Eric Berry for Heisman

The University of Tennessee announced today a campaign for Eric Berry to become the first Heisman trophy winner from the university.

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Every year there is always a defensive player who people think should be in the race. But with 3 QB's like McCoy, Bradford and Tebow on top of the list I doubt if he'll have much of a chance. Maybe be in the top 10 of the voting, he certainly is an exciting player though.

 

While I do not think that Berry has a legitimate shot; if the award is supposed to go to the best player in the nation, he should definitely be in the discussion. I think with the emphasis placed on good safety play in Monte Kiffin's defense, Berry will continue to shine. He is a once in a decade type of player. He is more electric with the ball than any of the QBs Terry mentioned. The problem is that he doesn't have the ball nearly as much as a QB or other offensive skill player. It would take a huge season by Tennessee for him to get invited to the ceremony but if Charles Woodson can win it, it's certainly reasonable that Berry can.

 

I think what kept Woodson in it till the end was the NC run. If UT can do the same, I see no reason why he wouldn't be in the run since he'd be serving a very similar role..or at least he could serve one depending on how Kiffen uses him

 

Well Woodson won it because the Gators killed Manning early in the year, plus Woodson played some WR along with DB and kick returns. If Manning had been able to get by the Gators in his Sr. year he would have won the award hands down, instead what'd he throw 4 picks? It was similar to the Brady Quinn vs Mich game in 2006, UM killed him and his Heisman chances that day.

Does Berry have potential to play WR in specific situations?

Of course a lot of Georgia fans (and SEC fans as well) point out that Champ Bailey really had a better year and did all the things Woodson did but didn't have the hype machine of a Nat'l Championship run to back him up.

 

I think Berry is a better athlete than Bailey.

When he arrived on campus, I remember Fulmer giving a presser dealing with 'what to do with Berry' snce the kid was good enough to play and star on either side of the ball.

He's hands down one of the best athletes playing football in the SEC.

 

I doubt if Tenn has a NC run in them this year. Certainly could have a very good year if the Defense plays well, but they just seem to have too big a ? at QB to make a run at a NC or even a SEC East title.

 

I don't know about wide receiver, but Eric had success in certain situations at QB last year. Unless we get a big time QB to come in and play immediately, I can see him spending some time behind center as well as full time DB.

 

WILDCAT!!!! That'll do it!

 

If he were not so valuable to our defense, I could see Eric beating out anyone now on the roster for the starting QB position. Who knows... could this be why Kiffin was not extremely worried about QB commits?

 

I don't know if I'd go that far.....Bailey took alot more snaps on offense, was a great defender to be sure, but I think Woodson was probably more of a threat on special teams. I think that Woodson's per snap stats on offense were sick.......I think his trophy was won against us on national tv, when he returned a punt for a touchdown, intercepted a pass in the endzone and had the key offensive play hauling in a long pass to set M up for the clinching TD......one of my least favorites - an Ohio boy who went to the dark side - but one of the finest college players I've ever seen.....one of the reasons I disliked him so much was that he came up so big at seemingly just the wrong time......

 

I don't doubt that having a big game at the right time is critical to the win, just as having the really bad game is critical to losing. Manning had a bad game (again) against the Gators early on in the season and from there on out he was done as a Heisman candidate. Granted I believe he finished second, no shame, but people started comming up with reasons why he shouldn't win after that game.