An Open Letter to Vincent Jackson
by John Gennaro on Jun 8, 2010 2:07 PM PDT
50 comments
To Vincent Jackson:
Please tell me these rumors about you sitting out the 2010 season aren't true. I understand that you're not thrilled about the idea of playing on a one-year contract for less than what you're really worth, but these are the NFL's rules. It's not like you're the only one screwed by this, and I seriously doubt the NFL is going the overturn it's entire system to make it easier for you. I also doubt the Chargers will pay you four times what the system says they have to just because you want it.
Look, this is a losing battle. You have far too much to lose and, quite frankly, I think you might be overvaluing yourself a little bit. Let me break down the issues after the jump...
1. Terrell "Unemployed" Owens
Don't laugh. You're not far from being labeled as "too much trouble". I get that you're a great receiver, so was Owens, but you're not seeing the baggage you carry. Two DUIs and a then driving without a license. Don't you have people to tell you not to do stupid stuff like that? Don't you have friends that'll drive you to the game since the state of California says you're not allowed to?
And don't even get me started on the stupid penalty in the Jets game for kicking the challenge flag. Have you ever seen any other player do that? Did you think that was okay? The smart thing to do in that game, in all games, is to be respectful towards the rules and the men who enforce them. The dumb thing is to test the boundaries and be a comedian. You're quickly earning a reputation of a dumb guy who happens to be a good receiver, but creates a lot of headaches as well. Chris Henry had that same reputation. It's not one you want to have, and it's not one that's going to make the Chargers jump to sign you to a long-term deal. They want you to prove you've grown up a little bit first.
2. The Rivers Factor
This is kindof like the Chicken and the egg question. Do you make Philip Rivers great or does he make you great? Considering Rivers was pretty darn good while you were sitting on the bench, I'm thinking he'd be okay with just about any set of NFL WRs, but I don't know for sure. You know what will answer that question? Your four-game suspension. The team is going to take a nice hard look at what the team is without you before they decide if you're worth the investment and the trouble. Telling them they have to do so beforehand or you're going to sit out for the year is just silly. The rules are on their side in this case. One day they'll be on yours.
3. Competition
So, you're the best WR in football huh? Let me pour over these 2009 numbers for a second.
- Tied for 4th in the league (with, GASP, Malcom Floyd) in yards per reception
- Tied for 10th in the league in receiving TDs. Tied with Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson, Chad Ochocinco and Robert Meachem. All good receivers, but you know what they all have in common? None of them are among the top 5 highest paid WRs.
- Tied for 9th in receiving yardage for the season. Tied with DeSean Jackson and Hines Ward.
- Tied for 8th in receiving yards per game with DeSean Jackson, again.
So it would appear that you and DeSean Jackson had almost the exact same season as receivers. If we ignore the fact that DeSean is also one of the best PR/KR in the league, and is four years younger than you, we can say that you guys are of the same value....right?
DeSean Jackson's 2010 Salary: $805,000
Vincent Jackson's Offered Tender: $3,268,000
What's the problem here? Is it that Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne are making $7 million per? Well, they're older than you. You'll get up there after this season. All you have to do is prove you're not as big of an off-the-field risk as teams fear, and that you're smart enough to sit out your suspension with your head down and come back strong. All you're going to do by sitting out is play into the fears that these teams already have about you.
4. Everyone Loves a Comeback Story
It's true. Ever hear of Josh Hamilton? Ricky Williams? Randy Moss? If there's one things fans love more than a guy who keeps his nose clean, it's a guy that grows up right in front of them. Want to become a fan favorite? Change the fan's perception of you. A year from now, when you're signing a huge deal and some Raiders fan says to me "He's a headcase", I'd love to respond "He used to be. He's grown up a lot in the last year. He won't be getting into trouble anymore." So would the rest of the Chargers fans. We're rooting for you as a player and a person. Step 1 is to admit that you've messed up in the past, and that your current situation is punishment/karma for that. Take your medicine, sign your tender, do your job, and we'll be the ones making your case for you to the front office next year.
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You forgot to mention
The CBA and the labor situation. If there really are problems on the horizon for 2011, this could be his last chance at a paycheck in a while.
