Tennessee has launched a Heisman campaign on safety Eric Berry’s behalf.
The centerpiece is a site called Berry 4 Heisman. It’s a well-done site, though I would recommend turning off the ‘Eric Berry!’ chants as soon as possible, as they do grate.
While his Heisman chances are remote, I do think Berry can finish in the top five of the voting. To get to New York, though, he’s going to have to play some offense and/or return kicks–I don’t think there’s any way around that.
Vols coach Lane Kiffin has poured some early cold water on that notion:
Returning kicks are a possibility for Berry, Kiffin said, but don’t expect any snaps on offense.
“I would never play someone somewhere based on any award,” Kiffin said. “I was hired here to win games and do the best thing for our team. We’re going to do whatever it takes to win. To put Eric over there, I really don’t see that helping us win.”
Eh, okay. Well, I guess Tennessee just has so many playmakers on offense, right? I find it hard to believe that Berry couldn’t help on that side of the ball.
His big disadvantage, besides being a defender, is that he plays for a team that is unlikely to be very good. His best shot at overcoming all this is to inflict major damage on Tim Tebow and Florida early on and then ride the ensuing wave to the Heisman ceremony. A creative campaign on his behalf by Tennessee will be essential, as well.
At worst, it appears he’s a shoe-in for the Thorpe Award, unless Taylor Mays can outshine him somehow.
No comments yet.