Alexander’s dissatisfaction expressed in a tougher tone
The list reads like a Pro Bowl roster: Terrell Owens, Richard Seymour, John Abraham and Javon Walker are all unhappy with their contract situations.
Add Shaun Alexander to the list. The Seahawks running back told the Seattle Times this past week that signing a $6.32 million franchise tender is “out of the question.”
Alexander has been upset for months, but his recent comments are the strongest yet. Though it seems his anger started when he fell a yard shy of a rushing title last season, Alexander told the paper there is no strain in his relationship with coach Mike Holmgren.
“I told them three years ago that I love playing here and let’s do something now. Let’s meet,” Alexander told the paper. “I said, ‘You know what? My wife’s here. My family’s here. I want to be here until I retire. It’s really funny because back then I would have worked for peanuts.
“Two Pro Bowls and 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns later, now it’s time to talk? And I’m like, ‘Why would you do this?’ So now it’s just one of those things where I say, ‘Let’s do what’s right.’ I’m not trying to be evil or greedy or anything, let’s just do what’s right.”
Teams cannot start negotiating with franchised players again until July 15.
Seymour certainly feels he deserves a bigger payday. The Patriots All-Pro is one of the best defensive linemen in the game, but is still playing out a six-year deal he signed as a rookie, and is due to make $2.87 million this season and $1.22 million in 2006.
Meanwhile, players such as Patrick Kearney, Bertrand Berry and Kevin Carter are slated to earn more than $5 million in 2005.
Abraham is in a similar situation to Alexander. The Jets Pro Bowl defensive end wants a long-term commitment and never signed his $6.7 million tender, missing offseason workouts and minicamp. As for Owens, the Eagles star receiver held out of off-season minicamps because he wants to renegotiate the $49 million, seven-year deal he signed in March 2004.
Lookin’ ahead
Early bets for easiest schedule to start the season? St. Louis. Toughest? Atlanta. The Rams open with four games against teams with losing records in 2004. The fun begins at San Francisco (2-14), then continues at Arizona (6-10), home against Tennessee (5-11) and at the New York Giants (6-10).
With an improved defense and the emergence of Steven Jackson, the Rams are hoping to improve on their 8-8 record from last season, when they squeaked into the playoffs.
As for Atlanta, the Falcons play both teams that played in the Super Bowl early on. Things start with a rematch against the Eagles (13-3) at home, then at Seattle (9-7, NFC West champs), at Buffalo (9-7, never an easy place to play), home against what should be a much-improved Minnesota team (8-8, wild card) and then home against the Patriots (14-2, Super Bowl champs).
Good for him
So “Mr. Raider” will retire a Raider. What a perfect way to end a career.
The news that Tim Brown will sign with Oakland so he can retire as a member of the team came out earlier this week, and put a classy ending on a 17-year career. The soon-to-be 39-year-old Brown left the Raiders last August when he refused to accept a diminished role.
He went to Tampa Bay and finished his career there, with former coach Jon Gruden.
It is nice to see the longest-tenured player in Raiders history take his place with the club again. Here is hoping Jerry Rice will do the same with San Francisco when he decides to hang up his cleats.
Tuning in
Sirius Satellite Radio will air every game of the 2005 NFL preseason live.
The broadcasts start with the American Bowl, featuring the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons from the Tokyo Dome in Japan on Aug. 6. In most cases, Sirius will provide listeners with the home and away team local radio broadcasts.