Tebow asking for bigger contract than Dez Bryant

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/28/report-tim-tebow-wants-more-than-dez-bryant/

Saw this on PFT and just wanted to get MJ's take.

[ac]

No matter the morality or values of the player, it's still pro football and it's always about the money.  He deserves to be paid commensurate both with where he was drafted and the fact his is the most premium of positions on the field.

By merit of his first-round status, Denver picked him to be their future franchise QB and he will and should be paid as such.

And I am saying this as a Jaguars fan first and Seminoles fan second; about the farthest from a Bronco, Gator, or Tim Tebow fan as you'll find.

[kells904]

Holy crap  (pun partially intended)....does this put a chink in Tebow's armor or what?? This is EXTREMELY un-Christian.  But...are Jacksonville's Bronco-maniacs ready to kick that pedestal out from under him or not?  I doubt it though, because I've seen for myself how some churchgoers are able to justify greed in certain situations.  Now I kinda don't care if he succeeds or fails.      

[reednavy]

This isn't just greed on his part, but of all rookies over the past few years. They're being paid way too much upfront and they have yet to to prove themselves on the NFL fields that they are worth however much they think they are.

I honestly think a lockout next year will do good because this has been a long time coming.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I understand all of the points you are making, as I feel the same way about some of them, but should a QB who is going to ride the pine, who was drafted after a WR who is expected to start immediately, expect to make more money - both upfront and yearly?

I understand that there is a labor negotiation going on.  I understand that one position is more 'important' than the other.  I understand that once these guys left pee-wee football, it was no longer, "For Love of the Game". (Baseball movie, but fits the mold) Believe me, I get it.

I just am left to wonder how much of this is athlete driven opposed to agent driven.  There are a lot of rookies that come out of college, "...just wanting to play football", but when it's time to sign, "...it's out of my hands, this is a business you know."  I am left as a fan, wondering, "Am I really forking up $1,650/yr for me and my family to see [insert player's name] this year?  Or am I paying the money to pay for [insert agent's name]'s kid's college fund?"  This is my fundamental issue with the contract negotiations, because the same excuses are used year after year.

Tebow was never expected to get picked before, at the earliest, middle of round two - yet he [agent is also implied] won't accept 1st round money.  In our case, Alualu wasn't projected until the middle/end of round two - yet his cam is still at an impass with the Jags.  I could go on, because there's 29 other 1st round picks that haven't been signed yet.

Please help me with this one.

[kells904]

I agree with you there about greed across the board, but in my opinion, you really aren't the one to be going on missions spouting Christian values, wearing Bible verses on your eye-black, and then do this.  His only 'out' is that he never asked for the cult following that developed behind him.  If it's not an absolute description of a Deadly Sin, it sure as hell looks like it does from where I sit. The constant examples of hypocrisy are why I'm not into organized religion.

And as far as your hopes for a lockout...as much as I don't want that, it's probably for the best.  Hopefully when Roger Goodell goes up to Green Bay, a fan asks him about the growing likelihood that the average fan will be priced out of the NFL.

[tufsu1]

Wait...so Tebow isn't perfect.....and might actually be a bit of a hypocrite....shocking!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

you really aren't the one to be going on missions spouting Christian values, wearing Bible verses on your eye-black, and then do this.  

FYI, there's nothing un-Christian about asking for more money.  Leaders of all religious sects have been doing that since the beginning.  

I'm not totally opposed to "the player" wanting more money; my biggest concerns are the people who are representing the athletes.  Even in a free-market, the costs are being driven up by the people who have the least amount of risk.  The agent is allowed to rep multiple players, so he's not at risk by having all his eggs in one basket (a la Jerry McGuire).  The agent isn't risking his bodily health by sacrificing himself on the field and the weight room day after day.  The agent isn't risking his time away from family (mostly) by having a schedule that keeps him away 3 - 5 months of the year.  Yet, the agent always seems to be behind these hold-outs for more money, and I'm sick of it.

[ac]

The fact that everyone blames the agent means they're doing exactly what they get paid to do.  They are both the advocate and bad guy on behalf of the player.  It allows the player to deflect criticism and protect his "brand."

Not saying it's not distasteful.  It just is what it is.

[ProjectMaximus]

I agree with you there about greed across the board, but in my opinion, you really aren't the one to be going on missions spouting Christian values, wearing Bible verses on your eye-black, and then do this.  

Wait...so Tebow isn't perfect.....and might actually be a bit of a hypocrite....shocking!

How in the world is this un-Christian or hypocritical?!? The NFL is a business and he hasn't even made a single penny yet*!! In an environment where the team holds all the chips and can release a player at any time, the athlete needs to make bank when he has the opportunity. He's definitely not perfect...far from it in all likelihood...but you can't fault him for contract negotiations, regardless of his outspoken religious fervor.

And why don't you wait to see what he does with the money he earns...I have a feeling you might have to take your foot out of your mouth.

As for rookie contracts: I agree, it has really gotten out of hand.

*sponsors and agents notwithstanding

[spuwho]

Wait...so Tebow isn't perfect.....and might actually be a bit of a hypocrite....shocking!

And what if he negotiates the maximum contract value and then gives half of it away to various ministries, social needs and services across the world?

Still un-Christian?

The bible does say a workman is worth his pay. If it is in line with his peers, who are we too judge?

[kells904]

And why don't you wait to see what he does with the money he earns...I have a feeling you might have to take your foot out of your mouth.

Yeah, okay.

[WillNevaLeaveJAX]

If Tebow was drafted to the Jaguars, do you think he still would ask for more money than what ever he was contracted? And if he did...would any of you still care?

P.S. I admit Im a fan of Tebow but Im a bigger Jaguars fan

[kells904]

I tried not to really care that much.  Why would I want a native son to fail?  That's stupid, right?  I hoped he became the QB he wanted to be--learn his craft and in due time, see what he's got. But in good ol' Jax, his worshippers claimed he alone would "save" the franchise, and some have jumped on the Broncos bandwagon because Gene Smith didn't wanna take a gamble on him.  Looking the other way is getting close to impossible when the city was split down the middle over one guy.  These Jacksonville Tebow fanatics keep giving him a pass like he can do no wrong--because they need a hero I guess-- and any dissenting voice is that of a "hater".  He's just a football player, and now everyone that's propped him up to be more than that is gonna find out the hard way that he's mortal after all.  If he were here, he would've been a bigger distraction than T.O. could ever have tried to be.

[RockStar]

He was not drafted to be their future franchise quarterback. You're delusional. Tight end maybe. Wildcat option for sure. But future starting QB? Doubtful.

And no, I'm not a hater. Just sayin.