Football Pay 'em, Trade 'em, Ignore 'em: The NFL game

**Bwana** · 05-30-2008, 04:16 PM

By skipping "voluntary" off-season workouts, some big-name veterans are doing one of two things: Expressing unhappiness with their current contracts or trying to force their way out, especially if a new deal or better opportunity is awaiting elsewhere.

There are vets with legitimate gripes about being underpaid in a market where salaries have skyrocketed in recent seasons. Others are wasting their time.

Here is some advice on how 15 disgruntled players should be handled in this round of Pay 'em, Trade 'em or Ignore 'em. Note: This list only includes players already under contract, not those who have yet to sign franchise or restricted free-agent tenders.
Pay 'em

Buffalo left tackle Jason Peters: Because he was undrafted, Peters never received a lucrative rookie contract. The landscape has changed drastically since Peters signed a five-year, $15 million extension in 2006. He is now only Buffalo's third-highest paid lineman behind guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker. And while a new contract must be worked out with wide receiver Lee Evans, the Bills reportedly have $27 million in salary cap space available. That's plenty of room to give a 26-year-old coming off his first Pro Bowl selection a well-deserved raise.

New Orleans defensive end Will Smith:
The Saints appeared ready to let Smith leave via free agency in 2009 when signing Charles Grant to a seven-year, $63 million contract and adding Bobby McCray in free agency. But Grant's NFL future is in question after he was recently indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges from an altercation at a Georgia nightclub. Even if Grant is ultimately cleared, Smith (17.5 sacks and 115 tackles the past two seasons) might be the better player.

Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham:
With a 2008 salary of $605,000, Graham is the NFL's most underpaid starting running back besides Green Bay's Ryan Grant. Graham has never received a big NFL payday because he signed with the Bucs as a college free agent. Similarities can be drawn between Graham and Oakland's Justin Fargas, another 28-year-old who didn't emerge as a quality starter until last season. Oakland gave Fargas a three-year, $12 million contract in February that included $6 million guaranteed. That sounds about right for Graham, especially with Tampa Bay having ample cap room available.

Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh:
The antics — both good and bad — of Chad Johnson and Chris Henry have overshadowed Houshmandzadeh's impressive production the past four seasons. Although he turns 31 in September, Houshmandzadeh is set to become one of the NFL's hottest free agents in 2009. The Bengals drafted three wide receivers but there are no guarantees those players will have NFL success. In fact, none of the six wideouts Cincinnati has chosen since Houshmandzadeh (2001 seventh round) remain on the roster. The Bengals already have parted ways with Henry and would be wise to do the same with Johnson (see below). That makes keeping Houshmandzadeh even more important for quarterback Carson Palmer.

Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin:
In 2005, the Cardinals gave Boldin a four-year, $22.7 million extension after just his second NFL season. That means Boldin is under contract through 2010. Arizona also recently made a massive investment in fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald with a four-year, $40 million deal. Boldin, though, is considered a team leader who already has taken third-round pick Early Doucet under his wing. Re-doing his contract — which the Cardinals tried doing last December, according to the Arizona Republic — would again show how much the franchise values Boldin. Boldin's problem is that extensions for other Cardinals like linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson may be more pressing priorities. If a new deal can't be worked out, expect the Cardinals to strongly consider trading Boldin in the 2009 off-season.
Trade 'em

Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson:
Cincinnati's refusal to deal Johnson earlier this off-season was understandable. The Bengals didn't want to take a major cap hit ($8 million), lose one of the NFL's five best wideouts and set a precedent where disenfranchised players can talk their way off the roster. But unless Johnson and coach Marvin Lewis can settle their differences by training camp, Johnson just isn't worth the headache.

Miami defensive end Jason Taylor:
The Dolphins are actively trying to move Taylor, whose decision to skip off-season workouts for "Dancing With the Stars" infuriated Miami's Bill Parcells-led regime. Because of his age (34 in September) and questionable long-term commitment to football, don't expect the Dolphins to receive more than a third-round pick as compensation.

New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey:
Since the Giants thrived with him out of the lineup last season, Shockey has shown no public indication he wants to remain in New York. Shockey has skipped the team's off-season workout program as well as Super Bowl celebrations. Shockey is arguably the NFL's best all-around tight end when healthy, which is the main reason why Giants general manager Jerry Reese seems reticent to deal him. But if second-year tight end Kevin Boss shows he's ready for a bigger workload, Reese should feel better about sending Shockey elsewhere.

New York Jets tight end Chris Baker:
The selection of first-round tight end Dustin Keller and signing of free-agent Bubba Franks make Baker expendable. Coming off a 41-catch campaign, Baker's demands for a new deal seem silly. But he also is the third Jets player to say management failed to follow through on promises to re-work their contract. That could lead to mistrust in the team's locker room.

