Earl Thomas will report to Seattle today

[CWR]

Important to include the whole of what I said...

assuming, that is, he just shows up to show up to get a paycheck, and doesn't go out there in 2018 just like he has in the past.

Sorry, and I see what you mean. It does seem unlikely ET would play with any less gusto just to stick it to Seattle though. He may not like managment but he has teammates I imagine he wouldn't sabotage. Also he would still need to put good film out for the following offseason.

Regardless all that remains to be seen. He is holding out because that's his leverage. We dont really know how hard he is working on his own.

One thing is for sure, there is a mutual lack of loyalty in the NFL. Dont blame players for not fulfilling contracts unless you're going to blame teams for the same.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Oh that ET, who wouldn't want him? In his words I'm the guy that never lets me, the team, the fans or the city down. Notice that he he put "Me" fist. Just a "me first" kinda guy. Can we move on from "me first" Earl now?

 

[Jake]

The Seattle game thread this season is going to be highly entertaining, no matter what happens at this point.

 

[superonyx]

No, I did not ignore any of your point at all. You just don't like it. You said the teams don't honor their side of the agreement but you are not correct. Their side of the agreement includes a signing bonus that can not be taken back no matter what happens, injury or not. They have no agreement in the contract to pay the whole thing out. That is the fact of the agreement. The player, in lieu of the signing bonus has the obligation to play it out because of the upfront money is given to cover 1) that they could get cut and 2) that they could get injured (even if that injury is in the last year).

Sure they can try to renegotiate by all means and, teams, if they want to maintain a good relationship with the player can absolutely maintain that goodwill and do it but they don't have to or are obligated to.

I am aware that all the power in the deals are with the teams and not the players.
I don't think anyone would argue otherwise.
You are making it about obligation in a legal sense. I'm not.
This entire side conversation is about whether we as fans should think negatively about a player that is holding out for a extension in the last year of his contract. You keep going back to legal obligations. This isnt something i am even debating since we both agree.
My response to another poster was that he should not think negatively about a player for not honoring a contract he signed when the teams don't give the players the same respect. Just because you have the power to abuse someone and maybe even the legal authority doesnt make it right.

 

[Trouty]

I don't think he serves as a Deion Sanders...

Of course not, CC. But he is an elite talent.

There are plenty of posters here who have high expectations for this season (me being one of them). You don't think EThomas helps our chances to the promised land? We are starting scrubs at S (minus Heath/an ET move moves Heath to box, where he belongs). We have a gnarly hole at that position. We don't know, yet, how our LB core will react and play against the pass. We were woeful last year in coverage from our LB corps.

I have a lot of faith in our front 7... but ET cements our secondary/db.

ET, with Chido and (hopefully) BJones as standouts in the secondary, allowing our front seven to focus on their assignments, rather than over-extending themselves, will (would/hypothetically) pay dividends, CC. If our opponent's receivers are blanketed, and then they are facing down the barrel of Tank, RG, Jaylon, Heath etc on blitz packages, you have a dynamic defense.

 

[Stash]

Maybe they think he value went up after the Khalil Mack trade but I don't see a correlation.

Neither do I. Their decisions have zero rhyme or reason. That team is going down the toilet.

 

[Stash]

And Minnesota wasn't really making an effort to extend Peterson, until they were ready to.

They didn't. They ultimately cut Peterson and got nothing. Some plan.

 

[Hawkeye19]

If his play is less than stellar, then who the **** wants him?

I doubt OK's post was alluding to SEA's hypothetical 0-3 start due to EThomas. More about a scrambling franchise looking to unload (if I'm reading his/her post right)

His play could fall off because he’s rusty and missed training camp.

He also wouldn’t be the first athlete to not play his best when his heart or focus is not where it should be.

Throw in the fact that he is the only guy left from LOB— and for sure— his play could fall off.

If that happens— Seattle loses all their leverage. No one would want to pay a premium pick and work out a long term deal on a guy whose play has declined on the field.

Would Dallas still be interested? Maybe. If ET just needs a change of scenery— probably. Players have personal lives and I’m sure this has been a giant distraction for ET and the team. Will that result in Seattle moving him? Anyone’s guess— but the value for him will never be as high as it is right now.

 

[CCBoy]

Of course not, CC. But he is an elite talent.

There are plenty of posters here who have high expectations for this season (me being one of them). You don't think EThomas helps our chances to the promised land? We are starting scrubs at S (minus Heath/an ET move moves Heath to box, where he belongs). We have a gnarly hole at that position. We don't know, yet, how our LB core will react and play against the pass. We were woeful last year in coverage from our LB corps.

I have a lot of faith in our front 7... but ET cements our secondary/db.

