ET Reporting

[HumanCockroach]

I don't get the impression he wants out of Seattle.
He's said on a number of occasions that he would like to finish his career here, but if the Seahawks don't want to pay him what he thinks he's worth then he will move on to another team that might come closer.
I don't think he will be here by next year, but I also don't think it's his first choice.

Yep, said it again yesterday.

Never a good situation when you've got other players saying on air to pay the man.... seattle has let this build, bad situation they've created.

[idhawkman]

Kam isn't a comparable issue, and you are fully aware why.

Wilson, Wagner, Bennett, Lynch, Baldwin, Sherman.... the list is LONG, exceedingly long where negotiations occurred during the off season. Core players get negotiated during the off season coming into their final contract year * kam WASN'T doing so, he would be an outlier, not a viable comparison*

And to be quite honest, I've absolutely 0 doubt in my mind if that's what he wanted, he would indeed come out and say it. Unfortunately, I think that point is quickly approaching. He wouldn't be the first player to do it.

Did ET come to OTAs over the offseason?

[HumanCockroach]

I wouldn't if I was in his shoes after being told during the off season that Seattle wasn't going to negotiate, unlike players listed, Seattle declined to discuss it during the off season, ultimately, you have to weigh whether risking injuries during ota's is worth it for someone whos made it clear you aren't in their plans moving forward. Thomas clearly made the decision it wasn't.

Ultimately, the only person who cares about Thomas in this situation, is Thomas. May not have been the way I personally handled the situation, but I don't begrudge men their choices that are indeed their choices. His decision ultimately, he made it. My personal feelings are irrelevant to it, as are every single fans. Nobody not in the situation has really any viable reason to judge it, because they simply aren't in the situation, and never will be.

[idhawkman]

OTA's "ARE" during the offseason. The Seahawks have made a point of not negotiating with someone holding out and not showing up. Maybe ET needs to look in the mirror to find who screwed up. Its not the Seahawks.

[RiverDog]

I don't get the impression he wants out of Seattle.
He's said on a number of occasions that he would like to finish his career here, but if the Seahawks don't want to pay him what he thinks he's worth then he will move on to another team that might come closer.
I don't think he will be here by next year, but I also don't think it's his first choice.

Yea, he said he wanted to finish his career here. But he also told the Cowboys to "come get me." So which of these two polar opposite statements are you going to believe?

For me, I have to match his actions with his words. Despite the lip service he's paid to the politically correct stance that nearly all players take of wanting to finish their playing career where it began, he's held out while still under contract, returned to play only to say that he's been disrespected and won't forget it, and now he's sitting out practices without a justifiable reason.

[HumanCockroach]

Say whatever you feel like ID off season starts day 1 after the last game, Seattle indeed has discussed with numerous core players the moment they could, Wilson, Sherman, Wagner, Lynch etc have all received that, they didn't have to wait for otas , training camp before the team discussed with them extensions.

I understand your personal bias, but ultimately, your insisting something that's false, to fit those personal biases, which kind of destroys the stance you're taking here.

[HumanCockroach]

RD there's no polar opposite statements their, only your belief they are. Maybe Thomas saw the writing on the wall and was being proactive or emotional, perhaps he expected to be cut and traded like pretty much the ENTIRETY of the defense, you think that's possible? I sure the funk do, in fact I think it's FAR more likely than the belief he hates Seattle and wants out in the worst way.... it isn't like Seattle hasn't had a piece of talent, and I'm going with players know WAY more than the media or fans.

Ultimately, this is little different than the Wilson not black enough garbage, the media got something, and churned it, burned it, and churned it, its their jobs, you can either buy in, or try to decipher it using the available information. Thomas has never once said he wants out of Seattle, not a SINGLE toone, yet some fans trust the media, more than words from the source itself. Whichever group your in, in your choice, I goodr to give people the benefit of the doubt until they do something to prove they were lying, Thomas hasn't done so yet.

[idhawkman]

Say whatever you feel like ID off season starts day 1 after the last game, Seattle indeed has discussed with numerous core players the moment they could, Wilson, Sherman, Wagner, Lynch etc have all received that, they didn't have to wait for otas , training camp before the team discussed with them extensions.

