Why aren't Emmit and TO the same?

[Doomsday101]

I believe the term at the time was exclusive rights free agent. The term free agent was not invented two years later, unless I'm really confused. We got Novachek as a plan B free agent. There have been various forms of 'free agency' in use in the NFL for years prior to the current, more genuiune, form. I also said that Emmitt had to sign with the Cowboys, but was not under contract.

He was never considered a FA just an unsigned player holding out, they did have plan B (which I liked a lot more that total FA) but Emmitt himself was never placed on it or had an option to go else where. (Good thing for us)

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Didn't Emmit sit out training camp in 1995 wanting a new contract? Why is TO different?

I know this is sacreligious, but I was just thinking that the only difference is that Emmit is a nice guy and TO is a perfect example of cranal analism.

Then again, Emmit's situation may have been different and my memory is failing.

The difference is that Emmitt had honored his previous contract, while TO had just signed his. Emmitt didn't make as big a fuss about it, and he didn't start complaining until after alot of other Players, Aikman, Irvin, those guys got their new contracts. Remember he had 1 year left on his deal when he wanted to get a new one, but he waited so that the Cowboys could take care of the players who had to get resigned.

Basically Emmitt, at the the time was probably the best back in the league, and he had finnished his rookie contract, and he wanted to get payed like he was the best. T.O. whined his way out of SF and Baltimore, got his wish in Philly, signs a 7 year deal, and after 1 season starts crying about it.

 

[joseephuss]

I consider what Emmitt did as a "hold out". He did the same thing his rookie year, but signed that contract before the season started. He waited until he could sign the best deal for him. It sucked that he missed training camp and games, but he officially was not under contract. There is a difference between holding out for a better deal to sign than holding out after you signed a deal.

 

[Kittymama]

Emmitt was a FA who was negoiating a contract. TO has a contract in place.

I wasn't a big fan of the team in those days (yes, the truth comes out), but I do remember reading that Emmitt took great pride in pointing out he HAD honored his original contract & was simply asking for a raise with his second contract. He made a real point that he had indeed honored what he had initially signed.

There's your difference. Emmitt honored his original contract, proved his worth, & felt he had earned a larger contract. Noone held a gun to TO's head last year & forced him to sign. He had a chance with the Ravens & made a big deal out of insulting Ozzie Newsome--a man with more class who has done more for football than TO will ever possibly accomplish. He supposedly has a brain (altho I'm sure a lot of people would argue that) & one would assume he read the contract before signing it. He signed it; now it's suddenly not good enough.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

"exclusive rights free agent" There was no such thing at that time. Free agentcy was still a few years away. Emmitt like any other ball player at that time either signed of held out the entire year there were no other options unless the team chose to trade you

You are incorrect... Free agency started that year, before the 93 season (not 95 season as was stated in the opening post).. remember that's why we lost K Mart to the Seahawks. Remember Reggie White was able to leave the Eagles that year too... Emmitt could not leave because the first year of free agency you had to be a 5 year vet... the following year it was 4 years. Therefore he was pretty much stuck... and so was Jerry.

 

[ravidubey]

Emmitt had a superbowl MVP and 2 superbowl rings in his 20's. Emmitt was a class guy who wanted to stay with the cowboys. You should not mention Emmitt with TO being the same in any way ever again.

Don't throw around the word "class" so casually. It's easy to be classy when you are wealthy and successful. True behavior surfaces when the chips are down.

I remember Jerry was negotiating with Emmitt through the media, and openly mentioned Emmitt should be a "team player". In response Emmitt was quoted as saying "to Hell with the team" and that he wanted to get paid what he was worth.

I remember that turned off a lot of Cowboy fans at the time, but everyone forgot everything once Dallas started 0-2 and the negative focus shifted squarely on Jerry.

Emmitt is also famous for his "Diamond among trash" comment. Both guys play/played with serious pride, and I think Emmitt would have loved having TO as a teammate.

 

[VirusX]

Don't throw around the word "class" so casually. It's easy to be classy when you are wealthy and successful. True behavior surfaces when the chips are down.

I remember Jerry was negotiating with Emmitt through the media, and openly mentioned Emmitt should be a "team player". In response Emmitt was quoted as saying "to Hell with the team" and that he wanted to get paid what he was worth.

I remember that turned off a lot of Cowboy fans at the time, but everyone forgot everything once Dallas started 0-2 and the negative focus shifted squarely on Jerry.

Emmitt is also famous for his "Diamond among trash" comment. Both guys play/played with serious pride, and I think Emmitt would have loved having TO as a teammate.

:jerk:

 

[JDSmith]

The difference is that Emmitt had honored his previous contract, while TO had just signed his. Emmitt didn't make as big a fuss about it, and he didn't start complaining until after alot of other Players, Aikman, Irvin, those guys got their new contracts. Remember he had 1 year left on his deal when he wanted to get a new one, but he waited so that the Cowboys could take care of the players who had to get resigned.

Basically Emmitt, at the the time was probably the best back in the league, and he had finnished his rookie contract, and he wanted to get payed like he was the best. T.O. whined his way out of SF and Baltimore, got his wish in Philly, signs a 7 year deal, and after 1 season starts crying about it.

