First things first, the NFL owners and players need to come to an agreement so that no time is missed for this upcoming season. The two parties appear to be getting close to an agreement but nothing is done yet.
Once a collective bargaining agreement is established, the Indianapolis Colts will have to go into deep negotiations with numerous players who need new contracts or are unhappy with their current deal.
Len Pasquarelli of the The Sports Xchange, wrote that the Colts have plenty of contracts to take care of if/when the lockout finally ends. And one current horseshoe is particularly unhappy: Robert Mathis.
Said one person close to the Mathis situation told Pasquarelli: “He’ll never play another snap there under that (existing) contract.”
Mathis isn’t the only one.
Franchise quarterback Peyton Manning will be top priority. In February the Colts gave him the franchise tag, for an outrageous $23 million per year. Indianapolis surely will come to a long-term deal with Manning, lowering the annual cost—allowing the team to spend more on free agents.
A contract dispute is also the case with number one receiver Reggie Wayne. Wayne and Mathis talked like they were going to skip out on training camp if they were not given new deals before last year. They did skip out on minicamps and OTAs, but they showed up to camp on time.
Reggie Wayne is set to earn $5.95 million in 2011, after signing a six-year, $39 million extension in 2006.
Pasquarelli highlighted in his article that “The Sports Xchange can report with some degree of certainty that Mathis ($2.41 million in 2011) has no intention of reporting to the club until/unless his contract is addressed. Mathis signed a frontloaded five-year, $30 million extension in 2006, and he has collected over $27 million of it.”
Mathis said via twitter, “Haven’t thought of scheming up a #PayMePlan yet for 3 reasons..(1)18 is up (2)87 needs his (3)free agents will b addressed b4 me.”
I respect Mathis’ skills and professionalism. He even responded to this blog post on twitter:
“I’m no dummy in Business 101, so why stir the pot knowing there’s minimal interest in re-signing me rite now despite how I feel. I take pride in being a leader. There’s a time & place for all things and contract will take care of itself in route 2 Super Bowl.”
The trouble I have is that Mathis and Wayne are each wanting more money, in the midst of a contract. I have no problem with a player asking for all he can get. The player must often decide if he wants more money or go to a better team.
I have a problem with these two demanding more without satisfying their previous contract. You think the Washington Redskins would love to go back to Albert Hansworth and say, “hey, you haven’t lived up to expectations on the field so give us money back.”
It can’t go both ways. Teams can’t make up for bad contracts, so why should players be able to go after more while still under contract. For most players it doesn’t matter—but big time players with quality agents often get it out of teams.
Robert Mathis is under-rated and flies under the radar with Dwight Freeney on the other end of the defensive line. He plays a critical role on the team, haunting the opposing quarterback each week. The three-time Pro Bowler also actually has the third-most sacks (60) in the league over the last six seasons.
In my few interactions with Mathis this summer at Freeney’s camp and the Celebrity softball game, he has been nothing but great. He is open and willing to talk, but also is passionate about his stance.
Signing Peyton Manning to a long-term deal is crucial, as is signing some free agents to boost the Colts roster in the final years of 18’s best years. I love the guy, but Mathis needs to wait until free agency to go after the money he desires.