Freeney signs 6 year 72 Mill contract w/ 30 mill singing bonus

[CalSteeler]

NFL salaries keep skyrocketing out of control. What are the Colts thinking handing out money like that? Freeney is very good but he only had 5 1/2 sacks last year. Also, how are they affording all these huge contracts they've been handing out lately. Between Peyton, Harrison, Wayne and now Freeny that's got to be close to a third of their cap, maybe more.

This kind of thing makes me appreciate the way the Steelers do business all the more. No obscene amounts of money for one player. I do wonder what effect this will have on Troy's new deal though.


Source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19749040/)

[DaveBauer34]

NFL salaries keep skyrocketing out of control. What are the Colts thinking handing out money like that? Freeney is very good but he only had 5 1/2 sacks last year. Also, how are they affording all these huge contracts they've been handing out lately. Between Peyton, Harrison, Wayne and now Freeny that's got to be close to a third of their cap, maybe more.

This kind of thing makes me appreciate the way the Steelers do business all the more. No obscene amounts of money for one player. I do wonder what effect this will have on Troy's new deal though.


Source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19749040/)
That's a lot of money for a one-dimensional football player.

[Jom112]

This contract will probably have the same domino effect on defensive players that Steve Hutchinson's contract had on guards. It's all downhill from here.
I guess it's a good thing the Bengals don't have any top defensive players that we were trying to keep. But like you said Cal this does make the Polamalu contract talks more interesting...

[CalSteeler]

This contract will probably have the same domino effect on defensive players that Steve Hutchinson's contract had on guards. It's all downhill from here.
I guess it's a good thing the Bengals don't have any top defensive players that we were trying to keep. But like you said Cal this does make the Polamalu contract talks more interesting...


Fortunately safety is the lowest paid position on defense so we won't be breaking the bank to that degree. I really wish some of these owners had a clue. The parallel to Hutchinsons contract is astute, this kind of thing is bad for business and will only bite the league in the ***** down the road. There will always be some idiot like Daniel Snyder trying to price the league out of business.

[Jom112]

This contract will probably have the same domino effect on defensive players that Steve Hutchinson's contract had on guards. It's all downhill from here.
I guess it's a good thing the Bengals don't have any top defensive players that we were trying to keep. But like you said Cal this does make the Polamalu contract talks more interesting...


Fortunately safety is the lowest paid position on defense so we won't be breaking the bank to that degree. I really wish some of these owners had a clue. The parallel to Hutchinsons contract is astute, this kind of thing is bad for business and will only bite the league in the ***** down the road. There will always be some idiot like Daniel Snyder trying to price the league out of business.

I don't think Polamalu will be asking for anything near what Freeny got either. But this does raise his price a bit.
The real winner in all this (Aside from Freeny) is going to be Julius Peppers. His contract is going to be up soon and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign a six year $80 Million dollar contact...

[Bmoreblitz]

how does a player that one dimensional coming off a 6 sack season, on a team that obviously has huge defensive needs elsewhere at the one aspect of defense he's horrible at (run stopping) get that big of a contract? That is just absurd.

Are they planning on fielding a team of just him and manning? I mean Freeny is very good and all but he isn NOT the best defensive player in the NFL.
What is the Colts roster gonna look like in a year or two? Will they be able to employ 53 players for under the salary cap with Manning and Freeney's contract swallowing up something like 20% of the total cap space? I hope this creates a lot of animosity between the players on teh defense like Mathis and Sanders and they all just flat out **** and the Colts plummet to the bottom of the AFC south. Wishful thinking? Probably but one can always hope.
With Wayne, Manning, and Freeney's contract thats gotta be around 60% of that teams base salary cap.. possibly more. I mean Freeney is good, and he is a good passrusher, but you can get a 3rd down DE that gets the same amount of sacks for 75% less.
DEPT of DEFENSE
AFCN Champs!!

[Ill Will]

This contract will probably have the same domino effect on defensive players that Steve Hutchinson's contract had on guards. It's all downhill from here.
I guess it's a good thing the Bengals don't have any top defensive players that we were trying to keep. But like you said Cal this does make the Polamalu contract talks more interesting...


Fortunately safety is the lowest paid position on defense so we won't be breaking the bank to that degree. I really wish some of these owners had a clue. The parallel to Hutchinsons contract is astute, this kind of thing is bad for business and will only bite the league in the ***** down the road. There will always be some idiot like Daniel Snyder trying to price the league out of business.

