While some were surprised that Eric Berry didn't run a faster 40-yard dash, he is quite pleased with his performance in the NFL combine.
The former Tennessee Vol Berry, whose official time was 4.47 seconds, said some scouts told him they actually clocked him at a sub-4.4.
Berry also hinted that he's not just a 40-yard sprinter, that he runs just as fast wearing pads.
"I was pleased with that, especially at 211 (pounds)," the 6-foot Berry said of his 40-yard time. "You can cut on my game film and actually see me moving at that speed."
Berry said he will not run the 40-yard dash during Wednesday's NFL Pro Day workouts at UT, but is expected to participate in individual workouts with NFL scouts.
"It was a big weight lifted off my shoulders," he said of his combine workout. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
In other combine workouts, Berry bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times and posted a 43-inch vertical jump and 130-inch broad jump - all strong numbers for his size and position.
Berry said playing close to the line of scrimmage last season improved his standing among other defensive back prospects.
"That helps me a lot, showing them that I can play in the box and play a true strong safety and play free safety and play the other positions in the backfield," he said. "That definitely helped my resume. It was a very physical year but . . . I did do what I was supposed to do."
Action Jackson: Berry said he plans to speak to UT safety Janzen Jackson while he's in town this week. Berry said he believes Jackson is mature enough to reach his athletic potential despite some off-field issues last year.
"I think so," Berry said. "Just got to sit down and talk with him. I'll definitely talk with him while I'm down here.
"I'll talk to a lot of the guys and just show them the opportunity that they have at hand. This (football) is a big way to change your family's situation in three to four years if you just buckle down. Take care of what you need to take care of and the sky is the limit."
Berry should know. As one of the top prospects in April's NFL draft, he'll soon be a multimillionaire.
Great Scott: Former UT offensive lineman Chris Scott said the 19 repetitions he bench-pressed with 225 pounds at the NFL combine was a bit tainted.
"I don't really count it, because I had a couple of things hurt with me," Scott said. "I was sick that weekend."
Scott said he wasn't nervous working out in front of so many NFL scouts.
"I didn't take it as stress," he said. "It was a nice experience. Not many people have that opportunity, very few.
"I went in there and I had fun with it. Knowing that it was a business interview, you have to go in and make an impression but at the same time I had fun and enjoyed it."
The 6-4, 319-pound Scott said overall he was pleased with his combine performance. Scott ran a 5.49 in the 40-yard dash.
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Comments » 13
OrangeVeins writes:
BEST EVER!!!! IMO...
Cldvols1 writes:
Good job EB and CS, I have no doubt you'll make Vol Nation proud! GBO!!!
Volunatic writes:
Tebow had a 38 inch vertical jump? That's pretty darn good for a fullback.
sitinhere writes:
Wow, aren't you a glass half empty kind of guy. Lots of FA/late round signings make in the NFL. You never know what kind of diamond in the rough is laying around (Crompton) that the scouts want to see but not make a big fuss over so they can get them cheap. So go back to your hole and practice your gator chomp, scream roll tide till your throat hurts or whatever people like you do. Us VOL fans will cheer on our Vols in the NFL and hope each and every Vol makes an NFL team.
Cldvols1 writes:
Tebow's stats were really good, but if you think he wins a Superbowl in his first 3 years at the qb position you're delusional!bwahahahaha I wish the kid success but I don't see it happenin.
imw8n4u writes:
9.5 inch broad jump? That is off the charts!
Volunatic writes:
Tebow will enjoy as much NFL quarterbacking success as Eric Crouch did.
He would make an excellent FB in the pros, though.
willaustin writes:
You must have gotten too dehydrated at Tebow's church camp.. You're all jacked up in the head.
mjmsaysgovols writes:
dummy...Kentucky hasnt beaten us in close to 30 years...
mjmsaysgovols writes:
sorry...thinking Tim Couch...the Eric Crouch did run thru us pretty good at least once I know...
kpm1234 writes:
Tennessee has consistently produced more NFL talent then almost any other school. Florida on the other hand, not so much? Tebow's Florida had some success against UT's worst product the last few years no denying that but the majority of gators end up pumping gas after there career is over or is that South Carolina?
GerryOP writes:
C'mon Zero, get to the present. I know it's tough but you gotta face it ... it's a new year and what UF did in the past must remain in the past. Zero, we're worried about you.
Face it Zero, Timbow is gone, JBtheIIIrd is not Timbow, lil' Urbie is hurting and you never know when he'll crack, UF has joined the vast legions of former champions, and you might as take all of those "We're #66 -- 2010 NIT Champs" t-shirts you had screened up and send them to Haiti. I know, I know, it's tough dealing with two bigtime coaches who tried to get out of the swamp. And would have made it too if your AD hadn't pulled those pics out of the safe.
C'mon Zero, keep that chin up, the party's over. Time to get back to the real world. Time to stop reminiscing about the way things were. Time to stop fantasizing about the way you hope things will be in the future. Time to live in the present. We're pulling for you Zero ... you can do it!
John_10065 writes:
I think you are way too wrong.
For T-bow to begin to have a great NFL career as a QB he will have to work on his fundamentals. His c-ock and release stinks when throwing the ball. He NEVER has shown an ability to look-pump-look the other way and throw. He tends to throw bad passes when his 1 and 2 receivers are not open.
Anyone who really watches how he throws knows that when the ball in his hand goes back and low he is ready to throw the ball.
I never have seen Tebow be able to change a play effectively under the center. He can't be an effective pro QB without seeing what is in front of him when he goes to center and adjust at least some of the time.
The NFL is a different game. It's faster and harder. Most NFL linemen, LB's and CB's would be drooling to face Tebow the way he played at FL. Imagine a D of the best college players from last four years that Tebow has faced and that is what he would face every gane. But they will be bigger, faster, stronger and smarter. The college game won't work in the pros for his style of QB.
On the otherhand, he would probably make an excellent FB or TE that has the passing threat. He is strong, big, relatively fast and has demonstrated his ability to hold on to the ball and not be afraid to give it all running into the line or taking a hit. He also knows that when running into the line when to get low to move the line and to get high.
He could have a pro career but not as a QB as he was a college QB.
Peyton Manning only has the problem of not ever having a great running game to help him out with the exception of a year here and there. I tend to think that late in his career he will have that game around him and win several SB late in his career.
That offensive is built around the pass much like Denver was at one time, but it is better than Elway's great regular season years. Every player is picked and trained about the pass system that is set up in Indy. They need to have a dual threat, run or pass. They have gotten better the past couple years but they aren't there yet. The RB in all forms are mostly picked for their speed running the ball, their pass blocking ability and their ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
What Indy needs is an improbable combination. An offensive line that can pass protect and run block. That is a hard combination and difficult to find. Then they need one or two big heavy backs to pound the ball up the middle that can also catch then ball when they need it or pass block. As Peyon's arm strength starts to wain and he still is accurate, Indy's system will adjust to that and I think his best years under center are yet to come.
Peyton's days as a QB aren't done. Tebow's probably are done. But I don't think the big QB from FL isn't going to have a pro career as a QB. It's going to be something else if he chooses to go into the NFL.
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