2010 NFL Draft

[dew1679666265]

I'm not saying "take it to the bank", but I'm hearing- from 3 different directions- that Berry is staying for his senior year at Tennessee. Two of the sources are the same ones that assured me of black jerseys back in September. These two sources have been right about Tyler Smith staying, specific coaches being hired, and a couple of smaller items.

 

This could mean that Tennessee returns 10 starters on D next season.

 

If that's the case, Berry would probably become the most popular player in Tennessee since Peyton Manning. I still don't expect him to at all, but it would be incredible if he did.

 

Any idea why he might stay? We probably won't be much better next year (unless Lane can get Stephens/Bray to play like second half Crompton next year) even with Berry. I still see 2011 as the most likely time that we start considering SEC championship ideas.

[TheVolCub08]

I'm not saying "take it to the bank", but I'm hearing- from 3 different directions- that Berry is staying for his senior year at Tennessee. Two of the sources are the same ones that assured me of black jerseys back in September. These two sources have been right about Tyler Smith staying, specific coaches being hired, and a couple of smaller items.

 

This could mean that Tennessee returns 10 starters on D next season.

 

If that's the case, Berry would probably become the most popular player in Tennessee since Peyton Manning. I still don't expect him to at all, but it would be incredible if he did.

 

Any idea why he might stay? We probably won't be much better next year (unless Lane can get Stephens/Bray to play like second half Crompton next year) even with Berry. I still see 2011 as the most likely time that we start considering SEC championship ideas.

 

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

 

On offense, QB will most certainly be a big question, but I have no doubt that this coaching staff can have Nick Stephens ready to play. We'll still be deep and talented (if a bit green) at RB, deep at FB, solid at TE, very good at WR, and even have some solid experience returning along the OL. On D, we have potentially 9 starters returning, and will be much deeper at LB than we are this year. Palardy will improve our kicking game, as well.

 

Add to that a stellar recruiting class, including several JuCo's, and I think this team has 9-10 win potential in 2010. In only see 3 games (UF, Bama, and Oregon) where we will most certainly be underdogs.

 

I think Berry is considering staying for three reasons: 1. HIs dad got a job, and the financial situation is not as dire. 2. His parents really, really want him to finish his degree (want him to be able to be a dentist if his NFL career does not pan out.) and 3. Chavis/Slade DB's have not adjusted well to the NFL, and the thought is that Berry would like another year with Monte to be better prepared to play right away at the next level. Also, he's just having alot of fun right now. Much more than he'd have in Oakland.

[shnsajax]

I'm not saying "take it to the bank", but I'm hearing- from 3 different directions- that Berry is staying for his senior year at Tennessee. Two of the sources are the same ones that assured me of black jerseys back in September. These two sources have been right about Tyler Smith staying, specific coaches being hired, and a couple of smaller items.

 

This could mean that Tennessee returns 10 starters on D next season.

 

If that's the case, Berry would probably become the most popular player in Tennessee since Peyton Manning. I still don't expect him to at all, but it would be incredible if he did.

 

Any idea why he might stay? We probably won't be much better next year (unless Lane can get Stephens/Bray to play like second half Crompton next year) even with Berry. I still see 2011 as the most likely time that we start considering SEC championship ideas.

 

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

 

On offense, QB will most certainly be a big question, but I have no doubt that this coaching staff can have Nick Stephens ready to play. We'll still be deep and talented (if a bit green) at RB, deep at FB, solid at TE, very good at WR, and even have some solid experience returning along the OL. On D, we have potentially 9 starters returning, and will be much deeper at LB than we are this year. Palardy will improve our kicking game, as well.

 

Add to that a stellar recruiting class, including several JuCo's, and I think this team has 9-10 win potential in 2010. In only see 3 games (UF, Bama, and Oregon) where we will most certainly be underdogs.

 

I think Berry is considering staying for three reasons: 1. HIs dad got a job, and the financial situation is not as dire. 2. His parents really, really want him to finish his degree (want him to be able to be a dentist if his NFL career does not pan out.) and 3. Chavis/Slade DB's have not adjusted well to the NFL, and the thought is that Berry would like another year with Monte to be better prepared to play right away at the next level. Also, he's just having alot of fun right now. Much more than he'd have in Oakland.

 

Berry is gone. The Bradford injury will affect everyone who is projected top 5-10. Also with the rookie cap changing after this draft he will be losing out on a lot of money by waiting another year.

 

The NFL career doesn't matter when you get 25-40 million gauranteed. Plus outside of injury he will have a great NFL career.

[dew1679666265]

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

 

On offense, QB will most certainly be a big question, but I have no doubt that this coaching staff can have Nick Stephens ready to play. We'll still be deep and talented (if a bit green) at RB, deep at FB, solid at TE, very good at WR, and even have some solid experience returning along the OL. On D, we have potentially 9 starters returning, and will be much deeper at LB than we are this year. Palardy will improve our kicking game, as well.

