Dave Hooker audio:
- QB Jonathan Crompton on his UCLA debut
- TB Arian Foster talks about playing in the Rose Bowl where his father played
- Dave Hooker interviews LB Rico McCoy about DT Walter Fisher
- Dave Hooker interviews RB coach Stan Drayton
- Demetrice Morley on playing for UT once again after missing last season
- Eric Berry on preseason expectations, his offseason improvement and competing with UT WR Gerald Jones
- Dave Hooker interviews WR Gerald Jones about competing with S Eric Berry
- Dave Hooker interviews P Chad Cunningham
Believe it or not, Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry had a weakness last season.
Unlike so many other great defensive back prospects, Berry played safety before coming to UT - not cornerback, where so many high school teams place their best defensive backs.
Subsequently, Berry's one-on-one press-coverage skills were a bit lacking, well at least by his standards.
"All in all, he's still Eric Berry," sophomore receiver Gerald Jones said following Wednesday's practice on Haslam Field. "He wasn't bad to start with, but you can definitely tell the progress he's made.
"He's a lot more patient. He used to lunge or be back on his heels. Now he's a force to be reckoned with."
That - and sophomore Dennis Rogan's development - gives the Vols more flexibility in their nickel and dime packages. If need be, Rogan can play safety and Berry can play up on a receiver.
"I think I've made a pretty good jump from where I was in high school," Berry said of his one-on-one coverage skills.
Berry gives Jones much of the credit, as the two have competed for prominence since arriving on campus last summer.
Whenever UT's receivers and defensive backs line up in one-on-one drills, Berry is always making sure he faces Jones.
"That's helped so much because he's so elusive," Berry said. "He treats me like I'm someone from UCLA and I treat him the same way when we're on the practice field."
Said Jones, "I've got a little more shake than a lot of receivers. That's made him better and that makes me better getting off press coverage."
Holtz-ian Approach: UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel could have made former coach Lou Holtz blush with the poor mouthing displayed during his conference call with Knoxville media.
"We know it's going to take a big-time effort by us to stay close," Neuheisel said.
Neuheisel didn't stop there. He then got more specific with UT's personnel.
"I'm jealous of his (UT coach Phillip Fulmer's) offensive line because he's got some guys that have actually played there before," Neuheisel quipped.
Neuheisel also was complimentary of UT starting tailback Arian Foster.
"I'm well aware of what that position means at Tennessee," said Neuheisel, who coached former Vol Jamal Lewis while working for the Baltimore Ravens. "He's (Foster) a guy that can change direction in the blink of an eye and our defense better do a great job of caging him."
Just when it seemed like Neuheisel had all but conceded the game, he offered a glimmer of hope for Bruins fans.
"We'll have a couple of blitzes up our sleeve," Neuheisel said. "Hopefully, one or two can find their way home."
G-Gun Plan: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson wasn't offering any hints as to how he might utilize UT's G-Gun package, in which Jones plays quarterback.
"Obviously, we don't want to give that away," Clawson said. "Going from game to game and how it's defended, we could run that a lot or a little.
"Can we get the ball in his (Jones') hands other ways? That's a way we can assure the ball gets in his hands."
Man In The Spotlight: It didn't take Clawson long to realize the difference between game week at UT and game week at Richmond, where he was the head coach last season.
"There's a lot more of you folk at this interview than I'm used to," Clawson said to a dozen reporters during Tuesday's media day.
It's Academic: Linebacker Gerald Williams did not practice on Wednesday, still awaiting academic clearance.
The Vols are still waiting on official word from two signees: defensive tackle Montori Hughes from Siegel High School in Murfreesboro and linebacker Marlon Walls from Olive Branch (Miss.) High School.
Walls said he expected to hear something this week but the announcement never came.
"I'm getting real impatient," Walls said. "I'm just trying to learn some patience."
Walls said if he's not able to enroll at UT, as expected, then he'll spend a semester at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.
When the Cat's Away: Foster was admittedly squeamish during an interview session Wednesday when a small mouse was spotted running through the press lounge in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex. Why doesn't Foster like mice?
"Cause they don't like me," he said as he hopped up onto the back of his chair to avoid the rodent.
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Comments » 51
VOLINCALI writes:
TNfaninMS I hope you are typing as I do.
If not here you go.
Free Gerald Williams.
VOLINCALI writes:
Oh, I forgot.
First and Second
OrangeKoolAid writes:
Go Vols - crush the bearpups
VOLINCALI writes:
I know, I know.
But, it still fills nice.
VOLINCALI writes:
feels
VOLINCALI writes:
feels, darnit
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Arian responsing like this surprises me one way and doesn't surprise me in another way.
He is a big dude. why is he jumping into chairs?
But, his personality makes me think that he would jump into chairs to get away from mice.
But still, that's crazy.
junder13 writes:
Successful people know one of the most crucial things in the beginning stages of development: follow the lead of someone else who is great or face opposition that is as talented as you to get there. Sounds like Berry and Jones are doing this, and doing it well. I hope and believe they'll finish their careers here as established "greats"!
MrBamSeydu writes:
VOLINCALI: Could you have WASTED more of our time as well as your own just then? Geez, 5 posts and not one of them were at all useful.
From what I hear, there is a question as far as the start/end dates for when he took his make-up math class at UT via CC of San Fran. In other words, it may be whether he was in the class for a proper ammount of time or whether he was enrolled prior to starting coursework.
