Eric Berry ‘a bit surprised’ on lack of extension progress

[Quesadilla Joe]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e88612427.html

Spoiler!

Against the backdrop of approximately 352 kids laughing, jumping and playing on a humid summer night, Chiefs safety Eric Berry wore a smile on his face as he stood on the turf at North Kansas City High School and explained what he knew about his current contract status.

And Berry — who has until July 15 to get an extension done with the Chiefs, lest he play the 2016 under the one-year franchise tag — took a break from his sixth annual free youth football camp on Friday and made a few things clear.

One, he absolutely still wants to be a Chief for the long term.

And, two, yes, he is a bit surprised it’s taken so long for a new deal to get done.

“I thought it would progress a little bit more,” Berry said. “But it’s still been pretty much the same since the last time we talked. A lot can change in a week. A lot can change for whenever the deadline is.”

Berry’s surprise makes sense. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said at the NFL’s annual meeting in March that he’s hopeful to get a long-term deal done with Berry, and that he’s “certainly” somebody that they “would like to be a Chief for a very, very long time.”

Hunt added that he got a sense that Berry shared the sentiment to stay, a notion the 27-year old Berry — who has spent the last seven years with the Chiefs — also said in March and repeated Friday.

“Obviously I’d love to be a Chief — I want to be a Chief long term, just because of the community, the staff, from top to bottom, the players and everything,” Berry said. “But sometimes things don’t go as planned, and I’m prepared for that, but hopefully it goes as planned, and I’m prepared for that, as well.”

If the Chiefs can’t reach a new deal with Berry before the July 15 deadline, Berry would have to play the 2016 season under the $10.8 million franchise tender. However, he could also hold off on signing the tender, which would allow him to skip training camp and the preseason and return shortly before the regular season and still collect his full $10.8 million salary.

Still, an extension is sensible for both sides. Although the franchise tender is good money (and guaranteed, too) Berry stands to collect far more guaranteed money with a new deal, as he has the same number of all-pro selections (two) and three more Pro Bowl selections (four) than the league’s highest-paid safety, Harrison Smith, who recently signed a five-year, $51.25 million pact with the Vikings that includes nearly $29 million guaranteed.

What’s more, assuming Berry agreed to a richer deal than Smith’s, the cash-strapped Chiefs — who have a league-low $226,818 in cap space. according to the NFL Players Association — would still stand to create a minimum of $3 million or so in cap room this year with an extension. Iit’s worth noting the team already has a significant amount of money committed to 2017 — upwards of $166 million, which already surpasses the 2016 cap number of $155 million.

The Chiefs also have the option of rescinding the tender on Berry, which would create $10.8 million in cap room. However, that would make one of their most popular — and more important — players an unrestricted free agent, which hardly seems like a reasonable option for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

“It’s a completely different atmosphere (without him),” said center Mitch Morse, who helped out at Berry’s camp on Friday. “I’ve only met a few people who, when they walk into a room full of people, that you feel their presence and people immediately shut up. He’s such a profound speaker, and he has profound things to say, and you inherently want to listen and gain knowledge. You respect the hell out of him.”

Berry, who fast-tracked his way back from a December 2014 diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma to return in time for the start of training camp last July, served as the emotional leader of the 2015 Chiefs, which rallied from a 1-5 start to win 11 straight games, including their first playoff win in 22 years.

He did it on the field too, as he looked quicker and faster than in previous seasons — he was back to playing at his college weight of 210 pounds — on the way to racking up 61 tackles, 10 pass deflections and two interceptions and make the Pro Bowl, be named an all-pro and win the NFL’s comeback player of the year award.

“He’s one of the main focal points of this team,” said Morse, whose comments have been parroted by several teammates, including quarterback Alex Smith. “He means a lot to Chiefs Kingdom, and he sure as hell means a lot to us, as players. We’re incomplete without him and we love the energy and passion he brings.”

Still, business is business, and Berry understands that. One of his closest friends on the team is outside linebacker Justin Houston, who was franchise-tagged in March 2015 after a 22-sack season and had to wait out the next several months as his agent, Joel Segal, and the Chiefs hammered out a six-year, $101 million extension right before the July 15 deadline.

“It’s crazy because I was talking to him when he was going through the exact same thing — it’s like roles have switched just a year later,” Berry said. “He just keeps telling me to be patient and control what I can control. So I gave him that advice, and he’s given me the same advice. That’s all I can do.”

