In his seventh NFL season, 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin has become one of the best nose tackles in the league.
And he'll be paid that way come 2010, one way or the other.
According to John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers plan to use the franchise tag on Franklin, who is eligible for free agency after the 2009 season.
To do so, the Niners would be required to tender to Franklin a one-year contract with a base salary equal to the average compensation paid in 2009 to the five highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL.
Franklin came to San Fran in 2007, as a free agent from the Ravens, who acquired him in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. The draw from Baltimore to San Fran was former 49ers coach and former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Now the defensive coordinator of the Broncos, Nolan could have designs on bringing Franklin to Denver, if he were to hit the market.
Per NFLPA records, Franklin currently is earning a base salary of $2 million in the final year of his current contract. For defensive tackles, the franchise tender in 2009, based on 2008 compensation, was $6.058 million.
49ers plan to franchise Franklin
Posted by Mike Florio on November 20, 2009 12:31 PM ET
Deion stumps for another Parker client
Posted by Mike Florio on November 13, 2009 11:58 AM ET
Surely, the league's decision to fine Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco for trying to bribe the officials was based in part on the reality that, if no action was taken, Chad would think that the behavior is appropriate.
So it's not surprising, then, that the relatively quiet evaporation of potential issues regarding Deion Sanders' affinity for one client of agent Eugene Parker has not stopped Deion from taking up the cause of another one.
Specifically, in most recent "Let's Go Primetime" feature on NFLN, during which Sanders reviews the top plays of the week, Deion yelled "pay the man!" in reference to Bengals running back Cedric Benson.
Benson, as a reader reminded us this morning, is represented by Parker.
We're actually a bit more troubled by Deion's stumping for Benson than by Deion's involvement in the Michael Crabtree case. As to Crabtree, Deion was merely sticking his nose into a pre-existing dispute. With Benson, Deion could be creating a rift where no rift currently exists.
Benson was an unrestricted free agent in March. He visited the Texans. He ultimately signed the best deal available, a two-year, $7 million deal with the Bengals.
Sure, he's having a great year. But neither Benson nor Parker are looking for a raise, as far as anyone knows. Given Sanders' ties to Parker, some league insiders will believe that Parker is using Sanders to begin the process of getting the Bengals to eventually "pay the man!"
So even if the NFL is inclined to accept Deion's denial that he's on the Eugene Parker payroll (and we are aware of no evidence that Deion is working for Parker), it might be a good idea to advise Deion to quit acting like he is.
So it's not surprising, then, that the relatively quiet evaporation of potential issues regarding Deion Sanders' affinity for one client of agent Eugene Parker has not stopped Deion from taking up the cause of another one.
Specifically, in most recent "Let's Go Primetime" feature on NFLN, during which Sanders reviews the top plays of the week, Deion yelled "pay the man!" in reference to Bengals running back Cedric Benson.
Benson, as a reader reminded us this morning, is represented by Parker.
We're actually a bit more troubled by Deion's stumping for Benson than by Deion's involvement in the Michael Crabtree case. As to Crabtree, Deion was merely sticking his nose into a pre-existing dispute. With Benson, Deion could be creating a rift where no rift currently exists.
Benson was an unrestricted free agent in March. He visited the Texans. He ultimately signed the best deal available, a two-year, $7 million deal with the Bengals.
Sure, he's having a great year. But neither Benson nor Parker are looking for a raise, as far as anyone knows. Given Sanders' ties to Parker, some league insiders will believe that Parker is using Sanders to begin the process of getting the Bengals to eventually "pay the man!"
So even if the NFL is inclined to accept Deion's denial that he's on the Eugene Parker payroll (and we are aware of no evidence that Deion is working for Parker), it might be a good idea to advise Deion to quit acting like he is.
Eagles can't extend Jackson until next year
Posted by Mike Florio on November 13, 2009 7:03 AM ET
Lost amid the hand wringing in Philly regarding the decision of second-year receiver DeSean Jackson to hire agent Drew Rosenhaus is that the Eagle couldn't use any of their remaining 2009 salary cap bulge on Jackson, even if they wanted to.
As Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News points out, players can't sign new contracts until they've got two seasons under their belts.
That said, the process of negotiating a long-term deal can commence now, with pen eventually being put to paper in March 2010. The Eagles have done it before, locking up over the long haul young players like Shawn Andrews and Mike Patterson.
