Shocker: Ty Law wants out of NE

[Desnudo]

Who could believe this could happen? :rolleyes:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2004/03/13/cornerback_again_proves_to_be_a_money_player/

[MikeVic]

That's a pretty long URL...

[Tekneek]

"it's a new cornerback market right now, and I need to be at the top of that, too. You can't sit there and name no other corner in the game that's got the credentials that I got right now, and the championships to go along with it."

"I'm Coca-Cola," he said. "I'm Microsoft. You know what you're going to get. Yeah, it's going to have its ups and downs, but I'm steady. And I'm the best. I'm just like that good ol' stock that you can depend on. I ain't that type, like Enron, to sit there and blow up, and next thing you know, you're bankrupt."

Yep, this guy is a smart one. Go Patriots.

[The_herd]

From ESPN


ESPN.com news services

The "bridge is burned." All-Pro cornerback Ty Law does not want to play another game for the Patriots.

Citing "irreconcilable differences," Law said he has told Patriots coach Bill Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli his desire to play somewhere else after being "lied to" about their intentions, according to the Boston Globe.

"Right now, it's not about money," Law told the Globe this week. "That bridge is burned. I no longer want to be a Patriot. I can't even see myself putting on that uniform again, that's how bad I feel about playing here."

Law is under contract with the Pats for two more seasons, and wants an extension that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He is due to earn $6.15 million in salary and a $1 million reporting bonus this year, and $8.75 million in salary plus another $1 million reporting bonus next season.

He has asked the Pats to allow him to buy out his contract. They have declined, according to the Globe.

Last month Law called the Patriots' four-year, $26 million offer "an insult" and "a slap in the face." Law told the Globe this week that he thought negotiations would continue, but the team told him they would carry Law's $10 million salary cap figure into next season.

"They told me they didn't want to insult Ty anymore, so they're not going to submit any more offers," Carl Poston, Law's agent, told the Globe.

When Poston made the Pats a seven-year, $63 million counteroffer that included $20 million to sign and $28 million over the first three years, Pioli reportedly responded with something to effect of "We can't do that. Save the paper."

"They told me one thing and did another," Law told the Globe. "They said we were going to talk. All of a sudden, negotiations are off. 'We're just going to keep it the way it is for this year.' No. It ain't going to be 'for this year.' I don't want no 'just for this year.' I don't want no years at all. Actually, I don't want a contract extension anymore because I no longer want to be a New England Patriot. I'm drop-dead serious about not wanting to be a part of this organization anymore."

This is not the first time Law has asked to be let go. Law told the Globe he asked Belichick to place him on the 2002 expansion list, which was due days after the Pats' Super Bowl XXXVI victory.

Trading Law or releasing him before June 1 would come with a cap hit of $5.4 million, or the remaining prorated portion of his signing bonus. If the Patriots cut him after June 1, the cap hit this year would be $2.7 million, and the $2.7 million acceleration would be applied to the 2005 cap.

"I can't do a thing about it but express my displeasure about playing for this organization," Law told the Globe. "I'll go to training camp. I've got bonuses for going to training camp. I'm just saying it won't be a comfortable working atmosphere. It's not a reason to hold out. I get $1 million just to show up. Who wouldn't show up for $1 million? The money ain't the thing, because I have that. Then again, I'm not going to sit here and say I don't want $7 million, either. That's stupid. Hell, we all gotta eat.

"I'll go out there and play my game. I'm not saying I'm going to be the best guy to be around or your favorite guy to talk to. But I'm not going to hurt my teammates and I'm not going to hurt myself. I'm going to go out there and play football, because if you want to pay $7 million to a guy that really doesn't want to be here, OK, this is business. Fine. You don't have to like your boss to work and do your job well."

The Patriots' offer essentially would guarantee Law $15.6 million over the next two years ($6.6 million bonus, salaries of $4 million this year and $5 million next year), according to the Globe. His current contract calls for him to earn $16.9 million over the next two seasons.

"I would be a fool to take less than what I already make," Law told the newspaper. "So you're telling me, if I make $17 million over the next two years, if I'm a Patriot, I'm going to accept $15.6 million? That's a pay cut. I said it a thousand times, I'm not taking no pay cut. No. ... If this is a business and you can't afford to pay me what I deserve to be paid, that's fine. I have no problem with that. But let me go out there and earn the salary that I deserve and let me get the commitment from another team because I deserve more than just a one-year deal."

Some of my favorite lines:

Right now, it's not about money

I'll go to training camp. I've got bonuses for going to training camp.

The money ain't the thing, because I have that. Then again, I'm not going to sit here and say I don't want $7 million, either. That's stupid. Hell, we all gotta eat.

[Tekneek]

We all gotta eat. Somehow I managed to put on weight with far less than $7 million to work with.

[JeeberD]

I eat plenty well just making $2.13 an hour plus tips. I think he could eat just fine on his current contract... :rolleyes:

[The Afoci]

I eat plenty well just making $2.13 an hour plus tips. I think he could eat just fine on his current contract... :rolleyes:

I didn't realize you had the talent to be in the NFL making that kind of money, but decided to do what your doing instead. That is mighty noble of you.

