The Locker Room - Freeze-Frame Radio

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

The Locker Room

WFTR · Prophet of the Posts

Not a rat's rip. A contract is supposed to be the binding agreement, and the person lives up to or exceeds that contract. In sports these days it is reversed. The athlete is the thing and a contract better live up to him or her, making it totally relative. Why even have one? Make athletes live like the people buying the tickets. Your word is your bond, especially when it's in writing! It especially hard on this side of the feud, Dylan. Your team has at least put some quality on the field. We get to see these bozos get paid big bucks for playing pee-wee league!

I'm done.

-- Edited by WFTR at 14:52, 2005-05-31

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Wef, I couldnt agree more about your insights on contracts.

As far as bad football is concerned, believe me when I say I have seen enough 4-12 football to last a lifetime.

The only thing more painful than watching those trainwrecks is playing on one. I played on one team that went unvictorious all year.

WFTR · Prophet of the Posts

There's nothing like that feeling that comes over you when your team disintegrates slowly on the field. You hit that point in the game when you realize "There is no way we're getting out of this one!" Losing at the buzzer is much prefered (after not losing!) But hey, we live and learn. Now we hang out on the internet!

ray925 · Darth Raydar

I'm with you on contracts. They aren't worth the paper they're written on. It will only get better when the owners say no. Sit out all year. That's the athlete's loss.

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

There was only one player in all of sports that I can remember that signed a big contract and had a bad first year after signing it.

He offered to give some of the money back, and was killed that off season during a domestic quarrel.

That man's name was.......

LYmon Bostock...California Angels

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

I remember when the company I worked for decided to start a softball team. Everybody wanted me to be on it. I went to practice once, and I was a laughing stock. I thought everybody else was so good. Our team (minus me, I preferred to sit in the stands and cheer, I'm better at that) still finished last in the league, and there was a rule that if the other team got x points ahead, that the game was over. We finished a few games early that way.

WFTR · Prophet of the Posts

Which brings us to hockey (in response to Ray). The overwhelming response from the fans has been on the side of the owners. They are fessing-up and admitting that they let this problem grow and that it has to change if the sport is going to stay alive. Might be too late.

I don't know! I mean, how do you justify your cry-baby attitude when your flippin' grandkids are going to go to college on your money. How can millions per year not be enough? Man! Give me what you earn for one game, I'll go away happy!

Hey Mz! I've been slaughter-ruled. It stinks!

-- Edited by WFTR at 15:21, 2005-05-31

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Mz,

Playing because you enjoy it can sometimes be reward enough. Winning is nice, but for recreational sports...just nice to enjoy the cameraderie.

But, like Wef say, these guys are making millions, and have lost perspective on where the money comes from.

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Talk about contracts, value and hockey. Look at what happened to Eric Lindros. His father was his agent and demanded a new contract before the old one was complete and he had been hurt so much. He wouldn't accept a trade to anywhere except one team in Canada - and at the time they didn't want him. No deal could be reached on a trade so he ended up sitting out the whole season. He has not been the same player since then. I think the Flyers organization was right in their actions. They probably should have sued him for breach of contract. I can't wait to see what the Eagles will do with Terrell Owens. It will probably be the same thing. He has a contract, so play or don't get paid.

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Terrell is a great talent, but to quote an old cliche', there is no "I" in team. Only being 2 years in to a 7 year contract, His holdout shows what he thinks of his committment.

If he wanted to be paid commensurate with his abilities every year, he shouldnt have signed a long term deal. Bet he even has his signing bonus spent. All that up front money is guaranteed. That is like an interest free loan for unrendered services.

Javon Walker is doing the same thing in Green Bay...those guys even have the same agent.

ray925 · Darth Raydar

Sooner or later the goose (the fans) that laid the golden egg will get tired of paying the insane prices to watch.

When was the NFL strike? 1988? I remember the local unions joining their brothers in the NFL walking the picked line outside of the Colt offices. I had to laugh. First, these "union brothers" were having their pictures taken with the players and getting autographs. Second, I was thinking to myself when these "real" union guys go on strike how many of their NFL brothers will march with them. It was all a chance to get some autographs and a news story for a few days.

What is happening with the NHL will sooner or later happen to the rest of pro sports. I think the NHL players found out that with a few exceptions they weren't missed that much. Playing in the CHL, ECHL and overseas just isn't the same. I hope there's hockey this year but I think everyone found out that the world still goes around without it.

How long did it take Baseball to recover? It wasn't until Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record that the buzz returned. These guys need to realize a few million is enough to survive on.

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Ray, most of these guys would play for a heck of a lot less. There is a business side, but thes guys have been involved in their respective sport since they were 8 or 9...They play because they love it, and if they could make even a decent living, ie under a $100,000...they would.

Salary for these guys is just another form of competition, to kee score so to speak. When you factor in the agents etc, its like the sports version of health insurance...everyone wants their cut. INSANE!

WFTR · Prophet of the Posts

I realize it's a "pie in the sky" viewpoint, but for me it is what gets me so upset with the players. Even if you are THE BEST at your sport, in the end it's a game. When Micheal Jordan made that famous move and turned a slam-dunk into a lay up in the air, I cheered like crazy! And there was still disease, unrest in the Middle East, and bad breath. It's a GAME you guys! You get payed to play for a living, and all the fans ask is that you do it with class and style. We're willing to treat you like heros only if you act like them.

That opinion and $1.75 will buy you a Sunday Chicago Tribune. Well, in the end I do what any fan can do. Heck, the ONLY thing I can do! I don't go to the games much. I can't afford them.