The difference this time around is that the young player in question has shown more than high-end potential and middle-of-the-pack performance -- he has become one of the best young receivers in the league, and he'll want something much closer to market value than what other young Eagles players have been paid on multi-year contracts about which many of them have gone on to complain.
How it unfolds remains to be seen. For now, Jackson isn't doing driveway shirtless sit-ups, and Rosenhaus has yet to break out his trademark line.
"I'm not talking about anything today," Jackson said earlier this week, according to Bowen. "I'm focusing on football."
But if he were truly focusing on football, he wouldn't have been thinking about changing agents in the middle of, you know, football season.
As Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News points out, players can't sign new contracts until they've got two seasons under their belts.
That said, the process of negotiating a long-term deal can commence now, with pen eventually being put to paper in March 2010. The Eagles have done it before, locking up over the long haul young players like Shawn Andrews and Mike Patterson.
The difference this time around is that the young player in question has shown more than high-end potential and middle-of-the-pack performance -- he has become one of the best young receivers in the league, and he'll want something much closer to market value than what other young Eagles players have been paid on multi-year contracts about which many of them have gone on to complain.
How it unfolds remains to be seen. For now, Jackson isn't doing driveway shirtless sit-ups, and Rosenhaus has yet to break out his trademark line.
"I'm not talking about anything today," Jackson said earlier this week, according to Bowen. "I'm focusing on football."
But if he were truly focusing on football, he wouldn't have been thinking about changing agents in the middle of, you know, football season.
Wilfork says "contract year" isn't influencing him
Posted by Mike Florio on November 12, 2009 10:30 AM ET
Back in the days when first-round draft picks could be forced to sign six-year contracts, Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was forced to sign a six-year contract.
And that contract is now only eight regular-season games from expiring.
With or without an uncapped year, Wilfork's six years of service makes him eligible for unrestricted free agency in March 2010. But he bristles at the notion that he's having a big year simply because he's chasing a big bag of cash.
And that contract is now only eight regular-season games from expiring.
With or without an uncapped year, Wilfork's six years of service makes him eligible for unrestricted free agency in March 2010. But he bristles at the notion that he's having a big year simply because he's chasing a big bag of cash.
"Me, I'm a ballplayer,'' Wilfork said Wednesday, per Albert Breer of the Boston Globe. "Since I signed up to play football, I played from the time I got in it to the time I'll retire. Not because it's a contract year, that's not me. And I think guys who do that, that's . . . that's not me.
"Guys who do that, I mean, it's just my opinion, I don't like it. I just control what I can control, I play football. That's what I do for a living. You don't have to worry about me playing just because it's my last year, because that's not the case. I want to get better each year.''
The reality is that plenty of defensive tackles -- and players at other position -- play hard in their contract years, and then they go soft once they get paid.
The most recent example? Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who is a shadow of what he was in 2007 and 2008, when he was chasing the $100 million bus that he finally has caught.
While that dynamic might work against Wilfork, he has been a solid player for several years, and it's safe to conclude that he isn't sucking it up simply because he sees a nine-figure deal in his not-too-distant future.
That said, he's likely headed for the franchise tag, if an acceptable contract can't be worked out by late February. The problem is that, with quarterback Tom Brady's contract coming due after the 2010 season, the Pats can't pay Wilfork market value and then expect Brady to give the Krafts yet another hometown discount.
Still, with defensive lineman Richard Seymour shipped to Oakland in September, the thinking is that Wilfork will eventually get paid by the Pats. Maybe in the end they'll franchise Wilfork for a year and then try to negotiate long-term deals with the nuclei of their offense and defense at the same time.
To remain focused in the interim, Wilfork has posted a sign in his locker that reads, "Do your job." (It's a slight modification to Bill Parcells' mantra, which adds the present participle adjective version of a certain swear word starting with "F".)
"That's one thing just to remind me, because I have to sit at this locker every day, so I have to see that every day," Wilfork said. "Every time I see that, it reminds me what I'm doing, why I'm here.''
You know, if everyone had a similar sign in his or her work area, we'd probably have a lot less traffic here at PFT.
So shame on you, Wilfork, for inspiring others to be productive and responsible. Maybe you should quit talking and just, you know, do your job.
Bud Adams: We don't let coaches go early
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 2, 2009 2:24 PM ET
Titans owner/quarterback coordinator Bud Adams doesn't often speak to the media, but he certainly doesn't hold back when he does.
