John Abraham

MTK · 01-13-2005, 08:25 AM

I can't believe nobody has brought this up yet, what do you guys think of Abraham not wanting to play because he doesn't want to ruin his shot at a lucrative free agent deal?

I wonder if he may be ruining his chances with some teams anyway. I'm sure some teams will look the other way no matter what, but could you see Gibbs wanting to bring in a guy like this?? No way.

Daseal · 01-13-2005, 08:31 AM

I could understand it last week since the injury was still fresh and he was worried about getting on it too quick (see LaVar Arrington) but if he's doing it again that's really shitty.

BossHog · 01-13-2005, 09:02 AM

So if he does get hurt...

gortiz · 01-13-2005, 09:17 AM

it has to be, Gibbs more so then alot of coaches is more about character then numbers and physical skills....I think Abraham is damaged goods upstairs and overall, headcase! stay away. We should have made a push for Wally O or Winstrom last year...

the portis trade kind of makes me a little curious, being he was somewhat of a locker room disturbance in Den, but he was only 22-23, so you can chalk up alot to age....but with Bettis, Staley, and a decent back like Amos Zeroue out there...Gibbs must have overlooked alot of Portis's petty stuff. Plus we wanted to ship Chump B.

FRPLG · 01-13-2005, 09:19 AM

I brought this up in another thread when someone mentioned abraham...not a skins type of guy.

memphisskin · 01-13-2005, 09:52 AM

Abraham was drafted by Parcells and seems to be a Parcells guy. I thought he'd be a good pickup for the Skins, but he strikes me a real me-first guy after sitting out the playoff game. The injury wasn't fresh because he sat out the last three or four games with it, a sprained knee.

Look some guys are warriors and will play regardless, I'd put LaVar in that mode because he was obviously pretty hurt this year. I mean he plays in two games, gets hurt, and then a slip on wet grass put him out for the rest of the year? Abraham is looking out for his career and I don't blame him for that, but to hang his teammates out to dry like that is wrong to me.

irish · 01-13-2005, 10:39 AM

Its Abraham's body, career, and money and nobody can decide what to do better that him. Teams, coaches, writers, and fans can talk all they want about playing hurt, for the team, etc. but none of those blowhards are going to pay his rent when he can play anymore. The teams& coaches only care about winning so if the players dont lookout for themselves, nobody will.

BossHog · 01-13-2005, 10:45 AM

I don't have a problem with Abraham's concerns of being injured. But, some things are better off not being said. Just as in Smoot's case. Sure, you're a hot commodity free agent. By all means try to sign the most lucrative contract out there, but don't be so obvious about it while trying to fool the fans on how much of a 'team' player you are.

PSUskinsfan11 · 01-13-2005, 11:09 AM

I hope we don;t go after him I think it wouldbe a waste of money. He is a Parcells guy and was drafted by him, and the Cowboys have a need at DE so I wouldn't be surprised if they go after him.

Gmanc711 · 01-13-2005, 11:21 AM

Last week, I understand. Even though as a football player, you're supposed to go out there , especially in the playoffs. This guy is selfish as hell to me. He has a chance to win a freaking superbowl ring.... but all he wants is the $$$. Hey, he wants what he wants, I wont get mad if thats what he wants. But the Jets are paying him to get his ass out there and help them win and he's not. If he dosent play this week, thats really messed up.

MTK · 01-13-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossHog

I don't have a problem with Abraham's concerns of being injured. But, some things are better off not being said. Just as in Smoot's case. Sure, you're a hot commodity free agent. By all means try to sign the most lucrative contract out there, but don't be so obvious about it while trying to fool the fans on how much of a 'team' player you are.

That's the view I have, I'm sure there are plenty of guys in the league that think the same exact thing, difference is they usually keep stuff like this to themselves.

If he's hurt then he's hurt, but if he's not badly injured and he is able to play and he's choosing to sit on the bench to collect on his fat payday and in the process hurting his team's chances to advance, I have a real problem with that.

irish · 01-13-2005, 12:22 PM

One important thing to keep in mind is there anre no guaranteed contracts in the nfl so when a player can cash a huge check he'd better do it.

