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Another Unhappy WR


Spartans91
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Why don't these guys only sign 1 year deals if they are going to be unhappy everytime another WR signs a new deal greater than theirs? Oh, because they want a big bonus and upfront money AND the power to demand more halfway through the deal!

 

From today's KC Star:

New deal wanted

Chiefs’ Kennison unhappy with contract and indicates he may leave camp if he can’t get raise or his release.

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

“I would hope the Chiefs would put me on waivers if they don’t want to step to the plate.” Eddie Kennison

 

 

Halfway through a six-year contract he signed in 2003, the Chiefs’ Eddie Kennison might have been able to live with the terms of the deal scheduled to pay him $2.1 million this season.

 

But offseason research by his agent, John Hamilton, showed Kennison to have the 45th-highest 2006 salary among the NFL’s 64 starting wide receivers. One of Kennison’s closest peers in terms of age and recent performance, Dallas’ Terry Glenn, recently received a lucrative contract extension.

 

Closer to home, the Chiefs just signed free-agent cornerback Ty Law to a five-year, $30 million deal.

 

Suddenly, Kennison’s contract isn’t as attractive, and this week he decided to do something about it.

 

Kennison said he would report to training camp with the Chiefs in time for the first practice Friday at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. But he also indicated he might leave camp at some point if the Chiefs don’t either give him a new contract with a raise or release him.

 

“I will cross that bridge when I get to it,” Kennison said. “I will go to camp and work as hard as I’ve been working. I won’t have any bitter or sour attitudes in camp. …

 

“But when I signed my last contract with the Chiefs, I think we all know that if I hadn’t performed to expectations, I wouldn’t be here anymore. Well, I played beyond those expectations. Now it’s time for them to step up and compensate me for my performance compared to the guys in my peer group.

 

“I would hope the Chiefs would put me on waivers if they don’t want to step to the plate.”

 

The loss of Kennison would be a huge blow to the Chiefs. Kennison, who had more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, is their only established wide receiver.

 

Samie Parker, the other starter, has shown promise — but between injuries and inconsistencies he hasn’t put together a full season. The other receivers are Dante Hall, whose value to the Chiefs has been as a kick-returner, and a collection of unproven younger players.

 

Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson did not respond to a request to answer questions on Kennison’s situation.

 

Kennison, who joined the Chiefs in 2001, is quietly becoming one of the franchise’s all-time receiving leaders. He ranks in the top 10 in virtually every major career receiving category. Only Kennison and Carlos Carson have put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

 

Kennison received about $6.6 million, including a signing bonus of $3.2 million, in the first three years of his current contract.

 

“The problem is that when Eddie signed that contract, the Chiefs had already paid Johnnie Morton to be their No. 1 receiver,” Hamilton said. “Eddie’s contract was not set up for him to be the No. 1 guy. It was set up for him to be the No. 2 guy. That deal is OK but not great with respect to a No. 2 receiver, but not a No. 1 receiver.”

 

Morton, a big-money free-agent addition in 2002, flopped and was released last year. Meanwhile, Kennison not only outplayed Morton, but his contract figures are being blown away in the current market.

 

For example, two players with inferior statistics to Kennison recently received exorbitant free-agent contracts. New England’s David Givens signed with Tennessee for $15.3 million over the next three seasons while Pittsburgh’s Antwaan Randle El signed with Washington for $11.2 million over the next two.

 

Kennison’s current contract calls for him to receive about $4.8 million over the next two seasons and $8.2 million over the next three. Kennison last season had more catches (68), yards (1,102) and touchdowns (five) than either Givens or Randle El.

 

“We can’t ignore what the marketplace has done,” Hamilton said.

 

The Chiefs might be hesitant to give big money to a 33-year-old wide receiver. If that’s their stance, it’s understandable. Kennison is at an age when players at his position tend to lose their skills rapidly.

 

“That is what they’ve told me is their concern,” Hamilton said. “But there are ways to give them some protection in case Eddie’s production falls way off.”

 

The Chiefs’ signing of the 32-year-old Law added to Kennison’s frustration

 

“I know Ty Law,” he said. “He’s a friend, and I’m excited he’s here. But, yeah, it’s a source of frustration. When you’ve been a part of an organization for some time, I think those guys in that organization need to be taken care of first.”

 

Kennison and Hamilton first contacted the Chiefs in the spring. Talks have been ongoing but fruitless.

 

Kennison initially thought about not reporting for camp. After discussions with his wife, Shimika, and Hamilton, Kennison decided against it.

 

His decision to report doesn’t necessarily mean he’s in it for the long haul.

