 |
| WTF guys??? WTF??? |
In an economic climate that isn't to be trusted, in an America that doesn't know if it's headed for a recovery or a depression, no one sheds sympathy for thick-skulled, well-compensated football players. These men should appreciate what they have and show up for training camp in shape and in love with their lives. Two in particular might want to realize today what we're thinking about them.
Darrelle Revis? I'm thinking you're a selfish baby who just interrupted the unthinkable -- a possible season-long J-E-T-S toga party, which could be one of the great stories ever in New York sports -- with a contract holdout and unnecessary camp no-show.
And Albert Haynesworth? I'm laughing out loud, big guy, amazed and thrilled that your new coach is picking on you and humiliating you because you aren't in playing shape, the least a professional can do for his $100 million contract and recent $21 million bonus.
Here are the Jets, the buzz of the NFL, selected by HBO to star in the "Hard Knocks" reality series and raising expectations to levels not experienced since the Joe Willie Namath days. And there is Revis, their All-Pro cornerback, spiking the green Kool-Aid when he blew off the first mandatory team meeting Sunday night, officially prioritizing his contract situation over team goals. He's forfeiting collective guarantees of $20 million for 2011 and 2012, meaning his vanishing act could last for quite some time and putting a downer in the preseason frenzy that suggests the Jets will win a Super Bowl in the same season they debut in a new stadium.
Never mind that other Jets players seeking new deals were in camp. "We decided it would be best for me to be in camp," All-Pro center Nick Mangold said. "That's the decision we made, and we're moving forward."
Revis would prefer to be a drama queen, choosing the wrong time to walk out when the Jets have made aggressive efforts in recent days to narrow the negotiating gap. General manager Mike Tannenbaum said he offered long-term and short-term extensions, offering to meet with Revis at his home and prepared to make him "a Jet for life." He was rejected on all three counts, with Revis' agent piling on with fighting words to ESPN.com.
"Darrelle Revis' actions will speak louder than words. And his absence will be deafening," said Neil Schwartz, who said Revis won't report without a new deal.
So much for a happy spin for the first HBO show, such as coach Rex Ryan's sense of humor or quarterback Mark Sanchez's charisma with the ladies. Revis vs. the front office is Job One for the media, not the way the Jets wants to start what they hope is a memorable season.
"He's a great player, the best corner I've ever been around. So, certainly, I'm disappointed. I really thought, in my heart, he would be signed by now and we wouldn't be having these conversations. He decided not to be here."
-- Rex Ryan
Why must Revis be a party-pooper? That's the issue. No one questions that he's the league's best cornerback, expertly shutting down premier receivers and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year balloting. No one doubts that he eventually should be paid as such, with Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha currently pulling down the best cheese with a guaranteed $28.5 million the next two seasons as part of a three-year, $45.3 million extension. But Asomugha signed the deal in the 2009 offseason, before his seventh season in the league and before the NFL and the Players Association entered a danger zone involving a possible labor impasse next year. Revis has played just three years and is caught in the unfortunate web of lockout talk.
So rather than be a good soldier, join his teammates, continue the negotiations and do his part to make this season a joyride, Revis walked away. This comes after admitting he faked it in minicamp, pretending to be light-headed and sitting out plays because he was upset about his contract situation. "There is a fundamental disagreement on total compensation," Tannenbaum said. "The lines of communication are open and we remain committed to finding a solution that makes sense for him and makes sense for us. The two things that we've all agreed upon is that Darrelle has outplayed his contract and it needed to be addressed, and he has three years to go on his contract."
Exactly. Unlike Asomugha, Revis isn't near the end of his original rookie deal. If the Jets were stonewalling him and treating him like lint, the holdout might be understandable. But these are smart executives who thoroughly grasp his vital importance and want to make a lasting deal with him. They were hoping Revis would prioritize the promise of the season ahead and try to work things out in camp. Instead, the Jets have a tabloid soap opera that not only will divide fans but could create camps in the locker room. In his absence, first-round pick Kyle Wilson -- who signed a five-year, $13 million deal late Saturday night -- will get time with the first-team defense along with Antonio Cromartie and Dwight Lowery. "He's a great player, and a player of that magnitude, he will be missed," defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said of Revis. "But we have some great guys backing him up, and they're going to do what they have to do."
