Chiefs Whitlock: For the Chiefs, Berry is the ideal choice - Page 4

**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.

crazycoffey · 04-23-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

If you knew he returned why would you ask if he could?

Just asking a question you know the answer to?

Well, I asked if he could be, not if he had been;
watching film since he was drafted, noticed he looked pretty good at it, and while returning INTs, wondered why there hadn't been talk about him being a return guy at this level before.

Shit Mecca, I can't even ask questions to your liking? LOL

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 04-23-2010, 12:24 AM

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

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!!!

**Rausch** · 04-23-2010, 12:25 AM

No on Berry as a return guy.

How 'bout we don't risk out most talented defender getting rocked for an extra 5 yards of field position...

FAX · 04-23-2010, 12:26 AM

colquitt kickd jw's jowls?

You know, I never completely understood the continuous and ongoing hue and cry for the return of tag things (I was, apparently, on hiatus when tag things were initially introduced), but now, at last, I do. Clearly, tag things provide for inherently insightful and thought-provoking individual commentary. I have no idea what they're good for, but they are quite obviously a remarkable and extraordinarily effective communication method.

FAX

crazycoffey · 04-23-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

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

well played, but whitless is still whitless.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

No on Berry as a return guy.

How 'bout we don't risk out most talented defender getting rocked for an extra 5 yards of field position...

can certainly understand the sentiment, but it's worked for other teams, and in the past, woodson, reed, bailey, etc etc.

**Rausch** · 04-23-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

well played, but whitless is still whitless.....

can certainly understand the sentiment, but it's worked for other teams, and in the past, woodson, reed, bailey, etc etc.

Know how Rod Woodson went from a CB to a FS?...

crazycoffey · 04-23-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Know how Rod Woodson went from a CB to a FS?...

he was aging, not as fast as he used to be but still made a better safety than most. I was referring to charles in my last post, but he would work too. Again, though, I do understand your argument, and not really trying to argue against it.

**Rausch** · 04-23-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCoffey

he was aging, not as fast as he used to be but still made a better safety than most. I was referring to charles in my last post, but he would work too. Again, though, I do understand your argument, and not really trying to argue against it.

He got his shit blown out during a return...

Ebolapox · 04-23-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

Ahh yes.

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

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID, KNOWWHATI'MSAYING?!?

Mecca · 04-23-2010, 12:54 AM

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

Coach · 04-23-2010, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

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

That'd be a good choice to use in the day 3 draft, filling up some depth while finding some guy who can flat out fly or has some production as a returner only, who also could contribute to the offense or defense to a degree.

**Rausch** · 04-23-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

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

Why are you throwing up so much hate on the Tate?...

Mecca · 04-23-2010, 01:25 AM

Oh I don't like Golden Tate for the Chiefs pick, you'd have to take him at the top of the 2nd and I like the defensive players better.

**Rausch** · 04-23-2010, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Oh I don't like Golden Tate for the Chiefs pick, you'd have to take him at the top of the 2nd and I like the defensive players better.

I think the need is greater on offense now that we don't have a complete reerun as a DC...

Hammock Parties · 04-23-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I think the need is greater on offense now that we don't have a complete reerun as a DC...

The Chiefs have shit at ILB, shit at NT, and only one OLB worth a shit.

Crennel isn't going to turn Ron Edwards, Corey Mays or Mike Vrabel into good players.

Front seven has to be addressed in the 2nd at some point.

04-22-2010, 10:53 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2807187	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: 43,428

04-23-2010, 12:26 AM	#49
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	colquitt kickd jw's jowls? You know, I never completely understood the continuous and ongoing hue and cry for the return of tag things (I was, apparently, on hiatus when tag things were initially introduced), but now, at last, I do. Clearly, tag things provide for inherently insightful and thought-provoking individual commentary. I have no idea what they're good for, but they are quite obviously a remarkable and extraordinarily effective communication method. FAX
Posts: 44,492

04-23-2010, 12:54 AM	#55
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	I'd hope the team can find a returner who is not one of the teams key players.
Posts: 115,264

04-23-2010, 01:25 AM	#58
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	Oh I don't like Golden Tate for the Chiefs pick, you'd have to take him at the top of the 2nd and I like the defensive players better.
Posts: 115,264