Full Blown Mutiny

[CrazyCanuck]

Some good points in here.

I will disagree with the double-standard issue. These are the rules as set in the CBA. The CBA is an agreement made between the owners and the players' union, so the players understood the ramifications and agreed to it.

So I do disagree with Coles' decision and I don't really sympathize with him. When he signed his Skins deal he knew the following:

- He was signed for 7 years and expected to play every year unless the team cut or traded him.
- He knew his yearly salaries would never be guaranteed and he could always be cut by his employer.
- In exchange for this lack of security, the Skins agreed to pay Coles a $13M signing bonus up front. This gives Coles cash in his pocket in case he does get cut. Also with the cap rules, when there is a big signing bonus, it comes with its own "implied" security. We see that now with Coles. Even if the Skins want to cut him they can't really cuz of the deadcap.

He was fine with all this, but now he's changed his tune. If he was so worried about losing Spurrier he should have put a stipulation in his contract. Did he expect Spurrier to be here for a full 7 years? I doubt it. So I guess his attitude was - I'll take this deal (and the money) now, and if they ever change coaches on me I'll just whine and demand to be released.

I don't really sympathize with the "unhappy NFL player". They have as many rights as we regular workers do.
Is my salary guaranteed every year? No.
Can I be cut at any time? Yes.
Did I get a signing bonus? No.
If I tell my boss I'm unhappy and want to be transferred to another company (at a steep cost to him), do you think he'll oblige? No.

So cry me a river Lav. I think we should keep you and you can sit next to Brunell on the bench all year and count your money.