Last decade, the Redskins had a habit of giving big money to free-agent players from other teams, while ignoring the home-grown draft picks who became good players.
And the home-grown draft picks who became good players noticed.
Though the Redskins have changed their ways, the phenomenon has begun to invade New York. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the current contract disputes involving cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold flow directly from the team’s reluctance to take care of players it drafted, at a time when plenty of money has been given away to strangers.
Complicating matters is a growing line of Jets players who believe that promises were made but not honored by the front office. It started in recent years with guard Pete Kendall and continued with guard Brandon Moore, tight end Chris Baker, receiver Laveranues Coles, and running back Leon Washington. Now, Revis, Mangold, linebacker Davis Harris, and left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson find themselves, we’re told, in the same boat. Each has been advised, in some form or another, that the team will take care of him, and to date none has received a new deal.
It remains to be seen whether Revis, Mangold, or any of the other players will take a stand. Even if they don’t, the situation could creates an atmosphere of mistrust that would make it hard for a collection of All-Stars to come together and fulfill the expectations that the front office has created.