I don't think Polamalu will be asking for anything near what Freeny got either. But this does raise his price a bit.
The real winner in all this is going to be Julius Peppers. His contract is going to be up soon and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign a six year $80 Million dollar contact...

It depends on what you call "near". I believe Troy will ask for at least 9 mil a year, he's one of the most respected Safeties in the game today. He will command at least that, QB's hate to see Polamalu on the field and fans of opposing teams swear there's too many men on the field when he's out there. He is the epitome of hustle and effort. I know that CB's get more money in general, but Troy has earned top dollar and there are not too many players on defense I'd rather have than him. I don't know what the statistics say, I don't really care either because I know what I see.
If not for the changes in personnel in Pittsburgh, on the roster and the office, I would believe that he wouldn't want to leave and would probably sacrifice a few mil to stay. But I don't think that the Steelers have that family atmosphere that it seemed to have the last few years.

[Ill Will]

how does a player that one dimensional coming off a 6 sack season, on a team that obviously has huge defensive needs elsewhere at the one aspect of defense he's horrible at (run stopping) get that big of a contract? That is just absurd.

Are they planning on fielding a team of just him and manning? I mean Freeny is very good and all but he isn NOT the best defensive player in the NFL.
What is the Colts roster gonna look like in a year or two? Will they be able to employ 53 players for under the salary cap with Manning and Freeney's contract swallowing up something like 20% of the total cap space? I hope this creates a lot of animosity between the players on teh defense like Mathis and Sanders and they all just flat out **** and the Colts plummet to the bottom of the AFC south. Wishful thinking? Probably but one can always hope.
With Wayne, Manning, and Freeney's contract thats gotta be around 60% of that teams base salary cap.. possibly more. I mean Freeney is good, and he is a good passrusher, but you can get a 3rd down DE that gets the same amount of sacks for 75% less.

I feel you on it being a bit much. But you can't take much away from Freeney. This was the only year he didn't hit double digit sacks in his career thus far, and he was'nt at 100%. You can't expect the same from many people playing in the NFL these days. He may not be the best Def. player in the NFL. but he's one of the best lineman and he's getting better as we speak.
Well maybe not as we speak, he's probably sleeping on a platinum pillowtop mattress with diamond pillowcases as we speak, but you get the point.

[CalSteeler]

It depends on what you call "near". I believe Troy will ask for at least 9 mil a year, he's one of the most respected Safeties in the game today. He will command at least that, QB's hate to see Polamalu on the field and fans of opposing teams swear there's too many men on the field when he's out there. He is the epitome of hustle and effort. I know that CB's get more money in general, but Troy has earned top dollar and there are not too many players on defense I'd rather have than him. I don't know what the statistics say, I don't really care either because I know what I see.
If not for the changes in personnel in Pittsburgh, on the roster and the office, I would believe that he wouldn't want to leave and would probably sacrifice a few mil to stay. But I don't think that the Steelers have that family atmosphere that it seemed to have the last few years.


Ill, you're one of the better posters here but there's no chance of Troy making that much. He should make close to what Ed Reed got which was a 7 year 40 mill contract with a 13 million signing bonus. Troy should make a bit under that considering Reed is the highest paid safety in the league and Troy has no buisiness earning more than that at this point in his career.

[Steely_J]

NFL salaries keep skyrocketing out ofcontrol. What are the Colts thinking handing out money likethat? Freeney is very good but he only had 5 1/2 sacks lastyear. Also, how are they affording all these huge contractsthey've been handing out lately. Between Peyton, Harrison, Wayneand now Freeny that's got to be close to a third of their cap, maybemore.

This kind of thing makes me appreciate the way theSteelers do business all the more. No obscene amounts of moneyfor one player. I do wonder what effect this will have on Troy'snew deal though.


Source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19749040/)


It is pretty crazy. Teams are blowing up the salaries ofmediocre, or above average players, higher than the ones of greatplayers. Then the great players demand more... i.e. Faneca.

[DaveBauer34]

NFL salaries keep skyrocketing out of control. What are the Colts thinking handing out money like that? Freeney is very good but he only had 5 1/2 sacks last year. Also, how are they affording all these huge contracts they've been handing out lately. Between Peyton, Harrison, Wayne and now Freeny that's got to be close to a third of their cap, maybe more.

