Al Harris : Contract disupute? other camp notes...

[mraynrand]

Two points about the balloon payment. The Packers (under Wolf) panicked because they hadn't signed Wahle and basically allowed the balloon payment to be put into his contract so that the Packers would have to re-wrok his contract in three years. He had more leverage at the signing of the contract and got a good deal. Despite the balloon payment, there was no reason the Packers couldn't have reworked his contract at any time prior to free agency.

Sure, there are a handful of guys that are unhappy with their teams, for reasons other than salary, but it's odd that despite the fact that the overwhelming number of circumstances turn out to be money related, there are all these fans, even the mostly smart guys on this site, that are willing to believe that players really want out more than they just want a better contract.

From all the article on Wahle, I only saw one where he said he wanted his picture on a game day program and that his wife/fiance/girlfriend might have thought there was a more cosmopolitan city to live in. I'm guessing that she wouldn't have minded had the Packers forked over an 11 mil signing bonus and that Wahle would be happy with his picture taken and 11 million bucks in his pocket. Why is this so hard to understand?

[mraynrand]

"He didn't even let TT bite at the cherry."

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Maybe this was the problem. APB might argue that TT wasn't interested in the cherry.

[Tarlam!]

There are some good posts on the ballooning Wahle deal, and I may have to review my previous stance as a result.

Fact remains, though, that Wahle openly stated he wanted out of GB at the time Sherm was still GM......I only wish I could dig up that friggin source...

[mraynrand]

"Fact remains, though, that Wahle openly stated he wanted out of GB at the time Sherm was still GM......I only wish I could dig up that friggin source..."


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you're absolutely right about this. The question remains whether it was a ploy to get a better deal and/or whether he meant it. I'm on the side of believing that most of player 'unhappiness' is based solely on contract money - either a player figures he's worth more, or he just wants more coin and figures he has some leverage in hinting the place stinks. Maybe, as might be part of the case with driver, management figures it's worth their while to shut a guy up.

[MJZiggy]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=291961

[Bretsky]

THE AL HARRIS STORY MIGHT BE CRAP

SATURDAY, May 20, 2006, 1:55 p.m.
By Rob Reischel and Lori Nickel

Harris not sitting out because of contract
Green Bay -- Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris isn't at the team's minicamp this weekend. But according to Harris' agent, Jack Bechta, it's because of a personal issue with his parents, not his contract, as has been reported.

During an interview with the Journal Sentinel Thursday, Bechta said the Harris camp might lobby for more money at the end of the 2006 campaign. In the interim, Bechta said Harris would never consider holding out.

"He's not Mike McKenzie. That's not Al," Bechta said.

Last month, the Packers signed free agent cornerback Charles Woodson to a seven-year, $39.03 million deal. When asked at the first minicamp two weeks ago if he was happy with his deal, Harris said: "Hell no! But I won't do what Mike McKenzie did. That's not me. That's not my style."

Meanwhile at the Packers morning practice, receiver Rod Gardner and fullback William Henderson joined the team after missing the practices Friday. Ahmad Carroll returned to action after tweaking his ankle Friday. The Packers practice again at 3 p.m.

For more on Harris' contract situation and other minicamp news from Saturday practice, visit JSOnline Sunday.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Woodson got a bigger contract because he hit free agency when the salary cap was going up. Everybody knows G.B. overpayed for Woodson, but he was still the best player available, so they went for it. You can't overpay every player on the roster!

I think Harris has a fair deal. I beleive contracts should be renegotiated only when a player is paid greatly under market value, as with Donald Driver.

[mraynrand]

Zig,

Good link. There's another article where Wahle compained about not being on the media guide, etc. I think it's a bit bogus, but when I get a chance I'll dig it up.

[gbpackfan]

Sorry guys, I started another post about the bogus Harris story. I just thought it was that important to get it out there.

[motife]

My understanding is Wahle offered the Packers the right of first refusal on the final contract offer he got from Carolina, and Ted Thompson declined the opportunity. Wahle did not leave Green Bay disgruntled.

[Guiness]

How many seconds into the FA period was it that Wahle had his new contract again?

He didn't even let TT bite at the cherry. Wahle's mind was well made up before TT even got to GB. The whole TT blew the Wahle deal is so friggin preposterous.

Don't know if I agree with that. I think the Pack's time to negotiate with Wahle was BEFORE his bonus came due. They could've restructured, extended, etc, but chose not to.

You make it sound like he became an FA when his contract was up. That's not the case, he was cut. I doubt he or his agent would be stupid enough to do any serious negotiations before that happened.

[Guiness]

Ok, two weeks ago, it seemed everybody was screaming Pay DD! Now, it's I can't believe they were stupid enough to pay DD! I wish I wasn't too lazy to go see if it's the same posters.

Someone mentioned that DD should not have gone public. Did he actually do that? Was he quoted? I always thought it was just heresay.

[RashanGary]

Go look it up Guiness. I wasn't one of them. I gaurentee it.

[HarveyWallbangers]

From GB Press Gazette:

Fullback William Henderson and receiver Rod Gardner showed up for the second day of Packers minicamp this morning after not being in attendance on Friday.

Gardner said he missed minicamp on Friday because of a prior commitment but plans to attend the team’s organized team activities scheduled from May 31 to June 21.

Gardner, who was picked up by the Packers late in the 2005 season and signed a one-year contract during the off-season, said he had a good feeling he would return to the Packers.

“I love Green Bay,” Gardner said. “The fan support, the games, even coming in with the players, they welcomed me from Day 1. It was a good experience for me. I loved it.”

[Tarlam!]

Guiness, I already admitted rethinking my entire position on Wahle, but two things are accurate:

1. He signed in lightning speed.
2. We could not have paid him that contract at that time anyway.

And, he was disgruntled.