I understand your personal bias, but ultimately, your insisting something that's false, to fit those personal biases, which kind of destroys the stance you're taking here.

Wow, that's rich. You keep saying the Seahawks disrespected him but I see it the other way around. So does that make your personal biases being fit into your stance?

[idhawkman]

RD there's no polar opposite statements their, only your belief they are. Maybe Thomas saw the writing on the wall and was being proactive or emotional, perhaps he expected to be cut and traded like pretty much the ENTIRETY of the defense, you think that's possible? I sure the funk do, in fact I think it's FAR more likely than the belief he hates Seattle and wants out in the worst way.... it isn't like Seattle hasn't had a piece of talent, and I'm going with players know WAY more than the media or fans.

Ultimately, this is little different than the Wilson not black enough garbage, the media got something, and churned it, burned it, and churned it, its their jobs, you can either buy in, or try to decipher it using the available information. Thomas has never once said he wants out of Seattle, not a SINGLE toone, yet some fans trust the media, more than words from the source itself. Whichever group your in, in your choice, I goodr to give people the benefit of the doubt until they do something to prove they were lying, Thomas hasn't done so yet.

Hmm... Holding out, "Come get me", not practicing, etc. Reminds me of a story about a guy sitting on his roof after a terrible storm.

Along comes a boat and says, "Get in and we'll take you to safety". He replied, "No, my God will save me."

Soon along comes another boat and says, "Get in and we'll take you to safety." Again he replied, "No, my god will save me."

The water has almost totally engulfed his home and along comes a helicopter. The call out to him, "Climb up and we'll take you to safety." He says once again, "No, My God is going to save me."

Soon the house was under water and the man drowned. When he got to heaven he asked St. Peter, "why didn't God save me?" St. Peter replied, "Well he sent 2 boats and a helicopter but you refused his help."

Moral of the story, you are not seeing the obvious because of YOUR bias.

[Aseahawkfan]

Totally disagree with everything said here. Asking a player to play the full extent of their contract is "cruel?" I don't think so.

Don't care if you disagree. I'm all for Early doing everything he can to protect his health which is his market value. I find the Seahawks treatment of Earl dishonest and cruel. They know football is dangerous. They're basically expecting this guy to play full speed and risk injury and millions of dollars because they want to play hardball. Players need to push back much harder next union agreement to obtain full contracts and better protections against injury, much, much harder.

On top of that its' bad management. Basically, Seattle is sending a message right now to all players and free agents that they will let a guy risk it all on the field and not pay them, the ruination of their career due to injury with no contract after years of giving their all to the team. If they were sure Earl didn't want to play for Seattle, they should have traded him for as much value as they could get. Instead their pushing Earl and he's pushing back to detriment of the team and showing that Pete and John are bad at managing personnel.

One more example of team and talent mismanagement which has us where we are now.

[idhawkman]

Totally disagree with everything said here. Asking a player to play the full extent of their contract is "cruel?" I don't think so.

Don't care if you disagree. I'm all for Early doing everything he can to protect his health which is his market value. I find the Seahawks treatment of Earl dishonest and cruel. They know football is dangerous. They're basically expecting this guy to play full speed and risk injury and millions of dollars because they want to play hardball. Players need to push back much harder next union agreement to obtain full contracts and better protections against injury, much, much harder.

I guess I don't care if you don't care then. If he's scared of getting hurt then the Seahawk's are justified in not wanting to extend his contract especially if he's seeking a guaratee of any sort.

[Aseahawkfan]

I guess I don't care if you don't care then. If he's scared of getting hurt then the Seahawk's are justified in not wanting to extend his contract especially if he's seeking a guaratee of any sort.

And they deserve every team loss and every free agent avoiding Seattle like the plague. If Seattle has decided that they like to let players risk their careers, then players need to remember that and avoid Seattle because our team doesn't take care of their players when they give their all and put their body on the line for the team. That message is being sent loud and clear. If that's the message you want your team sending, have at it. Such messages have repercussions and should have repercussions.

I'd like my team managed better. I'm tired of all the wasted draft picks and poor talent management.

