Any word on Evan Berry Health

#1
S

sofflavol

il kick u in the vols
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#1
I know a lot has been said on the injury front for K-mac and tuttle but i dont recall seeing any news on Berry return to healthy form, as a returning senior with tons of raw athletic ability and break away speed with this young team next year we could use a few of his "special plays"
 
#2
#2
He's supposed to be 100% by fall.

He's going to break the all time SEC record for kickoff returns for TD's in a career. He's already tied the record.
 
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#3
#3
What is the situation with Tuttle other than he isn't going through spring ball?
 
#4
#4
sjt18 said:
What is the situation with Tuttle other than he isn't going through spring ball?
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One of the guys that covers practice said something about him doing stretching and some sideline work before they started pads and contact. They said that even this was ahead of where they thought he would be, so that has got to be good. That's all I have seen. The most telling thing will be how healthy he is coming into fall camp.
 
#5
#5
sjt18 said:
What is the situation with Tuttle other than he isn't going through spring ball?
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I don't think there are any special situations. I know some speculated on here his injury would lead him to being out longer than anticipated. I just never herd any news related to Berry coming back as he was such a useful weapon before his injury.
 
#6
#6
UT Hill Man said:
He's supposed to be 100% by fall.

He's going to break the all time SEC record for kickoff returns for TD's in a career. He's already tied the record.
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And if the special teams coaching staff is smart, Berry will be placed on punt returns for more opportunities.
 
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#7
#7
molsen81 said:
And if the special teams coaching staff is smart, Berry will be placed on punt returns for more opportunities.
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I've always wondered why he wasn't.
Anybody out there know?

anybody?
 
#8
#8
OrangeDog said:
I've always wondered why he wasn't.
Anybody out there know?

anybody?
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I have wondered the same thing. Is there really any difference? I mean the guy is amazing with the ball in his hands so the more opportunities he has to touch the ball the better imo.
 
#9
#9
OrangeDog said:
I've always wondered why he wasn't.
Anybody out there know?

anybody?
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I would guess hands/ball security. Punt returners have to be a lot more sure-handed and ready for a quick hit; whereas the kick returner has time to gather the ball, survey the field, and pick up speed.
 
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#10
#10
Kristy* said:
I would guess hands/ball security. Punt returners have to be a lot more sure-handed and ready for a quick hit; whereas the kick returner has time to gather the ball, survey the field, and pick up speed.
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Has Berry shown anything that suggests he couldnt be a good PR though?
 
#11
#11
OrangeDog said:
I've always wondered why he wasn't.
Anybody out there know?

anybody?
Click to expand...

Returning punts is a completely different animal and requires a different skill set. What makes Berry so dangerous is being able to receive the kickoff moving forward at near full speed already knowing how the field is developing. Punt returners don't typically have that as an option and need to be shifty enough to catch a punt and immediately make a move to make the first defender or two miss. Not sure Berry is that kind of runner/receiver.
 
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#12
#12
BigOrangeTrain said:
Has Berry shown anything that suggests he couldnt be a good PR though?
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Well, he's lost the ball a couple of times. Plus, I think his strength is seeing the field well, making one cut, and housing it. He has great top end speed. PR requires more juking and allows less time to pick up speed. I just think they're very different skill sets. And with PR, the most important requirement is being able catch it cleanly.
 
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#13
#13
Kristy* said:
Well, he's lost the ball a couple of times. Plus, I think his strength is seeing the field well, making one cut, and housing it. He has great top end speed. PR requires more juking and allows less time to pick up speed. I just think they're very different skill sets. And with PR, the most important requirement is being able catch it cleanly.
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Well put.
 
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#14
#14
molsen81 said:
And if the special teams coaching staff is smart, Berry will be placed on punt returns for more opportunities.
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And I don't know why we don't utilize multiple backs in certain punt situations...obviously not when the ball is near midfield and it's 4th and 4 but when the ball is inside the 25 and it's 4th and 10, why not drop a second back so he can be the lead blocker...
 
#15
#15
He needs to be used on offense! He can run a fly pattern, a reverse, a jet sweep, or just be a decoy in motion. When speed like his is on the field...it must be respected!
 
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#16
#16
If we were short of play makers adding some special plays for him would make since. It takes practice time to implement these. Practice time, the most valuable commodity. Last season we had trouble getting enough touches for the playmakers we had. I expect the same this year.
 
