Yes and that just reinforces the notion he is just a selfish person. If that's the case any player on a deal that is near expiring or that they feel is short of their worth, should not perform to the best of their ability. What you are describing is a paradigm that has infected the NFL and imo made it an inferior product.
- JoeRussomanno

I never said I liked it, but that is how things in the NFL are operated. You want to fix it... Give the players guarenteed contracts. And how many players do you know are one of the top players in thier position in the NFL for 3 seasons and are making about 9 million less then they should be. Not to mention a fragile player too. Like I said... I dont like it, but its the nature of the league and its players... If it was a player already making 4 million a year and wanted 7... then yes I would be WAYY more pissed. But come on... He was making 500k and watched Vick get his contract when Vick only had 1 good year, and is a piece of poop.

I never said I liked it, but that is how things in the NFL are operated. You want to fix it... Give the players guarenteed contracts. And how many players do you know are one of the top players in thier position in the NFL for 3 seasons and are making about 9 million less then they should be. Not to mention a fragile player too. Like I said... I dont like it, but its the nature of the league and its players... If it was a player already making 4 million a year and wanted 7... then yes I would be WAYY more pissed. But come on... He was making 500k and watched Vick get his contract when Vick only had 1 good year, and is a piece of poop.
- RooNosHockey

If you give them guaranteed contracts you will have a dozen albert haynesworths on each team.

NHL>NFL>Premier League>MLB>Golf>Quidditch>NBA

I think all pro players make to much money but its us the fans that make as so.
- kgrpitt

Well, that's a different conversation entirely. Does a person deserve to make a fortune for playing a game? I guess not, but "deserve" is a very subjective word.

When you consider factors like the world class talent resulting from a lifetime of training and lessons paid for, their impact on the media and economies (local, national, and even international), the cost of that individual essentially being a business (which entails agents and employees of many varieties), and the demand for such a person, professional athletes are definitely worth the money they make. It's not just the fans, it's the entire market.

Bryz to puck:

If you give them guaranteed contracts you will have a dozen albert haynesworths on each team.
- JoeRussomanno

I dont know haynesworth so this is lost on me.... I really dont know players names, cause I only watch the eagles part time these days...

Pirates.......I am a pirates fan..........hence it being that low.
- kgrpitt

U guys are coming around though man. I wish the pirates were in another conference like the steelers are with the iggles. Then I would root for both the Pirates and Phillies. I dont support the Eagles b/c well there isn't enough room here but between the team's arrogance and that of the fans which I get enough of following the Phils and Flyers by the time football rolls through in the fall I had enough of philly and need a break. Basketball would become worth following if it the point of it wasn't to get a foul or see how far you can get away with traveling before getting said foul. I did enjoy watching the mavs play real basketball to win it all last year though.

I never said I liked it, but that is how things in the NFL are operated. You want to fix it... Give the players guarenteed contracts. And how many players do you know are one of the top players in thier position in the NFL for 3 seasons and are making about 9 million less then they should be. Not to mention a fragile player too. Like I said... I dont like it, but its the nature of the league and its players... If it was a player already making 4 million a year and wanted 7... then yes I would be WAYY more pissed. But come on... He was making 500k and watched Vick get his contract when Vick only had 1 good year, and is a piece of poop.
- RooNosHockey

I don't think he is even a top 10 WR in the league. He runs terrible routes, doesn't block, disappears for games on end. Sure he has game breaking speed, but unless he is running a bomb route, he rarely contributes in any other way. He doesnt return kicks any more.

The Iggles had to resign him, but I think Iggles fans vastly over rate his value and ranking in the pantheon of NFL wide receivers.

Well, that's a different conversation entirely. Does a person deserve to make a fortune for playing a game? I guess not, but "deserve" is a very subjective word.

When you consider factors like the world class talent resulting from a lifetime of training and lessons paid for, their impact on the media and economies (local, national, and even international), the cost of that individual essentially being a business (which entails agents and employees of many varieties), and the demand for such a person, professional athletes are definitely worth the money they make. It's not just the fans, it's the entire market.
- BulliesPhan87

Agreed, if a team makes the playoffs that brings alot of money to the city/businesses and that money is then worth it. The demand for such a person is what has been driven up by owners/people continuously demanding the best player which causes owners to overpay for people. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wanting good players to come to your team but its a slippery slope as we have seen recently. 137 million dollars for a WR is just crazy money.

On the flip side as you said that WR will give the team a chance to make the playoffs and then bring more income to surrounding areas. However, the true value of that is hard to determine.

