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Draft Could be Berry Good for Bucs

Posted Dec 29, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Dec 29, 2009 at 06:28 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—The 2010 NFL draft doesn’t begin and end with Ndamukong Suh.

Nebraska’s All-America DT appears to be an excellent fit for the Bucs, but Tampa Bay’s two-game winning streak has dropped the club behind the 2-13 Lions, with the 1-14 Rams one more loss away from securing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

If the Rams bypass Suh, it’s unlikely he would get past the Lions, who rank 31st in total defense and last in scoring defense, yielding an average of 30.5 points per game.

The Bucs have to be looking hard at Tennessee safety Eric Berry, who is expected to announce later this week that he is skipping his senior season to enter the draft. The Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top defensive back, Berry could combine with Tanard Jackson to give the Bucs a pair of young, dynamic safeties.

Add Aqib Talib and veteran Ronde Barber to the mix in 2010 and Tampa Bay’s secondary would potentially feature a blend of impact players.

Berry is a versatile 5-foot-11, 203-pound big hitter who is already drawing comparisons to Pro Bowl safeties like Troy Polamalu (Steelers) and Ed Reed (Ravens).

With Sabby Piscitelli struggling in his first full year as a starter, the Bucs could view Berry as their best option if Suh is off the board. Berry ranks second on the Vols with 83 stops and, unlike Piscitelli, he is a sure tackler who would bolster Tampa Bay’s erratic rush defense.

Berry’s decision is expected following Thursday’s Chick-fil-A-Bowl matchup against Virginia Tech.