Damien Berry of Miami ~ 5.11/220
"Berry simply lacks the vision, burst or acceleration to be a regular at the next level, but his toughness and work ethic should land him in an NFL camp as a free agent after draft day. He may be worth a look as a short-yardage back and special teams contributor in the seventh round.
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Positives: Strong, physical back who isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and initiate contact with defenders. Takes care of the football, having gone his entire college career at Miami without a single fumble. Displays patience and good awareness of blocking assignments, allowing blocks to develop in front of him before accelerating. Keeps his legs churning through initial contact to grind out tough extra yards and break tackles. Smooth, long strider with deceptive change-of-direction ability to make people miss in the open field. Keeps his weight and shoulders forward, often falling ahead for tough extra yardage. Has worked hard to improve his hands in the passing game, despite lacking the tools of a natural pass-catcher. Possesses the physicality to take on linebackers and linemen in pass protection. Was one of UM's top special teams players prior to making the switch from safety to running back. Respected and acknowledged by teammates as a hard working, team-first leader.
Negatives: Lacks initial burst at hand-off to clear holes at the line before they close. A one-speed back who struggles to pull away from defenders in the open field. Relies solely on ability to run defenders over, rather than shifting his weight and changing direction to make tacklers miss. Lacks instincts to identify cutback opportunities and capitalize on unoccupied lateral space. Tends to "veer" or "round" into directional changes when attempting to avoid defenders in the open field, rather than shortening his stride to make sharper cuts. Runs with a stiff upper body and does not utilize shoulder or head movement to juke defenders. Slow first step inhibits his ability to get out of the backfield and into routes quickly enough to be a consistent threat on swing plays or passes into the flat. Will turn his head upfield before securing the catch, leading to drops and bobbles. Lack of burst and cutback ability renders him a near non-threat after the catch. Tore both his ACL and MCL in high school, although has remained relatively healthy throughout his college career."
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Positives: Strong, physical back who isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and initiate contact with defenders. Takes care of the football, having gone his entire college career at Miami without a single fumble. Displays patience and good awareness of blocking assignments, allowing blocks to develop in front of him before accelerating. Keeps his legs churning through initial contact to grind out tough extra yards and break tackles. Smooth, long strider with deceptive change-of-direction ability to make people miss in the open field. Keeps his weight and shoulders forward, often falling ahead for tough extra yardage. Has worked hard to improve his hands in the passing game, despite lacking the tools of a natural pass-catcher. Possesses the physicality to take on linebackers and linemen in pass protection. Was one of UM's top special teams players prior to making the switch from safety to running back. Respected and acknowledged by teammates as a hard working, team-first leader.
Negatives: Lacks initial burst at hand-off to clear holes at the line before they close. A one-speed back who struggles to pull away from defenders in the open field. Relies solely on ability to run defenders over, rather than shifting his weight and changing direction to make tacklers miss. Lacks instincts to identify cutback opportunities and capitalize on unoccupied lateral space. Tends to "veer" or "round" into directional changes when attempting to avoid defenders in the open field, rather than shortening his stride to make sharper cuts. Runs with a stiff upper body and does not utilize shoulder or head movement to juke defenders. Slow first step inhibits his ability to get out of the backfield and into routes quickly enough to be a consistent threat on swing plays or passes into the flat. Will turn his head upfield before securing the catch, leading to drops and bobbles. Lack of burst and cutback ability renders him a near non-threat after the catch. Tore both his ACL and MCL in high school, although has remained relatively healthy throughout his college career."
"Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: He has quick feet that helps him get a decent burst thru the hole. He can accelerate to full speed quickly. He does not have elite breakaway speed but adequate speed to get to the corner and shoot behind the defender in a flash. Can change directions with his feet quickly and not lose his balance.
Elusiveness: Berry is not a shake and bake runner, but has quick feet to make an occasional defender miss in the open field. He sees the backside hole well and uses his quick feet well to cut and get thru fast. Will deliver a blow to defender by lowering pad level and continued leg drive.
