Highlighted Year: Bertrand Berry, 2004

Defensive End, Arizona Cardinals

Age: 29

8^th season in pro football, 7^th in NFL & 1^st with Cardinals

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 250

Prelude:

Primarily known for his pass rushing ability in college, Berry was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft. He had an undistinguished first three seasons with the Colts, starting 13 games at defensive end and also playing linebacker while recording five sacks. Berry moved on to the Rams in 2000 but was cut during training camp and saw action in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. He joined the Denver Broncos in 2001 and was a reserve for two seasons before breaking into the starting lineup in ’03 and recording 11.5 sacks. A fine pass rusher who was less adept against the run, Berry signed with the Cardinals as a free agent for the 2004 season.

2004 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 14.5 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most sacks, game – 4 vs. NY Giants 11/14

Multi-sack games – 3

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Forced fumbles – 4

Tackles – 39

Assists – 10

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Cardinals went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

A torn pectoral muscle limited Berry to eight games in 2005 and injuries remained an issue in ’06 and ’07 as he appeared in a combined 19 games. Still effective as a rusher from the edge who lined up more often as an outside linebacker, Berry played with the Cards until 2009, staying healthier in his last two years in which the team made it to the playoffs, after which he retired. Overall, Berry accumulated 65 sacks in the NFL, with 40 of them coming during his six years with Arizona. He had four more during the postseason.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970