Its easy for people that wont be facing the loss of their big payday to bust on a guy that is trying to protect himself so that he can get his. I dont blame these players one bit for protecting themselves and getting as much $ as they can because one wrong step or one play can mean an end to it all.

memphisskin · 01-13-2005, 01:05 PM

I agree it's his decision, and no one but him knows how hurt he really is. Me, I'd rather have a guy like Tom Nutten, the o-lineman for the Rams who is playing with a torn knee ligament.

Abraham can and will do as he pleases. The comment about him paying his rent is a bit over the top, because he's pulled down about 10 mil in his playing career already so I don't think rent is an issue. I think Abraham knows he's probably not coming back to the Jets next year, so his loyalty is to himself and not to this season. Tomorrow isn't promised, and while it's a bottom line business I'm sure that attitude isn't adding any money to his next contract, it's bound to cost him because he's establishing himself as a me first guy.

I think the one thing that Gibbs brought to this team was a toughness and a sense of team. We had a ton of guys playing hurt, LaVar came back when he could have easily said "No thanks, I don't want to risk next year." My opinion is probably worth about five cents less than the paper its printed on, but I don't see Abraham exhibiting any of the traits that Gibbs looks for in Redskins. Irish is right, it's his body, his career and his choice. But you only get so many shots to get to the Super Bowl, so to me for Abraham to sit out on this chance tells me that his goal is about him and not the team.

My only point is this, what if we were in the playoffs and one of our top guys (Portis, LaVar, Washington) sat out because he was worried about injuring himself and missing his free agent payday? Would we be so accepting and say it's his decision? And does Abraham play this week, or does he sit for fear of risking further injury?

MTK · 01-13-2005, 02:26 PM

If one of our guys was doing this to us I really don't think we would have the same take on the issue.

I can't see us saying well, it's his career and his livelihood, he needs to pay his rent, etc., LOL.

I think our heads would be exploding with anger!

Shane · 01-13-2005, 02:31 PM

When you have John Abraham on your team, you take the whole package. He's a great pass rusher, and he's going to sit to protect himself when injured, rather than taking the "hero" route and risking his career. I don't judge him for doing that, because that is the system that exists (free agency). He didn't make the system. He's not breaking any rules.

If he were on the Redskins, with such a strong team first culture, he very well may have made a different choice.

01-13-2005, 08:25 AM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	John Abraham I can't believe nobody has brought this up yet, what do you guys think of Abraham not wanting to play because he doesn't want to ruin his shot at a lucrative free agent deal? I wonder if he may be ruining his chances with some teams anyway. I'm sure some teams will look the other way no matter what, but could you see Gibbs wanting to bring in a guy like this?? No way.

01-13-2005, 11:21 AM	#10
Gmanc711 Thank You, Sean. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Age: 39 Posts: 7,506	Last week, I understand. Even though as a football player, you're supposed to go out there , especially in the playoffs. This guy is selfish as hell to me. He has a chance to win a freaking superbowl ring.... but all he wants is the $$$. Hey, he wants what he wants, I wont get mad if thats what he wants. But the Jets are paying him to get his ass out there and help them win and he's not. If he dosent play this week, thats really messed up. __________________ #21

01-13-2005, 08:31 AM	#2
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 42 Posts: 8,341	I could understand it last week since the injury was still fresh and he was worried about getting on it too quick (see LaVar Arrington) but if he's doing it again that's really shitty.

01-13-2005, 09:02 AM	#3
BossHog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Norfolk, Va Posts: 665	So if he does get hurt...

01-13-2005, 09:17 AM	#4
gortiz Special Teams Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 498	it has to be, Gibbs more so then alot of coaches is more about character then numbers and physical skills....I think Abraham is damaged goods upstairs and overall, headcase! stay away. We should have made a push for Wally O or Winstrom last year... the portis trade kind of makes me a little curious, being he was somewhat of a locker room disturbance in Den, but he was only 22-23, so you can chalk up alot to age....but with Bettis, Staley, and a decent back like Amos Zeroue out there...Gibbs must have overlooked alot of Portis's petty stuff. Plus we wanted to ship Chump B.

01-13-2005, 09:19 AM	#5
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	I brought this up in another thread when someone mentioned abraham...not a skins type of guy.

