Hey guys, I've been visiting Volnation for over two years (since i moved from Knoxville to Los Angeles) and love the forums. I finally decided to make my own name so i can contribute.
It is my humble opinion that Eric Berry will be returning for his senior season.
First of all, The Berry family is not in as terrible shape as you all make them out to be. Plus his father has stressed getting your degree because you can't rely on football forever. Eric still needs to finish some credits. I took this excerpt from a govolsxtra article. Tackling 'T' question: Berry might be playing last game at Neyland GoVolsXtra
The Berry family has also stuck to the plan and hasn't addressed the future with him during the season, and his father James Berry also stressed this week that any issues at home have been overblown despite his short-term disability and mom Carol's being laid off a year ago.
"By no means are we leaning on Eric and telling him he's got to go and do something to help support us," James Berry said. "We've had a financial plan way before we would have thought about having Eric go out and do other things because we have other kids to raise. Eric's not the only kid we have to raise.
"It's not like we're saying, 'Once Eric gets there then we're just going to lay back and wait for Eric to support us.' By no means are we depending on him to do that. It's great that he has the opportunity in front of him to do well, but living is not hard for us."
Second, you all are saying you hope he leaves so he can make his money. I'm tired of people saying that is selfish to want him to stay. If anything wanting him to leave early is selfish. Sure players can get hurt, but look at AP. He was injured during his final season and still got drafted top. You look at bodies of work, not single years. Bradford backfired so bad because he had a wonderyear. If Berry had a career ending injury, which is rare, he would get five million and a wonderful career as a coach. If he leaves now he will probably be a top five pick. The difference in money between the first pick and the 5th pick is about 25 million guaranteed and another 30 on the contract. With Kiffin possibly revealing a WildBerry and a new QB coming in next year. Eric Berry could soldify himself as the number one pick, break the NCAA return record, and as an added bonus HE IS GUARANTEED NOT TO GO TO THE RAIDERS WHO HATE LANE KIFFIN AND ARE A PERINNIAL WORST TEAM. In fact, the odds would be good the Pats trade up and grab him putting him on a team where he can win since they have the raider's pick (which will be a top ten anyways). Mayo and Berry? I hate the pats, but that would be domination and my favorite defense.
Finally, College football is an experience that will never come again. The NFL is great, but it is a business. CFB is a passion. A senior season is something special, the class he came in with will have a bond that is not easily broken. It is a good omen that he did not run through the T on senior night, even if he did it as a jesture to the seniors. I doubt he would miss his last chance to do that. Eric Berry has a chance next year to do something our greatest didn't do. Beat Florida. Berry had a chance to taste the SEC Championship, and next year the playing field is very even. Floridas D will be heavily depeted and they will not have Tebow. Sure, We'll have a new Qb, but we have a deep rb stable and experienced WRs. Look what Kiffin did with Crompton in one year. Our defense will be even better considering how much experience our lower depth and freshman LBs are getting and the ranking of the d line coming in. Tennessee is primed for a great season next year, and I couldn't imagine Berry not wanting to be a part of it.
You can leave now as one of the greater players to play at Tennessee and have a loyal fan base whatever team you go to...or you can stay for one more year and become a legend. Besides money, Berry has no reason to leave and every reason to stay. Keep in mind staying one more year could net him an additional 55+ million.
It is my humble opinion that Eric Berry will be returning for his senior season.
First of all, The Berry family is not in as terrible shape as you all make them out to be. Plus his father has stressed getting your degree because you can't rely on football forever. Eric still needs to finish some credits. I took this excerpt from a govolsxtra article. Tackling 'T' question: Berry might be playing last game at Neyland GoVolsXtra
The Berry family has also stuck to the plan and hasn't addressed the future with him during the season, and his father James Berry also stressed this week that any issues at home have been overblown despite his short-term disability and mom Carol's being laid off a year ago.
"By no means are we leaning on Eric and telling him he's got to go and do something to help support us," James Berry said. "We've had a financial plan way before we would have thought about having Eric go out and do other things because we have other kids to raise. Eric's not the only kid we have to raise.
"It's not like we're saying, 'Once Eric gets there then we're just going to lay back and wait for Eric to support us.' By no means are we depending on him to do that. It's great that he has the opportunity in front of him to do well, but living is not hard for us."
Second, you all are saying you hope he leaves so he can make his money. I'm tired of people saying that is selfish to want him to stay. If anything wanting him to leave early is selfish. Sure players can get hurt, but look at AP. He was injured during his final season and still got drafted top. You look at bodies of work, not single years. Bradford backfired so bad because he had a wonderyear. If Berry had a career ending injury, which is rare, he would get five million and a wonderful career as a coach. If he leaves now he will probably be a top five pick. The difference in money between the first pick and the 5th pick is about 25 million guaranteed and another 30 on the contract. With Kiffin possibly revealing a WildBerry and a new QB coming in next year. Eric Berry could soldify himself as the number one pick, break the NCAA return record, and as an added bonus HE IS GUARANTEED NOT TO GO TO THE RAIDERS WHO HATE LANE KIFFIN AND ARE A PERINNIAL WORST TEAM. In fact, the odds would be good the Pats trade up and grab him putting him on a team where he can win since they have the raider's pick (which will be a top ten anyways). Mayo and Berry? I hate the pats, but that would be domination and my favorite defense.
Finally, College football is an experience that will never come again. The NFL is great, but it is a business. CFB is a passion. A senior season is something special, the class he came in with will have a bond that is not easily broken. It is a good omen that he did not run through the T on senior night, even if he did it as a jesture to the seniors. I doubt he would miss his last chance to do that. Eric Berry has a chance next year to do something our greatest didn't do. Beat Florida. Berry had a chance to taste the SEC Championship, and next year the playing field is very even. Floridas D will be heavily depeted and they will not have Tebow. Sure, We'll have a new Qb, but we have a deep rb stable and experienced WRs. Look what Kiffin did with Crompton in one year. Our defense will be even better considering how much experience our lower depth and freshman LBs are getting and the ranking of the d line coming in. Tennessee is primed for a great season next year, and I couldn't imagine Berry not wanting to be a part of it.
You can leave now as one of the greater players to play at Tennessee and have a loyal fan base whatever team you go to...or you can stay for one more year and become a legend. Besides money, Berry has no reason to leave and every reason to stay. Keep in mind staying one more year could net him an additional 55+ million.