Suppose worst case: he sits out, then they cancel all or part of 2011. That’s 2 years of not getting paid, not even the “meager” 3 million he would make this year on his tender. By the time some other team signs him his value will be reduced, and he’ll still have to serve a suspension. Realistically he has almost no leverage here.
by CABurrito on Jun 8, 2010 2:25 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Doesn’t this remind anyone of a guy named John Jefferson?
I honestly think if JJ would have stayed with Foutes in San Diego he could have had 2 to 3 more great years. By leaving I think he cut his career short. And Rivers, just like Foutes, will have success without this key receiving asset.
If he holds out & there’s a lockout, V-Jax be almost 29 years old before he can play in another NFL game. Maybe WRs don’t take the punishment of RBs, but they have a freshness date too. Who is gonna pay big dollar – long term contract for….
… An older player at the high-end of age for his position. Even if he gets the contract, he probably will not complete it.
… That hasn’t done anything on a football field for 2 years.
… That really benefited from the Chargers scheme and the talent of P. Rivers. (In 2 years time presumably both the Chargers and Rivers will have found other success in their games).
… With off the field baggage.
Vs.
Taking the consolation prize of 3 MILLION DOLLARS for one season’s efforts.
Holding out is just not a good deal for Jackson at all.
by Trendsearcher on Jun 8, 2010 3:20 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
he shouild sign
but u have to understand 1 hard hit and he might be in a wheelchair for life and if he has a bad year his value goes down and sometimes u have to cash in whilie u can if i was him i wouild the 1 year deal but i think he is getting bad advice from a argent
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
I get that
but there is literally zero incentive for the Chargers to sign him long term. None. And he’ll make himself look like the biggest primadonna if he’s the only WR sitting out a season over a contract dispute.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
u are right
john i think he will sigh because if he sit out he loses pay and a year of sefice
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
the enemy thread
Rec John on the post. I agree
As the enemy we want to beat the best and in the second game Jackson should be in there for the Chiefs to see what kinda secondary we have against the best.
I read a post about WR’s and what they are able to do with the team that originally signs them. The 1st and 2nd round guys usually don’t help win SB’s for the teams that originally pick them. just some food for thought:) Nice post
Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
Jackson won't play vs. Chiefs.
He’ll be suspended.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jun 9, 2010 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Solid Advice
This is solid advice! I just hope his agent isn’t watching Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson ask for more money. No Offense to Jackson, but he has yet to accomplish what they have. Reggie and Andre have been quietly doing there jobs for years now, with no off field offenses. They deserve the pay days, not that Jackson doesn’t.
This is what he deserves at the moment.
"Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow."- Zappa
I agree, j-man
but do you know one person who couldn’t be set for life on three million dollars? Even in the transient nature of football— and even though other guys are getting more— that’s still a helluva lot of money. Especially for one season.
The Padres are good, but make no mistake: we've gotta beef up the linwup.
If I had a nickel from every SBN blog that has banned me, Arrowhead Pride would owe me 5¢.
by StrangeBroP25 on Jun 9, 2010 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
VJ should definitely sign.
McNeill should probably sign, but if he wants to fight at least he has some ammo. Merriman should sign too, but he has a little while to hem and haw before he does.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jun 8, 2010 3:27 PM PDT reply actions
I don't buy this CBA stuff...
Look, regardless of the CBA you have to pay these guys market value. If the front office is going to sign them in the future they already know the market. All the stuff about “not wanting to jeopardize the future of the franchise” is bull****. They are going to pay the same price regardless of the CBA. The new CBA is just an excuse to get a cheap year out of these guys in their prime.
So yeah I would be pissed.
They have VJ in a hard spot. All logic dictates that he has to sign eventually unless he just wants to spit in the face of the FO for being pricks.
"I sawed a woman in the park today"
Not bad grammar. Just recollections of a deranged killer.
The CBA does have issues
The new CBA is just an excuse to get a cheap year out of these guys in their prime.
