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[Americanmade2012]

Most players could give a shit about playoffs. Most want a balance of money and the opportunity to play.

Right now, Peyton Hillis wants money.

Kevin Smith could come to Baltimore and be the #2 back and with the way Cam runs the offense guarantee himself 100-150 touches on the ground, playoffs, and get decent fair market money. In Detroit he wont get touches unless 2 backs in front of him go down.

Oh please shut up...you saying that makes it seem like players dont care about the playoffs when they do because the main goal of any player and team is to WIN THE SUPERBOWL ask anyone I bet most players would tell you they would trade in a mvp award, bonus money anything for a superbowl ring. They may want to play more and be involved in the superbowl run yes but money trust me is not a factor if they have a chance at a superbowl they will take less money to play for that team.

you can't tell me if your 34 or 35 at the end of your career and never been to the playoffs you would not take a pay cut for a chance at the ultimate prize which is the main reason you play the game.(I know hillis is not that old but he may be tired of losing already)

However, me nor you are NFL experts and all we can do is guess where any free agent will land

[wickedsolo]

Oh please shut up...you saying that makes it seem like players dont care about the playoffs when they do because the main goal of any player and team is to WIN THE SUPERBOWL ask anyone I bet most players would tell you they would trade in a mvp award, bonus money anything for a superbowl ring. They may want to play more and be involved in the superbowl run yes but money trust me is not a factor if they have a chance at a superbowl they will take less money to play for that team.

you can't tell me if your 34 or 35 at the end of your career and never been to the playoffs you would not take a pay cut for a chance at the ultimate prize which is the main reason you play the game.(I know hillis is not that old but he may be tired of losing already)

However, me nor you are NFL experts and all we can do is guess where any free agent will land

Really? Grow up peter pan. If you can't talk shop with people without resorting to this nonsense then I don't know what to tell you.

Most players in the league don't care about making the playoffs. Sure winning is something every competitor wants, but what do they want more? Money. Most players want money more. Getting to the Super Bowl isn't going to pay for all of those Bentleys and big screen TV's man. 6 year deal worth 80 mill and 40 mill guaranteed is what will pay for that "lifestyle". Of course players are going to respond with the standard rhetoric "We're trying to do what it takes to build a winning franchise...everything I do is because I want to win...blah blah blah." That's crap and everyone knows it. A very small percentage of professional athletes actually play the game because they have to be the best. Ray Lewis would be one of them.

Jason Brown is a good example of this. Could have stayed with Baltimore and gotten paid handsomely while playing for a legit SB contender, but instead he chose to get as much money as he could and went to play for a crap team.

Stop projecting your own feelings into the situation and look at it for what it is. You may want to play to win a Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean that these kids do. These are young men who have dreamt of a lavish lifestyle and a majority of them have come from little to nothing. If you were to offer a 26 or 27 year old young man a chance for a Super Bowl Ring or a contract with $40 guaranteed guess which one he's going to take? It's not fucking rocket science here haha. It's human nature.

[Americanmade2012]

Really? Grow up peter pan. If you can't talk shop with people without resorting to this nonsense then I don't know what to tell you.

Most players in the league don't care about making the playoffs. Sure winning is something every competitor wants, but what do they want more? Money. Most players want money more. Getting to the Super Bowl isn't going to pay for all of those Bentleys and big screen TV's man. 6 year deal worth 80 mill and 40 mill guaranteed is what will pay for that "lifestyle".

Stop projecting your own feelings into the situation and look at it for what it is. These are young men who have dreamt of a lavish lifestyle and a majority of them have come from little to nothing. If you were to offer a 26 or 27 year old young man a chance for a Super Bowl Ring or a contract with $40 guaranteed guess which one he's going to take? It's not fucking rocket science here haha.

Your right most probably do not care however you said in your original post that none of the players care about the playoffs but you would be wrong in that statement. and FYI I am allowed to do whatever i want as far as stating my feelings/opinions if you don't like what I have to say then go to other board or don't post plain and simple and that goes for myself as well.

[Americanmade2012]

Really? Grow up peter pan. If you can't talk shop with people without resorting to this nonsense then I don't know what to tell you.

Most players in the league don't care about making the playoffs. Sure winning is something every competitor wants, but what do they want more? Money. Most players want money more. Getting to the Super Bowl isn't going to pay for all of those Bentleys and big screen TV's man. 6 year deal worth 80 mill and 40 mill guaranteed is what will pay for that "lifestyle". Of course players are going to respond with the standard rhetoric "We're trying to do what it takes to build a winning franchise...everything I do is because I want to win...blah blah blah." That's crap and everyone knows it. A very small percentage of professional athletes actually play the game because they have to be the best. Ray Lewis would be one of them.

Jason Brown is a good example of this. Could have stayed with Baltimore and gotten paid handsomely while playing for a legit SB contender, but instead he chose to get as much money as he could and went to play for a crap team.

Stop projecting your own feelings into the situation and look at it for what it is. You may want to play to win a Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean that these kids do. These are young men who have dreamt of a lavish lifestyle and a majority of them have come from little to nothing. If you were to offer a 26 or 27 year old young man a chance for a Super Bowl Ring or a contract with $40 guaranteed guess which one he's going to take? It's not fucking rocket science here haha. It's human nature.

