Adams: Berry grips 'Tampa 2' system like a pro

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.