I absolutely agree. The CBA does undervalue the contributions of younger high performing players. At the same time it also benefits some fortunate players that don’t live up to the hype. I don’t see Luis Castillo give any of that money back for the very few sacks & tackles he’s made in the last two years. A deal is a deal. And overall I would say V-Jax has over delivered for the duration of his contract.
by Trendsearcher on Jun 8, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions
3 mill aint chump change
With no c.b.a. in place teams don’t know what sort of salary cap will be in place if any and what would count against the cap. It’s a little like playing russian roulette. and, as was pointed out in the original post, his numbers aren’t all that great. Other receivers making far less money posted similar numbers. Add in his off field problems and his bone head play in the playoffs (kicking the flag) I say if ya don’t sign, c-ya. Plenty of receivers out there that can catch a ball. He reminds me a little of brandon marshall. And, as someone stated, one hard hit and he could be out the whole year. so, pay him multi million dollars to sit on the side line? and, he will face some sort of suspension if and when he does play. so, take the money, show your worth the big bucks and THEN ask for a long term deal.
See here's the little lie they want us to believe
“We don’t know what the salary cap will be”
The Owners are not going to try to screw themselves with a ask for a lower salary cap(meaning they have to reorganize the team ect.). The players, likewise are not going to screw themselves and ask for a lower salary cap(this means lower salaries).
So, there’s no way we’re going to come out of the CBA with a smaller salary cap. The FO is just trying to screw these players out of one of their most productive years.
"I sawed a woman in the park today"
Not bad grammar. Just recollections of a deranged killer.
In fact, the only other possible outcome other than keeping the salary cap trend as is, is that they greatly INCREASE the salary cap.
This means they would start paying players more money. And if they signed VJ now then they would get him for cheap.
The only thing cheaper would be having him play on this tender. Which is what the FO is doing.
"I sawed a woman in the park today"
Not bad grammar. Just recollections of a deranged killer.
Other considerations
One thing we all neglect to mention is the new CBA isn’t going to be only about money for players.
Just as this final year has a poison pill for players if a new CBA hasn’t been agreed too. The Players union signed and agreed on the importance of players years of service in the last CBA and the players and union knew the consequences if a new CBA wasn’t in place. Regardless of the hard ball tactics the Owners are using. Some other issues could be player contract length, dollars against cap per yr of contracts, signing bonus and how it can or will be counted against the cap each yr of the new contract, etc, etc to name a few.
So as much as I’d love to see VJ and McNeil get the money they deserve being a realist i have to (cough, hack, spit) see the FO side as well.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Jun 8, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
LoL
I agree wholeheartedly with your letter. He AND the team will lose out immensely if he sits out the year. He’s a great weapon for Rivers and it would be a shame to let that go to waste over greed and pride….sign that shit VJ and get your ass in camp and help the TEAM and yourself get to the SB…
Do you think he will read this? just asking. i really hope that this wont “alienate” him from the team. i think we are going to need him a lot this season to put us over the top. With the addition of Mathews helping were gonna have a huge year. sign the contract please.
Most NFL players don’t bother reading newspapers/blogs.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
by John Gennaro on Jun 8, 2010 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions
ditto
john
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
somebody should e-mail it to him
or print/transcribe it and use snail mail.
The Padres are good, but make no mistake: we've gotta beef up the linwup.
If I had a nickel from every SBN blog that has banned me, Arrowhead Pride would owe me 5¢.
by StrangeBroP25 on Jun 9, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Great Post
Don’t you have people to tell you not to do stupid stuff like that?
Same goes for someone telling this guy to sign his tender. What good comes from sitting out a year?
Nice letter John
I was looking around for a contract to sign after point number 2. Not that the Chargers have to (you made the case strong enough), but they could consider a “give and take” where the Chargers agree to put in some additional performance bonus targets in echange for signing the one year tender before camp.
This might work with Jackson and Merriman; probably less so for McNeill. I think VJ and Merriman will sign anyway, but this approach might clear the bad air for minimal expense/risk to the team.
Doesn't believe in himself
If he sits the only possible explanation could be that he’s afraid he stock will diminish next year. Surely he’s learned that those with all the gold make the rules. Futile to cry about it.
by Robo65 on Jun 8, 2010 10:10 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Good post:
I am new to the commentaries on here but, have followed all of the postings on here almost daily. John, you nailed it with this blog. “Go for the jugular” and, call VJ out. I have enjoyed his playing abilities the last few years and he has the potential to go all the way and be a real star player but, his recent hijinks cause me to think he is becoming “Just another unproven PRIMADONNA.” Cmon VJ? you were making over half a mill and, acted like a goof, and now am balking at over 3 million.