And for those that don't seem to catch on, the new contract they offered him was a decrease in pay over the next two years, and since he is 30, that probably isn't what he should do.

[Tekneek]

We're talking about his choice of rhetoric that he is spewing, and not about the details in the contract.

[damnMikeBrown]

Congratulations Ty Law! You have sucessfully parlayed your off-season success and steady regular season play into the newly inagurated "Asshat Club"

Founding members include, but are not limited to:
Dillon, Owens, Me-Shawn, that idiot DT in Denver, and well, any other class of the no-class guys in the NFL

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Trade 'em to de Cardinals. Harr...

[JAG]

It's a good thing for his sake that he's better at covering receivers than he is with PR.

[-Mojo Jojo-]

Trade 'em to de Cardinals. Harr...

But not until after you change his position to kicker. :p

[Abe Sargent]

I didn't realize you had the talent to be in the NFL making that kind of money, but decided to do what your doing instead. That is mighty noble of you.

And for those that don't seem to catch on, the new contract they offered him was a decrease in pay over the next two years, and since he is 30, that probably isn't what he should do.


Not really, the article said that he was guaranteed 15.6 in the Patriots deal- offered 15.6 million in guaranteed money, he is set to make 14.9 in salary and 2 mill in bonus over that same span with his current contract. He makes 1.3 million less only if he is still playing for the Pats. As a 30 year old player, it's time to start hitting the guaranteed money, not the figurative salary.

The problem with being 30 is that you might play 8 more years or three more years - you never know how age will affect your play. Wise men take the guaranteed dollars now.


-Anxiety

[The Afoci]

The Patriots' offer essentially would guarantee Law $15.6 million over the next two years ($6.6 million bonus, salaries of $4 million this year and $5 million next year), according to the Globe. His current contract calls for him to earn $16.9 million over the next two seasons.

Now unless I misread what you wrote, I think you were suggesting that he new contract was worth more. The Patriots aren't going to cut him, and he said he would play at his current salary. The problem he had, is that after having a great season, they want him to take a pay cut. That is a slap in the face. He also suggests that team officials may have lead him to believe that he would be recieiving a raise.

[Balldog]

And to think he WAS my favorite player on my favorite team.

[jeff061]

He's trying to play himself off as the victim. I think he may have underestimated Belicheck's standing with the fans of New England.

He'll still be playing for the Pats this coming year, and he'll still bust his ass, else he'll lose his pay day.

[Abe Sargent]

Now unless I misread what you wrote, I think you were suggesting that he new contract was worth more. The Patriots aren't going to cut him, and he said he would play at his current salary. The problem he had, is that after having a great season, they want him to take a pay cut. That is a slap in the face. He also suggests that team officials may have lead him to believe that he would be recieiving a raise.


Right, that's what I said. -1.3 million over two years, but guaranteed. Contracts are worth the value of the guaranteed money, typically, in the NFL, not the overblown and overly reported higher figures. If the Patriots pay Ty this year' on his previous contract, do you think that they'll pay him for next year as well off it? His salary cap hit this year in 10 million - next year it will be even more. If the Pats cut hi, before his reporting bonus would be due, they'd not have to pay a single cent of the following year's contract. Why wouldn't Ty want the guaranteed money now.

Additionally, it's importnat to note that was the Patriots initial offer. I'm sure that would be higher. It's just they were so far apart in their offers that no business has been done. I'm confident that Ty could have gotten more than he currenctly makes for the following two years. He just went publec and ccused the Pats of "slapping him in the face" with a deal that, quite a frankly, a lot of older veterans do, and they don't consider it an insult. Instead of negiotiating, he offers a counter proposal that is, let's be honest, completely crazy for a 30 year old player.

-Anxiety

[jeff061]

After Champ Bailey signed everyone knew Ty was not going to get what he wanted, including the Pats. So what do the Patriots do? They don't bother giving him more offers that he'll turn down(which he would complain to the media about), and he cries. He'll go somewhere else and make a ton of money. The Pats on the otherhand will have enough money to work with to stay competitive for years, unlike, say, the Colts.

[gstelmack]

The thing is, at age 30, how much longer will he be a top corner? He's making a ton of money right now. New England doesn't want to pay a ton of money to keep him past his prime. Will he still be a top corner in 2 years? Hard to say, as was mentioned in the article. Hate to give him a $20mil bonus and have him tank in a year.

[Buccaneer]

Congratulations Ty Law! You have sucessfully parlayed your off-season success and steady regular season play into the newly inagurated "Asshat Club"

Founding members include, but are not limited to:
Dillon, Owens, Me-Shawn, that idiot DT in Denver, and well, any other class of the no-class guys in the NFL
Yep and this isn't the first time he pulled this whining crybaby stunt.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't know the organization's side of the story, but if Ty Law's statements about the negotiations are true, then I agree with him. If they're not true, then I have no opinion.