#17
#17
Kristy* said:
I would guess hands/ball security. Punt returners have to be a lot more sure-handed and ready for a quick hit; whereas the kick returner has time to gather the ball, survey the field, and pick up speed.
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This. Slightly diff skill set. Were they the same, then you would see the "best" returner doing both for every college and pro team.

First and foremost is ball security. Laying one on the ground is almost = negatively as a return TD is positively. Have no idea if EB's hands and concentration are one of the team best.

Secondly, I don't see EB as the shiftiest player on our roster. He is an absolute fearless speed burner, breaks tackles, and times KO returns as well as I've ever seen to try and break the 1st level. Latrell Williams, Byrd, Calloway, Osbourn may all be laterally shiftier from a standstill vs head of steam. Remember how AK & Cam could so easily make the "first guy(s)" miss from a standstill and instantly after the catch? KR doesn't require that same exact skill.

I have a sneaking suspicion that if EB were remotely available for PR, then he would have gotten plenty of looks long ago by the staff.
 
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#18
#18
Sarms58 said:
And I don't know why we don't utilize multiple backs in certain punt situations...obviously not when the ball is near midfield and it's 4th and 4 but when the ball is inside the 25 and it's 4th and 10, why not drop a second back so he can be the lead blocker...
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I don't really understand the PR concepts used. But, I do know this, our staff has proven themselves lethal at teaching all areas of special teams. I have been very impressed with KR, PR, Punting, PATs/FGs, and kickoffs, and their coverages since Butch arrived.

Action. No more lip service @ how important the coach "believes" ST are.
 
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#19
#19
Berry can run, yes he's probably a better kick returner, but speed is speed all he needs is a bit of daylight and he's gone for that reason he should get a look at Punt returner too.
 
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#20
#20
81Orange said:
If we were short of play makers adding some special plays for him would make since. It takes practice time to implement these. Practice time, the most valuable commodity. Last season we had trouble getting enough touches for the playmakers we had. I expect the same this year.
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Baffled to this very day how you have a talent and already full fledged All American in Evan Berry as a playmaker and not find a role for him as an every down playmaker on offense or defense. You basically only get him on the field for kickoff returns?!?!? IMO, this has been a massive failure by the coaching staff on The Hill to date.
 
#21
#21
Remy said:
Baffled to this very day how you have a talent and already full fledged All American in Evan Berry as a playmaker and not find a role for him as an every down playmaker on offense or defense. You basically only get him on the field for kickoff returns?!?!? IMO, this has been a massive failure by the coaching staff on The Hill to date.
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You overestimate Evan's football skill set. He's a fantastic athlete and is very well suited for his role with the team. Kick return skill set is one that doesn't necessarily translate to being effective as an every down type of player. If he was, the coaches would have him out there.
 
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#22
#22
gunner said:
Berry can run, yes he's probably a better kick returner, but speed is speed all he needs is a bit of daylight and he's gone for that reason he should get a look at Punt returner too.
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Speed is not speed when you are standing still. Which is what a punt returner is doing when he catches the ball. The difference is that Berry gets a head of steam when he catches a Kickoff. And that's a big difference. Berry's speed is neutralized if he is tackled before he gets going, or doesn't catch the punt at all.
 
#23
#23
gc49ervol said:
You overestimate Evan's football skill set. He's a fantastic athlete and is very well suited for his role with the team. Kick return skill set is one that doesn't necessarily translate to being effective as an every down type of player. If he was, the coaches would have him out there.
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Exactly. Just because Evan is the best at one cut and a taking off, like on Kick returns, doesn't mean that translates to offense. Evan is a decent safety, who is an absolute beast on Kickoffs.
 
#24
#24
id like to him play offense for maybe a series or 2 a game.. let him run a give out of the spread and jet up the sideline. He would beat the defense to the edge and be gone
 
#25
#25
He intercepted a pass against northwestern and ran it all the way back going through half the team. There is no way that he couldn't help us on offense. I don't know how good a cover corner or safety he is, but I know he could play offense and it's just stupid that he isn't used no more than he is. I am all for coach Jones but if there was one thing I could say it would be to get Evan Berry some dadgum touches on offense, he is too good in space and has too good of field vision to waste on just returning kicks. There is no debating it, just do it! GBO!!!!
 
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