Atlanta wide receiver Joe Horn:
With the Falcons building a core of promising young wideouts, Horn realized he has become expendable and asked for a trade. Horn, though, would almost certainly have to take a pay cut from his $2.5 million salary for a deal to get completed. Horn is 36 and coming off a 27-catch campaign. Dallas and Tennessee are two teams that Horn would have an interest in joining.
Ignore 'em

Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher:
As if trying to fix a lousy offense wasn't giving Bears brass enough of a headache, the heart and soul of Chicago's defense is unhappy with his contract situation. Urlacher, though, already is well compensated as part of a nine-year, $57 million deal he signed in 2003. The Chicago Tribune also reported that Urlacher recently declined a one-year extension that included $5 million guaranteed. With neck and back issues greatly limiting his effectiveness in 2007, Chicago's reticence in giving Urlacher a huge raise is understandable. Both sides should return to the negotiating table in 2009 should Urlacher rebound from a sub-par season.

Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow:
How quickly they forget. When Winslow was forced to miss the 2005 season following a motorcycle accident, the Browns didn't try to recoup part of the $10 million in bonuses paid through his rookie contract. So how does Winslow show his appreciation? By skipping off-season workouts hoping for an extension that will yield more than the $13.5 million he is set to earn over the next three seasons. Don't expect the Browns to blink, especially after doling out so many other big-money contracts earlier this off-season.

Seattle wide receiver Bobby Engram: Coming off a 94-catch season, Engram is underpaid with a $1.75 million salary in 2008. But he's also 35, which doesn't make Engram a good candidate for a long-term deal. One solution for Seattle could be giving Engram a modest bump in 2008 base salary with the promise of extension talks in the 2009 off-season.

Arizona defensive end Darnell Dockett:
He already wants a new contract less than two seasons after signing a five-year, $22 million extension. Good luck — especially after recording just one sack in the final eight games of 2007.

San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood:
Upset with being used exclusively as a special teams player, Osgood is skipping workouts to attend speed camp and hone his skills at wide receiver. While his work ethic is commendable, the reality is that Osgood hasn't shown much promise at the position. Otherwise, San Diego wouldn't have used a 2007 first-round pick on Craig "Buster" Davis or made a mid-season trade with Miami for Chris Chambers. Osgood, a two-time Pro Bowl special teams selection, will assuredly be playing elsewhere in 2009.

Hammock Parties · 05-30-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Shockey is arguably the NFL's best all-around tight end when healthy

lol

Direckshun · 05-30-2008, 04:54 PM

I bet none of these players get traded for three high draft picks, including a first rounder.

BIG_DADDY · 05-30-2008, 05:00 PM

Winslow just might be the biggest asshole in the league

Brock · 05-30-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Winslow just might be the biggest asshole in the league

He just does what Daddy says.

BIG_DADDY · 05-30-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

He just does what Daddy says.

Notice I said the biggest asshole in the league and not the biggest asshole in the history of the league

CupidStunt · 05-30-2008, 05:06 PM

Dockett should get a new deal, but that would be his last. He is grossly underpaid as an elite DT.

05-30-2008, 04:54 PM	#3
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2033447	I bet none of these players get traded for three high draft picks, including a first rounder.
Posts: 59,693

05-30-2008, 05:00 PM	#4
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $2558410	Winslow just might be the biggest asshole in the league __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,522

05-30-2008, 05:06 PM	#7
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $-716668	Dockett should get a new deal, but that would be his last. He is grossly underpaid as an elite DT.
Posts: 9,016