No, Emmitt had ZERO years left on his contract. He had fulfilled the entirety of the contract he signed as a rookie - he was a free agent who was caught in the transition to free agency. He was basically a free agent who could only sign with the Cowboys. But he didn't have any contract to honor, he was unsigned.

 

[Bill Wooten]

No, Emmitt had ZERO years left on his contract. He had fulfilled the entirety of the contract he signed as a rookie - he was a free agent who was caught in the transition to free agency. He was basically a free agent who could only sign with the Cowboys. But he didn't have any contract to honor, he was unsigned.

I think the poster you replied to here might be talking about a different contract negotiation. Check this link out. http://www.pecos.net/news/archives/081396s.htm You will have to scroll down to get to the part about Emmitt. Evidently there was another contract in 1996.

 

[SmellsLikeTuna]

Free agency emerged in 1992 in a settlement of a lawsuit filed in 1987 by the NFL Players Association.

 

[Doomsday101]

Free agency emerged in 1992 in a settlement of a lawsuit filed in 1987 by the NFL Players Association.

It was 1993
1993
The NFL and lawyers for the players announced a settlement of various lawsuits and an agreement on the terms of a seven-year deal that included a new player system to be in place through the 1999 season, January 6.

Commissioner Tagliabue announced the establishment of the "NFL World Partnership Program" to develop amateur football internationally through a series of clinics conducted by former NFL players and coaches, January 14.

http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000#1993

 

[ravidubey]

:jerk:

Just being a devil's advocate, Virus. Emmitt definitely had his issues when things weren't going right off the field. As for throwing teammates under the bus; well at least he waited to become a Cardinal first so they weren't teammates anymore.

 

[Doomsday101]

Just being a devil's advocate, Virus. Emmitt definitely had his issues when things weren't going right off the field. As for throwing teammates under the bus; well at least he waited to become a Cardinal first so they weren't teammates anymore.

Emmitt also said later that he did not mean it the way some interpreted but no one was willing to listen because they got their panties in a wad. Myself I was always willing to give Emmitt the benefit of the doubt. So if he said he did not mean it the way it came out then I have no reason to not believe him

 

[SmellsLikeTuna]

It was 1993
1993
The NFL and lawyers for the players announced a settlement of various lawsuits and an agreement on the terms of a seven-year deal that included a new player system to be in place through the 1999 season, January 6.

Commissioner Tagliabue announced the establishment of the "NFL World Partnership Program" to develop amateur football internationally through a series of clinics conducted by former NFL players and coaches, January 14.

http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1991-2000#1993

that particular agreement may have been struck in '93, but free agency existed in '92....see 3/4 of the way down the page:

http://www.hollywoodsportsbook.com/football_history/

I remeber Keith Jackson to Miami was a big story as one of the first free aganecy signings (in it's current form). That was Sept 29, 1992.

 

[Doomsday101]

that particular agreement may have been struck in '93, but free agency existed in '92....see 3/4 of the way down the page:

http://www.hollywoodsportsbook.com/football_history/

I remeber Keith Jackson to Miami was a big story as one of the first free aganecy signings (in it's current form). That was Sept 29, 1992.

That was under the Reggie White rule because of a battle he had going with the NFL, if you recall White was the 1st FA to move the next year FA was open to all who qualified for it.

 

[SmellsLikeTuna]

Reggie signed with GB in 1993, Jackson and a few others in 92.

 

[Bizwah]

I believe Emmitt let the team down. He had a contract in the 93/94 season, but did not honor it......or at least I think he did....He was making a relatively small amount compared to other RBs. And many considered him the best RB in the NFL. I remember an article from SI that polled NFL GMs. Emmitt was rated by the NFL GMs to be the number one FA the next year.

Emmitt said he was humbled by that........evidently not.

He also had a long, ugly rookie holdout......I believe he missed the entire preseason.

The difference from TO is simply that he didn't force a trade, sign a huge deal, then ask for another contract the next season.

I think both are/were wrong.

 

[Doomsday101]

Reggie signed with GB in 1993, Jackson and a few others in 92.

Plan B FA was in effect but not full FA in 92

 

[SmellsLikeTuna]

Plan B FA was in effect but not full FA in 92

this link is the only "proof" that I can find for my argument:

http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/alltimetrades/alltimetrades.asp

you'll notice that Jackson is listed with under 'free agents' in 1992 (the only one) and not 'plan b free agents' from that same year.

anyway, I apologize for going way off topic in this thread.

 

[ravidubey]

Emmitt was a restricted free agent in 1993. I was surprised that a team didn't just sign Emmitt to an offer sheet for two #1 draft picks. Most likely because Jones almost certainly would have matched the offer, but Dallas was vulnerable to a team like Green Bay who would have not only greatly improved their team by signing Emmitt they would have also crippled a conference rival. They could have even added guaranteed money to screw with the Cowboys cap flexibility should they have matched the offer.

Green Bay drafted Aaron Taylor and Craig Newsome the next two years (I would say Emmitt was worth those two). Those draft choices would have also been lower picks had Emmitt been on the team.