Favre's Comments

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:11 am

Has anyone been following the Brett Favre/Javon Walker holdout issue? In a nutshell, Javon is holding out (having already skipped a mandatory mini camp) in hopes of a better contract. Brett publically criticized this decision saying he hopes the Packers don't give in and they can win without him. Now, Darren Sharper has publically responded that basically this is none of Brett's business and he should be more supportive of a teammate. What is everone's take on this issue - not even so much this one but holdouts in general, ala Terrel Owens in Philadelphia?

Personnally I agree completely with Favre. Javon signed the deal and has had no problem taking the Packer's money so far. Yes, he did have a good year but a contract is a contract. If a player has a bad year I don't think management has the right to renegotiate either. At the end of the contract then both sides either work another deal or part company. I think Philly is right in not giving into Owens as well.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:23 am

Favre could just give Walker some of his super-large contract money, and then everybody would be happy. After all, they both need each other to be successful this season. I'm not really sure it is Favre's place to opine on other player's contract negotiations, especially when his is sitting on a fat guaranteed contract of his own. If he was willing to give up some of his salary to make things good for others on his team, then its a different story.

Owens on the other hand seems to be me to just be a dick -- not so much holding out (capitalism, whatcha gonna do?), but for badmouthing his QB just like he has badmouthed other teammates in the past to try to make himself look better. He's just not a very mature guy. That's essentially why the 49ers let him go, even though he was their only good player.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:47 am

Bay Area Cat wrote:Favre could just give Walker some of his super-large contract money, and then everybody would be happy. After all, they both need each other to be successful this season. I'm not really sure it is Favre's place to opine on other player's contract negotiations, especially when his is sitting on a fat guaranteed contract of his own. If he was willing to give up some of his salary to make things good for others on his team, then its a different story.

Owens on the other hand seems to be me to just be a dick -- not so much holding out (capitalism, whatcha gonna do?), but for badmouthing his QB just like he has badmouthed other teammates in the past to try to make himself look better. He's just not a very mature guy. That's essentially why the 49ers let him go, even though he was their only good player.

I agree with some of that BAC (mainly the part about not giving the media his opinions - a call to Javon would have been more appropriate) but my concerns are that Walker is currently under a contract and there should be no renegotiating right now. Favre's giving some of his money doesn't make a lot of sense either. That is Favre's contract with the Packers not with all of his teammates. Based on that theory, everyone from Favre down to the practice squad should all make the same $$$????? Besides, I am almost positive Favre's contract is not anywhere near the top of the league for QB's. I don't think he has ever been about money. Bottom line, finish out your contract and then worry about renegotiating a new deal. If players want to do this they should sign shorter contract and give up a little of the guaranteed money for a chance to sweeten the deal sooner. At least we agree completely about TO.

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Fri May 06, 2005 10:59 am

You guys keep talking guaranteed money. No guranteed contracts in the NFL other than the Bonus money. (hence everyone wants a big bonus so they can pay 40% tax on it) In the NFL you do bad and they cut your ass so you don't get paid the 1.2 million. Also look at Winslow's little kid he lost some bonus money last year and they are looking to take away his 4 million in bonus money this year. My point being in baseball with guaranteed contracts you should play with what you signed..In the NFL go ahead and look out for yourself.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:05 am

WYCAT wrote:
Bay Area Cat wrote:Favre could just give Walker some of his super-large contract money, and then everybody would be happy. After all, they both need each other to be successful this season. I'm not really sure it is Favre's place to opine on other player's contract negotiations, especially when his is sitting on a fat guaranteed contract of his own. If he was willing to give up some of his salary to make things good for others on his team, then its a different story.

Owens on the other hand seems to be me to just be a dick -- not so much holding out (capitalism, whatcha gonna do?), but for badmouthing his QB just like he has badmouthed other teammates in the past to try to make himself look better. He's just not a very mature guy. That's essentially why the 49ers let him go, even though he was their only good player.
I agree with some of that BAC (mainly the part about not giving the media his opinions - a call to Javon would have been more appropriate) but my concerns are that Walker is currently under a contract and there should be no renegotiating right now. Favre's giving some of his money doesn't make a lot of sense either. That is Favre's contract with the Packers not with all of his teammates. Based on that theory, everyone from Favre down to the practice squad should all make the same $$$????? Besides, I am almost positive Favre's contract is not anywhere near the top of the league for QB's. I don't think he has ever been about money. Bottom line, finish out your contract and then worry about renegotiating a new deal. If players want to do this they should sign shorter contract and give up a little of the guaranteed money for a chance to sweeten the deal sooner. At least we agree completely about TO.

I'm just saying that it's kind of hypocritical for Favre to be coming down hard on Walker in public about trying to get more money when Favre already has a great contract. Because Favre is a media darling, he has never had to work too hard on negotiating a contract. But if Favre really values Walker and thinks that him being in camp is best for the team, perhaps he could give him some of his cash to even things out. Or, said another way, he could redo his contract to make room under the cap for Walker. It happens quite often by players who have already made tons of money and care more about winning that making money, and who also think that some of their teammates deserve more cash.

But if Favre thinks that Walker doesn't deserve more cash and is paid adequately (far below Favre), then public silence from him seems to be the best option.

Clearly, this theory doesn't apply to every guy on the team down to the practice squad. If a guy doesn't deserve more money and tries to hold out, he'll just get cut and nobody will care.

I agree that guys should honor their contacts for the most part, but isn't it also true that if a team cuts a guy (if he gets hurt, has a bad season, etc.), he doesn't get paid? I didn't think that most contracts were guaranteed in the NFL. It seems like I've heard several agents say that as a defense to their players holding out.

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri May 06, 2005 11:10 am

jagur1 wrote:You guys keep talking guaranteed money. No guranteed contracts in the NFL other than the Bonus money. (hence everyone wants a big bonus so they can pay 40% tax on it) In the NFL you do bad and they cut your ass so you don't get paid the 1.2 million. Also look at Winslow's little kid he lost some bonus money last year and they are looking to take away his 4 million in bonus money this year. My point being in baseball with guaranteed contracts you should play with what you signed..In the NFL go ahead and look out for yourself.

Thanks, jagur ... I was hoping I wasn't just talking out of my arse on my last sentence.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri May 06, 2005 12:29 pm

jagur1 wrote:You guys keep talking guaranteed money. No guranteed contracts in the NFL other than the Bonus money. (hence everyone wants a big bonus so they can pay 40% tax on it) In the NFL you do bad and they cut your ass so you don't get paid the 1.2 million. Also look at Winslow's little kid he lost some bonus money last year and they are looking to take away his 4 million in bonus money this year. My point being in baseball with guaranteed contracts you should play with what you signed..In the NFL go ahead and look out for yourself.

Very true - in the NFL it is a little different ballgame. I still don't like the idea of holding out though - it really changes the chances a team has when someone like TO or even Walker does it. However, it is about the only leverage they have.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Mon May 09, 2005 9:00 am

jagur1 wrote:..In the NFL go ahead and look out for yourself.

Isn't that what the players are doing when they get the bonus money? Also, NFL free agency is geared toward the players "looking out for themselves."