TMC question - contracts and uncapped 2010

[Ike Kelly]

TMC,

I have noticed there are a lot of players, some of good quality, signing for short contract periods like 1 or 2 years, with the elite players getting these long multi-year contracts.

Is this indicative that the owners and players feel that the CBA is likely not to be resolved by 2010 and are waiting for the big money? I know Jerry Jones and Snyder would love that to happen, but it appears the league is slipping this by without any concern. I know it is probably by design with the way the last CBA ended (i.e. Ralph Wilson in the media and bad PR), but having a uncapped CBA will destroy the league.

Your comments?......

[TMC]

I realize that there is a lot of talk of an uncapped year coming, but if you think about it, who does that really help?

It would benefit a handful of players, most of which are being paid well now and would benefit a handful of owners, most of which are throwing money around now. But, it could hurt a much larger group of players, especially if it means some smaller market teams become glorified farm teams (like in baseball). As a total product, it benefits the NFL to maintain a status quo and it benefits the players, as a whole, to keep the cap, because they are getting paid well now.

IMO, I think it may be much ado about nothing.

As to why some of these guys are getting lesser contracts, well, I would bet that some are moving to teams that they desire to play for and may take a lesser deal to get there, some are also not drawing the interest they felt they would, and still some are not the caliber of player they and their agent felt they were......so teams are going about signing guys like they did in the past. Some teams, even though they have money, won't throw it away.

[McBane]

Is this the "Ask TMC" thread? If so, I have a question-

I keep reading how the Steelers "terminated the contract" of Cedric Wilson. Is there a difference between "terminating a contract" and just "cutting" them?

[MT~Forged]

I believe there will be moral clauses in a contract that lets the team off the hook for some things.

[TMC]

Is this the "Ask TMC" thread? If so, I have a question-

I keep reading how the Steelers "terminated the contract" of Cedric Wilson. Is there a difference between "terminating a contract" and just "cutting" them?

No difference. He was fired.....just like you or I if we do something dumb.

I bet they called his agent and said they were done.....and then worded it nicely for the press.

[FlaStGrad]

I can't remember if it was on ESPN or on NFL network, but they were talking about the league wanting to impose a better salary cap on the NFL draft that mimics the NBA's. This would, as they said, help the money go to veterans instead of rooks who have proved nothing.

I like this idea, but I would hate to be the first top oveall pick the year after it happens.