Bertrand Berry

48-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Bertrand Berry in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Announced his retirement in January of 2010.
LBFree Agent
January 22, 2010
Berry announced his retirement on Thursday, the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
He led the Cardinals this past season with eight sacks in 17 games (including the postseason). Berry probably could have played another season or two, but he decided to go out on his own terms at age 34. He finishes his career with 65 sacks in 160 regular-season games for the Colts, Broncos and Cardinals.
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2023 Bertrand Berry Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Berry led the Cardinals with five sacks in 14 regular-season games last season. He avoided a serious injury for the first time since 2004; from 2005-07, Berry missed 21 out of a possible 48 regular-season contests. He will turn 34 during training camp and it seems like he will be limited to a part-time role this season, mainly on passing downs. Berry’s days as a double-digit sack threat are likely in the rear-view mirror. He’s playing somewhat out of position; the Cardinals are using him as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker and he is most comfortable as a pure defensive end.
Berry will engage in a hot training camp battle with Travis LaBoy for a starting role. Berry has been plagued by injuries over the last three seasons, missing eight, six and seven games, respectively. His days as a double-digit sack threat are probably over, but he is a decent sleeper if he can win a starting role and stay healthy.
Here's a new phrase: "4-3 defense with 3-4 tendencies." New coach Ken Whisenhunt describes his defense that way, and it sounds like Berry will be used as an outside linebacker at times. That likely means more tackling but a drop in sacks. Berry can handle the position because he is a demon in pursuit, a highly mobile animal who never gives up on a play. Perhaps bigger than the possible change in how he's used is his health. He missed eight games in 2005 to a torn left pectoral muscle and six more last year with a torn right triceps muscle. He had surgery to repair the latter and has skipped some minicamps because the team is being cautious to make sure he's healthy for 2007. His prior statistical profile (few total tackles but double-digit sacks when he plays 16 games) goes out the window if the team really does use him as an outside linebacker for a significant amount of time. Remember, though, this is just "3-4 tendencies," so a healthy Berry should largely be the Berry we already know.
Berry has really come into his own in the past few seasons, so it was a shame to see him miss half of last year to a torn pectoral muscle. Just two years earlier, in 2003, he became an every down lineman for a full season for the first time, registering 11.5 sacks but just 24 solo tackles. He improved to 39 solos and 14.5 sacks in 2004. He clearly was getting to quarterbacks, but his energetic approach to the game was bubbling over into the run-support arena. He showed particular skill in chasing down backs rushing away from him. Last year he was on pace for 50 solos and 12 sacks, which would have earned him sixth place in the year-end lineman standings. We’ve seen Michael Strahan return successfully from a torn pectoral muscle, so expect Berry to pick up where he left off.
It took seven years, but Berry finally got to be a full-time starter in 2003 and responded with 11.5 sacks for Denver. He got even better in Arizona in 2004 and this year will benefit from having Chike Okeafor on the opposite end. Previously used as a pass-rush specialist, Berry thrived playing every down and moved his solo tackle numbers up from a paltry 24 in 2003. Berry’s second half last year was especially impressive, since he had only two games without a sack and one of them he barely played in due to a bruised thigh. Second in sacks in the NFL last year, he projects to be among the best again this year.
Berry has 115 solo tackles and 25 quarterback sacks in an 88 game career. As a 16-game starter for the Broncos in 2003, he led the team with 65 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Signed as a free-agent in the off-season, it would be easy to dismiss 2003 as a contract, career-year, save for the fact the Cardinals are desperate for a pass rush and the 29-year-old will be counted upon in every situation to apply pressure.
Berry is currently battling Reggie Hayward for the weak-side defensive end starting job.
More Fantasy News
LBArizona Cardinals
January 21, 2010
Berry may have played his final NFL game, the Cardinals' official site reports.
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LBArizona Cardinals
January 10, 2010
Berry recorded two sacks in Sunday's Wild Card victory over Green Bay.
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LBArizona Cardinals
January 4, 2010
Berry was a healthy inactive in Week 17 because the Cardinals needed enough linebackers to play on special teams, and perhaps because they wanted to get a look at rookies Will Davis and Reggie Walker, the Arizona Republic reports.
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LBArizona Cardinals
January 3, 2010
Berry, who was not listed on Arizona's Week 17 injury reports, was inactive for Sunday's game.
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LBArizona Cardinals
January 1, 2010
Berry's teammate Will Davis (knee) is probable for Sunday's game.
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