This kind of thing makes me appreciate the way the Steelers do business all the more. No obscene amounts of money for one player. I do wonder what effect this will have on Troy's new deal though.


Source (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19749040/)


It is pretty crazy. Teams are blowing up the salaries of mediocre, or above average players, higher than the ones of great players. Then the great players demand more... i.e. Faneca.
At least the NFL isn't to the point of the NBA where Rashard Lewis (a mediocre-to-good player) is making about $105 mil over 7 years. Now that is totally ridiculous.
If teams want to pay players as much as Freeney, that's fine, they just need to accept the consequences when they have to strip all the talent from their team to get under the cap in a few years. If you ask me, Julius Peppers deserves about twice as much as Freeney, the guy is a true game changer, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what this means to DE contracts in the future.

[Jom112]

This contract will probably have the same domino effect on defensive players that Steve Hutchinson's contract had on guards. It's all downhill from here.
I guess it's a good thing the Bengals don't have any top defensive players that we were trying to keep. But like you said Cal this does make the Polamalu contract talks more interesting...


Fortunately safety is the lowest paid position on defense so we won't be breaking the bank to that degree. I really wish some of these owners had a clue. The parallel to Hutchinsons contract is astute, this kind of thing is bad for business and will only bite the league in the ***** down the road. There will always be some idiot like Daniel Snyder trying to price the league out of business.

I don't think Polamalu will be asking for anything near what Freeny got either. But this does raise his price a bit.
The real winner in all this is going to be Julius Peppers. His contract is going to be up soon and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign a six year $80 Million dollar contact...

It depends on what you call "near". I believe Troy will ask for at least 9 mil a year, he's one of the most respected Safeties in the game today. He will command at least that, QB's hate to see Polamalu on the field and fans of opposing teams swear there's too many men on the field when he's out there. He is the epitome of hustle and effort. I know that CB's get more money in general, but Troy has earned top dollar and there are not too many players on defense I'd rather have than him. I don't know what the statistics say, I don't really care either because I know what I see.
If not for the changes in personnel in Pittsburgh, on the roster and the office, I would believe that he wouldn't want to leave and would probably sacrifice a few mil to stay. But I don't think that the Steelers have that family atmosphere that it seemed to have the last few years.

Polamalu is not getting $9 Mil per season. He'll probably get $5 or $6 Mil per season. Maybe if the Steelers want to be really generous a $7 Mil per season contract which will still be $5 Mil less per season than Freeny will be making. I don't consider $5 Mil per season difference close.
Just take a look at the franchise tag stats by position:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag
The average of the top 5 safety contracts are at $4.5 Mil per season. No way he's doubling that number per season...

[SnapCount80]

I agree that's pretty steep. I don't even know how necessary Freeney is, either. Granted he is elite, but really it seems like a good(not elite) replacement probably wouldn't change too much about their defensive play. 72 mill seems like frivolous spending to me. I don't know, either he's a bigger part of their game than I think he is, or they just want to reward their top players for good performance. It beats me.

[Bmoreblitz]

Freeney is a beast and one of the top pass rushers , you always have to account for him. However that's where it stops. IMHO he is one dimensional. He is not that good at stopping the run. What worries me is that the Ravens are trying to negotiate with Suggs and Freeney's contract will probably make Suggs want a nice size contract himself. I wish we could have gotten him signed before Freeneys deal. His signing is one of the reasons we didn't resign AD so we could have more cap space. Suggs' contract should fall somewhere betweeen this and Charles Grants.. regardless, his contract grew with this signing. Charles Grant's contract was 7yrs $63m with $20m up front. Suggs certainly will have a case to split the difference.
DEPT of DEFENSE
AFCN Champs!!

[Joe from Florence]

it was a risky signing...good one though that they needed to get done....but do you realize that Freeny hasn't had a sack in 15 of his last 20 games? I think they are banking on him returning to his 2005 form

[Ill Will]

It depends on what you call "near". I believe Troy will ask for at least 9 mil a year, he's one of the most respected Safeties in the game today. He will command at least that, QB's hate to see Polamalu on the field and fans of opposing teams swear there's too many men on the field when he's out there. He is the epitome of hustle and effort. I know that CB's get more money in general, but Troy has earned top dollar and there are not too many players on defense I'd rather have than him. I don't know what the statistics say, I don't really care either because I know what I see.
If not for the changes in personnel in Pittsburgh, on the roster and the office, I would believe that he wouldn't want to leave and would probably sacrifice a few mil to stay. But I don't think that the Steelers have that family atmosphere that it seemed to have the last few years.


