I'm probably in the minority, but my belief in AD's supposed "love of the game" has greatly diminished. I am suspicious that once he gets all that money, we'll never see the great AD again because the money is what it's all about.
Donald's holdout is pure greed. Being the highest paid defensive player (even if it's just for a few days) isn't even good enough for him if the leaked info is correct, and there has been no denial or rebuttal of those numbers or stance by either side or from other sources.
The man signed a contract. He is still under that contract. He has obligations to that contract; that's why it's called a contract. Have the Rams not performed on that contract? That might not mean anything to some, but it means something to me. Signing a contract is giving your word in writing to perform to an agreement. It is more than a promise; it is a binding, legal commitment. It's not like he's some poor schmuck who signed papers having no idea what he signed; he had legal representation from the beginning. Now he has reneged on it. I have no respect for any player who does this.
It's also too easy to dismiss that he'll be making near $7 million......SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS!!.........this year. by claiming he's "outplayed his contract". If that's the case, then a team ought to be able to deduct money for a guy who has "underplayed" his contract. Even if there is still guaranteed money on the table. "Outplaying a contract" is an oxymoron. There's no such thing; you play to your best. That's what the team is paying for.
I also may be in the minority that the key to the Rams' winning is not AD. He is a great player; but he doesn't win games single handed. There are a number of players on the Rams more important that he is beginning with Goff. Sure a right minded and committed AD makes the defense better. I'm very doubtful that either of those conditions exist any longer in him.
Therefore, in what is a true reversal on my part, I hope the Rams do this: let him hang himself this year. Don't budge an inch; make it clear they will enforce the fines and won't pay him a dime. He'll eventually report because he's too greedy to miss paychecks. And then Tag and trade him next year. I have no doubts that a couple of years into any new contract he receives, he'll once again ignore his legal commitment and hold out once again demanding more. It'll be this way throughout his career. DT is simply not a high enough priority to spend the kind of money that is being contemplated nor is AD worth the trouble that will be his career hallmark.
