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]

The Raiders won't be signing any major FA's from this point on. Derek Carr is going to get $20 million and Justin Houston will look like aan extreme bargain when Khalil Mack gets an even bigger contract than Von Miller soon.

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

I really thought we would here some good news today with progress but it's all bad. I am afraid Berry will be gone next year for sure. Real bummer.

Not necessarily...but he would have the channel the spirit of Ronnie Lott/Ed Reed this year to justify what he's asking for. He's not at their level...

[Quesadilla Joe]

I'm told there was very little progress today between the #Chiefs and Eric Berry. Still appears unlikely a multi-year deal gets done.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 15, 2016

Broke down the Eric Berry situation in a lot more detail on @snapchat. Still surreal to consider a long-term deal may not get done.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 15, 2016

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by Smellway

It's a very real possibility.

His best seasons are probably behind him.

Wut in the actual **** makes you honestly believe that clay?

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

I'm told there was very little progress today between the #Chiefs and Eric Berry. Still appears unlikely a multi-year deal gets done.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 15, 2016

Broke down the Eric Berry situation in a lot more detail on @snapchat. Still surreal to consider a long-term deal may not get done.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) July 15, 2016

All that means is Dorsey isn't a fraud GM like Elway....he doesn't buckle from fan pressure and give out stupid contracts.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

All that means is Dorsey isn't a fraud GM like Elway....he doesn't buckle from fan pressure and give out stupid contracts.

Well, we'll see. There's plenty of time left to screw the pooch.

[O.city]

Where's the weatherman dude to tell us the deal is done

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, we'll see. There's plenty of time left to screw the pooch.

I cant see them tying a lot of money up in Berry....especially with more important player contracts coming up. Berry has a lot of media hype momentum...Dorsey has the tape. He may be good at life philosophy sermens in the LR...but he sure as shit bit on that pump fake by Brady.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

All that means is Dorsey isn't a fraud GM like Elway....he doesn't buckle from fan pressure and give out stupid contracts.

John Elway has more job security than any GM in sports, he doesn't have to worry about public opinion.

Dorsey does have a history of overpaying players to appease the fans, just look at Dwayne Bowe. If Elway was concerned with keeping the fans happy he would've kept Tebow, Julius Thomas, Decker, and Brock... but he didn't because he knows what he's doing.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

Wut in the actual **** makes you honestly believe that clay?

He'll certainly never have another 22 sack season.

Hali is about done, too. Given the Chiefs inability to find another edge rusher during Dorsey's tenure, it would be surprising if Houston ever saw as much traffic funneled his way due to a complementary presence.

I expect Houston to be a solid 8-10 sack guy the rest of his career. Hopefully.

[Chief Northman]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

John Elway has more job security than any GM in sports, he doesn't have to worry about public opinion.

Dorsey does have a history of overpaying players to appease the fans, just look at Dwayne Bowe. If Elway was concerned with keeping the fans happy he would've kept Tebow, Julius Thomas, Decker, and Brock... but he didn't because he knows what he's doing.

And you are clueless as usual.

Although the Bowe deal appeared exorbitant, it was more driven by lack of depth at the position, a weak FA receiver class and a weaker draft class at receiver. The fact Dorsey structured to get out of the Bowe commitment showed he knew what he was dealing with and assessed his new team roster admirably. Branden Albert was proved unreliable, and in a terrible year to be picking 1 overall, the Fisher pick is not looking as bad as the chicken littles made it out to be.

I like our GM fine. You'll see how good Elway/Kubiak are without the Manning farewell nod this year. Better hope Wade Phillips has all his defensive toys to play with, because that offense will be ASS.

[RunKC]

John Elway is paying Demaryius Thomas $15 million and CJ Anderson $6 million this season. Not to mention $4 million to Donald Stephenson.

Yeah that's not significantly overpaying for overrated players now is it?

Dorsey is paying Jeremy Maclin, Jamaal Charles and Mitchell Schwartz all less $$ at the same position and they are better players

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

John Elway has more job security than any GM in sports, he doesn't have to worry about public opinion.

Dorsey does have a history of overpaying players to appease the fans, just look at Dwayne Bowe. If Elway was concerned with keeping the fans happy he would've kept Tebow, Julius Thomas, Decker, and Brock... but he didn't because he knows what he's doing.

He's driving your team into the dirt......and pissing off players in the process. His "excellent" nose for the future landed you Sanchez...and delaying Millers contract cost an additional $10 million. Even the Denver press is calling him out...

He's nothing without Manning's bargaining weight...when they miss the play-offs this season, you'll realize this.

Teams are going to stack the box and make Sanchez beat them...good luck with that.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Since 2012 no WR in the NFL has more receiving yards than DT.

CJ's contract was structured purposefully to have a high first year salary, he'll only be making $3M next year.

And Stephenson is a cheap rental who has some upside in our zone scheme. If he works out great, if not he's still better than the guys we started in the Super Bowl.

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Since 2012 no WR in the NFL has more receiving yards than DT.

CJ's contract was structured purposefully to have a high first year salary, he'll only be making $3M next year.

And Stephenson is a cheap rental who has some upside in our zone scheme. If he works out great, if not he's still better than the guys we started in the Super Bowl.

You cant come to a KC site a try to sell Stephenson..you mope. We know what he is...a terrible move by Elway...up there with Sanchez. KC improved by him just being gone... let alone starting for a rival.

Fans are already regretting DT...wishing they would have signed Sanders instead. The guy drops all kinds of shit and disappears in big games.