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Princeton University Athletics
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Wideout Adam Berry Chats About 2007, Offseason Workouts & Senior Season
February 29, 2008 | Football
Rising senior Adam Berry knows what it's like to celebrate an Ivy League championship. With only 10 games remaining in his football career, Berry wants that feeling one more time. As the spring season gets closer, Berry took some time to chat with GoPrincetonTigers.com about several topics surrounding the historic Princeton football program.
1) When you remember the 2007 season, what positives do you take from it and what areas do you think kept the team out of title contention?
I think last year, juxtaposed against our championship season, was a valuable learning experience. You really see that there is only a thin margin separating a 9-1 team from a 4-6 team in this conference. The biggest thing that hurt us was focusing on the little things and fundamentals. We made too many mental mistakes and didn't protect the football well enough to put ourselves in position to win a championship. Having said that, a lot of young guys saw significant action last year and the disappointments of last season have sold everyone on the things we've built this program on: mental toughness and solid fundamental football. While it's a silver lining, it is a huge positive.
2) Injuries plagued your position late last season, but it did give you the chance to see the young receivers play. What were your early thoughts on guys like Trey Peacock and Matt Ransom?
Our freshmen class of wide receivers is frighteningly talented and what's unique about this class of wide receivers is that they each bring something different to the table. Trey is just a smooth natural athlete that can make difficult plays look easy. Matt is explosively quick who I think will develop into a very dynamic target. Andrew Kerr, who most likely would have seen the field had he not been nicked up during the season himself, may have the best natural hands in the receiving corps right now. We have yet to really see the full potential of Marcus Stewart or Adam Al-Khayyal as they both are coming off more serious season-long injuries, but I think Marcus will prove himself an exceptionally smart player and Adam will be a very desirable big target. I think there is the possibility for a couple of these guys to be really special players if they continue to work hard. I know I wish I had their talent coming in as a freshman.
3) How has the offseason conditioning work gone, and do you sense any different level of focus after the difficult season?
Offseason conditioning has been more intense this year than any other year that I've been here, including our championship season. No one in our program was happy with last year's result and guys are not only working hard on the track and in the weight room, but it is the norm to see almost everyone working on position-specific skills, working on footwork, or watching film above and beyond the typical offseason training. The coaches have really emphasized focus this winter and I believe the team has responded well to that emphasis.
4) For you in particular, what do you focus on between the final game of the year and the first practice of the spring?
I put a heavy emphasis on being technically sound. My philosophy is that athleticism without technique will make you lose more times than not. Additionally, when you don't need to think about technique and it begins to come natural, it frees you to use and maximize all of your physical gifts. As a result, I put a lot of work into footwork, tracking the football, hand placement in catching, and techniques that beat press coverage.
5) You will be working with a new quarterback again this spring. How important is it to develop a chemistry between the quarterback and receiver in such a short time?
Chemistry cannot be understated. Having said that, things don't need to be perfect by spring ball. The nature of spring ball is to get a lot of guys playing in a lot of different scenarios with a lot of different people so that they learn and become better all-around football players. Chemistry will be a heavy emphasis, but it will continue to be developed during the summer and preseason camp. Also, it is not like we are starting from square one. Many of the wide receivers have been throwing with Brian Anderson for 2-3 years, and with the freshmen quarterbacks since January. As long as we continue to do what we are doing, chemistry will come, you just can't rush it.
6) With the departure of Brendan Circle, you and Will Thanheiser are now the elder statesmen at the position. What do you need to do to keep your fellow receivers doing everything they need to do prior to spring ball?
The biggest thing is leading by example and being proactive in showing guys what they can do to improve. A lot of times when you are a young player, you don't quite know how you can get to the level of play that you desire or else you'd be there. That's where Will and I come in. We pass down what previous players and Coach Sallach have taught us as well as personal tricks we've picked up along the way.
7) Now that it's been a few months since you've played, are you itching to get back into the uniform and get the spring season going?
Of course, football is my passion. It's really nice to just get out there and compete. All the defensive backs and Coach Jackson keep talking trash about how they are going to dominate the wide receivers this spring, and it's time to shut them up. Plus, I'm tired of them making jokes about how little I weigh, so I am really antsy to go out and play against them. But all jokes and trash talk aside, I think everyone is ready to start up again.
8) How different is the mentality when you know you're approaching your final season?
It's a little surreal because in one sense it feels like I just got here. Just knowing that the end of my college football career is approaching makes me appreciate and cherish every moment that much more. I'm very thankful for every football opportunity I've had, but these last few are even more precious.
9) With several returning starters from the offensive line and experience in the backfield and wideout positions, are you confident the offense can become prolific again in 2008?
Definitely. We will have all the pieces in place, it will just be a matter of execution, confidence and focus. As long as we gel and buy into the system we have the opportunity to be an excellent offensive unit next season.
10) You now have one ring, and your twin brother Andrew has one. Has there been much talking between the two of you about who has the best chance to break the tie next season?
We intentionally don't talk about that often because it would get heated and we'd eventually end up disowning each other. Including pee-wee sports, I don't think either of us has ever gone into a season thinking our respective teams will not win a championship. That's really saying something considering we've been playing sports since the age of 5 and the Ivy championship was our first ever championship in any sport. So when it comes down to it, both of us are confident that our respective teams will win.