Packers Sign Barnett To Long-Term Contract Extension http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2007/04/10/1/
Good for him. He's been a hard worker and he went about this the right away. The Packers are more than willing to reward their players with big contracts as long as you don't make threats at the franchise at the same time. Like hold out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Good for him. He's been a hard worker and he went about this the right away. The Packers are more than willing to reward their players with big contracts as long as you don't make threats at the franchise at the same time. Like hold out.</div> Javon Walker never held out. Javon reported, got injured and then got traded.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Good for him. He's been a hard worker and he went about this the right away. The Packers are more than willing to reward their players with big contracts as long as you don't make threats at the franchise at the same time. Like hold out.</div> Javon Walker never held out. Javon reported, got injured and then got traded.</div> Where did I mention Javon? Mike McKenzie held out into the season and was traded and just got his ?payday? a year ago. He waited a long time. Anyhow Javon talked his way out. He went on Rome is Burning. He went to ESPN. He went to every main newspaper in Wisconsin and said if I don't get my contract I'm going to hold out and not report. He never did make due on his threats like you said. Javon was advised very poorly by Drew Rosenhaus. Barnett, Driver, Wells, and Harris all got contract extensions and neither of them made any threat to hold out. To me this is not a coincidence. Green Bay's front office is not going to be pushed around. They want to make it clear that the players work for them. Had Javon not made any threats he?d probably still be a Packer today.
I'm glad Barnett got a new deal. He's been very solid and has led the team in tackles three of the last four years. I'm very happy about this... And I agree with everything Porky said in the previous post.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Good for him. He's been a hard worker and he went about this the right away. The Packers are more than willing to reward their players with big contracts as long as you don't make threats at the franchise at the same time. Like hold out.</div> Javon Walker never held out. Javon reported, got injured and then got traded.</div> Where did I mention Javon? Mike McKenzie held out into the season and was traded and just got his ?payday? a year ago. He waited a long time. Anyhow Javon talked his way out. He went on Rome is Burning. He went to ESPN. He went to every main newspaper in Wisconsin and said if I don't get my contract I'm going to hold out and not report. He never did make due on his threats like you said. Javon was advised very poorly by Drew Rosenhaus. Barnett, Driver, Wells, and Harris all got contract extensions and neither of them made any threat to hold out. To me this is not a coincidence. Green Bay's front office is not going to be pushed around. They want to make it clear that the players work for them. Had Javon not made any threats he?d probably still be a Packer today.</div> And Walker probably wouldn't be making the money that he is now. I realize my viewpoint is different that most football fans on this issue. I just don't believe in double standards. It burns me up that football fans hold football players to fire when they don't honor their contracts, but say nothing about teams not honoring contracts and cutting players or forcing them to renegotiate when they feel players value or skills are declining or they are due a roster bonus. That's hypocrasy in my book. I hope Nick Barnett doesn't get hurt or the Packers decide that he doesn't fit in their plans because that's when he'll find out how much football teams "honor" their contracts. By the way, Porky, are you really going to tell me that you weren't thinking about Javon when you wrote your first post?
DD, I agree with you 90%. The only holdback I have is that the players union did agree to the current terms which allows teams to release players as they see fit. From a competitive standpoint, I think it helps keep parity in the NFL. In the NBA teams don't have the option to release a player on a whim. The result? Teams (like the timberpuppies) get loaded down with bad contracts on players and have to hold on to them for years. The being said, I am all in favor of teams being able to release players who do not play well. I am also all in favor of players who decide that the best business decision is to hold out and to run a PR campaign to make it known that they want more money.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'>And Walker probably wouldn't be making the money that he is now. I realize my viewpoint is different that most football fans on this issue. I just don't believe in double standards. It burns me up that football fans hold football players to fire when they don't honor their contracts, but say nothing about teams not honoring contracts and cutting players or forcing them to renegotiate when they feel players value or skills are declining or they are due a roster bonus. That's hypocrasy in my book. I hope Nick Barnett doesn't get hurt or the Packers decide that he doesn't fit in their plans because that's when he'll find out how much football teams "honor" their contracts. By the way, Porky, are you really going to tell me that you weren't thinking about Javon when you wrote your first post?</div> Actually had Walker went to the Packers and handled this like Nick Barnett, Al Harris, Scott Wells, and Donald Driver did, recent history is suggesting that the Packers would've renegotiated Walker's contract and he probably would've got his big pay day as a Packer. The Packers don't have it out for Walker or anything. They just don't believe in holdouts. This is pure speculation but so is stating Walker wouldn?t of gotten paid had he not made threats. Barnett didn?t threaten to hold out. He got paid. So did Al Harris. So did Donald Driver. So did Scott Wells. If Nick Barnett gets hurt he has 12 million dollars to spend on whatever he wants at that's what he got up front. I was referring to Grady Jackson, Mike McKenzie, and Javon Walker.