Shefter: The definition of insubordination

[tanked_as_usual]

If he knows he's a "dead man walking," wouldn't he attempt to play the good soldier to get a decent follow on salary? Wouldn't this be his contract year for his next deal, the type players play up for to show the former team was wrong in letting him go?

Right now, the only effect he appears to have on future earnings is negative, showing he is (1) unproductive and (2) disruptive to a team. That does not equate to dollar signs, and players tend to want more, even if handed $8 million for sitting on their keister for a year.This likely isn't a lottery winner figuring there will not be another pay day.

if he was younger, maybe.....I think he is done with the sport in general. I think he's been playing scared ever since he broke his arm

 

[bresna]

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[GostkowSKI]

Anyone else think that Junior Seau's blood is just boiling listening to these comments by AD?

 

[SeauOUCH]

Deactivate his ass the rest of the year, the last time he was deactivated we won 63-0! Addition by subtraction is right. I've never heard this guy take responsibility for anything, as the highest paid player on the D instead of getting his ass in early & focusing on the very very important upcoming game he's coming in late & crying to the media! D-Bag.

 

[DarrylS]

how would you behave if you were a dead man walking like thomas? would you sit there and be the good soldier if you had already been singled out this year and you knew you were history, but you also know you were getting 8M on your way out?

Not quite sure, but with my worth ethic and if I had the ability, I would always play for the next payday..

 

[MoLewisrocks]

right, but given the situation and whats at stake, the staff needs to work in a way that puts thomas in a situation to get as much out of him as possible. as bad as it is, the team still need him even if only for depth. there literally are no other options on the bench that will work well enough to get anywhere in the playoffs.

this reminds me of the TBC benching for the 2006 AFCC against the colts. the pats could have used him and his benching was something other than 'putting the pats in the best situation to win' as coach always puts it.

I mean mid-season is not the time to be making examples of 30-something dead men walking

Bill can't look at it that way because this organization and this team is still going to be here after AD is long gone. The nasty thing about cancer is how it can spread despite your best efforts to treat it and how it can appear to remit only to resurface down the road when you thought you'd battled through it and won.

Some coaches and managers aren't in position to sacrifice the present for the future because they believe absent the present they have none. Bill doesn't believe that after 35 years in this league. He knows every team starts the next season and even the post season 0-0 with a clean slate. If he thinks making an example out of AD will pay more long term dividends than short term losses, that is what he will do. Just like he did with Glenn. Or even like he did with Starks, his last 3rd and 5th mistake whose benching via IR opened a void he had only a rookie to fill with, but the rookie ultimately outperformed Starks on every level down the stretch.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

thomas' roster option bonus along with his signing bonus are spread out over the term of the contract which runs through 2011. so there are 2 years worth of guarantees payable to thomas the moment the contract is terminated.

From Miguel:

"Option bonus: $8 million payable in 2008, applied for cap reasons in equal $2 million increments in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011."

If you cannot understand this, then there is no point in discussing things further.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Not quite sure, but with my worth ethic and if I had the ability, I would always play for the next payday..

would you work as hard if you knew you were to be canned?

 

[aluminum seats]

Thomas: Worst. Patriot. Ever.

And let's stop with the "AD"--aren't nicknames for players you like?

As much of an asshat Ray Lewis is, I'll say this....the guy plays the game. Motivation is for kindergarteners, Thomas? You obviously need someone in your face to be a man. Punk.

I hope the crowd destroys him Sunday, if he's there.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

thomas' roster option bonus along with his signing bonus are spread out over the term of the contract which runs through 2011. so there are 2 years worth of guarantees payable to thomas the moment the contract is terminated.

the pats would have a hard time with the union justifying fines for conduct detrimental......what conduct exactly? being late for the meeting? then why aren't the other 3 being fined? for talking to the press? doubt it. you have to be a rabble-rouser in the locker room at a minimum and if he isn't than all BB can do is make him inactive and pay him anyway.

what needs to happen is conversation between the 2 about what they can do to get the most out of the situation until the end of the year and then keep it between them. it is the only thing that will work to the advantage of the rest of the team. you can't make an example of someone while giving him 8M on his way out the door

You don't understand how the cap or payroll or contracts work in this league, among other things... AD already has all his guaranteed money. They aren't giving him any more than roughly $120K per week for the rest of the season because that is what his contract calls for. The remainder of his contract is not guaranteed. If they cut him at the end of the season they owe him zilch. If they trade him for a conditional pick in the 2015 draft at the end of the season the new team they trade him to owes him nothing unless he is on their opening day roster next September as a vested veteran. And then they only owe him his 2010 and not 2011 salary (unless he is on their roster in September 2011 when there may well be a lockout and none of them are getting paid salary.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

From Miguel:

"Option bonus: $8 million payable in 2008, applied for cap reasons in equal $2 million increments in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011."

