Kiffin says Berry can run through 'T'

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said he would have no issues if All-American junior safety Eric Berry wants to run solo through the pre-game 'T' on Saturday, a designation usually held for seniors for the final home game.

Most believe Berry will forgo his final season of eligibility at UT and enter the NFL draft.

"I doubt he would want that," Kiffin said Wednesday. "He actually always wants to be with us. Even the last game. I didn't even know it until the last second, he didn't go out for the coin toss because he wanted to come out with the guys."

Practice Report: Kiffin was pleased with Wednesday's practice.

"We had a lot of energy for whatever reason," he said. "Very competitive there at the end. We turned a half-padded practice into a live one there at the end. So it's great to see that energy this late in the season."

Half And Half: Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore hobbled through four weeks, then appeared to turn the corner the next.

Over the next five games the UT wide receivers have been healthy, and not coincidentally, among the most productive tandems in the SEC.

"I don't remember exactly the stats, but look at the first four games of the year when Denarius and Gerald are banged up," Kiffin said. "Sometimes they're not playing, sometimes they're playing hurt, then they get healthy and look what they've done since then."

The production of late is even more impressive considering the slow start each of them had after battling injuries at the end of fall camp.

Jones didn't even play in the opener against Western Kentucky and Moore had just one catch for four yards. Heading into the fifth game against Auburn, they had combined for just eight catches, half of them by Moore against Ohio.

The breakout for Jones would come the next week in a loss to the Tigers, and since then they've exploded. Jones has 23 catches for 345 yards and four touchdowns, Moore has at least three grabs in every game and Crompton has vaulted up the passing charts as a result.

"They're as productive as any duo in the SEC with what they've done over the last five games," Kiffin said.

Bowling: A representative from the Chik-fil-A Bowl will be at Saturday's game against Vanderbilt, according to a press release from the Atlanta-based bowl.

If the Vols win their last two games, the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. and the Chick-fil-A are thought to be UT's most likely bowl destinations.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!