Eagles: The Hidden Message
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Eagles: The Hidden Message
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Most of the meaning that can be taken from most of the Eagles' reply to Sheldon Brown's request for a trade or contract upgrade was about as hidden as an elephant in a phone booth.
To sum it up, the reply went something like this: No.
You can't blame Sheldon for trying and the Eagles probably don't blame him at all. The cornerback was trying to find out if he had any leverage at the moment since the team is throwing around money and bringing in high-paid outsiders. Again, the same answer: No.
Brown has four years left on his deal. He didn't think he was getting the attention of the front office as he and his agent tried to get a fair hearing on their complaints, so he went all ESPN on them. And, in response, they went all William Jennings Bryan on him, putting out a reply that was particularly lengthy and a good bit scolding.
"It's very unfortunate and counterproductive that Sheldon has chosen to go public with his feelings about his situation," the team harrumphed.
Whether Brown has outplayed the terms of his contract or not, he certainly hasn't outplayed the length of it and the Eagles seem firm on making that point stick.
And since no challenge can't be turned into an opportunity, the team also took time to go on the record about another potential contract extension. That was the hidden part of the message, although not that well hidden if you know how to look for it.
All things Eagles are all things Donovan McNabb, which I expressed in a column in the paper today, and which the team was alluding to when it responded to Brown.
The Eagles put down the groundwork for not extending McNabb's contract yet, citing holy precedent they don't appear willing to break.
"There have been league MVPs, Super Bowl champion quarterbacks, and perennial Pro Bowlers who have been in a similar situation. All of their teams have required them to wait until their contract expired or there was only one year remaining before any adjustment took place," the statement said.
McNabb has two years left on his contract and it has been reported, usually in leaks directly linked to McNabb's camp, that he wants a better roster around him and a contract extension.
The Eagles are doing their part on the roster, but they are also drawing a line in the sand of contract philosophy. There's no way Sheldon Brown was in position to strong-arm them, but you have to wonder if they will remain on the muscle when it comes to McNabb. A good question, but they are certainly flexing those muscles this week.
"league MVPs, Super Bowl champion quarterbacks, and perennial Pro Bowlers". Surely they weren't talking about McNabb here.— potus
Here's why Banner is correct in saying "No": Brown has been sitting on a $7.5 mil signing bonus since they renegotiated his present contract, plus he'll be paid $12.5 mil over the remaining 4-years and 1.75 mil in roster bonuses thru 2012. That's $21.75 mil. "Disrespect" me with that kind of money, Sheldon.— 1republican- Shut up Sheldon. You were set for life when you signed that extension in 04. 1 pick last year, burnt like toast against Arizona in the playoffs, and you want a new contract? Recognize, son— duffers
- he needs to recognize that he cannot cover and should give back some of his money due to his play or lack there of.— gulls3012
- you guys need to lay off sheldon. he's got a family to feed, and $21 million doesn't go as far as it used to! if you don't believe me, just look at Vick. he had over $100 mil, but now, thru no fault of his own, is bankrupt. to make matters worse, they're only going to allow him to keep two of his mansions! how's a guy supposed to live with only two mansions?!?! why don't they just make him wash his own underwear while they're at it. makes me sick, how poorly athletes are treated now-a-days!— oTTo the CzAR
- who respects the terms of their contracts less, college coaches or nfl players? if you accept a contract extension and the huge lump some of cash that accompanies it the you have no right to complain about the salary that you agreed too. brown did not have to take the extension, he could have said no thanks and waited until his contract expired and then tested the free agent market but he didn't. every Eagles player knows that the team tries to extend contracts long before the expire and that several years later their salary will be below market. the players still sign the extensions and take the upfront money because they know that if they get hurt they may not have another big payday ahead of them. Brown made a decision and now he has to live with it. at least he didn't pull the old "I've got a family to feed" routine.— jbuck1979
Sheldon, if you want to get paid in current value, sign a one year contract each year based on the previous year's performance.— John621- I cant stand the Eagles management, but they are right on with both of these guys. Sheldon has a lot of b*lls pulling this stunt. He has four years left on a contract. To top it off, he isnt even great!! He is a very good cornerback that might be SLIGHTLY underpaid. Thats right SLIGHTLY!! I really believe that on the open market, he would only command a three to four million dollar salary. He is almost paid that right now. Sheldon, suck it up, you got the deal you wanted two years ago when you collected 7 million guaranteed plus your yearly salary. I am sorry that you now think that salary is not enough for you, but that is life. Guess what, I dont think I am paid what i'm worth either. Know what my boss would say if I tried to pull a Sheldon Brown on them. You guessed it.....Goodbye!!— yescadog
- Sheldon is a average corner he can tackle and hit better than he covers if he could made some stops in the nfc championship we would be in the bowl you are not # 22.— relljarrett
- Sheldon is a average corner he can tackle and hit better than he covers if he could made some stops in the nfc championship we would be in the bowl you are not # 22 believe that.— relljarrett
- An extension is different than redoing a contract in the middle of the terms...— palmyra21
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Donovan at times throws the ball behind and way ahead of his receivers, but all QBs do that at times. After being an Eagles fan for a long while now, I would not trade Donovan for anyone right now. Do you guys remember how long it took us to get a good QB?— Bigbadrookie
That's probably my favorite picture of Don (Knotts) and Andy (Griffith).— Richard Saunders