Well, that's a different conversation entirely. Does a person deserve to make a fortune for playing a game? I guess not, but "deserve" is a very subjective word.

When you consider factors like the world class talent resulting from a lifetime of training and lessons paid for, their impact on the media and economies (local, national, and even international), the cost of that individual essentially being a business (which entails agents and employees of many varieties), and the demand for such a person, professional athletes are definitely worth the money they make. It's not just the fans, it's the entire market.
- BulliesPhan87

Not to mention the punishment they put thier bodies through takes a toll, and about 75% dont have any skills outside the game for gainful employment, they need the money they make to last the rest of thier lives if worst comes to worst...

If you think you get stuck in a 60k a year job for 30 years (not taking inflation into account) you will make 1.8 million in your life-time... and most people dont have to put thier bodys on the line.. except construction workers, cops, ect... Athletes have a smaller time frame to make their money between 3-5 years usually... The NFL average career is only 3.3 years...

Where, and how much?
- RooNosHockey

PM sent

I don't think he is even a top 10 WR in the league. He runs terrible routes, doesn't block, disappears for games on end. Sure he has game breaking speed, but unless he is running a bomb route, he rarely contributes in any other way. He doesnt return kicks any more.

The Iggles had to resign him, but I think Iggles fans vastly over rate his value and ranking in the pantheon of NFL wide receivers.
- MBFlyerfan

I gotta say 51 million for him was over the top. He can bust open a short screen. I think he did that against dallas couple years ago where took a two yarder and turned it into a 90 yard td. OTher wise, no he doesn't block, or go over the middle. I'm not really sure these days what each position is really worth in terms of contracts, I don't follow football as religously but that contract seems a bit much for him. Especially with the character flaws.

I don't think he is even a top 10 WR in the league. He runs terrible routes, doesn't block, disappears for games on end. Sure he has game breaking speed, but unless he is running a bomb route, he rarely contributes in any other way. He doesnt return kicks any more.

The Iggles had to resign him, but I think Iggles fans vastly over rate his value and ranking in the pantheon of NFL wide receivers.
- MBFlyerfan

I couldn't agree more. Although I would have walked away from him.

I don't think he is even a top 10 WR in the league. He runs terrible routes, doesn't block, disappears for games on end. Sure he has game breaking speed, but unless he is running a bomb route, he rarely contributes in any other way. He doesnt return kicks any more.

The Iggles had to resign him, but I think Iggles fans vastly over rate his value and ranking in the pantheon of NFL wide receivers.
- MBFlyerfan

Every play he is in, he streches the field and makes it easier for McCoy to run, and Celek to catch passes... D-Jack is move valuable then most recieves by just being in the play... doesnt even matter if the ball is being thrown to him or not...

I don't think he is even a top 10 WR in the league. He runs terrible routes, doesn't block, disappears for games on end. Sure he has game breaking speed, but unless he is running a bomb route, he rarely contributes in any other way. He doesnt return kicks any more.

The Iggles had to resign him, but I think Iggles fans vastly over rate his value and ranking in the pantheon of NFL wide receivers.
- MBFlyerfan

He contributes every play even when he doesnt touch the ball. He commands double teams every play. This allows shady to do what he does and Maclin to rack up catches underneath. There arent many players in the NFL that do what Desean has the ability to do.

U guys are coming around though man. I wish the pirates were in another conference like the steelers are with the iggles. Then I would root for both the Pirates and Phillies. I dont support the Eagles b/c well there isn't enough room here but between the team's arrogance and that of the fans which I get enough of following the Phils and Flyers by the time football rolls through in the fall I had enough of philly and need a break. Basketball would become worth following if it the point of it wasn't to get a foul or see how far you can get away with traveling before getting said foul. I did enjoy watching the mavs play real basketball to win it all last year though.
- JoeRussomanno

We actually spent money to keep clutch and went out and got some good guys (Burnett is already hurt) so maybe our owners are finally going to put some money back into the team. All I want is a .500 year....haha

I dont know haynesworth so this is lost on me.... I really dont know players names, cause I only watch the eagles part time these days...
- RooNosHockey

HE was up until last year the highest paid player i think ever or at least at the time. A d-lineman from Tennesse that got a 100 mill contract from Washington. He basically went there had a hissy fit because they switched their defense to 3-4 and wanted him to play nose-tackle. He definitely has the size to do just that standing well over 6'3" and well over 300 pounds. In addition he decided apparently not to workout and condition and Shannahan made him take a PT test to see if he could play, which he failed miserably. The skins ended up having to release him. He went to NE and Bellichek had to release him too b/c he's utterly worthless. Wow if you dont know who this guy is you should look him up before talking about guaranteed contracts Roo.

