dfosterf
16 years ago
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Deal not close for Packers, Raji
Posted by Mike Florio on August 2, 2009 1:30 PM ET
The Green Bay Packers and defensive lineman B.J. Raji continue to be at odds regarding a rookie deal.

As Tom Pellisero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has pointed out, nothing is imminent between the player and the team.

On Saturday, Pelissero reported that it'll be "at least a couple days" before a deal gets done.

On Sunday, linebacker Clay Matthews said that Raji is "champing at the bit" to work the thing out. (Based on his size, we assume that Raji also has been champing at the bear claws, too.)

The obvious problem is that the two of the three picks directly in front of Raji (Andre Smith at No. 6 and Eugene Monroe haven't signed) and the three picks directly behind him (Michael Crabtree at No. 10, Aaron Maybin at No. 11, and Knowshon Moreno at No. 12) haven't signed yet.

Then there's the reality that Raji is represented by Athletes First, the same firm that had last year's ninth overall pick, Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. If the agents do too good of a deal in comparison to last year's contract at the same slot, Rivers might feel miffed. And if they don't do good enough of a deal at No. 9 this year, they might be leapfrogged by Crabtree.

Regardless of how it all works out, Raji already is eating more than the bit and/or the bear claws.

He's eating his words.
"There will be no problem, as far as holding out on my end," Raji said in June. "I'm a rookie but from what I've been told, holdouts are not necessarily a good thing.
"Especially a rookie coming in, you can't afford to miss a week or two of training camp, especially when you're trying to find a way to get on the field. Yeah, that's my agency, but I'm in control, not the other way around."
We're not sure who's in control at this point. But the bottom line is that Raji is missing time that he'll never be able to make up.



Al Davis drafts DHB at 7. Crabtree was "hurt". Value "dropped" because of that (sure) Crabtree agent tells Crabtree, you are better than DHB. Crabtree: Ya, I'm better than DHB. Agent tells Crabtree, "You were hurt." Crabtree: "Ya, I was hurt."

Or Dunn tells Raji that this is what is being said. Or the 8 hole agent is telling Monroe that this is what Raji's agent is saying to Raji that Crabtree's agent is saying to Crabtree, etc. etc. etc.

AND THEY ARE ALL not moving because the AGENTS cannot afford to be the one making the mistake of "caving too early" and they are ALL advising their clients that the potential for a MUCH larger contract exists.

They HAVE to in order to not get their client to be the first to cave. Even if Monroe and his agent do "blink first", the problem will be that Crabtree/agent/Al Davis/DHB I deserve better than him$$$ problem...

COUPLED with...

The Mike (I am a great football player but a complete dumbass when it comes to pressuring my player to get his ass into camp) statements about what HE did when He HELD OUT TWICE, thereby exacerbating the whole friggin' thing. The problem is, the 49ers really don't need that arrogant little twerp in camp in the first place...we need Raji's butt in camp for sure.

COUPLED WITH all EXCEPT Crabtree and his agent get a FREE PASS to hold out without everyone flipping out because it is all Crabtree's "FAULT"...regardless of the truth of it, they can increase the pressure by doing NOTHING. Witness the posts blaming our FO, for example.

The young man needs to learn his position, and when I saw his press pass autograph on the internet the other day I almost started crying like Crabtree does.

Raji seems like a fine young fella, but when he signed that autograph...

Well, I am nervous for the future, let me tell you.

Boston College = The Eagles.

His autograph? (The card sold on e-bay, you can google it, I don't have the heart right now)

"Sore Eagles"

I think I'm going to be sick now.

lol

Edit-

OK -- Monday morning--I'm off "rant mode", at least temporarily.

For those that think we have a receiver corp, you can ignore this edit...for everyone else, here is the press pass pic:

UserPostedImage

Get to camp, B.J. --- Hurry!
Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago
I think it's safe to say that Raji is swiftly losing brownie points with our front office. I never really expected him to start on Week 1, but after these shenanigans, I'm confident he won't. Maybe riding the pine a few weeks will humble him a bit.
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djcubez
16 years ago

After the Ryan Grant fiasco of last year, I am monitoring this situation very carefully. If Thompson and Co. cave in and overpay Raji simply because Crabtree is overpaid (assuming that happens), I will seriously start to question his backbone. After the way they handled the Collins situation, however, I remain confident this won't happen.

