RB Ryan Grant optimistic about new contract

[Patler]

Re: RG

Lucrative deals are not warranted after 9 productive games. He has to show he can last a full season before a lucrative deal is warranted. What if he's just another guy, who happened to get lucky for half a season? Geez man, you make it sound so certain he's going to be our starter for the near future. What if he does turn out to be the next Eric Rhett?

Then how do you explain the deals given to rookies who have never played an NFL game? Should Grant continue to be "punished" just because he was overlooked in the draft?

Grant is less of an uncertainty then Swain, for example, but if Grant signs the tender, he could very well have a 2008 income less than or not much more than Swain.

[Patler]

Re: RG

Facts are not always your friend Sir Patler.

He may not say it but I am willing to bet he is thinking it. I went overboard with the walker comparison but usually when you fear bad things is when they happen in my experience.

So now we should criticize a player because of what YOU THINK he might be thinking? Ridiculous!

NFL teams routinely pay players based on what they believe their potential to be. They do it all the time with the players they draft, who have proven nothing in the NFL. Minimum salaries are there for the players with undetermined potential, or essentially with no potential for being anything other than a roster filler. Does Grant fit that description? Based on his performance last year, can you honestly say his potential is no greater than any run of the mill player off the street? Based on their performances last year, who do you think has more potential, Grant or Brandon Jackson?

[Patler]

Bubba was the transition player. He had other teams that could have bid for his services with the Packers getting right ot first refusal.

Well, as I wrote, the Packers were his only option after the signing period was up for tagged players, yet he still held out. At that point his situation was no different than Grants. It was play for the Packers or play for no one, because he could no longer sign with another team.

[Patler]

Ryan Grant has no leverage only if you think TT and MM don't care if Grant is on the team or not. So long as they want him, he has some leverage. If they are counting on him to be the starter, he has more leverage.

Joe Toledo had no leverage.

[RashanGary]

Ryan Grant has no leverage only if you think TT and MM don't care if Grant is on the team or not. So long as they want him, he has some leverage. If they are counting on him to be the starter, he has more leverage.

Joe Toledo had no leverage.

I'll say this - Ryan Grant IS worth more than the min. He's worth a lot more and it's probably not fair to punish him for his unfortunate situation that was really out of his control (just from a decency stand point, not anything owed). I still don't think he has much leverage, but he does have the right to get really pissed off if the Packers treat him like shit. I really want to wait 1/2 more year just to be sure and then give him a nice fair deal that's not a complete rip off, but not maxed out either. Right now, any long term deal this early would have to be an extreme rip off for Grant. If I"m the Packers I'd give him 1.5 million to play this year and then tell him the long term deal will be hammered out based on the first half of this season. Grant gets a million after taxes (which should be enough to give his life a nice kick start if he is injured), the Packers get his services and if everything works out for 8 games Grant will get a deal that he probably never dreamed of when he entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie.

[Scott Campbell]

I think Grant has more leverage than some of you are willing to acknowledge.

I agree. and I think he's going to get a lot of money too because the Packers also know he's really good. It'll be done before the year starts, and it will make jaws drop. How long did we let Brett play for 2nd round money?

[RashanGary]

It'll be interesting to see it play out. If it is a huge deal this early, I would think much of it will come later in the deal. I don't see him getting a huge up front deal this early. (something similar to what Walker signed at Denver where it looked big but he didn't get much up front - only saved face). I think if he waits 1/2 more year he'll do better for himself and the Packers can feel more comfortable giving it out.

[Scott Campbell]

How long did Denver let TD play at 6th round money?

[woodbuck27]

This can be a classic win-win situation and that's the approach in harmony both sides need to take.

As Packer fans I believe that's how we should view this now. Keep it simple.

GO PACKERS !

[rbaloha1]

Have faith in TT.

TT will find the right deal.

[Guiness]

Re: RG

Maybe I missed it, but when did Grant use the Javon Walker argument about risk of injury as his reason for wanting a better contract? He's not practicing now when he is not signed, but normally the team will not allow them to anyway, because of the injury risk.

