NFL Scout Compares Eric Berry to Polamalu, Reed
by Joel Thorman on Dec 30, 2009 8:45 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintThe Kansas City Chiefs will likely be open to everything this offseason when it comes to the safety position. The Chiefs have a pair of 30+ year old players, Mike Brown and Jon McGraw, currently running the show at strong and free safety. They've been oft-criticized for the majority of the season for a variety of blunders and/or speed/athleticism related aspects of their game.
The solution? One NFL scout tells the Kansas City Star that Tennessee Vols Eric Berry would be worth the investment.
"He’s a special player," the scout said. "He’s a playmaker. You can count on him for that. If you need a center fielder back there, he would be a good investment."
The scout then said Berry's skills are the "same kind of caliber" as Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. In other words, he's a game changing safety.
Berry is a junior and hasn't officially announced whether he'll be leaving Tennessee but even his head coach thinks he'll be playing on Sundays next fall.
There you have it. The scouts don't think Berry would be such a bad pick.
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Chiefs had
success drafting DB’s outta Tn in the past. Anyone recall a guy named Dale Carter?
yes...
but I also remember Julian Battle
I love Berry though – he’s super well rounded. I want help on our O-line but I wouldn’t balk at taking Berry with our #1.
by Ochophosphate on Dec 30, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions
2.7 big brother
Dale Carter was a good player when he was not in trouble .
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Dec 30, 2009 9:24 AM CST reply actions
he wasn't NEARLY the troublemaker LJ has been ... not by a longshot
and he was far better on the field, IMNSHO
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
I like Berry but
drafting a safety that high scares me. Safety for me is about the same as tight end. It’s wonderful to have a great one but I would prefer a great player at almost any other position. It also seems like you can always find a good one without doing it #3 in the draft. No safety has been taken that high before. Granted I would love to have an Atwater, Lott, Polumalu, or Reed on this team.
Who cares where you draft him
If he is a great player. It’s either Berry or an OT with the first pick. Considering that he’s only 20 years old & dominating in college, the kid could end up being in the KC secondary for the next 15 years.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
by jmcgoblue on Dec 30, 2009 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I firmly disagree
If you don’t have a good to great ILB, a good to great SS is just as good. He can be your field general, your QB of the defense. He can see the entire field, see gaps unfold…
It’s grossly understated how much of a difference a Polamalu, Reed, Sharper, Dawkins, or Sanders makes.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
by ArrowSpread on Dec 30, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I can agree with that but
would you rather have a great safety or a great linebacker. For example, would you rather have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis in their primes. Which one affects the defense more?
I'd rather have the great ILB
but Ed Reed is a very acceptable fall back option.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't complain
about either one of them really. I remember as a kid watching Ronnie Lott change games but it is an interesting question. Safeties have usually not been the best athlete on the defense and there are few game changing safeties. So if you could take a hall of fame safety or any other position which would you take? I would almost have to put safety at the bottom of the list on defense. A HOF Defensive end, tackle, linebacker or shut down corner over a safety.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Berry, from the couple things I have seen of him, is a stud and will be a good player but there’s a reason no safety has ever been taken that high and its because for the most part everyone would rather have a stud player at another position.
For my money it comes down to this
The surest way to win in the NFL is to stop the run. It doesn’t guarantee you a SuperBowl, but if you stop the run, you will win. You’re in every game. Positional value to me is directly related to this ability. Since ILB plays a larger role in being a great run D….I’ll take the ILB. DL is even more important in this area so imo DL > ILB.
Safeties get more chance to create turnovers and are the types of athletes that can score when they do. But give me the consistent down after down effect of stopping the run.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
It does no good to stop the run...
If they always convert 3rd and long on you. A guy like Polamalu (and possibly Berry) can make a QB think twice before throwing the ball.
Ive said this before but, if we got a guy like Berry and can find a DOMINANT Nose tackle, I think people would be amazed at the impact that would have on this defense. Page could be back next year and our secondary might live up to what we all thought it could be coming into this season.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
I don't disagree that we need NT and FS/SS
The question was asked which I would rather have. Dominant ILB or Dominant Safety. If you can’t stop the run, you don’t have a top D. You have to create 3rd and long before you can stop it. In a perfect world, I want dominant players at all positions. If I have to choose between ILB ans S…I’ll take the ILB.