ET, with Chido and (hopefully) BJones as standouts in the secondary, allowing our front seven to focus on their assignments, rather than over-extending themselves, will (would/hypothetically) pay dividends, CC. If our opponent's receivers are blanketed, and then they are facing down the barrel of Tank, RG, Jaylon, Heath etc on blitz packages, you have a dynamic defense.

Oh, no doubt he is an upgrade over anyone else at safety at present. I don't know that paying a similar price that was paid for with a Deion, is the same as to longevity or field effect. He doesn't shut down 1/2 of the field, but he is a significant improvement for center field. Kind of a Darren Woodson effect...and a value for sure.

I still want a first and second round available for next draft. That, and salary for next season/this, can still greatly shape player retentions.

 

[Trouty]

His play could fall off because he’s rusty and missed training camp.

He also wouldn’t be the first athlete to not play his best when his heart or focus is not where it should be.

Throw in the fact that he is the only guy left from LOB— and for sure— his play could fall off.

If that happens— Seattle loses all their leverage. No one would want to pay a premium pick and work out a long term deal on a guy whose play has declined on the field.

Would Dallas still be interested? Maybe. If ET just needs a change of scenery— probably. Players have personal lives and I’m sure this has been a giant distraction for ET and the team. Will that result in Seattle moving him? Anyone’s guess— but the value for him will never be as high as it is right now.

I mean, sure, my bro. But the real question is the one you posited. The first of your last paragraph.

ET knows he's playing for his next contract. If his play drops, it will be an indictment on his ability going forward. He isn't playing for SEA anymore, he's playing for his legacy and his next contract.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Blah, blah.
Stick it in yer ear, mate.
In the grand scheme of things, yer importance is fleeting, lout.
2 years and you will be parking cars in Vegas. And stealing some.

 

[aikemirv]

I am aware that all the power in the deals are with the teams and not the players.
I don't think anyone would argue otherwise.
You are making it about obligation in a legal sense. I'm not.
This entire side conversation is about whether we as fans should think negatively about a player that is holding out for a extension in the last year of his contract. You keep going back to legal obligations. This isnt something i am even debating since we both agree.
My response to another poster was that he should not think negatively about a player for not honoring a contract he signed when the teams don't give the players the same respect. Just because you have the power to abuse someone and maybe even the legal authority doesnt make it right.

You keep using the word honoring and obligation and I keep trying to tell you the obligation or honor is not on the team because they paid the signing bonus.

The signing bonus, IMO pushes the honor and obligation to the player. The signing bonus fulfills the teams honor and obligation, playing out the contract because of the signing bonus fulfills the players honor and obligation.

So yes, I will look negatively at the player for not fulfilling his obligation!

And, I have no issue with him at all for trying to negotiate a new deal before his contract is up as long as he does it in the parameters of his obligation! show up for camp and games!

And I don't understand your comment that the teams have all the power, they don't. They have 2 years of power via the Franchise tag and that is it. Otherwise the player has the power to negotiate a fair deal when his contract time is up.

 

[jay94]

Good. I feel this would be Nnamdi.

Different positions, age isn't nearly a deteriorating factor that it can be at cb and rb positions, as long as his instincts are intact which they will be he could easily play into his late 30s. He has also had a better career than Nnamdi. Our safety situation is not good. Calling Jeff Heath even average is a bit hard for me, for the multiple games he has cost this team in his career. Also an unproven guy who's tackling skills are shaky.

 

[Scotman]

It's going to cost a ton of money. I'd just look to the draft.

This is where I'm at. I'd love to have him. It's not just a second (or more) to get him...it's a heavy contract, too.

 

[Little Jr]

All 32 teams know he's a MAJOR game changer.

Many of those teams are good at safety already and not looking to spend there.

Other teams have no interest in trading for a guy who has made it known he wants to play for Dallas in 2019 anyway.

It's that simple.

Some ET quotes

"I'm asking the Seahawks to do one of two things: Offer me an extension. Or trade me to a team that wants me to be part of their future,"

"Please trade me to a team that wants me, so I can give my all to them for the rest of my career."

"In the end, it's like I said: If the Seahawks don't intend on having me around for the long-term, then I understand," Thomas wrote. "And if they want to start over and rebuild, then that's their right -- it's part of the business. ITS NOT WHAT I WANT ... but I get it. All I ask, though, is that if that's the case, and they don't want me anymore -- just please trade me to an organization that does.

Again, its not about what team, it's about money, long term contract and respect for him. So I ask again, why are we the only team interested and why is our fan base thinking he's worth a 2nd and top $ when no other team is? If he wants out and he's the game changer our fan base thinks he is and he's worth a 2nd and top $, why aren't other teams knocking down the door to trade for him?

