Shawne Merriman!

[rbaloha1]

What constitutes a "tryout" in yout statement above?

My tryout is only mentioned there.(Boy you sure knit pick, feel sorry for your family). The rationale is the history the Packers have had with declining vets, plugging them in for a season or two (contributing to a super bowl) then releasing them.

The tryout is to see if SM has anything left in the tank. Unable to pass a physical or a subpar workout -- aloha. Should TT deem SM is worth a roster spot -- wait until after game 1.

Boy you guys stay up late answering my annoying posts. (Psst -- I can keep you all night!) LOL

[Lurker64]

A player of the stature of Merriman won't come into town for a "tryout." If you say "hey, want to come into town and try out for the team" his agent's response will most likely be "no, not really" particularly if it's a town like Green Bay.

His agent knows that come week 2, he'll be able to get a contract. No team's going to offer him a contract before week 1 though. Signing him before week 1 would be a mistake and every GM knows it.

[mission]

This is pretty much a 1 vs. everyone conversation at this point. It's pretty obvious. Dude was cut by the Bills in order to (really) save $1m... that says it all. The Bills.

[rbaloha1]

A player of the stature of Merriman won't come into town for a "tryout." If you say "hey, want to come into town and try out for the team" his agent's response will most likely be "no, not really" particularly if it's a town like Green Bay.

His agent knows that come week 2, he'll be able to get a contract. No team's going to offer him a contract before week 1 though. Signing him before week 1 would be a mistake and every GM knows it.

How do you know this?

[Lurker64]

How do you know this?

When was the last time you saw a multiple-time All Pro accept a "tryout offer" from a team?

Other than undrafted rookies, NFL guys won't even take a physical before you're willing to talk contract.

Why would no team sign him now? Because then you either cut him before week 1, or you end up guaranteeing his entire salary for the season. If you sign him after the first game, you only pay him game by game. The whole "won't get a contract until week 2" thing is pretty common practice in the NFL.

[rbaloha1]

When was the last time you saw a multiple-time All Pro accept a "tryout offer" from a team?

Other than undrafted rookies, NFL guys won't even take a physical before you're willing to talk contract.

Why would no team sign him now? Because then you either cut him before week 1, or you end up guaranteeing his entire salary for the season. If you sign him after the first game, you only pay him game by game. The whole "won't get a contract until week 2" thing is pretty common practice in the NFL.

Okay forget the physical -- tryout only with no guarantees and in order to get a potential jump on other teams.

[rbaloha1]

When was the last time you saw a multiple-time All Pro accept a "tryout offer" from a team?

Other than undrafted rookies, NFL guys won't even take a physical before you're willing to talk contract.

Why would no team sign him now? Because then you either cut him before week 1, or you end up guaranteeing his entire salary for the season. If you sign him after the first game, you only pay him game by game. The whole "won't get a contract until week 2" thing is pretty common practice in the NFL.

T. Owens, Chad Ochosinco, Seau, Benson, Ahman Green, etc.

[Patler]

My tryout is only mentioned there.(Boy you sure knit pick, feel sorry for your family). The rationale is the history the Packers have had with declining vets, plugging them in for a season or two (contributing to a super bowl) then releasing them.

The tryout is to see if SM has anything left in the tank. Unable to pass a physical or a subpar workout -- aloha. Should TT deem SM is worth a roster spot -- wait until after game 1.

Boy you guys stay up late answering my annoying posts. (Psst -- I can keep you all night!) LOL

Right now, I don't care what your rational is for having a tryout. All I want to know is what will happen at the "tryout". Several times you have mentioned "bringing him in for a tryout" What kind of tryout? Running individual drills with a coach? One on ones. TC drills? Preseason game? What?

I am just trying to understand your position.

[rbaloha1]

I didn't ask, nor do I care what your rational is for having a tryout. All I want to know is what will happen at the "tryout". Several times you have mentioned "brining him in for a tryout" What kind of tryout? Running individual drills with a coach? What?

I am just trying to understand your position.

Thats up to TT who has conducted hundreds of these type of workouts. TT is an ex linebacker -- trust he knows what type of combine drills to conduct.

Gee Whiz -- is it getting past your bedtime?

[Lurker64]

T. Owens, Chad Ochosinco, Seau, Benson, Ahman Green, etc.

Terrell Owens had a tryout with the Seahawks, since the last time anybody saw him play football it was with the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor football league. Ochocinco, Seau, Green, and Benson were not told to come in and "try out." They visited with a team, talked to the coaches, got looked at by the trainers, and were eventually were offered a contract that they signed.

TT sure as heck didn't have Benson out there, not under contract, doing drills to see if he's still got it.

[rbaloha1]

Terrell Owens had a tryout with the Seahawks, since the last time anybody saw him play football it was with the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor football league. Ochocinco, Seau, Green, and Benson were not told to come in and "try out." They visited with a team, talked to the coaches, got looked at by the trainers, and were eventually were offered a contract that they signed.

TT sure as heck didn't have Benson out there, not under contract, doing drills to see if he's still got it.

How do you know?

[Patler]

Thats up to TT who has conducted hundreds of these type of workouts. TT is an ex linebacker -- trust he knows what type of combine drills to conduct.

Gee Whiz -- is it getting past your bedtime?

Well, there are several ways to handle it, and I am trying to understand what you have in mind. From what you have suggested, it can't happen without SM first signing a contract.

[Cheesehead Craig]

This is pretty much a 1 vs. everyone conversation at this point. It's pretty obvious. Dude was cut by the Bills in order to (really) save $1m... that says it all. The Bills.

Agreed. Just let it rest already.

[rbaloha1]

Well, there are several ways to handle it, and I am trying to understand what you have in mind. From what you have suggested, it can't happen without SM first signing a contract.

Where does it say that? If SM is unwilling to go thru a tryout first forget it. Unsure how much leverage SM has given his current situation.

Are you guys now saying a tryout should not happen due to protocol or declining stats?

[Lurker64]

How do you know?

Because practice, which is where you "try out" is open to the media during the preseason. Benson never appeared at practice before he signed. NFL veterans just don't do that sort of thing. When a player is brought in for a "tryout" this is reported in the media and (at least in the preseason) the media gets to watch.

When you sign a guy off the couch you may bring him in for a "workout" (rather than a "tryout") just to check conditioning, whether they can run and cut, etc. But there's no reason to do that with Merriman since there's nothing you could learn about Merriman by bringing him in for a workout that you couldn't learn from watching Bills preseason tape. If you called him and asked him to come in either for a tryout or workout, his agent would inform you of the fact that you can see him on tape in the first two Bills preseason games, and that should be all you need to see to conclude that he's healthy.