[HumanCockroach]

I don't have any in this situation, so I'm not entirely sure what point you're trying to make here ID, except lashing out because I pointed out the flaws in your stance. Seattle has shown a willingness to negotiate during the off season ( hell they did so with Thomas himself last time in this situation) it isn't like I'm reaching for this information, it's readily available for anyone to look up.

Edit: to be clear I said THOMAS said they disrespected him, not me, and there is no other way to take that, and that I agree with him, I never said I feel they disrespected him, only that I agree with the feeling of being disrespected in this situation.

[jshawaii22]

Truth of the matter is, not withstanding all personal crap between him and team --- If you sign a 4 year deal... it's for FOUR years, not two, not three... Once agreed to and signed, it's totally up to the team to approach the player at that point IF they want to renegotiate the deal at any point before the end. Too bad for the player, and probably very unfair, but between the CBA that the Union and the League agreed to and the contract that ET signed, he has a obligation to show up and play for the balance of the contract he signed.
That said, it's a total bummer right now. Maybe it's a lack of cap space holding the team back or a desire to change direction and have a lot of cap space next offseason. I have no idea and the team isn't really speaking on it.

ET's not showing up for work on the on-field practice days is one thing. If he just shows up and plays like he did on Sunday for the next 14 weeks, is it a big deal?
Maybe ET realizes he'll be a cancer in the locker room and decided to just show up to play. Wonder if he'll fly on his own schedule to AZ or fly with the team if he doesn't practice this week?

And to add, there has been no talk today on the internet about any trade, potential or otherwise so all the talk yesterday ( and I thought it would be today, too) seems to be nada.

[obiken]

Truth of the matter is, not withstanding all personal crap between him and team --- If you sign a 4 year deal... it's for FOUR years, not two, not three... Once agreed to and signed, it's totally up to the team to approach the player at that point IF they want to renegotiate the deal at any point before the end. Too bad for the player, and probably very unfair, but between the CBA that the Union and the League agreed to and the contract that ET signed, he has a obligation to show up and play for the balance of the contract he signed.
That said, it's a total bummer right now. Maybe it's a lack of cap space holding the team back or a desire to change direction and have a lot of cap space next offseason. I have no idea and the team isn't really speaking on it.

ET's not showing up for work on the on-field practice days is one thing. If he just shows up and plays like he did on Sunday for the next 14 weeks, is it a big deal?
Maybe ET realizes he'll be a cancer in the locker room and decided to just show up to play. Wonder if he'll fly on his own schedule to AZ or fly with the team if he doesn't practice this week?

And to add, there has been no talk today on the internet about any trade, potential or otherwise so all the talk yesterday ( and I thought it would be today, too) seems to be nada.

I agree but I just want the whole thing to be over. The farther this goes to the end of the season, the worse it is for both him and the Hawks.

[HumanCockroach]

You're talking about how it "should be" as opposed to how it "is" in the NFL Hawaii, I agree, it should be that way, on both ends, a team signs it, they should live up to the terms of the contract, the player signs it, he should live up to the terms of the contract, but that isn't NFL reality, and hasn't been for pretty much the history of the league. Whether it's bad, or a bummer for fans, the team or the player, isn't really relevant, this is the system the NFL chose to put in place, you take the good with the bad.

My stance remains the same, how it should be, isn't relevant to the discussions, no matter how we feel about it, it is what it is, and players using the only leverage they have is to be expected. It's humans, there will always be variables, and whether we "want" a player to honor that contract or not, isn't going to factor in to anything they do or feel, just like whether we don't want a team to cut, trade or extend a player does.

Players ultimately are the only person looking out for themselves, and as such, they look to maximize what they can get from themselves, just as a team looks for a "bargain". Expecting all of a sudden for these things to become reality isn't realistic. Teams aren't going to do it, and neither are players, that's NFL reality.

[jshawaii22]

I don't think your representation of the history of the league is a correct generalization of fact.

Not every player holds out. The bulk honor their obligations. Not every player is treated like crap from their team and deal within the 'rules' as set by the negotiation between the NFLPA and the NFL Owners. It's a given some haven't been treated fairly, especially with the concussion issues and the next NFLPA contract is going to produce a very long holdout (according to RSherman) -- But ET's under contract right now. period.

