Posted by VolPride_13 on May 26, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry for Heisman!!

Posted by T0MMYJACK on May 26, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And for whom did he come to play?

Posted by bamacheats on May 26, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey John Adams - You want to think big, screw the worthless Heisman, and screw the Thorpe!

Start a campaign to start the Eric Berry award.

Award it to the best true freshman in the country. No one gives awards to true freshman and maybe with the attention more deserving true freshman will get to play.

Posted by ggriggs939 on May 26, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No Tennessee football player will ever win the heisman popularity contest as long as the new york touchdown club is in control.

Posted by bricker865 on May 26, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All he has to do is catch a few passes on offense, return 1 kickoff back for a touchdown and do what he normally does on defense and he's a serious candidate....ala Charles Woodson

Posted by rrvolfan on May 26, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

:
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Adams Byline = Ignore this article
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Posted by GIVEHIMSIX on May 27, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry should turn down the Heisman if he wins. Name another sports award with as much regional bias. Think about it. heisman winners probably have the least amount of nfl success of any of the annual college football awards that are given. how overrated! i would love to see berry get up at the podium and turn down the trophy. hey... a guy can dream.

Posted by txsvol on May 27, 2008 at 1:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When Tom Siler was sports editor in Knoxville, he and Gus Manning would promote our players, and invariably they would make All-American. Adams, why don't YOU give up your LSU bias and promote UT football for a change? Aren't you angling for interviews in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville this year? That means you'll be knocking the Big Orange soon enough! Go Vols! SAVol

Posted by cdldoc on May 27, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, txsvol

Posted by drakosben1 on May 27, 2008 at 3:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

so I guess this means he voted for Charles
woodson??

Posted by Gigavol on May 27, 2008 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When will Berry learn the blocking schemes?

Posted by DarthVol on May 27, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And if that isn't working we could put Crompton in at Safety for a few plays.

Posted by tngeoff on May 27, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We are truly Blessed to have Eric Berry. I hope he wins every award imaginable. If not...he is still destined to become a Tennessee Legend and I'm glad he came to Tennessee.

Posted by GreerVol22 on May 27, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Name one of the position awards - most of which were instituted this decade - and UT probably hasn't won it."

couldn't resist the dig, could you Johnny? ....may the knats of a thousand camels, nest in your armpits...

Posted by pdhuff on May 27, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd settle for the team award of beating Fla or Bama.

Posted by hiresanders on May 27, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The words Heisman Trophy and Tennessee do not belong in the same sentence. BTW Griggs, It's the Downtown Athletic Club that awards the Heisman...geesh!

Posted by alfrizzle097 on May 27, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The comment about the individual awards wasn't a dig. Just an observation. Jerod Mayo was the number one linebacker pick, wasn't he? Kevin Simon, Kevin Burnett, Al Wilson, and Omar Gaither. The fact that not one of those guys got the best linebacker award shows you that Adams is probably right on this one.

Posted by dfreeman on May 27, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hiresanders - just wondering if you mean that UT players aren't good enough, or that they would never get it because of a bias? Your past posts would lead me to believe you think that UT players never deserved it!

pd - I agree, let's just beat Fla AND Alabama!

Posted by vol88 on May 27, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

good story.

Maybe if ESPN doesn't start promoting Michigan's 3rd string punter, Eric will have a chance.

Posted by VolnDothan on May 27, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

EB is a true talent no doubt. At this point I'd have to say that the likes of Pickens, Goodrich, Carter and company were a lot more impressive. That being said I'm still a BIG EB fan and think he has the opportunity and ability to become one of the greatest defensive players to come from UT.

Posted by TurboFan on May 27, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Carl Pickens did more on offense, defense and special teams than Woodson yet never got so much as a mention toward the Heisman.

Speaking of impressive, that photo of Berry is NOT! Come on KNS, you have to have 100s of photos of Berry better than that.

Posted by RichRollin on May 27, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree, beat fla. and bama and the rest will take care of itself. Had the offense not fumbled the florida game away, how big would the 96 yard int return have been? We know how big it was even though we lost, but from a national standpoint people would have noticed this young STUD earlier than what they did. I personally thought he deserved 1st team ALL-AMERICAN last year. I would take him over any safety in the country. Taylor Mayes from USC is the only comp that BERRY should have from the safety position this year, not to mention Morley and we have him too. I'm trying not to overhype things here, but this guy truly has Dion Sanders skills with the ball, but he loves to hit!! Don't remember that being anywhere in Primetimes gameplan!!!!

Posted by RichRollin on May 27, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Volindothan, I hope when you named goodrich you did not mean Duane!! He was a stud but everyone around him was to. This guy is THEREALDEAL times 10.

Posted by DennisVols on May 27, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All the hype about individual awards in a team sport. Go figure!!!