After reports surfaced that coach Jeff Fisher's job would be evaluated at the end of the year, Adams appeared to soften his stance after Tennessee's first win of the season.
"He's under contract here for several years. We just don't let guys go earlier than their contracts [when it comes to] coaches," Adams said.
Well, then. Perhaps Adams wouldn't consider firing Fisher, but ESPN's Adam Schefter raised the scenario of another team taking Fisher's contract off Adams' hands. It wouldn't be a trade, just a chance for the Titans to start over without any financial responsibilities.
The Titans also have to decide what to do with Vince Young's contract.
"That's what I came up here for, to get that big tall guy named Vince Young to show what he can do. You know he hasn't played that much, his contract is coming up pretty soon for renewal," Adams said. "We need to see what he can do and he kind of proved today that he can do it. That's the main thing I wanted to see."
Young clearly has to win over his head coach and the rest of the organization, but Adams sounds like he's open-minded to Young's future in Tennessee based on how he plays the rest of this season.
"We've got to find out how he has developed over the last two years, he hasn't played that much. We've got to get him in and find out what he can do because otherwise, we're going to have a high draft choice and we better be looking for another new quarterback," Adams continued.
"I'm not saying [Jeff Fisher] did or didn't wait too long, I just go by the scores. The scores looked not too good when you're 0-6."
And even though Young was only a small part of the team's victory Sunday, he enjoyed a remarkably clean first start of the season. Nine to go.
After reports surfaced that coach Jeff Fisher's job would be evaluated at the end of the year, Adams appeared to soften his stance after Tennessee's first win of the season.
"He's under contract here for several years. We just don't let guys go earlier than their contracts [when it comes to] coaches," Adams said.
Well, then. Perhaps Adams wouldn't consider firing Fisher, but ESPN's Adam Schefter raised the scenario of another team taking Fisher's contract off Adams' hands. It wouldn't be a trade, just a chance for the Titans to start over without any financial responsibilities.
The Titans also have to decide what to do with Vince Young's contract.
"That's what I came up here for, to get that big tall guy named Vince Young to show what he can do. You know he hasn't played that much, his contract is coming up pretty soon for renewal," Adams said. "We need to see what he can do and he kind of proved today that he can do it. That's the main thing I wanted to see."
Young clearly has to win over his head coach and the rest of the organization, but Adams sounds like he's open-minded to Young's future in Tennessee based on how he plays the rest of this season.
"We've got to find out how he has developed over the last two years, he hasn't played that much. We've got to get him in and find out what he can do because otherwise, we're going to have a high draft choice and we better be looking for another new quarterback," Adams continued.
"I'm not saying [Jeff Fisher] did or didn't wait too long, I just go by the scores. The scores looked not too good when you're 0-6."
And even though Young was only a small part of the team's victory Sunday, he enjoyed a remarkably clean first start of the season. Nine to go.
Owen Daniels is out for the year
Posted by Mike Florio on November 1, 2009 5:07 PM ET
The good news for the Texans is that their 31-10 win at Buffalo moved Houston's record to 5-3.
It's the first time the Texans are two games over .500 since Week Two of the 2007 season.
The bad news is that they'll have to continue their push for the first playoff appearance in franchise history without star tight end Owen Daniels.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Daniels is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
Daniels, a restricted free agent in 2009, will be eligible for restricted free agency again in 2010, absent a new labor deal. The Texans are likely to again apply the highest possible RFA tender, forcing Daniels to prove that he is 100 percent before considering a long-term deal.
It's the first time the Texans are two games over .500 since Week Two of the 2007 season.
The bad news is that they'll have to continue their push for the first playoff appearance in franchise history without star tight end Owen Daniels.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Daniels is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
Daniels, a restricted free agent in 2009, will be eligible for restricted free agency again in 2010, absent a new labor deal. The Texans are likely to again apply the highest possible RFA tender, forcing Daniels to prove that he is 100 percent before considering a long-term deal.
The real DeMarcus Ware numbers
Posted by Mike Florio on October 29, 2009 8:09 PM ET
We've seen scattered reports with bits and pieces of the contract signed Monday by Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Much of what we've seen elsewhere doesn't mesh with the actual numbers.
So here they are.
