Berry re-ups

[Skkorpion]

I am much more excited about this then Haggans 19 tackles and 1 sack in 11 games.

A point you've often made before that is a bit unfair. You're not getting a free pass on this one, schmo. There were other factors and you are choosing to minimize them including:

1. Clark Haggans was not supposed to be a starter. He was to spell Berry and LaBoy. I won't spend time checking the game logs on the Cards site but I doubt he played a whole lot of downs.

2. From Darren Urban's article on Haggans' re-signing

Haggans had 27 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery before missing 10 of the final 11 games – including all four postseason games – with a left foot injury and subsequent surgery. Haggans was placed on injured reserve Dec. 19.

To me, both Berry and Haggans were good stopgap signings and I even agree with you that Berry was and will be of more impact than Berry. With better health, Haggans should produce better stats. His problems this year were unrelated to his past history of concussions.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

I just wish it was longer than one year, but at least he'll be back.

 

[ajcardfan]

To me, both Berry and Haggans were good stopgap signings and I even agree with you that Berry was and will be of more impact than Berry. With better health, Haggans should produce better stats. His problems this year were unrelated to his past history of concussions.

I agree Skkorp. And, I think Haggans played a little bit better than his stats would indicate. He had put pretty good pressure on the QB with numerous hits. He was also decent in coverage.

 

[Ryanwb]

Berry rules

 

[TigToad]

I'm stoked by this signing. It is not the :championship: signing, but Berry will be on the field for half the plays and bust his ass to contribute in all of them. The rotation last year left him fresh and he was a playmaker when he was on the field. He's one of those heart guys that can inspire the D to be play better and I'm very glad to have him in Cardinal red another year. Woo!

 

[D-Dogg]

While he may not be young, he's a great team leader and influence in the lockerroom.

You can't help but love Bert.

 

[Redheart]

I agree on the love for B-Train.

He will retire a Cardinal, but he wants a ring as bad as anyone on this team.

If Laboy and Bro-hawk can stay healthy, Berry will again be a force on this team.

I hope he got paid well for this coming year; I know he will earn it (if he stays healthy).

 

[seesred]

I'm glad to still see Berry in Red. His signing is a berry, berry good thing!

GBR
40

 

[joeshmo]

A point you've often made before that is a bit unfair. You're not getting a free pass on this one, schmo. There were other factors and you are choosing to minimize them including:

1. Clark Haggans was not supposed to be a starter. He was to spell Berry and LaBoy. I won't spend time checking the game logs on the Cards site but I doubt he played a whole lot of downs.

Dont care if you give me a free pass or not, Haggans played a lot of downs. Both as the run down LB in place of Berry and Laboy on the predator LB side, especially in the red zone and as a rotational guy for Okeafer between the 20's. In 11 games he had plenty of opportunites and snaps. Our whole front seven was predicated on rotation and we rotated our guys in and out of different schemes often. Now admittadly he was not asked to blitz often, he was asked to contain a lot more often then blitz. Ralph Brown had more tackles then Haggans, you telling me Ralph Brown had more opportunites then Haggans, Raph Brown didnt get any playing time until Green was benched half way through the season. There isnt enough so called factors in the world besides leadership qualities to get excited about the 20th leading tackler on the team, or the tied for 8th leading sacker on the team.

Also dont trust what the team site stats give you. They tend to pad stats to make things look better. The official stat keepers of the NFL "Elias Sports Bureau" says Haggans had 19 tackles, thats what the NFL says he has that thats what I will say he has.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I remember at least two opposing teams we faced and listening to their players on a program discuss the Cardinals and how they where preparing for them and after mentionig Wilson, they would often cite Berry as a players they had to be aware of even before Dockett or Dansby on defense.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

After Warner, this was the FA I wanted back the most.

 

[perivolaki]

I really thought Ralph Brown brought a lot to the table last season as well.

He did play well but his days could be numbered with the signing of McFadden. Brown would be the 4th cornerback and they might decide to go younger. I know the staff likes Michael Adams a lot and he provides more on special teams.

 

[perivolaki]

"With Berry’s new contract, there are only five unrestricted free agents of the Cardinals remaining that have not signed a contract – somewhere – to play in 2009: offensive linemen Elton Brown and Scott Peters, tight end Jerame Tuman, fullback Terrelle Smith and cornerback Ralph Brown.

Of those players, Smith and Ralph Brown are the most likely to have a chance to return, but the Cardinals could wait through the draft and see what rookies are brought in before making any more moves."

Hopefully Smith and Brown are both brought back, I think both were unheralded but important parts of the team, and they won't cost much.

I would like to see Elton Brown return. He's a valuable backup who has played every position but center. It's nice to have a swing guy like Brown in case of and injury.

 

[Redsz]

Thank goodness. With Berry and Haggans in place we can afford to draft a young guy and not expect him to play straight away.

Plus, I can't possibly understate the leadership Berry brings to this team.

 

[lauraw]

we needed class and character back also to show the incoming firstyear players how to win and act, and bertrand Berry will do it in spades, as will haggans.

 

[Totally_Red]

He did play well but his days could be numbered with the signing of McFadden. Brown would be the 4th cornerback and they might decide to go younger. I know the staff likes Michael Adams a lot and he provides more on special teams.

Agree. Adams is much better on special teams.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Did Berry get that god awful belt from LaBoy for being the sack leader?

 

[justAndy]

I've met BB - he's a great guy, a family man, and a door filling monster of a football player.

 

[ajcardfan]

Agree. Adams is much better on special teams.

Unfortunately for Adams, who i like a lot, he's really short. That will make him never more than an emergency option at CB.

 

[cgolden]

Unfortunately for Adams, who i like a lot, he's really short. That will make him never more than an emergency option at CB.

Yep, he's Alphonso Smith short but unfortunately he doesn't have his ability.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

With Antonio out we needed Bert back for the locker room presence.

Not to mention, I can almost guarantee his deal is a small incentive-based one.

 

[john h]

http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2940

I am very pleased to see this. He is an important cog in our team.

 

[lobo]

I would like to see Elton Brown return. He's a valuable backup who has played every position but center. It's nice to have a swing guy like Brown in case of and injury.

As many may/may not know Elton was a premier guard coming out of college, but his light bulb was off quite a bit and did not show the passion for playing football in the NFL...this resulted in a precipitous droop on many treams draft boards..Cards took a shot and again he was pretty much doa for the first two years. I believe he graduated as an anthology major.

Suddenly he had a sip of the "right" KoolAid and became a player over the two years under Grimm...why do I mention this? If Alan Branch were to take a swig of the same stuff, he would be in the family photo for Pro-Bowl....but that is a very big IF.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Berry is the person we need on this team to help develop young players. Even if his impact on the field declines with his age, he is a great person and a great leader. In the end, character is what builds dynasties.

Right you are!

 

[Jersey Girl]

Did Berry get that god awful belt from LaBoy for being the sack leader?

Yes. He brought it to the Big Red Rage.