Adams: Time was right for Berry to shine

Gerald Jones sings to knoxnews producer Erin Chapin

Eric Berry's timing is almost as significant as his talent as far as Tennessee is concerned. Imagine if he hadn't come along when he did.

UT's young, inexperienced secondary was shaky enough as it was in 2007. But suppose Berry hadn't been good enough to start as a true freshman strong safety.

If nothing else, Florida might have scored 70.

Berry's 96-yard interception return for a touchdown actually gave UT hope early in the third quarter - before Florida scored the last 31 points in a 59-20 victory.

The Vols certainly couldn't have beaten South Carolina without Berry, who set up a couple of touchdowns with an interception and a 52-yard fumble return. He also had 12 tackles.

The SEC championship game might not have been close if Berry hadn't been knocking LSU ball carriers silly. Although UT lost, I still voted Berry MVP after he forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had seven tackles, including at least one that was worthy of a highlight video.

Berry didn't just come along at the right time for UT. He came along at the right time for college football.

Offenses have the upper hand, mainly because of the spread offenses, which send out a handful of receivers to the far reaches of the field and force a defense to come up with enough fast, quick guys to cover them.

A strong safety can still make a highlight video with his best middle linebacker imitation. But he can't make a living pretending to be Brian Urlacher.

UT secondary coach Larry Slade said he and Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez discussed that topic a month ago when they met on the recruiting trail.

Georgia has a recent history of big-hitting safeties. But neither Georgia nor anyone else can afford the luxury of a safety whose best tackles lead to MRIs, unless that safety also can match strides with a wide receiver.

"That's where we have been ahead," Slade said at UT's football media day Saturday. "You've got to be able to go cover. We've had safeties that can go do that. A lot of people are getting to that."

Good luck in finding someone who can do it as well as Berry.

"Eric has got to continue to do it," Slade said. "But from an athletic standpoint, a guy that is physical, a guy that can play man-to-man, that can do all those things - Eric is the best I've been around."

Never mind how much Berry brings to the secondary. The timing of his arrival at UT is enhanced because of what he might bring to an offense.

Offensive coordinators are more willing than ever to think outside the box - or even, outside the offense. Now, Berry, a former high school quarterback, is convinced he will finally get a chance to play offense as well as defense.

"Yeah, I believe it," he said. "Coach (Phillip) Fulmer is a man of his word. So I trust him on that."

Wide receiver Gerald Jones succeeded in a limited role in UT's "G-Gun" package last season. It makes sense to give Berry a similar chance to line up as quarterback in a shotgun formation.

If you're skeptical, consider his track record. Before last season, he made it clear - without being cocky - that he could contribute right away on defense. He was right.

So when he says he can have an impact on offense, the coaches should be all ears.

"I think I can bring energy and dynamics (to the offense), just what I do to the defense - excitement dynamics, that's about it," he said.

He already has demonstrated what he could do with a football in his hands. He returned five interceptions for 222 yards and two fumbles for 55 yards as a freshman. That's an average of 39.5 yards per carry.

"I've played offense all my life, so once (he gets the ball), I go back to my instincts," he said. "I just look at defense as being offense without the ball in your hands. You just have to go out and take it."

But on offense, he can't just take it. The coaches have to give it to him.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.