Maybe contracts should be year-over-year, so a great player can always be the 'highest paid'. Moaning about it does seem to be a lot more common now, but not every player goes 'public', as it now limits what the team can really do. The players usually lose in the media and then the fans next and if it gets real bad, the players and the locker room are affected. Think Pittsburgh right now. We should be lucky ET showed up Sunday.

The team seems to hold most of the cards once the deal is signed, including fines and the possibility of being cut or traded (in some cases)
On the other hand, alienating one of the best players on the team seems counterproductive, at best and in the case of ET I would like to hear managements side of it. They gave Marshawn an extra 5m in his last year 'to make him happy' -- so if we have the cap space, and Earl would take it...

If ET has given the team a sign me long term or trade me as the only option, it's becomes what it is. This is the last year of his 4 year contract and he needs to honor it, as such as it is.

[obiken]

Sure its a 2 way street Human. These guys have only so long to earn enough to last them a life time. IF you dont get scammed, or find 3 bad wives. On the other side, Look at Jimmy G, the 9ers just lost a boatload, just because he wouldnt run outta bounds.

[idhawkman]

I find it rich when a player uses his "leverage" and then claims that "HE" is being disrespected. Let him walk.

[Aseahawkfan]

I don't give a damn about each side yapping. Bottom line is someone on our team is mismanaging this situation badly. If we let Earl walk for nothing or don't pay him a market value extension and he gets hurt, we just wasted and mismanaged talent. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Earl, he is elite level talent. We should either pay him his market value or trade him for some draft capital and stop letting this play out until he's injured and his trade value drops or let him walk for nothing. That would be the height of talent mismanagement.

[RiverDog]

I just saw a report from Ian Rapoport that the Hawks and Chiefs are working a deal for Earl that involves a 2019 2nd round pick and a conditional 5th round pick. Will that be enough for the Cowboys to cough up a #1?

[jshawaii22]

Doesn't make sense. Chief's already have a great free safety in Eric Berry. In fact, it's his salary of 12m that has Earl foaming over the $$$$. I know he's 'hurt' but seriously, I don't see either of them as a 'strong' safety, so what purpose does it solve if you can't have them both on the field at the same time.

[c_hawkbob]

Doesn't make sense. Chief's already have a great free safety in Eric Berry. In fact, it's his salary of 12m that has Earl foaming over the $$$$. I know he's 'hurt' but seriously, I don't see either of them as a 'strong' safety, so what purpose does it solve if you can't have them both on the field at the same time.

I'm sure a decent DC could design an effective scheme with Earl and Eric Berry at Safety. It doesn't have to be a single high 3 deep zone that's prevalent right now, a true cover two doesn't really require a prototypical SS underneath and would work with KC's 3-4; they've got a pair of decent ILBs ...

[RiverDog]

The other thing about KC is that they do not have a huge QB contract to maintain as Mahomes is on his 2nd year of his rookie contract. But I'd still be surprised if Earl got the same amount of guaranteed money that Berry is getting if he went to KC. But he seems to want out of Seattle bad enough that he might come down on his demands to be the highest paid safety in order to play for a SB contender.

If KC were in the same division or even the same conference as Dallas, I'd suspect that they're doing this just to jack up the price for the Cowboys.

[NorthHawk]

KC has the statistically worst Defense in the NFL after 3 games, but I still don't see any team thinking the 2 highest paid Safties is the ticket to a championship.
That Mahomes is on his rookie contract might give some incentive, but it would be even more important if Berry has a chronic injury that will hinder him from playing up to his past performance.

Regarding paying ET the market value comment, that would be a reduction from his current contract.

[RiverDog]

KC has the statistically worst Defense in the NFL after 3 games, but I still don't see any team thinking the 2 highest paid Safties is the ticket to a championship.
That Mahomes is on his rookie contract might give some incentive, but it would be even more important if Berry has a chronic injury that will hinder him from playing up to his past performance.

Regarding paying ET the market value comment, that would be a reduction from his current contract.

Wow, I didn't realize their D was that bad. However, 3 games isn't a large enough sample size to make a valid comparison.