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vikingfan)</div><div class='quotemain'>From a competitive standpoint, I think it helps keep parity in the NFL. In the NBA teams don't have the option to release a player on a whim. The result? Teams (like the timberpuppies) get loaded down with bad contracts on players and have to hold on to them for years. The being said, I am all in favor of teams being able to release players who do not play well. I am also all in favor of players who decide that the best business decision is to hold out and to run a PR campaign to make it known that they want more money.</div> I agree w/ VF on this. Mueller & Cameron getting rid of all the overpaid underachievers in A & O this offseason comes to mind. If the Browns and Niners (for example) have great wads of cash but not the common sense to know how to use it that is their perogative no matter how stupid I think it is. The Knicks are the NBA's the best example of how not to do contracts. For the record, I am glad to see Nick Barnett rewarded so well and he went about it the right way IMO. Its sad, though, when Randy McMichael's agent proved to be right saying his client would get a better contract than what Miami thought he was worth. Damion McIntosh signing w/ the Chiefs is another example.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vikingfan)</div><div class='quotemain'>DD, I agree with you 90%. The only holdback I have is that the players union did agree to the current terms which allows teams to release players as they see fit. From a competitive standpoint, I think it helps keep parity in the NFL. In the NBA teams don't have the option to release a player on a whim. The result? Teams (like the timberpuppies) get loaded down with bad contracts on players and have to hold on to them for years. The being said, I am all in favor of teams being able to release players who do not play well. I am also all in favor of players who decide that the best business decision is to hold out and to run a PR campaign to make it known that they want more money.</div> Actually, I don't disagree, VF. I think teams should be able to release players who aren't producing as well. However, in order for me to hold that viewpoint, I think that I have to be ready to accept potential holdouts when players, like Javon Walker, are playing much better than their current contract and not villify them for doing so. That's all I'm saying. I don't think it's fair for fans to berate players for trying to take care of their best interests and it's beyond naive to think that NFL teams are going to do right by players.
The thing that I dont understand is why its so hard to keep a topic on TOPIC in these forums. Yes its close to what we are talking about but its not about NB.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DaPackersGb)</div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I dont understand is why its so hard to keep a topic on TOPIC in these forums. Yes its close to what we are talking about but its not about NB.</div> Do you have something left to add about Nick Barnett? Please do so. Otherwise, it's a pretty good debate/discussion that has followed a natural progression. I really don't see a problem.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DaPackersGb)</div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I dont understand is why its so hard to keep a topic on TOPIC in these forums. Yes its close to what we are talking about but its not about NB.</div> DP man i know you intentions are good and everything but please give the topic police persona a rest. This is a very relevant discussion to the topic currently at hand. Now on to the topic I don't think either end is right, I don't think Hold outs should be acceptable, and I don't think up and cutting a guy based on production is acceptable either. But both are gonna happen regardless. I was sooo pissed when the Packers let Antonio Freeman go despite his declining numbers, and just two years ago when Na'il diggs was pretty disappointed. But Nothing grits me more than a guy who has ONE good year who thinks he should be making top 10 money, that pisses me off to no avail, regardless of how much a guy makes if they believe they're underpaid(T.o!) hold outs are most likely gonna happen. Mckenzie was just a punk about things, faked injuries and wouldn't let physicians do any physicals on him when he "caved" from his hold out. Walker to his credit came out and played, when he realized the Packers weren't going to give into his demand, and sadly was injured doing so.
I gotta agree w/ FP & DD about the natural progression of the thread. FWIW; the thread topic is very general. Looking at it from the recent topics list, I thought it was about some former Michigan St coach now in rural Alabama. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DD)</div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think it's fair for fans to berate players for trying to take care of their best interests and it's beyond naive to think that NFL teams are going to do right by players.</div> It is a business. Most if not all players recognize this. Though, It would be grossly unfair if just one party held the power for personnel decisions. Imagine if you had a job you hated but could only be fired and not quit. I'll theorize that the fans that whine loudest and longest fans of small market teams, teams with cheap or out of touch management? Some players are going to whine regardless but enough about 90% of the WR's in the league. Personally, I llike FA & look forward to seeing how the balance of power might shift.
