Thread Tools

Display Modes

OneGiantThrill · 06-10-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Ron Borges of the Boston Herald reports Vince Wilfork learned this week how the Patriots roll when it comes to player negotiations. It's the same way he rolls at nose tackle - low, hard and sometimes dirty.

Next time Patriots management talks about not wanting to negotiate in the media, Wilfork and his teammates should remember what just happened to him. Anyone who doesn't know who leaked the threat of the team going after $500,000 of bonus money if Wilfork doesn't report to a mandatory minicamp today has their hands over their eyes.

The clause in the collective bargaining agreement the Pats threatened to invoke is no longer in effect. It was judged so onerous it was changed in 2006 when the CBA was last extended. But because Wilfork signed his six-year deal in 2004 he is not protected from the wording in effect at that time, which said the portion of a signing bonus attributable to a player's remaining years is at risk if he refuses to perform.

http://blog.theredzone.org/ViewItem.asp?Entry=1715

**Manster** · 06-10-2009, 03:43 PM

In the short term some of these tricks will work out for a team but there will be some backlash to it.

quitesanemax · 06-19-2009, 12:49 PM

He signed the contract... nothing dirty about that. It would have been stupid of the Patriots not to do that. Are they in the business of giving money away? If he isn't showing up, he doesn't get the bonus. That's what the contract stated.

Max

**Manster** · 06-19-2009, 02:30 PM

I am not saying it was dirty but it is not the first time the team has strong-armed a player about their contract.

quitesanemax · 06-23-2009, 02:50 PM

I think the players understand how it works. Theres a reason why the Patriots have consistently put a good teamout there every year over the last 8 years. If Wilfork wants to be the highest payed player at his position, he isn't going to be a Patriots player much longer. Wilfork is either going to take a bit of a discount (and I don't mean a big one, although he might believe it is), or he is going to get his money elsewhere... and the Pats will find someone to replace him.

I hope they work things out. I've always liked his work ethic. Between him and Seymour, though, I'm not sure which one I want to stay on the team. Both will be kind of competing against each other this season. Theres a good chance the Pats will only be able to afford to hold onto one of them.

Max

**Manster** · 06-23-2009, 03:26 PM

They drafted Ron Brace so they should be ready to replace which ever one they need to.

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes