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X Extension DONE!

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Galant, Jun 5, 2021.

  1. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    I put the operative portion of your post in bold. But you are correct. He earned his contract and then outplayed it. I think Grier and Flo are looking at their roster with the least sentimental eye in order to make smart decisions instead of emotional ones. That's why I don't think they're going to flinch.
     
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  2. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Time to trade him.. if the saints offer a high pick hes theirs.
     
  3. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    Yep. Don't wish to see X leave and I am still hopeful a solution can be reached, but this formal announcement doesn't look good. I will say again he should be the highest paid corner on the Dolphins at a minimum and the Dolphins should have seen this coming a mile away last year. If its done at this point we should get no less than a 1st round pick for him and I think another pick to boot. He is arguably the best corner in the league.
     
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  4. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Ive been reading Saints rumors for over a week now… if they offer that pick with Jameis as their starting qb.. i am good with it..
     
  5. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    That sucks. Miami is worse without him. I was hoping they could do something that would keep him for two years.
     
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  6. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunate if what Howard stated is true.
     
  7. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Arguments often sound like the final word, until you hear the other side.

    And I wouldn't call posting on Instagram and stating that you are "only here so I don't get fined", professional conduct.
     
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  8. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    I sure hope Igbinoghene develops in an awful hurry!
     
  9. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  10. Berezo

    Berezo Well-Known Member

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    Exactly. It’s a childish move to post things like this on social media, it’s intent is attention seeking. He may love his teammates , but his life is all about himself at this moment. It’s his own fault for signing the original deal he claims he had a problem with anyway. Perhaps the way he handled this situation is why the Dolphins didn’t offer him more money.
     
  11. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    WOW, I've been waiting for something like that to go public- good for X for actually doing it himself, in his own words.

    I absolutely don't want to see him go, but the writing has been on the wall that he's unhappy and the Dolphins are not open to signing a new deal. I honestly believe that if they take action tomorrow and come back to the negotiating table, they could still work out favorably for everyone involved. But we all know that's probably not going to happen.

    The good news is that X's post drastically turns up the heat on making a trade happen now, so hopefully this will be concluded sometime this week. The main goal now is to get this over with (one way or the other) and move on.
     
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  12. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    His best years are behind him. Take a 2nd and a 5th and let's get to work.
     
  13. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I disagree. I've been in his exact position in business (not as a pro athlete, of course) and it is extremely frustrating to be promised something that never comes. Decades ago, I was running an entire restaurant franchise and making the company record profits, and I was promised raises, commissions, stock shares, etc. for over a year....and never saw it. Eventually I was so fed up, I just walked away and the owner eventually spent over 4x my salary to replace me with multiple people.

    I'm sure Miami has a different story on these events, but the fact of the matter remains that X is one of the top corners in football and he did deserve a raise on a incentive-heavy contract that didn't pay him anywhere close to Jones. I hate every bit of this but at the same time, the lines of communication were broken and Miami did the unthinkable...they made him feel unwanted. You just don't do that with a player who legit should have been in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
     
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  14. FphinFantastic

    FphinFantastic Member

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    I bet the price gets drivin a lot higher than that…
     
  15. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    With Grier, I expect no less than a Tunsil-like trade. Maybe we don't land multiple 1st rounders, but I expect that we'll see a haul of picks and some real value.
     
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  16. Berezo

    Berezo Well-Known Member

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    We have no clue if there are/were any future promises made. Maybe, maybe not. Still you just completed year two of a lengthy contract you agreed to. Now you bail? Sorry, this looks way worse on his person then it does the Miami Dolphins. And he is the one trash talking them on social media. He is the one that looks bad here.
     
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  17. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    Two firsts should do it. Byeeeeee
     
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  18. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    X's post made it clear to me that my take on his situation is correct: The team owes him next to nothing at the end of the year and is looking to cut him loose at the end of the season. His contract is set up to make it easier and we drafted his replacement last season. He realizes this and knows that his choices to get what he believes to be a fair deal comes down to how well he plays this season or to leverage last year into a long-term deal. If he plays this season under his current contract, he can either play balls out (in which he'll receive a huge contract from someone who wants and can afford him), play well but not as spectacularly as he played last season (in which he'll likely get an extension with about the same loot in his current deal), or play well or get hurt (in which he'll lose millions).

