The questions keep coming for Eric Berry.
Everywhere Tennessee’s safety goes, he’s asked when he’ll see a few snaps on offense.
And from what Berry said Wednesday, it could come as soon as Saturday night against No. 2 Alabama (TV: ESPN, 7:45).
“Man, probably all of my classes average about 10 questions a day,” Berry said Wednesday afternoon after a media teleconference for UT’s players. “But I’m going to go meet with (receivers) coach (Latrell) Scott in the next few minutes and see what’s going on with that. There’s no telling. It might be this week, it be might be next week, but it’s coming soon, I think.”
Berry, who averages 39.5 yards per interception return over his two-year career, has worked some at quarterback in UT practices.
A meeting with Scott could indicate some possible work at receiver this week.
Berry said following practice that he worked some with the offense, something he usually does during the course of the week.
“They had me run a few plays, like always,” said Berry, who was named the Lott Trophy IMPACT player of the week after recording 10 tackles, a sack and returning an interception 72 yards for a touchdown against Mississippi State. “We’ll see what’s up on Saturday. I feel like they’ll make a game-time decision if they need me or not.”
UT coach Phillip Fulmer declined to say where the Vols might play Berry should the sophomore take snaps on offense this week.
“I don’t know why I would actually say that right here today on Tuesday,” Fulmer said when asked during his weekly press conference if Berry would be more likely to see snaps at quarterback or receiver. “It’s a good question, yeah.”
For what it’s worth, Berry isn’t too concerned with where he plays on offense. And if the opportunity doesn’t arise Saturday, he’ll try to do what he’s done in each of the last three games.
“It doesn’t really matter,” said Berry, who has interceptions in three straight games. “I just like that side of the football. If not, I’ll just continue to take it on defense. Any way to get the ball in my hands, even if I have to take it. I just feel that way.”
Praise for Chapman: Even without 365-pound nose guard Terrence Cody, Alabama still has a threat on the inside of its defensive line in Josh Chapman.
“(Cody’s) a big player, but the guy backing him up might be just as good if not better,” UT offensive coordinator Clawson said. “Obviously when you’re that size, there’s certain things you do. But the back up is very active.”
UT center Josh McNeil noticed that as well.
“(Chapman) presents a lot of quickness, a lot of strength,” McNeil said. “He’s just a completely different type of player you’re looking at facing.
“With the big guy, it’s going to be hard to move him. But with the other guy, you definitely have to take great steps because he can get right by you. It’s a different challenge, but it’s still going to be a big one.”
Practice Report: Fulmer praised his team’s practice this week following Wednesday’s two-hour workout.
“We’ve had two good physical days of work,” Fulmer said. “It’s important for us to have one of those perfect Thursdays and really come away from practice feeling really good about our preparations.”
UT will update the status of guard Anthony Parker (ankle), receiver Gerald Jones (ankle) and defensive tackle Walter Fisher (toe) following practice today. Parker and Jones are questionable, while Fisher, who missed last week’s game, is probable.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 92
BigOrangeManiac writes:
Awesome! Hope it happens this weekend! Go Big Orange!
orangesox writes:
Hell yes! Just get him the ball anyway you can.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What will happen to the MUSTANG PACKAGE! Somebody get William Shatner on the phone!
beef4davols writes:
Seems to me that Berry REALLY wants this to happen, and I have no reason to think it is for any other reason but to help his team. It is HIS future and if he is willing to put that on the line for the Vols, let's let him!!
byobbio writes:
Line up crompton at one slot and stephens at the other. Then run the fumblerooski.
shipperman#280095 writes:
You might discover that Berry might not be near as effective against a real team as he was against the powerhouse of Miss State.
98reax writes:
It's a blatant conspiracy to obfuscate the game plan with the tidy bowl. Brilliant!
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
And you might discover that he has amazing football skills and can take it to the house on nearly every play....HMmmmmmmm i think i remember a hugeeeeeeeee TD return against Florida..(and he was a freshman)...Dont doubt Eric. Hes the real deal
miamiVOL writes:
dumb.
BigOrangeManiac writes:
"He took the cape off Superman"
ncvol writes:
This young man has game....
Go Vols !!
Go..Fight..Win..
rckymtngator writes:
Big mistake and a sign of desperation. Putting Berry on offense opens him up to possible injuries, especially if he extends to catch a pass. SEC safeties will try their best to take him out. If he gets injured, you lose your best defensive player. On offense, he might contribute 1 or 2 big plays. On defense, he contributes just by being on the field. Opposing offenses base their game plans on where Berry lines up. You lose Berry and your season is over.
hewwheel writes:
He has been effective in every game he has played since the start of his freshman year. If you're going to post something please pay attention, then you won't look like you don't know what you are talking about.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Certainly couldn't hurt at this point.
hewwheel writes:
The goal is a championship. Tennessee will not reach their goal, so the season is already over.
