Chiefs Whitlock: For the Chiefs, Berry is the ideal choice - Page 5

**Tribal Warfare** · 04-22-2010, 10:53 PM

For the Chiefs, Berry is the ideal choice
JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY

Eric Berry’s resume is the most impressive I’ve ever read.

In the moments after the Chiefs made the Tennessee safety the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s draft, I read Berry’s full resume, and upon completion I felt stupid for championing Dez Bryant as my favorite player in this draft.

Oh, I still think Bryant is going to be a great player.

But Eric Berry might be the perfect football player.

Like his dad, he started for three years at Tennessee and captained the Volunteers. Coming out of high school, Berry was ranked the No. 1 defensive back prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He graduated high school with a 3.75 grade-point average and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was an immediate starter at Tennessee and started every game he played there. In 39 career games, he was flagged for one penalty — pass interference as a freshman.

He was a two-time unanimous All-America selection.

I could go on and on, repeating his accomplishments on the field. Let me offer a simple summation:

Eric Berry is smart, mature, talented and comes from a solid family.

Actually that’s a boring summary. Eric Berry is freakishly talented and blessed with uncanny maturity and football instincts.

How about this? He’s Terrell Owens with brains and class.

When Chiefs coach Todd Haley emerged from Kansas City’s draft room, Haley shared a bit of insight into Berry’s character, relating how Berry had helped the Tennessee equipment managers shine helmets on Fridays before games.

If Tim Tebow had legitimate NFL talent, you might compare him to Eric Berry.

This was a great pick. Berry and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were the only can’t-miss prospects in this draft. Only an injury will stop Berry from being a 10-year starter in the NFL.

When you’re drafting at No. 5 and you’re forced to dump millions of guaranteed dollars on a kid, you want a sure thing and a player you believe can handle the money.

If you watched the draft on the NFL Network or ESPN, you might have noticed how many players were wearing huge diamond bracelets, huge diamond watches and huge diamond earrings.

Before they signed an NFL contract, many of the players had already gone $100,000 in debt so they could sport the “right” look on draft night.

Berry and Suh were two players I noticed who hadn’t dropped a hunk of cash on jewelry for draft night.

For some kids, the NFL draft is a winning lottery ticket — an answer to their financial prayers. For other kids, the draft is a step along a journey to prove they’re the best football players in the world.

Every player appreciates and enjoys the money. But for some young players, the money breaks them, kills their drive. The money is the destination.

For kids like Berry, football immortality is the destination. The money will take care of itself.

That’s my read on why the Chiefs drafted Berry with the top pick. Clark Hunt can rest easy. His money won’t be wasted on a kid unwilling to give his best effort. Money broke Larry Johnson and Ryan Sims. It might prove to be the downfall of Dwayne Bowe and Glenn Dorsey.

For the most part, every kid in the first round of the draft has talent, the skill to excel at the next level. The character intangibles often separate the so-so players from the good-to-great players.

Yes, I wanted the Chiefs to take a chance on Dez Bryant, a kid with questionable character. But I’m a risk-taker, and I believe the Chiefs need an upgrade at receiver if we’re ever going to get a fair read on quarterback Matt Cassel.

But the selection of Berry makes total sense. He’s going to make an impact on the field, in the locker room and in the community.

If he’s available in the fourth or fifth round, I hope the Chiefs select Florida State Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, another high-character safety. I’d love to see Berry and Rolle at the back of Kansas City’s defense.

Mecca · 04-23-2010, 01:56 AM

I think I'd rather go with Damian Williams at the 2nd 2nd round pick and go with a defender at the first one.

milkman · 04-23-2010, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I've waited since 94.

HURRY THE MOTHER**** UP...

What the hell?

Is that when you started watching Chiefs football?

I've been waiting since 19****ing71.

milkman · 04-23-2010, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

It's going to be nice around here with the hate throttled back a tad. As many of us have said for awhile, it takes time to rebuild a franchise and our FO got a late start last year. Although mistakes have been made, they're redeeming themselves and it's really good to see their critics backing off a little.