05-30-2008, 04:16 PM
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2135873647	By skipping "voluntary" off-season workouts, some big-name veterans are doing one of two things: Expressing unhappiness with their current contracts or trying to force their way out, especially if a new deal or better opportunity is awaiting elsewhere. There are vets with legitimate gripes about being underpaid in a market where salaries have skyrocketed in recent seasons. Others are wasting their time. Here is some advice on how 15 disgruntled players should be handled in this round of Pay 'em, Trade 'em or Ignore 'em. Note: This list only includes players already under contract, not those who have yet to sign franchise or restricted free-agent tenders. Pay 'em Buffalo left tackle Jason Peters: Because he was undrafted, Peters never received a lucrative rookie contract. The landscape has changed drastically since Peters signed a five-year, $15 million extension in 2006. He is now only Buffalo's third-highest paid lineman behind guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker. And while a new contract must be worked out with wide receiver Lee Evans, the Bills reportedly have $27 million in salary cap space available. That's plenty of room to give a 26-year-old coming off his first Pro Bowl selection a well-deserved raise. New Orleans defensive end Will Smith: The Saints appeared ready to let Smith leave via free agency in 2009 when signing Charles Grant to a seven-year, $63 million contract and adding Bobby McCray in free agency. But Grant's NFL future is in question after he was recently indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges from an altercation at a Georgia nightclub. Even if Grant is ultimately cleared, Smith (17.5 sacks and 115 tackles the past two seasons) might be the better player. Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham: With a 2008 salary of $605,000, Graham is the NFL's most underpaid starting running back besides Green Bay's Ryan Grant. Graham has never received a big NFL payday because he signed with the Bucs as a college free agent. Similarities can be drawn between Graham and Oakland's Justin Fargas, another 28-year-old who didn't emerge as a quality starter until last season. Oakland gave Fargas a three-year, $12 million contract in February that included $6 million guaranteed. That sounds about right for Graham, especially with Tampa Bay having ample cap room available. Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh: The antics — both good and bad — of Chad Johnson and Chris Henry have overshadowed Houshmandzadeh's impressive production the past four seasons. Although he turns 31 in September, Houshmandzadeh is set to become one of the NFL's hottest free agents in 2009. The Bengals drafted three wide receivers but there are no guarantees those players will have NFL success. In fact, none of the six wideouts Cincinnati has chosen since Houshmandzadeh (2001 seventh round) remain on the roster. The Bengals already have parted ways with Henry and would be wise to do the same with Johnson (see below). That makes keeping Houshmandzadeh even more important for quarterback Carson Palmer. Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin: In 2005, the Cardinals gave Boldin a four-year, $22.7 million extension after just his second NFL season. That means Boldin is under contract through 2010. Arizona also recently made a massive investment in fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald with a four-year, $40 million deal. Boldin, though, is considered a team leader who already has taken third-round pick Early Doucet under his wing. Re-doing his contract — which the Cardinals tried doing last December, according to the Arizona Republic — would again show how much the franchise values Boldin. Boldin's problem is that extensions for other Cardinals like linebacker Karlos Dansby and safety Adrian Wilson may be more pressing priorities. If a new deal can't be worked out, expect the Cardinals to strongly consider trading Boldin in the 2009 off-season. Trade 'em Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson: Cincinnati's refusal to deal Johnson earlier this off-season was understandable. The Bengals didn't want to take a major cap hit ($8 million), lose one of the NFL's five best wideouts and set a precedent where disenfranchised players can talk their way off the roster. But unless Johnson and coach Marvin Lewis can settle their differences by training camp, Johnson just isn't worth the headache. Miami defensive end Jason Taylor: The Dolphins are actively trying to move Taylor, whose decision to skip off-season workouts for "Dancing With the Stars" infuriated Miami's Bill Parcells-led regime. Because of his age (34 in September) and questionable long-term commitment to football, don't expect the Dolphins to receive more than a third-round pick as compensation. New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey: Since the Giants thrived with him out of the lineup last season, Shockey has shown no public indication he wants to remain in New York. Shockey has skipped the team's off-season workout program as well as Super Bowl celebrations. Shockey is arguably the NFL's best all-around tight end when healthy, which is the main reason why Giants general manager Jerry Reese seems reticent to deal him. But if second-year tight end Kevin Boss shows he's ready for a bigger workload, Reese should feel better about sending Shockey elsewhere. New York Jets tight end Chris Baker: The selection of first-round tight end Dustin Keller and signing of free-agent Bubba Franks make Baker expendable. Coming off a 41-catch campaign, Baker's demands for a new deal seem silly. But he also is the third Jets player to say management failed to follow through on promises to re-work their contract. That could lead to mistrust in the team's locker room. Atlanta wide receiver Joe Horn: With the Falcons building a core of promising young wideouts, Horn realized he has become expendable and asked for a trade. Horn, though, would almost certainly have to take a pay cut from his $2.5 million salary for a deal to get completed. Horn is 36 and coming off a 27-catch campaign. Dallas and Tennessee are two teams that Horn would have an interest in joining. Ignore 'em Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher: As if trying to fix a lousy offense wasn't giving Bears brass enough of a headache, the heart and soul of Chicago's defense is unhappy with his contract situation. Urlacher, though, already is well compensated as part of a nine-year, $57 million deal he signed in 2003. The Chicago Tribune also reported that Urlacher recently declined a one-year extension that included $5 million guaranteed. With neck and back issues greatly limiting his effectiveness in 2007, Chicago's reticence in giving Urlacher a huge raise is understandable. Both sides should return to the negotiating table in 2009 should Urlacher rebound from a sub-par season. Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow: How quickly they forget. When Winslow was forced to miss the 2005 season following a motorcycle accident, the Browns didn't try to recoup part of the $10 million in bonuses paid through his rookie contract. So how does Winslow show his appreciation? By skipping off-season workouts hoping for an extension that will yield more than the $13.5 million he is set to earn over the next three seasons. Don't expect the Browns to blink, especially after doling out so many other big-money contracts earlier this off-season. Seattle wide receiver Bobby Engram: Coming off a 94-catch season, Engram is underpaid with a $1.75 million salary in 2008. But he's also 35, which doesn't make Engram a good candidate for a long-term deal. One solution for Seattle could be giving Engram a modest bump in 2008 base salary with the promise of extension talks in the 2009 off-season. Arizona defensive end Darnell Dockett: He already wants a new contract less than two seasons after signing a five-year, $22 million extension. Good luck — especially after recording just one sack in the final eight games of 2007. San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood: Upset with being used exclusively as a special teams player, Osgood is skipping workouts to attend speed camp and hone his skills at wide receiver. While his work ethic is commendable, the reality is that Osgood hasn't shown much promise at the position. Otherwise, San Diego wouldn't have used a 2007 first-round pick on Craig "Buster" Davis or made a mid-season trade with Miami for Chris Chambers. Osgood, a two-time Pro Bowl special teams selection, will assuredly be playing elsewhere in 2009.
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