Berry ready to step into limelight at corner

Every year the inevitable happens to teams across the country. A position that was once seen… Every year the inevitable happens to teams across the country. A position that was once seen as a strength heading into the previous season now carries a lot of question marks into the following year.

The 2007 campaign for Pitt football is no exception. Where the Panthers could once rely upon Darrelle Revis to completely shut down the opponent’s passing game on his side of the field, Pitt has to wonder who will step into the first-round NFL Draft pick’s void and cover the opposing team’s top receiver every week.

Returning senior Kennard Cox started every game at corner opposite Revis last season. While he tied for the team lead with seven pass deflections, he also was picked on throughout the year and was often exposed and beat for big gains. The team hopes for his continued improvement and will rely upon his leadership among a relatively young secondary.

“It’s a good feeling,” Cox said of leading the Pitt secondary. “I’m used to it because everybody tried to play a leadership role last year. It’s a new [defensive system] and everybody’s just trying to play as one.”

Sophomore Aaron Berry is the most likely candidate to start the field cornerback position vacated by the departed Revis. Berry served as a reserve corner last season, and, while he didn’t see much action, the former star recruit out of Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg studied Revis and is prepared for the challenge of filling his large shoes at Pitt.

“It feels a lot different than last year,” Berry said. “I came in really behind Revis the whole time, so I knew he was going to be in there. But I sat back and learned a lot from him, so I’m ready this year.

“It’s a loss because he was a big help out there. He showed me a lot. But it’s time for him to step up to the next level and time for me to step in and compete how he did.”

Luckily, fewer questions surround the safety positions.

Junior Eric Thatcher will start at free safety, where he excelled last season before a broken ankle cut his year short. Thatcher showed flashes of brilliance, including an eight-tackle game against Michigan State and a six-tackle, one-interception performance against Toledo.

Mike Phillips, a converted cornerback, will likely start at strong safety this season after rotating between both safety positions the past two seasons. Phillips recorded 27 tackles last season in 12 games at free safety. Phillips turned in a strong spring after struggling all last year because of the nagging ankle injury he suffered at Nebraska in 2005 and appears to be primed for a terrific final season as a Panther.