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.”

[BlackOp]

The good news is he'll be playing for his next contract...so should have a decent season.

[Meatloaf]

Frankly, I'm surprised they couldn't agree, but at the same time, I'm glad we didn't break the bank on the safety position. At this point, kudos to Dorsey.

[staylor26]

So is there any way a safety that's in remission gets a huge contract when he'll be turning 29 next December?

I think Berry and his agent are misjudging his market value next year.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

How is it a win for Berry if he's forced to use that money from the contract to pay for a premium that would only cover the Chiefs?

The Chiefs are giving him insane money. $2m for a premium is nothing considering he's making 5X that in 1 year.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The Chiefs aren't allowed to negotiate with Berry during the season.

My memory was that they still could but if they reached an agreement, they couldn't use the franchise tag again for the duration of the deal.

Then again, that understanding came years ago (maybe during a Will Shields negotiation) and it's quite possible that those rules are long gone.

In either event, I'd still rather trade him than pay him $11 million for one year. That's just a bad investment for a safety and it puts the Chiefs that much further away for any long-term extension. Clearly it's not going to happen at this point as the Chiefs have made clear that their value on Berry does not match is. Next season, their leverage is only reduced by the fact that he'd get a 20% raise on this year's figure if tagged again.

I'd still see if he can be moved out for a 2nd. Steve Brown is still on the squad and Jimmy Wilson can still be had. Parker played the single-high role nicely alongside Abdullah and I still think Fleming can give us what Abdullah/Demps did for a season.

Moving Berry for a 2nd would do a ton to help our cap next season and give us the pick we could use to replace him with a similarly high-end safety prospect.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by RunKC

The Chiefs are giving him insane money. $2m for a premium is nothing considering he's making 5X that in 1 year.

And that they donated $7 million to him during his cancer recovery.

Time to go ahead and torch this bridge, IMO. Each camp has said its piece and it's time to recognize reality and move along.

[Meatloaf]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

My memory was that they still could but if they reached an agreement, they couldn't use the franchise tag again for the duration of the deal.

Then again, that understanding came years ago (maybe during a Will Shields negotiation) and it's quite possible that those rules are long gone.

In either event, I'd still rather trade him than pay him $11 million for one year. That's just a bad investment for a safety and it puts the Chiefs that much further away for any long-term extension. Clearly it's not going to happen at this point as the Chiefs have made clear that their value on Berry does not match is. Next season, their leverage is only reduced by the fact that he'd get a 20% raise on this year's figure if tagged again.

I'd still see if he can be moved out for a 2nd. Steve Brown is still on the squad and Jimmy Wilson can still be had. Parker played the single-high role nicely alongside Abdullah and I still think Fleming can give us what Abdullah/Demps did for a season.

Moving Berry for a 2nd would do a ton to help our cap next season and give us the pick we could use to replace him with a similarly high-end safety prospect.

I kinda like this approach too. Count me in.

[Chief Roundup]

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...f?sf31064061=1

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by staylor26

So is there any way a safety that's in remission gets a huge contract when he'll be turning 29 next December?

I think Berry and his agent are misjudging his market value next year.

if he plays like he did in 2015 then he will get paid in FA next year.

if he gets hurt or has any off the field health issues during the 2016 season his market will take a massive hit

This is the true betting on yourself scenario. He's either going to make a ton of money or lose out on a ton of money after this season.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Moving Berry for a 2nd would do a ton to help our cap next season and give us the pick we could use to replace him with a similarly high-end safety prospect.

It would make sense for teams like Tennessee and Cleveland, both of whom have extra picks next year, or teams like Atlanta, the NY Giants, Dallas, Detroit and Chicago, all of whom want to upgrade their secondaries.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And that they donated $7 million to him during his cancer recovery.

Time to go ahead and torch this bridge, IMO. Each camp has said its piece and it's time to recognize reality and move along.

Not that I don't believe this, but source?

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

My memory was that they still could but if they reached an agreement, they couldn't use the franchise tag again for the duration of the deal.

Then again, that understanding came years ago (maybe during a Will Shields negotiation) and it's quite possible that those rules are long gone.

In either event, I'd still rather trade him than pay him $11 million for one year. That's just a bad investment for a safety and it puts the Chiefs that much further away for any long-term extension. Clearly it's not going to happen at this point as the Chiefs have made clear that their value on Berry does not match is. Next season, their leverage is only reduced by the fact that he'd get a 20% raise on this year's figure if tagged again.

I'd still see if he can be moved out for a 2nd. Steve Brown is still on the squad and Jimmy Wilson can still be had. Parker played the single-high role nicely alongside Abdullah and I still think Fleming can give us what Abdullah/Demps did for a season.

Moving Berry for a 2nd would do a ton to help our cap next season and give us the pick we could use to replace him with a similarly high-end safety prospect.

According to Dorsey they won't pickup negotiations until the next window after the season ends.
http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...f?sf31064061=1

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...f?sf31064061=1

Statement from Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey Regarding Safety Eric Berry
Posted 4 minutes ago
“Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a long-term agreement with Eric’s representatives before today’s deadline. Although both sides would have preferred a different outcome, Eric is a true professional and a tremendous football player, and we know that he will continue to be a leader in our locker room. We look forward to resuming our discussions on a long-term agreement when the negotiating window reopens after the season.”

- Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Not that I don't believe this, but source?

It's the discussion over whether or not they should've cut his pay on the NFI.

When a player is put on the NFI, their salary can be reduced to the league minimum and it doesn't count against the cap. The Chiefs could've done that with Berry but they didn't. They paid him his full salary for the duration of his time on the NFI.

Now admittedly, I'm going from memory on his salary that year and how many games he missed so it may be high. It's probably nearer $4-5 million.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...f?sf31064061=1

Hey, look, a very rational and pragmatic statement from one of the main parties involved in this negotiation. This is probably why he is the general manager of a NFL franchise and the rest of us our spouting our opinions on a message board.