I’d be happy as a clam to have Berry. But if you offer me Patrick Willis straight up in a trade for him….I’ll take it.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions
Cant dispute that.
Willis is a badass! Watching the way that SF defense played against Arizona a couple weeks ago was great. That whole defense has potential to be awesome.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 2:46 PM CST up reply actions
I'd take a Polamalu over a Ray Lewis....
But that’s probably just me.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
Is there anyone
in the draft people are comparing to Ray Lewis if not then there is no argument. I like Berry .
by km230015 on Dec 30, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Good point
There are going to be some pretty good players in the draft and honestly, I haven’t been paying enough attention to give a full breakdown of the players coming out this year.
I was just saying that while I think Berry is a good player, for the most part a safety has never been taken that high and its because most teams want a playmaker at other more valuable positions. If there is no other player that would be as much of an impact at a better position then I would be fine with that but I am afraid we will do the same thing we did this year, draft a player because of need/want at a really high position when they shouldn’t go that high.
Also, it’s not like linebacker is our only need, we could use a game-breaking receiver, a few O-linemen, linebacker, and safety. I personally think we should put 2 of the top 3 picks on the O-line and then use the other pick on D.
2.7=Larry Johnson
Dale Carter was a good player when he was not in trouble, aka 2.7
by BAMFSpecialOps on Dec 30, 2009 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
Okung is no longer the highest rated tackle anyway
We can use the 2nd round on OL. I say pick the best player available in Round One (if they can’t trade down). If that’s Suh, Berry, Bradford, I don’t really care, just pick the best player on the board. Hopefully the big “holes” are filled with free agents, and the draft can be about improving the team for the long term.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
agree
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
Bradford huh?
That would REALLY surprise me.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 1:31 PM CST up reply actions
If we picked bradford
we could trade another team for there first and a second……just force thier hand in making a trade……like we should have done last year with sanchez
by cassel4prez on Dec 30, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
that's WAY too risky
IF you did that, then weren’t able to pull off the trade, then you’re stuck with a top 5 pick at QB that you didn’t plan on keeping.
You then lose the leverage, because the other team knows you HAVE to trade him
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
Take my word for it brutha
stay away from the whole pick him then trade him debate. People who think it’s a good idea will never see how you lose leverage. You’re right…but just walk away. ;)
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
I know it's not a position of need
And that’s my point. We are so concerned with fixing the Chiefs through the draft and one or two “sexy” free agents. I say fix the Chiefs with the players on the roster that have shown potential and bring in free agents to fix all of the weaknesses.
Use the draft to improve the team long-term. If that means taking Bradford to backup Cassel, then so be it. Then if Cassel proves to be a flop, like a lot of people seem to be saying, we’ve got Sam Bradford. If Cassel plays to his potential, we’ve got a very good problem of having two good QBs.
Of course the other thing is that if another team won’t “trade up” because they think Bradford will drop to them, it forces their hand, and could be a potentially beneficial deal like cassel4prez said.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Having Bradford wouldn't be a bad thing either way if you ask me.
NOT saying I would draft him in our situation but, he is going to be a great QB for some team. I wouldn’t mind having him.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
You cant pay two QBs
that kind of money. Cassel has a 60 million dollar contract.. A top 5 pick at QB is going to demand a lot of money too….Cant wrap that much money into one position and have one of them sittin on the bench…just dont happen
I understand that BUT.....
Bradford >Cassel?…Probably so.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
probably not, at least for a while
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
not to mention
Bradford had a pretty serious injury last year. Came back and got reinjured in his first game back…..Kinda risky, and I think this will make his stock drop. The combine might make him look good, but you dont get slammed to the ground at the combine
Let's get him on the cheap then
OK I am a Cassel supporter, but, I’d be willing to trade Cassel to Denver for all of their draft picks, and take Bradford. Just think what we could do with all those picks.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
Just think what we could do with all those picks.
yeah, rebuild AGAIN
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
Bradford could possibly drop to us in the 2nd round.