[jeff061]

From what i got out of the whole mess the following happened:

Pioli and Belicheck told Ty Law they were going to make a serious effort to go after him, Ty believed them.
They offered Ty a joke of a contract, and pissed him off.
They said, screw this, we are never going to be able to offer him something to make him happy so we are stopping negotiations
Ty Law throws latest hissy fit.

And if they continued negotiations, Ty would of thrown tantrums. In the era of the cap offering huge long term contracts doesn't make sense to a team try to stay competitive on a yearly basis, rather than every 4 years.

[Desnudo]

From what i got out of the whole mess the following happened:

Pioli and Belicheck told Ty Law they were going to make a serious effort to go after him, Ty believed them.
They offered Ty a joke of a contract, and pissed him off.
They said, screw this, we are never going to be able to offer him something to make him happy so we are stopping negotiations
Ty Law throws latest hissy fit.

And if they continued negotiations, Ty would of thrown tantrums. In the era of the cap offering huge long term contracts doesn't make sense to a team try to stay competitive on a yearly basis, rather than every 4 years.

Add in that the counter offer made by Law's agent was so ridiculous that it was obvious there was no way they would meet somewhere in the middle.

[Crapshoot]

Now unless I misread what you wrote, I think you were suggesting that he new contract was worth more. The Patriots aren't going to cut him, and he said he would play at his current salary. The problem he had, is that after having a great season, they want him to take a pay cut. That is a slap in the face. He also suggests that team officials may have lead him to believe that he would be recieiving a raise.

exactly. would anyone here view a paycut offer as anything else ?

[Crapshoot]

Right, that's what I said. -1.3 million over two years, but guaranteed. Contracts are worth the value of the guaranteed money, typically, in the NFL, not the overblown and overly reported higher figures. If the Patriots pay Ty this year' on his previous contract, do you think that they'll pay him for next year as well off it? His salary cap hit this year in 10 million - next year it will be even more. If the Pats cut hi, before his reporting bonus would be due, they'd not have to pay a single cent of the following year's contract. Why wouldn't Ty want the guaranteed money now.

Additionally, it's importnat to note that was the Patriots initial offer. I'm sure that would be higher. It's just they were so far apart in their offers that no business has been done. I'm confident that Ty could have gotten more than he currenctly makes for the following two years. He just went publec and ccused the Pats of "slapping him in the face" with a deal that, quite a frankly, a lot of older veterans do, and they don't consider it an insult. Instead of negiotiating, he offers a counter proposal that is, let's be honest, completely crazy for a 30 year old player.

-Anxiety

wait - the patriots offered a lower bonus then jason webster got, and you're calling law's demands crazy ?

[jeff061]

If Ty Law were a free agent right now he would get what he's asking for, and thats where he is coming from.

Doesn't mean i think the pats should pay him that.

[Desnudo]

But he ain't so he won't. I'm not sure what the aim of the Patriots was in any case since he is signed for two more years. Even the second year looks better than it did at the end of the season. They had to have known what his personality was like and what his response would be.

[Anthony]

if i read it correctly their new offer was a paycut, but for millons of more guaranteed money. i'd take a $2million paycut to have my contract guaranteed.

in any event, the Pats know what they're doing, so i have every confidence that for whatever reason they lowballed him and soone thereafter cut off negotiations it was done for a reason.

[Desnudo]

if i read it correctly their new offer was a paycut, but for millons of more guaranteed money. i'd take a $2million paycut to have my contract guaranteed.

in any event, the Pats know what they're doing, so i have every confidence that for whatever reason they lowballed him and soone thereafter cut off negotiations it was done for a reason.

In retrospect I think the plan was/is to take a shot with a low offer on the one in a million chance he'd accept and then cut him or trade him after next season.

[rkmsuf]

What a dork. This guy is so emotional he should become a wrestler. Listen to his ramblings...none of it makes any sense at all.

A read a good point today and agree based on past episodes with Law. He just talks and can't shut up. Once he gets talking he just rambles on and on...

[gstelmack]

I'm not sure what the aim of the Patriots was in any case since he is signed for two more years.
The talk here was about an extension as I understand it. New England wanted to both lower his cap number and keep him around a few more years, which would have resulted in a technical "pay cut" this season (despite the bonus money he's already received and the bonush money he'd get with the new deal). New England doesn't want to throw huge sums of money at a player who is currently at his peak and will likely start going down hill in a season or two. They think he's worth the current amount for the next two seasons (else he'd be gone), but they don't think he'll be worth that amount in 3 or 4 seasons. Ty Law disagrees. Time will tell.

I'm annoyed that Ty Law won't see that New England isn't about to mortgage their team's future on the off chance he'll play at this level for 4 more seasons...

[Samdari]

And for those that don't seem to catch on, the new contract they offered him was a decrease in pay over the next two years, and since he is 30, that probably isn't what he should do.

I agree with Ty (and apparently you) that asking him to take a pay cut for the next two seasons is ridiculous. But, he should not (a) say its not about the money. we know its about the money, Ty, and we're ok with it, or (b) have the phrases "I want to make $7 million a year" and "a guy's gotta eat" in the same sentence.

[SFL Cat]

Two words, Ty baby...Lawyer Milloy.