Patience is necessary in our situation. After all, it's a process.

FAX

They made one good decision.

That's a start to redemption, but they have a hell of a lot of work to do before they are actually redeeming themselves.

**the Talking Can** · 04-23-2010, 04:56 AM

Whitlock didn't know anything about Berry before the pick?

what a joke...dumbass

FAX · 04-23-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

They made one good decision.

That's a start to redemption, but they have a hell of a lot of work to do before they are actually redeeming themselves.

Well, getting redeemed and all is a process too, Mr. milkman.

FAX

SenselessChiefsFan · 04-23-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

Ahh yes.

P.S. Sorry guys, that's as big as it gets...

DTLB58 · 04-23-2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'd hope the team can find a returner who is not one of the teams key players.

Agreed. Cause then we just end up with the Dante thing again, scaling back his return duties because he gets tired. So then he just returns either punts or kickoffs not both then we need to find yet another guy.

Get a guy in the 5th or UDFA to be the return/ST guy full time.

Reerun_KC · 04-23-2010, 06:48 AM

Nice back pedal Jason....

DTLB58 · 04-23-2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Whitlock didn't know anything about Berry before the pick?

what a joke...dumbass

Yea, He just basically said I fully ignored this guy preparing for who the Chiefs should have taken. Why would you admit this?

**BigRedChief** · 04-23-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

So, now that Whitlock has come clean and admitted his **** up, will Nick "Assclown" Athan?

When was this posted?
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs Insider
Barry has never been on the Chiefs radar. They feel they can get a solid safety in the second round and they are correct. Chiefs need more picks Suh is the only guy at Five they won't pass on. But hey that could change!!!

OmahaChief · 04-23-2010, 07:52 AM

That was one of the best written Whitock pieces I have ever seen. I actually learned a lot about Berry as a person and player in that article. I was happy to get the kid yesterday but after reading his article I am estatic. Two things really stuck out to me
1. He only was flagged for one pentality in college and that was as a freshman..that is amazing
2. He helped shine helmets with the staff...that shows character beyond his years.

Love this pick and am so happy to have a guy like this in KC.

GO CHIEFS!

chiefvol33 · 04-23-2010, 10:24 AM

About the return man...Berry is more dynamic with the ball in his hands than any defensive player I’ve ever seen, college or NFL, and it’s really not close. It won’t let me link, but he played an option QB in HS and the videos show you a hint of his ability with the ball. By far his best attribute are his ball skills. They are literally off the charts.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 04-23-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

When was this posted?
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs Insider
Barry has never been on the Chiefs radar. They feel they can get a solid safety in the second round and they are correct. Chiefs need more picks Suh is the only guy at Five they won't pass on. But hey that could change!!!

Yesterday. 30 minutes before the draft.

Mr. Laz · 04-23-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Let me get this straight. Whittles knew little or nothing about Berry until after the pick and now prefers him to Dez? Is that what I just read?

FAX

yes ... which fits Whitlocks SOP perfectly.

he saw a talented black guy getting a bad PR so he wanted to go to bat for him.

