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.”

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Looks like Dorsey is agreeing with what Dane said. The Chiefs felt Berry wasn't worth the $12 million price point.

Can see why Dorsey would think this. 48th in INT's last year, 10 overall in his career.
Passing league and Berry's position as a box safety is just not valuable like it used to be.

Still think this would have a big affect on the locker room though. Don't blame Dorsey for thinking this.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

You are way too emotionally invested in this stuff.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Why would anyone think he would take a paycut?

Players rarely take paycuts with their existing team. They try the market and take less money someplace new if they have to. Just they way it works.

Last year we were arguing about this same shit and i said then that Berry wouldn't take the paycut and that a SS isn't worth 10+ m per and everyone freaked out.

I don't give a single shit whether the Chiefs label him at FS, he still plays like a SS. Berry has one more year to become Ed Reed or we let him walk. That stupid Pos Crennel should never work in the league again for putting a safety drafted in the top 5 at SS. Stupid ****er.

Outstanding!! I love this statement and it is sooooo true No, he does not have to become a ballhawk, but for the amount of money he wants...he better damn well be.

[Marcellus]

I will take a healthy Berry on a contract year looking to prove something and wreck shit this season.

Lets see what you got.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I will take a healthy Berry on a contract year looking to prove something and wreck shit this season.

Lets see what you got.

Yeah, the Chiefs should just start giving out $10.8 million dollar Franchise contracts for guys to "Prove it".

If you're not reeruned, I'd like to see some proof.

[Meatloaf]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, the Chiefs should just start giving out $10.8 million dollar Franchise contracts for guys to "Prove it".

If you're not reeruned, I'd like to see some proof.

Dane, I'm thinking what he was getting at was that although Berry is good, hopefully a contract year will stimulate him into being GREAT. I'm skeptical just because I don't think he's a great coverage guy, but I guess he could surprise.....but probably not.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, the Chiefs should just start giving out $10.8 million dollar Franchise contracts for guys to "Prove it".

If you're not reeruned, I'd like to see some proof.

What is your solution to this? Drop the tag and let him walk?

Are you implying players on contract years dont show some extra motivation much of the time?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

What is your solution to this? Drop the tag and let him walk?

Are you implying players on contract years dont show some extra motivation much of the time?

Rescind the tag, take the $10.8 and roll it over into to 2017.

FWIW, I have to give props to DJ for posting the solution first,

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Rescind the tag, take the $10.8 and roll it over into to 2017.

FWIW, I have to give props to DJ for posting the solution first,

And have Parker, a rookie, Fleming, Brown and Sorenson?

That is scary.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by RunKC

And have Parker, a rookie, Fleming, Brown and Sorenson?

That is scary.

It was also "scary" in 2014 with Parker and less talented scrubs, yet they did fine.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It was also "scary" in 2014 with Parker and less talented scrubs, yet they did fine.

2-3 finish and missed the playoffs?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by O.city

2-3 finish and missed the playoffs?

Are you blaming the defense?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Are you blaming the defense?

Are you saying they wouldn't be better with berry?

[O.city]

Iirc, the defense did have 1 pants shitting against the broncos but that was a team effort all around.

The "not giving up a 300 yard passer" moniker was great but a little misleading. They had a near all time sack artist going off and they played alot of soft zone, bend don't break defense that didn't create alot of turnovers.

That can work but I like the aggressive style more

[RunKC]

The Chiefs got massive amounts of pressure on the QB in the 2 wins without Berry in 2014. At least 4 sacks in both wins.

I wouldn't consider the Chiefs performance without Berry as them being "fine".

The defense could struggle with With all 3 OLB's having ?'s this year.