Ill, you're one of the better posters here but there's no chance of Troy making that much. He should make close to what Ed Reed got which was a 7 year 40 mill contract with a 13 million signing bonus. Troy should make a bit under that considering Reed is the highest paid safety in the league and Troy has no buisiness earning more than that at this point in his career.

I only say these things because Nate Clements got 80 mil over 8 years. Now way I would have even thought that # for him. I knew then (as many people on here did)that the contracts would begin to baloon out of control (they were already pushing the envelope).
This year is not going to be the exception, it will become the norm. It seems that the highest paid player at any position changes almost every offseason. If Ed Reed knew some of the #'s that would have been thrown around this offseason I'm sure he would have gotten a couple more mil.
You seem to be looking at it from what he should get instead of what he can get. If Troy plays to his 2005 level, I don't think he'll walk away with less than 8 mil a year, and that is assuming San Fran or Washington don't have a ton of $ under the cap, then there's no telling how much he could get. Think about it if Reed makes on average 5.7 a year, and you really think Troy, who should be hitting stride for a nice run in his prime soon, and two years younger can't pull in 9 in an overpriced market.
Not really trying to argue a point or anything. I just think it's very reasonable to believe he will.

[Whatever]

I think skyrocketing salaries will affect Polamalu's contract,but people also tend to forget the recent focus on the safety position in the draft. Four safeties were drafted in the 1st round this year,compared to only three CB's. In fact,safety was the third most drafted position in the 1st round of this year's draft,behind only WR and DE. Also throw in the fact that both Micheal Huff and Donte Whitner were top 10 picks the year before,and it starts to become evident that safeties are at somewhat of a premium in the NFL right now. Much as Hutchinson was for guards,Polamalu could be the same model for pay hikes among safeties. To do that,however,Polamalu must bounce back to his form of 2004(96 tackles,5 int's),instead of the mediocre #'s he put up last year. However,even with another mediocre year,Troy should still be pushing $7 mill a year,easily,just based on how much other players are making. You can't tell me Steinbach's as good as Polamalu,and he's making $7 mill a year.

[MikeSchank]

I saw Faneca at the airport the day that he had that pow-wow with Tomlin behind closed doors at mini-camp, and even though he returned to practice, when I saw him he still looked truly ******. He was standing behind me in line at Qdoba, so I asked him "Are you sticking around, or what?" and he laughed awkwardly, shrugged his shoulders, and said "I hope so."

He definitely deserves his money, and it is a business, but it is also an honor to play the sport, especially if you are lucky enough to play for a team with a great history. I would rather take less and retire in a city with a tradition like Pittsburgh's. Once you start talking about 10, 20, or 30 million dollars I have to ask: what's the difference?

[Ill Will]

Once you start talking about 10, 20, or 30 million dollars I have to ask: what's the difference?

Said the middle class guy.
No I'm just joking with you, and I feel where you are coming from in "spirit".
Unfortunately "spirit" doesn't support the lifestyle that these guys are accustomed to living. The realistic difference between 10, 20 or 30 million is about 10 to 20 million.

[MikeSchank]

Yeah, and that's the same excuse wives use to get half of their husband's earnings in divorce settlements.

[Whatever]

I saw Faneca at the airport the day that he had that pow-wow with Tomlin behind closed doors at mini-camp, and even though he returned to practice, when I saw him he still looked truly ******. He was standing behind me in line at Qdoba, so I asked him "Are you sticking around, or what?" and he laughed awkwardly, shrugged his shoulders, and said "I hope so."

He definitely deserves his money, and it is a business, but it is also an honor to play the sport, especially if you are lucky enough to play for a team with a great history. I would rather take less and retire in a city with a tradition like Pittsburgh's. Once you start talking about 10, 20, or 30 million dollars I have to ask: what's the difference?

