Paper Tigers Demanding Bigger Bucks

Most of us sign a contract and expect that the other party will live up their end of the deal. It is also expected that the other party sees your signature and expects that you will adhere to the agreement in good faith.

These rules don't seem to play to a number of NFL players these days.

After the NFL draft, holdouts are common for these players who are looking to negotiate their first contract of their professional careers. This year, a number of high-profile players are making noise about holding out because the contract they signed a short time ago isn't good enough anymore.

The highest profile of these players is Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens. Owens lives by the credence that the only rules that apply to him are his rules.

Owens wanted out of San Francisco badly. He bad-mouthed his QB and coach and became such a problem that it was obvious that he needed to leave. The first part of this drama played out in the media as Owens' agent at the time apparently missed the deadline to file for free agency.

With this deadline missed, it looked as if the 49ers were in the driver's seat. They knew Owens wanted out, but the only way he could leave was with a trade that the team decided upon. The 49ers then worked out a deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

But wait, Owens' files a grievance with the NFL and examination of his contract reveals that Owens may have a different date to file for free agency than the rest of the world. How is that possible?

Apparently, it is plenty possible because the league, looking to avoid a very public and noisy fight between Owens and the rest of the NFL, brokered a deal that voided the trade between the 49ers and Ravens and sent Owens to Philadelphia, where he wanted to go in the first place.

So all ends happily ever after for Owens? No way. After playing one year under his seven-year $49 million deal, Owens wants more.

After setting Eagle records for touchdown receptions (14) and 100-yard games (7) Owens wants more. In February, Owens played in the Super Bowl after suffering what many, including doctors, thought to be a season-ending injury.

Owens came back and was arguably the best Eagle on the field in the three-point loss to the New England Patriots.

Instead of building on that reputation, Owens went back to his San Francisco days and started to trash other people, including his QB.

Owens made reference to Donovan McNabb being tired in the Super Bowl, touching off some verbal sparring the media between the two.

Owens doesn't have a whole bunch of allies. Eagle owner Jeff Lurie has said the team won't redo Owens contract and now McNabb has said that "...Without him (Owens), I still think we can do a lot of good things."

Owens isn't alone in his belief that a contract is one-way. Green Bay WR Javon Walker is also holding out until he gets a new deal.

Walker has two years left on his deal he signed in 2002 and after his 12 TD, 1,382-yard season and his first selection to the Pro Bowl, he wants more.

Something else that Walker has in common with Owens is that his QB also isn't impressed with his stance. QB Brett Favre has twice stated his opinion that, "Just because you have one good year, doesn't give you the right to hold out."

While Walker has said he respects Brett's opinion, you have to wonder what kind of relationship the two can have after such a public display. Former Packer Darren Sharper has already chided Favre in the media for speaking out against Walker.

Even in the desert, the WR holdout drama is playing out. Arizona Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin, unhappy with his current deal and the two years remaining skipped a mini-camp and organized team workouts.

The Cardinals have stated that they would like to rework Boldin's deal in order to recognize being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002.

Whether or not that was enough, Boldin has since decided to return to the team and participate in team activities.

It also cannot be coincidence that the same agent represents all three of these players.

While the same tactics are employed, some things are being forgotten. All teams in the NFL operate under a hard salary cap. When one player demands more, he takes money away from the team and reduces its ability to acquire more players and manage the effect the cap has on the roster.

Long-term, big-money deals are carefully constructed by teams in order that the team isn't crippled by the cap numbers.

Already this year, teams have shown that big free- agent spending is going to come second to prudent cap management. Several high-profile free agents have already found out that free agency isn't and more and more teams are looking to the Patriots and Eagles manner of managing rosters. That means some key blue-chip players and a number of role players who can play well enough to stay on the field but don't break the bank.

The next players who will experience cap management are the draft picks. Before any of these future NFL players want to holdout to get a better deal, they should look how proven players like Owens and Walker make out with their tactics.

Add to the education the process the players who have been given the "franchise" tag by their teams. Players like Indianapolis Colt RB Edgerrin James and Seattle Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander are looking for big deals and weren't able to sign with their teams. As a result, they have been named franchise players.

Other NFL teams can make an offer for them, but the price will be draft picks and some significant dollars. These players are still waiting for offers.

My advice to Owens and others is to look around and see what is happening around you. Teams understand that the team that doesn't manage the cap and continually pays the big contracts is a team that can never move forward in the salary cap era NFL.

And the next time you want more because you feel outperformed your deal, ask yourself how much money you are going to return when you underperform it.