I say if he does not sign soon then, let his ass go!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am tired of the geekamabobs that think they are da shit after 2 or three years that show up to a major play-off game (with a suspended license, blasting their car stereo) and getting ticketed, only to commit a penalty in a big game.
We have to many other up and coming veterans and, rookies thar are HUNGRY!
I say, let him go…………………Yo
by iliketowinallthetime on Jun 9, 2010 3:17 AM PDT reply actions
Yeah, let’s just all bow down to the owners. Screw the players – who needs them anyway?
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Jun 9, 2010 5:50 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
That's not my thinking. Not at all.
My thinking is that the guy is screwing himself by picking this fight. It’s just not smart business. Sign the tender, take the money, play the season, hit the market, and take the best offer! Even in the face of a lockout, some team will want to pay a gob to lock down a top-5 WR.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jun 9, 2010 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm with Buck
NFL careers are short. VJ is underpaid even at $3m a year. He is not currently under contract (although his rights are “controlled”) so he should be able to apply whatever leverage he has to get a better deal. Will he get a better deal? Maybe… Maybe not. He might be able to at least get some sort of agreement put in that will keep him from being franchised next year.
Honestly, how many of us would be willing to work for less than we are worth if our careers might end before our next contract?
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 9, 2010 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Let me add a bit
I’m not totally on one side or the other. I can certainly see the ownership side of this argument. Without knowing what the financial “rules” are going to be going forward, it’s certainly difficult to feel safe in offering a long-term, multi-million dollar contract to someone. While not likely, what if the salary cap is lessened in the next CBA? Now you’ve potentially put the team in cap hell & possibly done as much damage to the future of the organization as you would by risking the loss of players.
On the players’ side …. they want to get paid for their performance. They want some long-term stability …. at least as much as any NFL contract can guarantee. They know that any game could potentially be their last. Hell, any practice for that matter.
Everyone knew, or damn well should have known, that this situation was possibly coming when they signed onto the current CBA. No one has any excuse if they didn’t plan for it.
Now …. I do feel that in many instances management holds the upper hand in the NFL. They wouldn’t be able to participate in this “good ol’ boys” club were it not for the players so they should be willing to take care of the guys who perform. This year is an aberration because of the uncertainty going forward but, in general, I think most of us would agree that the owners have more tricks at their disposal to hang onto their money than most players.
So what would I do as a player? I’d certainly make noise, as many around the league are doing, to show a a willingness to deal as a group. Solidarity, if you will. Depending on my financial situation, I might sit out. However, I doubt that many of these guys have earned enough yet to be able to comfortably sit a year w/o receiving paychecks. So I’d earn as much as possible this year to prepare for the possibility of a 2011 work stoppage.
If this sounds like I’m back-pedaling, I’m not. I’m with the players regarding getting paid for what they do. Again – there would be no NFL w/o them. Their careers are short & uncertain. They endure a lot of pain & often feel the effects for the rest of their lives.
I hope they come in, but I won’t condemn them if they don’t nor will I vilify the ownership for playing it safe with their money.
One more thing … before you vent your anger at AJ, remember that he isn’t making these decisions in a vacuum. He doesn’t write the checks.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Jun 10, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
As a business owner, I would never commit myself long-term to someone with his track record. That’s my biggest issue here.
Notice how I didn’t mention McNeill? I kindof think Marcus deserves the contract he wants. I would think the same about VJ if there weren’t so many other concerns (and if he were a little younger).
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
what are the track record issues you have a problem with?
is it mainly the DUIs? (Jan 2009 and 2006)
Bonehead penalty? (only one that stands out is the Jets, otherwise he has been pretty clean here)
driving with a suspended license? (before the playoff game)
anything else?