You talk about younger players but what about the older veteran groups who are 34 or 35 you dont think they would take a paycut to have a shot at the superbowl and retire on top like many players have done? I am talking overall not just young players

[HoustonRaven]

Oh please shut up...

That won't fly here. Everyone's opinion is respected here and telling someone else to shut up is not allowed.

[Americanmade2012]

That won't fly here. Everyone's opinion is respected here and telling someone else to shut up is not allowed.

techinally shutting up is allowed being we are typing our thoughts and not saying them. so saying stop typing would be rude and not allowed not shut up

[wickedsolo]

techinally shutting up is allowed being we are typing our thoughts and not saying them. so saying stop typing would be rude and not allowed not shut up

This actually made me chuckle.

[Americanmade2012]

This actually made me chuckle.

yeah I was laughing as i wrote it but it is true because none of us hear each other just read so how can we shut up lol

[wickedsolo]

You talk about younger players but what about the older veteran groups who are 34 or 35 you dont think they would take a paycut to have a shot at the superbowl and retire on top like many players have done? I am talking overall not just young players

Wow, way to change it up as we go along...

We weren't talking about older players. We were talking about Kevin Smith, who is 25 I believe, and that led to you bringing up Peyton Hillis, who is 26. Now, Hillis has openly discussed wanting to get paid. He is looking at the fact that he is a white 250lb running back in the NFL where speed kills and even though he's fast for 250lbs, he's not faster than a 215lb running back. His shelf life as a RB is extremely limited and he's trying to get paid while he's able to prove that he can run the rock and not just be a FB/H-Back, which make considerably less money. Winning a SB is not the #1 priority for him right now.

Regarding older players? It depends. My thought still remains the same IMO though. Most players who are 34 or 35 years old and aren't retired probably didn't spend their money wisely and will likely play for any team that will pay them. There are some players who want to win a SB though.

[Americanmade2012]

Wow, way to change it up as we go along...

We weren't talking about older players. We were talking about Kevin Smith, who is 25 I believe, and that led to you bringing up Peyton Hillis, who is 26. Now, Hillis has openly discussed wanting to get paid. He is looking at the fact that he is a white 250lb running back in the NFL where speed kills and even though he's fast for 250lbs, he's not faster than a 215lb running back. His shelf life as a RB is extremely limited and he's trying to get paid while he's able to prove that he can run the rock and not just be a FB/H-Back, which make considerably less money. Winning a SB is not the #1 priority for him right now.

Regarding older players? It depends. My thought still remains the same IMO though. Most players who are 34 or 35 years old and aren't retired probably didn't spend their money wisely and will likely play for any team that will pay them. There are some players who want to win a SB though.

Just a question in regards to our conversation, If you were a coach would you rather have the players all about the money and great talent or great talent and will take pay cuts to help the team reach the superbowl I am all about the winning but I would not want to overpay any athlete.

[wickedsolo]

Just a question in regards to our conversation, If you were a coach would you rather have the players all about the money and great talent or great talent and will take pay cuts to help the team reach the superbowl I am all about the winning but I would not want to overpay any athlete.

You have to play that balance. Super Bowl teams aren't chock full of choir boys.

That said, winning is more attitude and work than talent alone.

[Americanmade2012]

You have to play that balance. Super Bowl teams aren't chock full of choir boys.

That said, winning is more attitude and work than talent alone.

Agreed

[JAB1985]

Dude, I know this is in reference to Kevin Smith and your thought that he has no real reason to leave is incorrect.

The Lions drafted Leshoure in the 2nd round last year. He'll be the #2 back behind Jahvid Best. Not Kevin Smith. They aren't going to pay Kevin Smith and then have him be the #3 back and why would he want to ride the pine?

your logic isnt necessarily wrong but best might be done. His family told him to give it up this past season that it wasnt worth the future headaches, pun not intended.

I realize this is a business but i think a good bit over half the league want to win aka go to the playoffs. Even the ones that dont "care" about them likely will for incentives for reaching and/or winning in the post season.

[leachisabeast]

I think ALOT of players could care less about play off's, usually those players are the high prices premadonnas of the world, usually it's the not so well known players or old vets who would rather take a pay cut to go to a SB calibre team. I look at players like Redding, Vonta Leach, Bernard Pollard who have all loved their time in Baltimore so far. But really, do you think if the Ravens went to V Jackson and offered him less money than say the Redskins, and said "hey we are one player away from winning it all, come to us pal", he would then come to us? No, players like him will take the money, no matter what team it is.

[JAB1985]

I think ALOT of players could care less about play off's, usually those players are the high prices premadonnas of the world, usually it's the not so well known players or old vets who would rather take a pay cut to go to a SB calibre team. I look at players like Redding, Vonta Leach, Bernard Pollard who have all loved their time in Baltimore so far. But really, do you think if the Ravens went to V Jackson and offered him less money than say the Redskins, and said "hey we are one player away from winning it all, come to us pal", he would then come to us? No, players like him will take the money, no matter what team it is.