Agreed about teams putting that much value in safeties, especially considering that Andy Reid is an offense-first style coach.

[NorthHawk]

Yes. 3 games is too small of a sample size, but if they continue to struggle he might have to address it at some point.
The question regarding Earl is if he could help fix it.
I don't know if it's run Defense or Pass Defense or both that's their problem, but relieving themselves of Peters might mean they have a hole in pass defense which ET could help.
I just don't suspect they would be players, though.

Edit:
On another note, there have been a lot of injuries at the S positions this year.
Conte of the Bucs apparently is playing with a torn PCL.

[NorthHawk]

It seems like both sides might be getting on with preparing for the game like normal.

ET:

[W]e have a long-time relationship and we have a good understanding and we can communicate really well,” Thomas said. “Banking on that, we have gotten to the point where I think we’re moving forward in a really positive way. I’m trying to say as little about it as possible. Let’s move on

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... hat-stuff/

[c_hawkbob]

During the offseason I figured we had a 50/50 chance of trading Earl ... now I think we've got a 50/50 chance of Earl suiting up as a Seahawk Sunday. Not much has changed.

[RiverDog]

It seems like both sides might be getting on with preparing for the game like normal.

ET:
We have a long-time relationship and we have a good understanding and we can communicate really well,” Thomas said. “Banking on that, we have gotten to the point where I think we’re moving forward in a really positive way. I’m trying to say as little about it as possible. Let’s move on"

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... hat-stuff/

The last paragraph in that article says it all:

"It will be interesting to see whether Thomas agrees with Carroll’s assessment of the situation (Pete's famous for painting a smiley face on everything). Thomas has said he feels unappreciated, and he wants new contract or a trade to a team that will give him one."

I agree that judging by his comments, Earl's position seems to be softening a bit, but his actions will speak louder than his words. Pete sort of met him halfway by giving him a day off yesterday but he's expected to return to practice today, so we'll see if he's gotten over his being butt hurt or not.

[idhawkman]

It seems like both sides might be getting on with preparing for the game like normal.

ET:
We have a long-time relationship and we have a good understanding and we can communicate really well,” Thomas said. “Banking on that, we have gotten to the point where I think we’re moving forward in a really positive way. I’m trying to say as little about it as possible. Let’s move on"

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... hat-stuff/

The last paragraph in that article says it all:

"It will be interesting to see whether Thomas agrees with Carroll’s assessment of the situation (Pete's famous for painting a smiley face on everything). Thomas has said he feels unappreciated, and he wants new contract or a trade to a team that will give him one."

I agree that judging by his comments, Earl's position seems to be softening a bit, but his actions will speak louder than his words. Pete sort of met him halfway by giving him a day off yesterday but he's expected to return to practice today, so we'll see if he's gotten over his being butt hurt or not.

Kind of sounds to me he doesn't want to be traded to the Chiefs.

[NorthHawk]

At least it isn't negative and he isn't throwing barbs.

[idhawkman]

At least it isn't negative and he isn't throwing barbs.

I think he's starting to realize that there are worse things than playing the year out for the Hawks...

[RiverDog]

At least it isn't negative and he isn't throwing barbs.

Keep in mind that we won and he's coming off one of the best games of his career, with two interceptions and 7 tackles. That kind of success would calm even the most volatile of personalities.

[Aseahawkfan]

Please re-sign Earl. He's one of our greatest players.

[c_hawkbob]

Please re-sign Earl. He's one of our greatest players.

Seconded.

[idhawkman]

Please re-sign Earl. He's one of our greatest players.

Seconded.

All in favor say "aye"

All opposed say "Nay"

Nay

[Aseahawkfan]

Nay

So says the guy that wants to get rid of our QB because he thinks we can easily find better. I love how easily you dispense with Hall of Fame talent. Real smart way to make your team better dumping your best players.

[jshawaii22]

Word has it that PC and ET had a pow-wow and the smoke signals are all good... for now. ET backing down. Team says 'things for Earl in the works' --

[RiverDog]

Rather than voting 'yea' or 'nay', I want John Schneider to either chit or get off the toilet. I'm tired of this drama.