A STEP BACK - AFTER AB TRADED TO RAIDERS
(under AB's breath - Screw you, I don't want to play for the losing raiders even for $15M a year; I have a better future playing elsewhere)
AB SHOWS UP
and does everything to get traded or cut
Gruden tries everything and just doesn't get
Manock understands and has several encounters with AB
THE DEAL
1) AB gets out of his 3 year $50M contact with raiders, and may get some through grievances.
2) AB may or may not get termination pay (about $15M); likely not.
3) AB can now go to whatever team he and Drew can convince that he wants to be there.
IS IT CRAZY
for AB to think that he would get more out of the next 8 years if he plays somewhere else. Would playing the next 3 years for $50M under Manock really be the best for his future? AB may want to bet on himself and end up doing better over the next 8 years.
BOTTOM LINE
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1) AB had $50M over 3 years left with PITT, where he couldn't get along with management.
2) PITT trade him for a 3rd and a 5th to a losing team, one that AB didn't want to play for (Gruen convinced him?). AB did the best he could and negotiated a new contract.
3) AB got to Oakland, looked around for awhile, and wanted out. Mayock might have seen what was coming and traded AB for a 3rd and 5th (breaking even).
4) AB finally got his way and a release, and the possibility of choosing his team, and perhaps a bit of grievance money).
AT WORST,
BROWN will be out of football until the grievances move forward a bit. In any case, once AB and Drew talk to the various teams (owners, GM, coach and players), he'll be on a new team. Ignoring act, Dallas would be a good fit. Looking at cap, Indy is a better fit. There are lots and lots of others with lots and lots of cap room. The $15M for 2019 is an illusion as far as being a major block to AB being paid. That amount would make a difference to team without cap money to burn.