In this time of ever increasing salaries among professional athletes, it’s time to take a look at the tactics being used in the money game that has become the 21st century in American sports.
In March 2005 Plaxico Burress agreed to a six-year, $25 million contract with the New York Giants that included an $8 million signing bonus. After four years under the terms of this contract it suddenly isn’t good enough… Plaxico has decided to not participate in the team’s mandatory mini-camp workouts this spring even though he was in attendance. I expect to hear requests for a trade shortly… Anyone interested?
Chad Johnson is entering only the third year of a six-year 35.1 million dollar contract with the Cincinnati Bengals… In April of this year, Chad was interviewed on the four letter network about his desire for a new contract that the Bengals had refused. He said: "I was labeled selfish and a cancer, and it hurt...Fingers were pointed at me this year. If the team and the organization wants to further itself (make the playoffs), I think you need to get rid of the problem...It hurt me. To do me that way and not to have my back. Things were said, and nobody came to my defense." This was just two weeks after Bengal QB Carson Palmer had been interviewed on the same program and he stated he wished the team would honor Johnson’s request for a new deal. Today, Chad is attending the Bengals’ mandatory spring camp, but not participating in any drills.
Tommie Harris, an All-Pro Defensive Tackle with the Chicago Bears, is entering the final year of his rookie contract this season and negotiations were begun to get Harris signed into the future. The Bears reportedly offered Harris a seven-year 50.5 million dollar contract with close to $20,000,000 guaranteed. This was not good enough and negotiations have broken down…
Lance Briggs, Outside Linebacker for the Chicago Bears, made a spectacle of himself after the Bears’ Super Bowl XLI appearance skipping mandatory meetings and the team’s mini-camp. Then he ran from an accident after crashing his multi-hundred thousand dollar Lamborghini sports car on Chicago’s Edens Expressway in August of 2007. He wanted a new deal. He was being disrespected. The Bears’ management held their ground and Briggs eventually came to training camp and played out the 2007 season. Last March the Bears buckled under and signed Briggs to a six-year, 36 million dollar contract…
Marion Barber, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys. Barber, who split time with Julius Jones last season, hit the jackpot as his agent negotiated a seven-year, $45 million contract with $16 million guaranteed. Not bad for a part-time running back getting LaDainian Tomlinson type money. Does Jerry Jones know what he's doing? I guess we'll find out shortly...
The common thread here? Mega-agent Drew Rosenhaus represents each of these players… Name sound familiar? Yes… This is the same man who represented Terrell Owens as he put two different teams through gut wrenching, mud slinging times…
The Barber Deal...
Who else is in the Rosenhaus stable that is currently raising hell with their NFL teams?
Anquan Boldin, Wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals. After teammate Larry Fitzgerald convinced the Cardinals to cough up a four-year, $40 million contract extension, Anquan suddenly has become fidgety. The Cardinals were now disrespecting the other half of this premier receiving corps. Bolden’s agent Rosenhaus lets it be known that Anquon wants to be traded, setting off interest around the league, and the joust begins…
Earnest Graham, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Entering the final year of his current contract, Earnest is reportedly asking for a contract similar to Frank Gore’s five-year $28 million dollar deal. Earnest came on as a replacement for Cadillac Williams who suffered a season (and possibly career) ending knee injury. Graham’s situation is much more understandable than some of these players as he has been living off of a minimum NFL contract while initially serving as a special teamer on the Bucs.
Jeremy Shockey, Tight End, New York Giants. Entering the third year of a six-year, $26.38 million contract, Shockey, who missed all of the 2007 championship run made by the Giants, now wants to either renegotiate his contract or be traded. The Giants, who suddenly became unbeatable in the playoffs without having to listen to Shockey’s continual rant for the ball, have let Jeremy and his agent dangle in the breeze while his tirade continues…
Kellen Winslow, Jr. Tight end with the Cleveland Browns. Winslow is, in my humble opinion, a prima donna of the highest ilk. A first round draft pick in 2004, Kellen held out of training camp. In 2005 he tears himself up on a “super #### rocket” and then spends two seasons rehabilitating. He finally gets on the field last season and has a decent year. So what’s next? He skips the Browns OTA’s and the word is he expects the Browns to renegotiate his contract… Isn’t that something?
Players Rosenhaus represents that have recently signed as free agents with new teams include Bernard Berrian, Wide receiver with the Minnesota Vikings (Chicago Bears) and Jevon Kearse, Defensive End with the Tennessee Titans (Philadelphia Eagles).
In 2007 Running Back Willis McGahee was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Baltimore Ravens for draft picks. Although nothing came out publicly, if the truth was known, I’d be willing to wager that the Rosenhaus full court press was about to descend upon the small market Bills, so they traded him. The Ravens reportedly signed McGahee to a seven year, 40.12 million dollar contract making him one of the highest paid backs in the league. This for a running back having questionable stamina…
The only amicable signing this season was the Terrell Owens – Dallas Cowboys deal signed June 2nd. Terrell got a four year contract that reportedly will pay him 34 million dollars of which 13 million is guaranteed…
I find it interesting that the words “disrespect” and “hurtful” are liberally used when describing the treatment these poor guys have received. This when they busily pull every string possible to squeeze as much money out of their teams, even while a bona-fide contract is in effect…
How did we get here? Ask the men like Rosenhaus and the contract lawyers that they employ, all to the ultimate detriment of the game.
Dwindy, this just 'boggles' the mind. I had turned to jon464 for help understanding this process. What amazes me more than the amount of money is the lack of respect these players show towards their teammates, the organization, and the fans. I know I have very limited knowledge as to how this contract process works, but if the player wants more money shouldn't he be "busting his backside" like the other players during camp? Wouldn't that show their desire to work harder in order to earn more? Again, I know that I have a simplistic view of it. Is there nothing in contracts that states that if you don't participate in all training, camps, etc., that you lose money? I know I have a lot of questions for you here and I hope you have time for them. As always, thanks.
Some of these highly paid athletes will bust their tail when their contract is coming to an end. This is done to get a better deal... This particular agent (Rosenhaus) has the players park themselves as a means of showing their displeasure with a "disrespectful" contract (one that they signed in the first place)... I heard a contract attorney boast one time that there hasn't been a contract written that can't be broken... Heck of a way to operate...
You heard that they've stopped using rats for laboratory experiments? They're using attorneys now since there are some things that a rat will refuse to do...
Hey, I wish my company would be "disrespectful" and "hurtful" to me by throwing $25 million dollars at me for a six year contract.
Where do I sign?
These players need to get back into the real world and see how the Average American lives on a $150,000 or less a year. Then they would take their $25 mils and shut up.
Dwindy 1
These are the same guys who one day are expecting us the fans to believe that they've got some semblance of humility. But the next are whinin' like the immature children that on appearance they want to and appear to be. And I know Rosenhaus'll be telling us all that the players are entitled to get what they only deem to be fair. But when will enough be enough for many of these players.
Salaries within professional sports are in many respects going up far higher than the rate of inflation much less the price of a gallon of gas. And when I last looked we neither self sufficient when it came to this country's energy needs and it's alleged endless supply of money. That's unless we're being governed by the present administration's doctrine of borrowing to pay for things we can't afford.
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
best slot
each of these players… Name sound familiar? Yes… This is the same man who represented Terrell Owens as he put two different teams through gut wrenching, mud slinging times… 