Champ Bailey was the best 2 way player I have ever seen in college football. He was on offense and defense. He played about 90 plays per game. And, he changed game plans for Georgia opponents on both offense and defense.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Our season is already pretty much over. The converse is true here...Berry is our only true difference maker. If we play him and get those "one or two big plays", we stand a chance of beating Bama and finishing the season strong. We don't play him, we likely lose and the season is dead. There isn't much difference in my mind between 7-5 and 5-7, except for an also-ran bowl bid.
Get Berry on the field and let him do his thing.
armyvol544 writes:
I guess I’m old fashion. I still think the best athletes should be on defense. The problem with Berry on offense is they will only use him just a few times and that will tip our hand. If they want him on offense he should be there all the time. Then use him on defense every now and then.
shipperman#280095 writes:
He is a good player, i will give you that. But it will take much more than him on offense to beat Bama. And as another poster said, we need him on defense for future games. Get him hurt and we might not win another game. And do not think for one second that Bama won't play dirty if they have to.
Mansonlamps writes:
Hahahahahaha. Get ready for Berry goes left, Berry goes right, Berry goes up the middle.
You Sheep fall for this every year! UT gets a player who seems to have great playmaking potential (Eric Locke, Kenny O'Neill, Kelley Washington, Derrick Tinsley, Gerald Jones, now Eric Berry) and it always falls flat because Fulmer is stuck on stupid and doesn't take the time to work on innovative stuff like this in practice.
Don't be such chumps this time.
orangesox writes:
Every time he takes the field, I become more and more convinced that he's one of the best players to play for UT in the past 25 years. 20 games into his career, he's the all time leader in SEC history for interception return yards. 20 games. He's a play maker, which is something the offense desperately lacks.
newtonrail writes:
The G-Gun, Wild Berry, or whatever Lucas Taylor called it should be scrapped. If they are going to play Berry on Off., line him up as a receiver in slot or tailback similar to how Florida uses Harvin. Unless you run multiple plays, with at least 30% passes, the D### will Tee Off on whoever runs a direct snap play.
THE_VOL writes:
The fact that this is even being considered is evidence of just how bad FOOLmer and company have recruited the last 4-5 years. Truly great - and even good teams - don't have to shuffle guys between offense and defense in mid-season. Folks should also remember that there is a HUGE difference between intercepting a pass and running it back against offensive guys that are totally out of position to tackle and running against a defense that is playing assignments and paying attention to you from the snap. Gerald Jones is as good as Berry in the open field and what exactly has he done so far??????
RemembertheAlamo writes:
Cut Shipperman off.....He is drinking too much of that Kool-Aid, again.
navyvolinva writes:
In Fulmer's case Da_ned if he does Da_ned if he doesnt.
volroadwarrior writes:
Did you mean tidy as in gozumers, knockers???????
DennisVols writes:
During the recuritment of Berry he was promised by Fulmer and Co that he would have the opportunity to play offense as well as defense.
Given the lack of production our offense has had something needs to be done. Something more than just line him up at QB and let him run from that. Berry was a very good qb in HS and his QB rating was high as well.
Lets play to win this game, throw out the stops, be aggressive in all phases. Without a sweep of the rest of the games this team will be sitting home during Bowl season. 7-5 or less won't cut it in this conference, 4-4 (or worse) in conference play will keep us in the basement of the division.
pdlawyer23 writes:
its about bloody time...Talent is talent... we only play 12 games a year..mine as well use everything we have. Berry is one of a kind!! Go VOLS!!
jcrewvol writes:
How can increasing his touches be a bad thing? Some in Volnation say "He might get hurt." Well, this is football, isn't it?
lomas98 writes:
This would be exciting and it shows the coaches are serious about getting their playmakers the ball. I only hope they do something creative with him and not just line him up at QB and run up the middle. Or a reverse in a formation that basically tells the defense what you are doing. It seems most of our reverse play calls get busted up in the backfield because they are so obvious. I like the idea of getting him in space in the punt return game. The only problem with that is he could be winded after the defense can't get off the field on 3rd down and make the other team punt.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Alabama is no Miss State my friend. And offense is a lot of difference than defense. One of the Bama defenders might just knock your best chance for a winning season out.
ZWVol11 writes:
Shipperman what did he do against LSU last year?
