By Dylan B. Tomlinson
[email protected]
During the off-season, Javon Walker told anyone who would listen that he would never play for the Green Bay Packers ever again.
Rather than deal with a disgruntled employee, the Packers traded Walker to the Denver Broncos for a second-round draft choice. Walker then signed a five-year contract extension worth over $40 million.
Walker got everything he wanted.
During the off-season when Deion Branch wasn't satisfied with his contract, he refused to report to training camp until the New England Patriots traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for a first-round pick. Branch then signed a six-year, $39 million contract with a $7 million signing bonus.
Branch got everything he wanted.
Last season, when Terrell Owens was dissatisfied with his contract, he criticized his teammates and coaches until he was suspended or inactive for the final nine games of the season. During the off-season, Owens was released and signed a three-year, $25 million dollar deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
At least financially, Owens got everything he wanted.
Tantrums seem to carry a financial windfall in the NFL these days. While the Packers, Patriots and Eagles didn't have to get rid of their star receivers, they decided to cut their losses rather than have to deal with a high-profile disgruntled employee who can be a distraction to the rest of the team.
Walker proved on Sunday that despite missing almost all of last season with a torn ACL, he is still among the elite receivers in the NFL. No matter how much the Packers love rookie Greg Jennings, it's foolish to think that Jennings can be the same type of player that Walker is when he's healthy. It can be easy to forget that Walker scored 21 touchdowns during the 2003-04 seasons and was well on his way to being one of the best receivers in the NFL before he was injured last season.
When the Patriots dealt Branch their chances at realistically being a Super Bowl contender essentially went with him.
Without his favorite receiver, Tom Brady has looked remarkably ordinary this season. Without Branch, the Patriots top receiver this season has been tight end Ben Watson, who has a very pedestrian 143 yards. Think the Patriots don't miss Branch, a Super Bowl MVP?
The Eagles undoubtedly don't miss Owens' antics, but on the field, it's impossible to replace a player of his caliber. It's not a coincidence that the Eagles went 2-7 during the nine games that Owens missed last season. During Owens' only full season in Philadelphia, the Eagles made the Super Bowl. Without him, they're just another team trying to contend. Is Donte Stallworth likely to catch 14 touchdown passes, as Owens did in 2004? It certainly doesn't appear likely.
It's also got to infuriate the Eagles that they weren't even able to get a draft pick for Owens who is now playing for a divisional rival.
The Packers have been through this twice in the last three years. Before Walker it was cornerback Mike McKenzie who forced his way out of town three weeks into the 2004 season. After one season in New Orleans, McKenzie was rewarded with a five-year, $22 million extension that contained a $7 million signing bonus.
What's to prevent it from happening again? It's well-known that cornerback Al Harris is unhappy with his contract. What's to prevent Harris from forcing the Packers to trade him during the off-season? Harris was applauded for reporting on time for training camp this year, but if he didn't what would the Packers have done? Would they have traded him elsewhere so he could get his turn at a giant contract?
Sometimes players are rewarded for doing things the right way. The Packers did that for receiver Donald Driver when they gave him a four-year, $17 million contract this off-season.
It's just unfortunate to see players who use hold outs and trade demands reap such financial rewards in the NFL.
Dylan B. Tomlinson writes for The Post-Crescent. He can be reached at 920-965-5429 or at [email protected]