    I understand why he's maneuvering for a trade or a new deal and as stated previously, I support players in all money disputes. With that being said, the FO has done a great job with his deal (which was fair when it was signed) and if I were in Grier's shoes, there's no way that I would extend him. It's business for both sides and although I like X, giving him what he wants is going to gum up some well-laid plans. Trading him will be difficult but he's either gone now or at the end of the year.

    The best possible outcome would be for him to suit up, play great this season, and be traded to a team willing to pay him at the end of the year for a great return.
     
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  19. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    Well he can go F himself then. You earned a good contract in years you weren’t healthy and didn’t play all games. Now that you outperformed your contract, you want more money. Give him his wish. Trade him to Detroit or some other crappy team.
     
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  20. jdallen1222

    jdallen1222 Well-Known Member

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    That's the great thing about this situation, we have a competent GM at the helm. The resources have been steadily growing.
     
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  21. FphinFantastic

    FphinFantastic Member

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    I was thinking a 2022 2nd and 4th then a 2023 1st I like the idea of having 3 first in 2023 as an insurance policy in case Tua flops. I don’t think he will but….
     
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  22. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    I think I got a problem with Jaylen Waddle liking that post by Xavien.. its immature and honestly not his business. Xavien referencing Jones on his post was already unprofessional IMO. Contract disputes and holdouts are always player and agent to front office. No other player should get involved with the drama.

    Just imagine if Tua liked that post… what kind of attention would he be drawing on himself as the face of the franchise. Its not his business, he wouldnt do it, he knows better as he is a grown *** man.

    Jaylen, you dont need to show the world where your support stands. You are your own business. Act like a pro and show your support privately.

    back to X..

    There was a lot of emotion in Xaviens post and you dont show emotion on your resignation letters. All Xavien had to say is I have formally requested a trade by the Dolphins, i like to thank the organization for taking a chance on me.

    And then he can let his management leak to whatever media member something like, Xavien is looking for a team that is willing to renegotiate his current contract.
     
  23. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Kyle over at Locked On Phins with some good commentary on this today:

    https://tunein.com/podcasts/Sports-...t-On-The-Miami-Do-p1025314/?topicId=164754663

    (Also on iTunes, Spotify, etc.)


    And a written piece here:



    https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2...-trade-request-features-poor-self-reflection/

    "It has long been rumored that Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard would be requesting a trade from the team if the two sides were unable to find common ground and come to terms on a ‘renegotiation’ of Howard’s remaining four years of his current contract. That request came on Tuesday night, some 12 hours or so after Howard arrived at the team facility for the start of training camp.

    Howard’s public trade request rocked the boat in a number of ways, from the attempt to throw both the Dolphins and his own teammate, Byron Jones, under the bus for his pay situation and the team’s apparent unwillingness to entertain new scenarios to the assertion that the Dolphins inked Howard to a contract extension (his current one) that he “didn’t completely understand, or feel comfortable with”.

    But the biggest misrepresentation in Howard’s public request for a trade comes in how little credit he’s willing to give the Dolphins for “valuing” or “respecting” Howard. Because as Howard is so quick to point out, this is a business. And the Dolphins, just like Howard, have to protect themselves — and it is Howard’s past track record that likely has the Dolphins, or any team that would otherwise be in their shoes, at least somewhat hesitant to double down.

    Howard is a tremendous talent. But let’s review the months after his contract extension with the Dolphins was signed in the summer of 2019 that ultimately led to Miami’s 2020 offseason additions at cornerback in Byron Jones and Noah Igbinoghene:

    • Howard enters the 2019 season after having missed the final four games of the 2018 campaign (a playoff push, believe it or not). Miami went 1-3 in those contests, with the Miami Miracle serving as the only win.
    • Howard would play in the first four games of 2019, miss the next two, return versus Pittsburgh before being placed on Injured Reserve and miss the next 9 games (11 in total)
    • Howard, in December, is arrested for domestic battery. Charges were dropped in February, a month ahead of free agency.
    Now, if you were the Dolphins and this was how Howard’s first season after you bet on him by making him the highest paid cornerback in football after 33 games in 3 seasons went, would you not be exploring other options at the cornerback position? Especially when you man a defense that could field three or four of them on the field at any given point?

