And the Tennessee sophomore safety is a bit envious.
``I just look at him and say, `Man, I can do the same things. It's pretty funny, though. I truly respect a player that can go both ways. It just makes me want to do it even more,'' Berry said.
On Saturday, Berry and Moore two of the nation's top defensive backs just may get the chance to go against each other. It could be with Moore helping fill out Vanderbilt's banged-up receiving corps, although Tennessee coaches have hinted at using Berry on offense as well in a move held back only to avoid wearing down the sophomore.
``I'll probably end up guarding him a little bit, but most of the time he lines up outside and I really lock down over the slot and guard the slot receiver,'' Berry said.
Berry and Moore are tied with Florida's Ahmad Black atop the Southeastern Conference with six interceptions apiece and with a few others for best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Berry already has the SEC record for career yards off interception returns and is 59 yards away from tying the NCAA record held by Terrell Bucklely of Florida State.
The Vols safety has returned a couple kickoffs himself, and he ranks third in tackles along with two sacks.
Moore, a junior, is the only SEC player to play five positions this season cornerback, receiver, quarterback, punt returner and kick returner. He has carried five times for 53 yards, returned 17 punts with one taken 91 yards, averages 19.2 yards on kickoffs and has a team-best six interceptions along with six pass breakups.
He likes watching Berry hit and tackle. He watched Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno slowly get up after a Berry tackle.
``He's a physical cornerback,'' Moore told The Tennessean. ``I don't think we're the same type player. If I hit you, you might go down. I'd rather cut you. He's bigger than I am. But we've both got that same instinct at the position.''
Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said Berry's special with his physical play, speed and playmaking ability.
``They're a lot alike,'' Johnson said. ``They're not afraid to go after the ball, and you better watch it if you throw it near Eric Berry. He's a very good player. I like to watch him play. I think they're the best in the country. I think you can see why they're on several watch lists for defensive back awards. It'll be fun to watch them play against each other.''
In last week's 31-24 win at Kentucky to make Vanderbilt (6-4, 4-3) bowl eligible for the first time since 1982, the Commodores needed help at receiver. Moore caught three passes for 51 yards with his first two receptions going for touchdowns.
Berry just laughed when asked if he wanted to slide tape of Moore playing offense under the door of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer's office.
``Just a little bit. I mean I did see him score two touchdowns last week and think he had two interceptions also. Just everywhere on the field. I truly respect that, and I just like that part of the game,'' Berry said.
Fulmer isn't biting, not with Berry playing with a shoulder that has had Vols coaches trying not to wear out someone so special to their defense and special teams.
``Get him over there and get him tackled 25 times or 20 times or 10 times a game at that point wasn't something necessarily that we could do,'' Fulmer said.
Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson knows Moore well. He coached against the Vandy defensive back the past two years when he was at Richmond, and he hopes the Commodores use Moore on offense as much as possible.
``Hopefully, he'll get tired, and they won't play him on defense as much,'' Clawson said.
Tennessee safety Eric Berry, right, makes a hit during the Vols' win over Mississippi State earlier this season.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/11/215407