Pass Catching: He did not get many opportunities to display his pass catching in college. He needs work and more reps in this area to show that he is capable. He seems to have the hand size by what I have seen to be a capable pass catcher out of the backfield.
Pass Blocking: He is an adequate blocker. He needs to use better technique and fundamentals, but does give a good effort. Also did not get enough opportunities in college to show if he could be consistent because of a loaded backfield.
Power: Berry is a tough runner who fights for extra yards. Will lower shoulder and deliver a blow to the defender. When he became the starter in his senior year his production was excellent. He is definitely and in between the tackles runner. Needs to concentrate more at keeping his pad level low to maximize power.
Size: Berry is a well built back who has NFL size and strength. Durable player who has not had any major injury issues. He is a little lean in the lower body. With his frame he could put on a few more muscle to further help his power game and not lose any quickness.
Speed: He is not a breakaway speedster. He has adequate speed to get thru the hole or to the outside. He is not slow by any means. Has deceptive speed and burst.
Vision: Berry has very good run instincts and vision that consistently allows him to react very fast to what is in front of him. Excellent between the tackles runner who follows his blockers well sits on their hips and cuts off of their blocks. Tough kid who runs with aggressiveness and attitude every snap.
Final Word: Berry is a very good athlete with instincts/vision to find the hole quickly then burst thru with power when keeping his pad level low. He is a tough runner in between the tackles. Any NFL team that uses a power run game would be wise to take a look at this young man in the middle rounds. The way some NFL teams now use the 2-3 running back system, Berry could contribute immediately. For now he would be a great relief guy for a franchise starting back until he gets better at pass protection and catching out of the back field."
Elusiveness: Berry is not a shake and bake runner, but has quick feet to make an occasional defender miss in the open field. He sees the backside hole well and uses his quick feet well to cut and get thru fast. Will deliver a blow to defender by lowering pad level and continued leg drive.
Pass Catching: He did not get many opportunities to display his pass catching in college. He needs work and more reps in this area to show that he is capable. He seems to have the hand size by what I have seen to be a capable pass catcher out of the backfield.
Pass Blocking: He is an adequate blocker. He needs to use better technique and fundamentals, but does give a good effort. Also did not get enough opportunities in college to show if he could be consistent because of a loaded backfield.
Power: Berry is a tough runner who fights for extra yards. Will lower shoulder and deliver a blow to the defender. When he became the starter in his senior year his production was excellent. He is definitely and in between the tackles runner. Needs to concentrate more at keeping his pad level low to maximize power.
Size: Berry is a well built back who has NFL size and strength. Durable player who has not had any major injury issues. He is a little lean in the lower body. With his frame he could put on a few more muscle to further help his power game and not lose any quickness.
Speed: He is not a breakaway speedster. He has adequate speed to get thru the hole or to the outside. He is not slow by any means. Has deceptive speed and burst.
Vision: Berry has very good run instincts and vision that consistently allows him to react very fast to what is in front of him. Excellent between the tackles runner who follows his blockers well sits on their hips and cuts off of their blocks. Tough kid who runs with aggressiveness and attitude every snap.
Final Word: Berry is a very good athlete with instincts/vision to find the hole quickly then burst thru with power when keeping his pad level low. He is a tough runner in between the tackles. Any NFL team that uses a power run game would be wise to take a look at this young man in the middle rounds. The way some NFL teams now use the 2-3 running back system, Berry could contribute immediately. For now he would be a great relief guy for a franchise starting back until he gets better at pass protection and catching out of the back field."
"Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior when he became the Hurricanes E(TM) primary ball carrier and finished the year with career-high totals of 190/399/5 on the ground. Had 93/616/3 as a junior and was the team's second-leading rusher.
Positive: Strong, straight-ahead ball carrier who has shown decent development. Waits for blocks to develop and will pick his way on the inside, finding the running lanes. Relatively quick-footed, falls forward when tackled, and picks up positive yardage. Has a burst through the hole, breaks tackles, and displays better than average strength.