In 2010, it takes large cojones to toy with the ego of an ultra-expensive -- and rather enormous -- defensive lineman. Mike Shanahan, armed with job security and a mission to change the soft and privileged culture of the Washington Redskins, has rightfully picked Haynesworth to be his scapegoat and example. Last season, he was so out of shape at 350 pounds that he doubled over after plays and had to be removed from the game. He has yet to play all 16 games since his rookie season in 2002, a problem ignored by impulsive and spending-fool owner Dan Snyder, and when Haynesworth declared during the offseason that he opposed the switch to a 3-4 defense, Shanahan cracked down.
Citing the fact Haynesworth was the only veteran to miss more than half the offseason workouts at Redskins headquarters -- he appeared once, exactly, preferring to work out on his own -- Shanahan singled him out and decided to test his endurance for all the world to see. On Thursday and Friday, he announced Haynesworth would have to pass a conditioning test that required 300 yards of sprints, with cones lined up 25 yards apart for him to run back and forth. If he completed one shuttle in 70 seconds and the second in 73 seconds, he was free to practice with his teammates. If he failed, he would continue until he passed.
 |
| SMH. |
"This test, it's very minimal, and we've used it as part of our workout program for a long time," Shanahan said. "Most players could do it in their sleep. I don't want to put a guy out there before he's ready, before I know he's in shape. I know it's the best thing for him. He may not know that at this time, but I can guarantee you, the big linemen that I've been with, the guys that are in the trenches, they still need to be in shape."
Thursday, Haynesworth failed, then blew up. "I'm tired of this B.S.," he told the NBC television affiliate in Washington. "I just want to get out on the field and play football."
Which would have happened had he passed the test Friday. He was doing well after running the first shuttle in 70 seconds, but then Albert screwed up because he needed too much time when nature called between runs. "He had to use the restroom," said Ray Wright, the strength and conditioning coach. "You get 3 1/2 minutes. He was gone close to 10." Forced to start over, he ran the next shuttle in ... 71 seconds.
Cruel? Nope, it's the reality of being a knucklehead and having to pay with your blood and guts, no matter how much money you make and how many Pro Bowls you've attended. Asked Friday if the drills were unfair, Haynesworth fired back, "I don't really give a (bleep)." Suddenly, this was a national story. Shanahan could barely stifle a smile.
"He's got to be at a certain level to practice with the rest of our football team," he said, knowing he was winning the test of wills. "If he gets there, then he'll be with us. If he doesn't get there, then he won't."
It's hard to imagine Haynesworth not being with the Redskins for the first regular-season game. But whether he's actually playing or sitting is up for debate. His salary doesn't guarantee him a regular spot in a defensive scheme he doesn't like. They can't trade him -- who would want to inherit that salary with that attitude? -- and you wonder if Shanahan would have the gumption to cut him and force Snyder to eat the megamillions of his dumbest investment yet.
The players have been ripping Haynesworth all along. If some are starting to feel sorry for him, they aren't saying it publicly. "Either you play by the rules, you're gone or you'll get fined, one of the two," fullback Mike Sellers said. "(Shanahan) is a no-nonsense guy. A lot of the vets around here who are pretty much old-school guys appreciate it."
"He wants to come in and put a lot of discipline in this thing," defensive end Phillip Daniels said. "Discipline is the key."
Over the weekend, Haynesworth couldn't try more conditioning tests because his knee was swollen. He had to ride a stationary bike. "Here's a setback already," Shanahan said. "His knee's a little bit swollen. Hopefully, it's not too bad."
And if it is, well, Shanahan has made his point: When a new sheriff is in town, don't avoid him for months. "He'll pass the test," he said. "I don't know when he's going to pass it."
Until he does, we'll all be laughing at Fat Albert.
