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.”

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

If Berry leaves, I'm sure the offense will step up its game to compensate.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Dagnabit

If Berry leaves, I'm sure the offense will step up its game to compensate.

This team would score 27 PPG with Romo....in the 2 games he would be healthy enough to suit up

[Urc Burry]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I'm a TN native and Berry is my favorite player.

That said, if you can get a first in 2018 and a pick this year....Pull the trigger.

Draft a FQB in 2018.

The only compensation we are getting for Berry if he leaves is a 3rd round comp pick. No one is giving up a high pick and 12 mil a year for a 28 year old non qb

[Red Dawg]

Boom. This is how it is and what I've been saying.

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2017/02/1...k-check-berry/

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

Boom. This is how it is and what I've been saying.

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2017/02/1...k-check-berry/

That touches on another point of concern for me, our track record of "paying" players.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Everyone wants to assume that the Chiefs did him a massive favor by paying him during his cancer battle?.... What else were they gonna do?

Do you really think they were gonna say, "Eh, too bad guy, good luck with your chemo and we'll keep all your money." Lol.

Here's the thing some of you aren't understanding...

When Eric Berry was diagnosed with cancer, the Chiefs paid Berry WHEN THEY DIDNT HAVE TO -BY RULE-. His disease wasn't a result of him playing football and I don't know of a single employer that would pay FULL WAGES for an employee that couldn't work for a year due to illness.

That's what insurance is for and that's why the Non-Football injury list exists. To cover NFL teams butts when things like that happen, so they can stay competitive.

The Chiefs didn't treat him like a business decision (which would have saved like 5m in cap space) they treated Eric Berry like a member of their FAMILY and IGNORED THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS and were like "Eric, we're gonna pay your full salary and were gonna do everything in our power to get you the best treatment in the world.

They treated him like a family member, not just a number.

The disapointing part about this whole thing is that the Chiefs treated Eric Berry like family and Eric Berry is treating KC 100% like business.

I guess I just think Eric is being an asshole here.

Especially with the whole "I'll sit out all year if you tag me" nonsense.

The Chiefs have paid Eric Berry MORE THAN ANY SAFETY IN NFL HISTORY ALREADY and have offered him fair pay to play his whole career in KC.

Him pushing for stupid money is not exactly the classy way to deal with the situation.

At least IMO.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Here's the thing some of you aren't understanding...

When Eric Berry was diagnosed with cancer, the Chiefs paid Berry WHEN THEY DIDNT HAVE TO -BY RULE-. His disease wasn't a result of him playing football and I don't know of a single employer that would pay FULL WAGES for an employee that couldn't work for a year due to illness.

That's what insurance is for and that's why the Non-Football injury list exists. To cover NFL teams butts when things like that happen, so they can stay competitive.

The Chiefs didn't treat him like a business decision (which would have saved like 5m in cap space) they treated Eric Berry like a member of their FAMILY and IGNORED THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS and were like "Eric, we're gonna pay your full salary and were gonna do everything in our power to get you the best treatment in the world.

They treated him like a family member, not just a number.

The disapointing part about this whole thing is that the Chiefs treated Eric Berry like family and Eric Berry is treating KC 100% like business.

I guess I just think Eric is being an asshole here.

Especially with the whole "I'll sit out all year if you tag me" nonsense.

The Chiefs have paid Eric Berry MORE THAN ANY SAFETY IN NFL HISTORY ALREADY and have offered him fair pay to play his whole career in KC.

Him pushing for stupid money is not exactly the classy way to deal with the situation.

At least IMO.

I understand that argument, I really do. And in part it's easy to see it that way. The thing is though, whether the Chiefs paid him or not Eric Berry has maybe 4 or 5 years left of full earning potential. The Chiefs will have unlimited earning potential as long as the NFL continues to be a viable product that people are willing to pay for. So I can also see it from the perspective of the side who's earning years are far more limited than the organization.

[The Franchise]

Why would Berry ever want to play on the tag again? We slapped him with the franchise tag and basically told him to prove his worth. He did....just like Justin Houston.

And I'd like to see anywhere that quotes Berry saying that he wants $14-15M a year.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Why would Berry ever want to play on the tag again? We slapped him with the franchise tag and basically told him to prove his worth. He did....just like Justin Houston.

And I'd like to see anywhere that quotes Berry saying that he wants $14-15M a year.