Posted by invisiblekid on May 27, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Run the 2-9 Buzzard defense and the Thorpe would take up permanent residence in Knoxville. Our safeties would be guaranteed 100+ tackles every year.

Seriously, I'll settle for a win over UCLA then go from there. It's still a little early to worry about post-season awards.

Posted by TommyJack on May 27, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get Jim Rome on Berry's side. He KILLED Peyton's chances.

Posted by thesavageorange on May 27, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid , Hopefully the "Buzzard Package" will cover up the flaws of the d-line so well that they will have to create the "Goon Squad" award given anually to the best secondary in the nation.

Posted by knoxtenn on May 27, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd rather our guys get the 1st round draft pick, multi-gazillion dollar contract, and successful pro career than any piece of metal.

Peyton's 2d place finish told us more about the Downtown Athletic Club than it told us about Peyton Manning.

I get alot more pleasure out of these guys not winning the big awards, then proving they're the best in the business, than I would if they won the Heisman, etc. and flamed out.

Posted by GhostofNeyland on May 27, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://3rdsaturdayinblogtober.wordpre...

Posted by volboy81 on May 27, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the HeisTman Trophy is still officially worthless here in Tennessee.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on May 27, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wanted to say John Adams is a prick.

I hope he is attacked by a shark while he is in Florida!

Or maybe he will finally land his dream job in Gainesville! Whatever as long as he's gone!!

Posted by scvols on May 27, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Berry will be a very good player, but this is the same player that was beaten bad for a TD in the SEC championship game. I am just hoping he does not get the sophomore blues.

Posted by GhostofNeyland on May 27, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The ONLY way for the Heisman to regain any respectability in the state of TN is for the second ever defensive player to win the award be a TN defensive back. It would also be peachy if he beat out a Michigan QB, but since Pryor went to OSU, I don't see that happening any time soon.

Posted by givehim6 on May 27, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm with the other GIVEHIMSIX on this one. Winning a heisman does tend to hurt a pro career. I hope Berry all the best as an athlete collage & pro. GO VOLS!

Posted by ggriggs939 on May 27, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tom Siler wrote a book years ago in which he explained one reason for the bias of The Downtown Athletic Club, or whatever it is, and why it will never award the heisman to as Tennessee player.
It was awarded to kazmier from princeton (instead of Hank Lauricella), who could not have made the Tennessee squad; to hornung (instead of Johnny Majors)in 1956, who might have made 4th string center (by the way, Jimmy Brown came in 6th in this voting). Only notre dame defensive players were considered for the popularity contest at that time. Neither Dick Huffman, Doug Atkins, nor Reggie White were ever in the running.

Posted by thesavageorange on May 27, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

scvols, I wouldn't worry about Berry getting in a slump.Most of the time when a player gets the sophmore slump ,it's b/c they get comfortable ,and their work ethic relaxes.The secondary all stayed on campus ,even though they could have took a 2 week break, so they could work out and run together.Berry is a leader.He and Vinson actually practiced w/ some of the lady Vols soccer team so they could improve their footwork.That's a Jerry Rice type move.He took ballerina lessons to improve his ballance.

Posted by thesavageorange on May 27, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I should have said ballet lessons.Sorry Jerry.

Posted by Michael1204 on May 27, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Safe to say that I'm not the only one here who doesn't care about the Heisman. Screw individual trophies, I want team trophies like an SEC champion trophy, a trophy from a prestigious bowl game, etc.

I want an 11+ win season before I want a Heisman.

Posted by rabidvolfan on May 27, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams is the best sports writer in the country. When I buy the KNS, I buy 2 because of Adams.

Posted by rusty_shackleford on May 27, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Florida Football: We didn't exist before Little Stevie Superior"

"Florida Football: 100 years of football, 20 years of tradition"

"Florida Football: Bloated with self importance"

Posted by volsfaninkpt on May 27, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pickens could have won the heisman if he would have played offense and defense during his time at tennessee.

Posted by murrayvol on May 27, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage: I'm trying to imagine Jerry Rice in a tutu and tights. That's hard. Now seeing him dust a safety and slip into the endzone! That's easy.

Posted by murrayvol on May 27, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida: "UT has a high standard to be considered great(true), I just don't see Berry in that category (neither do I...yet)." Did you watch any UT games after UF?

Berry got a lot better, and if his supporting cast holds up their end (no guarantees here), Saturday September 20 will be filled w/many not so fond memories for the Gator faithful.

"Hope springs eternal"

Posted by jmatt62 on May 27, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams just had to mention Charles Woodson, didn't he? What a guy.

