Jones helped Berry hone press-coverage skills

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.