If that DID happen, you have to take him. Let him learn from the bench for a year or so while we are seeing how Cassel progresses and if Cassel works out, great! If not, you have a second round steal waiting for his shot on the bench.
Also, Cassel would have no choice but to step his game up if we lucked into Bradford. He should be looking over his shoulder if you ask me.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
Its always possible...
but there are too many teams that need help at QB position
Rams,Carolina,SF,Jax, Clev,OakDen,Miami…Even teams that are ok at qb will start looking for a backup late in the first round…..really depends on his combine…but I dont think he makes it past say…the 17-18th pick
Berry
Is just one of those players you can’t pass up. He’s like Suh, if Suh was available we have to take him, he won’t be so we have to take Berry if he’s there. You all see what Polamalu does for that defense, we all see what Reed does for the ravens D. I’m not hyped about the idea of taking a Safety this high, but at the same time we need help at most positions and Berry will make a few of those positions better imagine what he will do for flowers if flowers knows he had legit help behind him. If we take Berry which I pray we do I guarantee out INTs next season will double in his rookie season and Flowers will have a career year.
by BiiG_C on Dec 30, 2009 9:44 AM CST via mobile reply actions
BiigC - I have to disagree here
if Suh was available we have to take him
no we don’t
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
You're right
But I hope he falls to us if we are drafting #3 overall, because he gives us the best shot to trade down IMO.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
It seems like a huge upgrade to have
Reshard Langford and Eric Berry over Mike Brown and John McGraw, IMO. Brown and McGraw have done some good things, but just don’t have the speed.
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
agree again
We Will kick at least 4 Teams Asses in 09. Almost there :)
And Succop will be the Key in two of them. Skins & Raiders! Pittsburgh Sweet!
" Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on Dec 30, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
You're very agreeable today
"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."
I agree that you agree, but disagree altogether.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
I expect Berry to be a very good player in the right NFL system
He will do best as a cover/ballhawk safety with mostly back-of-the-defense responsibilities, where he can use his speed, good hands and instincts, and have knee-level run support tackling technique (a la Bob Sanders). You can see all of those already in his play.
I think he would do less well as a close-to-the-line, in-the-box, short-zone safety with a lot of run responsibility (.e.g, like Adrian Wilson from Arizona). Berry has a smaller frame than Wilson, or the late Sean Taylor or other safeties who live close to the line of scrimmage, and I think he could do it, but would be less effective: essentially he would be playing like Mike Brown did against Cincy last week, in very close-up run support. I just don’t see that as his strength.
So if the Chiefs take him and use him according to his strengths, he can help the KC defense.
But…. I would ask everyone to consider the fact that, as a million posts here have pointed out in the past few weeks, the primary weakness of the KC defense is stopping the run. If the Chiefs’ interior LB’s and the NT are constantly being walled off, blown back and washed out of plays, then Eric Berry cannot make much of a difference in the success of the defense. I.e., when the RB is already eight yards past the line of scrimmage. He’ll spend way too much of his time as the last tackler trying to bring down NFL RB’s running full speed in the open fleld. Don’t expect him to have Palamalu or Reed numbers until the rest of the KC defense is fixed, and that might take awhile.
by Wheatboy74 on Dec 30, 2009 10:13 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
If we do take Berry
Maybe we should try to get Kam Chancellor (VA Tech) to come in and play Mike Brown’s SS spot. The guy is 6’3" 225 & a pretty intriguing prospect.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
1st time I have seen Chancellor brought up
I really really like this kid. He doesn’t have ideal speed, but he’s fast enough to play SS. Doesn’t have great hands, but he’s always around the ball. He’s equally good in run support and coverage. And by all accounts he’s a character guy. He has a 3rd-4th round grade and sure looks like an NFL starter to me. He play FS at VT so there would be an adjustment period. But I love him as a developmental guy. Could be a real steal.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
I think he'd be a great pick in the 3rd or 4th round
Here’s what Flowers himself had to say about him:
“I think he could be the top safety in the nation coming back [next season],” Flowers said. “Athletic-wise, he’s ready. He’s fast enough, he’s not scared of contact, he has the range when the ball is in the air. It’s just getting all the mental part right, just being experienced, just playing in big games. Now, he’s starting to conquer that and he’s feeling comfortable. The sky’s the limit with this kid, man.”