I think it's simply human nature to want to be paid more. I mean,seriously,I've rarely met anybody in any job I've worked that didn't feel that they were underpaid. However,as fans,football isn't our livelihood,and we can't really expect players to treat the game as fans,either. I mean,McDonald's has a long and storied history in the fast-food industry,but if a rep from Burger King walked up to the kid working the register and said,"You're a three-time employee of the month and we're willing to fairly compensate you for your hard work by offering you the same position at our company and we're willing to pay you twice what McDonald's is.",that kid's going to be out the door. I think most any of us would leave our current jobs if someone was willing to double our salaries for doing the same job,especially if we were grossly underpaid compared to the standard of our work,like Faneca is. It's just that Faneca is used to a different standard of living than us. We want a big raise so we can afford that new flat-screen plasma big-screen TV,a new car so we can ditch our old one,or build a garage onto the house. Faneca wants one so he can afford that second home in Palm Beach,upgrade that Mercedes to a Bentley,or so his great-grandchildren will be financially secure for life instead of just his own children.

[Go4It]

How is this Smack Talk? Shouldn't this be in the "Around the NFL Forum?"

[doctorhook18]

Yeah....what he said!
The thing about Freeney is he almost always has to be double or even triple teamed. In theory this should make it easier for other defenders to get to the passer. The Colts' Defense is build for speed. Assuming the offense does their job and score points and force the oppenents offense to throw the ball, this is a successful move. Just as importantly, Freeney is another high character guy that the front office likes! He's just like all of the Colts' big stars that play hard and stay out of trouble. Giving a guy like that kind of money makes it easy decision.

You have to hand it to Jim Irsay the Colts owner. The guy had to dip into personal assets to handle Manning and Harrison's signing bonus to keep the contract cap friendly. I'm sure he had to do the same with Freeney's. They actual SAVE money with this contract as opposed to the franchise tag they would have had to put on him. Paying one of their own guys a big contract I think makes alot of sense. You know what you have. The Colts raised alot of eyebrows taking Freeney #1 when Albert Haynesworth was on the board. Another lesson I learned NOT to question a Polian move. How many times have the big time free agent signings gone bust when they go to another team? LOTS!

I am eagerly awaiting the Troy P contract too! Next year Bob Sanders is going to want the same thing he gets!

[SnapCount80]

Yeah....what he said!
The thing about Freeney is he almost always has to be double or even triple teamed. In theory this should make it easier for other defenders to get to the passer. The Colts' Defense is build for speed. Assuming the offense does their job and score points and force the oppenents offense to throw the ball, this is a successful move. Just as importantly, Freeney is another high character guy that the front office likes! He's just like all of the Colts' big stars that play hard and stay out of trouble. Giving a guy like that kind of money makes it easy decision.

You have to hand it to Jim Irsay the Colts owner. The guy had to dip into personal assets to handle Manning and Harrison's signing bonus to keep the contract cap friendly. I'm sure he had to do the same with Freeney's. They actual SAVE money with this contract as opposed to the franchise tag they would have had to put on him. Paying one of their own guys a big contract I think makes alot of sense. You know what you have. The Colts raised alot of eyebrows taking Freeney #1 when Albert Haynesworth was on the board. Another lesson I learned NOT to question a Polian move. How many times have the big time free agent signings gone bust when they go to another team? LOTS!

I am eagerly awaiting the Troy P contract too! Next year Bob Sanders is going to want the same thing he gets!

I guess that makes more sense. I guess Indy will at least be happy they have Freeney for an extended period. All that's left is to pray he stays healthy and makes good use of that 30 mil bonus.

By the way, since they didn't fran. Freeney, are the Colts planning to franchise anyone else?

[MikeSchank]

Yeah, my point is that there is a huge difference between a crappy minimum wage job and 10 million dollars. But it's not really about the numbers, it's about the ego. I don't think Alan Faneca sits around and thinks what he could buy with another million (and if he does, he's a ****** that already has too much cash). He just doesn't want to be what is considered to be underpaid; he wants to be honored for his hard work. Understandable. But there's more involved than just getting more cash. You can either be a dude that once played for the Steelers, or you can be someone like Jerome who takes the pay cut, and will always be remembered in this city.

But since folks are saying this isn't smack, I will reply by saying Bengals fans wouldn't understand because it's one thing to play for a team with a storied history, and another to play for just another team in the NFL. Leaving the Steelers is not like leaving the Bengals, no matter how you slice it. Ask Porter.

[toyota24]

Once you start talking about 10, 20, or 30 million dollars I have to ask: what's the difference?

Said the middle class guy.
No I'm just joking with you, and I feel where you are coming from in "spirit".
Unfortunately "spirit" doesn't support the lifestyle that these guys are accustomed to living. The realistic difference between 10, 20 or 30 million is about 10 to 20 million.

