And they're off! NFL Training Camp Holdout Season Begins

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Nobody gets into contract negotiations in the NFL with their eyes closed. Both sides understand how the system works... it isn't perfect, but everyone understands the trade-offs involved.

For a player, a longer term contract essentially means that you go longer before you can become a free agent. The annual salaries are not guaranteed.

For the team, yo have the luxury of releasing a player at any time, and ignoring future base salary. If you paid a siging bonus, this becomes a cap consequence (which we all ought to understand), but not a cash consequence.

For the player, if at some point your performance becomes such that you think the tam cannot do without you, you will be empowered to demand a new contract. Absent action, you will have the option to hold out and not play -- and if the team really needs you, they will have the option to reach a new, mutually acceptable contract. We all know how these stories go -- players with a lot of leverage (generally very good ones) get what they want, players with less leverage (generally not so good ones) frequently don't... and life goes on for all parties involved.

It's not like these various contract holdouts and veteral cuts come out of thin air. Everyone understands that they are part of the system.


I'm not wild about the situation with TO, who is only one year deep into a very lavish new contract... and I think he's pushing the envelope a bit more than would have been expected. But a situation like Walker's can hardly be considered that surprising. He is fairly regarded as one of the best players at his position, and at the tail end of a multi- year contract, he is essentially facing the prospect of playing for a trifle salary and risking his ability to get a lucrative long term deal after this season. It's a lot like the situation of a college junior deciding whether to declare for the draft -- for him, the big money is in the next contract... he has to consider that as he decides what to do for this year. I'm not thrilled about this, but I find it hard to completely dismiss that position as being out of hand.

Great post as usual. It really is all "a part of the game."

[duckman]

No holdout for Alex Smith. He agreed to a 6 year $51 million deal.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Nobody gets into contract negotiations in the NFL with their eyes closed. Both sides understand how the system works... it isn't perfect, but everyone understands the trade-offs involved.

For a player, a longer term contract essentially means that you go longer before you can become a free agent. The annual salaries are not guaranteed.

For the team, yo have the luxury of releasing a player at any time, and ignoring future base salary. If you paid a siging bonus, this becomes a cap consequence (which we all ought to understand), but not a cash consequence.

For the player, if at some point your performance becomes such that you think the tam cannot do without you, you will be empowered to demand a new contract. Absent action, you will have the option to hold out and not play -- and if the team really needs you, they will have the option to reach a new, mutually acceptable contract. We all know how these stories go -- players with a lot of leverage (generally very good ones) get what they want, players with less leverage (generally not so good ones) frequently don't... and life goes on for all parties involved.

It's not like these various contract holdouts and veteral cuts come out of thin air. Everyone understands that they are part of the system.

All of this I agree with. Where the animosity comes in is how the player deals with the holdout. I'm not hearing great animosity being fired towards Richard Seymour, for example (of course, I'm not actually in New England right now either, so I could be wrong). The key is in how the player presents themselves publically. Players that say "I think I'm worth more than my contract" are pretty much left alone. Players that blackmail the system into getting traded to the team of their choice, sign a fat new contract, and then gripe about how much they are paid the next year deserve everything thrown at them. Doubly so when they say "I've got to feed my family" or somesuch.

Saying "I'm worth more than this" is one thing, but saying "I'm not being paid a decent wage" is an entirely different story. The first group is treated with a reasonable amount of respect as playing the system. The second group is treated with scorn by hard-working Americans that can't stand the publicity hounds.

[jeff061]

Worst you hear directed towards Seymour is the token "He should honor his contract.". Even that is a minority opinion, I think most people take a neutral stance. It's a combination of him handling it well and New England fans used to winning games even when playing with scraps on defense. Even if he decided to carry it into the season there wouldn't be panic(unless they start losing of course).

The guy was hugging Kraft, participating in some of the earlier optional stuff and doing camp/charity work all while holding out.

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by Noop

So he should honor his contract but like someone said when he is old and has 3.5 million a year left on his contract the team wont honor it. They will cut him and call it a day... One more thing if players can get cut for underperforming why can't they get paid for overperforming?

They can - incentives are built into a number of contracts. Apparently not Walker's.

[Fonzie]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Saying "I'm worth more than this" is one thing, but saying "I'm not being paid a decent wage" is an entirely different story. The first group is treated with a reasonable amount of respect as playing the system. The second group is treated with scorn by hard-working Americans that can't stand the publicity hounds.

