Over in Chicago, they're having a problem with star linebacker Brian Urlacher. The team's take on it is that they can't just tear up a contract every time someone is unhappy or else they'd have 53 guys unhappy with their contracts. The Jets used to feel the same way. They chose trading Pete Kendall over redoing his deal in 2007 but this year has brought a different strategy. When Laveranues Coles skipped the start of offseason workouts because he wanted more money, the team changed course and gave it to him even though he had two years left on a deal that would pay him quite handsomely. Chris Baker noticed that and he also noticed that the Jets signed Bubba Franks as a free agent to back him up at tight end for more money than they pay Baker. So he's stopped attending workouts and hired new agents to get himself a new deal.
"I know ... when a New York Jets veteran player underperforms (he's released or asked to take a pay cut)," said (agent Jonathan) Feinsod. "What happens when he outperforms his contract?"Feinsod and his partner represent Kendall and also count Jets corner Darrelle Revis as a client. The Revis negotiations were a nasty one so Baker's probably digging in for a fight. He's set to make $683,000 this year and the team signed Franks for a million more, so he's got a case based on his production.
I think each case is different when it comes to contract renegotiations. As opposed to the Bears stated viewpoint, not all of the 53 players on your roster are created equal but you need to choose those players wisely. The Jets didn't do that in the Coles case. As tough and full of heart Coles is, he wasn't worthy of having the next two years of his contract guaranteed any more than any player.
Baker isn't that special a player either. He's a good player and a solid starter, to be sure, but by taking care of Coles and spending a mint on Franks, the Jets have created a situation where he's justified in feeling underpaid.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Before the rise of blogs and 24 hour sportsnews, did every one hate every contract every signed or is this new
Posted at 10:07AM on Apr 24th 2008 by Horatio
2. This article is flat wrong. Coles didn't get a new contract. The Jets guaranteed the last two years of his current contract.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3317177
http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1206769012312100.xml&coll=1
The club broke the stalemate and guaranteed the final two years of Coles’ contract at $11 million ($5 million in 2008, $6 million in 2009), the first such agreement in team history … the details of the tweaking of Coles’ contract remain unclear but the club has assured Coles he will receive a long-term deal at the end of next season if he remains healthy and has a big year, or he will be allowed to seek a trade on his own, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.
Posted at 11:14AM on Apr 24th 2008 by Biebs
3. Biebs - You're right about Coles's contract. Didn't say he got a new contract but that he got more money, which as you well illustrate is true.
Posted at 11:18AM on Apr 24th 2008 by JAlper
4. actually they offered coles that deal and the end of the season, but when you put baker's contract like that i guess he is under paid
Posted at 6:47AM on Apr 25th 2008 by Bk