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/vtfootball/wb/145295
It also sounds like the coaches moved him from SS to FS in order to help improve his coverage skills in the NFL. I wouldn’t at all mind drafting this kid & keeping Brown around for another season as a backup/mentor.
Predictions:
Kansas City will not win more than four games in 2009
Kansas City will have a new OC and DC in 2010
Kansas City will win at least seven games in 2010
Thanks for the quote
hadn’t seen that. And I couldn’t agree more.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Dec 30, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
It is guys like this
that make taking Berry with our first pick all the more unlikely, but anything is possible. VA Tech players, at least the talented ones, make very good transistions to the NFL game. This guy could start and make an impact right away. Players such as this one is why the team needs to spend that first round pick on a playmaking WR to compliment Charles and give Cassel a reliable target. This draft presents H&P a real opportunity to upgrade both sides of the ball.
Plus if he's a VT guy...
That means he would have played at least one year with Flowers. It never hurts to reunite former team mates.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
What about atogwe
I dont know what safety position he plays but hes a free agent
Isn't that exactly why we have to get a NT?
A great Nose with Dorsey and T-Jax and we will have a great D-line. The NT position is a big reason why we are so weak against the run. It’s not that Edwards is terrible, he just isn’t very good.
That position is the main weakness of this defense. we fix the NT spot and most everything else will fall into place.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 30, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
Bring him in
Our defense has improved a lot against the pass this season (the run needs help) . We seem to get at least one int every game. Imagine what a player like reed or polamalu would do to our defense. We could have a respectable defense for the first time in years. If you can bring in berry with the number 3 pick I’m all for it
Plus get a true NT in the FA
and add some LBs through the mid to later rounds of the draft. Get some good depth at the LB position.
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
Berry is amazing
He could instantly be a game changer for us. Bring in a FA reciever, berry with the first, and our seconds spent on a NT/OL. I’d love to have berry.
by SoCalChief17 on Dec 30, 2009 12:02 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Oh really?:
There you have it. The scouts don’t think Berry would be such a bad pick.
Thanks for the update Captain Obvious ;-)
My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:
"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley
R.I.P. C.H., #15
by Red N Gold Beast on Dec 30, 2009 12:27 PM CST reply actions
Yeah baby!
Berry is my choice. Got my man-crush on!
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
for those who have not watched him play
Dec 31 @ 7PM EST is the Chic-fil-A Bowl
Tenn Vs. VT
could also get a look at the above mentioned Kam Chancellor
Take Berry..
Best player available. A position of need. I would rather fix both lines with FA…proven guys, not rookies. Second round, WR…there is a couple of them in this draft worth it, and Cassel needs another weapon.Badly. With the second 2nd round pick…again, best player available….after that, draft for depth and pray for the best….there are so many holes on this team, that you can draft at just about any position and it will do nothing but help.
Berry would be about the only D player that I'd prefer over The Most Studly O-Lineman on the board
… and even at that I’m not altogether convinced that I WOULDN’T want The Most Studly O-Linman on the board … we need someone that badly, yes we do
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
problem is
I don’t think there is a LT on in the draft that is significantly better than Albert, and any G we can get in the later rounds. I don’t see any OL that we should pick with our 1st rounder that will significantly upgrade our line
FINALLY!!
Finally their are post about Eric Berry… people are starting to wake up about this guy. He has to be a Chief next year… if we stay in the 3 spot, he should be there and I will get his jersey right away.
i am right there with you man
however, I fear that Pioli will go for a safety later on or in FA and pass on Berry. I am hoping for the best but expection something less. I just don’t see Pioli going away from the traditional OL or DL pick in the top 5….
we really need an exciting playmaker this year, tired of the line picks
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