I have no problem in players wanting more money. I don't believe they should hold out to get it though. In my opinion players should go to the team and try to get a deal done. You show up to work and you prove why you deserve more money. Not just show up on Sunday?s and demand a new contract. You need to show some patience. As stated it?s a business and there are 50+ players that need to be taken care of as well. Not just one.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>I have no problem in players wanting more money. I don't believe they should hold out to get it though. In my opinion players should go to the team and try to get a deal done. You show up to work and you prove why you deserve more money. Not just show up on Sunday?s and demand a new contract. You need to show some patience. As stated it?s a business and there are 50+ players that need to be taken care of as well. Not just one.</div> Excellent post, Barnett, Harris, and Driver are all perfect examples on how to handle business, Amahn Green as well, although we didn't get a long term deal done with him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Amahn Green as well, although we didn't get a long term deal done with him.</div> That was a wise move on Green's part. He specifically wanted a one year deal so he could test the free agent market after the season was over. Now he's in Houston with a huge payday... So things worked out well for him and Green Bay accomodated him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>I have no problem in players wanting more money. I don't believe they should hold out to get it though. In my opinion players should go to the team and try to get a deal done. You show up to work and you prove why you deserve more money. Not just show up on Sunday?s and demand a new contract. You need to show some patience. As stated it?s a business and there are 50+ players that need to be taken care of as well. Not just one.</div> Have patience? Please answer the following questions directly. 1. How long have the Green Bay Packers been a football franchise? 2. How long is the average NFL football players' career? 3. How many unproductive seasons will the Packers endure before they demand to renegotiate a contract or outright cut a player? 4. Besides holding out, what other bargaining power does a professional football player have? My point is pretty simple. It is hypocritical to ask a player to put in multiple productive years before paying him according to his productivity, then to lower his salary or cut him as soon as it becomes obvious that he can no longer produce at that level. Players have to play for free for three or four years at the college level, risking injury, all the while making millions of dollars for their universities. Then, they must come and NFL and play for so many years before they can become free agents. Until then, they have to accept what the team, who OWNS them, is willing to pay them and too bad if they don't like it. My understanding is that a four year vet, Javon Walker, DID go to the Packers and ask to renegotiate his contract and the Packers WOULD NOT TALK TO HIM. What other bargaining power does Javon Walker have other than to hold out? I know the Packers have a "rule" that they don't negotiate with two years left on a contract, but who cares. I would have told Ted Thompson to talk to me like an adult, who risks his career on every snap, and not like a piece of property. Screw the Packers front office and their capricous rules. At the very least, Ted Thompson could have told Javon that they could presented a deal for that year and one for the next year, if Javon wanted to wait, which I'm sure would have been much bigger. Then, Javon can decide if another year on his current contract is worth the risk. Let's not forget though. Javon Walker DID show up to work. Javon got hurt and he got traded.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'>My point is pretty simple. It is hypocritical to ask a player to put in multiple productive years before paying him according to his productivity, then to lower his salary or cut him as soon as it becomes obvious that he can no longer produce at that level. Players have to play for free for three or four years at the college level, risking injury, all the while making millions of dollars for their universities. Then, they must come and NFL and play for so many years before they can become free agents. Until then, they have to accept what the team, who OWNS them, is willing to pay them and too bad if they don't like it.</div> The NFL is a business. If the players don't like the policy then perhaps they should go play in the MLB. They chose to play in professional football and they very well should know the policy the NFL has. It's as simple as that. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>My understanding is that a four year vet, Javon Walker, DID go to the Packers and ask to renegotiate his contract and the Packers WOULD NOT TALK TO HIM. What other bargaining power does Javon Walker have other than to hold out? I know the Packers have a "rule" that they don't negotiate with two years left on a contract, but who cares. I would have told Ted Thompson to talk to me like an adult, who risks his career on every snap, and not like a piece of property. Screw the Packers front office and their capricous rules. At the very least, Ted Thompson could have told Javon that they could presented a deal for that year and one for the next year, if Javon wanted to wait, which I'm sure would have been much bigger. Then, Javon can decide if another year on his current contract is worth the risk.</div> That policy is pretty much put to rest now. The Packers redid Donald Driver's and Al Harris' contract in the time span of a year and both had multiple years left on their contract. Ron Wolf had that policy as did Mike Sherman. However Ted Thompson apparently does not. Ted Thompson?s policy seems to be commit to us and we?ll commit to you. In Javon Walker's case he did not go to the Packers and ask for more money first quietly. He told them pay more or I will holdout. I wasn?t aware that you had spoken with Ted Thompson and you had found out that he talked to Javon like a child. I was under the impression that the Packers had no contract talks with Walker at all. Walker the whole time was bluffing and the Packers callled it. Javon Walker took bad advice from his agent and followed in the footsteps of Mike McKenzie. If he would of went down the road of Donald Driver and Al Harris I?m sure things would have been different.
