Culpepper Barred From Dolphins Practice

[Hostile]

Part of the contractual agreement is that the team can cut the player at any time and not be responsible for the remaining base salary. There is no double standard, and they are doing nothing to violate said contract.

Exactly, this is why they get signing bonuses up front. It is their "guaranteed money."

 

[Angus]

Hos, I'm not comparing he and Ellis' situation. I am talking in general. Most fans bemoan players for not honoring a contract but rarely if at any time gripe about teams asking a player to restructure or cutting a player under contract due to cap reasons. The double standard is all I am talking about.

There is no double standard; there is just a difference in responsibilities bargained for.

The clubs have to live up to their contracts, and do. It is their responsibility to pay the bonus they agreed to pay for the services the player agreed to provide. The clubs bargained for the right to release the player without owing more than the agreed bonus (and annual salary if the player is on the roster at the start of the season). The players agreed to that bargain.

It is a fair exchange.

 

[Big Dakota]

Plus, a player ends up with more up front cash by restructuring. It's not like they do it out of the goodness of their hearts.

 

[slick325]

Part of the contractual agreement is that the team can cut the player at any time and not be responsible for the remaining base salary. There is no double standard, and they are doing nothing to violate said contract.

I am fully aware of this and so are the players thus the reason they will always seek a new deal even if in a current deal.

I guess my years as a Labor & Employment attorney, most times on the side of the business, has softned me into having empathy for employees now.

You all make valid points for the owners/teams. I am merely voicing what the employee/players point of view may be.

 

[miamicowboy21]

He'll be gone by the end of the weekend. Saban ruined this guy by forcing him back early. Any team that picks him up should just sit him, and let him fully recover.

 

[kTXe]

I am fully aware of this and so are the players thus the reason they will always seek a new deal even if in a current deal.

I guess my years as a Labor & Employment attorney, most times on the side of the business, has softned me into having empathy for employees now.

You all make valid points for the owners/teams. I am merely voicing what the employee/players point of view may be.

I've actually never been one to give players a hard time for whining about their contracts. Now, I do think that some go about it the wrong way, or are completely unreasonable with their demands and/or justifications for a new deal (see: Ellis, Greg). I simply took exception to this statement of yours...

Most fans bemoan players for not honoring a contract but rarely if at any time gripe about teams asking a player to restructure or cutting a player under contract due to cap reasons. The double standard is all I am talking about.

...because it sounds as though you were trying to say that the teams are also "not honoring a contract" by restructuring or cutting a player. The only point that I was trying to make is that it is completely within their power to do so, and something that players should understand or even expect.

 

[Cowboys22]

"Culpepper said that he already has spoken with other teams about potentially signing as a free agent."

Did anyone else catch this? This can't be allowed under the rules as I understand them. Miami is trying to trade him so I can't imagine they have given him permission to go out and talk to teams about signing him as a FA. Would this not be a clear cut case of tampering on any team having that type of discussion with him? Miami should be pissed if this is true and they are actively trying to trade him. Personally, I just think they are negotiating with his agent to give back money for his release kind of like Lavar did for the skins.

 

[slick325]

"Culpepper said that he already has spoken with other teams about potentially signing as a free agent."

Did anyone else catch this? This can't be allowed under the rules as I understand them. Miami is trying to trade him so I can't imagine they have given him permission to go out and talk to teams about signing him as a FA. Would this not be a clear cut case of tampering on any team having that type of discussion with him? Miami should be pissed if this is true and they are actively trying to trade him. Personally, I just think they are negotiating with his agent to give back money for his release kind of like Lavar did for the skins.

He's acting as his own agent so the situation is a little different.

 

[arglebargle]

Culpepper seems to be handling this with a lot more intelligence and class than alot of players would. I think it will help him in the long run.

Player's agents should be the guys making sure their clients know the 'real world' nature of these contracts. Standard contracts aren't the way to go imo. If you can't get the guaranteed money, go for the escalater clauses based on performance, so if you play real well, you get paid for it.....or get released to be a free agent again. Less chance for disgruntlement.

Culpepper, in this case, seems to have a real good grasp of what's going on and is playing the game well. Mature and clever. Looks like the only issue is how long the team holds him up. Miami looks like they are rather desperately seeking some face saving trade. If it were to happen (most likely via Culpepper re-negotiating to his satisfaction with a team he approved of) I would bet it would be a 'conditional' pick, so Miami can avoid the 'traded him for a 7th' embarassament.

 

[jcblanco22]

Wow, the Dolphins could have had Brees for free. How many draft picks did they give up for Culpepper?

Only a 2nd round pick I believe.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Get him gone!

 

[theogt]

Why aren't people screaming for the Phins to "honor the contract"? They traded for him and agreed to those terms. Suck it up and pay him what you agreed to pay him. Right? Why does he need a pay cut? "Honor the contract".

They are going to honor the contract. What are you talking about?