dryheat44

If I were AV, I'd be overjoyed at being franchised last year, and would beg to be franchised every year at 120% salary and a UFA the next year.

This is a kicker we're talking about. Not a position player where you're one hit away from retirement so you want a long term contract.

Adam's better off tagged. He can always take out an insurance policy in the miniscule chance he suffers a career-ending injury.

If true, I question Adam's financial savvy or that of his advisor.

__________________
When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

Fanfrom1960

I disagree. I'd want a three or more year contract, even at significantly less per year. Then you can relax, and rest assured you're not going to get cut unless you stink up the stadium. Build a nicer home, hope to get the kids into whatever college they/you want. Clarification on the word relax...I mean mentally, but physically, a guy like Vinatieri would still work hard to maintain his edge.

In a previous post, you said you got over Lynn and Fisk having to leave the Red Sox, Evans also, and Curtis Martin leaving the Patriots, but we didn't have to see Williams, Russell or Bird in any other uniform. Thank God. Orr, yes, but he was virtually finished because of injuries anyway. Not saying Adam is with Williams, Russell, Bird, Orr, but he means as much to me as those other guys. I hope they find a way to keep Adam.

dryheat44

The key phrase is "stink up the stadium". That holds true in both of our scenarios. In mine, unless you stink up the stadium, you're going to either:

1) Increase your salary for one year by 20%.
2) Hit the free market, where you can negotiate a deal under the said market.

In yours, you get the theoretical security of a three year deal for less average salary. And ideally the kicker will see the end of it.

In either scenario, the kicker has to keep kicking well to keep his job. The 3 year deal isn't going to keep you around if you're not.

In my opinion, the only reason to sign a multi-year deal is to insure yourself against injury.

__________________
When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

hwc

I'm quite certain that the Pats offered Vinatieri the option of a three-year contract at less money than the franchise tag for 2005.

Vinatieri opted for the higher salary, but shorter term of the franchise tag deal. I don't know how he could be "upset" about it.