March 20, 2008 -- IT would be foolish to suggest the Jets New York Jets debacle of a season in 2007 should be solely blamed on the distraction caused by Pete Kendall's preseason contract squabble. But it certainly didn't help. As much as players preach that team and winning are their top priorities, the size of their paychecks is their ultimate motivator. Coaches are no different. That's particularly true during the offseason when players have the most leverage, and the grab for all the cash they can get seems less selfish. Nonetheless, the ugly and very public spat with Kendall before his trade to the Redskins last year should have taught the Jets that contract disputes can leave wounds that can be difficult to heal. This should be kept in mind as they negotiate with veteran wide receiver Laveranues Coles Laveranues Coles , who wants a long-term deal and is skipping the Jets' voluntary offseason workouts to prove his point. Coles, 30, has two years worth $11 million remaining on his current deal and the Jets already have taken the unusual step of saying they would guarantee that money. Coles, of course, wants more, especially after seeing Randy Moss, 31, sign a three-year deal worth $27 million to stay with the Patriots. Coles isn't as good as Moss, but figures his service with the Jets and status as team captain warrant a raise. Clearly, the Jets would like to avoid a repeat of the contentious dealings that occurred with Kendall, but I wouldn't blame them for playing hardball with Coles. The Jets already have spent a ton of money this offseason. Spending extra cash on Coles may not be the prudent thing to do, considering he's the second best receiver on the team behind Jerricho Cotchery Jerricho Cotchery . Coles is a warrior, and the Jets value his intensity and leadership. But he's coming off an injury-plagued year. He still led the Jets with a modest six TD receptions, but caught just 55 passes for 646 yards, his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2000. Coles may still have three or four good years left in him, but why commit more than the $11 million that's already on the table? Cotchery could be next in line if he has another big year. I'm for players getting every dime they can, especially in football where injuries can affect someone's quality of life well beyond their playing days. So if Coles can get extra cash, good for him. The key for the Jets is not to send a message that they don't care about their own. Spending huge money to sign free agents is all well and good. But the players who have been with the Jets for a while will be watching how the organization deals with Coles. The Jets certainly didn't come off looking like they were loyal with the way they dealt with Kendall. Another ugly eruption with Coles could make players question the Jets' loyalty to them.
I really dont care if they sign him to a say a 4 year deal but make those 2 extra years very incentive laden
Great article which I think pretty much says everything I feel on the Coles issue. I think if we draft a great WR in the 2nd or so, the FO will gain leverage to meet Coles halfway on his contract. If not, we'd have an angry Coles for 1 more year as a Jet with the possibility of a trade next year.
I love how these guys compare him to Moss and Moss's new contract. Are they kidding? I'm not sure exactly where Coles stands right now among the best receivers in the league but I don't think it is in the top 15 at this point. I think 11 million guaranteed is pretty good. I would agree with a couple more years that are incentive laden as well but I'm sure he probably wants them guaranteed or at least with some big bonus bucks. I don't care if they cut him, trade him or work with him. Just don't let it be an open issue when camp opens this summer like they did with Kendall last year. Then it IS a problem.
Yeah, but, the point is, the Jets locked up Cotch for pretty cheap. Cotch could turn around and ask for more money if he has another standout year, with a declining Coles on the roster.
Really tired of hearing this Coles B.S. 11 mil. for the next two years doesnt seem out of line.I'm not sure if he's even in the top 20 at reciever right now.Seems he wants big money to probably be a #3-4 reciever when hes 34-35.Not knocking L.C.'s history on the field,but it seems he wants his cake and a little of everyone elses as well.I have no prob with a franchise restructuring to keep their top young players on the team,but when an aging injury ridden vet start complaining to their team about money...Time to go....CYA L.C. had fun watching you,But Cya nonetheless.
Not to mention this little fact. He wants the team to show him loyalty but had no problem at all running out of town as fast as he could when Washington was willing to give him more bucks. I'm not sure why he would expect the Jets now to reward him for that.
just the fact that coles has a concussion problem is scary enough. i would play hard ball with him. let him hold out fuck him, once the fines start coming in when he's missing training camp and manditory mini camp he'll show up.
Completely aside from the content of the article, you should put in a reference to the site (the Post) and the author (George Willis) - it's only fair to the author (and is plagiarism if you don't do it).
Well, I would put up a link to the article but apparently, i'm too new for TGG. With regards to the writer, I thought I did it, but I forgot to highlighted. That was my bad. Thanks for the tip. Will be sure to include it in the future.:up:
I would say FU to Coles. The Kendall issue last year hasn't kept free agents from signing. If he is going to be a Malcontent...see ya! I like him as a player, but I am sure we can find someone else who averages 12 yards a catch and 5 TD's.
don't get me wrong...coles has been very good for us...but now with all this, i say we let the contract ride or try and get rid of him. this whole thing is dumb. i wish we still kept santana at this point. coles is showing his true side after an aweful season. hes hurt and at 30...showing the signs of all the beatings ala marvin harrison. we need that big receiver to go along with cotch for the future
This is where Tannenbaum should take a stand here and not give in to Coles. Last year wasn't the time to stiff Kendall,this time it's the right time to hold Coles to the Coals :smile: Plain and simple handle him just like the Giants handled Strahan. He plays this season at the contracted sum of his present deal. Then explore a new deal for 09' based on this year's performance. Paying more money to Coles after last season's debacle would be insane.
ne, with brady and company, are a passing team. the jets seem to be building the o-line for a running team, negating some of the importance of the passing game- especially since we have no one to throw the ball. the jets will wait until after the draft to assess just how important coles will be to the 'new' jets. if we draft mcfadden, that seals the deal. jets wont be giving big bucks to an after thought receiver.
Coles should be traded now while he still has value. I would rather get rid of him a year to early as opposed to a year to late and get nothing! Coles is one hit away from retirement and the team should not give in to him. He has been a great Jet and given his all but this is business and a winning Franchise does not make decisions based on a players past performance.
if we traded coles now we'd be left with cotch, smith, stucky (who's a big ?) and wallace wright. probably the worst bunch of wr in the league.
