With huge game vs. Oakland ahead, here’s why Chiefs’ Berry sat late against Seahawks

[T-post Tom]

With a towel over his head, Eric Berry watched on from the sideline as third-year safety Jordan Lucas took over his spot and played alongside Daniel Sorensen for the Seahawks’ final possession of the Chiefs’ 38-31 loss Sunday.

In Berry’s absence, Seattle completed a couple of deep passes and scored one more time to push the game out of reach.

Down by only four points with four minutes to go when Berry came out, the Chiefs were without their best defensive player for the second week in a row during crucial moments late in the fourth quarter.

After sitting the second half against the Chargers — including during L.A.’s game-winning 2-point conversion — Berry exited Sunday’s game following Seattle’s penultimate drive with 7:31 to play.

“You’ve got to go off of his feeling,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He hasn’t played in two years. I’m aware of that. I just, I don’t want to take any steps backward and neither does he. So we understand that. With the extended drives, snaps came out funny.

“He had every intention of going into the fourth quarter. It was just so many snaps he can take right now. He’s easing back into it. I have full trust in him. It’s not a matter. If he could’ve gone a half, we would’ve gone a half.”

Berry wound up playing in 69 of 80 defensive snaps Sunday — his highest since playing 70 in the 2017 season-opening win against the Patriots where he suffered the season-ending Achilles injury.

Berry didn’t have a hard cap to his snap limit, and Reid said the communication between the coaching staff and the safety was open throughout the game. It didn’t help that Seattle had possession the edge in time of possession 35:02 to the Chiefs’ 24:58.

“His numbers got up,” Reid said. “He was good right there. That was plenty. Again, just not taking anything back. And getting his legs back.

“There’s a lot to it. Not just that part of the injury, but getting his body back into playing.”

Though the Seahawks ran most plays away from Berry, the veteran had an undeniable influence on the game.

For rookie Charvarius Ward, Berry’s presence had a calming effect.

With Kendall Fuller out and Orlando Scandrick relegated to the sideline, the cornerback was making his first career start on the biggest of stages: Sunday Night Football. Primetime. A chance to clinch the No. 1 seed and home field advantage was on the line.

But for as anxious as he felt, Ward also felt like he was in good hands because Berry was playing with him.

“I was happy he was out there,” Ward said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to be out there if he wasn’t. He helped me out a lot. He’s a coach on the field. He knows all their plays, all their routes. He was telling me all the signals because I didn’t know all the signals and stuff. So he helped out a lot.”

Though Berry was missing from the final minutes of the game, Ward said he felt confident enough in the defensive call to play without Berry. In fact, Ward didn’t notice he was missing.

“I didn’t know he was out, to be honest,” Ward said. “I was focused in on my man. We were running a lot of man, so I was focused in on my man really.”

The Chiefs will wrap up the regular season Sunday afternoon against Oakland with a No. 1 seed and an AFC West title on the line for a third consecutive week. Berry’s limitations for that game aren’t yet known, but he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article223582415.html

[Bugeater]

Oh, and that too.

[Ribbs67]

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Yeah, if we're up 14 going into the last five minutes of the game, we should be fine.

Just checking..this isn't sarcasm....right..

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Ribbs67

Just checking..this isn't sarcasm....right..

What do you think

[Ribbs67]

I think that since I'm staying positive...that we will be fine.... ( As long as Sutton slips on some Ice coming into the stadium..and throws a hip...

[Bugeater]

I think ptlyon thinks we're doomed.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

3rd time. KC was 1 seed in both 95 & 97.

At least we won't be 13-3 this time.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

ooh, there's a great idea! Post a picture of something that is smarter than our coaching staff!

[IMG]
http://s0.thejournal.ie/media/2013/07/head-dent-630x421.jpg[/IMG]

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by Frazod

At least we won't be 13-3 this time.

I.believe 97 was a 2 seed but will.look it up

[ARROW2]

Had to take a couple for the league....er I mean team

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

I.believe 97 was a 2 seed but will.look it up

You are corredt, third time. It's the charm...

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Yeah, if we're up 14 going into the last five minutes of the game, we should be fine.

[Flying High D]

Originally Posted by Ribbs67

And seriously...the old addage of well if EB takes snaps off he will get cold...is old and played out! Dude is a VERY well paid professional football player?. How in the hell do the special teams guys ever go out for a play and make it back to the sidelines without being carted off? It's a ridiculous argument. Really..if you want to be out there, stay warmed up like everyone else on the damn team does. Be there for your damn team. If he would have / could have made a play in either of those games and had a stop someway? Hell the whole damn team including Maholmes could have rested this last game! ( He's banged up also). Quit covering for the damn guy, that obviously has no heart or spirit that gives a damn!

I've always had his back up until these last few games and hearing his comments afterwards..just a bad look all around.

Somebody just told CP how the cow ate the cabbage.