Per a source with knowledge of the contract, Ware received a signing bonus of $20 million. The balance of his guaranteed money comes from guaranteed base salaries in the first three seasons.
The reality is that, in contracts with non-guaranteed base salaries, the base salaries for the first three years typically are guaranteed as a practical matter. So the "guaranteed" money comes from other devices, with the base salaries counting separately.
In Ware's case, he gets a 2009 base salary of $6.005 million, a 2010 base salary of $7.8 million, and a 2011 base salary of $6.7 million. All guaranteed.
In 2012, Ware gets a $4.5 million base salary with a $500,000 workout bonus. In 2013, the salary moves to $5.5 million, with another $500,000 workout bonus.
The final two seasons potentially are bogus, with base salaries of $12.25 million and $13.75 million.
So the six-year, $78 million contract is in reality a seven-year, $79 million deal with a practical value of five years, $53 million.
Ware will pocket $33.8 million the first two years, and $40.5 million in the first three.
It's hardly chump change, but as usual the deal isn't as good for the player as advertised by those with an incentive to advertise the fact that a blockbuster deal has been negotiated.
So here they are.
Per a source with knowledge of the contract, Ware received a signing bonus of $20 million. The balance of his guaranteed money comes from guaranteed base salaries in the first three seasons.
The reality is that, in contracts with non-guaranteed base salaries, the base salaries for the first three years typically are guaranteed as a practical matter. So the "guaranteed" money comes from other devices, with the base salaries counting separately.
In Ware's case, he gets a 2009 base salary of $6.005 million, a 2010 base salary of $7.8 million, and a 2011 base salary of $6.7 million. All guaranteed.
In 2012, Ware gets a $4.5 million base salary with a $500,000 workout bonus. In 2013, the salary moves to $5.5 million, with another $500,000 workout bonus.
The final two seasons potentially are bogus, with base salaries of $12.25 million and $13.75 million.
So the six-year, $78 million contract is in reality a seven-year, $79 million deal with a practical value of five years, $53 million.
Ware will pocket $33.8 million the first two years, and $40.5 million in the first three.
It's hardly chump change, but as usual the deal isn't as good for the player as advertised by those with an incentive to advertise the fact that a blockbuster deal has been negotiated.
Niners lock up cornerback Tarell Brown
Posted by Mike Florio on October 28, 2009 3:31 PM ET
The San Francisco 49ers gave a bunch of money several weeks ago to get rookie receiver Michael Crabtree under contract.
They've now spent considerably less to lock up one of their defensive backs.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 49ers have inked cornerback Tarell Brown to a three-year, $7.125 million contract. The deal includes a $2.5 million signing bonus, and it will pay Brown $800,000 in 2011, $850,000 in 2012, and $925,000 in 2013.
Brown, a fifth-round draft pick from Texas in 2007, has been under contract through 2010 at base salaries of $460,000 this year and $550,000 next season.
In two-plus seasons, he has appeared in 30 games, with one start.
They've now spent considerably less to lock up one of their defensive backs.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 49ers have inked cornerback Tarell Brown to a three-year, $7.125 million contract. The deal includes a $2.5 million signing bonus, and it will pay Brown $800,000 in 2011, $850,000 in 2012, and $925,000 in 2013.
Brown, a fifth-round draft pick from Texas in 2007, has been under contract through 2010 at base salaries of $460,000 this year and $550,000 next season.
In two-plus seasons, he has appeared in 30 games, with one start.
With Gaither healthy, Ravens face tackle dilemma
Posted by Mike Florio on October 28, 2009 7:09 AM ET
Though it's not quite as tricky as the challenge created by keeping the identity of a starting quarterback under wraps, the Ravens are staying mum when it comes to the manner in which their starting tackles will line up on Sunday.
Left tackle Jared Gaither has missed two full games with a neck injury. Right tackle Michael Oher, a rookie first-round draft pick, flipped over to the left side during Gaither's absence.
Oher generally has done well in that spot, especially against Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. And Oher wasn't bashful about saying so.
So now that Gaither is healthy after the bye week, coach John Harbaugh isn't saying whether Gaither will return to the left side -- or whether he'll take Oher's spot on the right side.
Regardless of how they align, the primary challenge for Gaither and Oher will be to keep Elvis Dumervil from knocking quarterback Joe Flacco out of the building. Dumervil has 10 sacks in six games, and he lines up at various different positions.
