Football Just call me Al: Wrecking the NFL, one deal at a time... - Page 2

T-post Tom · 02-21-2009, 02:21 AM

Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:19 pm EST

Execs taken aback by Asomugha, Lechler deals
By Jason Cole

INDIANAPOLIS – Reaction was swift and ugly Thursday to the deals the Oakland Raiders gave CB Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler over the past two days.

"How many different ways can you say, 'What were they thinking?' " a team executive who declined to be identified said after being told the terms of Asomugha's three-year, $45 million contract.

"Insanity, stupidity, whatever you want to attach to it. Yeah, the kid is the best cornerback in the league. They paid for quality. I'll give them that. But that deal wrecks the league. Absolutely wrecks it. … I'm sure Al doesn't care, but it's deals like that that change the league for the worse."

Asomugha is guaranteed $28.5 million over the first two years of the deal and the Raiders will have to decide by the fifth day of the league year in 2011 whether to pick up the third season of the deal. If they do, the final year is guaranteed. If not, Asomugha can't be franchised (nor can the Raiders franchise him even if he plays out all three years on the contract), making him an unrestricted free agent at either age 29 or 30. Combined with the $9.7 million Asomugha made last season as a franchise player for Oakland, he stands to make approximately $55 million in a four-year stretch.

"And still hit free agency at the right time for one more big contract, assuming he's healthy," a second team executive said, shaking his head.

The fear among the executives is that the Asomugha deal will have a ripple effect on the rest of the league. Specifically, Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth is likely to get a contract that exceeds previous deals for defensive linemen such as Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney.

"You can argue that Haynesworth is a defensive tackle or that he's a bad guy," said a third team executive. "But if a cornerback gets what the Raiders just paid, a defensive tackle like Haynesworth is going to get a serious pay day as well."

Similarly, Lechler's deal more than doubled the previous high average for a punter. His four-year, $16 million deal includes $9 million guaranteed, according to sources close to the negotiations. The $4 million average per season exceeds the previous high of $1.8 million.

Over-Head · 02-21-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I wonder where the breaking point is where the TV revenue, ticket/merchandise sales and corporate sponsorships will no longer support the escalating salaries. There has to be one.

I agree, and around 2012 IF they go with no cap for 2011 we'll see Vince McMann resurect the XFL with Thigpen and JR going at it in "The Big Game at the end of the year"

**notorious** · 02-21-2009, 11:21 AM

Jealous are we?

They are in a profession where very few people can do what they do. They are being paid market value. When the owners stop paying them stupid amounts of money because they are not worth it anymore, the market will level.

If millions of people turned on a tv to watch a plumber wrangle a turd out of a toilet, I would expect that plumber to get paid very well.

Over-Head · 02-21-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Jealous are we?

They are in a profession where very few people can do what they do. They are being paid market value. When the owners stop paying them stupid amounts of money because they are not worth it anymore, the market will level.

If millions of people turned on a tv to watch a plumber wrangle a turd out of a toilet, I would expect that plumber to get paid very well.

They already do!
http://www.holmesonhomes.com/makeitright/index.php

And Mike ain't getten no 28.5 mill!

**notorious** · 02-21-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over-Head

They already do!
http://www.holmesonhomes.com/makeitright/index.php

And Mike ain't getten no 28.5 mill!

Even if he did get 28.5 million, he would still be getting underpaid for drilling some nastys out of another person's throne.

ChiefRon · 02-21-2009, 11:32 AM

I think it's deals like this, and last years' deals of the Raiders, that are going to make it extremely dicey to negotiate another CBA. We're looking at an uncapped year and these deals make that more likely.

When that happens, say goodbye to decent teams in small markets...

**notorious** · 02-21-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

I think it's deals like this, and last years' deals of the Raiders, that are going to make it extremely dicey to negotiate another CBA. We're looking at an uncapped year and these deals make that more likely.

When that happens, say goodbye to decent teams in small markets...

I hope that the owners and players understand that they would destroy the future of the sport if they do not keep the league capped. Baseball part 2 coming right up.........

ChiefRon · 02-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I hope that the owners and players understand that they would destroy the future of the sport if they do not keep the league capped. Baseball part 2 coming right up.........

Exactly.

What do you think of all the teams (and the league office) laying off people, yet at the same time you see these monster, history-making deals every day?

It's setting up for a hell of a showdown...

**notorious** · 02-21-2009, 11:46 AM

The elite players will get paid more in the short term, but the long term will yield less due to fan backlash from the "Yankees/Redsox Syndrome".

MMXcalibur · 02-21-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I hope that the owners and players understand that they would destroy the future of the sport if they do not keep the league capped. Baseball part 2 coming right up.........

****wads like Jerry Jones would have a field day. My god....if you think you were sick of hearing about the goddamn Cowboys now......

