Any Thoughts on Impacts of a Treveyon Henderson Holdout? (Update: He's Signed)

[RobertWeathers]

All too often fans seem to forget it's only a sport to us, for everyone directly involved it's a business. I've never begrudged any player in any sport using any legit leverage they have to improve their lot, business is busine$$. As an example is Kirk Cousins to blame for what owners have paid him? Hell no, good for him, he leveraged his position properly at every opportunity. I can hold him in contempt for whining about the position he put himself in by signing with Atlanta but that's hardly the same thing. He took their money, he takes what comes with it. The fundamentals of contractual employment are something the average fan hasn't got much experience with.

The CBA has hard and fast payroll slots for rookie draft picks, making how and if the payout happens the only real bone of contention in a rookie contract. As no position group is as unlikely to see a second contract as RB's it behooves them to be concerned with guarantees more than most. Again, it's just business and the factors inherent to that business.

...and we know what lengths the league & owners are willing to go to manipulate player's salaries. Why not play hardball?

 

[rochrist]

Negotiation is part of the life of a pro athlete. I will never fault a player for doing their damndest to get as much money up front/guaranteed as possible. 50/50 they will barely be able to walk before they are 65.

I understand from the Patriots PoV they want to careful about setting a precedent (100% guarantees) but IMO they are prolonging the inevitable.

At some point the NFL will evolve as other pro teams have and start giving them out.

This isn't a Pats thing, it's a league thing, just like the incredibly stupid contract for Deshaun Watson had consequences, the Texans guaranteeing Jaden Higgins contract set a precedent that the league is struggling with now. Fortunately, the dominoes have begun to fall and I expect Henderson to be signed shortly.

 

[XLIX]

Negotiation is part of the life of a pro athlete. I will never fault a player for doing their damndest to get as much money up front/guaranteed as possible. 50/50 they will barely be able to walk before they are 65.

I understand from the Patriots PoV they want to careful about setting a precedent (100% guarantees) but IMO they are prolonging the inevitable.

At some point the NFL will evolve as other pro teams have and start giving them out.

Not necessarily. The players really don't have guaranteed contracts as one of their top issues because they know that for the vast majority of them (i.e. everyone who isn't a superstar QB) it will result is far smaller signing bonuses, shorter deals, and overall less money.

 

[yukon cornelius]

The 2nd rounders are united, if none of them cave, the owners will.....this is all for show

He might miss a few days....big deal, he's a RB who already excels at blitz pickup/pass blocking

He's poised for a huge splash, and this changes nothing

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not necessarily. The players really don't have guaranteed contracts as one of their top issues because they know that for the vast majority of them (i.e. everyone who isn't a superstar QB) it will result is far smaller signing bonuses, shorter deals, and overall less money.

Not my understanding. The NFLPA wants nothing more than fully-guaranteed deals.

 

[XLIX]

Not my understanding. The NFLPA wants nothing more than fully-guaranteed deals.

When negotiations approach, you want everything. As negotiations move forward, there are some issues you quickly jettison and others you are willing to fight for.

Fully guaranteed contracts are one of those issues which will be quickly jettisoned. There just aren't any real gains there.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Fully guaranteed contracts are one of those issues which will be quickly jettisoned. There just aren't any real gains there.

Sure there are. It's more guaranteed money.

If it does happen it'll be the player's taking tougher negotiating positions which the league and NFLPA will have to get together and find a way to save the owners from themselves.

Based on how weak the NFLPA is I agree they won't choose this hill to die on but rather it will come to them.

 

[maust]

There's an important distinction between what's happening with this year's 2nd rounders and guaranteed contracts in general. OFC the NFLPA should always be pushing for all contracts to be fully guaranteed. It's not realistically going to happen across the board under the current business model but it should absolutely be a goal of the union to have it happen eventually, going to require a new CBA to do it though.

 

[crownontherocks]

 

[XLIX]

Sure there are. It's more guaranteed money.

One player’s gain is another player’s loss. The Union, as a whole, gains nothing on this issue.

In fact, it is the rank and file who stand to lose the most

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

Time for him to start earning that contract.

 

[RobertWeathers]

One player’s gain is another player’s loss. The Union, as a whole, gains nothing on this issue.

In fact, it is the rank and file who stand to lose the most

How do the rank and file lose? Is TreyVeon Henderson the rank and file? Is it the 7 year vet?

 

[Sect140]

Time for him to start earning that contract.

Well next years second round pick will be asking for a fully guaranteed contract. LOL!

 

[lancerman]

Tbh I'm kinda fine guaranteeing rookie contracts. They have rookie wage scale, so they sort of deserve some safety net. Especially an RB which is historically a position that gets run into the ground and then discarded asap

 

[patfanken]

Long term deals, even 4 year rookie contracts should be fully EARNED not guaranteed. I've been plain on my opinion on that in this thread. However, since the vast majority of the 2nd round contracts get paid in full anyway, its much ado about nothing in the big picture of things

If I were his agent I would have gone to get the highest total deal with some of it not fully guaranteed; even though most 2nd round contract get paid off. (Yes, I said that in the previous paragraph, but it bears repeating). Maybe he went for a slightly lower 4 year number, but getting it ALL guaranteed. Who knows. It NEVER really mattered since what is happening was ALWAYS going to happen.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Long term deals, even 4 year rookie contracts should be fully EARNED not guaranteed. I've been plain on my opinion on that in this thread. However, since the vast majority of the 2nd round contracts get paid in full anyway, its much ado about nothing in the big picture of things

If I were his agent I would have gone to get the highest total deal with some of it not fully guaranteed; even though most 2nd round contract get paid off. (Yes, I said that in the previous paragraph, but it bears repeating). Maybe he went for a slightly lower 4 year number, but getting it ALL guaranteed. Who knows. I NEVER really mattered since what is happening was ALWAYS going to happen.

Times are a changin'.

 

[Ring 6]

Sure there are. It's more guaranteed money.

If it does happen it'll be the player's taking tougher negotiating positions which the league and NFLPA will have to get together and find a way to save the owners from themselves.

Based on how weak the NFLPA is I agree they won't choose this hill to die on but rather it will come to them.

It’s a zero sum gain. Guarantees are only relevant when a player is cut. The money paid to the cut players counts against the cap and reduces what they other players earn

 

[Ring 6]

Tbh I'm kinda fine guaranteeing rookie contracts. They have rookie wage scale, so they sort of deserve some safety net. Especially an RB which is historically a position that gets run into the ground and then discarded asap

Guarantee 4 years for the 6th round pick who gets cut?

 

[mgteich]

Long term deals, even 4 year rookie contracts should be fully EARNED not guaranteed. I.

In that case, there should be no rookie wage scale.

At very least, players should be able to sign one-year contracts.
==========
This all part of negotiations.
Owners want the ability to lock up players for 3-5 years if they play well. They also want the right to cut players after one year if they don't.
Players want higher overall average compensation for the vast, majority of players.

 

[Dec54]

In that case, there should be no rookie wage scale.

At very least, players should be able to sign one-year contracts.
==========
This all part of negotiations.
Owners want the ability to lock up players for 3-5 years if they play well. They also want the right to cut players after one year if they don't.
Players want higher overall average compensation for the vast, majority of players.

I'm ok with the guaranteed rookie contract. You can hardly blame them for wanting one. Slap in the face for the owners, and that makes it much better.