Announcement

**-Jrabbit** · March 19, 2006, 11:15

Now we'll see if the Big Tuna can keep a team together and focused.

**SlowwHand** · March 19, 2006, 11:52

If he can't, no one can. He made a team guy out of Keyshawn, who may be back.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 19, 2006, 12:41

After signing TO, Keyshawn isn't coming back. I don't think Dallas could keep under the cap with both.

**Lord Avalon** · March 20, 2006, 13:43

NFL commissioner Tagliabue to retire in July
He got a new deal, now it's happy trails...

**-Jrabbit** · March 20, 2006, 14:14

Tagliabue will be available to serve in a senior executive/advisory role through May 31, 2008 once a new commissioner is selected.

Roger Goodell, the NFL's chief operating officer, and Atlanta general manager Rich McKay are the two leading candidates to succeed Tagliabue. Baltimore Ravens president Dick Cass is considered a dark horse.

**reismark** · March 20, 2006, 14:16

I think this is the first time in a long while (and a long while to come) that we'll be sad to see the commissioner of a major sports league go.

**Ming** · March 20, 2006, 15:43

He's the only one that knew what he was doing.

**-Jrabbit** · March 20, 2006, 16:20

He learned at the feet of the master -- Pete Rozelle.

**reismark** · March 20, 2006, 16:56

Originally posted by Lord Avalon
Edit: Dispute over clause in the offer sheet Minnesota signed Hutchinson to. Going to arbitration.

I believe the Seahawks just said, "checkmate".

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2377065

Short version of the story: Walter Jones has agreed to add an eighth, voidable year to his current deal, which would drive his annual base salary below that of any year's on Hutchinson's offer sheet (meaning that even if the arbitrator rules in favor of the Vikings, the Seahawks can now match the sheet without having to worry about the guarantor clause kicking in).

**Lord Avalon** · March 20, 2006, 17:01

Oh what a tangled web we weave....

Go, creative contracting!

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 20, 2006, 19:03

Originally posted by reismark

I believe the Seahawks just said, "checkmate".

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2377065

Short version of the story: Walter Jones has agreed to add an eighth, voidable year to his current deal, which would drive his annual base salary below that of any year's on Hutchinson's offer sheet (meaning that even if the arbitrator rules in favor of the Vikings, the Seahawks can now match the sheet without having to worry about the guarantor clause kicking in).

Don't think so:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtyVeETJQxmTTEo8nqmPA_w5nYcB?slug=ap-seahawks-hutchinson&prov=ap&type=lgns

Seattle loses hearing and now likely to lose Hutchinson
By GREGG BELL, AP Sports Writer
March 20, 2006

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seahawks must match the guarantee provision in the $49 million, seven-year deal offered to All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson by the Minnesota Vikings if the NFC champions want to keep their transition player.

An attorney for the NFL's players' union confirmed Monday that a special master ruled against Seattle, saying a provision guaranteeing all of the $49 million in an offer sheet Hutchinson signed with Minnesota should he not be the team's highest-paid offensive lineman is valid.

"The Seahawks lost," NFL Players Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen said Monday.

League spokesman Michael Signora said Monday evening that the Seahawks had until midnight (EST) Monday EST to match the Vikings offer or lose Hutchinson to Minnesota.

Berthelsen attended a two-hour hearing Monday morning in Philadelphia on the matter.

The Vikings' seven-year offer, which Hutchinson signed on March 12, included $16 million guaranteed. It would be the richest deal ever given to a guard. And Monday's ruling means it just got richer.

The Seahawks had argued Monday morning that because they have recently re-negotiated Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones' $54.5 million, seven-year contract by adding an eighth, voidable year, Jones' team-best lineman deal now has an annual value below that of Hutchinson's offer.

After the re-negotiation, Jones' annual base salary would dip to $6.81 million -- just below Hutchinson's $7 million annual average if Seattle matched Minnesota's offer. The Seahawks argued Monday morning, they should not have to guarantee the rest of Hutchinson's new deal.

Berthelsen said special master Stephen Burbank did not elaborate in his ruling.

But Berthelsen said the decision validated the NFLPA's stance that the conditions at the time Hutchinson signed the offer sheet with the Vikings are the conditions Seattle must match -- meaning Hutchinson wasn't the highest-paid Seahawks linemen then, so Seattle must guarantee all $49 million of the Vikings' deal to match it.

"They wanted to put in additional language to make it from any point from now until the end of the 2006 league year," Berthelsen said. "That is contrary to the intent of the wording that was in the contract.

"And the special master agreed."

The Seahawks did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

**Lord Avalon** · March 20, 2006, 19:14

D'oh. A poison pill, indeed. If Seahawks don't match, does Alexander's value as a FF player then go down?

T.O. to tell story of Philly troubles in new book.

NOT on my summer reading list.

**-Jrabbit** · March 20, 2006, 20:12

"Finally, the real T.O. story can be told," Simon & Schuster executive David Rosenthal said. "It's an important chapter in the long-term struggle for players' rights in the NFL."

"struggle for players rights"

Tell your story walking, A$$hole.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 21, 2006, 20:53

BEST. FREE. AGENT. SIGNING. EVER!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2378824

Unrestricted free agent Adam Vinatieri, who provided the winning field goals in two of the New England Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, has reached a contract agreement in principle with the Indianapolis Colts, ESPN.com has learned.

Falcons get Abraham (but I'm not all that pleased with the deal)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2378875

Atlanta sent its first-round choice, the 15th pick overall in this year's draft, to Denver for the Broncos' first-round choice, No. 29 overall. The Falcons also picked up a pair of middle-round selections, one each in the 2006 and 2007 drafts.

The Falcons then shipped the 29th pick acquired from Denver to the Jets in exchange for Abraham, a three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher who was also being sought by the Seattle Seahawks.

The extra picks are a 3rd round pick in 2006 and a 4th rounder in 2007.

The Falcons better sign Hopkins now, or else I think it's not that good of a move.

**SlowwHand** · March 21, 2006, 20:57

The Falcons better sign Hopkins now, or else I think it's not that good of a bad move.

Sounds like Yogi Berra.

Announcement

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL! - Hot Stove Edition

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment