What isn’t (and probably can’t) be reported is: what the Cardinals said to B-Train when he announced he was turning down the original contract in order to “test the market.”

Did the Cards issue a word of caution (i.e. “Go ahead and test the market but be aware that the orginal contract terms might not be there should you decide to remain a Cardinal.”)?

Or did the Cardinals leave Berry with the impression that the original contract would stand?

Consider, too, the possbility that, had the Cards cautioned Bertrand that the original contract would not stand, this might have been construed by Berry as “pressure tactics.”

My point – Things are not always all they seem.

Seriously, I love hearing these guys crying about the difference in 1.0mill to 1.5mill. Fuck I will take your money happily.

It happens every year with players from both the winning and losing teams when they get put into the national spotlight for a couple of weeks. Welcome to the Big Time, folks.

must have been something that was not understood with him seeking a new offer. Although I can’t believe he thinks he would get great offers from other teams. He is really on his way out after a long and somewhat productive service in the NFL. At this point in his career he should have taken the original offer and played out one more year. There are a couple of guys on the team or some rookies that will step into his spot if he doesn’t come back.

According to kj197728 : “…must have been something that was not understood with him seeking a new offer. Although I can’t believe he thinks he would get great offers from other teams…”

Darren Urban points out that right now it looks as though Okeafor and Haggans are going to be our starting outside guys. That cannot have sat well with B-Train.

Urban suggests additionally that Berry wiil have to come to grips with the fact that he’s playing the back nine of his career and may have to accept being used more and more in a spot role.

Sad situation that plays itself out over and over in the NFL – the aging veteran who must face the inevitable. But that’s just the way it is in the Not For Long workd of pro football. If Bertrand is upset about his pay or his position on the depth chart, his best option would be to follow Kurt Warner’s example by playing his ass off and proving everyone wrong.

(Hint – Participating in off-season conditioning and attending OTA’s couldn’t have hurt).

As such I would think he should be at these OTAs showing and teaching the younger players what to do on the field and what some good habits are. Berry needs to pull some pages out of Demarcus Wares book, big story on him at ESPN right now, and show some class and not miss OTAs regardless of what you feeling are about your contract or not.

The only way I could understand him sitting out is if the front office made assurances to him about playing time etc. If not, I think he is going about this all wrong. If you are upset that nobody valued you, step up and perform. If your upset because your second string, play like your first string. Don’t get upset about it. Considering that he was hurt quite a bit during his last contract and collected quite a bit of money, I think the cards have been more than fair.