On the other hand, I am miffed at Raji for breaking his promise. I sincerely hope the patina is not wearing off already.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:


I haven't heard Raji say anything so I could be wrong but don't you have to be under contract to be in training camp? I mean, Raji could want to be there but since his agent is trying to get him a good deal he just has to sit and wait. I feel like players sometimes get too much flack for contract negotiations when it's really there agents that our causing most of the commotion and fuss.
dhazer
16 years ago
Damn i think i know what to send Dfoster for his B-day, He would look great in a Crabtree Jersey lol.


You people need to lighten up a bit damn. I make a joke with Crabtree avenging me and you all get serious on it.

IT WAS A DAMN JOKE.

Maybe Crabtree is waiting on Raji to sign every think of that 😛
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be 🙂 (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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Stevetarded
16 years ago

Damn i think i know what to send Dfoster for his B-day, He would look great in a Crabtree Jersey lol.


You people need to lighten up a bit damn. I make a joke with Crabtree avenging me and you all get serious on it.

IT WAS A DAMN JOKE.

Maybe Crabtree is waiting on Raji to sign every think of that :p

"dhazer" wrote:



because Crabtree's agent has already said what they are waiting for.
blank
Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago

I feel like players sometimes get too much flack for contract negotiations when it's really there agents that our causing most of the commotion and fuss.

"djcubez" wrote:



This is a fallacious argument for the transparently simple reason that the agent is an employee of, and thus answerable to, the player. The player can fire the agent at any time and for any reason. Thus any action the agent takes, he does with the tacit approbation of the player. If Raji were serious about getting into camp as soon as possible, he would either instruct his agent to get the deal done immediately or fire his agent and hire someone who would do his bidding.

Yes, the agent may have persuaded Raji that holding out will be productive in the end, but the holdout is taking place at Raji's behest -- and his alone.
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bozz_2006
16 years ago
agreed, nonstop. I would imagine that being a high draft-pick rookie would be difficult. the agent is your "buddy". he's been around the block. he knows what's best for you. and on and on and on. kinda like the little devil sitting on your shoulder telling you what you ought to do.

difficult, but by all accounts, Raji is a smart dude. He's doing what he has decided is best for him. maybe this will be a lesson to not let your mouth write a check that your butt can't cash. it's like calling your home run shot. just because Babe did it doesn't mean it'll work out that way if I try to do it. you have to watch what you say.
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Zero2Cool
16 years ago

I feel like players sometimes get too much flack for contract negotiations when it's really there agents that our causing most of the commotion and fuss.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



This is a fallacious argument for the transparently simple reason that the agent is an employee of, and thus answerable to, the player. The player can fire the agent at any time and for any reason. Thus any action the agent takes, he does with the tacit approbation of the player. If Raji were serious about getting into camp as soon as possible, he would either instruct his agent to get the deal done immediately or fire his agent and hire someone who would do his bidding.

Yes, the agent may have persuaded Raji that holding out will be productive in the end, but the holdout is taking place at Raji's behest -- and his alone.

"djcubez" wrote:



Wrong, when a player fires an agent they have to wait (I believe) five days to hire a new one. So just firing one at will is not that easy in a situation like this when days are precious. Also, with being a rookie you are naive to how things work, therefore you are inclined to trust your agent.

There's no question Raji wants to be in camp. Remember, he's not really being paid right now to sit on his ass and he's losing valuable time learning the system. Seriously, who the hell wants to come in and play catch up all damn season? The problem is agents have reputations to maintain.

I wonder to myself and now out loud, why won't a player just say to the team 'just match me with last years selection, get me on the field'. Or maybe that's happened and it was declined? I believe Alex Roidriguez did this recently... spoke with the GM, made the deal and his agent still received his portion even though he did not help with the core of the contract.


Personally, in my ignorant stance of it all. If four hours before training camp were to start I'm not signed. Agent fired. I do whatever I have to to contact the person in charge of giving me a contract and say 'whats on the table, what will you pay me' and sign the damn thing. ( --- I'd probably be broke as shit for it too lol --- )
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Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago
Yes, he must wait five days to hire a new agent, but that doesn't change the fact that the reason why he still has his current agent is that he has chosen not to fire him. Therefore, ultimate responsibility for his holdout rests with him, no matter what excuses he might like to make for himself. If he wants to be in camp that badly, he can fire his agent, go to the Packers front office, and say, "Look, give me 5% to 9% more than last year's No. 9 pick, and I'll sign today." I bet for his reasonableness, they'd be pretty generous with him.

Blaming your agent, or any employee, is just weak. Real men and good leaders in general take responsibility for what happens on their watch.
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DarkaneRules
16 years ago
Even if this isn't the Raiders' fault, I am still blaming the Raiders for this.
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