Quote:
Originally Posted by DeezNutz
Well, I'm convinced, and I'm curious how anyone could question this guy's opinion.
After all, is anyone else a writer for USA Today? Didn't think so.
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Well, he nailed this one, I hope.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...-preview_N.htm
By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
USA TODAY kicks off its draft series by analyzing the defensive backs available in the April 22-24 NFL draft. Also in this article: Cream of the crop among defensive backs and teams in need.
Eric Berry doesn't want to be painted into a corner any more than he wants to be painting in a corner.
Asked where he hopes to play in the NFL, the former two-time All-American from Tennessee equivocates. "Really, I like playing safety," he says of his natural position. "(But) I enjoy playing nickel, too, because I can also come on blitzes and play bump-and-run."
It's that kind of versatility (he was also occasionally deployed at linebacker by the Vols) and willingness to play multiple roles that's made Berry a top prospect in the 2010 draft class.
"He may be the best all-around athlete in the draft," says ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay. And his value may be appreciating as the pro game evolves.
"I do think (safety) is becoming more important," says McShay, "as tight ends are becoming a bigger part of the offense and they're spreading out with three, four receivers. … You gotta find guys that can cover, period, whether you classify them as a corner or a safety.
"I wouldn't have a problem with Eric Berry going in the top five picks."
An outcome that seems a very real possibility.
Berry spoke to USA TODAY on Wednesday night after flying into Cleveland for a meeting with the Browns. He's also visited the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles and still has an appointment with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Of those five teams, only the Eagles don't own a top-seven pick, though with five selections among the first 87, they could move up the board to get Berry if they choose.
"I've kind of been star struck," says Berry. "Meeting coaches and players like (Redskins defensive backs) DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry— it's been a great experience."
Berry's natural leadership is yet another attribute of a player who was elected a Tennessee captain as a sophomore and junior.
"Players gravitate towards him," says longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who reprised the same role for one year in Knoxville before following his son Lane, the Vols' former head coach, to USC. "He's a total package, a great leader."
Berry credits his father, James (a former Tennessee running back who was good enough to get a tryout with Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys), with nurturing his leadership skills.
"I stepped up and started speaking my freshman season," says Eric. "I was credible, accountable and producing on the field."
He also says his father fueled his NFL aspirations by employing him as a painter during hot summers in their native Georgia.
"It was some of the hardest work I've ever done in my life," Berry laughs. "I said, 'I'm not doing this.' "
So he went to work honing his football skills instead.
"I used Ed Reed's tactics at free safety and (mimic) his ball instincts, and I used Troy Polamalu's aggressiveness — I love the way he brings players down," says Berry, who's drawn comparisons to both all-pros.
Monte Kiffin, who encouraged Berry, 21, to go pro early, utilized his star somewhat like Polamalu, moving him all over the field. But Berry also had production similar to Reed's, returning three of his 14 career thefts for touchdowns and falling 7 yards shy of matching Terrell Buckley's NCAA record 501 interception return yards.
Given his multi-faceted assignments, Kiffin believes Berry can be plugged into any NFL defense and start from Day 1.
"System won't matter," says Kiffin, an advocate of the Tampa 2 in the pros. "You can't go wrong taking the guy."
Kiffin also lauds Berry's studiousness and off-field dedication.
"The film room is my best friend," says Berry.
No surprise from a guy who'd rather brush up on his next opponent than have a paintbrush in his hand.
"I have to pinch myself," he says. "It's a lifelong dream. I have to ask myself, is this really happening?"