Patterson's agent plans to file grievance against Eagles
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Patterson's agent plans to file grievance against Eagles
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.
Comment removed.- Patterson is a head case.
— Eddie Spaghetti - wow , this should sit well in the locker room...all this guy has been thru and your going to pull this for a lousy 150k ?? this organization is an absolute joke !!!— psmitty73
- I guess their thinking is they will have to save for next year seeing they will be paying two head coaches. One they hire and one they fire. Another black eye for the front office. This is what you get when you have an accountant instead of a general manager. Is it true next year they are installing pay toilets because they haven't figured out to put little tiny windmills on the ones they have now?— Pineapple Betafish
- Wow looks like Howie really is in charge and he might end up being more of a weasel than Banner.— section117
- The agent is wrong in thinking the burden of proof is on the Eagles, but it is the other way around. I'm ready to rip the Eagles for this because of all Patterson has been through but there may be deeper reasons for this that we are not aware of, possible liability and such.— Sidewinder7
- "This is not how you treat people if you're a winning organization"! Correctamundo......they are no longer a "winning organization" and also remember that they have an Accountant as the GM! Save that money Howie, I see a record coming in the 2013 Salary Cap! 2013 Salary Cap Champs again, yea baby!— cooperhawk
- If Chuck Pagano was head coach in Philly, they would dock his pay too
— DogfightingAficionado 
ANY ALL YOU PEOPLE KEEP PAYING FOR EAGLES TICKETS!!!
LoL...Eagles fans are such brainwashed fools.— Professor1982- Football won't be relevant in Philly for a couple of years. Until Lurie sells the team or gets rid of Howie.
- "For who, for what", it's all starting to make sence now.— Thelonius Monk
- Give him the money!— imustgoih82bl8
- Give the cash to Patterson....you have players on the field stealing money all over your secondary. Patterson had legitimate illness this year and has been a producer / leader for us. Taking the $ from the wrong player Howie. Start with DRC, Nnamdi, Coleman, Allen, Dunlap, Watkins..just to give you a few names.— RealizticFan
Hey Pete, the Iggles are not a winning organization.— HappyBob
