Good Lesson For Whiny, Crybaby Pros....Westbrook

[HoustonFrog]

"I'm paid," said Westbrook, who led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage last season. "I signed a contract that was fair at that (time), so there's no sense in me crying about it now."

Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage last year. He is due $3 million in 2008.


http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index...l=5&thispage=2

Some might take this as a ploy but after his kneel down last year I think the guy just has some class.

[Specnatz]

I honestly think that he would like a new deal and will ask for one and if he gets one great if he does not he will play out his contract and then get a new deal. He is not the type (so it seems) to be the cancer and or distractions as some players are. It is getting hard to find these players.

[ubecool454]

Originally Posted by Specnatz

I honestly think that he would like a new deal and will ask for one and if he gets one great if he does not he will play out his contract and then get a new deal. He is not the type (so it seems) to be the cancer and or distractions as some players are. It is getting hard to find these players.

There are many players out there like this...there just aren't very many agents like that.

[El Tejano]

I wish ESPN and NFL Network would make more stories about this kind of player. Yeah after the kneel down, I totally believe this dude is just class altogether. Hey if you can show that you can wait, then you just might get an even better contract.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by HoustonFrog

Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage last year. He is due $3 million in 2008.


http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index...l=5&thispage=2

Some might take this as a ploy but after his kneel down last year I think the guy just has some class.

I read this yesterday. IMO, it's just more proof of how good this guy's character is. Too bad he plays for the Eagles.

[HoustonFrog]

Originally Posted by Specnatz

I honestly think that he would like a new deal and will ask for one and if he gets one great if he does not he will play out his contract and then get a new deal. He is not the type (so it seems) to be the cancer and or distractions as some players are. It is getting hard to find these players.

Yup, if you read the full article, you will see he is the type of guy you want on your team. He just wants players and to win.

http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index...l=5&thispage=2

Thank goodness for Brian Westbrook.

The Pro Bowl running back is all business, all of the time and has no desire to use ill-fated attempts at humor as a means to get his message across.
"We added some guys that can play," Westbrook said. "At this point I guess you have to go to war with the guys that you have ... unless they add someone else. Me being satisfied doesn't mean too much. I want to add the best players to our team and I think we have some very good players already that can get the job done."

But ...

"If we can get a big-time receiver, a big-time runner, or whatever we can get, that's what I want as a player," Westbrook continued. "Coach (Andy Reid) made a point that he was going to get some playmakers on this team. I think he tried to. A lot of those (potential) trades and acquisitions didn't really go his way."

Westbrook went on to address his contract situation -- a five-year, $24.9 million extension signed in 2005 -- and whether he feels he has out-performed that deal.

"I'm paid," said Westbrook, who led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage last season. "I signed a contract that was fair at that (time), so there's no sense in me crying about it now."

Westbrook continued to deliver the goods on the topic of player compensation and his personal dealings with the Eagles' front office.

"All players want more money," Westbrook said. "I think the team's job is to not pay all the money that the player wants. I think that's where the conflict comes into play. I think this organization is a very good organization and they try to do things the right way. That doesn't necessarily mean that it al ways ends up the right way all the time, either."

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

I read this yesterday. IMO, it's just more proof of how good this guy's character is. Too bad he plays for the Eagles.

I know!!Class guy with those fans amd team

[Double Barrel]

"I'm paid," said Westbrook, who led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage last season. "I signed a contract that was fair at that (time), so there's no sense in me crying about it now."

Much respect.

CJ would do well to shut his piehole and take a page from Westbrook. The difference between these two players is like night and day.

Kudos to Westbrook, but I have nothing against players who sign contracts but later on want more money...

Careers are short, contracts aren't guaranteed....Far be it from me to decide who should and shouldn't feel like they deserve more money for their services...

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by Polo

Kudos to Westbrook, but I have nothing against players who sign contracts but later on want more money...

Careers are short, contracts aren't guaranteed....Far be it from me to decide who should and shouldn't feel like they deserve more money for their services...

I kinda see it as they sign a contract they should honor it ..... Toss in the fact that at $3Million a year ..... It takes the average person SIXTYSIX Plus Years to equal what they make in ONE Season .


STFU and Play

Originally Posted by corrosion

I kinda see it as they sign a contract they should honor it ..... Toss in the fact that at $3Million a year ..... It takes the average person SIXTYSIX Plus Years to equal what they make in ONE Season .

If I sign a contract at work to get paid ____ per whaterver, but later on I find out that work conditions aren't that great or what I expected them to be/I think I deserve more for the work I do, I will probably ask for a raise or find a new job where I am compensated accordingly.

The fact that my employer can terminate that contract whenever they deem appropriate is just extra motivation to strike while the iron is hot.

If someone who is homeless tells me I should be thankful for having a job at all, shut up, take what my employer gives me and go to work with a smile on my face, I probably wouldn't listen.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by Polo

If I sign a contract at work to get paid ____ per whaterver, but later on I find out that work conditions aren't that great or what I expected them to be/I think I deserve more for the work I do, I will probably ask for a raise or find a new job where I am compensated accordingly.

