[vincesanity82]

The latest stir back at Halas Hall involves Brian Urlacher contract situation and how he has opted to stay away from voluntary workouts with his teammates, in part because he wants Bears management to show more appreciation. He's uncertain about attending a mandatory mini-camp scheduled for the end of May, but Urlacher won't go as far as to declare himself a holdout. He remains adamant, however, about not reporting until his situation is resolved. "I do feel like I've outplayed my contract, with the way the salary cap has moved," Urlacher says, referring to the nine-year, $57 million deal he signed in 2003 that included $13 million in bonus money. The salary cap now stands at $116.7 million compared with $75 million when he inked his long-term deal. Urlacher, still considered one of the NFL's best linebackers, has made the Pro Bowl six times in his eight NFL seasons. He turns 30 next month. "I realize I signed a contract five years ago," he said. "But you know what, what happens when a guy signs an eight-year contract and he gets hurt the second year? They cut him the next year. What happens if a guy signs an eight-year contract and he plays like crap the first three years? They cut him. So when a guy plays great five or six years into his contract, what's wrong with rewarding him with a new deal? Is there a difference?" -- Chicago Tribune


ChicagoSports.com: Bears' Brian Urlacher, pushing for new deal, enjoying Arizona retreat

[Bette]

He's got a point here. If a guy signs a long term deal and the salary cap changes so much, maybe he is entitled to a new deal. Like he said, the team will just cut him if he doesnt keep up his performance.

[Be Da Bear]

Bottom line is that the fans turn out to be the big losers with higher ticket, parking, food and drink prices, and so on. It's sad that a Million dollars is looked at like nothing now a days.

[azrael492]

I hate this. What happened to honoring the contract that he signed. Wo cares if he happened to have great years after he signed the contract. If he wanted to renegotiate, he should have signed a shorter contract. I really doubt in 2004, when he only played 9 games, he said he didn't live up to his contract and gave some money back. Tough luck Brian

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Be Da Bear

Bottom line is that the fans turn out to be the big losers with higher ticket, parking, food and drink prices, and so on. It's sad that a Million dollars is looked at like nothing now a days.

Exactly. I keep thinking there has to be a way to turn this around someway. But until it is, I still think he has a point.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I hate this. What happened to honoring the contract that he signed. Wo cares if he happened to have great years after he signed the contract. If he wanted to renegotiate, he should have signed a shorter contract. I really doubt in 2004, when he only played 9 games, he said he didn't live up to his contract and gave some money back. Tough luck Brian

Exactly. I mean, there have been players who had bad years and were willing to renegotiate down, but they're few and far between.
You signed the contract, Urlacher. Now man-up and honor it.

[Weird harold]

Maybe I have stars in my eyes, but I can't help thinking there is something more to this. I just thought more of Brian Urlacher, thought he was a better man than that. My only hope is that he is not physically able to play, and holding out for more money is a hoax.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Weird harold

Maybe I have stars in my eyes, but I can't help thinking there is something more to this. I just thought more of Brian Urlacher, thought he was a better man than that. My only hope is that he is not physically able to play, and holding out for more money is a hoax.

I know what you mean. Heck, I'm disappointed in him and I'm not even a Bears fan, so I can imagine how bad it is for you. He just seemed like an old-school player, a throwback. Didn't seem like the type that would hold out for a few extra bucks.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Exactly. I mean, there have been players who had bad years and were willing to renegotiate down, but they're few and far between.
You signed the contract, Urlacher. Now man-up and honor it.

Oh please...man up an honor it...yeah right...right after the NFL stops cutting guys left and right just for sneezing on the field...neither side has honor...so why does the burden fall on the player?

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Oh please...man up an honor it...yeah right...right after the NFL stops cutting guys left and right just for sneezing on the field...neither side has honor...so why does the burden fall on the player?

It shouldn't fall on the players alone. Owners should have to honor their end of the deal too. Alexander is the perfect example. He was just released with years left on his contract. Seattle should have to pay him every penny owed to him from that...even if it was from failing a physical. I think you said it in another thread. He was hurt in service to them. I know none of this will ever happen, but it should.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Oh please...man up an honor it...yeah right...right after the NFL stops cutting guys left and right just for sneezing on the field...neither side has honor...so why does the burden fall on the player?

Yeah, I agree that the owners should be held accountable too.
But I'm not letting a player with a signed contract off the hook just because both sides are equally guilty of this.

[GoBears51]

Give him the money he's deserve so the bears can keep the tradition of having the best linebackers.

[bears9]

As much as I love Urlacher, they can't pay him now, he's not only greedy he's selfish. They have to pay so many other guys, Devin Hester, Tommie Harris, Draft Picks, etc.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah, I agree that the owners should be held accountable too.
But I'm not letting a player with a signed contract off the hook just because both sides are equally guilty of this.

So when are you gonna start protesting people like Zach Thomas getting cut by a team he has devoted his life to and still had a contract with?

[Bette]

I understand the financial side of this for the teams. If you have a couple Shaun Alexanders or Zach Thomas's on your team, it could hurt to keep paying them when they cant really play any more.
Maybe shorter term contracts. Put a limit on how long they can go. But until that term is up, both sides honor it. Yeah, if you sign a contract you should honor it. But so shouldnt the owners. I'm with Goth on this. Why does the burden fall on the player?
And that is what I am hearing here. "Its too bad about the owners, but the player should honor it anyway."