| Apparently Michael Strahan doesn’t have a
very good memory. After last season, he said he was all about the team. He was terribly
disappointed with the Giants’ 7-9 record, despite his incredible personal performance
on defense. He said he had already earned a ton of money during his NFL career, and
indicated he would be willing to sacrifice a little bit if it would help the Giants boost
the talent on the roster. But Strahan is singing a different tune now.
The Pro Bowl defensive end spouted off this weekend, accusing the Giants of having no
commitment to winning. The Giants, you see, have been trying to get Strahan to sign a
contract extension that would lower his salary-cap figure for the 2002 season. He is
entering the final year of a four-year, $32 million deal that was signed in August 1999.
That deal included a $12 million signing bonus. His cap figure for next season is slated
to be a cumbersome $12.25 million.
By lowering his cap figure, the Giants would have more room to be active in the
free-agent market, something that Strahan was hoping for. But Strahan has made it
impossible for the Giants to do so with his ridiculous demands.
Despite noting on previous occasions that he is a very wealthy man, Strahan is seeking
to break the bank once again. The Giants had offered a seven-year, $56 million deal that
included a $17 million split signing bonus — meaning he would get $10 million
immediately and another $7 million next year. Sounds pretty good to me.
But it didn’t impress Strahan. He is seeking $33 million in guaranteed money. The
Giants have countered, offering $20 million guaranteed in a new contract.
It’s ludicrous, I say. Both sides are out of whack here. Strahan is probably the
best defensive player in football. He deserves to be paid very handsomely. But to seek $33
million in guaranteed money is stupid, selfish and unrealistic. He says it’s all
about the team. Well, he would ruin the team if he got that kind of cash. The team would
eventually find itself with serious salary-cap problems down the road, especially since
Strahan would likely not be able to play out the length of the deal.
From the Giants' perspective, guaranteeing $20 million to a player who will be 31 years
old next November is risky. Who knows when the motor is going to slow down? When is
Strahan going to lose a step? Remember, OLB Jessie Armstead was clamoring for a big
extension not long ago, but the Giants held off. They were smart to do so, as Armstead saw
his level of play fall last season.
Strahan is so frustrated with his lack of a new contract that he has threatened that
2002 will be his final season with the Giants. He doesn’t want to play for a team
that is not committed to winning, he said. Well, not so fast, Michael. You may think you
will play out the final year of your deal and then move on after becoming an unrestricted
free agent.
But you won’t. Not a chance. You would be wise to ask for a pen and sign that
dotted line on the contract that will guarantee you $20 million. Because if you
don’t, and the Giants can handle your huge cap figure for this year — which they
seemingly can, at the moment — you will be stuck next offseason. Have you ever
heard of the franchise tag? I know the Giants are aware of it. You should be, too.
Not only could your choice of freedom be taken away, but you could take a hit
financially as well. When you are franchised, you get no signing bonus. You are simply
guaranteed the average of the top five salaries at your position. That will probably come
to about $5.5 million to $6 million next year.
It’s time to quit your complaining and posturing. The average fan is going to find
it hard to sympathize with a guy who has earned an average of $8 million a year over the
past four seasons.
If you truly want to be a team player, then sign a deal that won’t cripple the
team. |
