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.”

[pugsnotdrugs19]

If Berry isn't going to be back, which I can't foresee, I hope we can tag and trade him. Get something back in return this year. I don't know what his trade value would be, but I think a 2nd and 4th round pick would be possible. Maybe a 2018 1st and 2017 3rd.

[BossChief]

Nobody is going to trade that much for a 29 year old safety with serious concerns.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Chiefs did him a favor so why isn't Berry doing the same for the organization? What else do we owe him? Our young players are carrying the weight on defense and we all know Berry is past his prime. Home team discount or GTFO, IMO.

we all know berry is past his prime but yet you swear alex smith is just entering his...

[Quesadilla Joe]

I'm told Tony Jefferson will hit the free agent market. Expectation from league sources is $7M+ per season.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 17, 2017

If I was KC, I'd much rather have Jefferson at $7M than Berry at $12M-$14M.

[RunKC]

Yeah the Chiefs should let Berry go and pay $7+M for a safety who has 2 career INT's in 4 years.

Quit trolling Knowmo

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Quesadilla Joe

I'm told Tony Jefferson will hit the free agent market. Expectation from league sources is $7M+ per season.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 17, 2017

If I was KC, I'd much rather have Jefferson at $7M than Berry at $12M-$14M.

That's because you are a stupid ****

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Yeah the Chiefs should let Berry go and pay $7+M for a safety who has 2 career INT's in 4 years.

Quit trolling Knowmo

I think you're underestimating Tony Jefferson...

2. Tony Jefferson, S, Arizona Cardinals

Entered league: 2013 undrafted free agent

2016 overall grade: 89.8 (No. 2 safety)

Since signing as an undrafted free agent, Jefferson has played over 2,400 snaps for the Cardinals the past three and a half seasons. And like Bouye, Jefferson re-signed the one-year tender for $1.67 million and has seen 2016 be by far his best season to date. He is currently allowing only a 44 percent completion rate into his coverage, as well as an NFL passer rating of 51.9—the lowest among safeties with more than seven targets into their coverage. Jefferson is also dominating in the run game, as he has yet to miss a tackle, and is the top safety in the league in run-stop percentage (9.2). Both he and Bouye will look to cash in as unrestricted free agents this offseason.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro...l-this-season/

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

That's because you are a stupid ****

You're being ignorant.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Berry carried the defense more than anyone in 2016. He single handedly won a game against the NFC champions. Yeah, I know every win is a team win, but without him we go 10-6 at best last year.

Peters was the biggest asset to this team.
Berry gave up the middle of field and allowed Walker and the Titans to get into field position for the game winner. He also failed to recognize that Houston was covering Antonio brown. 2015 he let Gronk bully him around in that playoff game.

It's just hard to justify this kind of pay for a safety, especially one headed into his thirties with signs of his speed letting up. Lockdown corner, elite Mike linebacker, or premier pass rusher... Sure.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Peters was the biggest asset to this team.
Berry gave up the middle of field and allowed Walker and the Titans to get into field position for the game winner. He also failed to recognize that Houston was covering Antonio brown. 2015 he let Gronk bully him around in that playoff game.

It's just hard to justify this kind of pay for a safety, especially one headed into his thirties with signs of his speed letting up. Lockdown corner, elite Mike linebacker, or premier pass rusher... Sure.

But we can totally pay $17 million for a QB that throws 1 TD a game.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Quesadilla Joe

You're being ignorant.

**** pff.

[Hootie]

In case you guys cared (you probably don't) - the Chiefs are most definitely going to give Berry a bunch of money (and this is good) and he'll be a Chief forever.

And I'm totally fine with Poe walking. Like the guy, but I'll take the 3rd rounder and wish him well in all future endeavors. Dude has become a bit overrated and I think we got the best years out of him anyways.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

**** pff.

I'd probably prefer Berry over Jefferson if Berry only wanted $10M. But if Berry is essentially asking for double of what Jefferson is, give me Jefferson all day.

You could sign two very good players for what Berry is asking.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

But we can totally pay $17 million for a QB that throws 1 TD a game.

It's Berry's fault for missing the open field vs Walker but not Alex for throwing an endzone pick.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by RunKC

It's Berry's fault for missing the open field vs Walker but not Alex for throwing an endzone pick.

Nope, that loss was on the defense for giving up 17 points.