Did Pioli Mess Up?

[solman]

I love Pioli, but I was shocked to see this quote in Reiss's Blog:

a form must be attached to the contract regarding rights of first refusal, and that did not happen.

The form is a waiver laid out in appendix F of the CBA.

I thought this argument was over the content of that waiver and whether or not it was specific enough.

Now Reiss quotes the NFLPA general counsel as saying that Pioli completely forgot the form.

Is it possible that he actually made a mistake like this?

I start almost every argument with the axiom that BB/SP don't make stupid mistakes. This would be an obvious (and shocking) counter example.

 

[BelichickFan]

Well we know they mess up. Look at all the crappy LB they've brought in, amongst other FA busts.

I guess there's one of two possibilities :

- They messed up.

- They thought the RoFR would be an issue with signing him and tried to slip it in through the back door hoping to get away with it.

 

[Pujo]

Yup, they screwed up. I'm sure it's not the first time and it won't be the last time they screw up, but I guarantee you they will never, ever make the same mistake again.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I love Pioli, but I was shocked to see this quote in Reiss's Blog:



The form is a waiver laid out in appendix F of the CBA.

I thought this argument was over the content of that waiver and whether or not it was specific enough.

Now Reiss quotes the NFLPA general counsel as saying that Pioli completely forgot the form.

Is it possible that he actually made a mistake like this?

I start almost every argument with the axiom that BB/SP don't make stupid mistakes. This would be an obvious (and shocking) counter example.

To quote that great NFL authority, Horace, "Even Homer nods."

 

[Rob0729]

The Patriots' front office screwed up, not neccessarily Pioli. Someone might have forgot to fax the addedendum form to the league's office and I am assuming Pioli has an assistant who does that. Pioli may have forgotten to give it to this assistant or never required Saurbrun to sign it, but it may not be in his hands.

I don't think this is a big deal unless Miller can't come back from his injury. Saurbrun was just insurance for this matter. I think Miller would have won a camp competition between the two.

 

[Hoodie]

If they did mess up, you can bet it won't happen again.

Are we sure this wasn't just an attempt to screw with the Broncos?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The buck stops where it stops, but I believe there is someone in the FO who specifically handles contract negotiations and it's not either of Belioli. It used to be Andy Wasnychuk (sp). It's also entirely possible they were trying to sneek one by - although I recall hearing the ROFR mentioned last season and it makes sense Todd would sign off on most any option that a) got him back on the field last season following a steroid suspension and b) hinted at somebody wanting him beyond that. I doubt they had any long term interest in him, because his reputation is as a pain in the ass even as a punter, but were only too happy to cover their potential need short term pending Miller's rehab and sensing he and Denver might want to reunite felt they could possibly pick up a late day 2 pick for their trouble.

At the end of the day if you are going to screw up an addendum to a contract, you could have picked a worse situation than a punter who has to pee in the cup. Thank god the draft is almost here so we can get past nit picking out of boredom.

 

[Rob0729]

If they did mess up, you can bet it won't happen again.

Are we sure this wasn't just an attempt to screw with the Broncos?

It was reported at the beginning of free agency that we had the right of first refusal. It was pretty obvious when the Broncos gave no guaranteed money in the offer that we would match it. There is no reason not to. I doubt it had anything to do with Denver.

 

[DW Toys]

The Patriots' front office screwed up, not neccessarily Pioli. Someone might have forgot to fax the addedendum form to the league's office and I am assuming Pioli has an assistant who does that. Pioli may have forgotten to give it to this assistant or never required Saurbrun to sign it, but it may not be in his hands.

I don't think this is a big deal unless Miller can't come back from his injury. Saurbrun was just insurance for this matter. I think Miller would have won a camp competition between the two.

I think they go draft for a new punter anyway.
But....Why would they give Miller an $300,000 roster bonus if they weren't going to keep him? Messing with Denver?
Now Todd takes the Pats deal and SP says, Oh... the original contract may have had issues? Sorry!.........So there!
DW Toys
J

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think they go draft for a new punter anyway.
But....Why would they give Miller an $300,000 roster bonus if they weren't going to keep him? Messing with Denver?
Now Todd takes the Pats deal and SP says, Oh... the original contract may have had issues? Sorry!.........So there!
DW Toys
J

It was a $100,000 bonus and had the Pat's matched Todd's deal they wouldn't need an out clause since there was no signing bonus and they could cut him any time up to the first game of the regular season and not owe him a cent beyond his workout bonus against the cap and his standard training camp stipend that all 80 some odd players who participate get.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Yes, the Patriots did screw up. But, it does not make the punter any less of a scumbag for worming out of a commitment he made.

I'm glad that the POS is gone. We will have a punter.

 

[patsacolachick]

Yes, the Patriots did screw up. But, it does not make the punter any less of a scumbag for worming out of a commitment he made.

I'm glad that the POS is gone. We will have a punter.

I'm glad he's gone too. If they don't want to play for the Patriots, see ya (guess I'll be saying that soon to Asante )

 

[spacecrime]

I don't think this is a big deal

Me, either. I was surprised they even matched Sauerbrun's offer. As discussed in another thread, everyone says he has a "big" leg, but last year Miller had a bigger net and gross.

The only thing that bothers me is that they might have matched because Miller is still hurt. But if so, why give him that bonus last March?

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

At the end of the day if you are going to screw up an addendum to a contract, you could have picked a worse situation than a punter who has to pee in the cup. Thank god the draft is almost here so we can get past nit picking out of boredom.

Amen, Brother! Amen.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Yes, the Patriots did screw up. But, it does not make the punter any less of a scumbag for worming out of a commitment he made.

I'm glad that the POS is gone. We will have a punter.

I still remember BB reaming him out on the sidelines for outkicking his coverage leading to a big return late in the season. I wonder if the oversight had anything to do with him being signed mid-season when there are fewer signins with a RoFR versus ,say during the FA period now.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

To quote that great NFL authority, Horace, "Even Homer nods."

And to quote Homer,

D'Oh!

 

[DarrylS]

The Patriots' front office screwed up, not neccessarily Pioli. Someone might have forgot to fax the addedendum form to the league's office and I am assuming Pioli has an assistant who does that. Pioli may have forgotten to give it to this assistant or never required Saurbrun to sign it, but it may not be in his hands.

I don't think this is a big deal unless Miller can't come back from his injury. Saurbrun was just insurance for this matter. I think Miller would have won a camp competition between the two.

I suspect some underling was supposed to put together the package, and there was an omission of this form.. in the grand scale of things no biggie, things will be ok. Everyone calm down.

 

[dhamz]

I would be surprised if Scott Pioli has ever read the contract. The Patriots have a legal team, just like every other major corportation that is responsible for ensuring everything in the contract is as it should be before filing it.

 

[godef]

Well we know they mess up. Look at all the crappy LB they've brought in, amongst other FA busts.

Yeah, but those are screw-ups pertaining to judgment, which can be expected in something as volatile as judging talent and personality. The Sauebraun "screw-up" would not be so forgiveable.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I think this is hilarious in that the rule the NFLPA negotiated and won on is the notion that neither players nor apparently their agents can be counted on to actually read the contracts.

i.e - if there's a right of first refusal clause actually written in the contract, the players require the equivilent of a neon pink sticky note on the front of the contract to let them know what's in the contract.

I suppose this might be a trend in the NFL to make it so the players nor agents are actually responsible for knowing what's in the contract they signed.

Personally I favor a kabuki theatre performance in which japanese actors and actresses donning all the flourishes of their art will silently act out all the provisions of the contract. Only then can we be sure the players and agents are fully informed as to what it is they just signed.