d_wag

not so fast: Another reality for the Panthers is that they don’t, as a practical matter, have the ability to use the franchise tag on Peppers in 2009. Amid reports that his cap number is $14 million in 2008, his one-year salary as the franchise player would be 120 percent of that amount, pushing his cap charge next year to nearly $17 million. http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/05/26/...contract-talks/

we are talking about the NFL's definition of a holdout as per the terms of the CBA........as per the CBA, an unsigned player is not a holdout, as the article i posted clearly stated

the term is used all the time - unsigned http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles...sports72208.txt "As an unsigned franchise player, Suggs isn’t technically a holdout and has the right to skip camp without any financial penalties."

a holdout is when a player is under contract and refusing to honor that contract.......peters and jackson are two examples an unsigned player cannot holdout..........the difference is important - an unsigned player cannot be fined by the club for missing OTA, mini-camps, training camps, or even games.........derek harvey and terrell suggs are two examples

neither whitner or mccargo ever held out.......it is impossible for a player to hold out if they are not under contract

tell that to steven jackson

so evans fulfilling the terms of his contract should be viewed as selfish? yep, i'm the misguided one when evans misses an OTA, a practice, and/or a game while under contract let me know.........until then, i'm continue to view him as a team player

evans does not need a huge year to make a ton of money - he is going to get paid a ton regardless, barring a major injury.......he could put up the same numbers as last season and he would still be the top wideout on the market given his age and ability........he is going to cash in bigtime the fact remains that unlike steven jackson (who is also in the last year in his contract) evans is in camp and working with his teammates..........i don't think he is there for selfish reasons (i.e. to ready himself for a big season just so he can get paid).......i think he is there because he is a team player who wants to win some ballgames for a change peters, on the other hand, is under contract and refusing to live up to his end of the agreement........he is not with his teammates and is not preparing himself for the season..........the fact that he is home signifies that he is not a team player this discussion has got ridiculously complicated over time, but the truth really isn't that hard to find........some guys put the team first, other guys put themselves first........some guys honor their word, some guys don't........it really isn't anything more then that, and it truly reveals a lot about their character (or lack there of)

steven jackson is in the exact same situation evans is but he's taking an entirely different route........then again, look who his agent is i think evans is being wise and handling things properly - because he is a good guy and a team guy.........it's unfortunate that peters can't say the same

i don't think it really matters who "starts" - it's a rotational system and all 4 guys are going to see plenty of snaps.........they're all important

Solid play of Bills' O-line leaves Peters with few options OLT Jason Peters’ leverage is shrinking every day. The Bills' All-Pro blind-side protector of QB Trent Edwards has yet to report for training camp in search of a new contract. However, the way we hear it, it’s soon coming to the point where he’ll need to show up because he’ll realize there’s no way a deal will be struck with him missing in action. The latest evidence came in Thursday night’s preseason victory over the Steelers, where the first-team offensive line performed well enough to convince the Bills that they’re not destined for failure without Peters. Langston Walker, their starting right tackle who has been playing on the left side during Peters' holdout, performed admirably, but a particularly inspiring effort came from Kirk Chambers at right tackle. Chambers was especially strong in the running game, paving the way for a few nice runs by RB Marshawn Lynch. http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A...WHI/default.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------ Peters will show and i hope when he does the bills stand by the fines for this foolishness......he has a contract and it is time to earn it

a kick out of bounds ends up at the 40 and a kick through the end zone isn't exactly easy without a nice breeze.......i think they'll both get plenty of chances loved that move he made on the kicker this week.....he learned from his mistake last week

HARDY CLEARS OUT SPACE FOR ROYAL: With Hardy lined up outside of Royal on the right side on that second touchdown play, Hardy took his corner deep into the end zone. The safety had to respect the fade to Hardy and was eight yards deep in the end zone. That allowed Royal to run eight yards after the catch to pay dirt. http://buffalobills.com/blog/index.jsp?post_id=3834

he was a step late getting there cause his angle wasn't great........so going for the ball wasn't an option, and i think he had it in his mind to tattoo the guy but ended up only making a weak attempt at stripping him cause holmes was already starting to turn......but i do agree with you that he should have been more aggressive and at the very least launched himself at him (although just taking the correct route to the ball or even looking back would have helped)

Schouman - he's a decent H-Back, but unfortunately for him this team doesn't need an H-Back.........if anderson continues to show promise he'll take the 3rd spot cause he fits the offense better.........royal and fine are locks James - as you mentioned, 4 guys are locks (mcgee, mck, corner, and greer) and his competition (youboty) is clearly outplaying him

i just hope the bills follow through with the fines and do not waive them when he reports......he deserves to come out of this situation losing money, not making any more of it

young, experienced, leader, proven, fits the defense - why don't the bills just sign him? why create a hole in the lineup that has to be filled with a first day draft pick or free agent? with only two major FA's coming up this off-season there is plenty of cash available for the bills to ink him.......letting him go would be a mistake and would not be productive

the only "bologna" is a holdout........players get signing bonus money up front that the owners can never recover, whether the player performs good or not - the owners get years on a contract for that risk.......if the players get both the signing bonus money AND the right to holdout when they're not happy with the terms of their contract, then what do the owners get for giving them an extension? do they get anything? if the player performs, they holdout......if the player doesn't perform, they never get back that signing bonus......that is unfair system that clearly favors the players if the players have a problem with the current system they should take it up with their union leaders, who negotiated the CBA that they then approved.......in the meantime, they should abide by the current system which happens to allows teams to cut a player when they see fit

TBA

grant has no leverage as an exclusive-rights FA......it should also be noted that this isn't a "holdout" because he hasn't signed the packers 1 year tender offer.........therefore he can't be fined i personally don't have an issue with his stance, unlike players who are under contract and refuse to honor it

i think you guys are missing the point - if hester isn't performing at the level of a #1 WR the large roster bonus (10M in 2012) goes down, to as low as 2M.......so hester won't earn 30M if he's "just a glorified KR"......he'll only earn 30M if his role increases

unfortunately teams often waive fines once a player reports.......i hope that is not the case here and the bills send a message to the rest of the team that they do not condone this kind of behavior

Bills already extended Peters' rookie deal.......unfortunately, in today's NFL, an extension doesn't mean the player will actually honor the contract and his word

just astonishing how fast the money drops off when you get outside the top 10.........the top 6 picks are all making 10M/year or more.......what a screwed up system that punishes teams that pick earlier.........i would be shocked if this doesn't get cleaned up in the next CBA

that would truly be fantastic news.......hopefully crowell won't be far behind, although i haven't heard any buzz about the two sides even talking