Voluntary My Foot

Voluntary workouts...yeah, if you mean mandatory they're voluntary. I'm not sure who makes a bigger deal about a player not showing for an event they aren't required to attend: the media, team or the fans. I keep hearing three words, in my head, when I think about the complaining... "THIS IS BUSINESS"! And you know what this is the one time the players actually have an argument. They don't get paid, they're on vacation for all intents and purposes and you know what they just flat out aren't required to be there. Now if you think I'm making the argument that showing up and participating does no good and is in no way useful, you're looking in the wrong place. The chances of being successful with maximum effort are greater than chances with minimal. I'm just saying what should be obvious to anyone and everyone... it's simply this: if you are not required at your work, you will not be at work. Football is our entertainment but for the people who play, it's a Job and a reminder of that to the fans is needed. As for the teams, they just want to win at any expense because Wins = $. Finally the media, as a part of the mob I can speak on our behalf (unofficially) that a lot of the hubbub is just that. We need some football in our lives and in the news cycle, more importantly, so during these down times we report about this mumbo-jumbo. The bottom line is that players come to camp in much better shape than in years past. Year-round training is prevalent, our health and fitness savvy world is infiltrating all our daily lives and most players want to stay in shape. If it's voluntary... it's voluntary, the price of fame is higher than we know, lets let these guys have some invisible time too.

Glenn Younes
XM Satellite Radio

3 Years, Not So Much

This whole thing where players get a 3 yr deal is funny to me, because it’s all really just a 2 yr deal w/ a “little something something at the end.” But really, it is, it’s 2 yrs and a Band-Aid. Here’s the deal, the 1st year is GREAT the Fans, Media, Team and Player all love the new deal. It’s fresh, the Bonus is nice and there is nothing to worry about…YEAH RIGHT! Just wait 20 weeks when the season is over and then March 1st hits, players are talking new deals, free agency opens, etc…. You’re thinking, no prob, I just got a new deal…. WRONG. That 3yr deal you signed is GONE BABY, WHY? 1: only 2 years left, because the instant you sign that deal the 1st year goes SO fast you can’t believe. 2: Now, it’s year two and you’re about to be half finished with the deal. 3: Most importantly, NO player or Agents wants his guy playing the last yr of his contract with nothing in site. After year one, everybody is already thinking about another deal. If it's not the player and agent, it’s the media and front office, if not them, then the fans. Either way you look at it, sometime during year two the thought of a new deal comes up. “OH MY GOSH, you can’t have player x playing the final year of his 3 yr deal without a new one". BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH... That said there are a few advantages too. If you want to stay put it’s a good way to feel out the future of the current team, if in those two or three years the team falls of the map you can get the heck out. If they are moving up the ranks then maybe it’s time to re-up and stay. Also if the player plays well… IT’S TIME NOW TO REALLY GET PAID. I guess the way it shakes out depends on several factors but my original point stands. A 3 year deal is not nearly as long as one thinks.

Glenn Younes
XM Satellite Radio