Archive for December 9th, 2009
Eric Berry
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 203
- S
- Tennessee
- NFL.com
| Attribute | Rating |
| Speed/Acceleration |  |
| Ball Skills | |
| Pass Coverage | |
| Run Defense | |
| Agility | |
| Football I.Q | |
| Tackling | |
| Durability | |
Scouting Report
Now that he has declared for the draft, Eric Berry will battle Ndamukong Suh for title of top prospect of the 2010 NFL Draft. A gifted athlete and leader, Berry is exactly the kind of impact player that all NFL franchises covet. The Thorpe award winner is # 2 in the NCAA for career interception yards after only playing 3 years of college ball. Although safeties don’t traditionally get picked in the top 5, there is now a premium placed on game-changing safeties, which could drive Berry’s stock up enough to become only the 5th safety to be chosen in the top 5 since 1967.
Speed/Acceleration: Elite speed for a safety, and can run with virtually any receiver. Excellent closing burst to make a play on the football. Should run in the 4.4 range at the combine.
Ball Skills: Easily one of Berry’s strongest skills. Excellent hands for the interception, and can catch the ball like a receiver. Had 12 interceptions through 2008. Gets hands under the ball when thrown low, but will want to demonstrate a consistent ability to high point the ball. Very good jumping ability, and isn’t afraid to leap horizontally to make play on the ball. Knack for being around the football. Superior run-after-catch ability. Very dangerous with the ball in his hands. Runs like a tailback after the catch, switching hands with the football to keep it secure.
Pass Coverage: Initially started out playing cornerback. Often asked to play man coverage at the line of scrimmage, where he is able to use his aggressiveness to dominate receivers. Very fluid in his backpedal and mirrors his man well. Has very good recovery speed to make a play on the ball. Shows an aptitude for sticking his foot in the ground and driving hard on the ball. Always keeps one eye on the quarterback, looking for the interception.
Run Defense: Disciplined and is reliable in filling his gap. Often uses his violent hitting ability to intimidate ball carriers, but this causes him to sometimes take somewhat poor angles to the football in attempting to deliver the knock out. Generally quick to diagnose run plays. Good at sealing the edge in close yardage situations. Very rangy defender who utilizes his great closing speed to reach the edge on outside runs. When ball carrier is running in the box, Berry often waits for the action to come to him. Seldom is asked to engage and shed blockers when playing close to the line. But this is not highly unusual for safety, especially one who frequently is asked to play center field.
Agility: Moves well laterally, and can change direction comfortably. Good but not elite ability to flip hips in coverage.
Football I.Q: Team leader capable of being the quarterback of the defense for any NFL team. Able to diagnose plays quickly. Excellent character and smart kid who works very hard.
Tackling: Big hitter who drives through ball carrier and can deliver jarring hits. Sideline to sideline kind of tackler who flies all over the field to make plays. Displays proper tackling technique and keeps eyes on his target. Usually displays proper pad level when tackling. Unintimidated by much larger foes. Needs to work on open field tackling, sometimes getting overeager for the big hit.
Durability: Both mentally and physically tough. Plays through injury. Only reported injury to date is to his shoulder last season, which didn’t force him tomiss any playing time.
(Video thanks to psheezybaby)