Still, if Gaither gets partially Pipped, he'll surely be upset. Left tackles make a lot more money than right tackles, and Gaither hired Drew Rosenhaus earlier this year for reasons other than personal amusement. ("Drew, hey it's Jared. Say 'next question' one more time for me.")
So if the Ravens think their first-round rookie can get it done on the left side, it makes long-time financial sense to shift Gaither to right tackle, and to pay him accordingly.
Left tackle Jared Gaither has missed two full games with a neck injury. Right tackle Michael Oher, a rookie first-round draft pick, flipped over to the left side during Gaither's absence.
Oher generally has done well in that spot, especially against Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. And Oher wasn't bashful about saying so.
So now that Gaither is healthy after the bye week, coach John Harbaugh isn't saying whether Gaither will return to the left side -- or whether he'll take Oher's spot on the right side.
Regardless of how they align, the primary challenge for Gaither and Oher will be to keep Elvis Dumervil from knocking quarterback Joe Flacco out of the building. Dumervil has 10 sacks in six games, and he lines up at various different positions.
Still, if Gaither gets partially Pipped, he'll surely be upset. Left tackles make a lot more money than right tackles, and Gaither hired Drew Rosenhaus earlier this year for reasons other than personal amusement. ("Drew, hey it's Jared. Say 'next question' one more time for me.")
So if the Ravens think their first-round rookie can get it done on the left side, it makes long-time financial sense to shift Gaither to right tackle, and to pay him accordingly.
Ware's deal actually is worth $78,000,001
Posted by Mike Florio on October 27, 2009 7:34 AM ET
FOX's Jay Glazer was wrong on Monday when reporting that Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware had signed a $78 million deal.
Actually, the contract is worth $78,000,001.
According to Mike Fisher of Blogging The Boys, who interviewed Ware in the wake of the mega-deal, owner Jerry Jones gave Ware a $1 bill with a message written on it: "This is my last offer. Your great. Jerry Jones."
(It's nice to see that even really rich guys get "your" and "you're" screwed up sometimes.)
Ware also said that a "handshake deal" was struck on Sunday, before the Cowboys' 37-21 win over the Falcons. Ware celebrated by getting two sacks.
The real question is, now that Ware has gotten paid, will the sacks keep coming?
No offense to Ware, but we've seen too many guys who get too much money and who end up playing all too different than before they struck it rich. Cowboys fans undoubtedly hope that Ware will be an exception to the "get paid, get soft" approach.
DeMarcus Ware gets his big contract
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 26, 2009 2:53 PM ET
The much-discussed contract extension for Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware has finally arrived.
Fox's Jay Glazer reports that Ware will receive nearly $40 million guaranteed on a six year deal that can be worth up to $13 million per season.
The Cowboys weren't under the gun to extend Ware because the absence of a new labor deal in 2010 would have potentially prevented Ware from being an unrestricted free agent next year.
But Ware has been one of the league's premier defenders since the Cowboys drafted him, and they were smart enough not to risk letting him get away.
The guaranteed money dwarfs the $31.5 million guaranteed Dwight Freeney received two years ago, but comes in just under Albert Haynesworth's $41 million guaranteed. The structure of Ware's contract, however, may give him a better chance of nearing the end of his contract. We'll have to wait for those details.
Glazer reports that the deal has been verbally agreed to, but still needs league approval.
Fox's Jay Glazer reports that Ware will receive nearly $40 million guaranteed on a six year deal that can be worth up to $13 million per season.
The Cowboys weren't under the gun to extend Ware because the absence of a new labor deal in 2010 would have potentially prevented Ware from being an unrestricted free agent next year.
But Ware has been one of the league's premier defenders since the Cowboys drafted him, and they were smart enough not to risk letting him get away.
The guaranteed money dwarfs the $31.5 million guaranteed Dwight Freeney received two years ago, but comes in just under Albert Haynesworth's $41 million guaranteed. The structure of Ware's contract, however, may give him a better chance of nearing the end of his contract. We'll have to wait for those details.
Glazer reports that the deal has been verbally agreed to, but still needs league approval.
Cutler's deal accelerated his $12 million bonus
Posted by Mike Florio on October 21, 2009 3:59 PM ET
Jay Cutler's rookie contract included a $12 million roster bonus due and payable on the first day of the 2011 regular season.