    Signing players in free agency often yields a surcharge to win the bidding market. That’s part of the same “business” of the league that Howard is trying to publicly scold the Dolphins for taking part in here and now. And so yes, Bryon Jones’ contract is bigger than Howard’s despite less ball production. But Byron Jones has also missed 3 games in six seasons in the NFL. Sometimes, the best ability is availability.

    Howard missed training camp after injuring his knee in minicamp during his rookie season. And then missed 9 games as a rookie in 2016 for a second knee surgery for his meniscus. He then missed 4 games in 2018 with a knee injury. He missed 11 games in 2019 with a knee injury, which later required surgery and had Howard on the PUP list to start camp in 2020.

    Ultimately, Howard is within his right to want to maximize his earning potential as an NFL player. And he’s a tremendous talent. But his attempts to win this contract dispute in the court of public opinion fail to acknowledge the dynamics at play that are likely strong contributors in Miami’s reluctance to administer new money to his contract; particularly because that contract has four years remaining on it. Because when Miami paid Howard the money they did in 2019, they showed him a lot of “respect” and “value” given his accomplishments at the time — and only now does Howard have the standing to boast that he’s outplayed the deal. But not before the disastrous 2019 season and offseason that followed him signing the deal — which gave the Dolphins every right to pursue contingencies in their search for a secure, stable and effective secondary."
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2021
  24. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Yep.

    Unprofessional.

    You can work through your agent. You should work through your agent.
    Making a social media post is just throwing the team under the bus.

    But then, I wonder if this isn't just a new world with kids who think living your life through social media is normal. That having public discussions like this is 'professional' and 'their right'.

    Likes and Fav's etc. all just part of living your life.

    I'll say no more about that.
     
  25. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  26. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    From Armando Salguero, Miami Herald - https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article253075953.html:



    "One day before he went public with his trade request, Miami Dolphins All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard and his agent David Canter talked with the team one final time to try to resolve the player’s contract situation.

    The Dolphins have continually listened to salary proposals from Howard and Canter in meetings with general manager Chris Grier and even coach Brian Flores -- so far without resolution during the offseason -- so in the final meeting before the start of training camp the player suggested another solution that would merely move money on his current contract around rather than request a totally new deal.

    Howard and Canter previously asked the Dolphins to move $4 million from Howard’s $11.65 million base salary scheduled for 2024 to this year.

    That move would’ve accomplished multiple things: It would have made Howard the highest-paid player on the team, which he isn’t. It would have made him the highest-paid cornerback on the team, which he isn’t.

    And it would have made the player feel appreciated and motivated to continue playing at a high level after leading the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020.

    Moving the money forward would have also paid Howard money now, at age 28, that he may not necessarily ever see in 2024 at age 31.

    The Dolphins did not agree.

    Nor did they agree to trade Howard when he originally asked for it -- which apparently came before he went public on the eve of training camp practices.

    Nor did they agree to a separate request -- to fully guarantee Howard’s 2022 scheduled salary of $12.375 million -- when that was suggested.

    And so Howard went public with his displeasure...

    None of Howard’s proposals seem outrageous on their face. And each would likely increase his trade value if he carries those requests to a new team rather than seeking a whole new renegotiation.

    The Dolphins’ stated reason for declining to shift money around on Howard’s deal?


    They apparently don’t like the idea of setting the precedent of reworking a standing contract, according to a source. And they’ve made it clear to Howard they have concerns about his injury history.

    That injury history, which includes Howard missing nine games as a rookie in 2016 and four more in 2018, didn’t prevent the Dolphins from extending him in the summer of 2019.

    That deal paid Howard $27 million fully guaranteed for what was effectively six seasons.

    The next summer, in 2020, the Dolphins paid Byron Jones $46 million fully guaranteed on a five-year deal to play the cornerback spot opposite Howard.

    Howard didn’t appreciate that the team valued a new player with less production more than him. And it has not escaped Howard’s attention that the Dolphins last season made a statement practically every game: That the cornerback making less money was better....


    The worrisome thing about this situation is it seems to be getting personal.

    The negotiations have certainly been personal. Because the Dolphins requested Howard join Canter in face-to-face meetings with Grier and others at least once.

    How did that go?

    The Dolphins asked Canter to not speak with the media -- which is a typical request they make of all agents so as to not make negotiations more difficult for them. In return the team promised it would consider adjusting Howard’s contract.


    Canter complied and stopped returning texts seeking comment since his first meeting with the team on this subject on January 11. But all considerations aside, the club has not moved toward actually adjusting Howard’s current deal which runs through 2024...