Kind of like this little tidbit from a piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week?

Originally Posted by Drew Rosenhaus

"It is business," Rosenhaus said. "In every other profession it goes on. But people want to nail the athletes (because) they have a contract, and they make millions of dollars. It's all relative, baby. It's OK for Tom Cruise to make $50 million a movie? But a guy who risks his life can't get paid a decent wage? B.S. I'm not standing for it."

As I've said before, I don't mind that Walker is utilizing the only leverage he has, and he has every right to try to get as much money as he can. But Rosenhaus spewing this kind of crap (which is, of course, his job) is not going to help them in the court of public opinion. Of course, at this point Rosenhaus may be doing that on purpose to get the public so sick of Walker that the Packers might feel pressured to trade him (as with Mike McKenzie last year - and I'm sure the Packers haven't forgotten Rosenhaus' was involved in that debacle too).

Oh, and I also learned in that same JS Online article that, in addition to the $3 million signing bonus he got in his rookie contract, Walker also received a $1.3 million option bonus the team gave him in 2003. So, that's a total of $4.3 million that he has pocketed in bonuses alone. That makes the whole "I'm underpaid!" line a bit harder to swallow when they cite just his salary figure for the year.

And there is still no word on whether Grady Jackson will report for the Packers.

[TazFTW]

Hmmm, Shaun Alexander signed his 1 yr tender and now Javon Walker has decided to attend Packers training camp.

[Fonzie]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

Hmmm, Shaun Alexander signed his 1 yr tender and now Javon Walker has decided to attend Packers training camp.

Yep - Walker's decision surprised the hell out of me. I thought he was headed down the path paved by Mike McKenzie.

http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/jul05/344214.asp

Walker decides to report to training camp

'Tell everybody I'm coming in,' Packers wide receiver says at airport

By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]

Posted: July 27, 2005

Green Bay - Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker wasn't ready to discuss his reasons for arriving in town this evening for the official start of training camp, but he was willing to say this:

Packers/NFL

Photo/David Joles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker has decided to report to camp.

Quotable

Tell everybody I'm coming in. - Javon Walker

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Chat: Reporter Tom Silverstein, noon Thursday

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"Tell them I'm coming in," Walker told a Journal Sentinel reporter as he arrived at the Green Bay airport shortly after 5 p.m. "You can tell them that."

Up until Walker's arrival at Austin Straubel Airport, most in the Packers organization were under the impression he wasn't going to be present for the start of training camp. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told the Journal Sentinel a week ago that Walker would not be present when training camp started because he was unhappy with his contract.

Thus, Walker arrived at the airport in the National Football League's smallest market virtually unnoticed. Wearing a white throwback football jersey with brown stripes on the sleeves, a No. 13 on the back and the name "Marino" embroidered across his shoulders, Walker walked through the airport alone, hired a taxi outside and, after retrieving his bags inside, took off.

Even dressed in football garb, Walker, with a baseball cap pulled tightly over his eyes, seemed relatively inconspicuous and drew very little attention, in part because there were only a handful of people milling about the lower level of the airport.

Before he left, Walker spoke briefly about his intention to report to camp, but declined to discuss his reasons in detail. Three times Walker was asked directly whether he intended to report to camp and each time he answered affirmatively.

"Let them know I'm coming in," Walker said as he departed.

Asked if there was anything else he wanted to say about his return, he said, "No, that's it. Just tell everybody I'm coming in."

Veterans were due to report at camp at 7 p.m. for a team meeting. A team spokesman said that general manager Ted Thompson was unavailable for comment and wasn't planning on revealing which players were missing.

The team isn't scheduled to practice again until Friday morning at 8:45, but the medical staff will be conducting physicals and the conditioning staff will be putting players through physical testing.

Walker said he might address his situation on Thursday, but it's unclear whether the Packers will make him available to reporters. Rosenhaus, who was omnipresent in the media in the weeks leading up to training camp, did not return phone calls for a third straight day.

The Packers have been steadfast in refusing to renegotiate Walker's contract, which has two years left on it, and there's no indication they did or said anything that would lead Walker to believe they would change their mind. If Walker doesn't report, the Packers have the right to fine him $6,000 a day, which over the course of training camp would result in the loss of roughly $180,000.