 

“I have a responsibility to this organization and the 53 guys I dress with, so it came up quickly that I was not going to miss camp,” Kennison said. “I’m not a selfish, flashy kind of guy. I just want the world to know what’s going on with my situation.

 

“I love being a Kansas City Chief. I want to be here for the rest of my career. The Chiefs have not said they won’t take care of me. Carl has indicated to my agent they are willing to do something. We just need to get to a point where both parties are happy. Obviously, we’re not to that point yet, and I don’t think we’re even close.”

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Halfway through a six-year contract he signed in 2003, the Chiefs’ Eddie Kennison might have been able to live with the terms of the deal scheduled to pay him $2.1 million this season....

 

Kennison received about $6.6 million, including a signing bonus of $3.2 million, in the first three years of his current contract....

 

Kennison’s current contract calls for him to receive about $4.8 million over the next two seasons and $8.2 million over the next three. Kennison last season had more catches (68), yards (1,102) and touchdowns (five) than either Givens or Randle El.

 

So let me get this straight - Kennison quits on DEN within 24 hours of when he is supposed to start in a regular season game right smack in the middle of the season. He had made the rounds after a strong rookie season with STL, after which he never sustained enough performance for STL, NO, & CHI to keep him on their rosters as even a #4 or #5 WR, then the debacle in DEN.

 

Vermeil steps up to the plate, takes a gigantic chance on Kennison, and gives him, by the accounts above, a 6 year contract worth $14.8M, including a $3.2M signing bonus - which has apparently completely slipped his mind. And I'm absolutely positive that no one held a gun to Kennison's head and forced him to sign that 6 year contract.

 

Now he has the temerity to hold out & start making trade demand noises as he enters the twilight of his career? That takes balls of immense proportions, and ingratitude just as prominent.

 

No wonder regular Joes are so disgusted with pro athletes.

Edited by Bronco Billy
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KC Wr....I did not know they had WRs in KC....just thought it was LJ and Gonzo...who knew? Why didn't someone tell me they had WRs in KC......kinda like a three dollar bill...don't see much of them at all....

Edited by kryptonite
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What a tool!

 

I would be interseted to know how the Chiefs might deal with this situation. I know that the article metioned that the Chiefs president refused a comment for the press, and that they may be reluctant to offer a new deal to a 33 year old WR.

 

Any insight form the Chiefs homers out there? How have they reacted in the past to a player who demands to renegotiate in the middle of his contract?

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Yeah, these receivers want the best of both worlds. They want the long term deals so they get a big signing bonus and then they want to power to opt out of the deal after a couple years because other receivers are getting better deals. I don't know why any teams would sign receivers for more then 2 or 3 years anymore.

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“The problem is that when Eddie signed that contract, the Chiefs had already paid Johnnie Morton to be their No. 1 receiver,” Hamilton said. “Eddie’s contract was not set up for him to be the No. 1 guy. It was set up for him to be the No. 2 guy. That deal is OK but not great with respect to a No. 2 receiver, but not a No. 1 receiver.”

 

To help him feel better - they should sign a no. 1 wide reciever in front of him.

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Honestly sounds like Carl gave the big money contract to the wrong Receiver.

 

Say what you want about Kennison, but $2.2 million per year, is a freakin' bargain for a Teams #1 WR who has produced like he has. He is underpaid!

 

Unfortunately this is how the NFL works.

 

A player who under performs his contract for whatever reason, (injury, father time, or just plain suckiness) can be cut by the team anytime, regardless of how long the contract is actually stated to be in effect.

(NFL Player contracts are not guaranteed)

 

A player who outperforms his contract, has only 2 options.

#1) Ask the team for a renegotiation

and if that fails

#2) Holdout.

 

Just as an FYI, the CBA has particular language in it specifically covering player holdouts. The reason of course, is that it is the way the NFL is set up and is an accepted way of doing business.

 

I'm not saying who is right or wrong here...I'm just saying...

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:SIGH:

 

A player who under performs his contract for whatever reason, (injury, father time, or just plain suckiness) can be cut by the team anytime, regardless of how long the contract is actually stated to be in effect.

(NFL Player contracts are not guaranteed)

 

 

 

But the signing bonus portion of the contract is guaranteed money. That's the trade off for what is considered an equitable trade off of contract years by both parties at the time the contract is signed.

 

 

A player who outperforms his contract, has only 2 options.

#1) Ask the team for a renegotiation

and if that fails

#2) Holdout.

 

 

 

I know this never occurred to you, but there is a third option:

 

3) Honor the contract that he voluntarily signed.

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lol

 

Wow a WR acting like a mindless ###hole, there's something new. lmao @ a career 750/4 WR thinking he's worth some big new contract. I'd be surprised if he even got near his "whopping" 1100 yds from last year.