With the possibility looming that there will be no 2011 season (or, at a minimum, that the first game will be delayed), Cutler's new deal from his new team moved the $12 million roster bonus into 2009, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
So the $20 million in guaranteed money includes the $12 million that he would have earned in 2011. Which means that the $30 million in new money includes only $8 million of the guaranteed money.
We still need to see the full deal before concluding whether the contract reflects the value of a franchise quarterback for whom the Bears gave up two first-round picks and Kyle Orton.
With the possibility looming that there will be no 2011 season (or, at a minimum, that the first game will be delayed), Cutler's new deal from his new team moved the $12 million roster bonus into 2009, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
So the $20 million in guaranteed money includes the $12 million that he would have earned in 2011. Which means that the $30 million in new money includes only $8 million of the guaranteed money.
We still need to see the full deal before concluding whether the contract reflects the value of a franchise quarterback for whom the Bears gave up two first-round picks and Kyle Orton.
Packers bring back Ahman Green
Posted by Mike Florio on October 21, 2009 11:26 AM ET
The Green Bay Packers have welcomed back to town an old friend.
No, not the one who'll be arriving on November 1 wearing a magic purple helmet that shaves 15 years off his age.
Running back Ahman Green is back, after being available and unwanted by anyone for all of the 2009 season.
Green played for the Packers from 2000 through 2006, before joining the Texans as an unrestricted free agent. The emergence of Steve Slaton last year made Green, who has been injured often, an unneeded luxury.
He fills the roster spot occupied by DeShawn Wynn, who has been placed on injured reserve.
With 46 more yards, Green will become the Packers' all-time leading rusher.
No, not the one who'll be arriving on November 1 wearing a magic purple helmet that shaves 15 years off his age.
Running back Ahman Green is back, after being available and unwanted by anyone for all of the 2009 season.
Green played for the Packers from 2000 through 2006, before joining the Texans as an unrestricted free agent. The emergence of Steve Slaton last year made Green, who has been injured often, an unneeded luxury.
He fills the roster spot occupied by DeShawn Wynn, who has been placed on injured reserve.
With 46 more yards, Green will become the Packers' all-time leading rusher.
T.J. says Bengals offer was "very, very close"
Posted by Mike Florio on October 21, 2009 7:38 AM ET
The general perception regarding the decision of receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to jump from the Bengals to the Seahawks was that the Bengals behaved like, well, the Bengals, and that the Seahawks offered Houshmandzadeh a much larger financial package.
Not so, says Houshmandzadeh.
Appearing on 1530 Homer's Two Deep Zone with Artrell Hawkins and Charles Fisher, Houshmandzadeh admitted that the Bengals' bottom-line offer was "very, very close" to the deal he accepted in Seattle.
He admitted that he allowed personal feelings to overcome the business realities. "I didn't really step back and separate the two. . . . It wasn't a big difference at all, to be honest with you," Houshmandzadeh said.
So Houshmandzadeh is on a 2-4 team and the Bengals are 4-2, and Houshmandzadeh said that, if he were still in Cincinnati, the team would be 6-0.
Not so, says Houshmandzadeh.
Appearing on 1530 Homer's Two Deep Zone with Artrell Hawkins and Charles Fisher, Houshmandzadeh admitted that the Bengals' bottom-line offer was "very, very close" to the deal he accepted in Seattle.
He admitted that he allowed personal feelings to overcome the business realities. "I didn't really step back and separate the two. . . . It wasn't a big difference at all, to be honest with you," Houshmandzadeh said.
So Houshmandzadeh is on a 2-4 team and the Bengals are 4-2, and Houshmandzadeh said that, if he were still in Cincinnati, the team would be 6-0.
New contract could be coming for Chilly
Posted by Mike Florio on October 21, 2009 7:00 AM ET
Over the weekend, Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggested that Vikings coach Brad Childress might not get a new contract until the franchise has secured a new stadium.
So, to the delight of those of you who think that Walters is never right, there's now a report that Childress could soon be getting a new contract.
Word of the possible deal comes from Clark Judge of CBSSports.com, who writes that the new contract could be announced in November.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune throws a handful of water on that notion, however, citing an unnamed source who says that nothing is "imminent."
We think it would be a mistake to extend Childress too soon. Keep that carrot in front of him until after the season, and then assess his value based on the outcome of the current campaign.