Considering Walker is scheduled to make just $515,000 in base salary this season, he would be forfeiting a large chunk of his income. In addition, the Packers had the right to seek the return of half of Walker's $1.3 million option bonus paid in 2003, according to the provisions of his contract.

The Packers could still seek that amount if they choose because Walker technically violated his contract when he skipped a mandatory minicamp in April. To this point, the Packers haven't given any indication what steps they would take with Walker other than to fine him.

Walker made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season, leading the Packers with 89 receptions for 1,328 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He hired Rosenhaus to represent him after the season in an attempt to get his contract renegotiated. Rosenhaus has received considerable national attention in recent weeks because two of his high-profile clients, Walker and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, both want new contracts even though their old ones have not expired.

He also represents Packers nose tackle Grady Jackson, who signed with Rosenhaus several weeks ago in an attempt to renegotiate the final year of his two-year, $2.31 million contract.

Rosenhaus first gained notoriety among Packers fans last off-season when he successfully forced the Packers' hand on trading cornerback Mike McKenzie.

[wade moore]

Does it seem to anyone else like Rosenhaus's house of cards is falling, even if only piece by piece? He trumped up so many holdouts, but all of a sudden teams weren't budging.. and now they're calling his bluff..

[Arles]

With Walker, I think many in the Packer organization saw it for the ruse it was. First, Walker made $4.3 million in bonuses during the first two years of his contract (when he did next to nothing on the field). That's a point often left out by Rosenhaus when talking about how Walker is "playing for 500K" this season. Next, portions of the $1.3 million option bonus and much of his 05 salary would be forfeited per the contract if he held out. Finally, GB had told Walker (and his prior agent) repeatedly that they would like to extend him later in the season or early in the next offseason.

This looks like a somewhat desperate PR move by Rosenhaus to try and move this ahead by 6-7 months to get paid earlier, but I don't think Walker was every seriously considering sitting the season out (probably to the dismay of Rosenhaus as he will now have to wait another half a year to get paid for representing Walker).

[stevew]

Not a good one for the start of Steelers camp


LATROBE, Pa. -- Hines Ward became the Pittsburgh Steelers' first major holdout in 12 years Sunday, keeping his promise not to report to training camp without a contract extension that would make him one of the NFL's top-paid wide receivers.

	Hines Ward Wide Receiver Pittsburgh Steelers Profile
	2004 SEASON STATISTICS Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC 80 1004 4 12.6 58 398

Once Ward missed the 6 p.m. ET reporting deadline, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said negotiations were over until Ward shows up -- something the four-time Pro Bowl receiver has insisted that he won't do without a new deal.



Ward, with one year remaining on a contract worth $1.66 million this season, apparently has two choices: End his holdout and continue talks, as Steelers Pro Bowl running back Barry Foster did in 1993, or sit out the season, as three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Merriweather did in 1988.



Several teammates made impassioned pleas for the team to re-sign Ward, with linebacker Joey Porter saying the Steelers "can't win without him." And Colbert himself seemed uncomfortable talking about a missing player he often has cited for his unselfishness and team-first attitude.



"We understand Hines Ward is a special player and always has been ... but, sometimes, there's going to be a disagreement," Colbert said. "The policy has always been that, if a player is under contact, he has to be in camp for any negotiations to go forward. Without the player here, there won't be any exchange."



Ward's absence threatens to create a major distraction for a team that went 15-1 and reached the AFC championship game last season, and leaves quarterback Ben Roethlisberger without either starting wide receiver from his breakthrough rookie season.



Plaxico Burress signed with the Giants because the Steelers couldn't afford to keep both him and Ward. They preferred to keep Ward, whose production and toughness -- he is widely considered the NFL's top-blocking receiver -- have personified the Steelers' offense for years. He is within 33 catches of breaking Hall of Famer John Stallworth's team career record of 537 receptions.



Ward's salary last season was only a fraction of that of top receivers such as the Colts' Marvin Harrison, the Raiders' Randy Moss and the Eagles' Terrell Owens, counting bonuses and the prorated share of signing bonuses. The current impasse is mostly the result of Ward wanting much of his money in an eight-figure signing bonus, but the Steelers preferring to pay him in salary -- something he wouldn't earn if the team ever cut him for salary-cap reasons.