We actually spent money to keep clutch and went out and got some good guys (Burnett is already hurt) so maybe our owners are finally going to put some money back into the team. All I want is a .500 year....haha
- kgrpitt

I remember those days. Don't feel bad.

I couldn't agree more. Although I would have walked away from him.
- MJL

I agree with both of you.. he is the 6th most important person on offense imo.

Obviously Vick is first, second Shady, third Peters, 4th Herremans, 5th Maclin*, 6th Jackson.

* A much more complete receiver than Jackson. Shame he battled through illness and injuries last season.. still put up 860 yards.

Bryz-nasty

Agreed, if a team makes the playoffs that brings alot of money to the city/businesses and that money is then worth it. The demand for such a person is what has been driven up by owners/people continuously demanding the best player which causes owners to overpay for people. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wanting good players to come to your team but its a slippery slope as we have seen recently. 137 million dollars for a WR is just crazy money.

On the flip side as you said that WR will give the team a chance to make the playoffs and then bring more income to surrounding areas. However, the true value of that is hard to determine.
- kgrpitt

Overpayment happens, and always will. Prices will go up, too. It's a good example of real market forces. I don't entirely disagree with you, but competition for a league full of teams will force decisions, that's the cost of success. In the case of DeSean, I don't think the Eagles had a lot of leverage here, he's one of their best (perhaps THE best, I don't follow football so I wouldn't know) players, and they're a team that wants to sell a Superbowl competing product each year.

Now, understanding that the financial battery to that situation is the Eagles fanbase, does that mean they're stupid and will buy just about anything? I'll let you decide for yourself

Every play he is in, he streches the field and makes it easier for McCoy to run, and Celek to catch passes... D-Jack is move valuable then most recieves by just being in the play... doesnt even matter if the ball is being thrown to him or not...
- RooNosHockey

I understand how that works, but teams have changed their defense and adjusted to his speed.. he doesnt stretch the field nearly as much as he used to. They sit in an over under cover on him and know that he cant beat them underneath.

I gotta say 51 million for him was over the top. He can bust open a short screen. I think he did that against dallas couple years ago where took a two yarder and turned it into a 90 yard td. OTher wise, no he doesn't block, or go over the middle. I'm not really sure these days what each position is really worth in terms of contracts, I don't follow football as religously but that contract seems a bit much for him. Especially with the character flaws.
- JoeRussomanno

I heard its about 20 million less then what similiar players are being paid for similiar contracts.

Overpayment happens, and always will. Prices will go up, too. It's a good example of real market forces. I don't entirely disagree with you, but competition for a league full of teams will force decisions, that's the cost of success. In the case of DeSean, I don't think the Eagles had a lot of leverage here, he's one of their best (perhaps THE best, I don't follow football so I wouldn't know) players, and they're a team that wants to sell a Superbowl competing product each year.

Now, understanding that the financial battery to that situation is the Eagles fanbase, does that mean they're stupid and will buy just about anything? I'll let you decide for yourself
- BulliesPhan87

Not to mention the punishment they put thier bodies through takes a toll, and about 75% dont have any skills outside the game for gainful employment, they need the money they make to last the rest of thier lives if worst comes to worst...

If you think you get stuck in a 60k a year job for 30 years (not taking inflation into account) you will make 1.8 million in your life-time... and most people dont have to put thier bodys on the line.. except construction workers, cops, ect... Athletes have a smaller time frame to make their money between 3-5 years usually... The NFL average career is only 3.3 years...
- RooNosHockey

That's part of it, that a professional sports career will not last a lifetime. In fact, many are quite short, so they have to earn their money right now. My original post was more of a response to the idea that all professional athletes are overpaid, which usually comes with weak arguments like, "Well teachers are more important to society than athletes," (which, I'll agree with, but is a misguided comparison). I think our Penguins loving friend's point was a bit different, though.

I understand how that works, but teams have changed their defense and adjusted to his speed.. he doesnt stretch the field nearly as much as he used to. They sit in an over under cover on him and know that he cant beat them underneath.
- jak521

Its not about beating them underneath. He commands double coverage and the safety has to play way off the line this gives Shady and everyone else more room to work with. Do you remember the days of Thrash and Pinkston? Teams were able to play man to man press coverage against them. You cant do that with Desean