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As Tennessee defensive backs went through a coverage drill early in Thursday afternoon's practice, veteran defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin stood directly behind precocious junior safety Eric Berry. Kiffin was signalling to the receivers 10 yards away while talking to Berry at the same time.
If you were trying to capture the first week of Tennessee football practice in pictures, that should have been a required shot.
Amidst all the changes in UT football, there has been no better coupling of the old and new eras of UT football than Berry and Kiffin. Never mind the age gap. The All-American player and the famed NFL defensive tactician speak the same language.
Their connection has been almost immediate. After three preseason practices, the teacher is genuinely wowed by the pupil.
Remember: Berry was unavailable for contact work in the spring when he was recovering from minor shoulder surgery. But you would never guess it by the way he has performed this week.
"It's not like he's a fifth-year redshirt," Kiffin said. "He's in a whole new system. Every day, there's something new. And he picks it up so quickly."
Kiffin then reeled off a long list of distinguished NFL defensemen whom he coached in his 13 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, name-dropping secondary Pro Bowlers like John Lynch and Ronde Barber.
"(Berry) is right there with them," said Kiffin when asked if Berry had picked up his "Tampa 2" defense as quickly as his best pros. "We had some good secondary guys, but they didn't usually start as rookies. Tanard Jackson of Syracuse is the only one to start as a rookie."
He expects Berry would be another exception - with almost any NFL team, in almost any system.
"You just tell him something one time," Kiffin said, changing his tone for emphasis.
The Berry-Kiffin tandem seemingly offers intriguing possibilities. What can a strategist as accomplished as Kiffin do with a player with such diverse skills?
First thought: Cloning.
Second thought: Genetic engineering is an NCAA violation.
Still, I was expecting something exotic when I asked Kiffin about all the brilliant schemes he was devising for his best player. But he has no interest in playing the mad scientist role where Berry is concerned.
Kiffin's theory: It's not as though you can hide Berry anywhere. His No. 14 might as well be in neon. For opposing quarterbacks, finding Berry should be a close second to getting the play.
"He'll make plays just because he's Eric Berry," Kiffin said. "You've got to be careful where you put him.
"You can't just put him in a spot. Because then, all of a sudden, the light goes on (with the opposing offense) because it's Eric Berry."
Finding Berry doesn't equate to beating him. You can see that on the practice field. No one should be more familiar with No. 14 than his offensive teammates, yet they keep running into him, with unfavorable consequences.
Conversely, the defense is drawn to Berry.
"They listen to him because he is Eric Berry," Kiffin said. "But also, because he knows how to help them.
"Some guys can be back there just talking. Eric knows the whole defense. So he will help the young guys."
He will help the older guy, too.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 39
stayingorange writes:
Nice. Go Vols.
jsm67vol writes:
Grow up some young runningbacks for us Berry. Give them some tough love. Go Vols!!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
wish we had an MLB with the same level of leadership. Maybe Rico steps up.
VolChick2009 writes:
We are so lucky to have EB. Not only for his ability, but his leadership and the way he sets the example is immeasureable.
Great article.
DennisVols writes:
Berry will break the NCAA record for INT YAC against W KY and it won't stop there. Kiffin will have him all over the field causing even the best QB's to have to pay more attention to where he is at on every play.
This defense will be more aggressive than we have seen in quite some time and will create many more mistakes and turnovers.
Looking forward to seeing the UT-2 shock the conference and the nation this year.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
JohnsonCity_George writes:
John, you can't write anything unless it has to do with something in florida.
KJVol writes:
OK Adams, after these last two articles I've decided that it must have been your evil twin that wrote that sham of an article last week. Your poll numbers just jumped dramatically.
1974Vol writes:
Probably be more NFL type stuff on "D" like disguising coverages and using some zone blitzs.
Should be fun to watch Eric unload on opposing players coming over the middle.
BigT_Chief writes:
"He'll make plays just because he's Eric Berry," Kiffin said.
Love that line.
rockytopatl writes:
Traditionally, Monte's scheme has by definition made the middle linebacker the key player. You can sense he has evolved based on You Know Who and at Tennessee -- at least this year -- the main man will be the free safety. I have felt from day one that this will be a special defense and now I think it's almost a sure thing. Nobody is going to score a lot of points on this bunch and they will be scoring a few themselves. This could be a lot of fun.
givehim6 writes:
Come on Eric let's start the chant before the season starts, one more year, one more year!
