Dude, why is our GM Mike Tannenbaum driving out to a diner in the middle of nowhere to negotiate the biggest contract in the history of our franchise? Why does this process have to be so dramatized? It looked like Mr T was heading for a show down with Tony Soprano on this weeks episode of 'Hard Knocks'. They can't just meet in an office once or twice a week and try to find an acceptable middle ground?
I, for one, could care less what happens with #24's contract. The Jets have offered him a massive 10 year extension. They have said publicly that they feel he is the best defender in the league and want him to be a Jet for life. If you team treats you this way and puts a contract of over 100 million on the table, and your advisors tell you it's not good enough, it may be time to hire some new people. He is in a dream scenario and now he has painted himself into a corner.
The Jets have all of the bargaining power here. They have a probowler in Cromartie and a first round pick with Kyle Wilson. Dwight Lowery can be an excellent nickel back. We are simply not going to tare up the last 3 years of his deal and give him a big one year pay day, even if it is a cap-less season. We are not going to offer anymore money. Everyone keeps referring to a similar situation with Emmit Smith back in the mid 90's. The Cowboys wouldn't budge and after a 0-2 start they blinked and paid the newest member of the Hall of Fame.
If Jerry Jones would have been as deep at running back as we are at defensive back Smith would have never held out in the first place. Revis doesn't have a leg to stand on here. To sit out an entire year in your prime is ridiculous. He will force the Jets into a trade next year, and who is going to pay a player with this type of baggage 16 million a year for 10 years?
He plays a position that relies on speed and quickness to excel, and a fraction of a second makes all the difference. He can only play at a high level for a maximum of 10 years (ask Champ Bailey). He is already 3 years into his career and if he sits out this season he will be near the halfway point of his career and looking for a 10 year deal somewhere else. He is under contract for 3 more seasons.
If I were Mr T I would make it clear to his agents that the 10 year 120 million dollar offer is on the table for 7 more days. If he doesn't sign it they won't revisit it until next offseason. That means he will be stuck with only 1 million if he plays and nothing is he sits out. He can't leave and make money anywhere else. He has no power what so ever, and his greedy agents are holding his career and reputation hostage. Time to wake up #24 and come to your senses. Sitting home and watching the Jets win the Superbowl will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in history.
If I have to guess, I would expect him to sit out until maybe October. Once the trading deadline expires he will probably show up. He will get his huge deal and we will move on from there. This is all business and no one should take it personal. However, it's hard as a fan to look at this guy the same when he is holding our season hostage for the second time in 3 years. The contract he is so dissatisfied with is the one he fought so hard for his rookie year.
I won't hold it against him as long as he is in uniform ready to go on the first Monday night vs. the Ravens. If he doesn't show up for that one I will have no use for my #24 jersey anymore. Posturing during the offseason is one thing. Not showing up once the games count is unacceptable and Jets fans shouldn't forgive.
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