RUDEbyallMEANS
Perennial All-Pro
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Burress case understandable, but his days here likely numbered
By Guy Junker
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, May 10, 2004
Professional sports has always been a business, but it's never been as big a business as it is today. I still love to watch what goes on between the lines, but I grow weary of nearly every story having dollar figures in it somewhere.
However, when Plaxico Burress didn't show up for Steelers minicamp Friday, it provided some welcome bite for what is usually a walk-through-in-shorts for players and reporters alike.
My immediate reaction was one of disgust, considering that I believe the guy doesn't get the most out of his talent.
Burress was full of issues at Michigan State, and that hasn't changed since he turned pro. That's the reason the Steelers aren't sure they want him around after this year. They are using the Craig Patrick strategy -- the belief that players have their best seasons when they are playing for a new deal. Still, if Burress has a great year, they might not want to spend what it would cost to keep him.
Upon further review, though, I've changed my stance. Burress is using his only means available to make his statement. Contracts aren't worth the paper they are printed on in pro sports these days. NFL teams don't honor them when the players no longer are useful to them, so why should players follow all of the crossed t's and dotted i's?
We can't really identify with people who make the kind of money professional athletes do, but the issues between management and labor are basically the same at any level, and most of us would side with our union brothers or workers in other walks of life in contract disputes.
If I sign a contract or give my word on something, I will live up to my end of the bargain regardless. It's the way I was raised. But it's not the way it works in professional sports. And while I disagree with the way Burress has handled this, I understand why the situation exists.
It's also better for him to make a stand now during a fairly meaningless minicamp than it would be during a fairly meaningful training camp at St. Vincent College. It's just that if Burress really wanted to remain a Steeler as he says, he probably blew his chances this weekend.
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Will Rick pull the trigger on Burress if he hits the market??
Why not add 2 "rebels" at WR??
Burress case understandable, but his days here likely numbered
By Guy Junker
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, May 10, 2004
Professional sports has always been a business, but it's never been as big a business as it is today. I still love to watch what goes on between the lines, but I grow weary of nearly every story having dollar figures in it somewhere.
However, when Plaxico Burress didn't show up for Steelers minicamp Friday, it provided some welcome bite for what is usually a walk-through-in-shorts for players and reporters alike.
My immediate reaction was one of disgust, considering that I believe the guy doesn't get the most out of his talent.
Burress was full of issues at Michigan State, and that hasn't changed since he turned pro. That's the reason the Steelers aren't sure they want him around after this year. They are using the Craig Patrick strategy -- the belief that players have their best seasons when they are playing for a new deal. Still, if Burress has a great year, they might not want to spend what it would cost to keep him.
Upon further review, though, I've changed my stance. Burress is using his only means available to make his statement. Contracts aren't worth the paper they are printed on in pro sports these days. NFL teams don't honor them when the players no longer are useful to them, so why should players follow all of the crossed t's and dotted i's?
We can't really identify with people who make the kind of money professional athletes do, but the issues between management and labor are basically the same at any level, and most of us would side with our union brothers or workers in other walks of life in contract disputes.
If I sign a contract or give my word on something, I will live up to my end of the bargain regardless. It's the way I was raised. But it's not the way it works in professional sports. And while I disagree with the way Burress has handled this, I understand why the situation exists.
It's also better for him to make a stand now during a fairly meaningless minicamp than it would be during a fairly meaningful training camp at St. Vincent College. It's just that if Burress really wanted to remain a Steeler as he says, he probably blew his chances this weekend.
*********************************************************
Will Rick pull the trigger on Burress if he hits the market??
Why not add 2 "rebels" at WR??