Ownership could be concerned that, if the Vikings make it to the Super Bowl or win the thing, Childress could acquire more leverage for a new deal, since his current one expires after the 2010 season. But one good (or maybe great) year fueled by a 40-year-old quarterback who already has saved Chilly's chestnuts twice won't prompt the other 31 franchises to confuse Childress with Bill Walsh.
Absent Favre, the Vikings would still be playing Chillyball -- an attack premised on keeping it close for 3.5 quarters and hoping for a late break. And so it could be back to Chillyball as soon as 2010.
While Childress deserves credit for recognizing that Favre's presence would help unlock that long-promised "kick ass offense," the Vikings could be getting their asses kicked after Favre leaves.
Thus, maybe the Vikings should wait a little bit longer before rewarding Childress for Favre's efforts. Given that the last Minnesota team to start 6-0 didn't even make it to the playoffs, January might be the right time to seriously consider whether to keep Childress beyond 2010.
So, to the delight of those of you who think that Walters is never right, there's now a report that Childress could soon be getting a new contract.
Word of the possible deal comes from Clark Judge of CBSSports.com, who writes that the new contract could be announced in November.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune throws a handful of water on that notion, however, citing an unnamed source who says that nothing is "imminent."
We think it would be a mistake to extend Childress too soon. Keep that carrot in front of him until after the season, and then assess his value based on the outcome of the current campaign.
Ownership could be concerned that, if the Vikings make it to the Super Bowl or win the thing, Childress could acquire more leverage for a new deal, since his current one expires after the 2010 season. But one good (or maybe great) year fueled by a 40-year-old quarterback who already has saved Chilly's chestnuts twice won't prompt the other 31 franchises to confuse Childress with Bill Walsh.
Absent Favre, the Vikings would still be playing Chillyball -- an attack premised on keeping it close for 3.5 quarters and hoping for a late break. And so it could be back to Chillyball as soon as 2010.
While Childress deserves credit for recognizing that Favre's presence would help unlock that long-promised "kick ass offense," the Vikings could be getting their asses kicked after Favre leaves.
Thus, maybe the Vikings should wait a little bit longer before rewarding Childress for Favre's efforts. Given that the last Minnesota team to start 6-0 didn't even make it to the playoffs, January might be the right time to seriously consider whether to keep Childress beyond 2010.
Getting to the bottom of Tuesday's Patriot games
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 10:52 PM ET
During a weekly visit with our good friend Todd Wright of Sporting News Radio, the light bulb finally began to flicker.
And, after subjecting Todd's audience to my stream-of-consciousness attempt to comprehend the decision to cut and re-sign linebackers Tully Banta-Cain and Eric Alexander, I finally figured it out. (I could have spared Todd's audience the agony by merely reading what Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal had to say about the situation.)
Banta-Cain and Alexander previously had been signed to one-year deals for the veteran minimum. By rule, neither player could have been signed for 2010 by the Patriots until the first day of the 2010 league year.
So the Pats cut them on the eve of the trading deadline, after which they would have been required to pass through waivers. And then the Pats re-signed them (or, in Alexander's case, will re-sign him) to multi-year contracts covering 2010, and possibly beyond.
But this maneuver requires even more advance collusion than the 54-man roster trick, which entails a vested veteran being cut on Saturday and re-signed on Monday. It's possible, if not likely, that the Patriots negotiated the long-term deals with the players' agents before cutting them -- and that the players agreed on a wink-nod basis not to sign elsewhere.
While the tactic might not violate the letter of any league rules, the Competition Committee should find a way to close this loophole, either by preventing such players from being re-signed by the team that cut them or by requiring them to pass through waivers.
As to Alexander, the effort of coach Bill Belichick to explain that he hadn't been cut makes even more sense. Belichick knew he was taking a slight risk that either or both players would decline to honor their handshake commitments to re-sign. So why acknowledge publicly that Alexander was available to a higher bidder?
And, after subjecting Todd's audience to my stream-of-consciousness attempt to comprehend the decision to cut and re-sign linebackers Tully Banta-Cain and Eric Alexander, I finally figured it out. (I could have spared Todd's audience the agony by merely reading what Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal had to say about the situation.)
Banta-Cain and Alexander previously had been signed to one-year deals for the veteran minimum. By rule, neither player could have been signed for 2010 by the Patriots until the first day of the 2010 league year.
