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Freshmen talk like veterans

Berry, Vinson excited about 2008

By Mike Strange (Contact)
Originally published 09:59 p.m., January 18, 2008
Updated 09:59 p.m., January 18, 2008

University of Tennessee football freshmen Eric Berry is surrounded by media Friday at the Neyland Thompson Sports Center.

Clay Owen

University of Tennessee football freshmen Eric Berry is surrounded by media Friday at the Neyland Thompson Sports Center.

Their freshman football season didn't turn out like they expected. But roommates Eric Berry and Brent Vinson are not complaining.

Berry expected to be a nickle back, learning the ropes in Tennessee's secondary.

Brent Vinson expected to be a receiver, running under Erik Ainge's passes.

"It actually turned out pretty good,'' Vinson said Friday in the first opportunity UT allowed its freshmen to mix with the media.

"This season went exceptionally well,'' said Berry.

That's an understatement. Berry started every game, was named to four Freshman All-America teams and broke a 37-year-old school record for interception-return yardage in a season.

Vinson was a receiver for two games. In game three - at Florida - he was a cornerback. By game five - Georgia - he was starting.

"I came here to play receiver,'' Vinson said, "but the right thing for me to do was be a team player.''

If making the transition from offense to defense wasn't enough, throw in the fact that Vinson had to essentially play the season with one arm.

An injury to his left shoulder from high school never got cleaned up and was a constant source of frustration.

He learned how to put his fist under the shoulder and pop it back into place on the fly.

"As the games progressed,'' he said, "I learned how to jam (receivers) with one arm.

"When I tackled, my shoulder was exposed so I'd kind of have to risk my body without knowing the outcome.''

Vinson finished with 37 tackles and tied for the team lead with seven passes broken up. He had one interception.

"A lot of people criticized him for his tackling,'' said Berry, "but he was playing with that hurt shoulder.

"He should have had surgery a long time ago. He's a tough guy. I really look up to him.''

After the Outback Bowl win over Wisconsin on Jan. 1, which Vinson calls his best game of the year, he did finally get around to surgery and is looking forward to playing 2008 with two good arms.

Nobody criticized Berry's tackling. The Fairburn, Ga., product was a laser-guided missile.

He led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles.

"My (high school) coaches just instilled in me that when you hit somebody just try to inflict pain,'' he said. "Not to hurt 'em and put 'em out of the game, but to make sure they know your presence is there.''

A natural fit at safety, Berry's five interceptions were four more than anyone else on the team and the 222 return yards reflected his prep background playing offense. He also returned two fumbles for 55 yards.

Berry could have played on either side of the ball in college but, unlike his roommate, defense was his first love.

"Offensive players,'' he said, "they kind of come a dime a dozen. If you can play defense, that's a pretty good thing to do.''

UT's secondary, which at times played a third freshman, Dennis Rogan, took its lumps but was showing improvement by late season.

"The criticism,'' said Berry, "was bad, but we took it as a good thing. We needed to get better.

"We're going to be awesome next year.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       27 Comments

Posted by utwick on January 18, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A couple of winners that are representing the school well. Morley's back and the D backfield looks good.

Posted by rodneyadms on January 18, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't wait...continue to be that guided missle for the Vols Eric..and it will be okay to take out some players in the Florida game.

Posted by andy112382 on January 18, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That secondary should be fun to watch, if we can get a strong LB and DL unit, we'll be one tough defense to handle.......Ben Martin likely to start at one DE position?

Posted by invisiblekid on January 18, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get some pressure on the QB from the front four and this secondary will be downright scary. Across the board, one of the more athletic groups in the secondary that I can remember at UT. Adding Morley back into the fold can only make it better. You have to love everything about Berry's game, he talks it off the field and brings it on the field.

Posted by dfreeman on January 19, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

After the season they had you could definately say they ARE veterans!! Can't wait til next year guys!! Our defense is going to be amazing!!

Posted by dburgVol on January 19, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's great that the players arent defeatists like alot of the lousy guys that post on here. Vinson I can tell you a few things about the shoulder. Ive got 3 screws in my right one from hs football and on cold days it hurts like fire. Get that taken care of. Thanks guys for the 110% effort this season. Looking forward to the next, hopefully, 3 years.
Oh, and Berry I know how it feels to be pancaked by Ramone Foster. I played his school every year from 6th to the 12th grade and he got me a FEW times!

Posted by mparker on January 19, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wish we had Mayo coming back....but wish him best of luck.

I felt bad for Heffney this year. He played good ball for us for 3 years, and is a decent corner. I think he'll get to the pros as a free agent, like Jabari Greer and Rashad Baker.

Posted by givehim6 on January 19, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One more year like you guys had, and you will be veterans. Add a few berry-like D linemen, and a great recruiting class in 2009, and championship bounb we go!

