Patriots myth - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Kittymama · 03-25-2005

The media keep pouring out stories about the good ship lollypop, how wonderful the Pats organization is, etc. etc. Meanwhile, they dump popular (& longstanding) players in a heartbeat--like Bledsoe, Milloy, Troy Brown (while the Boys are dumped on for not keeping Coakley). And now comes this story. I'm not a Brady fan, but it seems kind of s***y that a team would screw over a 3-time-SB-winning QB who has already agreed to take less money than Vick or Manning (who don't deserve anywhere near what they're getting paid & are ruining their teams in the process).

Patriots Notebook: Bonus delaying Brady deal

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

The structure of Tom Brady's $24-million signing bonus is holding up completion of the three-time Super Bowl champion's new six-year contract.

Brady, who has two seasons left on his contract, agreed with the Patriots on the parameters of a deal nearly a month ago. Although the six-year, $60-million deal would put Brady in the top tier of quarterbacks, it would still be less money than Peyton Manning and Mike Vick signed for in the last year. Even though he's won three titles and neither Manning nor Vick has been to a Super Bowl, Brady was fine with the Patriots' overall offer.

But late in negotiations, the Patriots explained that they wanted to pay Brady his $24-million signing bonus in four installments. More than half of the bonus money would come in the first two years of the deal, but unpaid bonus money in the later years of the contract would not be guaranteed. That would mean if Brady got hurt after a few years, portions of the $24-million bonus would never be realized.

Brady, who expected to have his deal done before he left on a trip to Europe earlier this month, balked at the unusual proposal.

In most deals, bonus money is guaranteed and paid in full when the deal is signed. In some deals -- like the one the Pats worked with Drew Bledsoe in 2001 --there are tiers within the deal that kick in bonuses. Those tiers are usually seen in longer-term contracts than Brady's six-year proposal. For there to be four tiers is almost unprecedented.

Brady spoke before this year's Super Bowl about making financial sacrifices for the team in order to keep it competitive. Two days after Brady said that, Patriots owner Robert Kraft noted that Brady could easily make a case to be the league's highest-paid player.

Despite knowing Kraft's assessment, Brady stuck to his pledge, anyway, and was prepared to accept less. But he wasn't prepared to accept less and yet still not have a fully guaranteed, up-front bonus.

Brady's deal doesn't expire until after the 2006 season. He's due to make $5 million and $7 million in salary the next two seasons. One interesting subplot to the negotiations is that unless the NFL's owners and the NFLPA agree to a new collective bargaining agreement, the 2007 season is an uncapped year. If -- and that's a big if -- there's an uncapped season and Brady is on the market, the contract he'd be in line to sign could be immense.

At this point, the negotiations aren't quite acrimonious. But Brady isn't blind to the fact he's willing to meet the Patriots halfway on salary but is not being met halfway on the bonus.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 03-25-2005

Business. I think there a very smart organization. I think there ability to detach themselves from players, contractually, is a strength. There obviously doing something right.

TheSkaven · 03-25-2005

I agree, it's just business. The Eagles have been equally callous in recent years yet free agents are now taking less money to play there. I think the Patriots are unquestionably a class organization from top to bottom.

Everlastingxxx · 03-25-2005

If Brady doesn't get the contract he wants...he should come be a Cowboy. OK wishfull thinking.

Pooz · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everlastingxxx

If Brady doesn't get the contract he wants...he should come be a Cowboy. OK wishfull thinking.

I'd rather sign Troy Brown this year

Nors · 03-25-2005

Pats can't let Brady bankrupt the cap - ala Manning.
He's under contract to Pats and has nowhere to go in negotiations....
Appears he went "public" with it -

Smart business and don't be suprised to see Pats draft a QB this year.....

**BrAinPaiNt** · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

Pats can't let Brady bankrupt the cap - ala Manning.
He's under contract to Pats and has nowhere to go in negotiations....
Appears he went "public" with it -

Smart business and don't be suprised to see Pats draft a QB this year.....

Why should we be surprised since they do it quite often, draft QBs.

Alexander · 03-25-2005

There are two sides to the coin.

Do you do what the Patriots are doing and have done to their superstars which is offer them what they feel is fair and if they refuse say thanks for the memories (Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy)?

Or do you do what Jerry did with aging stars like Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and others, which is reward them with long contracts with guaranteed bonuses when they are clearly in the twilight of their careers only to see the money come back to haunt the salary cap health of the franchise?

Looks like the answer is obvious.

Waffle · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

Pats can't let Brady bankrupt the cap - ala Manning.

You mean "ala Law"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

He's under contract to Pats and has nowhere to go in negotiations....
Appears he went "public" with it -

Smart business and don't be suprised to see Pats draft a QB this year.....

Yeah, now that they've gotten what they want from him.

I don't think it's smart business at all. His outstanding play and team leadership skills speak for itself. It isn't like he's 33 years old and they are looking to go in another direction or something.

It's starting to appear like the Patriot brass believes all the hype and now think they are the one's winning the Super Bowls instead of the players.

Jarv · 03-25-2005

It would be interesting to se if this falls apart...and Brady leaves in 2 years...Who has more success...Brady or the Pats...

**ABQCOWBOY** · 03-25-2005

As much as I respect the Pats organization, and believe me I do, I don't see them doing well without Brady. I believe that you have to have a great QB to be a great team. QBs like Brady don't come around very often and you almost never see one drafted in the late rounds like that. Pats are a good club but they were also very lucky with Brady. That won't happen twice in a row, IMO.

followthestar · 03-25-2005

i'm more interested to see how belichick does without the same coaching staff. if they don't get back to the afc champ game, then he's not as good a HC as some believe at this point. if he can overcome that and still get them to the afc champ game, you'd have to say he's pretty darn good...

conner01 · 03-25-2005

if brady does'nt like the deal then he does'nt have to sign it.i think they are a fine orgasnization.you can't pay guys for what they have done,but what they still can do.there is no place in the nfl for sentiment