New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles says he wants a new contract with the team, and he won't show up to the start of the team's off-season conditioning program unless he gets one.That's the most inflammatory of the statements Coles made in a recent interview, but it's far from the only one:
Everything Coles says is true -- he's been a good player, a good leader, a guy who will play hurt. But he's hardly been underpaid. Coles got a $13 million bonus in 2003, a $5 million bonus in 2005 and total base salaries of more than $9 million over the last five years, meaning he's averaged about $5.5 million a year since the expiration of his rookie contract while averaging about 950 receiving yards a season."I don't want to seem like another greedy player, but I feel I've earned the right to know where I'll finish my career," Coles told The Star-Ledger. "I've done everything this organization has asked me to do and I'm asking them to do this for me. I think I've earned that much. I've put it all on the line every Sunday for this organization.
"They've told me for the past two seasons that they would take care of me and now I feel they're stringing me along. I'm not going through this for another year.
"I've played hurt. I've been a leader in the locker room. I've held the team together in bad times. I was an intermediary between management and the players. I sacrificed my numbers for the good of the team. ... I don't want to be a disgruntled player. I want to be someplace where I'm happy."
Now he's 30 years old and coming off an injury-plagued and unproductive season. Coles has two years left on his current deal, and the Jets would be fools to give him a raise.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-16-2008 @ 10:40AM
tom said...
coles is a good player but he was injury riddled last season and the person that promised him a new contract (herman edwards) isnt even with the jets anymore they should see how he does next year
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2-16-2008 @ 11:03AM
Randy said...
In addition to his 2 years, it has been speculated that Tannenbaum has ALREADY said the Jets will guarantee every penny of the $11 million UP FRONT. Meaning, no matter what happens...injury, cut, etc...Coles gets every penny remaining on his 2 years. NO TEAMS do this...I would say that is showing him they want him.
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2-16-2008 @ 2:12PM
Juan said...
I wonder if the Jets would be able to trade LC and a 3rd or 4th round draft pick for Chad Johnson or Roy Williams.
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2-16-2008 @ 7:02PM
Weedster said...
What a tool... that's what you get playing for Ratboy. The team is a bunch of losers and Ratboy will be fired by mid-season. Belichick told him he wasn't ready, the Nitwit wouldn't listen.
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2-17-2008 @ 10:46AM
John said...
Don't you see what he doing? He want out of NY, Trade him don't think jets can trade him for C,Johnson Johnson is worth much more the Coles the bet best is to get picks for him they might get player OL, would be good and a pick or so. I really like Cotchery and I think Stuckey be a big facter this Season. McCareins should be traded too or just cut him. Maybe Jets can trade for C, Johnson for Coles & McCareins and a picks 3-4 RD.
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2-17-2008 @ 4:54PM
BK said...
john need grammar lesson, weedster still mad your pathetic pats choked!!! can't wait till we hear the extent the cheaters went!! football gods frowned on the cheaters they'll never win a SB now.
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2-17-2008 @ 8:42PM
John said...
Sorry about the mix up. Don't you see what he doing? He want out of NY, So trade him. Don't think the Jets can make a real good offer for C, Johnson they would want a lot. I like Cotchery he did a pretty good job last season and I think Stuckey will have a good season this year. Jets should try to trade McCareins and Coles for C, Johnson and a pick or two. But the bet best is to find a another team that will trade for Coles and or McCareins for a offense of lineman and a 2 or 3 Rd, picks.
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2-20-2008 @ 7:50AM
rummin said...
Coles has made a lot of money, but would you turn down money if you boss came to you with $5 million dollars...NO! Coles isn't greedy, he is a NFL business man. We aren't talking about taking money out of our pockets it is coming out of the Jets pockets. Besides read between the lines, He wants out of NY. Not just any team, but a chance to go to his home town in Jacksonville. A place where he believes is a perfect fit for the Jags and for him. Just remember it never hurts to ask for more money... I am going to talk to my boss now, don't think I will get the 5 million, but lunch would be great!
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