PFT calls out Borges and Upshaw...again!

[mgcolby]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

"That was New England's doing," Upshaw told Ron Borges of the Boston Globe. "They were the ones who started forcing these guys to sign long-term deals. Other teams followed and it got ridiculous. These kids had no leverage. They were being forced to give away free agency.

As it turns out, the first team to force second-round picks to sign five-year deals was the Raiders.
Stop and think about that one. Upshaw was a long-time Raider. ("Once a Raider, always a Raider.") So instead of laying the blame on the team that launched this tactic, Upshaw goes out of his way to criticize a team that merely followed the trend.

Here's what we've learned. The Raiders signed second-round picks to five-year deals in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 (with two separate picks), and 2005.
In 2003 and 2004, the team's second-round picks signed six-year deals.
The Patriots, on the other hand, didn't begin using five-year deals for second-round picks until 1999, a full four years after the Raiders.​

One thing that bothers me, is Upshaw and Borges try to imply that this trend started with BB and Pioli. When in fact it started with another team and the Pats started to use this tactic a year before BB showed up. I am also pretty sure that by 1999 there were more than two teams signing there second round picks to six year deals.

The jealousy (NFL execs, league officials etc..) and the hatred (Borges) is laughable and it is out there on full display for everyone to see in Borges article.

But it is definitly good enough for a morning chuckle just 2 days and a wake up from the start of training camp! ​

 

[Pats726]

Of course they'll never blame the Raiders..as was said..Upshaw is from Raiderland....as is Borges..but the facts never stopped Borges from sharpening his ax..they guy is as putrid as they get..and to think HE'S the representative from NE in all Hall of fame voting...THAT is truely sad..and should outrage everyone in the area.