Schefter claims Kraft stepped in

[PatsFaninAZ]

Since when were teams not allowed to negotiate terms with each other for the purpose of trading players?

They can. They cannot, however, collude to deprive a player of a CBA right. If Owner A, for example, calls Owner B, and says, "this poison pill is bad for the league and I don't think anyone should use it, so we're going to give you something extra to avoid having to use it," that would be almost certainly illegal.

Ultimately, though, I don't think the NFLPA will care too much about this one. It's pretty clear that the ability of the Patriots to use the poison pill is what got the deal done. Without that provision, Welker would most likely still be a Dolphin. It was the threat that got the job done.

Still, wait to see the NFLPA's reaction.

 

[zippo59]

I think I need to wake up... This really is not happening , is it??? Next thing after we hopefully sign Donte Stallworth, would be we are signing Donnie Edwards

I don't get the fuss about Donnie Edwards. He is very undersized for this defense and old. We might as well kepp Junior Seau.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If I were the Patriots or the Dolphins lawyer, I would tell them to STFU about why they gave a 7th. If it really was to avoid the unpleasantness of using the poison pill, they should certainly never acknowledge that.

The NFLPA and the NFL negotiated the poison pill, and the NFL couldn't get it taken out. If owners now collude among themselves not to use it, they are going to be facing much more than a "hearing" between two clubs.

They could care less in this case AZ because the player got his deal - and more than half of it guaranteed on a 5 year deal. No harm no foul as they say. If they colluded to not chase each others RFA's period, then the union would have a hissy because a 4th year player was being restricted from moving on from a one year tender to a long term deal worth as it turns out 8 times that tender guaranteed.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I don't get the fuss about Donnie Edwards. He is very undersized for this defense and old. We might as well kepp Junior Seau.

I think he would a nice not to old Vet, that would pave way for a rookie to learn on the job , and add Depth.. If not Donnie, I would take Seau back for 1 more yr...

 

[zippo59]

I think he would a nice not to old Vet, that would pave way for a rookie to learn on the job , and add Depth.. If not Donnie, I would take Seau back for 1 more yr...

I thinkt he only way he could contribute is as a coverage specialist, but Belichick likes his linebackers to well rounded. I think he would get run over if he constantly had to go up against offensive guards.

 

[PatsFan37]

They could care less in this case AZ because the player got his deal - and more than half of it guaranteed on a 5 year deal. No harm no foul as they say. If they colluded to not chase each others RFA's period, then the union would have a hissy because a 4th year player was being restricted from moving on from a one year tender to a long term deal worth as it turns out 8 times that tender guaranteed.

Exactly. This was the right move and it's reassuring to know that BB & Pioli are doing their best to scheme and Kraft continues to oversee the franchise and its reputation.

One of the reasons we have high-character players to root for, like Brady (what was it they said about Grover Cleveland?) and Seymour and soon-to-be Welker, is Kraft's influence. We could be rooting for guys like Chris Henry and Rainman Jones, and that would really turn me off this team.

Ma, ma, where's my pa? Gone to the SuperBowl, ha ha ha.

 

[TealSox]

Kraft and the Pats are doing what I expected; spending to make their QB happy. Tom wasn't happy with the receivers he had last year, especially losing Deion and I don't blame him. Hope Tom is happy with the signing of Welker and the rumors of others on the way.

 

[Fencer]

Welker is NOT hurt by this trade. "Collusion" is not a relevant topic.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I thinkt he only way he could contribute is as a coverage specialist, but Belichick likes his linebackers to well rounded. I think he would get run over if he constantly had to go up against offensive guards.

Don Davis the coverage LB retired this week after being lost for the season in 2006. Not having him hurt in the AFCCG.

 

[Rob0729]

Kraft put the league's needs in front of the Patriots. As long as it doesn't have serious ramifications for the franchise, that is what good owners and GMs do sometimes to make the overall product better. Many owners and GMs could learn from Kraft.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have really, REALLY grown a newfound respect for Bob Kraft this offseason, and I didn't think that was possible.

 

[ChoWZa]

I have really, REALLY grown a newfound respect for Bob Kraft this offseason, and I didn't think that was possible.

I don't understand why the Patriots couldn't have given Wes a deal without a "poison pill"

The only logic I see here is giving the Fins a 7th round pick to avert the risk of them matching the contract.

I guess I just don't believe the Fins would have matched the Pats contract after they gave him a 1.3m tender.

 

[onegr8om]

Just goes to show why our organization is regarded as the best in the business. CLASS ACTS.

 

[patriotspride]

i don't like the fact that the owner is getting involved in trades of any kind .and I'm concerned that bb doesn't like either .i hope they saved alot of cash by doing this.

 

[ChoWZa]

i don't like the fact that the owner is getting involved in trades of any kind .and I'm concerned that bb doesn't like either .i hope they saved alot of cash by doing this.

I'm sure they conferred with Kraft before doing something that would hurt the image of the franchise in any way.

It's bad business.

I agree with Kraft on this one, I bet Kraft asked if there was an alternative and I bet BB/SP suggested offering Miami our 7th rounder, and that was acceptable.

 

[Robdude]

To be honest I dont really see the "trap" involved in a poison pill

It seems it is easy to match an offer with a "pill" in it.

Patriots have a contract that sky rockets if WW plays 4 games in Miami in one season. So the Dolphins make an offer the sky rockets if he plays 4 games in NE in one season.

If last year I was faced with Hutchinson's contract as Seahawks front office I would say," we also agree you will be paid more than any Vikings Lineman"

This whole poison pill seems silly to me because any team can put one in so i do not know why they can be effective

 

[marty]

Kraft put the league's needs in front of the Patriots. .

I disagree with this. I just don't think that he wanted to have a Seattle/Minn situation develop. Is this good for the league? Yes, but it's even better for the Pats with regards to future relations between potential negotiating partners. Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em baby!!!

 

[patriotspride]

I'm sure they conferred with Kraft before doing something that would hurt the image of the franchise in any way.

It's bad business.

I agree with Kraft on this one, I bet Kraft asked if there was an alternative and I bet BB/SP suggested offering Miami our 7th rounder, and that was acceptable.

i dont think bb and pioli are worried about image .the only thing those two guys concern themselves with is whats best for the newengland patriots football team .if putting a poison pill in welkers contract is good for the pats and hurts the dolphins then so be it .i really dont care what miami thinks .like i said i just hope they saved alot of money by trading for him .

 

[bucky]

To be honest I dont really see the "trap" involved in a poison pill

It seems it is easy to match an offer with a "pill" in it.

Patriots have a contract that sky rockets if WW plays 4 games in Miami in one season. So the Dolphins make an offer the sky rockets if he plays 4 games in NE in one season.

If last year I was faced with Hutchinson's contract as Seahawks front office I would say," we also agree you will be paid more than any Vikings Lineman"

This whole poison pill seems silly to me because any team can put one in so i do not know why they can be effective

If he signs an offer sheet, the Dolphins can't make him an offer. The only thing they can do is match the offer sheet - word for word. That's why it's a poison pill.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Welker is NOT hurt by this trade. "Collusion" is not a relevant topic.

The notion of the anti-trust and CBA/Labor laws is that collusion is bad for everyone.

The problem is not just with whether Welker was hurt, but with whether this is part of a handshake quid pro quo agreement between owners not to use poison pills. The player that the NFLPA is worried about is not Welker. It's the future player that does not get a good poison pill contract from the Dolphins as part of the implicit or explicit quid pro quo.