 

I just think the questions at QB and OL will overrule the good talent elsewhere. We lose three of our starting five offensive linemen after the year (returning starters are Douglas and Shaw) and will be left with guys like Hood, Schofield and Dallas Thomas to take over the starting positions. Add ot that we'll have no experienced depth whatsoever and very few warm bodies. Plus, the linemen we've gotten committed so far are not immediate help kind of guys, they're talented raw guys. At QB, Stephens could be at least decent, but he's still quite an unknown and who knows how he'll respond when he gets in an actual game.

 

Receiver should be good with Teague and Richardson along with Gerald Jones returning. Bryce Brown and the RB corps should be fine. With Cottam graduating, I'm not sure what kind of depth we'll have at TE. Stocker should be fine, but after that the best we've probably got is Ben Bartholomew.

 

Add to that a stellar recruiting class, including several JuCo's, and I think this team has 9-10 win potential in 2010. In only see 3 games (UF, Bama, and Oregon) where we will most certainly be underdogs.

 

We'll almost definitely be underdogs to LSU as well. I see 6 sure wins (UT Martin, UAB, Memphis, SC, Vandy, UK) and a couple more games I'm confident about (UGA, Ole Miss). If we finish this year 8-4, then to improve on that we'll have to upset one of Bama, UF, Oregon or LSU and that's going to be tough with an inexperienced QB and no depth on the line.

 

I think Berry is considering staying for three reasons: 1. HIs dad got a job, and the financial situation is not as dire. 2. His parents really, really want him to finish his degree (want him to be able to be a dentist if his NFL career does not pan out.) and 3. Chavis/Slade DB's have not adjusted well to the NFL, and the thought is that Berry would like another year with Monte to be better prepared to play right away at the next level. Also, he's just having alot of fun right now. Much more than he'd have in Oakland.

 

Those are definitely good reasons and I could see them being quite persuasive. As shnsajax said, though, the rookie cap likely being instituted after 2010 will hold a lot of sway. As will the risk of injury next season before he gets his guaranteed money.

 

I really hope you're right and I'm wrong, though.

[RedFlash]

hey Volunteer guys, what do you make of Nu'Keese Richardson going MIA from practice yesterday? Nobody seems to know where the young man is and why he went MIA, but there are alot of speculation on of your sites (Volnation) that there are rumors that the young man is homesick and is considering transferring back to a school in Florida. Have you heard about it?

[TheVolCub08]

I just think the questions at QB and OL will overrule the good talent elsewhere. We lose three of our starting five offensive linemen after the year (returning starters are Douglas and Shaw) and will be left with guys like Hood, Schofield and Dallas Thomas to take over the starting positions. Add ot that we'll have no experienced depth whatsoever and very few warm bodies. Plus, the linemen we've gotten committed so far are not immediate help kind of guys, they're talented raw guys. At QB, Stephens could be at least decent, but he's still quite an unknown and who knows how he'll respond when he gets in an actual game.

 

Receiver should be good with Teague and Richardson along with Gerald Jones returning. Bryce Brown and the RB corps should be fine. With Cottam graduating, I'm not sure what kind of depth we'll have at TE. Stocker should be fine, but after that the best we've probably got is Ben Bartholomew.

 

That's just it... I don't think the OL will be much of a question. Look at what the coaching staff has done with 2 walkons and a converted TE. Adding John Cullen and possibly Morgan Moses to this line would be significant. We lead for Cullen and Moses has us up there, and if UVA's staff is canned, UT would be his leader. Plus, Cody Pope will likely be ready to finally contribute next season, and the other OL we're going to add in this recruiting class will give us depth, if not experience. It won't be the strength of the team, but it will be sufficient. If nothing else, this year should prove that.

 

WR will be more than good. Moore, Jones, Nuke, Teague, and Thompkins will be an excellent WR corps. Add Milton, Ambles, and Dunkley to that, and this WR crew will be among the best in the conference. At TE, the recent addition of Ken Adams bolsters the depth at the position, and I'm honestly not at all concerned about it. Stephens will certainly have weapons, and I'm not terribly concerned that this staff cannot have him ready to play in this league. I mean, they have Crompton playing as well as any QB in the conference not named Mallett.

