Norman will challenge kickoff coverage

The coverage has improved.

Now Tennessee just has to make sure the football and the players are all going in the same direction.

The Vols still won't blow anybody away on special teams and the kickoff coverage isn't perfect, but it's certainly been better than it was early in the season. That improvement will be put to the test by one of the most dangerous returners in the country Saturday (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m.), and step one is making sure everybody is on the same page against Vanderbilt's Warren Norman.

"It has (been better)," UT coach Lane Kiffin said. "When our kicker kicks the ball where he's supposed to, our coverage has been really good. We kick the opening kickoff out of bounds (last week). We've had some kicks where he doesn't place it where we need him to.

"For the most part we've made some changes, we've got a couple of walk-ons in there on kickoff coverage and they're really coming through for us."

They've helped the Vols (5-5, 2-4 SEC) climb to No. 103 in the country, and after specialist Chad Cunningham's opening kickoff rolled out of bounds, the unit was solid last week against Ole Miss. UT allowed 63 yards on three returns, and over the last three weeks it's only given up one return longer than 23.

But that could change against the dangerous Norman, who has emerged as the best weapon for a team that doesn't exactly have many. The Vanderbilt freshman has already tied former UT star Willie Gault's league record with three kickoff returns for a touchdown, and even without his four others on offense Norman would lead the Commodores (2-9, 0-7) in scoring.

"The running back - I think he's really good," Kiffin said. "He's on pace to set the freshman record all-time in the SEC for total yards, he's got (three) touchdowns on kickoff returns, and I think he's 5.5 yards per carry.

"He's going to be real difficult for us, and obviously stopping the run is going to be real key for us."

Considering all their defensive injuries, that part won't be easy for the Vols.

But there's nothing they can do to keep the ball out of Norman's hands on offense, and even though they have an option on special teams, they'll let him touch it there as well.

"It all depends," Kiffin said. "We've played some great returners, obviously Florida, Alabama. We struggled early on, and we've done much better lately.

"For the most part, we've kicked deep to guys. The last three games we've kicked deep to everybody. Alabama was a different game plan. Since then we've kicked deep, and I would anticipate us doing that again."

More Love For Berry: The selection committee for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy got the ball rolling by naming Eric Berry one of its five finalists.

UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin kept it going by heaping even more praise on the junior safety.

"He's a great guy, and I wish this guy could stay three more years," he said. "When that time comes (to decide about the NFL), whatever happens, happens. We're just worried about the next game.

"I heard on the radio about him running through the 'T' and I don't know what's going to happen with that. I just know that Eric Berry, he is the best. I'm not just saying that. He's the best. What a team guy. I love the guy."

Statistically Berry has had nearly as much to love as expected, but his impact has never been questioned by the Vols and was recognized along with four seniors by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Berry was joined on the list of finalists by Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Alabama tackle Terrence Cody, TCU end Jerry Hughes and Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh,

Bumps And Bruises: Daniel Lincoln will be a game-time decision again Saturday, and the junior kicker didn't do much to help his cause after practice Thursday.

Kicking after the workout was over with a pair of walk-ons holding pads to simulate a rush, at one point Lincoln had two-of-three attempts blocked from 37 yards and clearly didn't impress Lane Kiffin.

"He just kicked right there," he said. "Made a couple, kicked one low. We'll see on game day."

The Vols also are waiting to decide on linebacker LaMarcus Thompson and defensive back Dennis Rogan.

Rico McCoy was also listed as a game-time decision, but the senior linebacker pronounced himself "game-ready" during practice.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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