Posted by jmatt62 on May 27, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And uhh, DC, didn't Berry return a TBone pass 93 yards the other direction? Did you somehow selectively forget that? Pretty sure that was a record setting return in Vol history for longest INT for a TD, if not mistaken. So your assessment of "downright bad" is "downright incorrect". Go hang out with Noah in Gainesville and get your facts straight before you post.

Posted by jmatt62 on May 27, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My bad DC, it was only 96 yards for a pick six for Berry against the Gators!! Go Big Orange.

Posted by mtnvol on May 27, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC, the only difference between the Swamp and a porcupine is the location of the pricks.

Posted by chrisw2967 on May 27, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BERRY for President in 2008

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on May 27, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like Crystal Footballs. Individual awards are just that, about Individuals. They are great, but they move on with the Player.

I prefer the Team Awards; Eastern Division Champs, SEC Champs, and BCS Champs. Team Awards stay right here in Koxville!

Individual awards don't do much for recruting, Champioships are the life blood of recruting an National TV Time.

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on May 27, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Better Spelling might be a good thing also, lol.

Good thing I don't write any of the Vol's Reports.

Posted by invisiblekid on May 27, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Berry was awful in that game, period."

I disagree completely DCFlorida, the entire team was awful. I bleed orange as much as anyone, but anybody thumping their chest over anything that happened in that particular game needs a reality check by looking at the final score.

I can see where you are coming from overall, but one thing to keep in mind in comparison to some of those greats that you mentioned is the fact that they had 3-4 years to become great. Berry has as much potential as any player we have had in the secondary, but now he has to continue to improve to live up to it.

Posted by mbradshaw1 on May 27, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't give a rats -Dexterior about the hype-man trophy. It is voted on primarily by pom-pas people that just think they know talent, and by pro USC, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State crooners. Sorry if I left any body out. I think the trophy is supposed to be for the most valuable player in collage football. If so, take Peyton Manning away from UT and C. Woodson from Michigan, Who would have been missed the most. Not even close!!!!

GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by beachvol1 on May 27, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now, let's see....Let everybody pick Tebow again, and have ESPN put their all out rush to get another db in the Heisman race and pick Eric Berry and then they can rob Tebow just like they did Peyton...and no comparison in Berry and that db that stole the Trophy..Eric at this stage makes him look like a middle school player....

Posted by ncvol on May 27, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hear,Hear, tngeoff. I second your post.

Posted by pdhuff on May 27, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As someone said forget the ...... Award. Done forgot the name. Its awarded in a state with no college football to speak of.

Posted by miamiVOL on May 27, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

people denying eric berry's greatness are just delusion, he is the most Can't Miss DB prospect since Sean Taylor or Ed Reed

Posted by RichRollin on May 28, 2008 at 1:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

miamiVOL, I agree. He has that Ronnie Lott or Steve Atwater mentality the way he hits. Yet he does have the ability to cover center field. Last year he got thrown into the fire and he still did his thang. I would really like to see he and Rogan on kick returns somtimes.

Posted by johnlg00 on May 28, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a couple of quibbles. First, Carl Pickens DID play on both offense and defense at UT and also returned a few kicks, IIRC. He was easily UT's best player on either side of the ball in his time. Second, regarding Berry's "toasting" in the Florida game, as others pointed out, UT's defense as a whole got torn up in that game. Berry may have missed on a few plays, but that was his THIRD college game, as a true freshman, on one of the toughest home fields in the country, against the eventual H****** Trophy winner. That was pretty much his ONLY bad game all year. Lots of more experienced players have been "toasted" in similar circumstances. Third, winning the H****** Trophy doesn't hurt anyone's pro career; it is merely the fact that it is often awarded to guys who excelled in college but didn't actually have pro-level skills. Fourth, ggriggs, your history lesson on the H****** Trophy was correct; however, you didn't say WHY those UT players--and Jim Brown SIXTH!!! It is to laugh!--were snubbed as they were, only THAT they WERE so scorned. I would like to know why you think this is so.

Posted by Berryforheisman21 on May 28, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry is 75/1 to win the heisman according to Bodoglife.com

Posted by pdhuff on May 28, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One thing the Heisman means is failure as a pro, usually. Some make it, most don't.

Posted by VenomousVol on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent article Mr. Adams. You are a credit to your profession.

Posted by pdhuff on May 29, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just don't put Berry on the cover of SI.

Posted by hiresanders on May 30, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pickens couldn't beat Alabama like Gayton Manning couldn't beat Florida which is why they didn't win the Heisman. Woodson played the best in the biggest games against his rivals (OSU, MSU, ND) and won the national title which is why he won it in 1997.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 30, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hiresanders, you are officially NOT a Vol fan. I am now certain that there are half a dozen Bama fans on this site stirring the pot. Gayton Manning? I can see not being a big Manning fan and being disappointed with the fact that he never beat Florida, but GAYTON? Get lost!