| What you talkin' about Willis? |
| As a Packer fan, every time there is a guy looking for a new contract before his old one is played out, all I think about is Javon Walker tearing up his knee in the 2005 season opener. Ultimately, it was Drew Rosenhaus convincing Walker that he had a right to play hardball with the Packers, since he was unhappy with the contract he signed as a rookie in 2002. Walker threatened to skip off-season workouts and training camp to get his deal, but at the end of the day he reported and the rest is history.
Realizing that NFL players have a very limited shelf life and that getting paid while you can is the best a player can do for himself, I'm still a bit surprised at Willis McGahee's expectation of a new contract, with one year remaining on his rookie deal. This is the same Willis McGahee who tore up his knee in his last college game, falling from top-five draft pick to major question mark. Ultimately, Buffalo took a chance on McGahee when 19 teams passed over him in 2003 draft. The Arizona Cardinals even went with Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace 17th and 18th overall.
So my questions: Even with someone like McGahee, who owes the Bills for taking a chance on him (and with first-round money), is there simply no loyalty in the NFL? (This is with the understanding that it's par for the course to cut veterans when roster bonuses are due, etc.) What does it take for a player to show gratitude towards his team? Is this just a product of Drew Rosenhaus? If yes, should teams simply refuse to negotiate with Rosenhaus?
Posted by Derek VanRiper at 1/17/2007 8:04:00 AM |
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| Thoughts on Class |
I'm not an authority on class, and on occasion have been accused of having none. But I know enough to know that people who are classy aren't the ones who get to claim they are classy. A person conducts his or her life, and we say, 'Hey, that person is one classy individual.' But not in the case of the NFL's best back. He'll tell straight up that he's classy. “I would never, ever react in that way. You guys know me; I'm a very classy person," said LaDainian Tomlinson, who objected to some of the New England Patriots celebrating at midfield after beating his San Diego Chargers in a divisional playoff game Sunday. Tomlinson was particularly miffed about some Patriots' players mocking Shawne Merriman's "lights out" dance. Okay, LT, you're upset. Your team made several boneheaded plays and decisions and just got bounced from the playoffs, I understand. But an opposing team celebrating on your field after a hard-fought victory isn't classless. I would argue that gloating over fallen opponents -- like Merriman does when he performs the dance after a sack -- is classless. But in today's NFL, it's commonplace, ergo, not offensive. That sort of gloating is accepted as entertainment, part of the sport, or an expression of individuality. And mocking that dance is not classless.
Posted by Johnny at 1/15/2007 9:05:00 PM |
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| Vinatieri |
Assuming he hangs around long enough to get on some all-time scoring lists, where do you guys stand on Vinatieri's HOF credentials? I say he gets in. Maybe simply the best money kicker ever, and there's already one PK in the Hall. He's also 83 percent for his regular season career, and it's not like New England was the best place to kick. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have in that position.
Posted by SHOE at 1/14/2007 9:29:00 PM |
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| Poor Philly Decisions Late |
| Eagles vs. Saints question:
At the end of the game the Eagles went for it on 4th and 10 and made a first down ... only to have it called back on a penalty. They then punted and never got the ball back as the Saints ran out the clock.
If you're going to go for it on 4th and 10, why punt on 4th and 15? I don't get that move by the Eagles at the end of the game.
Even if the Eagles didn't convert, they'd still have about the same chance to force the Saints to punt. And if the Saints made some yardage, they may only make a field goal and cause the Eagles to be down six. And it was unlikely the Saints would even attempt a long field goal anyway.
Am I missing something or did the Eagles just make a pretty basic mistake?
Posted by Peter Schoenke at 1/14/2007 5:39:00 PM |
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