01-13-2005, 09:52 AM	#6
memphisskin Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 53 Posts: 960	Abraham was drafted by Parcells and seems to be a Parcells guy. I thought he'd be a good pickup for the Skins, but he strikes me a real me-first guy after sitting out the playoff game. The injury wasn't fresh because he sat out the last three or four games with it, a sprained knee. Look some guys are warriors and will play regardless, I'd put LaVar in that mode because he was obviously pretty hurt this year. I mean he plays in two games, gets hurt, and then a slip on wet grass put him out for the rest of the year? Abraham is looking out for his career and I don't blame him for that, but to hang his teammates out to dry like that is wrong to me.

01-13-2005, 10:39 AM	#7
irish Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,575	Its Abraham's body, career, and money and nobody can decide what to do better that him. Teams, coaches, writers, and fans can talk all they want about playing hurt, for the team, etc. but none of those blowhards are going to pay his rent when he can play anymore. The teams& coaches only care about winning so if the players dont lookout for themselves, nobody will.

01-13-2005, 10:45 AM	#8
BossHog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Norfolk, Va Posts: 665	I don't have a problem with Abraham's concerns of being injured. But, some things are better off not being said. Just as in Smoot's case. Sure, you're a hot commodity free agent. By all means try to sign the most lucrative contract out there, but don't be so obvious about it while trying to fool the fans on how much of a 'team' player you are.

01-13-2005, 11:09 AM	#9
PSUskinsfan11 Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: the port, PA Age: 40 Posts: 692	I hope we don;t go after him I think it wouldbe a waste of money. He is a Parcells guy and was drafted by him, and the Cowboys have a need at DE so I wouldn't be surprised if they go after him.

01-13-2005, 12:22 PM	#12
irish Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,575	One important thing to keep in mind is there anre no guaranteed contracts in the nfl so when a player can cash a huge check he'd better do it. Its easy for people that wont be facing the loss of their big payday to bust on a guy that is trying to protect himself so that he can get his. I dont blame these players one bit for protecting themselves and getting as much $ as they can because one wrong step or one play can mean an end to it all.

01-13-2005, 01:05 PM	#13
memphisskin Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 53 Posts: 960	I agree it's his decision, and no one but him knows how hurt he really is. Me, I'd rather have a guy like Tom Nutten, the o-lineman for the Rams who is playing with a torn knee ligament. Abraham can and will do as he pleases. The comment about him paying his rent is a bit over the top, because he's pulled down about 10 mil in his playing career already so I don't think rent is an issue. I think Abraham knows he's probably not coming back to the Jets next year, so his loyalty is to himself and not to this season. Tomorrow isn't promised, and while it's a bottom line business I'm sure that attitude isn't adding any money to his next contract, it's bound to cost him because he's establishing himself as a me first guy. I think the one thing that Gibbs brought to this team was a toughness and a sense of team. We had a ton of guys playing hurt, LaVar came back when he could have easily said "No thanks, I don't want to risk next year." My opinion is probably worth about five cents less than the paper its printed on, but I don't see Abraham exhibiting any of the traits that Gibbs looks for in Redskins. Irish is right, it's his body, his career and his choice. But you only get so many shots to get to the Super Bowl, so to me for Abraham to sit out on this chance tells me that his goal is about him and not the team. My only point is this, what if we were in the playoffs and one of our top guys (Portis, LaVar, Washington) sat out because he was worried about injuring himself and missing his free agent payday? Would we be so accepting and say it's his decision? And does Abraham play this week, or does he sit for fear of risking further injury?

01-13-2005, 02:26 PM	#14
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	If one of our guys was doing this to us I really don't think we would have the same take on the issue. I can't see us saying well, it's his career and his livelihood, he needs to pay his rent, etc., LOL. I think our heads would be exploding with anger!

01-13-2005, 02:31 PM	#15
Shane Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 277	When you have John Abraham on your team, you take the whole package. He's a great pass rusher, and he's going to sit to protect himself when injured, rather than taking the "hero" route and risking his career. I don't judge him for doing that, because that is the system that exists (free agency). He didn't make the system. He's not breaking any rules. If he were on the Redskins, with such a strong team first culture, he very well may have made a different choice.

John Abraham

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