stasheroo;2149489 said:
1. My opinion has every bearing on what I think. And what I would do. I don't expect the team to 'follow my orders'. But it doesn't mean I can disagree with something they're doing.
2. Don't forget about the cutdowns before that point. A good player who could actually help this team might be let go. Another Matt Moore anyone?
3. Maybe but are those 'rehabbing players' continuing that 'rehab' after not having surgery to correct the problem?
Are they 34 years old?
Are they suffering from a degenerative knee condition which ends careers?
Find any of those, let me know.
4. It certainly won't if Glenn has his way and avoids practices or training camp which seems to be the plan.
5. Sure seems to be the case now, doesn't it?
6. If he's all about playing and helping the team why not sign the paper and get out there and do just that?
Sign on the dotted line, get out there and contribute, and help the team win the Super Bowl he's all about!
If he's as sure of his health and the convictions you speak of, it should be a non-issue for him.
He'll be healthy, help the team win a championship, and he'll get paid $1.7 million to do it.
Sounds like a win-win situation for everybody.
So why isn't that happening?
1. Just because you're tired of something doesn't mean its wise to act to resolve it IMO. You resolve it in the timing that is dictated by the situation. There is no tangible downside to letting this play out further at this time.
2. Matt Moore? Lets cross that bridge if and when we come to it. Right now we're talking about the 81st player on the roster, not the 54th. Jones hasn't given any indication he is willing to hold a regular season roster spot for TG in 2009. The players that will be cut on Sept 1 are the potential Matt Moores. That's a long way off.
3. Its immaterial why TG is not practicing right now. This particular point is about whether his preparation to play is being seriously compromised by sitting out. It happens all the time for a variety of reasons. A consideration? Sure. A show-stopper? No.
4. TG's
plan is not to avoid TC or practice. His plan is to practice yesterday under a contract that will pay him even if he gets hurt in the line of duty. Do you think TO, Romo or Ware would be willing to sign a contract addendum today that would significantly cut their pay should they hurt a knee? Of course not. Does that mean they have no confidence in their current health? Of course not. But it does mean they know the realistic risks every player takes. TG, if his knee is sound as he claims/feels still bears that same risk but he would do so without the same protection. I understand how that could make him question (and especially during the offseason) just how much of that risk he is willing to bear.
5. No, it
doesn't seem to be the case now. If TG were truly only about the money then he'd have sat those last 2 games like the other 15. But he played, because he wants to play, and he wants to play in 2009. He just wants to be protected at a level closer to what Romo, Ware & TO (or insert your own veteran player name) are being protected.
6. No player is
only about playing and helping the team. Its about doing that in a manner that they feel appropriately compensated and protected. That truth is born out over and over and over in the NFL. Its called leverage and negotiations. And in the difficult ones, like this one, it can get protracted, painful, and cause some soul-searching.
There is no need to be anymore critical of TG than our 2008 draftees who are also unsigned at this point. Aren't they all about team? Shouldn't they just sign now? Or are they protecting their interests? Of course they are. Sometimes these things get stuck in the mud for a while and sometimes its for almost foolishly emotional reasons. But a cool head eventually leads to a good outcome. For now, we need to continue to wait on the TG situation.