Sanders Deserves Lion’s Share

Barry Sanders was the only player to miss coach Bobby Ross’ first minicamp, and now he has let it be known he will not report to training camp and will not play for the Lions until he is paid more than quarterback Scott Mitchell.

First reaction: Cut Mitchell’s pay.

Whatever he makes, it’s too much, especially if it makes Sanders unhappy. But what if we weren’t discussing a role model like Sanders and an underachieving quarterback like Mitchell?

When Bruce Smith and Ricky Watters whine about being underpaid, for instance, it’s tiresome.

Sanders, the game’s most exciting running back and all-around good guy, previously signed a contract to play this season for the Lions, and he will be paid in excess of $4 million. And while it’s true he led the NFL in rushing a year ago, doing the job he was paid to do very well - go ahead, tell your boss you had a great year and now you are going to sit at home until he gives you more money.

You will be watching Montel Williams for a long time waiting for the telephone to ring.

Barry Sanders signed a contract, and in everyday life that is supposed to mean something. But this is sports, and the Lions also signed a three-year contract with Sanders’ teammate, defensive tackle Henry Thomas, two years ago and elected to terminate his services recently and deny him $1.3 million this year.

The rules in this unreal world are different.

Most fans hear of a player signing a $5 million contract and think the player has just pocketed $5 million. Although it’s true most players get a chunk of money up front in the form of a signing bonus, discounting some technicalities, performers are then paid only for services rendered.

If a player with five years’ experience is due to draw the NFL minimum salary of $275,000 this season and plays two games before being released, he receives two-sixteenths of his salary before disappearing into society waiting for additional severance and pension payoffs.

Management might argue that players receive significant signing bonuses before ever going to work and then are paid very well - a fair exchange for knowing up front they can be dismissed at almost any point.

Although management can play it rough, a player cannot. It’s not easy, but everyday citizens can call it quits and go down the block and sell their services and continue working. However, if Barry Sanders doesn’t like life with the Lions - he could be watching Montel Williams forever.

And that’s why contract hassles are usually no-win arguments in sports. But come on, this one’s easy.

In less than 36 months, the Lions have handed Mitchell $15 million just in bonuses. That’s guaranteed money: Here, Scott, take all this money and in addition to that, we’re going to provide millions in yearly salaries.

Now go ahead and tell Barry Sanders he deserves anything less?

Sanders is the consummate team player. Everyone else trashes coach Wayne Fontes, and Sanders stands by him. Fontes coaches his final game, and Sanders hugs him. The Lions play a meaningless game to conclude the season in San Francisco, and although he needs nothing to enhance his reputation, Sanders runs behind a free-agent right tackle and wins the NFL rushing title.

Mitchell disrespects Fontes publicly. He is asked before the 49ers’ game if there’s anything to play for, and he replies, “No.” He puts on weight, his performance becomes uneven, and although young in years, he’s a grumpy old man most of the time.

Sanders fights for extra yards and has to do the same to be paid so well. In his rookie season, he didn’t reach a contract agreement until two days before the first regular-season game, and without any contact or serious NFL training, he averaged 7.9 yards a carry.

Four times in his career he has averaged more than 5 yards a carry - so why do they let Mitchell touch the ball?

Mitchell, of course, should not be blamed for winning the lottery, but then Sanders’ request for a pay adjustment should come as no surprise.

Sanders reported to the Lions’ voluntary workouts recently, but when it came time for official minicamp roll call, he was missing. Ross was peeved - the Lions will find he’s always peeved - and fined Sanders’ $1,000 because as Ross said, “I’d like to be taking walks with my wife, but there’s work to be done.”

Barry Sanders, of course, does not need the work. He has his personal trainer, and if he shows up five minutes before the national anthem, he’s still going to rush for more than 1,400 yards.

Ross wants everyone on board - team camaraderie and all that rah-rah stuff - and there’s also his memory of an 0-4 start in his first season as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. But come on …

If Barry Sanders doesn’t show up July 17 at Saginaw Valley State for the opening of training camp, there will still be no reason to fret. The Lions are going to pay Barry Sanders because that’s just what they are going to have to do - or close down the Silverdome.

And when it comes to comparisons - Mitchell’s four-year deal for $21 million should be chump change.

If you’re talking about Barry Sanders, the opening bid has to be Emmitt Smith’s eight-year package for $48 million, including a $15 million signing bonus.

Harper a nice fit in D.C.

Alvin Harper is on his way out of Tampa after June 1, and the Washington Redskins appear very interested. Anthony Miller is a goner in Denver, and a contract with the Dallas Cowboys is in the works.

Why do the Redskins need Harper, a huge disappointment with the Bucs who caught 19 passes last season?

Well, if recent contract negotiations with quarterback Gus Frerotte can be concluded calling for Frerotte to make close to $5 million a year, do you want to pay him all that money and then surround him with the likes of the often-injured Michael Westbrook, Henry Ellard, who will be 36 this year, Leslie Shepherd and fourth-round pick Albert Connell?

Harper would fit right in.

As for the Cowboys, they’re still looking for someone to replace Harper. In Miller, they would have the speedster to pull coverage away from Michael Irvin. At the same time they also would have two of the most difficult athletes in pro football to deal with on a daily basis.

Around the league

Amazing what a $500,000 workout bonus will do for a player who lacks only motivation every year in preparing himself for combat. Rodney Hampton, all but done after a lethargic season, has caught the fancy of new Giants coach Jim Fassel after losing weight, working out and flashing some speed.

The Chargers have been looking for some oomph in their offense, and have given coach Kevin Gilbride an explosive Eric Metcalf. They will use him as a wide receiver and punt returner - still lacking, however, the running back they need to make a serious run in the American Football Conference West.

The Kansas City Chiefs mean business. They have already signed four of their six draft selections, while most teams are just trying to clear room under their salary caps to begin contract negotiations.

And how about his one: During Jacksonville’s recent minicamp, observers caught coach Tom Coughlin laughing.

Coughlin, known as a taskmaster, apparently has shown a willingness to go easier on the troops. “I liked what I saw,” he says.

In New England, meanwhile, new coach Pete Carroll closed minicamp workouts to the media.