Poison Pill ??

[mrodriguez4096]

Hello,
A few days ago I was reading an article in profootballtalk.com that talked about this tactic. My question to people here who know more about contracts then myself would be;

- could there / would there be a way to construct a contract with a poison pill in it to get some of these RFAs?

The article talked about how the NFL doesn't have rules against this tactic and expected to see this tactic used more in this upcoming Free Agency.

Could some people give some answers regarding this? I understand it isn't a "fair" practices but in this league each team needs to do what they can under the rules to gain an advantage. The Vikings did it to get Hutchenson(sp?). Thank you guys.

 

[MiaFins1]

The Patriots also did it with Wes Welker when he was a free agent. The contract had something to the effect that if he played 4 games in Florida the contract would be gaurenteed or something to that effect ....so the Fins and Pats worked out a trade

 

[Nublar7]

Hello,
A few days ago I was reading an article in profootballtalk.com that talked about this tactic. My question to people here who know more about contracts then myself would be;

- could there / would there be a way to construct a contract with a poison pill in it to get some of these RFAs?

The article talked about how the NFL doesn't have rules against this tactic and expected to see this tactic used more in this upcoming Free Agency.

Could some people give some answers regarding this? I understand it isn't a "fair" practices but in this league each team needs to do what they can under the rules to gain an advantage. The Vikings did it to get Hutchenson(sp?). Thank you guys.

I guess we could, but teams really try to stay away from that tactic.

Basically, the poison pill forces the team that has the player to allow the RFA to walk. For example say the Cowboys place a 1st and 3rd round tender on Miles Austin. The rules of Restricted Free Agency is that any team could sign Austin, but that the Cowboys would have the right to match the offer and keep him. If say Miami signs they could insert some sort of poison pill which makes it impossible for the Cowboys to match. Miami could sign him to say a 5 year deal worth $50 million. Realistically Miami could structure the contract that he really wouldn't be making $10 million a year, but could put in his contract that if he plays two or more games in the state of Texas in 2010 that the entire contract is guaranteed. No way Dallas would agree to those terms. Miami would get Austin, but still would have to give up a 1st and 3rd round pick. All the poison pill does is prevents the Cowboys from matching the Dolphins offer.

With no CBA, quality free agents are going to be hard to find in unrestricted free agency. I would not be surprised to see Miami actually target a RFA.

 

[Nublar7]

The Patriots also did it with Wes Welker when he was a free agent. The contract had something to the effect that if he played 4 games in Florida the contract would be gaurenteed or something to that effect ....so the Fins and Pats worked out a trade

Yes, the Patriots were all set to insert a poison pill, but really didn't want to. So that is why they threw in a 7th round pick along with the 2nd round pick in a trade. They avoided the whole poison pill mess.

 

[Dajesus]

The problem is who would you want Miami sign that would be worth our first round pick if not more than our first? I would love to Marshall as a Dolphin, but I do not want to give up our 12th pick. If Denver would take one next year or the 2nd this year than I say it would be worth it. Other than him I do not see anyone else worth a 1st. Austin might be, but he scares me. Teams focused on Roy Williams and Dallas' running game, and Miles only had one good season. I am not saying he definitly is not as good as he seemed this year, but it is a lot to gamble. At least with Marshall he has been great over many years, and did so this year with a mediocre QB and a rookie RB, so Miami would be pretty certain of what they are getting.