Negative: Loses focus and concentration. More of a straight line runner who cannot create yardage. Marginal production as a receiver.
Analysis: Berry displayed improvement in his game the past two seasons when he was forced into the starting lineup and asked to be a primary ball carrier for the Hurricanes. He possesses the size and skill to be used as a rotational runner or second back for an NFL team."
Positive: Strong, straight-ahead ball carrier who has shown decent development. Waits for blocks to develop and will pick his way on the inside, finding the running lanes. Relatively quick-footed, falls forward when tackled, and picks up positive yardage. Has a burst through the hole, breaks tackles, and displays better than average strength.
Negative: Loses focus and concentration. More of a straight line runner who cannot create yardage. Marginal production as a receiver.
Analysis: Berry displayed improvement in his game the past two seasons when he was forced into the starting lineup and asked to be a primary ball carrier for the Hurricanes. He possesses the size and skill to be used as a rotational runner or second back for an NFL team."
"Overview: Damien is a 2007 graduate of Belle Glade FL's Glades Central High School who played both running back and safety in high school. Played at Suncoast High School his first three years before transferring to Central As a senior in 2006, Damien rushed for 1,080 yards and 19 touchdowns. As a junior at Suncoast High School, he rushed for 530 yards and had five touchdowns to go along with three interceptions on defense. As a sophomore, he tallied 4 interceptions, more than 500 rushing yards, 300 more all-purpose yards and finished with 14 total touchdowns. Coming out of High School he was rated the No. 7 safety prospect and No. 14 on the Florida Top 100 by Rivals.com. He was also rated the No. 26 player in Florida and the No. 42 defensive back in the nation by SuperPrep.
2010- Lead the team in rushing, and compiled the following line 181-896-5.
2009- Was the teams 2nd leading rusher with 93 carries for 616 yards (6.6 YPC) and a team high eight touchdowns. Excelled in the situations he was put in. Was also on the kickoff coverage team and had six tackles (five solo, one assisted).
2008- Moved to running back. Was a great special teams player (three tackles). Was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year.
2007- Appeared on special teams in all 12 games of the season, registering 8 tackles (three solos, five assisted). Played some safety in the last game of the season.
Strengths: Strong middle runner, who has not had his tread worn off in college. Enough size and pop to carry the load. Makes defenders pay on contact. Feet do not go dead on contact. Can make people miss. Has gotten better every year. Nice size and should be durable enough for the pro game.
Weaknesses: Untested pass catcher and blocker, who may not prove to be very good at either. Kind of a one-trick, straight-ahead runner without elite lane awareness, awareness of blocking schemes, or the ability to consistently bounce to daylight. Was never able to fully nail down "the man" title in the Miami running game. May never be more than the #3 RB on the depth chart.
Projection: 5-6th rounder."
2010- Lead the team in rushing, and compiled the following line 181-896-5.
2009- Was the teams 2nd leading rusher with 93 carries for 616 yards (6.6 YPC) and a team high eight touchdowns. Excelled in the situations he was put in. Was also on the kickoff coverage team and had six tackles (five solo, one assisted).
2008- Moved to running back. Was a great special teams player (three tackles). Was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year.
2007- Appeared on special teams in all 12 games of the season, registering 8 tackles (three solos, five assisted). Played some safety in the last game of the season.
Strengths: Strong middle runner, who has not had his tread worn off in college. Enough size and pop to carry the load. Makes defenders pay on contact. Feet do not go dead on contact. Can make people miss. Has gotten better every year. Nice size and should be durable enough for the pro game.
Weaknesses: Untested pass catcher and blocker, who may not prove to be very good at either. Kind of a one-trick, straight-ahead runner without elite lane awareness, awareness of blocking schemes, or the ability to consistently bounce to daylight. Was never able to fully nail down "the man" title in the Miami running game. May never be more than the #3 RB on the depth chart.
Projection: 5-6th rounder."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Damien Berry
Damien Berry looks like a Late Round Fringe Guy...
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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