Asked if Ward deserves a new contract, running back Jerome Bettis said, "What do you think? He's like the 40th paid wide receiver in the league."



All-Pro linebacker James Farrior said the Steelers' camp won't be the same without Ward's never-take-a-down-off attitude, attention to detail and production. Ward has surpassed the team's former single-season record of 85 receptions three times, including a team-record 112-catch season in 2002.



"The way he plays and the way he approaches the game, everybody kind of follows what he does," Farrior said. "He's a great player and does all the little things and a lot of the young guys look up to him to get their motivation and see how he does things, because he's always doing it right."

[rkmsuf]

He's one guy that deserves a restructured deal. He's a very good player.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

He's one guy that deserves a restructured deal. He's a very good player.

No kidding. I understand the team not wanting to over-commit with guaranteed money, either. Seems, though, this is one player who has spent his career providing the team with a top 10 talent at a rock bottom price. He may be justified in asking the team to pay him back for that with real money, not maybe money.

[Hurst2112]

Not a good one for the start of Steelers camp

I hope that he comes back and honors his last year. I don't think the the Steelers will dole him out top-5 money. He's a great player, my favorite on the team.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

The Steelers should make a stand here, then prove their point by trading Ward & Rothlesberger to Detroit for Joey Harrington.

[RendeR]

So many situations, most of which Rosen-dork instigated....

Seymour I know nothing about, not sure what stance to take on his holdout.

Walker in Green bay is just being led around by the nose by the agent from hell. I'm impressed he stood up for himself and went to camp. Walkers situation I would agree with walker on IF it were the last year of his contract, but with 2 to go, I really have to side with the Packers. he got paid and he FINALLY started to play up to the worth last season. If he does it again this year, give him his big bucks. he'll have earned it by then.

T.O. is a compete fucking virus infecting the NFL team by team. He tore the fourty-whiners apart with his antics and attitude, he completely disrespected the baltimore franchise and now he's pulling this shit after signing a SEVEN year deal?

Fuck this guy, I don't care how good he is. Let him sit his ass at home for the next six seasons and then see who has any interest in his useless ass.

I was shocked at Ward's holdout, I hadn't heard a word about him. I like the guy, he's all about heart on the field. I think he should get a restructured deal for what he's given teh team for so long now but I also believe he should be in camp working with Big Ben so he doesn't destroy what little chemistry they have.

My nickel.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by RendeR

So many situations, most of which Rosen-dork instigated....

Seymour I know nothing about, not sure what stance to take on his holdout.

Walker in Green bay is just being led around by the nose by the agent from hell. I'm impressed he stood up for himself and went to camp. Walkers situation I would agree with walker on IF it were the last year of his contract, but with 2 to go, I really have to side with the Packers. he got paid and he FINALLY started to play up to the worth last season. If he does it again this year, give him his big bucks. he'll have earned it by then.

T.O. is a compete fucking virus infecting the NFL team by team. He tore the fourty-whiners apart with his antics and attitude, he completely disrespected the baltimore franchise and now he's pulling this shit after signing a SEVEN year deal?

Fuck this guy, I don't care how good he is. Let him sit his ass at home for the next six seasons and then see who has any interest in his useless ass.

I was shocked at Ward's holdout, I hadn't heard a word about him. I like the guy, he's all about heart on the field. I think he should get a restructured deal for what he's given teh team for so long now but I also believe he should be in camp working with Big Ben so he doesn't destroy what little chemistry they have.

My nickel.

Drew is a twink, but I'd hire him as my agent any day.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Drew is a twink, but I'd hire him as my agent any day.

I wouldn't, but I probably would lose a good bit of money.

[TazFTW]

TO shows up at Eagles camp, Brian Westbrook does not.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I want to see Ward play. He should get good money after the season... but I guess he wants it now for security purposes.

[TazFTW]

Jay Glazer is reporting that Richard Seymour will be in camp Wednesday.

[Fonzie]

And on a related note (from Packersnews.com):

Walker out for season with knee injury
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, coach Mike Sherman confirmed after the team’s 17-3 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Walker caught a deep pass from Brett Favre and was tackled by Lions cornerback Fernando Bryant midway through the third quarter.

He suffered what Sherman described as a torn ACL.

— PackersNews.com