    “Those conversations with X, his representation, Chris (Grier), myself; those will, like always, will be internal, confidential and it will always be that way,” Flores said Tuesday. “We’ll keep it that way with all players. But we’re excited to have him. I’m excited to work with him. He’s a great player and I look forward to building over the course of training camp.”

    So where does this go from here?

    Howard is merely reporting to camp every day so as to avoid a mandatory $50,000 fine he’d be assessed for holding out.


    But does that mean he’ll practice, risking an injury that could sidetrack his trade request?

    That is not clear. Howard has promised to “handle myself like professionals do.”

    The Dolphins, meanwhile, have told Howard and Canter they don’t intend to trade him. That could be true. He is, after all, their most productive player.

    Or it could be a negotiating stance.

    The club initially resisted the idea of trading disgruntled defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019 before ultimately sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers.


    And then there’s this: Will Howard’s demeanor in the locker room, where teammates are aware he is “not happy,” as he wrote, have a harmful effect on team-building?

    That will almost definitely be addressed with Howard no later than Wednesday morning -- when the Dolphins are scheduled to practice for the first time this training camp at 10:30 a.m.

    Flores, by the way, is not scheduled to speak with reporters again until Friday. He is scheduled to go on the Joe Rose radio show in the morning."
     
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  27. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Dave Hyde - Sun Sentinel - https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports...0210728-x6gn4alv4zczrn73qjfrunrr74-story.html

    "Please don’t say you’re surprised. Or upset. Or wondering why you can’t even enjoy the first day of training camp without drama around the Miami Dolphins.

    And please don’t think of trading Xavien Howard for some draft picks.

    If you didn’t see the possibility of the Dolphins star cornerback demanding a trade as camp begins, you weren’t paying attention at all this offseason.

    Howard released a salvo of a statement saying he wants out. That’s for public consumption. He’d asked for it from the team weeks ago, even as he asked to re-do the contract he signed in 2019 - and the Dolphins rebuffed him on both ideas.

    He’s the one proven star, the cornerback the defense is built around, and the question becomes what general manger Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores do now.

    The best guess: Nothing. At least nothing beyond trying to reason with Howard unless the Dolphins find another star of equal value to trade Howard. Draft picks? They’re nice. But the Dolphins are done rebuilding and sacrificing seasons. They need to win and Howard helps them.

    Howard reported to camp on Tuesday to sidestep a $50,000 fine. There are no more hold-outs from camp in the NFL anymore. There are just hold-ins, hold-ons or hold-ups.

    Certainly the Dolphins need Howard come September. They can do without a veteran in training camp - and it’s a good thing because Howard has shown his mind isn’t on the business of football but the business of business.

    This is an misbegotten intersection of an unhappy star who shouldn’t be as unhappy as he sounds and a team that didn’t do a good job foreseeing an issue. It shouldn’t have come to this point. The closest comparison: It’s Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers.

    Oh, Howard isn’t Rodgers. A star cornerback isn’t a star quarterback. But just like the Packers drafted Rodgers’ successor, figuring he wasn’t worth the big money anymore, the Dolphins made Byron Jones the highest-paid cornerback in football last off-season (surpassing Howard) and drafted Noah Igbinoghene in the first round a year ago.

    Just as Rodgers was MVP great last season, Howard was similarly stellar. He was the star of a good Dolphins defense. He led the league with 10 interceptions, defended 20 passes, was the strategic centerpiece of the defense and played himself into irreplaceable status. And, well, just like Rodgers he figured it was time for some retribution.

    Everyone knew Howard wasn’t happy. On Tuesday night, he sent out a memo confirming that, requesting a trade and saying he signed an extension in 2019 that, “I’ll admit, I didn’t completely understand or feel comfortable with.”

    That extension made him the highest-paid cornerback in football at the time. Did he understand that part? He was coming off a shortened season due to knee surgery, too — his third such surgery in six seasons. Did he understand the Dolphins took a leap of faith to some extent? (Howard has since changed agents to David Cantor.)

    But if you wonder about some of Howard’s logic, the Dolphins don’t get to take the high road here. Not after signing Jones for more money. Not after moving on from a series of free-agent players are one year like Kyle Van Noy, Erik Flowers and Shaq Lawson.

