What they say and what they mean are two different things. Andrew Brandt
Welcome to our third edition of “What They Say, What They Mean.” Today, we deal with the comings and goings of the early NFL free agency period:
QB Derek Anderson, after saying unkind things about Browns fans:
“I was speaking out of frustration after my career with the Browns came to a close.”
I’ve got to get a job somewhere; I can’t have a reputation of speaking out against fans. Can we just scratch all those comments please?
Lynn Lashbrook, agent for QB Matt Moore, on Moore signing his $3.043-million tender offer immediately:
“He's excited about getting started for next season. He did not want to wait around.”
I told him to run up there and sign that paper before the Panthers realized they’re paying Matt Moore over $3 million!
LaDainian Tomlinson and Jake Delhomme, after visiting Minnesota and Cleveland, respectively, on deciding to take more visits rather than sign with those teams:
Those teams aren’t going anywhere. It can only help my bargaining by taking these visits. Why not?
Matt Leinart, on taking over the starting role in Arizona:
“It’s my time and I know that.”
Man, Kurt’s gone now. I gotta play well or the B word (bust) is going to swallow me.
Pat Williams, testifying in the StarCaps trial, about his use of a diuretic:
“I used it to get extra fluid out of my body.”
Man, I had weigh-ins every week. You know how much those fines are per pound?
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, on whether Clinton Portis will attend the Redskins’ non-mandatory offseason conditioning program:
“Oh, I guarantee you Clinton will be there. He'll be there and kick off the offseason on the right note.”
For $6.43M guaranteed, he better be here and not hang out in Miami like he did when we were in Denver. He’ll be here.
Larry Johnson’s agent, on the possibility of signing with the Redskins:
“He was born in the D.C. area, and he's a lifelong fan. This could be a dream come true for him.”
He’ll sign there for cheap.
Darren Sharper, on the offer he’s receiving from his team, the Saints:
“If the love was right, that would have been taken care of. The love would have been reciprocated.”
Love = $$$.
Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris, on the team’s lack of free-agent spending:
“Our focus is April 22. Our focus is those three days of the draft this year, being as prepared as we can be for that.”
Our ownership told us we’re not spending a lot of money this year so I’m looking at the draft. Rookies, except for the top pick, are cheap labor. Hey, we’ll work with what we got.
Cal running back Jahvid Best, on his interview with the Raiders:
“They did interview me. I think I showed them Raiders speed.”
I heard they overpay anyone with top speed. I got that.
Terrell Owens’ tweet about his visit to Cincinnati, where he was not signed:
“I wanna thank Mike Brown & the coaching staff 4 the visit along w/the possible opportunity 2 play w/carson & 85. I enjoyed the visit.”
I know you’re not signing me, but I need everyone to see this so that they know I’ve changed my tune. Dude, I’m 36 and looking for a job.
Nick Collins’ agent, Alan Herman, on Collins signing his tender offer with the Packers after waiting to negotiate a contract for a couple of years:
“Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there. Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward.”
We did our part, Packers. Now show us the money!
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How much money they could have saved? How do you figure? Both partners need to be willing to make a deal. You are assuming Nick Collins would have signed whatever they put in front of him last year. He and his agent aren't stupid, they know what he's worth and so do the Packers.
Ted Thompson doesn't do inflated contracts. Even Clifton's wasn't overboard. 7.5 million for a starting LT isn't too bad.
Shanahan: “Oh, I guarantee you Clinton will be there. He'll be there and kick off the offseason on the right note."
He meant: "Just give me one reason to get rid of your overpaid lard ass."
Larry Johnson’s agent, on the possibility of signing with the Redskins:
“He was born in the D.C. area, and he's a lifelong fan. This could be a dream come true for him.”
He meant: "OK, I'm on my knees here. I'm begging. We got nothing. LT can't get a vet min deal, so who is going sign this guy?"
I think it's more than a little early to say the VIkings aren't going anywhere, with the talent that they have. Of course Favre might actually decide to hang it up, at least for this minute.
Yojimbo, I think the comment was meant to infer that the interest from those teams isn't going to change.
Yo, Jimbo:
It was meant in the, "What's the rush? They're not GOING anywhere", sense.
GB was gonna sign Collins no matter what, because not only do GB have the money but also because he's a play making ballhawk & they didn't want the possibility of 2 new players at the safety position cause there isn't any depth. Bigby could lose his job this year since he hasn't played that well the past 2 season & he's been injury prone too.
By waiting and structuring the contract with the majority of the money upfront in an uncapped year, the Pack comes out with a huge advantage if and when the salary cap is reinstated. Excellent strategy by Ted Thompson and Russ Ball. They continue to make smart decisions for the team, even if the average fan can't comprehend it until after it happens.
A second advantage to putting that much money up front is that it allows players to save up for a potential lock out. I'm sure his agent told him to hold on to that extra cash.
More funny stuff from NFP's version of the "BSPN Translator"!
QB Derek Anderson, after saying unkind things about Browns fans:
“I was speaking out of frustration after my career with the Browns came to a close.”
I forgot, no one can handle the truth!
Lynn Lashbrook, agent for QB Matt Moore, on Moore signing his $3.043-million tender offer immediately:
“He's excited about getting started for next season. He did not want to wait around.”
Love my tender, love it true!
LaDainian Tomlinson and Jake Delhomme, after visiting Minnesota and Cleveland, respectively, on deciding to take more visits rather than sign with those teams:
The last time any team will want them, especially once the season starts. Take the love while you can.
Matt Leinart, on taking over the starting role in Arizona:
“It’s my time and I know that.”
Wait till the hot tub babes see may face on the cover of the program!
Pat Williams, testifying in the StarCaps trial, about his use of a diuretic:
“I used it to get extra fluid out of my body.”
Had to get those steroids out some way.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, on whether Clinton Portis will attend the Redskins’ non-mandatory offseason conditioning program:
“Oh, I guarantee you Clinton will be there. He'll be there and kick off the offseason on the right note.”
I’m already thinking of how to pass the buck on this one.
Larry Johnson’s agent, on the possibility of signing with the Redskins:
“He was born in the D.C. area, and he's a lifelong fan. This could be a dream come true for him.”
Amazingly, they are talking about the ex Knickerbocker. The footballer LJ is trying to get out of a Tijuana jail.
Darren Sharper, on the offer he’s receiving from his team, the Saints:
“If the love was right, that would have been taken care of. The love would have been reciprocated.”
No one loves me like I loves me!
Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris, on the team’s lack of free-agent spending:
“Our focus is April 22. Our focus is those three days of the draft this year, being as prepared as we can be for that.”
Our management can’t chew bubble gum and talk on a cell phone at the same time!
Cal running back Jahvid Best, on his interview with the Raiders:
“They did interview me. I think I showed them Raiders speed.”
I did a 4.1 running out of that interview room!
Terrell Owens’ tweet about his visit to Cincinnati, where he was not signed:
“I wanna thank Mike Brown & the coaching staff 4 the visit along w/the possible opportunity 2 play w/carson & 85. I enjoyed the visit.”
Think I’m finely lerning this humility thing!
Nick Collins’ agent, Alan Herman, on Collins signing his tender offer with the Packers after waiting to negotiate a contract for a couple of years:
“Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there. Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward.”
The deals already done, so I can afford to be gracious!
and Pouncey. If we traded back to the late first, added a third round pick, and took Pouncey I would be extremely happy. He would be an immediate upgrade over Wells at center.
Mar 12, 2010
12:07 PM
Imagine how much money the Packers could have saved if they didn't wait around on Collins. He's going to end up with an inflated contract like Rolle got.