 

On D, next year's unit has a chance to be special. It has been years since UT has had this much talent at DE- Walker, Martin, Williams, and Bohannon will be stellar. At DT, we'll be okay with Hughes and Walls, and I'd expect the Juco DT (forgetting his name off the top of my head) to be ready to roll. We need one more DT to step up... or we need Williams to move inside and Fowlkes to step up on the edge. Our LB's will be a major strength, and with the probable addition of Jeff Luc to this class, LB will be scary good. The DB's will be best in the SEC with or without Berry. With him, it will be one of the top 5 defensive backfields in the country. Adding Menzie to this class will give us (at worst) Menzie and Rogan at CB, and Jackson and Myles Jr at Safety. Put Berry in there, and we'll lead the league ( and possibly the country) in Pass D. I just think it's going to be a much better season than so many of us would have thought 2 months ago.

 

We'll almost definitely be underdogs to LSU as well. I see 6 sure wins (UT Martin, UAB, Memphis, SC, Vandy, UK) and a couple more games I'm confident about (UGA, Ole Miss). If we finish this year 8-4, then to improve on that we'll have to upset one of Bama, UF, Oregon or LSU and that's going to be tough with an inexperienced QB and no depth on the line.

 

I think we beat one- if not TWO of those teams. They will be upsets, but I think we get at least one of them.

 

Those are definitely good reasons and I could see them being quite persuasive. As shnsajax said, though, the rookie cap likely being instituted after 2010 will hold a lot of sway. As will the risk of injury next season before he gets his guaranteed money.

 

I really hope you're right and I'm wrong, though.

 

Well, those words came directly from Berry's mouth on Saturday night. That was one of the 3 "sources" I mentioned. Another source had allegedly spoken with James Berry to get the education angle. And, again, one of the other sources correctly broke the following stories: Tyler Smith's transfer to UT, Scotty Hopson signing with UT, Nukeese switching to UT, Tyler Smith staying at UT, and both Kiffins and Orgeron. I'm just saying, this has been about as reliable a source as I have ever seen. The source could be wrong, because a lot can change in 3 months, but as of today, I absolutely expect Berry to return... against all odds and better judgement.

 

Sorry to hijack the draft thread. Berry is a 1st rounder, and I think both Dan Williams and Montario Hardesty are 3rd rounders. Crompton and McCoy both have an outside shot at being drafted, but I'd suspect that both get undrafted free agent deals.

[TheVolCub08]

hey Volunteer guys, what do you make of Nu'Keese Richardson going MIA from practice yesterday? Nobody seems to know where the young man is and why he went MIA, but there are alot of speculation on of your sites (Volnation) that there are rumors that the young man is homesick and is considering transferring back to a school in Florida. Have you heard about it?

 

 

Nuke did, in fact, go MIA on Sunday. However, Kiffin knows exactly where he is, and I'm hearing that this has been put to bed already. Yes, he has been homesick- almost from the beginning- but that is not the issue here, as I understand it. This is purely a PT issue, a Nuke thinks he should be getting more than he is. The irony in this is that he chose to wait until Memphis week- his best shot at playing significant snaps- to pull this.

 

I'm getting that Nuke is not going anywhere, but that he is indeed homesick (though being homesick for Pahokee is almost unfathomable to me) and wants to be playing more. He may end up transferring elsewhere, but with commitments from Thompkins and *allegedly* Dunkley, it won't hurt quite as much as you might think. I hope he does not, but if he's going to be a me-first kind of guy (a la Brandon Warren), then so long.

[dew1679666265]

Sorry to hijack the draft thread. Berry is a 1st rounder, and I think both Dan Williams and Montario Hardesty are 3rd rounders. Crompton and McCoy both have an outside shot at being drafted, but I'd suspect that both get undrafted free agent deals.

 

Yeah, I don't want to hijack the thread any longer either, so I'll condense my comments. I question how quickly some of the recruits (if we in fact get them all) will be able to contribute at a high level. The Sullins twins had, at least, been on the team for a few years and had improved their strength and mechanics some. These kids coming in may well be very talented, but their ability to contribute soon is what I wonder about. I also love the ends but wonder about the depth at DT. Hughes should be great and Walls should be good as well, but we need to avoid injury in a big way.

 

As for actual draft discussion, I think Berry goes in the top 10 to somebody (Titans please) and wouldn't be completely shocked to see Montario go in the 2nd round. With his injury history, however, 3rd or 4th seems more likely. 3rd might be a bit optimistic for Williams, but it wouldn't shock me at all.

 

I could definitely see Crompton drafted at this point. He's got the frame and the arm to be an NFL quarterback and if the mental part of the game continues to improve, he could very well go to a team like the Patriots in the late rounds as a developmental guy.

[RedFlash]

hey Volunteer guys, what do you make of Nu'Keese Richardson going MIA from practice yesterday? Nobody seems to know where the young man is and why he went MIA, but there are alot of speculation on of your sites (Volnation) that there are rumors that the young man is homesick and is considering transferring back to a school in Florida. Have you heard about it?