Then sign a reasonable deal and pay back the good will the team showed you already.

How about the quote I posted earlier from Andy Reid talking about how they can't pay everyone top of the league money?

And besides Laz, I don't know anyone who's using 15m...13.5-14m per is "top of the league money" after figuring in the increase to the cap.

We've been over this before.

Do you seriously not understand how this works?

I even showed how the contracts for elite safeties have increased proportionately to the rise in the salary cap over the last few years.

If you think Eric is going to take less than the numbers I've posted, I'm not sure how else I can explain it to you.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by raybec 4

I understand that argument, I really do. And in part it's easy to see it that way. The thing is though, whether the Chiefs paid him or not Eric Berry has maybe 4 or 5 years left of full earning potential. The Chiefs will have unlimited earning potential as long as the NFL continues to be a viable product that people are willing to pay for. So I can also see it from the perspective of the side who's earning years are far more limited than the organization.

Let me ask you a question about "earning potential"

By rule, his "earning potential" after his cancer diagnosis was -0- with the exception of whatever his insurance pays out.

Do you think many teams would have given Eric Berry anything more than a 1 year prove it deal if KC made a "business decision" and cut him the offseason after placing him on NFI?

I mean...KC has stepped up to the plate for Eric and backed him through everything.

So...

KC paid him 5m or so on NFI when they didn't have to
They kept him on the roster instead of forcing him to have to sell himself to the league as a guy that just beat cancer..probably ends up with a 1 year 5-6m deal in FA
KC paid him 11m last year.

Seems KC has done the right thing through all of this and that Eric isn't even showing good will in return.

[The Franchise]

And what exactly should this "good will" be?

$10 million a year? $9 million a year?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

And what exactly should this "good will" be?

$10 million a year? $9 million a year?

I'd be happy if Eric signed a carbon copy of Harrison Smiths deal plus a slight bump.

Harrison SmithS
Age: 28 Height: 6′ 2″ Weight: 214
College: Notre Dame Accrued Seasons: 5
League Entry: 2012 NFL Draft, Round 1, Pick 29 (Vikings)
Harrison Smith signed a five year contract extension with the Vikings on June 6, 2016 worth $51.25 million in new money Upon signing Smith received a $10 million signing bonus and a full guarantee of $15.278 million. The total guaranteed portion of the contract is worth $28.578 million. The injury only guarantees become fully guaranteed if Smith is on the roster on the 3rd day of the respective league year. There are annual per game active roster bonuses in Smith’s contract.

...

Honey badger splits time as a safety and corner, so that deal should be out, but I guarantee you Berrys agent is using that deal as the starting point.

I'd say 5years for something like 55-60m would be just fine...even though I still don't think he's worth that much. I'd be fine with it because it sends a message to the team and it keeps leadership in place.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I'd be happy if Eric signed a carbon copy of Harrison Smiths deal plus a slight bump.

Harrison SmithS
Age: 28 Height: 6′ 2″ Weight: 214
College: Notre Dame Accrued Seasons: 5
League Entry: 2012 NFL Draft, Round 1, Pick 29 (Vikings)
Harrison Smith signed a five year contract extension with the Vikings on June 6, 2016 worth $51.25 million in new money Upon signing Smith received a $10 million signing bonus and a full guarantee of $15.278 million. The total guaranteed portion of the contract is worth $28.578 million. The injury only guarantees become fully guaranteed if Smith is on the roster on the 3rd day of the respective league year. There are annual per game active roster bonuses in Smith’s contract.

...

Honey badger splits time as a safety and corner, so that deal should be out, but I guarantee you Berrys agent is using that deal as the starting point.

None of us really know what exactly Berry is asking for, I recall something last year saying they had agreed on money but were haggling over who would pay for the liability insurance in case he got sick again, I could be mistaken on that point though.

[scho63]

How many people think Berry would sit out any regular games or the entire season if the Chiefs popped the franchise tag on him again?

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Lets not jump to conclusions, we have zero idea what offers have been given to Berry... He deserves to be one of the two highest paid safeties in the league (including Mathieu).

What I've been saying since Berry claimed he 'wouldn't play under the tag' though is that actually could give KC some leverage. They will slap it on him before they let him walk, I have no doubts about that. So then they are going to have a few months to work something out, and I just don't see Berry sitting out and killing his market value rather than taking the Chiefs' offer.