Cards' Berry takes high road on contract issue

[RonF]

The NFL is a universe of fiscal oddities. Look at the Cardinals. Two players who sometimes stand shoulder to shoulder on the defensive line took opposite approaches to their contracts this off-season. One, Darnell Dockett, wants more money. The other, Bertrand Berry, requested less.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaolaBoivin/24090

 

[RonF]

What an example he set for the other players. He is the opposite of Dockett who feels he shouldn't have to honor the remaining four years of his contract.

 

[BigRedRage]

Bertrand berry has been injured and had next to no production for the last 2 years and is making big bucks.

DD is making less and is better every single year.

polar opposites of the negotiation spectrum.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Bertrand berry has been injured and had next to no production for the last 2 years and is making big bucks.

DD is making less and is better every single year.

polar opposites of the negotiation spectrum.

While I agree with you the Cards over the last few years have demonstrated the willingness to renegotiate if you perform well. Both Q and DD have had their contracts re-done (I believe) and the Cards are willing to redo them again from the way it sounds. Why be a PITA?

 

[BigRedRage]

why be a pita? I dont get it.

Just saying, BB and DD's situations are 100% different.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

why be a pita? I dont get it.

Just saying, BB and DD's situations are 100% different.

Why should Q and DD be a PITA? Not you, if that is what you thought I meant.

Also, I don't necessarily thing Q and DD are being malicious but the media does like a story...

 

[football karma]

I dont get why people are concerned about Dockett or Boldin.

Regardless of the posturing, missing voluntary work and the like -- both have no choice but to show up when they need to and be productive.

Both have too many years left on present deals to loaf through next season and expect to be paid. If they want big money -- they need to have highly productive seasons next year.

They may bitch and moan -- but at the end of the day -- they only way they get what they want is to be productive football players.

Until one or the other skips days of training camp -- I am not going to waste any mental energy on the issue.

 

[JeffGollin]

Props to B-Train.

Amidst all the speculation and concern on this board about contracts, let's not let this get buried in the pile. He did a good thing and a smart thing. I hope we'll see more of it down the road from our players.

 

[RedRob]

When Berry got hurt last season I told my wife that was the last game he'd ever play as a Cardinal. The fact that he was pro-active about his desire to stay with the team was rewarded.

I've always loved this guy's attitude and spirit and he has definitely proved me right. His presence on and off the field make this team better; glad both sides figured out a way to keep him!

 

[MadCardDisease]

Before we all worship Berry lets consider the facts. If Berry didn't restructure his contract he would have been cut and it was doubtful that any team would pick him up for much more than Veteran Minimum. It was in Berry's best interest to lower his salary.

If the Cardinals cut Dockett today he would be picked up in minutes and would sign a mega deal contract worth 5 times what he makes today.

That's the reality of the situation. With that said I'm stoked that we were able to keep Berry at a much lower salary. I think it was a great move for both sides involved. Just lets not compare Berry's situation with Dockett's.

 

[CardLogic]

Bertrand berry has been injured and had next to no production for the last 2 years and is making big bucks.

DD is making less and is better every single year.

polar opposites of the negotiation spectrum.

Your assumption regarding respective salaries is not accurate.

He (Berry) agreed to reduce this season's payment, the final year of his deal, from $4 million to $1 million.

According to joeshmo's cap sheet; http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/2008-offseason-cap-spreadsheet-105821.html

Berry will account for a total $2mill cap hit, while Dockett will recieve close to $4mill for the season...

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Berry's approach to the team was a necessity; let's not make it a virtue.

 

[Sandan]

Not many players are smart enough to figure that out though

 

[Shane]

Not many players are smart enough to figure that out though

Boy aint that the truth.

 

[BigRedRage]

Why should Q and DD be a PITA? Not you, if that is what you thought I meant.

Also, I don't necessarily thing Q and DD are being malicious but the media does like a story...

PITA bread? I dont get it....

PITA's because they are protesting?

 

[BigRedRage]

Your assumption regarding respective salaries is not accurate.


According to joeshmo's cap sheet; http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/2008-offseason-cap-spreadsheet-105821.html

Berry will account for a total $2mill cap hit, while Dockett will recieve close to $4mill for the season...

I am talking about prior to the restructure.

Berry was making more than he was worth, DD less. Berry asked for a paycut, DD asked for more.

 

[joeshmo]

Boy aint that the truth.

Yep, egos and snake oil sales pitches from their agents get in the way to often.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

PITA bread? I dont get it....

PITA's because they are protesting?

Pain In The A**....

 

[BigRedRage]

k

 

[RedRob]

Berry's approach to the team was a necessity; let's not make it a virtue.

Easy for you to say. Most of these athletes have been catered to for years and have inflated egos. Berry would have likely been given a shot somewhere, not to say the re-structuring of his contract wasn't a necessity but for him to address the situation without any drama speaks volumes about his character. To dismiss this is a slight against a great guy.

 

[RonF]

Easy for you to say. Most of these athletes have been catered to for years and have inflated egos. Berry would have likely been given a shot somewhere, not to say the re-structuring of his contract wasn't a necessity but for him to address the situation without any drama speaks volumes about his character. To dismiss this is a slight against a great guy.

 

[ARZCardinals]

B-Train = Class act

 

[PJ1]

Before we all worship Berry lets consider the facts. If Berry didn't restructure his contract he would have been cut and it was doubtful that any team would pick him up for much more than Veteran Minimum. It was in Berry's best interest to lower his salary.

If the Cardinals cut Dockett today he would be picked up in minutes and would sign a mega deal contract worth 5 times what he makes today.

That's the reality of the situation. With that said I'm stoked that we were able to keep Berry at a much lower salary. I think it was a great move for both sides involved. Just lets not compare Berry's situation with Dockett's.

Absolutely right. Berry would have gone the way of Oliver Ross and Milford Brown had he not renegotiated. Like the guy but he had no choice..

 

[Shzm13]

The article's intention = "DO YOU F-ING HEAR THAT, DOCKETT?!?"

 

[Darth Llama]

Absolutely right. Berry would have gone the way of Oliver Ross and Milford Brown had he not renegotiated. Like the guy but he had no choice..

Not true. He would have been cut, yes, but he would have been picked up by someone, and for more then he makes here, you can bet on that. Someone would have taken a chance on a former pro bowl end just sitting there without a job.

Berry took the reduction to stay here, and he deserves props for that.