The fact that my employer can terminate that contract whenever they deem appropriate is just extra motivation to strike while the iron is hot.

If someone who is homeless tells me I should be thankful for having a job at all, shut up, take what my employer gives me and go to work with a smile on my face, I probably wouldn't listen.

C'mon, Polo, you and I both know that comparing multi-millionaire athletes to the rest of us just doesn't hold up under scrutiny. We aren't talking homeless people here.

We are talking about elite athletes that make mad jack UP FRONT in signing bonuses, which can screw the teams if they get hurt and end their career. The road goes both way with regards to potential ramifications of contracts.

But for CJ to whine to get paid more to play a game in taxpayer financed stadiums after the first year of his multi-year contract just seems like he's putting the cart in front of the horse. What if every player acted this way? The league would be in shambles.

CJ knew what the Bengals were about when he re-signed with them. All of a sudden the team is not good enough for him? His feelings get hurt because a fanbase is unhappy with losing? He sounds like a soft chump to me, and now he's pulling the ol' pouting routine. I simply cannot chalk it up as professionalism no matter how I slice and dice it. He's even trying to throw his teammates under the bus now.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by Polo

If I sign a contract at work to get paid ____ per whaterver, but later on I find out that work conditions aren't that great or what I expected them to be/I think I deserve more for the work I do, I will probably ask for a raise or find a new job where I am compensated accordingly.

The fact that my employer can terminate that contract whenever they deem appropriate is just extra motivation to strike while the iron is hot.

If someone who is homeless tells me I should be thankful for having a job at all, shut up, take what my employer gives me and go to work with a smile on my face, I probably wouldn't listen.

Must be real hard getting six or seven figure salaries and having access to state of the art equipment for their jobs and top notch healthcare. These guys aren't poverty level bound.

If we're talking about the broken bones this league was founded on that have fallen on hard times I think that's a legit debate. The CJ's and TO's need to just play the game that has made them very wealthy men.

Far as Westbrook goes. Much respect for a guy who has climbed a mountain and has kept perspective about it. In more then one way the guy has proved himself to be a diamond in the rough.

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

C'mon, Polo, you and I both know that comparing multi-millionaire athletes to the rest of us just doesn't hold up under scrutiny. We aren't talking homeless people here.

We are talking about elite athletes that make mad jack UP FRONT in signing bonuses, which can screw the teams if they get hurt and end their career. The road goes both way with regards to potential ramifications of contracts.

But for CJ to whine to get paid more to play a game in taxpayer financed stadiums after the first year of his multi-year contract just seems like he's putting the cart in front of the horse. What if every player acted this way? The league would be in shambles.

CJ knew what the Bengals were about when he re-signed with them. All of a sudden the team is not good enough for him? His feelings get hurt because a fanbase is unhappy with losing? He sounds like a soft chump to me, and now he's pulling the ol' pouting routine. I simply cannot chalk it up as professionalism no matter how I slice and dice it. He's even trying to throw his teammates under the bus now.

Didn't mention Chad Johnson--Was talking about players in general who want new deals in the midst of an already lucrative contract.

I was comparing homeless people to us--the fans.

Everybody is more fortunate than somebody therefore the amount of money doesn't come into the equation for me.

Regarding CJ specifically, no I don't totally agree with the way he is conducting business at this point. I don't completely disagree with him either.

If he feels like the contract he signed last year is not worth honoring because of his work conditions, I'm not going to say he shouldn't seek better "because he makes an absurd amount of money" AKA more money than I do. It wouldn't be that much money if I were making it.

I walked out on a job while I was still in training because of "poor work conditions". Someone struggling to find a job may call me stupid, ungrateful, big headed...blah blah blah....

I am not going to work and not get compensated the way I think I should even if I am making a lot of money...I don't expect anyone to do that regardless of how much they're getting paid or what their line of work is...

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Must be real hard getting six or seven figure salaries and having access to state of the art equipment for their jobs and top notch healthcare. These guys aren't poverty level bound.

Doesn't matter what they make, IMHO.

I'm a hell of a lot better off than a lot of folks and I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination.

Doesn't mean I will just accept what I deem to be poor working conditions because folks who aren't as wealthy as I am think that I am "too blessed to be stressed".

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by Polo

Doesn't matter what they make, IMHO.

I'm a hell of a lot better off than a lot of folks and I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination.

Doesn't mean I will just accept what I deem to be poor working conditions because folks who aren't as wealthy as I am think that I am "too blessed to be stressed".

Okay I am curious then what you would deem unsatisfactory working conditions for NFL players in "the midst of already lucrative contracts" as you put it.

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Okay I am curious then what you would deem unsatisfactory working conditions for NFL players in "the midst of already lucrative contracts" as you put it.

Everyone has different quirks that set them off.

