Brees and Manning want special treatment?

by TrevorR on Jul 20, 2011 8:42 AM CDT

I just ran into this one in an email from Footballguys and I was floored. Apparently in 1993, all the plaintiffs that were involved in the situation then were granted immunity from the franchise tag for their careers. This whole concept makes me absolutely sick. I can't believe a player would even accept this and that it wouldn't cause a total revolt among the other players. Not even sure why they would be granted this, especially with all the things that have been said over the course of the process.

Here is the article link and a few excerpts that I thought were interesting:

An NFL source with direct knowledge of negotiations said Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints are requesting to be exempt from the franchise tag for the rest of their careers.

UPDATE: To be clear, this request was communicated to the league. Whether the request came directly from the players, through one of their representatives or a rogue request from NFLPA lawyers, is unknown. But the topic was broached with the NFL on Tuesday.

UPDATE II: Last Tuesday night, Brees denied this an other media reports on this subject. "I want no special perks. My job is to get a fair deal for all players, and I am proud to represent them all - past, present and future," he said. "All media claims about me wanting a personal reward for this deal are false. I hope you all know me better than that."

That means Manning, who was tagged by the Colts before the lockout, wants to become an unrestricted free agent now.

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Fetus head and birth mark should be ashamed of themselves.

by Charlie Kelly on Jul 20, 2011 8:58 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs

Uh, no Drew... we don't know you better than that.

Especially after those ignorant comments about retired players.

E-5-1-50

by mike_o on Jul 20, 2011 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Well that was how we got Reggie White

He was a lawsuit plaintiff, the Eagles could not tag him, and the Packers signed him. I think it was well deserved for White because he spent a couple years involved in an anti trust suit back when the NFL only had a joke of a free agent system.

I think it’s a legitimate issue for guys like Manning and Brady. They’ll always have the franchise tag placed on them, until they’re about to retire and have nothing left in the tank. They’ll have nothing but good to say about Indianapolis and New England, and they’ve certainly been paid well, but I can understand why they want the opportunity to play for another team. Even if they just end up staying in Indy and NE.

Brees is a bit of a different situation since he was an unrestricted free agent, but in a similar spot as Charles Woodson was in 2006: only the Saints offered him a worthy contract. And his public comments are more opinionated than most other players. I haven’t read everything he said, or put it into context, so I’m not going to defend or attack him.

by Brandon on Jul 20, 2011 10:54 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I get that it benefited us, but all players should have the same rules and benefits. I don’t think its fair that these players get singled out with special rules. I am part of a three person team that runs my home association and I don’t get or expect anything special for doing it…its called being a part of society. You hsouldn’t have to get something special for every thing you do…that is problem with this generation…its all about what will you get!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Jul 24, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions