Bernard Berrian News: Pro Sports Daily

Comment

November 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Earlier today we cited a report from Fox Sports' website that Bernard Berrian would be inactive today. Then, about a half-hour ago or so, we saw the wide receiver testing out the injury on the field. Now, comes word that Berrian won't be inactive and will be among the 45 players in uniform for the Vikings game today against the Packers. In fact, he is listed as a starter. Fullback Naufahu Tahi, who was limited in practice last Wednesday and Thursday because of a knee injury, has been scratched and will be replaced in the starting lineup by Jeff Dugan. Also inactive for the Vikings will be cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot); running back Albert Young; center Jon Cooper; wide receiver Darius ..."

Berrian down, but Rice sky high

Comment

October 26

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Being a good employee, Bernard Berrian refused to discuss the leg injury that kept him out for the second half Sunday in a 27-17 loss to the Steelers. However, the Vikings wide receiver didn't have to say much. Berrian dressed slowly in the locker room with a wrap around his upper left thigh, a clear indication that he has suffered his second hamstring injury of the season. Berrian missed the final three preseason games after injuring his right hamstring in the Vikings' exhibition opener at Indianapolis. "It was very frustrating," he said of being out for the final two quarters. "You don't like to be not out there playing, especially in a game of this magnitude. You don't want to be on the ..."

Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian out all second half Sunday with leg injury

Comment

October 26

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian missed the entire second half of Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with an apparent left hamstring injury. Berrian declined comment when asked about his injury. But he had a wrap around his left thigh as he dressed in the Vikings' locker room. Berrian suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason opener Aug. 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, and he didn't return until the season opener Sept. 13 against the Cleveland Browns. For the season, he is second on the team with 24 catches third with 252 receiving yards, including two touchdowns. The Vikings hope he can play next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Berrian had his best game of the ..."

Injury remains question for receiver Berrian

Comment

September 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Bernard Berrian is not 100 percent because of a hamstring injury and is questionable for the Vikings' opener Sunday at Cleveland. The receiver suffered the injury in the first preseason game. Berrian acknowledged missing valuable practice time with quarterback Brett Favre, calling it "bad timing." "Coming in and getting slowed down a little bit has been hard because I worked really hard this offseason to try and elevate my game and take it to another level," Berrian said. "I've been slowed, but now I'm back in it. No excuses anymore." Vikings coach Brad Childress said he will see how Berrian feels during a walk-through this morning and then consult with the medical staff before determining ..."

Brett Favre to Bernard Berrian show is a slow go because of Berrian's injury

Comment

September 10

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"About three weeks have passed since Brett Favre signed with the Vikings, and Bernard Berrian still isn't up to full speed. That's not the ideal situation for a new quarterback trying to get the timing down with his deep-threat receiver. Berrian was limited during Wednesday's practice, still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in the exhibition opener Aug. 14 at Indianapolis. "I think it would be foolish to say that we're on the same page," Favre said. "Some ways, it's similar to what happened last year when I got to New York with Laveranues (Coles). He had a torn quad. I really didn't work with him until the first week, and I can remember playing at Miami and missing him on a ..."

Berrian sold on Favre

Comment

August 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian said quarterback Brett Favre legitimizes the team's offense. Berrian discussed Favre in an interview on Fox Sports Radio, with the transcription courtesy of the Web site Sports Radio Interviews. "Yeah, it's a legitimate threat; he can get the ball down the field," Berrian told Fox Sports Radio. "Our other quarterbacks are capable of doing that, too. It's just the respect factor that you get with Brett I think is the biggest thing. Now, they're really looking at us as a legitimate offense as opposed to an illegitimate threat." Berrian, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, said Favre's arm strength is evident. "The arm strength is there, so I don't ..."

Berrian hurts leg in exhibition victory

Comment

August 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Vikings got a scare Friday night when receiver Bernard Berrian left the exhibition game against the Colts with a leg injury, perhaps a hamstring problem. After the game, Berrian declined to speak to reporters, but he was walking slowly outside the locker room. There was concern Berrian's injury might be serious. He appeared to be injured run blocking in the first quarter on a carry by Chester Taylor. Berrian limped off the field and did not return to the game, which the Vikings won 13-3. His status is uncertain. Coach Brad Childress didn't have much of an update on Berrian after the game. "To my knowledge, he's fine," Childress said. "Will get back and evaluate him tomorrow. Not sure ..."

Ex-Bears experience bittersweet return

Comment

October 20

Chicago Tribune

"Leslie Frazier enjoyed many memorable moments as a Bears cornerback. He started for the Super Bowl XX champions and had 20 interceptions from 1981-86. But Sunday he was working for the enemy, serving as the Vikings' assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. "I came back here last season when we played the Bears," Frazier recalled. "It was a real weird feeling to be in the visitors' locker room and back in Soldier Field for the first time in so long. "I enjoy what I'm doing in Minnesota, and hopefully we can get on the right track." Sunday's 48-41 Bears victory more closely resembled an NBA game. It represented the most points ever allowed in a Bears victory. "It was a unique game in a ..."

Berrian coming on after slow start here

Comment

October 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Sid Hartman

"Bernard Berrian was happy during his time with the Chicago Bears, a four-year period during which he caught 150 passes for 2,197 yards and 13 touchdowns. But the wide receiver signed a free-agent contract with the Vikings for $42 million over six years, including $16 million guaranteed, when the Bears didn't meet his asking price. Chicago reportedly offered him $25 million over five years. "I know they wanted to [keep me]. It's just the price wasn't right," he said. "So, I didn't feel that I was going to be worth that amount, so they didn't go after me." Berrian started off slow with the Vikings but now has caught 22 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns. He also drew the pass ..."

Chicago will rain boos on Berrian

Comment

October 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian did not talk to the media before or after practice Wednesday about what he expects in his return to Chicago on Sunday. Teammate Bobby Wade was happy to oblige though. "Bernard no doubt is going to get a lot of boos," Wade said. "I'm going to be laughing." Wade got the same treatment last season when the Vikings played the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. A former Bears receiver, Wade said he got heckled and booed throughout the game. Berrian, who signed a six-year, $42 million free-agent contract with Vikings this offseason after four seasons with the Bears, can expect a similarly intense reaction when he plays his first game against his former team. ..."

Skinny on why Berrian bolted

Comment

October 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"Not only did Bernard Berrian bolt Halas Hall for richer pastures, but he left the Bears' unparalleled quarterback carousel behind. Berrian said Wednesday that the Bears' uncertainty at quarterback was part of the equation -- you know, along with the millions more the Minnesota Vikings offered -- in his departure via free agency. It sounds reasonable, until you consider that the quarterback Berrian left to join forces with, Tarvaris Jackson, was an unproven project who lost his job after two games. Now he's lined up with 37-year-old Gus Frerotte, who will not be a long-term connection. That doesn't mean change hasn't been good for Berrian. The Vikings are 3-1 since Frerotte assumed the ..."

Berrian a hard guy for Bears to hate

Comment

October 16

Chicago Tribune

columnist David Haugh

"They were just two old buddies bantering, Bernard Berrian and Charles Tillman. Berrian, the ex-Bears wide receiver now with the Vikings, was asked during a teleconference Wednesday who won most of their battles in practice when they were teammates. "Ha-ha-ha-ha," Berrian laughed wickedly. "I think you guys know the answer." Nobody in the room did, so we asked Tillman. If you think Tillman's defensive stance helps keep receivers in check, you should see it around reporters. "I never counted," Tillman said. "He has won some, I've won some." He smiled, spreading the feel-good vibe from here to Minneapolis regarding Berrian's return for Sunday's game. Tillman even justified Berrian becoming ..."

Vikings' Berrian a game-changer

Comment

October 13

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"So this is why the Vikings paid Bernard Berrian all that money. With the Lions leading 10-2 late in the third quarter and the Metrodome crowd beginning to turn on the home team, the former Bears wide receiver took a short pass from Gus Frerotte and ran 86 yards for a touchdown. The score changed the complexion of the game, and very possibly the Vikings' season as Minnesota came back to win 12-10. "What a pretty game," Frerotte said with much sarcasm. A loss would have given the Vikings a 2-4 record. Losing to a 13-point underdog also would have shaken their confidence with a Sunday date in Chicago against the Bears looming. With seven minutes remaining, fans started bailing out of the ..."

Berrian comes up big with career-best game

Comment

October 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian had some tough talk about the Saints defense last week, but he backed it up with a career-best performance Monday in a 30-27 victory against the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. Berrian caught six passes for a career-high 110 yards with a 33-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that tied the score 27-27. Berrian said afterward that he ran the wrong route on that play. Berrian also drew a critical 42-yard pass interference penalty on New Orleans safety Kevin Kaesviharn with 1 minute, 11 seconds remaining that set up a winning field goal by Ryan Longwell. On third-and-3 from the Vikings 44, Berrian ran a deep route and quarterback Gus Frerotte fired ..."

Bernard Berrian 'optimistic' he'll be able to play Monday

Comment

October 5

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian was "optimistic" he would be able to play Monday night in New Orleans despite a right knee injury that slowed him more this week. Berrian said Saturday he hurt himself during practice earlier in the week. He is listed as questionable on the team injury report, generally meaning there is a 50-50 chance he could play. Berrian, who has been hampered all season by a right toe injury, was asked whether his knee injury occurred by overcompensating for the toe. "Maybe. I don't know. I'm not a doctor," he said. Signed last summer to a contract with $16 million in guarantees to be the Vikings' No. 1 receiver, Berrian leads the team with 195 receiving yards ..."

Vikings receivers limping around

Comment

September 16

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Vikings' passing game is hurting, and so are several of the team's receivers. Starting receiver Sidney Rice said he suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sunday against Indianapolis. Rice said he was told there's a "good chance" he will be able to play Sunday against Carolina, but given the way he limped around the locker room Monday, that seems unlikely. Rice said he's "pretty sore," and "it kind of hurts when I walk a little bit." He said he hopes when the swelling goes down, the pain will decrease as well. Rice said he was injured in the second quarter. He returned in the third quarter but was forced to leave the game after he felt popping and shifting in ..."

Bernard Berrian in a better place—Minnesota

Comment

August 28

Chicago Tribune

columnist Dan Pompei

"This is a place where wide receivers go to live. And to develop chemistry with one quarterback. And to adjust routes based on defensive techniques and coverages. And to get rich. Aside from a turf-toe injury that bothered him a year ago and has flared up again, life is very, very good for Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Viking. He heard former Bears teammate Muhsin Muhammad said Chicago "is where receivers go to die." And he understood completely. "It's hard to get rhythm there because they are switching quarterbacks all the time," Berrian said, echoing Muhammad. "Me and Bobby [Wade] were talking about it a couple of days ago. I played with 12 different quarterbacks there and caught a ball from ..."