Over-Head · 02-21-2009, 11:55 AM

**** it!
Let's all just start watching CFL!
Come on Stamps!

**notorious** · 02-21-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

****wads like Jerry Jones would have a field day. My god....if you think you were sick of hearing about the goddamn Cowboys now......

Yep. In fact they snuck in two of their 90's Superbowls before the cap went into effect.

The Giants, Cowboys, Washington, and NE could outspend everyone.

Hydrae · 02-21-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Yes, this is big money, but NFL salaries don't come close to what MLB players get, which is BS because NFL players put their life on the line every week AND their contracts aren't guaranteed like MLB's are.

If you want to bitch about salaries for athletes, you better start with baseball.

MLB players play in 10X as many games as NFL players. Only 1/2 as many on the roster.
NBA players play in 5X as many games as NFL players. Only 1/5 as many on the roster.

I would imagine little details like this may affect the revenue of the teams in question and thus the amount of scratch available to each player.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 02-21-2009, 12:34 PM

Stupid mentality. If Al Davis is the only one willing to pay those dollars, then how does that affect the league at all? If you're interested in Haynesworth who starts talking about Oakland money, which is what it should be referred to, then send his ass to Oakland and wish him luck. Maybe Al can come up with a half a billion dollar payroll. Good on him.

The_Doctor10 · 02-21-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over-Head

**** it!
Let's all just start watching CFL!
Come on Stamps!

Sarcasm or not, they're gonna repeat next year

The NFL can't seriously look at Raiders contracts as a benchmark, can they? Otherwise, useless CBs who get burned deep all the time are actually worth 70 million, old, slow WRs with no knees and a history of being violently attacked in vegas are worth 60 or whatever he gave Walker... And the day someone other than Al davis pays 4 million a season for a PUNTER is the day we actually find out how Ted met his kids' mother.

02-21-2009, 02:21 AM
T-post Tom Busy in a Kohl's restroom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $1747293	Just call me Al: Wrecking the NFL, one deal at a time... Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:19 pm EST Execs taken aback by Asomugha, Lechler deals By Jason Cole INDIANAPOLIS – Reaction was swift and ugly Thursday to the deals the Oakland Raiders gave CB Nnamdi Asomugha and punter Shane Lechler over the past two days. "How many different ways can you say, 'What were they thinking?' " a team executive who declined to be identified said after being told the terms of Asomugha's three-year, $45 million contract. "Insanity, stupidity, whatever you want to attach to it. Yeah, the kid is the best cornerback in the league. They paid for quality. I'll give them that. But that deal wrecks the league. Absolutely wrecks it. … I'm sure Al doesn't care, but it's deals like that that change the league for the worse." Asomugha is guaranteed $28.5 million over the first two years of the deal and the Raiders will have to decide by the fifth day of the league year in 2011 whether to pick up the third season of the deal. If they do, the final year is guaranteed. If not, Asomugha can't be franchised (nor can the Raiders franchise him even if he plays out all three years on the contract), making him an unrestricted free agent at either age 29 or 30. Combined with the $9.7 million Asomugha made last season as a franchise player for Oakland, he stands to make approximately $55 million in a four-year stretch. "And still hit free agency at the right time for one more big contract, assuming he's healthy," a second team executive said, shaking his head. The fear among the executives is that the Asomugha deal will have a ripple effect on the rest of the league. Specifically, Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth is likely to get a contract that exceeds previous deals for defensive linemen such as Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney. "You can argue that Haynesworth is a defensive tackle or that he's a bad guy," said a third team executive. "But if a cornerback gets what the Raiders just paid, a defensive tackle like Haynesworth is going to get a serious pay day as well." Similarly, Lechler's deal more than doubled the previous high average for a punter. His four-year, $16 million deal includes $9 million guaranteed, according to sources close to the negotiations. The $4 million average per season exceeds the previous high of $1.8 million.
Posts: 22,376

02-21-2009, 11:21 AM	#17
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-1044116	Jealous are we? They are in a profession where very few people can do what they do. They are being paid market value. When the owners stop paying them stupid amounts of money because they are not worth it anymore, the market will level. If millions of people turned on a tv to watch a plumber wrangle a turd out of a toilet, I would expect that plumber to get paid very well.
Posts: 88,599

02-21-2009, 11:32 AM	#20
ChiefRon Starter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Memphis, TN Casino cash: $10004900	I think it's deals like this, and last years' deals of the Raiders, that are going to make it extremely dicey to negotiate another CBA. We're looking at an uncapped year and these deals make that more likely. When that happens, say goodbye to decent teams in small markets...
Posts: 924

02-21-2009, 11:46 AM	#23
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-1044116	The elite players will get paid more in the short term, but the long term will yield less due to fan backlash from the "Yankees/Redsox Syndrome".
Posts: 88,599

02-21-2009, 11:55 AM	#25
Over-Head Boom, Boom , Crash Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In my shed Casino cash: $9995760	**** it! Let's all just start watching CFL! Come on Stamps! __________________ ...Illegitimus non Carborundum est...
Posts: 12,040