Wallace a chicken?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Seriously, what is with the splitting hairs? I thought Crash was on vacation... You know what I meant. He CAN get paid $2.7M this year if he signs before the season starts, therefor I DON'T feel sorry for him for not signing. Nobody said he was violating anything, except maybe the laws of logical thinking... Anything else that I didn't write perfectly that you would like to dissect even though it doesn't really change the meaning at all?

You may think it is just semantics, because in the end, the player is not in camp in either case, but I think the Ward/Merriweather/Jones-Drew holdouts are dishonorable (I know what my father would think if I would ever break a contract that I chose to sign), whereas Wallace is merely trying to be paid properly after being sorely underpaid compared to every other WR in the league for the last 3 seasons (he made $1.7 million total...minus taxes, agent fees, etc., for 3 seasons of 171 catches for 3206 yards at 18.7 yards per catch and 24 TD's). Wallace hasn't signed any contract, and therefore hasn't broken trust (which to me, is an awfully important distinction)...this is all just straight business. You may think I am just dissecting your words and splitting hairs, but I think it changes the meaning completely. Ward and Merriweather and Jones-Drew signed their contracts willingly. However, they chose to hold out of camp despite having a signed contract. To me, your word is your bond, and these men did not live up to their word...their contracts stated that they had to be in camp by a certain time, and they chose not to show up as a means of protest in order to get more money. I don't like it when men do live up to their word...but that's just me. Wallace has done no such thing. Therefore, I have no problem with Wallace.

[flippy]

You may think it is just semantics, because in the end, the player is not in camp in either case, but I think the Ward/Merriweather/Jones-Drew holdouts are dishonorable (I know what my father would think if I would ever break a contract that I chose to sign), whereas Wallace is merely trying to be paid properly after being sorely underpaid compared to every other WR in the league for the last 3 seasons (he made $1.7 million total...minus taxes, agent fees, etc., for 3 seasons of 171 catches for 3206 yards at 18.7 yards per catch and 24 TD's). Wallace hasn't signed any contract, and therefore hasn't broken trust (which to me, is an awfully important distinction)...this is all just straight business. You may think I am just dissecting your words and splitting hairs, but I think it changes the meaning completely. Ward and Merriweather and Jones-Drew signed their contracts willingly. However, they chose to hold out of camp despite having a signed contract. To me, your word is your bond, and these men did not live up to their word...their contracts stated that they had to be in camp by a certain time, and they chose not to show up as a means of protest in order to get more money. I don't like it when men do live up to their word...but that's just me. Wallace has done no such thing. Therefore, I have no problem with Wallace.

Since the contracts aren't guaranteed by the teams, they can always choose not to live up to their side of the bargain at any time. So there's really no difference imho. If the contracts were guaranteed like they are in other sports, then the difference (although subtle) would be more distinct.

ie. if the teams don't ever have to live up to their word, then why should the players be held to that standard?

From my fan point of view, I don't care what a guy makes. I want them to make the least possible that still keeps them happy and productive, but leaves extra money for other players so my team can be as good as possible and win more SuperBowls.

I feel as a fan like I'm the one being held hostage in these negotiations. I just want my player in camp and healthy and I don't want my team overpaying.

At the end of the day, the Steelers and Wally will both be well taken care of. I just feel sorry for the poor kid that owns a Wally jersey and doesn't know if his favorite player will be a Steeler any longer.

[fezziwig]

Some players play fo the love of the game, wanting a championship, to be a part of a team or just for the money. It would be nice to have all those things when you sign but, I doubt it ends up that way for many. I think money is Wallaces main attraction. Me, I'm a team player first and then I worry about the money. I'm very loyal to my family and friends and to my co-workers which happen to be my employees.
Is it wrong that Wallace wants the top, top dollar ? Probably not but, money isn't everything. No guarantee he will get a SB win with the Steelers or anyother team but I like his chances with us. He'll make new friends and fans wherever he goes so that isn't an issue for him. The dude wants the money and that is all that matters to him so...........let him do what pleases him and forget about it. We won before Wallace and we will win after Wallace. For the scratch he is asking for I say let him go and use that coin on building an ever better Steeler team.
Mike, ask Merriweather, Thigpen, Carnell Lake, Santonio, Faneca if it was worth the extra dollars to leave an icon of a team. Their pride might tell you one thing but deep in their hearts, they would have loved to remain a Steeler.

[pittpete]

He can sit out all of training camp and then sign the tender w/o even losing a dime?
Anyone know this answer?
Seems like his type of character.

[ter1230_4]

I truly believe those who fault Wallace for wanting market value for his services, are hatas. Grab that green, and make it rain.

Wallace is a Restricted Free Agent. He has not yet earned the right to be paid market value. That will come after he plays one more season and becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. That's not hate, that's fact.

[RuthlessBurgher]

He can sit out all of training camp and then sign the tender w/o even losing a dime?
Anyone know this answer?
Seems like his type of character.

You can't fine a guy for missing camp if he isn't signed to a contract. On the other hand, the Jags are allowed to fine MJD for missing camp, because he still has 2 years left on his deal and is holding out.

If Wallace doesn't show up when the games actually start, then he'd lose that money (about $170K per game...1/16th of that RFA tender for each game missed).

[RuthlessBurgher]

Wallace is a Restricted Free Agent. He has not yet earned the right to be paid market value. That will come after he plays one more season and becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. That's not hate, that's fact.

Antonio Brown wasn't even a restricted free agent yet, and he got paid above market value in spite of having a fraction of the production Wallace has put up.

[squidkid]

You may think it is just semantics, because in the end, the player is not in camp in either case, but I think the Ward/Merriweather/Jones-Drew holdouts are dishonorable (I know what my father would think if I would ever break a contract that I chose to sign), whereas Wallace is merely trying to be paid properly after being sorely underpaid compared to every other WR in the league for the last 3 seasons (he made $1.7 million total...minus taxes, agent fees, etc., for 3 seasons of 171 catches for 3206 yards at 18.7 yards per catch and 24 TD's). Wallace hasn't signed any contract, and therefore hasn't broken trust (which to me, is an awfully important distinction)...this is all just straight business. You may think I am just dissecting your words and splitting hairs, but I think it changes the meaning completely. Ward and Merriweather and Jones-Drew signed their contracts willingly. However, they chose to hold out of camp despite having a signed contract. To me, your word is your bond, and these men did not live up to their word...their contracts stated that they had to be in camp by a certain time, and they chose not to show up as a means of protest in order to get more money. I don't like it when men do live up to their word...but that's just me. Wallace has done no such thing. Therefore, I have no problem with Wallace.

wallace was not sorely underpaid the last 3 years. the cba, him, the steelers and his agent all agreed that the deal that was offered to wallace was fair. wallace was not forced to sign it. he could have refused if he wanted to.(did the steelers ask limas sweed to give back his money because he was 'sorely overpaid')?
wallace is also being offered the absolute most he can be legally given this year based on his cba rules. so he is being paid properly, actually he was offered more than he could have been and he also could have had his offer reduced on june 15th, but the steelers took the high road and bargained in good faith. so actually, wallace did break trust when he had the chance to sign his tender and continue to negotiate but chose not to.

[squidkid]

Antonio Brown wasn't even a restricted free agent yet, and he got paid above market value in spite of having a fraction of the production Wallace has put up.

yup, and the resaon is because brown worked hard, played hard, said the right things and displayed being a team player. wallace chose not to do those things.

[Decleater]

None of us know what's going on behind the scene so...let's hope MW signs his tender tomorrow and reports to camp in time to play against the eagles. Truth is, we need him. He's a specialist.