If guys like Faneca started taking less pay out of respect for the organization and dersire to play in pit, it would have ramifications beyond just him. The players union would undoubtedly get poed at his failure to do his part in driving up salaries at his position. It could be percieved as him not doing his duty to fellow players by ensuring teams would have to overpay for guards in the future. I don't know what the union could realistically do to him for it, but I wouldn't want to be the guy that refused to take one for the team. His agent undoubtedly knows the difference between the commission on a 30million dollar deal and a ten million dollar deal. It's not just the players, there are others who benefit from out of control deals. Just not the fans of financially responsible clubs.

[Ill Will]

Yeah, my point is that there is a huge difference between a crappy minimum wage job and 10 million dollars. But it's not really about the numbers, it's about the ego. I don't think Alan Faneca sits around and thinks what he could buy with another million (and if he does, he's a ****** that already has too much cash). He just doesn't want to be what is considered to be underpaid; he wants to be honored for his hard work. Understandable. But there's more involved than just getting more cash. You can either be a dude that once played for the Steelers, or you can be someone like Jerome who takes the pay cut, and will always be remembered in this city.

But since folks are saying this isn't smack, I will reply by saying Bengals fans wouldn't understand because it's one thing to play for a team with a storied history, and another to play for just another team in the NFL. Leaving the Steelers is not like leaving the Bengals, no matter how you slice it. Ask Porter.

Mike "I hope your real name isn't" Schank, if you don't think a millionaire sits around thinking of the other things they could do with another million then your crazy. I bet MC Hammer wishes he had another million right now.
"...and will always be remembered in this city." Bull Shizzle. Playing in the NFL is a big enough accomplishment. People don't stay with a team for the history of that team, if a player does take a pay cut to stay with a team it is because of a respect for the current players and/or management of said team, or when a player is nearing the end of a carreer with a team on the verge and they want to make a SB run before they bow out. it has nothing to do with the history of the franchise, unless they were a part of that particular history. Like Rice wanting to retire as a 49er after being on one the greatest franchise of the NFL in the 80's.
No one playing football today is going to take a paycut to stay on a team that has a great history in the 70's, but really have no shot in the immediate future, especially when they really are just looking for that last big payday before achieving "where are they now" status. Like Charles Woodson going to Green Bay from the Raiders.

[Pro Joey 1427]

especially when they really are just looking for that last big payday before achieving "where are they now" status. Like Charles Woodson going to Green Bay from the Raiders.
Woodson did pretty good last year actually. Eight picks, a TD, 50 tackles, started every game.

[Ill Will]

especially when they really are just looking for that last big payday before achieving "where are they now" status. Like Charles Woodson going to Green Bay from the Raiders.
Woodson did pretty good last year actually. Eight picks, a TD, 50 tackles, started every game.

I was just saying that this is the last contract he's probably going to sign as an NFL player.

[doctorhook18]

Maybe either Dallas Clark or Bob Sanders.......I think Tarik Glen is done after this year. Which is too bad!

[SnapCount80]

Maybe either Dallas Clark or Bob Sanders.......I think Tarik Glen is done after this year. Which is too bad!
If they could work out an extended contract with Sanders, that would be great for the Colts. Although Glenn is good, I doubt you'll miss the 2-3 false starts he gets each game. [;)]

[MikeSchank]

Again, having a Bengals fan dismiss team history is not surprising. Why do you think players love coming to Pittsburgh to play for a solid franchise? Because we win consistently, despite the fact that we don't dish out the cash. They know that coming into it. If players want to win, and your team history is marked by winning, then most players will want to stay here. Taking part of that team history is tied to the players, the management, etc. They're not separate things.

Bettis, like Rice, was a part of his team's history. What is thedifference? Bettis loved coming here after being told he would nevermake it, and he proved them wrong. He has a ring to show for it. Youstay to win, if you think the team can win. That is team history. TheSteelers happen to be a team that makes history. Sorry.

And maybe NFL millionaires do sit around and dream about more money; that's why they are playing for the wrong reasons.

[sloppy lombardi slaps]

Again, having a Bengals fan dismiss team history is not surprising. Why do you think players love coming to Pittsburgh to play for a solid franchise? Because we win consistently, despite the fact that we don't dish out the cash. They know that coming into it. If players want to win, and your team history is marked by winning, then most players will want to stay here. Taking part of that team history is tied to the players, the management, etc. They're not separate things.