If you or I ran a business with 53 employees, we would probably have several people working for us who had similar issues. I suspect that if they were tops in their field we might keep them around (and maybe even pay them what they are worth)
not trying to be a smart aleck, just trying to keep things in perspective.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 9, 2010 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
What more do you need? It’s not only those track record issues but the timing of them as well: the worst possible time. Let’s not also forget his other untimely and monumentally bonehead play in Pittsburgh, coming right on the heels of his second DUI arrest he stuns a hostile crowd with a long TD, does something asinine, gets an Unsportsman and sets up Holmes’ return TD with the resulting terrible field position when he should’ve just been feeling lucky his teammates would even still look his dumb ass in the eye. There is just a disturbing pattern at this point and, as an owner, I wouldn’t bend of over backwards and pay handsomely to invite more detrimental stupidity into a clubhouse that already has more than its share. VJ has made this bed, shat in it and now he’ll have to sleep in it. Good luck with that, buddy. I think this whole thing just proves once again just how much of a clueless moron this guy is. As for Marcus, the Chargers need to step it up, suck it up and get a deal done. They can succeed without Va-jayjay but they cannot get anywhere without a Left Tackle.
by Rocket Surgery on Jun 9, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It pains me
but I have to rec this comment.
"Shrooms don’t cut off the faces and rip the still beating hearts out of their training partners. People do." -Random guy on Bloody Elbow.
by SoCalBoltFan on Jun 9, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
so we should just cut him?
you seem to feel pretty strongly about this. You probably wouldn’t want to risk even one more season on him. After all, if he is a Charger for one more year then that is one more year we are sharing his shat-upon bed with him…
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 9, 2010 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
All valid points
but here’s where I stand. If that guy was my employee, and he had one more year left on his contract and wanted a long-term commitment….I can tell you right away that my answer would be “Use this last year and prove to me you’re worth big money.”
I’m not advocating cutting him at this point. I know he’s hugely talented. But I’m not going to go out of my way and sign him long term a year before I have to just because he wants to. If he wanted the early extension, he should’ve made himself look like a safer investment. Now he has a year to prove to me that he’s worth a long-term investment, but apparently VJ isn’t cool with that plan.
"When they come for me I'll be sitting at my desk, with a gun in my hand wearing a bullet-proof vest, singing 'My, my, my, how the time does fly when you know you're going to die by the end of the night.'" - Catch 22
Prior to this holdout situation I am not sure if I could’ve talked myself into cutting him outright but I would’ve understood if it happened. However, after this, once again demonstrating no contrition or selflessness when his actions have demanded it, I think the Chargers can move on and be just fine without him. He doesn’t put himself ahead of the team and I certainly won’t put him ahead of the team. It’s not like he’s getting a raw deal here. Go one full year without doing something incredibly deleterious to the stability and success of the team and then you can make your unyielding demands.
by Rocket Surgery on Jun 9, 2010 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone was advocating cutting him.
At least intentionally. The Chargers seem to want him back at the 3M one year tender to see if he is worth investing a long term contract. And if he isn’t willing to do that, they will play hardball. From the perspective of negotiating leverage, cutting him would make the least sense.
I was just trying to take Rocket Surgery’s argument to its logical conclusion. That is: if we shouldn’t sign him to a long term deal because of his negative effect on the team (due to off-field and on-field issues), then we should also not want him on the team for next year under any contract (since we wouldn’t want to risk next year).
I really waver on this issue, especially with VJ. On one hand, he is a dominant player on a dominant offense and we will experience a drop off if he is gone. On the other hand, a bone-head off the field and on the field move during the Chargers biggest game of the year last year is VERY distastfull and makes me want to cut ties entirely.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 10, 2010 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Good article Captain J
Vincent Jackson is definitely an odd case. Its hard to say the good about him outweighs the bad, or vice versa, but It seems so because of how he’s responding, or really, not responding. I hope he gets his head straight.
by Superduperboltman on Jun 9, 2010 7:25 AM PDT reply actions
Just Sign
Sign the damn 1 year, have another productive year and make even more money with your next contract. Is is that easy or am I missing something here?
Anquan Boldin
As I recall, he had some serious and legitimate complaints about his contract with the Cards and he sucked it up, played well and hurt, and now he’s getting $25MM for 3 years from Baltimore. Sure he whined about it and yelled at Haley a few times, but he did his job, paid his dues, and got a deal.
There is a significant risk of you going two years w/o $ and/or the Team bringing in a TO or some other available WR. Sign the tender, bro.
There is some baggage with Jackson
but should he really feel good about getting paid the same as Floyd this season?
Do I think he deserves a long term contract that makes him the highest paid WR in football? No of course not.
But does he deserve more than Floyd just signed for? Yes
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