IdahoVol writes:
Just thinking the same thing. Maybe Peyton will talk to him about all the advantages of staying for the senior year. Not counting on it, but nobody thought Peyton would either...
cloudodust writes:
Okay. The only team to score 30 or more points on UT's D in 2008 was from the Bog. If the D didn't have to stay on the field for 68% of the time last year, things would have looked a tad different by the end of the season. Tennessee must have some offensive punch to compliment the projections of this defensive unit. Must.
footballtime writes:
OMG...Adams what about the coach who recruited Berry or the defensive guru who got him playing his first year??? and hey this what great players do Johnny boy shame you never caught on to what great writers do... you miserable hack...please resign...good luck Berry you have the skills and you work hard for what you have gotten perhaps the journalist who wrote this article will learn form you
johnlg00#206211 writes:
One big difference between Peyton and Eric: Peyton's family is rich, or at least comfortable, while Eric's parents are currently unemployed and never did make the kind of money Peyton's father did.
Pops writes:
Lets rename it the "Tennessee Two" now that we have Kiffin and Berry
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Another difference: the Berrys still have two big-eating 13-year-old athletes at home! Don't know if they have other children, but teenagers are expensive.
acolvol#632266 writes:
Except on third and long.
volstokke writes:
Eric Berry is a great player who will be everywhere on the field. Hopefully The depth on the line and LB can hold up. Hope the Tampa 2 can rule the SEC.
FranklinCo_VOL writes:
Great idea. Then we just recruit a stud MLB named Johnny Cash. We could have "Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two!" lol or we could just rename McCoy.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Chuck Norris has nightmares about Eric Berry.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Vol fans: Does anyone out there know anything about Berry's "vocal" leadership? We all know the man can play. Can he motivate a big DT when he sees him loafing? Will he head slap an LB when he takes the wrong angle? Little things like that are big... (like Al Wilson) Go Vols Baby!
DenverVol writes:
Not that EB didn't already have this coming, but with the way, I'm sure, NFL people listen to CMK, he will have EB making mega $$$$ this time next year. Can't wait to see this new D unveiled this season...and the new team for that matter. Go VOLS!
LDDFC912 writes:
ERIC FREAKIN BERRY....Nuff said.
Waldorf writes:
I'm just hoping that with a legitimate coaching staff in place we can actually field a team that deserves to be on the same field as him.
KtownPlaya writes:
Spent a few years in Tampa watching Monte's "Tampa 2" up close and personal... That D will rock the SEC.
Davy_Crockett writes:
This team will make you proud! It will make us all proud! Not just the Kiffin's, but the entire staff will demand hustle and effort.
KtownPlaya writes:
What are your suggestions? Make it fresh... we want any and all nicknames to be appealing to recruits.
jackdup4vols writes:
Okay, seriously... goosebumps!! :)
BigOrangeVol writes:
Maybe Monte Kiffin can deliver like Ken Donahue.
What Coach D was able to do with Chris White; Andre Creamer; Mark Hovanic; Darrin Miller; Keith Delong; Brian Kimbro; Kelly Ziegler; Dale Jones; Terry McDaniel; Victor Peppers and Richard Cooper was awesome!
It's almost been a year and a half since Coach Donahue passed away and 22 years since he fell on his sword for Majors after the '88 Bama game. He was a great man and an unbelievable coach. He gave Bear Bryant 5 National Championships in a 14 year period and Gave General Neyland one in 1950.
Here's hoping that Monte's schemes are as innovative and productive, that his work ethic; energy; passion; drive; toughness and ornery meanness are equal to that of Coach Donahue.
Chances are that Monte won't be thrown to the lions as a scapegoat, like Donahue was when he "resigned", by an ineffective and unproductive head coach that will never man-up and take responsibility for his failures.
tnbanker_govols writes:
How in the world did we ever land him??? Thank goodness his dad went to UT.
TennesseePooterTutor writes:
Uh, Berry's a STRONG safety dude.
Vol43 writes:
Rocky, I like the sound of that. We've been used to John Chavis' defence scheme. Monte has his own. I can't wait.
blitzshoot writes:
Berry good story John.
txvolsfan writes:
IDIOT
Fla. hasn't even had a program for 50 years!!!
Davy_Crockett writes:
I hope he comes back... he'll win the Heisman if he does.
ThaiVolFan writes:
I am just glad that we finally have the local sports editor getting behind the program and finding it in himself to actually write positive stories instead scathing remarks. The JA of old reminded me of Vol fans booing Crompton and the rest of our qb's off the field so many times last year, neither were good for our University or the program. Now that JA is getting behind the program because a change in staff, lets hope that all the fans in Neyland this year will get behind our qb because of the change in our offensive scheme. I for one am looking for good results!
GBO!
hueypilot writes:
Thanks for remembering the best DC I can recall on the hill. I lost all respect and fondness for Majors when he offered up Donahue as a sacrificial lamb to save his job after going 0-6 with perennial toughies Memphis, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Vandy looming at the end of the schedule.
volsoutwest writes:
Yeah, and when they are on the sidelines laughing and smirking even though they are having their butts kicked...
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