Arizona Cardinals' LB Bertrand Berry Retires After 12 Seasons

by Andrew602 on Jan 21, 2010 10:35 PM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

Bertrand Berry was one of the emotional leaders throughout the playoffs last year.

After twelve seasons in the NFL and six of them with the Arizona Cardinals, linebacker Bertrand Berry decided to call it a career on Thursday.

Berry was a question mark heading into this past season, but was extended to a one year contract. After notching six sacks in a situational role, he made 2009 his final season. The news was announced on his radio show, "Big Red Rage" Thursday evening.

"I've been playing football since I was 9 years old, 25 years, and with it coming to an end there is a little bit of sadness but at the same time it means there is a new beginning," Berry said. "It's been a great ride."
"It's time," Berry said. "I've given a lot of my life to the game, I have played the game at a high level and I have tried to represent myself the best I could. I think I have played the game the right way, I think I have respected the game and I think I left the game a little better than when I came in."
"I am proud of my career and what I accomplished. At this point, there isn't much more I can do. I was able to live out my dream for 13 years and I have no regrets."

Berry was signed as a free agent in 2004 after enjoying success in Denver. In his first year he registered 14.5 sacks for the third most in team history. The achievement earned him his first and only trip to the Pro Bowl.

Even in his mid 30s Berry was an effective pass rusher. He was second on the team in 2009 with six sacks after seeing limited playing time. The absence left by Berry highlights linebacker as the primary need this offseason if it hasn't already.

Berry finished his career with 40 sacks for the Cardinals, landing him 6th all-time in franchise history. Thanks for being one of the key pieces in turning around the franchise Bertrand.

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GG BERT

by tw3kr on Jan 22, 2010 12:55 AM MST reply actions

Thanks Bert

Now the OLB picture is getting a little clearer. As of today it looks like Clark and Chike are the starters w/Cody and Will as the primary backups. Once FA starts this will change as well.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Jan 22, 2010 4:56 AM MST via mobile reply actions

Chike is a UFA

so you have to think he’s gone unless he’s willing to a sign a one year deal like Berry did last year.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 5:59 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks for some good years Berry

he picked a good time to go, even though he’s still a decent pass rusher. I wonder what he’d have been able to accomplish if he hadn’t had three injury plagued seasons here.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 6:01 AM MST reply actions

I think career 100 sacks would've been possible.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 22, 2010 7:11 AM MST up reply actions

those would have had to be three amazing season's

he’s 35 sacks away but he did total about 14.5 sacks during those three seasons.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 8:35 AM MST up reply actions

+1

Bert’s signing was one of the first indicators that the Arizona franchise was ready and willing to truly change its past IMO. They had a need and they went out and signed an effective free agent, instead of the other way around (after a player fills a need they are lost to FA). 14.5 sacks in his first year here was a glowing success. If it weren’t for injuries, he may have posted double digit sacks every year. We’ll miss you man.

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Jan 22, 2010 6:22 AM MST reply actions

agreed....

The Bert signing partnered with the Chike Okeafor signing one year later were signs that this team was finally ready to step up to the table and become a competitor.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 1:57 PM MST up reply actions

Guess I'll have to retire my B-train jersey this year.

Thanks, Bertrand. You will always remain one of my favorite Cardinals, and I hope you continue to do your radio show.

Section 135, Row 35

by AJ BirdWatcher on Jan 22, 2010 9:27 AM MST reply actions

Gonna be missed.

He was a veteran leader on the team and knew a lot about the game. Hopefully Cody Brown and Will Davis took advantage of having such a player on the team and learned all they possibly could from him.

by Pyromnc on Jan 22, 2010 9:53 AM MST reply actions

Could he be a candidate for an assistant coach?

If so would he be an Asst. D-line Coach or an Asst. LB Coach? Maybe a Defensive Quality Control Coach?

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Jan 22, 2010 10:04 AM MST up reply actions

That would be nice.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Jan 22, 2010 10:55 AM MST up reply actions

why do we always want veteran players to come back as coaches?

he’s already started to lay the groundwork for a broadcasting career.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 11:25 AM MST up reply actions

I just love happy endings.

As long as he’s leaving on his own terms and not being forced out, I feel he will always be part of the family. And what better way to be part of the family then to remain close to the team. I’m pretty sentimental that way.

Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.

by hevchv on Jan 22, 2010 11:39 AM MST up reply actions

I agree, it would make a nice story

but how often does it happen? It seems like the very marginal NFL players go back into coaching. The good to very good players go into broadcasting or just enjoy the mountains of money that they made. I’m not sure why that is but when was the last time a really good player immediately entered the coaching ranks after retiring.

Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

by Bezekira on Jan 22, 2010 12:27 PM MST up reply actions

Good luck Bertrand! You will be missed! Thank You!

by sliceostew on Jan 22, 2010 11:59 AM MST reply actions

The B-train blew through quite a few quarterbacks

On his way to the station. I love it when players get to walk away on their own terms. If there’s one thing I can never get about the NFL is how quickly heroes turn to dust in this league and are forgotten. Maybe its just an outsider ’s perspective. Adios B-train.

by Irishcardinal on Jan 22, 2010 1:09 PM MST reply actions

Enjoy your retirement.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 22, 2010 1:32 PM MST reply actions

He has been a class act..

since coming to the Cardinals organization. I agree with undrafteds that when they went out and got him him in 2004 it was the turning point for this organization. Great career and he was a great Cardinal. Good luck Bert

Who would win in a fight, Whisenhunt or a Hurricane?
Hold on, hold on, what if the Hurricanes name was Whisenhunt?
Daaaaaaaaaa Cards, Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards Da Cards!!!

by boogatt66 on Jan 22, 2010 1:42 PM MST reply actions