04-22-2010, 10:53 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $812813	Whitlock: For the Chiefs, Berry is the ideal choice For the Chiefs, Berry is the ideal choice JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY Eric Berry’s resume is the most impressive I’ve ever read. In the moments after the Chiefs made the Tennessee safety the No. 5 pick in Thursday’s draft, I read Berry’s full resume, and upon completion I felt stupid for championing Dez Bryant as my favorite player in this draft. Oh, I still think Bryant is going to be a great player. But Eric Berry might be the perfect football player. Like his dad, he started for three years at Tennessee and captained the Volunteers. Coming out of high school, Berry was ranked the No. 1 defensive back prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He graduated high school with a 3.75 grade-point average and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was an immediate starter at Tennessee and started every game he played there. In 39 career games, he was flagged for one penalty — pass interference as a freshman. He was a two-time unanimous All-America selection. I could go on and on, repeating his accomplishments on the field. Let me offer a simple summation: Eric Berry is smart, mature, talented and comes from a solid family. Actually that’s a boring summary. Eric Berry is freakishly talented and blessed with uncanny maturity and football instincts. How about this? He’s Terrell Owens with brains and class. When Chiefs coach Todd Haley emerged from Kansas City’s draft room, Haley shared a bit of insight into Berry’s character, relating how Berry had helped the Tennessee equipment managers shine helmets on Fridays before games. If Tim Tebow had legitimate NFL talent, you might compare him to Eric Berry. This was a great pick. Berry and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh were the only can’t-miss prospects in this draft. Only an injury will stop Berry from being a 10-year starter in the NFL. When you’re drafting at No. 5 and you’re forced to dump millions of guaranteed dollars on a kid, you want a sure thing and a player you believe can handle the money. If you watched the draft on the NFL Network or ESPN, you might have noticed how many players were wearing huge diamond bracelets, huge diamond watches and huge diamond earrings. Before they signed an NFL contract, many of the players had already gone $100,000 in debt so they could sport the “right” look on draft night. Berry and Suh were two players I noticed who hadn’t dropped a hunk of cash on jewelry for draft night. For some kids, the NFL draft is a winning lottery ticket — an answer to their financial prayers. For other kids, the draft is a step along a journey to prove they’re the best football players in the world. Every player appreciates and enjoys the money. But for some young players, the money breaks them, kills their drive. The money is the destination. For kids like Berry, football immortality is the destination. The money will take care of itself. That’s my read on why the Chiefs drafted Berry with the top pick. Clark Hunt can rest easy. His money won’t be wasted on a kid unwilling to give his best effort. Money broke Larry Johnson and Ryan Sims. It might prove to be the downfall of Dwayne Bowe and Glenn Dorsey. For the most part, every kid in the first round of the draft has talent, the skill to excel at the next level. The character intangibles often separate the so-so players from the good-to-great players. Yes, I wanted the Chiefs to take a chance on Dez Bryant, a kid with questionable character. But I’m a risk-taker, and I believe the Chiefs need an upgrade at receiver if we’re ever going to get a fair read on quarterback Matt Cassel. But the selection of Berry makes total sense. He’s going to make an impact on the field, in the locker room and in the community. If he’s available in the fourth or fifth round, I hope the Chiefs select Florida State Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, another high-character safety. I’d love to see Berry and Rolle at the back of Kansas City’s defense.
Posts: 42,113

04-23-2010, 01:56 AM	#61
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2517050	I think I'd rather go with Damian Williams at the 2nd 2nd round pick and go with a defender at the first one.
Posts: 111,011

04-23-2010, 04:56 AM	#64
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	Whitlock didn't know anything about Berry before the pick? what a joke...dumbass __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

04-23-2010, 06:48 AM	#68
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	Nice back pedal Jason....
Posts: 934

04-23-2010, 07:52 AM	#71
OmahaChief Down with Nino Brown Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Omaha Casino cash: $9435000	That was one of the best written Whitock pieces I have ever seen. I actually learned a lot about Berry as a person and player in that article. I was happy to get the kid yesterday but after reading his article I am estatic. Two things really stuck out to me 1. He only was flagged for one pentality in college and that was as a freshman..that is amazing 2. He helped shine helmets with the staff...that shows character beyond his years. Love this pick and am so happy to have a guy like this in KC. GO CHIEFS!
Posts: 3,616

04-23-2010, 10:24 AM	#72
chiefvol33 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	About the return man...Berry is more dynamic with the ball in his hands than any defensive player I’ve ever seen, college or NFL, and it’s really not close. It won’t let me link, but he played an option QB in HS and the videos show you a hint of his ability with the ball. By far his best attribute are his ball skills. They are literally off the charts.
Posts: 7