Ugh, I hate this mentality with a passion. With the way NFL contracts work, YOU ARE NOT GUARENTEED your contract you sign. If you sign an 7 year 80M contract with a 10M signing bonus and 10M/year salary...after year 1 you can be cut and walk away with only 20M of your 80M contract.
You say "STFU and Play". Why do we demand a player STFU and play, but not demand owners "STFU and PAY"? Did they also not sign the 7 year 80M contract?
Since contracts are NOT guaranteed and the owners have the right to cancel the contract at ANY time...players feel (and I would opine rightfully so) that they have the right to better themselves and their family by raising hell (i.e. sit out) when they feel they can get more guaranteed money in their contracts. I'd do it if I was a player, and I wont criticize a REAL player for doing it.
That said....changing topics....
I think Cincinnati is playing hard ball here. When on his game (and not pouting), CJ is one of the top 5 WRs in the game. Attitude aside, his talent is worth 2 first round picks. I think Cincinnati feels that by proving to him they WILL NOT trade him, they can convince him to show up and work hard and be "greatful" for what he has and where he is. Basically they are saying "A CJ on the field, and not causing problems, is worth more than the WAS offer". and this was their way of telling him to "STFU and Play"