to sleep. Wake me up when it's August.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

reggie n is a first rounder baby!!!! and picked ya boi ainge first and last pass in knoxville remember that 21 to 20 incase u forgot....

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE ERASER............2 comn' soon name WILL HILL

Posted by TommyJack on April 5, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD; Glad to hear BIg Fletch drinks leaded beer.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 5, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8,Actually I forgot.Nelson was a JR coming out of JUCO, not a FR as I posted above.So Berry's numbers were better as a FR than Nelson's were as a JR.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 5, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

give me a break....

Posted by pdhuff on April 5, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doldrums.

Congrats to Memphis U.