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Ramsdude
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dzrams
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SunTzu_vs_Camus
I just think the Rams are gonna play it that way....rightly or wrongly.
AD will be what, 28-29yrs old by then?? We could still get a 1st rounder + for him then. imo
Again, he's the best DT I've seen in my lifetime - not doubting that for me - I just think the Rams brass will control him thru 5th yr option
and a Tag or even two...then, deal him to the highest bidder.
AD has to play this season to get his 4 accrued years to be eligible for free agency next year.
But if they franchised him multiple times after that and he decided to hold out how do you think the Rams would respond?
Going the franchise tagging route would likely save the Rams money but doing so would also alienate the player.
You also have to consider those consequences and AD holding out is part of that.
BTW, the CBA provides that they can actually tag him up to 3 seasons.
dzrams, I am not too sure about the "alienate the player" part. They double tagged Trujo...he seemed pretty happy to be cashing those huge paychecks. Cousins was multi tagged in Washington and didn't seem disgruntled. I never heard or read ANYTHING about any of their teammates saying it was an issue for them. So I am not sure if I am buying into how it will be an issue here if AD is tagged.
BTW, both of those guys became very rich and STILL signed mega contracts with new teams. If AD gets tagged 3 times, he will have more money than he could spend in his lifetime. (I wish I was alienated that way lol.) I also agree with 43 as has been pointed out here by many that it just might be a "structure" clause holding things up but the money issue gets addressed WAAAAY more. If someone...anyone...knows for sure it's a money thing, please post a link and fill us in.
When Tru was tagged he got paid more than his value. That's evident by the fact that after two years of being tagged - two years of market inflation - Tru only signed for $15M. His market price range two years ago was likely very close to JJ's at $12.5M. The tag was an overpayment. Tru also never held out in contract negotiations.
OTOH, if Donald is tagged he will be under paid. He knows that he is severely underpaid which is why he has held out already. I'm suggesting that he may use that option again.
Cousins was tagged twice but he also wasn't severely underpaid with being tagged. He also had never held out.
Donald's agent has instructed him to do so once already. What's to say that they don't go back to that well again as the first option to gain leverage?
The reality is, neither Tru or Cousins were anywhere close to being the best in the league at their respective positions, let alone one of the best players in the league across all positions.
Different agents, diferent quality of player equals not a good comp. for the result that may happen if the Rams decided to play hardball.
The holdup for the contract may be "structure." But let's not be naive. A dispute over structure IS about money.
If AD wants a short term (3 year) contract and the Rams want a long contract period, each side wants what they want precisely because of money. In this scenario, AD wants the ability to get another big contract while he's still fairly young. The Rams OTOH would want him to be locked up - i.e. cost controlled - completely through his prime years. They also probably would like him to be locked up while also having as little guaranteed money as possible.
That scenario was the rumored holdup before and it's ALL about money.
The Rams tagging AD three times would likely save them a good amount of money. That's an option for them.
I didn't say that if the Rams play hardball and opt for that strategy that AD would holdout but it's definitely a possibility that they must plan for.
When you have a sure fire HOF'er, the best defensive player in a generation and you opt to save every penny you can by keeping him on short term, year to year contracts, that is against the players best interest of long term stability. It's all about guaranteed money. You better believe there is a good chance he'll be alienated, not go along with it, and employ his only leverage which is holding out.
Guess what holding out could do? Force them to trade him now and get that mega contract from a new team now.