I don't recall Grant being quoted as saying he wants a bigger contract because of the risk of injury, just that he believes he has earned a better offer than what he has been given.

You're quite right there Patler, and I guess we just all assumed he was concerned about injury...nothing else made a lot of sense. To me, anyways.

Yes, he certainly earned more, but if injury isn't the concern then I really do think he should just play football and let the money take care of itself. I just can't see the Pack - or any team, for that matter - wanting to be known as the team that pays their feature back peanuts. Remember the big deal made when Brad Johnson was going to be the Vikes starting QB for $1mil/year?

On the other side though, I do wonder why the Pack tendered him at the minimum. Because they could, I guess. I wonder what they said to him when it was offered?

I'm trying to put myself in TT's shoes...what he was thinking with the offer, and what would be going through his head now. Give the guy a minimum contract so he can get into camp immediately. The minimum because it's the simplest way to do it, and it's a signal that it's a temporary thing. Tell him we'll work on a reasonable deal. When Grant refused to sign, I can't help but think TT would've thought he was making a PITA out of himself, and being a little obstinate.

The comment others have made is accurate as well of course. He's not holding out, so you can't get too upset with him. He's just not under contract. I'm actually a little surprised the team is letting him work out - although I guess if he does hurt himself doing that, they're on the hook for pretty much nothing.

[RashanGary]

I don't know if a player has ever gotten a monster deal at this stage. It's pretty much status-quo what TT offered. When you uncover diamonds in the rough, you get to have them cheap for a couple years. This is very unusual that a guy is demanding more this early in the process (but grants situation is very unsusual so you never know how it might pan out).

[cpk1994]

I think Grant has more leverage than some of you are willing to acknowledge.

I agree. and I think he's going to get a lot of money too because the Packers also know he's really good. It'll be done before the year starts, and it will make jaws drop. How long did we let Brett play for 2nd round money?

A lot longer than 8 games, that's for sure.

[Gunakor]

Re: RG

Lucrative deals are not warranted after 9 productive games. He has to show he can last a full season before a lucrative deal is warranted. What if he's just another guy, who happened to get lucky for half a season? Geez man, you make it sound so certain he's going to be our starter for the near future. What if he does turn out to be the next Eric Rhett?

Then how do you explain the deals given to rookies who have never played an NFL game? Should Grant continue to be "punished" just because he was overlooked in the draft?

I look forward to a new CBA worked out in the near future that includes a rookie salary cap. Rookies these days make waaaaaaaaaay to much money. Matt Ryan and Jamarcus Russell have Ben Rothlisberger type contracts coming out of the draft. Are you going to tell me that you are okay with this? Big Ben has won a Super Bowl! What have Ryan or Russell done?

Eric Rhett... Got his money after having one terrific season, just like Grant is trying to do now. Rhett fell of the face of the NFL immediately after. Bad investment. One would think GM's would learn from Tampa Bay's mistake. One season doesn't prove anything. Grant is still unproven, and should be paid as such.

I'm not saying he doesn't deserve more than the minimum tender he was offered, but for crying out loud sign the damn thing and get on the field for now. Tell your agent to continue negotiations, but get with the team and get ready for the season. I'm absolutely certain Thompson would work something out down the road.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Grant has more leverage than some of you are willing to acknowledge.

I agree. and I think he's going to get a lot of money too because the Packers also know he's really good. It'll be done before the year starts, and it will make jaws drop. How long did we let Brett play for 2nd round money?

A lot longer than 8 games, that's for sure.

Favre got one after his third year. His second year with the Packers. (Grant has been in the NFL for three years--one with the Packers.) Favre had thrown 19 TDs and 24 interceptions that year. They signed him to a big deal based on his potential and not really on his production. Actually, there situations aren't that different. Each had one good year (neither of which was a full season). Both sat for a year. The only difference is that Favre started and played horrible in one of the three seasons--while Grant was on IR. Favre also had more leverage because he was going to be a RFA, and that's the reason Grant won't get the type of money Favre got (relative to the salaries back then).