Involitrust writes:
One word to describe your post.
Clueless!
Involitrust writes:
As tough as eric is, I'd worry more about him hurting someone else than himself.
This kid can play and was sold the fact he could and would see the offense side of the house as well as playing D when he signed.
Eric can suit up with anyone in the nation, so if he infact gets to see action on offense it wouldn't surprise me to see him turn it into something positive. This kid is a winner and deserves respect for what he does in the classroom and on the field.
GreerVol22 writes:
call me crazy but it beats the heck out of seeing a drunken, shanken, punter every 4th offensive play...
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
navy: I agree with you completely. Some folks want Coach Fulmer gone so bad their afraid this might actually work. If Bama wanted to play dirty and take EB out they could as easily do it with him playing defense. I don't believe Coach Saban is the type of person that would intentionally ruin a players career. Nobody knows if this will work or not,but it can't work if you don't try it. Playing offense is no more risky than defense.
txvolsfan writes:
If everyone thinks its a good idea, why in the hell don't we play the man????
Injury my arse, this is football and we have to put our best players on the field!!!
utkell65 writes:
I guess you must have missed the Florida game last year when he took one back 97 yards or the Georgia game this year when he took one back for 54 yards or knocked knowshon silly.
I hope he gets some snaps on offense, but please don't use him in the "Gun BS". Get him the ball out in space where he can use his talents the best.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Obviously not enough, we lost, just like we will do Saturday, only much worse. One man does not a team make my friend
shipperman#280095 writes:
Maybe, but he doesn't have to face me, he has to face Bama. They will beat us like unwanted puppies
OldNumber7 writes:
I think Berry should NOT be used as an offensive ball carrier - but rather as a diversion. When Phil puts "special" players in, we always use them which fools no one. Bring him it at receiver and use him to lay wicked blocks for running plays but don't hand him the ball. There will be white jerseys all over him.
gohawks1 writes:
shipperman has a valid point, but perhaps he didn't use the best argument. Berry may not be as effective on offense because he will be going against a solid defense who practices daily to defend against the pass/run.
Berry has been very successful when returning fumbles and interceptions, but keep in mind that it is not a designed play being run from the snap. When he picks off a pass, the other team's offensive players suddenly find themselves having to defend the run, a role they aren't usually prepared to do.
I hope Berry lights 'em up every time he touches the ball. I just think the opposing team's defense will be better prepared for it than when he picks a pass, etc.
Personally, I think he would find more success on special teams, returning kickoffs or punts, instead of on offense. JMO
GO ERIC! SMOKE 'EM!
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
Gerald Jones is a very talented athlete, but EB is by far the best pure football player. He also, as the saying goes, has a nose for the football. Kind of like Ronnie Lott in that he seems to always be around the football.It's way to early to predict their future, but Gerald Jones will in all likelihood play in the NFL. EB is probably a future Pro. Bowler.JMHO
TDTN writes:
Keeping healthy talented players off the field to avoid injury is like a game plan designed to 'play not to lose'. Berry doesn't have to play 10 plays in a row on O to be effective. He can play a few and sub out to stay fresh. He can serve as a decoy. Keep him wide and send him deep and you open a huge portion of the field. Move him around. He would really be effective with Gerald on the field with him. Our two biggest problems on Offense is a green QB and no big time receivers that require a double team. Unless Branden Warren is injured lets simplify his assignments and put him to work. Play to win.
Maybe Berry should only play every other down on defense, then we cut the risk of injury in half???? I dont think so.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
its going to fool nobody when EB is in the backfield just as it didnt when GJ was---everyone will key on him cause we dont let them option with possibility of throwing and they sure arent going to get him an offensive play as a decoy with no touch but still chances of getting hurt---until we do something other than run EB or GJ out of the package its a waste of play
TDTN writes:
An imposter? Get over yourself.
TDTN writes:
Do you think I care?
TDTN writes:
I admit, I have read several of your posts and am in awe at your greatness. Your comments are both insightful and brilliant. What I can't understand is why your talents are being wasted on mere mortals like the rest of us. I can't believe ESPN or FoxSports have not tied you with a long term exclusive contract. Perhaps Hamilton has you on retainer to replace Old Phil at end of season. After all, it's quite obvious you would be a much more successful coach.
xvolx writes:
It doesnt matter who takes the snap. The off. line cant block. this program's problems cant be solved by putting berry in backfield. Fire Fulmer.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Of course, he could be the one getting hurt. No guarantees that he can shove Bama around like he did the mighty Miss State Tigers
blitzshoot writes:
Why don't we just give Bama the playbook.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.