OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

For me I don't agree with holdouts. My feeling is if I sign my name on a contract that's a promise that I'll fulfill my end of the deal. Could you imagine the uproar if an owner said "Well, you didn't live up to expectations so we're not gonna pay you as much."

Maybe these guys should have thought about that before signing their long term contracts.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

It's hard to say. Sometimes I wish I could hold out at my own job and get more $$, so maybe I shouldn't judge these guys.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

The average career in the NFL is something like 4+ seasons, so if you are a RB still in your rookie contract, hell yeah, I'd hold out. Listen to the players, they NEVER say anything bad about another player holding out. Listen almost none of these contracts are guarenteed, so yeah, the only thing they have sometimes is to hold out and tray and get a better deal.

When is the last time you heard of a baseball player holding out? It doesn't happen because they have guarenteed contracts in place and salary arbitration. I think that salary arbitration is something that the NFL should look into. The club retain the rights to players for something like their first 6 years, BUT, the players get salary arbitration, so if they are a superstar, they get paid (or in the cases of Pedroria and Youkilis, get long term deals).

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

What about rookie holdouts who've never a signed a contract before.
Or what about players who have been franchise tagged who were otherwise looking at free agency? There's still lots of scenarios where a player could hold out who hasn't signed a thing.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

Supply and Demand....

Since contracts are not guaranteed, which I'm ok with, Players should leverage their hard work and performance to maximize their earnings in whatever means possible.

In turn, if players do not perform to their salary level, teams have the right to cut them.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

Obviously it depends because each player's case is different. If contracts were similar to those in baseball, then there should never be a holdout because the money is guaranteed. In the NFL, a team can cut you lose before the original contract is fulfilled, dependent on the guaranteed money of course. I can't really say, but I wouldn't claim that I would NEVER hold out.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

Times change, the economic landscape changes.. holding out would be a last effort after everything else was tried, and there was a feeling of disconnect between the organization any myself.

It is probably the least positive way of dealing with it.. with that being said, c. not sure, never had the opportunity to deal with that much money.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

Don't teams do this all the time by making players take less money or else they will be cut? Reggie Bush certainly isn't making $10M+ this year like his contact originally stated.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

I'm holding out right now. I'm sure I'll get a great offer soon.

Re: OT: Would you ever hold out?
 

Every individual situation is different. I have no sympathy for a guy like Umenyiora, who signed a big front-loaded contract then acts all offended that there isn't more cash at the end of it.

But a Logan Mankins, who through a one-time CBA quirk finds he doesn't get the free agency he's earned? A Carson Palmer, who after years of loyal service just can't stand his lousy employer one day longer? Plus a lot of the guys we label "holdouts" actually aren't under contract at all but rather negotiating deals.

So yes, I can imagine "holding out."