All of this Robert Quinn "isn't playing up to his contract" discussion reminds me of why I side with players on contract negotiations...like Aaron Donald.
Too many here were ready to trade Donald for a holdout. "Let's trade Donald for a guard!" That comment just on the surface was laughable! IMO, too many people thought of 1. Owners and 2. Themselves (as fans). In too many cases, fans make the player the villain.
So, now Robert Quinn doesn't do enough to earn his contract. Robert Quinn, to many, should be open to a pay cut. And, if Robert Quinn says no to a pay cut, then we as fans feel justified in parting ways.
The system is rigged against the players. They get tied into small contracts for years. The production outweighs the money. Then, on the second contract, when the money paid matches the production from the years early in their career, they almost immediately start to produce less, primarily due to age/wear and tear. Then...the pressure is on the player to survive because the money outweighs the production.
No thought is given to the fact that a player was underpaid for 4-5 years, like a Quinn. When you add the first and second contracts up, it often produces a number that is reasonable for a career like Quinn.
But now, since the money outweighs the production, it's time to cut ties. Quinn fortunately was traded. But he could have been cut and received nothing.
We could talk about the risk of injury as well. An Achilles rupture...and it's bye bye. They get at best a lousy injury settlement. There is no risk to the owner except for one component.
And it's that risk the players need to push to the max. The players can hang their hat on one thing. Guaranteed money. That $125 million contract...it means nothing. What matters...the $60 million guarantee. That is the real leverage for a player. In all other instances, their money is at risk.
So, when/if Aaron Donald holds out for more money, I'm in his court.
When the players strike, I'm in their court.
In today's climate...the owners have little risk. The fans have little risk.
Robert Quinn may not be earning his dollars today. But how soon we forget he was vastly underpaid for years.
What have you done for me lately?