Bettis, like Rice, was a part of his team's history. What is thedifference? Bettis loved coming here after being told he would nevermake it, and he proved them wrong. He has a ring to show for it. Youstay to win, if you think the team can win. That is team history. TheSteelers happen to be a team that makes history. Sorry.

And maybe NFL millionaires do sit around and dream about more money; that's why they are playing for the wrong reasons.



The days of players taking paycuts to stay with a winner are over. there is just too much money going around.

[Ill Will]

Again, having a Bengals fan dismiss team history is not surprising. Why do you think players love coming to Pittsburgh to play for a solid franchise? Because we win consistently, despite the fact that we don't dish out the cash. They know that coming into it. If players want to win, and your team history is marked by winning, then most players will want to stay here. Taking part of that team history is tied to the players, the management, etc. They're not separate things.

Bettis, like Rice, was a part of his team's history. What is the difference? Bettis loved coming here after being told he would never make it, and he proved them wrong. He has a ring to show for it. You stay to win, if you think the team can win. That is team history. The Steelers happen to be a team that makes history. Sorry.

And maybe NFL millionaires do sit around and dream about more money; that's why they are playing for the wrong reasons.

No, you stay to win if you think the team can win NOW, that is not team history, that is team present. I'm sure that people that played for you in the 70's wanted to retire a Steeler, just as players who played for the 49er's in the 80's or Dallas in the 90's or the Pats in early 2000's would want to retire with their respective teams.
People want to retire with history that they created. Not with History in general.
BTW, wanting more money means your playing for the wrong reasons? I think you better take your low budget mentality back to the High School level where you may still find athletes not looking to cash in on their talents.

[MikeSchank]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.

[sloppy lombardi slaps]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.


What planet are you from?

I don't care what anybody says lombardi's don't mean anything compared to millions and millions of dollars. Thats not just money, thats generational money. Thats "yeah...your house, your kid's college fund, your life savings....i drive around in it and just had ostrich leather installed"

truth is players won't regret not having a ring until they get older or flat out retire, but they will never ever regret signing that contract that means their great grandkids will never have to work a day in their lives.

[DaveBauer34]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.
I think what IllWill was trying to say is...a player will either pick a team for the money (probably 75% of the time) or they'll take a little less to go to a good organization, but only if that organization is run well NOW. players don't care how teams were run in the 70's or 80's if they're run like dirt now. look at the raiders, they have a great history, so why aren't free agents flocking to go there? because al davis runs the franchise like a dunce NOW.

[toyota24]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.


What planet are you from?

I don't care what anybody says lombardi's don't mean anything compared to millions and millions of dollars. Thats not just money, thats generational money. Thats "yeah...your house, your kid's college fund, your life savings....i drive around in it and just had ostrich leather installed"

truth is players won't regret not having a ring until they get older or flat out retire, but they will never ever regret signing that contract that means their great grandkids will never have to work a day in their lives.

Agreed. Deion Branch left the Pats, a team he had been part of history with to go to Seattle, a decent team but not nearly as good as the Pats, for money. Steve Hutchinson left Seattle for a far worse team in Minnesota for lots of money. This was after a title run and a season in which a record setting rb ran behind him. Steinbach was one of the most sought after fas of this year's off-season and he signed with an awful team. I'm not positive, but I think at least one storied franchise, the 49ers, was interested. Loyalty is dead in this league, as player's animosity toward owners is very real despite the extent to which the NFL claims to have such labor harmony. Lots of players resent the franchise tag. They resent contracts backloaded with cash they have little prayer of ever seeing. They really, really resent the fact that it's much easier for a team to cut ties with a player than it is for a player to pack up and go to another team if he wishes. Unless your a top 3 franchise qb or a player of comprable value, the probabilty of a situation occuring that breeds resentment is far greater than the likelihood of a star player passing over millions out of respect for tradition.

[MikeSchank]

Any player or coach will tell you they play to win the big one, but I am sure the money is a close second. However, you don't get that far in sports, become a professional athlete, and bust your hump all those years without obsessing over winning the Super Bowl. How many players would turn in a hefty chunk of their cash to have that ring? Ask Marino. He still would get to do the Isotoner ads. If you think this game is primarily about the cash you've been sipping mai tais with Adam Schefter for too long. That guy is a petty gossipwhore.