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:SIGH:

But the signing bonus portion of the contract is guaranteed money. That's the trade off for what is considered an equitable trade off of contract years by both parties at the time the contract is signed.

 

BB,

 

I (and I figure most others here as well) understand that the initial signing bonus is guaranteed. However, split bonuses over multiple years are not. Nor is the contract as a whole.

 

Regardless, we're specifically talking about Eddie Kennison here.

I know this never occurred to you, but there is a third option:

3) Honor the contract that he voluntarily signed.

 

Yes...there is always that third option.

 

As an aside, wouldn't it have been nice for McNair, if the Titans had honored the contract they voluntarily signed with him?

 

But getting back to the actual topic.

 

We're addressing a situation of a player who is underpaid and has now made it publicly known, that he is unhappy about it.

 

So, despite you telling me what I think, I gave the options that realistically apply to this particular situation and did not bother mentioning the 3rd option, which given the circumstances, obviously did not apply.

 

But thank you for trying to tell me what I think. :D

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As an aside, wouldn't it have been nice for McNair, if the Titans had honored the contract they voluntarily signed with him?

 

 

 

:sighagain:

 

TEN did honor the contract they signed with McNair. When players take the guaranteed money up front (the signing bonus), they know - per the contract agreement between the NFL & NFLPA that they are legally obligated to play for the team for a certain number of years, depending upon what the contract was for, and that the team can cut them - thereby not having to pay for any remaining year(s) salary on the contract, but also knowing that the team can not recover any of the signing bonus.

 

I don't understand what is so hard to understand, why it is so difficult to fathom that it is equitable for both sides, and what the legal obligations are on each side.

Edited by Bronco Billy
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:sighagain:

 

TEN did honor the contract they signed with McNair. When players take the guaranteed money up front (the signing bonus), they know - per the contract agreement between the NFL & NFLPA that they are legally obligated to play for the team for a certain number of years, depending upon what the contract was for, and that the team can cut them - thereby not having to pay for any remaining year(s) salary on the contract, but also knowing that the team can not recover any of the signing bonus.

 

I don't understand what is so hard to understand, why it is so difficult to fathom that it is equitable for both sides, and what the legal obligations are on each side.

 

well, it's perfectly legal and equitable for a player to hold out if he wishes as well. so what's your point? :D

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well, it's perfectly legal and equitable for a player to hold out if he wishes as well. so what's your point? :D

 

 

While a player may hold out per the labor agreement, the team also retains their rights during the hold out & can now fine players $14,000 per day missed, up significantly from past years. If a player holds out for an extended time, teams can also seek to recover a prorated portion of the signing bonus (since the player breached the contract by refusing to play).

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While a player may hold out per the labor agreement, the team also retains their rights during the hold out & can now fine players $14,000 per day missed, up significantly from past years. If a player holds out for an extended time, teams can also seek to recover a prorated portion of the signing bonus (since the player breached the contract by refusing to play).

 

good

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While a player may hold out per the labor agreement, the team also retains their rights during the hold out & can now fine players $14,000 per day missed, up significantly from past years. If a player holds out for an extended time, teams can also seek to recover a prorated portion of the signing bonus (since the player breached the contract by refusing to play).

 

yup. every player who holds out understands that. these contingencies are just as surely bargained into the contract terms as the possibility of the team cutting the player. yet you try and draw some sort of meaningful distinction between the two in terms of "honoring the terms of the contract". that's just dumb.

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:sighagain:

 

TEN did honor the contract they signed with McNair. When players take the guaranteed money up front (the signing bonus), they know - per the contract agreement between the NFL & NFLPA that they are legally obligated to play for the team for a certain number of years, depending upon what the contract was for, and that the team can cut them - thereby not having to pay for any remaining year(s) salary on the contract, but also knowing that the team can not recover any of the signing bonus.

 

I don't understand what is so hard to understand, why it is so difficult to fathom that it is equitable for both sides, and what the legal obligations are on each side.

You're taking this out of context BB.

 

You said this about Kennison;

:SIGH:

there is a third option:

 

3) Honor the contract that he voluntarily signed.

I said this about McNair; (without the :SIGH: though) :D

Wouldn't it have been nice for McNair, if the Titans had honored the contract they voluntarily signed with him?

I know that NFL player contracts are not guaranteed. I pointed that out before you ever popped in this thread and decided to drop some knowledge on us.

 

My point with the McNair quip, was simply an aside and you know it.

 

So quit being so obtuse.

Give yourself a break with the condescending :SIGHS:

Get off your high horse and join the rest of us, you NFL contract snob, you. :D

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