This is just hear-say, but I haven't been hearing much else so....
miamiVOL writes:
GET OFF UR A_Z_Z AND FREE GERALD WILLIAMS
cleVOLand writes:
John Adams, you are important and all-knowing, can you use your special powers to help free Gerald Williams?
PreventUT writes:
To be denied both Williams and Walls would blow big time!
OrangeKoolAid writes:
Don't know if anyone's posted this yet. Story about Harry Galbreath making the OL better.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20...
Go Vols! Foster runs for 100, Hardesty, Poole and Creer all get their 50.
gnm53108 writes:
I can see the jokes now.Afraid of mice.
Oh well...Atleast we know he isnt afraid of bulldogs,Gators,and tigers.
And agree with others.
Free our freakin players.
Let the kids play.
gnm53108 writes:
Thanks for the link OrangeKoolAid.
Good read.
Hey,is that frost brewed OrangeKoolAid?
OrangeKoolAid writes:
gnm, the mugs have a thin layer of ice floating in a deep well of Orange. Take a sip...mmm...yes, I think we will win the NC...can I have another mug?
orangesox writes:
Informative article on Gerald Williams situation:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-25...
Volomatic writes:
FREE GERALD WILLIAMS
Volomatic writes:
http://www.cstv.com/allaccess/player/...
Volomatic writes:
http://www.cstv.com/allaccess/player/...
MidTennVol writes:
Okay, I must repeat my question from yesterday: COACH SLADE, DOES THIS MEAN WE'RE FINALLY GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY MAN COVERAGE?
We will see...
gnm53108 writes:
OrangeKoolAid...That sounds awfully good.You might want to just keep sipin for now.We are still 4 days away.
This weekend is gonna hurt.
orangebloodgmc writes:
OrangeKoolAid, great link on the OL. Maybe that will make the difference we need with the running game.
SemperVol writes:
"G-Gun Plan: Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson wasn't offering any hints as to how he might utilize UT's G-Gun package, in which Jones plays quarterback."
Well, no sh*t, I hope not!!!!!
SemperVol writes:
-General 8:41-
Same thoughts here.
This Hargrave Military Academy has to be one bad*ss team... They get all these athletes that can't quite cut it yet.
They're like detention for stellar athletes with dim bulbs...
CoverOrange writes:
"There's a lot more of you folk at this interview than I'm used to," Clawson said to a dozen reporters during Tuesday's media day.
I assume they asked the same dumb question 4 times instead of the once you are used to. j/k Dave.
Foster must have excellent balance to hop on the back of a chair. Or did he just hop on to a chair?
va_vol16 writes:
free gerald williams
SemperVol writes:
Eric Berry used "symbiotic" in a sentence in an article somebody posted on here yesterday.
His lexicon is as equally impressive as his performance.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Mice in Neyland-Thompson"?
Aha, now we know why the increase in tickets!
Cheese prices must be out the roof. Wonder who's feeding the cute little critters. I would cure this by relocating the barn cat for 3 weeks for, say, $1800.00 per day. Would work at the Pentagon.
Berry and Jones should be fast enuf to catch them, though.
SemperVol writes:
Can we count the mice in our average attendance, pdhuff?
ctownvol writes:
Yeah. What's with the mice in Neyland-Thompson?
jasonn1970 writes:
Free Gerald Williams!!
VolGraduate writes:
maybe some pUsssy in that stadium would get rid of the mice problem
...i have a feeling this wont stay up long
SemperVol writes:
VolGraduate 10:07-
Hahahahahah. So far so good.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
This Gerald Williams thing makes me sick! I've written the SEC twice now. I really hope this thing gets resolved by tomorrow. Disgraceful.
TNfaninMS writes:
Savage told me yesterday that the SEC has received his transcript and we should know anytime now. Hope it is soon. Anyway
FREE GERALD WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DenverVol writes:
Free G Williams!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Free the Neyland mice!
If they saw one, that means there's 146.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
OrangeKoolAid-
Thanks for the link. I wonder if Galbreath is a paid assistant or if he is just volunteering his time?
orangebloodgmc writes:
VolGraduate, you have been mentored by Kosmo?
VolGraduate writes:
no, kosmo smells like cabbage
ctownvol writes:
Kosmo is a midget?
VolGraduate writes:
i lack sufficient information to know if kosmo is actually a midget but the fact that he smells like cabbage combined with the fact that my ouija board pointed to yes both lead me to believe that he is indeed a midget...i would bet the house on it
ctownvol writes:
Ok then. The overwhelming aroma of cabbage is usually a good indication. I applaud you on your extra investigation tool in using the ouija not once but twice. It's official then. Make your claim Volgrad.
gnm53108 writes:
volgrad
yeh..but does he pound the fritter?
givehim6 writes:
Sounds good. Go VOLS!
murrayvol writes:
It's a little known fact that Hercules was afraid of mice. ;)
Smallmike4pres writes:
MICKEY DEARSTONE IS AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!
The sports animal is cancelling the Rome show. Let's flood the phone lines in the morning & let this numnut loser know what he is doing!
gavol2572 writes:
Hey Smallmike did you know that the Rome show was being canceled?
wildberry14 writes:
i saw eric berry at a party last week.
but the party kinda sucked
so he left pretty quickly and without even saying anythign
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