''Don't be a bad dagh..."
Thanks for this timely news.
Now watch the jealous haters come out in droves!
Saw this on Saints Report
We gained $6M in cap space, what do we do?
Drew Brees cap numbers:$10.4M (2012), $17.4M (2013), $18.4M (2014), $26.4M (2015), $27.4M (2016)wp.me/p14QSB-4nnlBefore, the franchise tag was $16,371,000; now his cap figure is $10.4M, that's $5,971,000 of cap space available, on top of the $2,272,081 we already had (source: Available salary-cap space for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com), which totals to $8,243,081 in cap space.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 13, 2012
Here's a list of the best available free agents:
Offense: Best Available NFL Free Agents - Offense | The Sideline View
Defense: Best Available NFL Free Agents - Defense | The Sideline View
Also, we could possibly tie up someone on our current roster by paying them this year and lessening their cap space in later years (Bushrod for example). It'll be interesting to see if we wait for the waivers to happen or if we make a move now.
$100 million. I expect at least two more SB titles at that price. At least two more!
I'm not sure there has ever been a contract negotiated where the player had any more leverage than Drew did this year!
Yes, he did have leverage. The fact that he maxed it out confimed to me that he is not the man I hoped he was. He is like most and about money first. Team is not in his top 3. His union ranks above his team. This thing should have been settled weeks ago and D.B. is the one who held things up.
I'm very disappointed in Brees. I've become good friends with ex-Cowboy great Charlie Waters and he tells me that Brees has been a very vocal, strident, and leading opponent of all attempts to increase the retirement benefits of players from the 70's and earlier, a number of whom deal with dibilitating effects from playing with significant injuries, but receive meager benefits.
Loyalty is an important virtue to me. So much so, for those who really know me, have accused me of "being loyal to a fault." Nobody's perfect...
Until proven otherwise, I give folks the benefit of the doubt. I had elevated Brees to a lofty perch for which he is wholly undeserving. That's my bad. As for Brees, well, apparently he can live with himself. He once threatened to sue his own mother. That's a clue to his character.
But, as to loyalty, it does warrant reminding everyone that Brees' career was dead in the water. After his shoulder injury the Chargers gave him an unconditional release. Nick Saban and the Dolphins took a look at him, but passed based on the medical opinions. Brees had NOTHING. His football-playing days were over. Then... along came the silly Saints. Yeah, Sean Payton with his eye for finding guys the rest of the NFL misses, knew Brees was not just another NFL talent. He was something special, and thus worth the risk re: his medical record.
Brees is a great QB. I think he's the best in the league, bar none. No question he can play. But, it was the Saints that took a chance on him and his shoulder, when there were no guarantees. That, IMO, begets loyalty. Brees should get down on his knees and thank God the silly Saints took a chance on him. He should be thankful enough to show some loyalty to the organization. Nah! instead he holds them hostage in the contract negotiations. And, especially during a time when the team needs him, now more than ever, with Payton MIA for 2012, and all this other mess.
I hope Brees continues to shine on the field. I am a diehard Saints' fan and want what's best for the team.
But, what goes around, comes around, Drew.
This post is silly. Drew Brees already played out that low guarantee contract. Remember revisionist historian, the Saints only had $10MM guaranteed for Brees in that $60MM dollar contract, a tiny amount by NFL QB standards. They werent loyal to him, nor does it beget loyalty. They had an easy out if Brees sucked. Luckly for them and him, he did not. The NFL has bred this culture, so I never get mad at players for restructuring and fighting for every penny they can get. The NFL created this, and I think it is the most efficient system, so I am not hating on it, but it does not scream loyalty.
However, it is better than being absolutely loyal to some fat ass like Carlos Lee as you pay him 18MM a year to get old, fat, and worse (include A-Rod and many baseball players in there), it is very inefficient, but it is loyal.
You can't just bash Brees' character and state that he threatened to sue his mother without giving the facts of the matter. Go read his book before commenting on his family situation and using it against him.
If you had leverage and could get more money from your job, you would do it. I would anyway. As Hussdawg stated, the NFL created this and it is not a reflection of character or loyalty. The Saints' estimated worth per Forbes has increased significantly since Brees' arrival. There are many factors responsible for this, but Brees is at the top of the list. He is arguably the best player in the league at the most important position in team sports. By NFL standards, he is worth the money. Not to mention the unmeasurable good he has done for the city of New Orleans. Question his character if you like, but if him negotiating for more money means he is a bad person, I guess I am a bad person too.
The facts are clear and are public record. I don't have to go back and do anything.
Water under the bridge now. Moving forward, everyone needs to get on the same page, and march on to another Super Bowl.