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Dylan - You are absolutely right about TO. He actually only finished one year into his seven year deal. If he thought that he would be good enough over several years, then he should have negotiated a smaller contract now and the wanted more in three years. I think some of these guys want to be sure that they will be paid should their production fall off or they spend too much time hurt.

Everybody throughout every pro sport should be thankful that God gave them the athletic ability and that they were able to develop that talent and that they get to do what many of us wish we were able to do. Play sports everyday, just for the sake of playing and not sitting in a cube all day long. I think many of these guys forget that sometimes.

jstdve · CEO - The KOTO Co.

contracts nowadays have to many clauses, catch this many passes, hit this many homers etc. its turning sports away from "team" and driveing rite into "me ", i also think owners should sign players to a 3-4 yr. minnimum. its hard to root for the bears when they'll be lions next year and vice- verce . no loyalty to the team anymore , just me me me. thats the nice thing about raceing , when a driver leaves a team , 90%of the time its cause he was fired, 8% to drive the 28 for the wood brothers, 2 % retireing

CP · Lord of the Lair

I wish contracts meant something. It all comes down to the better lawyer and the loopholes. What may seem ironclad can still rust away with the attack of a good lawyer and sypathetic judges and juries. I sat on a Jury not too long ago. It was over a contract. I voted in favor of the employer. The employee still won, but I was deposed at a later date and got the verdict thrown out and a new trial. I was shocked as a juror what I heard in the Jury room. People are not interested in Justice, the facts or truth, only who can they stick it too or get revenge for and from. I originally tried to get off the Jury--but then thought, god forbid I ever have to sit in the chair of the plaintiff or defendat, how I hope someone would really listen to the facts. This jury I was on awarded they 10 million dollars. (Civil cases only need a 9 majority) Sorry, I will get off the soap box, but plead with you all if you are selected for a Jury--please serve and ask yourself what is right.

jstdve · CEO - The KOTO Co.

i think we should award a "soapbox " builder contract to dovetails , 1 box , 1 doughnut

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

JstDve,

You hit on something I've been saying for the past ten years, and that is that being a homer is now nothing more than being loyal to a uniform.

The players have absolutely no loyalty to the team that developed them, the team that stuck with them during their learning curve. All that matters is the money.

If I hear one more player say "I'm just trying to make sure I can take care of my family" as he's turning down a multi-year $40 million dollar contract I'm going to throw up.

Somechick · Chairwoman Of The Board

I love how players use that "just taking care of my family" line. Really now, if a million clams isn't enough for you, tough. Get over it. There are families with 2 and sometimes 3 incomes trying to make it. YOU"RE A FLIPPIN ATHLETE!! You're not the be all end all.

ray925 · Darth Raydar

Here I go on my Reggie Miller soapbox.

Reggie spent 18 years with the Pacers. Only John Stockton played more games with one team. Reggie made 6 million this year, less than he could have. He wanted to help the young guys get to the position that he could retire. He remained loyal and that's why the fieldhouse was in tears when he walked off the floor for the last time. I was working that game. I noticed the other players had a hard time looking at Reg they were tearing up and coach Carlisle's lower lip was quivering. I saw men women and children with tears in their eyes.

Loyalty goes both ways. Very few athletes get it, that's what makes them icons.

I'll step down now.

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Amen Brother

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Ray, its sad that more players dont spend their careers putting down roots in one community anymore.

In some cases, sports reflect real life though. As a player gets older and has the bigger contract, the team looks to replace that player with younger, cheaper talent. The big difference is that the "salary cap" in the real world is so much lower. Dont I know it!

JennyCat · Living Legend

I'm commenting on something i read on page one of this thread: Terrell Owens. once i was getting my nails done (i used to get fakes like 6 years ago) and Terrell was there at the nail place getting a pedicure. he fell asleep. it wasn't that nice of a place either. wierd huh? I used to live in the bay area--when he was a 49'r. those were the good old days. when the 49rs were good. i used to play the football pool every week and watch football and everything. now i'm not into any of it...

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Jen,

I cant tell you how funny that image is to me. On so many levels...

one, a big tough footbal player getting a pedicure.

secondly, I just picture the stereotypical guy's toenails and them having to use a belt sander with sparks flying all over the place.

And for the record, once a football fan always a football fan. You just need a renewed interest...may I suggest the Green Bay Packers? Done let Wftr talk you into rooting for those evil Chicago Bears.

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

A lot of the IU basketball players come into our spa for pedicures, so it's not as unusual as you may think. Remember, a pedicure is as much about foot health as it is about the nails. Try playing a basketball game (or football, soccer, etc.) with an ingrown toenail or something...

Dylan · Leader Of The Banned

Good point Mz.

Now what do I do about the belt sander image in my head?

MzHartz · Permanent Vacation

Don't ask me, you put it here!

WFTR · Prophet of the Posts

USE THE BELT SANDER TO SCRAPE THAT NASTY PACKER TALK OFF YOUR TOUNGE!

Jenny, you pull (bears) for whomever you want! (blackhawks) It is entirely up (cubs) to you. Don't be ('sconsin stinks) influenced.

(moo )

(batman )

ray925 · Darth Raydar

Jenny

I invite you to drive a little bit south on I-65 and place your football alliance with those loveable Indianapolis Colts. They're fun to watch. Plus in two to three years we'll have a brand new stadium complete with retractable roof and end zone panels. I'm sure it will be known as Peyton's Place.