Patterson's agent plans to file grievance against Eagles
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Patterson's agent plans to file grievance against Eagles
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Mike Patterson's agent said that he planned to file a grievance through the NFL Players Association after the Eagles placed his client on the Non-Football Illness list on Wednesday.
"This is not how you treat people if you're a winning organization," Peter Schaffer said to The Inquirer.
Patterson will lose about $150,000 or 50 percent of his remaining salary, according to Schaffer.
Patterson contracted pneumonia last week and was hospitalized. He was home and resting as of Tuesday, according to team trainer Rick Burkholder.
Schaffer said that he spoke to Howie Roseman after he was informed of the move and told the Eagles general manager then that he planned to file a grievance because he believed the defensive tackle likely contracted the illness because of work.
"I think it's pretty clear that he got it at practice or at the NovaCare Complex," Schaffer said. "That's where he spends all his time. That's all he's doing is practicing and working out."
The Eagles released a statement Wednesday evening.
"Our number one priority is to get Mike Patterson well enough to get back on the football field," the Eagles said. "He has worked hard this year to get back and he has our full support as an organization."
Patterson's season is over. Players placed on Non-Football Illness lists must sit out for at least eight games. This is Patterson's second stint on the list this year. The Eagles placed him on it in late August as he recovered from January brain surgery to have an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) removed from his brain.
The Eagles reduced Patterson's pay 50 percent, as is their right, until he returned for the Nov. 5 game at New Orleans. He lost about $1 million, but was paid in full for the five games he played this season. Patterson finished the year with nine tackles and one sack.
Patterson, 29, is the Eagles' longest-tenured player. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 draft. The team is not expected to bring the eight-year veteran back next season. He has four years left on his contract.
"I told Howie this morning that if he could prove to be that Mike didn't get pneumonia at practice I wouldn't file a grievance," Schaffer said. "He said he couldn't."
Schaffer has had a long-standing relationship with the Eagles. He would have lunch with Roseman and former Eagles president Joe Banner every year at the Indianapolis scouting combine.
"I love Howie, but this is wrong and petty," Schaffer said. "To do this to one of your leaders and to a guy that fought back from brain surgery is just wrong."
The Eagles signed fullback/tight end Emil Igwenagu off the practice squad and to their 53-man roster to take Patterson's place. They also signed defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron to the practice squad.
Beyond shady. Truly unbelievable. After all this guy has been through? You NEVER here anything negative coming from Patterson and they treat him like he was running with the bulls. A truly embarrassing moment for this organization.— mx55- So much for the "kinder, gentler" Eagles.— scootch
- Really sad, and this man is suppose to be the one who leads the search for the next coach. Winter is coming....— DrSmoke
- The Eagles motto should be " when you're DOWN you're OUT" No mercy.— petite11bryant
- Wow...Joe Banner is alive and hiding inside Howie's BVD's.— nasjo
Wow, OK. This is will be just another reason to boo on Thursday more then I was planning on. That is disgusting. Even with opening up a roster spot you think Egil Egwakwounu (?) playing for three freaking weeks is going to make a difference for this team long term ? Is he going to become the next Antonio Gates ? This team is so stupid its now offensive. Patterson was one of the only guys on the team I actually liked. He doesnt get amazing stats on the field, but is a "glue" guy that keeps everyone together in the locker room. He is your longest tenurted player and has been nothing but solid on and off the field and this is how you repay him at the end ? TOILET STANDARD. LAST PLACE IN THE NFC, NOT ONLY CLUELESS BUT CLASSLESS. PLEASE SELL THE TEAM JEFEFREY AND GO BACK TO MAKING BAD MOVIES. THIS IS THE WORST I HAVE FELT ABOUT THE EAGLES IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I ENJOYED WATCHING 3-13 TEAMS BETTER THEN THIS NO HEART CLASSESS ORGANIZATION. SELL THE TEAM JEFF. JUST SELL IT AND STOP EMBARESSSING YOURSELF.- I can see them wanting to use the roster spotm but unless I am mistaken, they have the option to put Patterson on the illness list and NOT dock him pay if they want to.— hillbillybirdsfan
- 100% agree with RealizticFan - Pay Patterson, Howie.— furiousball
- penny wise, pound foolish.— bobcitydoc
- No chance that this grievance will succeed.
Patterson would have to prove that he contracted pneumonia at the practice facility.
There is literally NO WAY to prove (or disprove) that.
Good luck with that one!— makrom - "This is not how you treat people if you're a winning organization,"
Dear Peter,
We are not a winning organization.
Signed,
Howie The Football Jean-Yus— fmMD - Lurie is on the Fools Gold standard— TPMILLER
- I am kind of suprised by the tone of the responses... He has been close to 2 million dollars for playing 6 games. Patterson stuck with the Eagles? More like the Eagles stuck with him rather than releasing him. Patterson is a salaried employee. If I got sick like this and had to go on long term disability, I would only get half pay. Why should football players be any different? They get paid to play and if the reason they can not play has noting to do with a football injury, he should be put on "long term disability".— chris_r
- Howie "Nickels" Roseman— bc3030
- This isn't the NHL.....Honor the contract!!!— realitybedamned