If you cannot understand this, then there is no point in discussing things further.

missed that part of it.....my bad

must be tough being right all the time, huh?

 

[tanked_as_usual]

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goodbye....

 

[jays52]

Never having been a part of a football locker room, I ask - is this something a defensive player would need to do, is the locker room divided in such a way? It feels like the veteran leaders on this team - Brady, Faulk, Welker - are on the offensive side of the ball, leaving essentially Vince or Ty as the only guys left on defense (Seau, aside) that know how to work and win in this league. That may be the problem.

As a general rule, yes. Every team is unique in how much overlap there is, but typically offensive matters aren't taken up by defensive players and vice versa. There are a handful of transcendent leaders who have universal respect (ie Brady) who do have influence upon everyone, but generally won't get overly involved.

This type of thing is on the defense, and in most situations will likely come down to something physical. Someone is going to get in another's face, people are going to start barking, and it will get broken up before it gets too bad. Players like AD need to feel disrespected and challenged by their teamates in order to care. Tedy, Rodney or Vrabes would have been the guy. Unfortunately, I can't think if a single defensive player on that team with a set of nuts other than Chung.

 

[goldenaleus]

You do if he's hurting the team.

Addition by subtraction.

AD is doing nothing on the field, isn't the same guy he was two years ago, and is now poisoning the locker room. At least Ninko or Woods will be high effort, high motor guys. Let them have a crack at it, they can't possibly provide less pass rush than AD or Burgess have.

It has been do before by this organization...Terry Glenn ring a bell...it can happen again.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

would you work as hard if you knew you were to be canned?

If all the employers I could theoretically hope to ever work for again were watching, um...yeah. Even TO is working hard under lousy conditions this time because he knows at his age and given his history of risk reward that's what he has to do if he doesn't want to hang 'em up. Maybe AD has banked enough and sees his future with the league elsewhere than on the field.

Nobody loved this game more than Rodney and Tedy, yet the day came when they couldn't justify the grind. For some guys that day comes a lot earlier... but they decide to hang around and cash a few more checks anyway if someone is going to let them.

 

[mayoclinic]

Unfortunately, I can't think if a single defensive player on that team with a set of nuts other than Chung.

Sad but true. Chung does have the nuts, though, I'll grant you.

We need to get some balls on this defense badly in the offseason, even more than pass rushers. We've got playmakers, but no guts.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

AD has been a problem child before but he crossed the line yesterday with his comments. I honestly don't think most of his teammates were even aware of what he said but now that they are I think he's going to get some major feedback. When he says he went home put his toes in the air and relaxed AD is spitting directly into the faces of his TEAMMATES. Can you imagine how offensive those comments are to Tom Brady and his broken body?? To Vince Wilfork who shows up every play? To Jerod Mayo who's played hurt all season long? To Wes Welker who takes a licking and keeps on ticking every single game?
The players need to deal with this cancer TODAY before BB drops the axe on him.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

If all the employers I could theoretically hope to ever work for again were watching, um...yeah. Even TO is working hard under lousy conditions this time because he knows at his age and given his history of risk reward that's what he has to do if he doesn't want to hang 'em up. Maybe AD has banked enough and sees his future with the league elsewhere than on the field.

Nobody loved this game more than Rodney and Tedy, yet the day came when they couldn't justify the grind. For some guys that day comes a lot earlier... but they decide to hang around and cash a few more checks anyway if someone is going to let them.

I just think that thomas doesn't want to play football anymore. I get that from just reading his comments. No hint of desire about anything

 

[MassPats38]

I just think that thomas doesn't want to play football anymore. I get that from just reading his comments. No hint of desire about anything

That could indicate a lack of desire to play, but also the possible response of an individual with the maturity of a 2 year old when his rattle is taken away from him. I don't claim to know Thomas, but if he believes he is entitled to better treatment and has no concept of team, he may not be acting with a long-term perspective.

T.O. wanted to play with other teams and conducted himself in a manner similar to this on two occasions. He just believed his skills would land him his next job and was incapable of keeping either his ego or mouth in check to guarantee better subsequent deals.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

I can see Thomas on a team like the Jets or Cowboys next year. The way he's represented himself, teams like those seem like natural fits.