Berry on offense? How about Chavis in a dress?

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Coach Chavis and players talk about the meaning of playing against Alabama. Watch »

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Coach Fulmer and coach Chavis talk about Alabama's performance this season and what they're doing to prepare for the game. Watch »

If the idea of Tennessee safety Eric Berry returning kicks or taking a few snaps on offense makes fans and coaches a little nervous, defensive coordinator John Chavis provided an image that might be a little more jarring than seeing his star sophomore line up on the other side of the ball.

“I can’t wear my wife’s dress right now, the size isn’t (right). But if I ever get afraid, I’m just going to stay at home and probably start cross-dressing,” Chavis said when asked if he would cringe seeing Berry on offense, drawing big laughs from reporters gathered in Neyland Stadium for UT’s weekly media day Tuesday.

“You’ve got to do what you need to do to win and be successful,” Chavis continued. “If that’s going to help us, then I’m all for it. Berry’s a very, very talented young man. Certainly he could handle that, and if coach chooses to do that, I’ll be very happy.”

There’s little doubt that Berry is dynamic with the ball in his hands. For his career, Berry is averaging 39.7 yards per return on 10 interceptions with two touchdowns.

Receiver Gerald Jones is questionable with a high-ankle sprain, casting doubt as to who — if anyone — would line up at quarterback should UT run its G-Gun package Saturday (TV: ESPN, 7:45 p.m.) against second-ranked Alabama.

“Hard to have the G-Gun without the G, right?” smiling offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. “I couldn’t think of anybody else on the team that could possibly do that, can you guys?”

The obvious answer, of course, is Berry, a former high school quarterback who has taken practice snaps in the package.

The biggest drawback aside from injury would be the risk of Berry taking too many snaps and tiring late in a game when the Vols would need him most at safety.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said that if the Vols can limit Alabama’s offensive plays, Berry could take a few snaps on offense or as a returner.

“If we can hold the other team to somewhere in the 50s as far as numbers of plays — and that’s not an easy thing to do when you’re playing a team like Alabama — then I think he can play on special teams and some on offense,” Fulmer said.

Defensive backs coach Larry Slade said he’d also welcome the sight of Berry on offense.

“I think there would be some good things happening if he was over there,” Slade said. “He would find a way to make a football play, I really believe that.”

If Berry did play offense, he’d most likely see snaps at quarterback, although Fulmer was coy when asked if Berry would be more likely to play quarterback or receiver if used on offense.

“I don’t know why I would actually say that right here today on Tuesday,” Fulmer said.

If Berry doesn’t play on offense, Clawson offered a pair of offensive linemen as tongue-in-cheek suggestions for a change of pace.

“We may get Vlad (Richard) back there or Anthony Parker,” he said. “Make it a real short-yardage package or something.”

Five-Man Front: With Parker questionable with an ankle injury, Fulmer said the Vols likely would use only five offensive linemen against Alabama, if the senior can’t play.

“Depth is a big deal,” Fulmer said. “(Cody) Sullins and Jarrod Shaw are the guys that are most ready. But right now I’d say if we went to play, we’d play with five.”

Even if Parker is available, Tennessee would still start Vladimir Richard. Richard made his first start last week in place of Jacques McClendon, who after Parker left the game in the first quarter.

No Redshirt?: More injuries on the offensive line could result in coaches playing true freshman Preston Bailey.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Bailey has seen more second-team snaps in practice.

“I told him Sunday he needed to be prepared to play if need be,” Fulmer said. “I don’t know how long Parker will be out, or Parker may be back this week. I don’t anticipate having to play (Bailey), but he needs to be ready.”

Johnson, Myers Back: Offensive linemen Ramone Johnson and Darius Myers are back with the team after serving a two-week suspension for academics and violation of team rules.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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