Over and over again, I see people comment that you do not want to pay a Safety Top 10 money.  I would have to disagree.  I would agree that it is a risk to give a rookie player top money, but not because of their position.  I much rather "risk" high money on a Safety then I would a QB.  Teams put a ton of money on QBs with top picks in the draft and people do not skirmmish about it.  Why is that?  That's a bigger risk b/c you have to pay him more b/c of the position plus there are so many flops at the QB position.  That is the leader of your team and you put that kind of cash in a rookie and he falls flat out his face, you just committed to a QUARTERBACK.  Now where is your team at?  I think the excuse of putting money into a safety is hard to commit to is a poor excuse.  You put money in your top players and regardless of the position, it's a risk.

Let me tell you why Eric Berry is worth the cash...

Adam Tiecher pointed out in a mock draft where he selected Berry that our defense was at the bottom of NFL.  One of the main reasons why they were at the bottom was because of poor play by the Secondary.  It was a team effort for why they were so low down, but there was clearly a huge weakness at the Safety spot compared to other positions.  Many would disagree, but that's what I felt lacked the most.  Now why should we draft Berry?

Berry is not just a Free Safety.  Eric Berry is a Strong Safety, Free Safety, Cornerback, Nickelback, Kick Returner, Special Team player.  Eric Berry has no off field issues.  Eric Berry is a leader according to the Kiffin coaches.  Eric Berry is Elite and always has been Elite.  Eric Berry was the #1 DB Recruit in the country coming out of college.  Eric Berry was the top freshman DB in the country.  Eric Berry won the Thorpe award.  Eric Berry made Tennesse defense what it was.  Now think about it... Is it worth putting X amount of dollars to get a SS/FS/DB/Nickel/KR all in one???  Is it worth putting money into a player who has been consistently dominate for years.  A guy who stays health.  A guy who Romeo went out to work out personally.  A guy who has blown Brandon Flowers away.

Josh Loney had a good article on Eric Berry http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article-2/Insider-Blog-Oh-Berry/2a41a85b-fd9d-46b7-bacf-1b3780ec9396.

Something that he pointed out that many have was that comment Pioli made about drafting a Safety.  Now Pioli could be putting up a smoke screen and no one can predict who he is going to draft... not even his wife.  You have to agree with me on this though.... Pioli drafts players based on need.  We needed a 3-4 DE... so he reached for Tyson Jackson.  We need a Safety.. might he draft Berry?  Offseason transcations point to "yes".  Why?  They have come out and said that Safety play is a place that needs adjustment.  Why have we not brought in a single FA at that position.  We needed needs at NT... brought in Shaun Smith.  Needed help on the line... brought in Lilja and Weigmann.  Needed a 2nd RB.. brought in Thomas Jones.  Needed WR help... brought back Chambers and signed Urban.  Antrel Rolle was sitting right there for the taking and I never saw anywhere that Pioli made a play for him. 

With that being said I also think that sending Romeo to work out with Berry was HUGE in my mind.  This is regarding the fact that people like Mike Lombardi and Charlie Casserly and other experts like Kiper and McShay believe he is a great fit for the Chiefs.

Also, Josh Looney talked about former Safeties drafted high and the risk of doing so.  Now the guys he mentioned where pretty dang good in my opinion and I understand that there were other good Safeties picked in those drafts in the 2nd/3rd Round.  But one guy he talked about IS a older version of Eric Berry.  That would be Rod Woodson.  He talked about how he was drafted by the Steelers as a Safety, but what made him so great is that he could do Safety and do CB where he made his home at.  That's Eric Berry!  If it doesn't work out at Safety or our needs are more at the DB position, we can move him over there just like teams did with Woodson.  Imagine Berry/Flowers as our DBs (I still rather see him at FS for us).

All in all, the excuse for not signing Berry b/c of cash is over done.  You give money to your guy regardless of position.  I don't know what Pioli will do, but I don't think giving cash to a FS is the issue, it's more of an issue of if he believes Eric Berry is his guy at #5.