    This is the business of football, folks. The confounding question is how it go to this point.

    The one question about Flores and Grier is whether they can handle differing personalities. A GM’s job isn’t about just drafts and contracts. It’s as much about managing people - building relationships in a manner this mess isn’t reached.

    And Flores? He has fired a boat-load of assistant coaches. He couldn’t get along with All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Now Howard?

    You can’t keep throwing top talent overboard. Here’s where you appreciate a coach like Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin. Forget the X’s and O’s. For winning years in Pittsburgh, you didn’t hear about the odd behavior of Mike Wallace, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown — until they left the Steelers.

    Managing players, you see, is part of a good franchise’s work. It’s a prime part, really, in making sure the best players are ready to line up on Sundays.

    You think Don Shula liked the antics of, say, Mark Clayton during the week? But on Sunday Clayton could help you win.

    San Francisco couldn’t handle the antics of defensive end Charles Haley. Jimmy Johnson got him to Dallas, made a point of talking to him every day — maybe putting an arm around him — and Haley ended up in the Hall of Fame.

    You see how it’s done? It’s also managing money so the locker room understands. Making Jones the highest-paid cornerback in football looks doubly suspect. He’s a nice player. But that nice?

    So here we are. Howard wants a trade — or more money. A quick look around the league says this isn’t the NBA. James Harden doesn’t get his trade demands heard.

    Rodgers is back in Green Bay after a loud offseason. Russell Wilson is back in Seattle. Deshaun Watson reported to Houston.

    They’re quarterbacks, too — far up the food chain from cornerbacks. And yet. The question always was how far Howard wanted to go here — and now we’re starting to find out.

    Value for Howard? Again, don’t talk draft picks right now. The only possible trade is for another star. Watson? There’s too many questions of sexual assault allegations to put Howard in a package for the Texans quarterback until that clears up.

    It’s Day One of Dolphins camp. The team’s big star wants out. Welcome to 2021. It might not be easy, but it’s sure to be loud."
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2021
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  28. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    On GMFB this morning, the five commentators all said they understood the desire for more money based on his play, but didn't like the look, the way he did this - factoring in the recent extension, then the way he dissed his teammate etc.

    One guy pointed out this is the next player in line with a trend of sports stars all making similar moves and more players will do it until an organisation says no.
     
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  29. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Well, I was expecting about a R2 pick in exchange for Howard, but now that it's become clear there's been a breakdown I think it's less likely.

    I predict Miami trades Howard for a 2022 R3 pick or a 2023 R2 pick.
     
  30. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Last edited: Jul 28, 2021
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  31. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    I saw that segment too and it was interesting.
     
  32. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    Meanwhile...

     
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  33. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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  34. M1NDCRlME

    M1NDCRlME Fear The Spear

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    This whole thing is starting to look like his agent is pushing this so he can finally get paid. He was there for the previous deal, so unless I’m mistaken, he hasn’t made any money off of Howard. The agent “needs” this so he can get his cut and quit working for free on Xs behalf and I suspect that X is trying to do him a solid.
     
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  35. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    I don‘t know if you have heard Howard talk ever….“his own words“..lol…he is not able to put out a piece like this written by himself.
     
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  36. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I thought that as well since I write for a living- it's definitely not "perfect" as a statement so there's a small chance he wrote it. I'd say the odds are about 85-90% that he didn't write it.
     
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  37. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    If those were the demands, especially guaranteeing the 2022 salary, really were all he wanted... I don't know what the Dolphins are doing. How is that not a no brainer to keep Howard? This team has requested that players rework contracts many times.
     
  38. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Oh, I think that's Howard speaking. There's no way in the world his people would've wanted him to say what he said. You wanna talk about throwing a flag on the play?!

    (1) It's too long. I've already heard people on the radio making fun of how long it is. Not only does releasing a whole statement make you appear a little narcissistic but the thing itself reads kind of like a teenage girl wrote it.

    (2) It sounds downright naïve. In the statement he makes it sound like he's shocked at how the NFL treats players like commodities. I'm sorry, bro, it's a business....and btw, you're doing pretty well at it!

    (3) He admits to not understanding his current contract. There's no way an agent/rep would ever let this slip. Only a player could've said something that damaging. It doesn't make X or his representation look good in any way. Careless slip-ups like that damage public image and credibility.