For me it's not getting fairly compensated or a person of authority not showing some form of respect to their employees.

Some people can take being degraded by their boss or being paid unfairly and they'll go to work everyday just thankful to get a paycheck...

Personally I'll just walk out because I'm confident in my skills and know that I will find employment elsewhere.

Chad Johnson has his reasons, other people have theirs.

And I'm not saying Chad Johnson/others are COMPLETELY right....

I'm just saying he probably has SOME merit...

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by Polo

If I sign a contract at work to get paid ____ per whaterver, but later on I find out that work conditions aren't that great or what I expected them to be/I think I deserve more for the work I do, I will probably ask for a raise or find a new job where I am compensated accordingly.

The fact that my employer can terminate that contract whenever they deem appropriate is just extra motivation to strike while the iron is hot.

If someone who is homeless tells me I should be thankful for having a job at all, shut up, take what my employer gives me and go to work with a smile on my face, I probably wouldn't listen.

This is the Only issue I have with NFL contracts ..... The fact that the employer can terminate it at his discression .... I cant think of any other situation like this in sports ...... Or the regular working world for that matter ... In most cases the termination of a contract has some reprocutions for the employer (unless the employee does someting to void the contract). I think that the NFL Players Union totally failed their charges in the last collective bargining agreement by not getting them guaranteed contracts.

The way I see it is simple , You put your name on the dotted line you BOTH should live up to your end of the deal ....If you want long term security sign a longer deal and get less in the long run for that security ..... If you dont want to run the risk of being paid less than you are worth sign a shorter term deal .... and deal with the risks that come with that ..... I mean it is in short you giving your word .... If you back out of the deal mid stream what does that make your word ? .... A pile of poop ......

[GuerillaBlack]

Originally Posted by HoustonFrog

Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage last year. He is due $3 million in 2008.


http://www.nj.com/eagles/times/index...l=5&thispage=2

Some might take this as a ploy but after his kneel down last year I think the guy just has some class.

I hate Westbrook for that kneel down. A kneel down that killed a million fantasy teams.

But seriously, the guy is pretty classy. Glad he said this.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by Polo

Everyone has different quirks that set them off.

For me it's not getting fairly compensated or a person of authority not showing some form of respect to their employees.

Some people can take being degraded by their boss or being paid unfairly and they'll go to work everyday just thankful to get a paycheck.

Personally I'll just walk out because I'm confident in my skills and know that I will find employment elsewhere.

Chad Johnson has his reasons, other people have theirs.

And I'm not saying Chad Johnson/others are COMPLETELY right....

I'm just saying he probably has SOME merit...

All I think most people in this thread are saying there is a vast chasm between someone who is getting paid wage labor thankful to get a paycheck and a multi-million dollar contract paid athlete. I don't think you can use a standard across the board business is business adage in this situation.

I know we're using Chad as the example but this guy knew the history of the organization, knows he plays in a salary cap league where his team was tying up a lot of money in the offense, and how his salary would inhibit a trade.At least on the outside it looks like he saw the $$ signs and took it. If he wanted to go to a winner. Simple take a little less money and gain a lot more in your career.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by Polo

Kudos to Westbrook, but I have nothing against players who sign contracts but later on want more money...

Careers are short, contracts aren't guaranteed....Far be it from me to decide who should and shouldn't feel like they deserve more money for their services...

Originally Posted by Polo

Didn't mention Chad Johnson--Was talking about players in general who want new deals in the midst of an already lucrative contract.

I was comparing homeless people to us--the fans.

Everybody is more fortunate than somebody therefore the amount of money doesn't come into the equation for me.

Regarding CJ specifically, no I don't totally agree with the way he is conducting business at this point. I don't completely disagree with him either.

If he feels like the contract he signed last year is not worth honoring because of his work conditions, I'm not going to say he shouldn't seek better "because he makes an absurd amount of money" AKA more money than I do. It wouldn't be that much money if I were making it.

I walked out on a job while I was still in training because of "poor work conditions". Someone struggling to find a job may call me stupid, ungrateful, big headed...blah blah blah....

I am not going to work and not get compensated the way I think I should even if I am making a lot of money...I don't expect anyone to do that regardless of how much they're getting paid or what their line of work is...

Does every player understand that the league has a collective bargining agreement before hand? Does every player understand that contracts can be terminated at the any time? Yes they do hence the signing bonus and why most want that paid out (on paper only cause they get all the money up front) over the life of the contract versus in the first 3 years of a multi year deal, so they hopefully will not get cut even though they have not performed up to the contract.

Since you think it is fair for a player to holdout and act like a spoiled 3 year old girl to get what they want, would you be ok if management went up to say Cedrick Benson and say ya know what you have totalled sucked and are not playing upto the contract so went want to remegociate the signing bonus you got and get some of our money back? I am sure you would not be in favor of this. You know the score going into the game don't ***** about the rules after your involved in the game.

I will add I find it ironic that the players who do this for the most part all have the same piece of crap scum bag as an agent.