 

 

Nuke did, in fact, go MIA on Sunday. However, Kiffin knows exactly where he is, and I'm hearing that this has been put to bed already. Yes, he has been homesick- almost from the beginning- but that is not the issue here, as I understand it. This is purely a PT issue, a Nuke thinks he should be getting more than he is. The irony in this is that he chose to wait until Memphis week- his best shot at playing significant snaps- to pull this.

 

I'm getting that Nuke is not going anywhere, but that he is indeed homesick (though being homesick for Pahokee is almost unfathomable to me) and wants to be playing more. He may end up transferring elsewhere, but with commitments from Thompkins and *allegedly* Dunkley, it won't hurt quite as much as you might think. I hope he does not, but if he's going to be a me-first kind of guy (a la Brandon Warren), then so long.

 

I didn't want to come off as a rival fan hoping that a talented player was leaving Tennessee, moreso about the whereabouts about a young man. Good to hear things may be settled.

[shnsajax]

Clausen enters the draft, no surprise here.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4721703

[Flames24Rulz]

Golden Tate's going pro as well.

[dew1679666265]

No idea where exactly to post this, so I'll put it here.

 

National Football Post's Wes Bunting is doing a series outlining the best pro prospects at each position in each conference. So far he's done the SEC, Pac 10 and Big 10. He's going to do every BCS conference (not sure about the more minor ones).

 

Here's a link to the Big 10 team.

 

Mike Kafka is his best Big 10 QB, Evan Royster is his best RB and Arrelious Benn is one of his best WRs. Tony Moeaki is his best TE.

[Guest]

Washington QB Jake Locker (a probable top 5 pick) is supposedly returning for his senior year.

 

In the draft:

 

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois

WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

RB Stafon Johnson, USC (senior)

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

[Magnetic Curses]

Washington QB Jake Locker (a probable top 5 pick) is supposedly returning for his senior year.

 

In the draft:

 

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois

WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

RB Stafon Johnson, USC (senior)

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

 

yeah, the locker move is a noggin scratcher, especially after the bradford situation.

[Outshined_One]

Washington QB Jake Locker (a probable top 5 pick) is supposedly returning for his senior year.

 

In the draft:

 

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois

WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

RB Stafon Johnson, USC (senior)

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

 

yeah, the locker move is a noggin scratcher, especially after the bradford situation.

 

I'm guessing his situation is like Samardzija's a few years ago. Locker signed with the Angels earlier this year after they drafted him.

[imb]

http://thebiglead.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/image.png

[shnsajax]

http://thebiglead.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/image.png

 

 

Someone should punch him in the eye for that!

[SpongeWorthy]

I don't think Locker would've been a top 5 pick when the evaluations really started on him. He's more of an athlete than a QB at this point. He definitely could use another year.

[TruffleShuffle]

clausen's draft stock should drop because of that photo.

[TruffleShuffle]

I don't think Locker would've been a top 5 pick when the evaluations really started on him. He's more of an athlete than a QB at this point. He definitely could use another year.

 

a lot of guys end up rising because they look great at the combine and do well in interviews. locker strikes me as a guy who would look awesome throwing to a bunch of uncovered receivers at the combine, then ace the interviews and have that "fierce competitor" label.

[Andy]

clausen's draft stock should drop because of that photo.

Poor guy has a look on his face that screams, "Dear God, I hope this doesn't get on the Internet". Probably praying to get drafted by a warm weather team.

[dew1679666265]

I don't think Locker would've been a top 5 pick when the evaluations really started on him. He's more of an athlete than a QB at this point. He definitely could use another year.

 

a lot of guys end up rising because they look great at the combine and do well in interviews. locker strikes me as a guy who would look awesome throwing to a bunch of uncovered receivers at the combine, then ace the interviews and have that "fierce competitor" label.

 

Another year under Sarkisian should help him be more prepared for the NFL. I think it's a good decision from the standpoint of making the most of his potential.

[Guest]

Washington QB Jake Locker (a probable top 5 pick) is supposedly returning for his senior year.

 

In the draft:

 

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois

WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas

QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

RB Stafon Johnson, USC (senior)

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame

 

More names:

 

OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland

OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

DE Everson Griffen, USC

RB Ryan Matthews, Fresno State

DT Brian Price, UCLA

CB Donovan Warren, Michigan

WR Damien Williams, USC

 

Davis could be the top offensive lineman selected. Griffen and Price should be first rounders.

[dew1679666265]

Berry won't officially announce until after the bowl game, but Lane Kiffin indicated during Chick-fil-a press conferences that Berry will almost certainly turn pro.

 

I know, that's a shocker. :wink:

[dew1679666265]

Berry's going to the draft:

 

Tennessee safety Eric Berry is skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft.

Berry said after Thursday night's Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Virginia Tech that he played his final college game.