These guys basically have 5-10 years to make a lifetimes worth of money. So in that aspect I think you guys are right. its not like hes going to come here for 4 million because thats all we can spare instead of washington for 9 million. I think when its a little off, within reason, most players pick the team that gives them a chance to win. there is a small number that just take the biggest payday, but its not always the primadonnas either. some of the fringe guys, UDFA or low round picks that never got that big contract that gave them security dont usually have a choice. I still say that number that will only take the highest every time is smaller. has to be less than 10%. Believe me the Ravens dont really sign that 10% anyway, because most of them dont LOVE football and you have to LOVE football to play like a Raven.

[wickedsolo]

your logic isnt necessarily wrong but best might be done. His family told him to give it up this past season that it wasnt worth the future headaches, pun not intended.

I realize this is a business but i think a good bit over half the league want to win aka go to the playoffs. Even the ones that dont "care" about them likely will for incentives for reaching and/or winning in the post season.

If Jahvid Best does indeed hang up his cleats, then there is certainly a reason for Kevin Smith to go back to Detroit, even if he is the #2 behind LeShoure.

Honestly, I don't think Best hangs'em up, but I do think that LeShoure becomes the feature back and Best becomes the change of pace guy.

[JAB1985]

If Jahvid Best does indeed hang up his cleats, then there is certainly a reason for Kevin Smith to go back to Detroit, even if he is the #2 behind LeShoure.

Honestly, I don't think Best hangs'em up, but I do think that LeShoure becomes the feature back and Best becomes the change of pace guy.

That would be a way to prolong his career, but im not sure that Lions take that chance on a RB thats one (relatively small) hit away from being IRd again. business side of it, it would seem Smith is actually the lower risk, even with his past injury woes at this time.

[leachisabeast]

For our back up running back concerns...

How about Brandon Jac.... wait no way lol, my moneys on Ryan Grant, he wont demand too much money, although he is injury prone which could be a concern. Jason Snelling or Mike Tolbert would be great too.

[GOTA]

Oh please shut up...you saying that makes it seem like players dont care about the playoffs when they do because the main goal of any player and team is to WIN THE SUPERBOWL ask anyone I bet most players would tell you they would trade in a mvp award, bonus money anything for a superbowl ring. They may want to play more and be involved in the superbowl run yes but money trust me is not a factor if they have a chance at a superbowl they will take less money to play for that team.

you can't tell me if your 34 or 35 at the end of your career and never been to the playoffs you would not take a pay cut for a chance at the ultimate prize which is the main reason you play the game.(I know hillis is not that old but he may be tired of losing already)

However, me nor you are NFL experts and all we can do is guess where any free agent will land

While they are in the middle of a season players want to win. Most work their butts off and dream of winning titles.

Once the season is over and the business season begins the agents and wives and parents all get in their ears about money. They watch MTV cribs and see others with expensive jewelry and monster cars and want that too. They wonder why someone who they feel they are better than is signing a deal for a lot more money.

The Raiders who haven't had a winning season in a decade have had no problem luring free agents and getting players to resign. If you pay them they will come.

[wickedsolo]

For our back up running back concerns...

How about Brandon Jac.... wait no way lol, my moneys on Ryan Grant, he wont demand too much money, although he is injury prone which could be a concern. Jason Snelling or Mike Tolbert would be great too.

To me I think the choices would be (and should be) ranked such as this:

1. Mike Tolbert - he's young, can play FB, ST's, and back up RB. Being that he's not an every down back he won't command a ton of $$$. He's also durable and can contribute as a pass catcher. Excellent short yardage/goal line back.

2. Kevin Smith - He's young, is very talented, and I think would be an excellent choice here in Baltimore as the #2 back. His durability is a major concern though.

3. Benjavaris Green-Ellis - He's also young and did you guys know that this guy has never fumbled in the NFL? That's pretty impressive. He is a power runner and a good blocker. I'd be surprised if the Pats let him go, but if they did then he would be on my target list.

4. Ryan Grant - He's on the downside of his prime and injuries are a concern, but he's a speedy guy at 225lbs. He's also got pretty solid hands.

5. Jason Snelling - he'd be last on my list simply because he's just a big back. He doesn't have great hands and he's really a north/south runner. However, he is a good blocker and has experience playing FB. John Harbaugh values player utility.



Frankly though, I see no reason why Anthony Allen can't be that #2 guy behind Ray Rice. I definitely think it's important for them to bring in competition, but Allen is a tough north/south runner with good hands and for 230lbs he's pretty quick. If you look at a lot of the "better RB's" over the last couple of years I would argue that most of them were late round draft picks and some even undrafted. All this kid needs is a chance.

Let's look at some of the better backs over the last couple of years...
Michael Turner - 5th round
Arian Foster - Undrafted
Admad Bradshaw - 7th round
Ryan Grant - undrafted
LeGarrett Blount - undrafted
DeMarco Murray - 3rd round
Fred Jackson - undrafted
Roy Helu - 4th round
Brandon Jacobs - 4th round
James Starks - 6th round


My point is that a lot of these guys were unknown at one point or another and just needed a shot.