    (4) He claims to have "not complained" about playing on his deal for the last 2 years. Wait, what?! Who would sign a lucrative contract only to turn around and start complaining? And btw, Howard was on IR at the end of last year. Are we to believe he considered complaining about his deal back then and heroically kept it to himself? And btw X, now at the end of your first full season YOU ARE COMPLAINING!!!!

    (5) He makes claims about his own abilities. Again, that sounds bad. Let the tape do the talking. Let the media hype you up. The second you say 'I'm really good' you sound conceited. He also says that "everyone knows I've outperformed that deal." Do we? I don't think that's a foregone conclusion at all.

    (6) He commits the sin of mentioning a fellow teammate and worse, he does so in order to bring up the teammate's salary/contract. You DO NOT do that in any business, certainly not in public.

    (7) He openly admits (as if we all agree it's justified) to being upset about his salary in relation to that of Byron Jones. OMG, this is the LAST thing any team/employer wants to worry about with their players. He seems not to understand the basic concept that the last guy to renegotiate will likely have the biggest deal.

    Are we to assume Howard expects to always make more than the other DBs on his team? It just sounds toxic. Worse, it's going to give potential trade partners reason to pause so it even damages Miami and the potential of getting a trade done. This just doesn't serve any purpose whatsoever.

    (8) He begins his wrap-up by talking about "dealing in good faith" and the notion that he's being forced to take a business-first approach. I'm sorry, but it IS a business!

    Howard might be surprised to find out that everyone is actually expected to treat it like a business. There's a naturally antagonistic relationship between employees and their employers. You don't need to justify taking that "business" relationship seriously. It's assumed as a matter of course. No one's feelings are on the line but somehow he seems to have gotten his feelings hurt.

    (9) The very act of releasing a statement shows that ultimately he's not able to hold his water. That's not good. At the end of the day it's always better to deal with this stuff behind closed doors and to let the team find the trade without leaking it to the press.

    At the very most, X should've released a simple/concise statement saying something like, 'I respect the team and I love my teammates but after much discussion, I have chosen to request a trade for the good of both the Dolphins organization and my family.'



    He did speak in his own words a year ago on the Man to Man podcast. In his defense, he clearly understood where the Dolphins were coming from in signing Jones and drafting Igbinoghene. Howard admitted they were just covering their bases.

     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2021
    Striking likes this.
  39. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Here's the thing about business a lot of people don't understand- the Dolphins have had 100% of the power, leverage, or whatever word someone wants to insert there. Howard may have tried in good faith to get a bump in pay- he was a finalist for DPOTY and he probably deserves to make more than Jones. I don't think anyone would argue that.

    But when the employer holds all the cards, all they have to do in a disagreement is...nothing. They don't have to lift a finger to say that they don't agree. You can scream from the mountain tops and it ultimately doesn't matter, unless the employer wants to consider doing something differently. So I understand why Howard is so frustrated.

    But at the same time, language in there that you pointed out like "everyone knows" tells us that he's being actively told that "You deserve more X....stick it to them X." He didn't get on this path all on his own, and the average person would just play out their contract and expect and even bigger one next time. Or maybe they do drop hints of an extension or whatever, but they don't do it like this. Howard is pleading his case in the court of public opinion because everything his agent advised him was BS. "Sure X, I can make the Dolphins give you a big fat raise, you're the best ever and that's what I do. You deserve this!"

    In other words, we are about to lose Howard this season or next because of an agent with an axe to grind against the Dolphins.

    Now, I'm not saying Howard is innocent in all of this, but I believe that he's been played and the Dolphins ultimately have as well. We have no idea what was really asked for behind the scenes but one thing's for certain- you don't hire an agent that the Dolphins already hate working with. That's the last person to hire in this type of situation, which is how I know this wasn't just X on his own dreaming of extra millions. He was convinced that this was a fool-proof path and it's come back to bite him.

    And again, the Dolphins are obligated to do exactly nothing to fix this. They hold all the leverage.

    The reason why I don't think X wrote the statement...well, I can't say it here. But I've seen tidbits of other things he's written on social media and the language doesn't match. He probably wrote this statement and had a friend edit it for grammar, punctuation, etc. and that's how you end up with him admitting to not understanding contracts....then or now.
     
    Puka-head likes this.
  40. pumpdogs

    pumpdogs Well-Known Member

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    delaware
    Can't argue with anything you said here.
     

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