So the Pats cut them on the eve of the trading deadline, after which they would have been required to pass through waivers. And then the Pats re-signed them (or, in Alexander's case, will re-sign him) to multi-year contracts covering 2010, and possibly beyond.
But this maneuver requires even more advance collusion than the 54-man roster trick, which entails a vested veteran being cut on Saturday and re-signed on Monday. It's possible, if not likely, that the Patriots negotiated the long-term deals with the players' agents before cutting them -- and that the players agreed on a wink-nod basis not to sign elsewhere.
While the tactic might not violate the letter of any league rules, the Competition Committee should find a way to close this loophole, either by preventing such players from being re-signed by the team that cut them or by requiring them to pass through waivers.
As to Alexander, the effort of coach Bill Belichick to explain that he hadn't been cut makes even more sense. Belichick knew he was taking a slight risk that either or both players would decline to honor their handshake commitments to re-sign. So why acknowledge publicly that Alexander was available to a higher bidder?
Bears announce Cutler deal
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 9:53 PM ET
Though the terms, as usual, have not been disclosed, the Chicago Bears officially have announced that quarterback Jay Cutler's contract has been extended by two years.
Cutler is now under contract through 2013.
Full terms likely will be leaked or reported in the coming days. So stay tuned.
Cutler is now under contract through 2013.
Full terms likely will be leaked or reported in the coming days. So stay tuned.
Jay Cutler gets a new deal
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 9:25 PM ET
Though it's hardly an Eli Manning/Philip Rivers blockbuster, quarterback Jay Cutler has landed a new deal after only five games as a member of the Chicago Bears.
News of the new contract comes from Jason La Canfora of NFL Network.
Per La Canfora, it's a two-year extension of Cutler's existing deal, which ran through 2011. The deal includes roughly $30 million in new money, and $20 million in guarantees.
We need to see the full deal before comparing it properly to other quarterback contracts. On the surface, however, it doesn't seem like the kind of big-money package that should be paid to a guy who cost the Bears two first-round draft picks and, as it turns out, one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
News of the new contract comes from Jason La Canfora of NFL Network.
Per La Canfora, it's a two-year extension of Cutler's existing deal, which ran through 2011. The deal includes roughly $30 million in new money, and $20 million in guarantees.
We need to see the full deal before comparing it properly to other quarterback contracts. On the surface, however, it doesn't seem like the kind of big-money package that should be paid to a guy who cost the Bears two first-round draft picks and, as it turns out, one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
Seau will get $1.145 million
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 16, 2009 4:37 PM ET
Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, just signed for his fourth tour of duty with the team, will get $1.145 million in base salary for his one-year deal, according to the Boston Herald.
The veteran's minimum for a player with at least ten years of service is $845,000, so the Patriots were relatively generous with the offer.
There is no veteran's minimum for 20-year veterans.
The veteran's minimum for a player with at least ten years of service is $845,000, so the Patriots were relatively generous with the offer.
There is no veteran's minimum for 20-year veterans.
Quinn will cite no connection between sale of home and possible trade
Posted by Mike Florio on October 14, 2009 11:29 AM ET
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn will meet with the media on Wednesday. He'll surely be asked about the fact that his house is for sale.
A league source tells us that Quinn will say that his plan to sell the home is unrelated to any desire to be traded.
That said, we're told that, in a "perfect world," Quinn would prefer a fresh start elsewhere.
The problem is that he lives not in a perfect world, but in Cleveland.
And Browns coach Eric Mangini says that Quinn will not be traded from Cleveland.
More accurately, Mangini says that the team is "not looking to move" Quinn. Which could mean that, if the right offer comes along from a team that is looking to land him, the Browns might listen.
Besides, when it comes to possible trades, teams lie all the time. Last year, for example, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones repeatedly said that there would be no trade for a veteran receiver.
And then the Cowboys traded for a veteran receiver.
Quinn's desire to get out makes sense, for various reasons. First, he's never gotten a fair shot in Cleveland. (That said, he bears part of the blame for holding out in 2007, at a time when he might have been in position to take over after Charlie Frye was traded following the regular-season opener.) Second, of the $10.9 million in total escalators tied to taking 70 percent of the snaps in 2009, he can still trigger a $5.9 million escalator for 2011 by taking 70 percent of the snaps in 2010.
In Cleveland, that possibility is looking less and less likely with each snap that Derek Anderson takes.
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