[MikeSchank]

Right, that's why you don't play for the Steelers because they were great on the 70s, you play for them because they are still great, and often have a chance to make it to the playoffs. History repeats.

Especially for the Bengals.

[MikeSchank]

Branch also left because he felt slighted, a la Faneca. Branch and Hutchinson are not the same situation. And if you already have the ring to show for your effort, like Branch, you have nothing to lose.

[sloppy lombardi slaps]

Any player or coach will tell you they play to win the big one, but I am sure the money is a close second. However, you don't get that far in sports, become a professional athlete, and bust your hump all those years without obsessing over winning the Super Bowl. How many players would turn in a hefty chunk of their cash to have that ring? Ask Marino. He still would get to do the Isotoner ads. If you think this game is primarily about the cash you've been sipping mai tais with Adam Schefter for too long. That guy is a petty gossipwhore.



Marino regrets it becuase he's retired. Do you think Nate Clements went to San Fran becuase he thinks they have a superbowl in thier future? Did Steve hutchinson go to the Vikings becuase they'll win?
Players know winning a SB is a crap shoot and even if you go with who you think is a winner who knows if they really will be, the money is the safer bet.

[kywcat]

Right, that's why you don't play for the Steelers because they were great on the 70s, you play for them because they are still great, and often have a chance to make it to the playoffs. History repeats.

Especially for the Bengals.

How many players (at the top of their game) during the past 20 yrs have left the Steelers for more money and did not go to a contender? Nuf said.

[toyota24]

Branch also left because he felt slighted, a la Faneca. Branch and Hutchinson are not the same situation. And if you already have the ring to show for your effort, like Branch, you have nothing to lose.
Are you high? Faneca has a ring too last time I checked. What exactly does he have to lose?

[toyota24]

Right, that's why you don't play for the Steelers because they were great on the 70s, you play for them because they are still great, and often have a chance to make it to the playoffs. History repeats.

Especially for the Bengals.

How many players (at the top of their game) during the past 20 yrs have left the Steelers for more money and did not go to a contender? Nuf said.
Better yet, why aren't other teams' FAs flocking to sign lesser deals in Pittsburgh? Who was the last major FA signing in Pit? Bettis maybe?

[Ill Will]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.

First off, qoute me when you are responding to me. So I know when to tee off.
Secondly, there is a constant stream of time?! Oh my God! Now I understand, so people that live in the past are actually living in the now, and we've had it wrong this whole time!
Thirdly, I didn't go to school in Ohio. I was home schooled by Mrs. Schank, tell her I'm still willing to put in that extra credit she always insisted upon. By the way, you might want to pick up some milk and toilet paper on the way home.
The Amish don't play football, the rest of us need cash to live. I guarantee you there's plenty of guys out there that would sell their ring for a comfortable future for their families.

[MikeSchank]

Yes, fans obsessing over the cash is like obsessing over stats (like Joe): they're numbers. The only number that matters is how many Lombardi's you have. I'd stay with the team that has consistency and has produced. Which is another way of saying: not playing for the Bengals. If Faneca wants to complain and cause trouble for his teammates, then so be it. They'll tell the cameras it's all just a business and that it doesn't affect them, but it's crap.

Team present? You do understand that there is a constant stream of time, right? Past becomes present: right now. Wait, no, NOW. That may be something they forgot to cover in the Ohio school system. Not your fault.

First off, qoute me when you are responding to me. So I know when to tee off.
Secondly, there is a constant stream of time?! Oh my God! Now I understand, so people that live in the past are actually living in the now, and we've had it wrong this whole time!
Thirdly, I didn't go to school in Ohio. I was home schooled by Mrs. Schank, tell her I'm still willing to put in that extra credit she always insisted upon. By the way, you might want to pick up some milk and toilet paper on the way home.
The Amish don't play football, the rest of us need cash to live. I guarantee you there's plenty of guys out there that would sell their ring for a comfortable future for their families.


First, the Amish do play football, at least in Pennsylvania. Why do you think they grow their beards out? To look like Roethlisberger.

Second, if you think players would be so quick to sell their rings, you are completely delusional. But that's probably because you're mind is still struggling to compute the intricacies of the timestream.

Third, if you need milk and TP, I can only assume you enjoy drinking milk while you're doing your business in the little boys' room.