ET fans are starting to remind me of the Dez apologist when he was cut. He still had it and we made a mistake, another team will sign him immediately for good money, he won't be on the open market for longer than a week, he's going to make us pay for cutting him . 4 days from opening Sunday and he's still on the open market. Lol

 

[dagreat1_87]

Blah, blah.
Stick it in yer ear, mate.
In the grand scheme of things, yer importance is fleeting, lout.
2 years and you will be parking cars in Vegas. And stealing some.

Dude, what?

 

[Trouty]

Some ET quotes

"I'm asking the Seahawks to do one of two things: Offer me an extension. Or trade me to a team that wants me to be part of their future,"

"Please trade me to a team that wants me, so I can give my all to them for the rest of my career."

"In the end, it's like I said: If the Seahawks don't intend on having me around for the long-term, then I understand," Thomas wrote. "And if they want to start over and rebuild, then that's their right -- it's part of the business. ITS NOT WHAT I WANT ... but I get it. All I ask, though, is that if that's the case, and they don't want me anymore -- just please trade me to an organization that does.

Again, its not about what team, it's about money, long term contract and respect for him. So I ask again, why are we the only team interested and why is our fan base thinking he's worth a 2nd and top $ when no other team is? If he wants out and he's the game changer our fan base thinks he is and he's worth a 2nd and top $, why aren't other teams knocking down the door to trade for him?

ET fans are starting to remind me of the Dez apologist when he was cut. He still had it and we made a mistake, another team will sign him immediately for good money, he won't be on the open market for longer than a week, he's going to make us pay for cutting him . 4 days from opening Sunday and he's still on the open market. Lol

There is northing wrong with those quotes, in light of how the league is now days. In fact, your second quote gives me half a chub.

It's par for the course. An elite talent wants to get paid. And give it his all. Heaven's forbid!

 

[superonyx]

You keep using the word honoring and obligation and I keep trying to tell you the obligation or honor is not on the team because they paid the signing bonus.

The signing bonus, IMO pushes the honor and obligation to the player. The signing bonus fulfills the teams honor and obligation, playing out the contract because of the signing bonus fulfills the players honor and obligation.

So yes, I will look negatively at the player for not fulfilling his obligation!

And, I have no issue with him at all for trying to negotiate a new deal before his contract is up as long as he does it in the parameters of his obligation! show up for camp and games!

And I don't understand your comment that the teams have all the power, they don't. They have 2 years of power via the Franchise tag and that is it. Otherwise the player has the power to negotiate a fair deal when his contract time is up.

I disagree that the signing bonus pushes the obligation to the player. I dont see that at all.
Paying a signing bonus just means the team payed the only guaranteed portion of the contract.
You continue to want to turn the debate into power and contract terms. Something we actually agree on.
The franchise tag gives the teams plenty of power. ET will be 30 when his contract is up. Seattle can use the franchise tag twice on him and then he has no chance to get a lucrative new deal as a 32 year old player.

You can feel anyway you want about a player for not honoring his contract. I feel the same way about a team who doesnt honor a players contract. You can keep framing it into who has the right to abuse the other side and how its not wrong. I will continue to take it back to the fact that the contracts are 1 sided in favor of the team not the player so when a player holds out to force a new deal i will not say this player has no character.

I wouldnt be surprised when a player like ET decides to 'honor' his contract by taking the field and letting WR's run past him all day.
Or when a guy like Laveon Bell decides to fumble everytime they hand him the ball. I guess you will be ok with it since he is honoring his contract...unless his contract has a provable effort clause then he is honoring it i guess.

 

[817Gill]

Seattle is not winning anything this year.

They have massive holes everywhere.

They don't want to extend Thomas.

They're about to pay him $600K this week, though he won't play. Then each week after that for a player not in their plans.

He's going to sulk and complain.

The media is going to ask about it constantly.

While the offers lessen each week that passes.

What are they doing? It's stupid.

Imagine week 3 when we play them. So many fan questions about if he's giving 100% and any show of friendship with Garrett and the team will look suspect. That would be a media nightmare. I think him getting paid now makes it more likely they trade him. They're obviously rebuilding and won't re-sign a 29yo FS. He's going to be a free agent so they'll probably try to get something back for him higher than a comp.

Also, Seattle isn't stupid they know we have safety problems especially weeks 1-2 with Woods injured. It's a game of chicken at this point in which they have the most to lose. Looks like we'll have Earl sooner rather than later.

 

[Little Jr]

There is northing wrong with those quotes, in light of how the league is now days. Its par for the course. An elite talent wants to get paid. Heaven's forbid.

Where did I say there is anything wrong with ET wanting to get paid? The quotes was to Erod and him saying other teams won't trade for him because he wants to be in Dallas. Just isn't the case and that's what the quotes were for. It's not about the team he's traded to, its the money and commitment he's looking for. Is Dallas his first choice, sure but its not just dallas he would play for. And no, there is nothing wrong with him wanting to get paid.

If you read the whole comment you would see what the quotes were referring to. Lol