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.”

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

This is what I've been saying. Staylor and Dane are just unstable weirdos. "YOU REALLY THINK SOME TEAM'S GOING TO PAY HIM A LOT OF MONEY!?! SRSLY BRO!?!"

Someone will overpay for him.

So, Staylor is using a "crystal ball" by stating that teams will be cautious and not overpay, yet your using, what again?, to prove that he's wrong.

Brilliant argument.

[staylor26]

It's worth mentioning that Berry isn't likely to go somewhere he's going to lose. He's as as close as he's ever been to winning a championship. I highly doubt he goes to the type of team that would be dumb enough to do such a thing.

Raiders aren't even an option. They have to pay their own guys now.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Still can't believe we dropped the ball on this. The guy deserves to get paid.

players don't deserve shit

It's a business on both sides not just when the player says so.

Last year the Chiefs made an exception for Berry, this year Berry is say 'it's a business, tough shit'

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by staylor26

It's worth mentioning that Berry isn't likely to go somewhere he's going to lose. He's as as close as he's ever been to winning a championship. I highly doubt he goes to the type of team that would be dumb enough to do such a thing.

Raiders aren't even an option. They have to pay their own guys now.

Yeah, I just looked at Carolina's depth chart. It was shit.

Chew on that.

[Deberg_1990]

Denver will find a way to fit him in

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And the Chiefs didn't need to pay the remainder of Berry's 2014 salary after he was placed on the NFI list, but they did pay it.

Berry's camp is being unreasonable.

I believe they are too. I don't think the insurance policy was a deal breaker, but I do think the Chiefs should pay the premium if they want to be the beneficiary.
I think both sides are way apart on the numbers.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I believe they are too. I don't think the insurance policy was a deal breaker, but I do think the Chiefs should pay the premium if they want to be the beneficiary.
I think both sides are way apart on the numbers.

The Chiefs should absolutely not pay for a $2 million dollar premium in the event that Berry's cancer returns. They paid Berry $2,625,000 dollars in 2014 that they were not obligated to pay when he was placed on the NFL list. That money could have been rolled over into 2015, giving them that much more cap space.

Why should they be required to pay out $2 million more in case Berry's cancer returns?

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Dagnabit

Yeah, I just looked at Carolina's depth chart. It was shit.

Chew on that.

Carolina has both of their DT's set to hit free agency, one of which is going to command an elite contract. They also have to play Ealy soon. We aren't the only good team with a tight cap.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Denver will find a way to fit him in

Unfortunately, this.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The Chiefs should absolutely not pay for a $2 million dollar premium in the event that Berry's cancer returns. They paid Berry $2,625,000 dollars in 2014 that they were not obligated to pay when he was placed on the NFL list. That money could have been rolled over into 2015, giving them that much more cap space.

Why should they be required to pay out $2 million more in case Berry's cancer returns?

It is very unusual for that to be a requirement, I think there has only been one other time that has even happened, Colin Kaepernick.
I also believe there are other ways to protect their investment or to get it back if the cancer was to return, very similar to what has been used in the past when negotiating contracts with players that have off field issues.
If the Chiefs were wanting to use paying him that money as leverage in future contract negotiations it was a mistake and should not have done that.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

It is very unusual for that to be a requirement, I think there has only been one other time that has even happened, Colin Kaepernick.

It's a product of the new CBA and guaranteed money. Kaepernick purchased it without a peep.

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I also believe there are other ways to protect their investment or to get it back if the cancer was to return, very similar to what has been used in the past when negotiating contracts with players that have off field issues.

"Off the field" issues are nothing like cancer. Why in the world would anyone sign a contract that stipulated that "If my cancer returns, I promise to return all of my guaranteed money?". That's ludicrous.

Disability Insurance can cover that at the player's expense, not the club. The club isn't failing to pay the player, are they?

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

If the Chiefs were wanting to use paying him that money as leverage in future contract negotiations it was a mistake and should not have done that.

Bullshit.

Berry has a unique situation happening. If he hadn't returned last season, he wouldn't even be in a discussion about signing a long term contract.

His cancer could return at any time in the next four years and cancer isn't caused by playing in the NFL. If he can't play, the Chiefs salary cap (or any team that chose to sign him) would be screwed due to contractally guaranteed money.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Carolina has both of their DT's set to hit free agency, one of which is going to command an elite contract. They also have to play Ealy soon. We aren't the only good team with a tight cap.

they can afford to let good positional players go because of their franchise QB and franchise ILBer.

example: dropping Josh Norman like he was a sack of potatoes nobody and replacing him with 100 draft picks

Can the Chiefs do the same with someone like Berry? I think they should. A lot of people though defend their fan favorites regardless of what might be a good business move

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And the Chiefs didn't need to pay the remainder of Berry's 2014 salary after he was placed on the NFI list, but they did pay it.

Berry's camp is being unreasonable.

Absolutely

He has been treated more than fair by this regime, the dude got a huge rookie deal and of course the money you mention here that they were under NO obligation to pay

[Red Dawg]

I said it before I will say it again. Berry screwed us over a few bucks. No way Dorsey didn't offer him 10 mil per year with like 25 mil guranteed. That is a fair deal and he said no because it's not 12 mil for 30. Chiefs stood behind him in 14 and then he said " So what".


All his bullshit about family and wanting to be Chief is horse shit. He just wanted to be the highest paid safety. If he wanted to be in KC he would have signed.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

I said it before I will say it again. Berry screwed us over a few bucks. No way Dorsey didn't offer him 10 mil per year with like 25 mil guranteed. That is a fair deal and he said no because it's not 12 mil for 30. Chiefs stood behind him in 14 and then he said " So what".


All his bullshit about family and wanting to be Chief is horse shit. He just wanted to be the highest paid safety. If he wanted to be in KC he would have signed.

He's screwing himself more than the Chiefs.

The Chiefs can move on, draft another player, etc. and so on.

If Berry's cancer returns, instead of having $25 million in the bank and a $20 million dollar disability plan, he's on his own.

They can NFI him and not pay another cent.