So Berry, who has always believed in letting his work speak for himself, has spent the last several months training in Florida, getting ready for the season.

He looked trim and happy as he worked with the kids on Friday — the turnout was the best his camp in Kansas City has ever had, by the way — his trademark brown, red-tinged hair and goatee fluffy and full, a stark contrast to the way he looked last summer, even after his chemo treatments had long come to an end.

To be sure, Berry is grateful for that, a fact that came across as he spoke optimistically about his goals for the next several months, despite the uncertainty of his contract situation.

“I definitely want to get a ring, and I definitely want to be a Chief,” Berry said. “Hopefully, we can make that happen.”

And to be clear, Berry hasn’t lost faith, regardless of his surprise at the lack of recent progress.

“You know miracles happen — I’m a witness,” Berry said with a smile. “So it might go down to the wire, you know ... and hopefully they handle their end, and hopefully it comes together like it’s supposed to.”

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by O.city

Last year, recovering from a back injury maybe. He was pretty dominant in 2014 and 13.

could be his back, could be the number of snap


maybe he'll bounce back this year since his contract is coming up

[OctoberFart]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Raiders just signed Amerson to a 4 year $38mil extension. M

They won't be signing high priced FA's again anytime soon.

I don't know why you guys always say this crap. Oakland or any team can sign whoever they want. Money can be made with cuts and restructures but carryon.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

could be his back, could be the number of snap


maybe he'll bounce back this year since his contract is coming up

Possibly.

In his defense, he seems like such a physical freak it doesn't matter

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by OctoberFart

I don't know why you guys always say this crap. Oakland or any team can sign whoever they want. Money can be made with cuts and restructures but carryon.

You're not going to have anywhere close to the cap space you've had over the past couple of years after you sign Mack and Carr.

[OctoberFart]

Originally Posted by staylor26

You're not going to have anywhere close to the cap space you've had over the past couple of years after you sign Mack and Carr.

It will be tighter but there will be a few deals off the books. KC seems to blow all their capspace and doesn't do crap.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by OctoberFart

He doesn't want to play in KC.

And I'd prefer the Chiefs not pay him $11 million/season to do so.

So it works out for everyone.

[ChiefAshhole1056]

Originally Posted by staylor26

You're not going to have anywhere close to the cap space you've had over the past couple of years after you sign Mack and Carr.

And Cooper.

[Meatloaf]

I doubt playing in KC or not playing in KC is much of the issue for Berry. I'm thinking that he's simply attempting to shore up dollars for his family's future. Not a darned thing wrong with that.

Seems to me that Berry has really enjoyed his time here, and the Chiefs seem like they were happy to have him here too. But, all good things must come to an end, and methinks this good thing is nearing its end. So be it.

Go Chiefs!!!

[ChiefAshhole1056]

Wouldn't be surprised if Berry's one of the league's golden boys this year with promos and interviews (the NFL eats this shit up). He's had a hell of an offseason of awards and recognition after what he's accomplished this season and I'm sure that's only increasing his value.

Let him capitalize on that and go out with a bang this next year. If he gets hurt, we may be able to sign him at a cheaper price. If he goes off, then we benefit from having a top 3 safety on our defense for another year, and then obtain a 3rd round compensatory pick when he leaves. Let's enjoy this.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And I'd prefer the Chiefs not pay him $11 million/season to do so.

So it works out for everyone.

All the more reason to trade him or rescind the tag.

Personally, I think he's receiving bad advice from his agent. He's already made more than $50 million and the future is always uncertain.

Take the money and run.

[Meatloaf]

Yup, $11M is a ton to pay a safety, but it sounds like Dorsey isn't interested in rescinding the tag though.

Anyone heard anything about what the Chiefs may have offered and/or what Berry was looking for?

[mcaj22]

just playing on the franchise tag he's the highest paid safety for the 2016 season lol

[Chiefshrink]

Chris Jones is our future at NT. Dorsey will let Poe walk and Fisher gets the $$.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Chris Jones is our future at NT. Dorsey will let Poe walk and Fisher gets the $$.

You might want to reconsider this opinion.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Dagnabit

You might want to reconsider this opinion.

IMO the Chris Jones pick was a big tell. I love Poe and would love to keep him but back injury and the fact we cannot afford him along with Fisher as some have said.