Posted by volmattna on January 19, 2008 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you guys played great vinson is physical w great instincts.berry is simply amazing.you guys keep it up and we will be the best secondary in the nation.cant wait to see morley play with these guys..go vols!

Posted by dfreeman on January 19, 2008 at 3:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant that they were shown SEC football the hard way as true freshman!! They played their hearts out and played great!! It will be fun to watch next year!!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 19, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

cdldoc:

Your eyes must be better than mine.

Posted by CT_VOL on January 19, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I disagree with Heffney having 3 good years mparker5!

It was Heffney as a freshman giving up the late touchdowns by being out of position against Auburn in the 2004 SEC championship game. The excuse then was that he was a freshman and we were thin there.

He simply never materialized and does not deserve to play in the pros.

It's ridiculous the talent we bestow to seniors simply because they are seniors.

Frank

Posted by pdhuff on January 19, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Young-un's getting to speak has Clawson written all over it, I would guess. Maybe he's opening big boy's eyes just a little bit. Now if we can get some push on front on d-line we won't have to watch our "D" sink into the basement of the SEC.

A good first step, Vols. Thanks Phil.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 19, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

don't worry larry slade will screw them up.. he has had great talent over the years and the second is always out of position, never looks back for the ball and my god don't talk about tackling.. i'll give vin a break, berry is the real deal, but the rest of the team was a joke and to think we'll be better next year is unrealistic.. dl and lb are going to be average at best so it won't matter how good the second could be. larry slade suxs...........

Posted by jimr07 on January 19, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier3--it is always so nice to log on here and see your positive comments. You must lead a miserable life to be so negative all the time. what would it take for you to be a true Vol? An N.C. every year? Right. You would probably complain then saying we didn't do this or that. Pitiful.

Posted by jweaver3 on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We will have a Great secondary in 08 with Morley back and Berry as safety and Vinson, Gaines, Rogan and Willingham at corner.
I also like Martin and Walker at end.
Chris Donald should step up and LB's everywhere.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by cjraney on January 19, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pd-
I'd say it's probably just that their freshman season is now over, rather than a policy change initiated by Clawson. Just my opinion, as I've not taken note of a similar situation in the past.

Whatever the reason, those 2 earned the right to give a post-season interview with their effort on the field and walking the line off the field.
Go Vols!

Posted by DennisVols on January 19, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"laser-guided missile"
That is an under-statement. With improved production for the offense, being able to maintain drives in the 2nd half, this defense will be much improved in '08. Throw in the experience factor that most of the positions on our defense didn't have in '07 and there is a lot to be excitied about.

Posted by sidwalkvol on January 19, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it is not a change in policy or the influence of the new coach. I remember a KNS article earlier in the fall, or perhaps right before the Outback Bowl that Coach Fulmer does not allow freshmen to speak to the media. After their freshman year is over, he does. I think the article said there was some incident a few years ago which prompted that policy, but I forget what that was.

Posted by romevol on January 19, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad to see that our secondary will have some seasoned veterans next year. Parts of last year were rough to watch, but I believe that next year many of these guys will have a real opportunity to shine. And yes, I also believe that Larry will have them in the right place at the right time.

Posted by vol1994 on January 19, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier-

I do not agree with the way Slade coaches defensive backs but from what I heard Coach Chavis will be working more with the secondary this year. Chavis will take more responsibility coaching the backs one on one due to Slade's health.. Slade will most likely retire after the '08 season. We can only hope..

Posted by pdhuff on January 19, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chraney 11:04- Yeah , it was a stretch to think that Clawson would have input this soon, but one can hope. I think that if they can pass college level courses they should be able to converse.

I don't put much faith in bulletin board material any more. I don't think this generation with their mega-access and all the attention they're used to it has much affect.

sidewalk- seems like I do vaguely remember Phil being infuriated several years back over some todo. TDTN would know. Big doldrums await after Feb-6.

Posted by CoastGuardVol on January 19, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am truly pleased to see the heart that these guys have. I hope that it is contagious to the rest of the squad. The 2008 season is already very promising.

Posted by RealistVolFan on January 19, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Waterskier might be the most ignorant UT fan I have seen on here to date. "They never look back for the ball"?

If you followed football besides the highlights on ESPN you would know that as a DB you NEVER, EVER look back for the ball.

Get the book, "How to sound like an idiot in football forums" Add some good input

Posted by utmdm on January 19, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vinson pops his shoulder in place and keeps playing. Berry looks up to his toughness. That says a lot. Great start guys. Cannot wait until we get started again.

Posted by ncvol17 on January 19, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How long till August? I'm ready..missing Gameday already,,

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