i don't get professional sports.

[Locomotive]

This is why I don't get why ppl like the NFL or professional sports in general.....

I'm a saints fan...I like Drew Brees, but I just turned on ESPN to find out that Drew Brees is asking for so much money that The Saints might not be able to keep a few of the key players.

This might dismantle the whole team....team on the field and team in the head.

About a month ago someone from another country couldn't understand why Americans liked college sports.

Well, with professional sports there is absolutely no allgiance. Drew Brees will walk if he wants to. Most of these professionals aren't from your state, region, town, and sometimes country. They really don't care as long as they get paid.

I live in Alabama. Here, the SEC football rivalry is thicker than blood. I HATE Alabama....with a passion. Auburn ppl HATE Alabama....Alabama ppl HATE Auburn. The kids grow up here and they are raised in that environment. They grow up with ties to that particular school....if they are good enough.

There are some exceptions to the rule, but for the most part you love your team.

[The Black Wolf]

This is a tad off topic, but wow, Drew Brees isn't willing to take a pay cut? He seemed so humble and stuff. The saints are being hit hard this offseason. First the "bounty" program, now this.

[John25]

I Hope they pay Drew just so Tracey Porter can come to the Raiders!!!

[KillingSpree0]

Give Brees a break, he took a team that had nothing and was ruled by my team(Bucs) and brought them something the whole city thought theyd never see. He also took pay cuts in earlier seasons to keep some of those players and after that record breaking season Id want to get paid better too

[The Black Wolf]

Give Brees a break, he took a team that had nothing and was ruled by my team(Bucs) and brought them something the whole city thought theyd never see. He also took pay cuts in earlier seasons to keep some of those players and after that record breaking season Id want to get paid better too

I forgot about all those records he broke. Good points.

[Mo-green28]

It's crazy they get paid doing something they supposedly love, but once they do a couple of great things they want crazy ammounts of moner, I can understand a couple million more, but when it get above wanting more than 20mol. plus what you're already getting paid that's just crazy.


OT - My favorite player is coming back... RANDY MOSS yesss

[Locomotive]

Give Brees a break, he took a team that had nothing and was ruled by my team(Bucs) and brought them something the whole city thought theyd never see. He also took pay cuts in earlier seasons to keep some of those players and after that record breaking season Id want to get paid better too

I'm not saying it's just him....just professional sports all around. In all honestly he deserves to get paid a lot. When I watched him break Dan Marinos record the whole team was proud of him....it was great to watch. But it seems like all the "team" stuff goes out the window when money comes into play. I mean, he was making a lot of money before hand....yet he's asking for more.

He might be the key player to this franchise, but without decent recivers or running backs or a decent defense he's going to have a season like Cam Newton......lots of yards yada yada....but a crappy win percentage.

[RaylaDevine]

A lot of athletes these days are becoming so greedy and cocky to the point that they forget about the sport they love. Sports is about team work not about trying to squeeze out as much money as possible that it risks destroying the team.

I understand rewarding the best player, but really?? Being able to play and take the team all the way should be the best reward for them...

[bash]

I Hope they pay Drew just so Tracey Porter can come to the Raiders!!!

Keep dreaming bro.

[Sub-stance1]

These sort of things happen all the time. Things like winning the superbowl turn out to be a curse sometimes because when that happens, players tend to want a bigger salary and then they have to restructure contracts within the organization. All part of the business I guess.

[Royals]

In the end it all comes down to the player looking out for themselves in the future. You can only play for so long and they want to protect their futures.

[Sub-stance1]

In the end it all comes down to the player looking out for themselves in the future. You can only play for so long and they want to protect their futures.

true...don't forget about their agents too. They can be greedy bastards at times.

[KillingSpree0]

I'm not saying it's just him....just professional sports all around. In all honestly he deserves to get paid a lot. When I watched him break Dan Marinos record the whole team was proud of him....it was great to watch. But it seems like all the "team" stuff goes out the window when money comes into play. I mean, he was making a lot of money before hand....yet he's asking for more.

He might be the key player to this franchise, but without decent recivers or running backs or a decent defense he's going to have a season like Cam Newton......lots of yards yada yada....but a crappy win percentage.

Cam did good for a rookie and broke some records himself,but he "Himself" threw alot of ints and their D was horrid, you cant blame his recievers and running backs because they have vets at those positions that did a lot. Also unlike the Saints they are going through a rebuilding process

[SynYster505]

I love hockey and baseball, but I think it's pretty ridiculous how much these people are paid. But I suppose I'd love to be getting paid the millions without doing shit for society.

[Versus]

I agree with the OP a ton. But then again nothing these days makes any sense. I was pretty dissapointed to learn Drew Brees was playing games like he was.

[Funeralfog]

if your team makes billions it's only fair to play top players accordingly.

[luvbulmers01]

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

[$Greatness$]

There is no loyalty in sports, people. As a Player, you must lookout for your future. The team (And sometimes the 'fans') don't give a damn about your future. You're a rookie and signs a 3-yr deal worth 15 million with 10 million guaranteed, yet the team can cut you and after signing a 'legally binding contract', you won't see that 5 million dollars that's left on the deal. Just the 10 mill guaranteed to you. Happens all the time in the NFL. Teams give players X amount and when the big money is due, they'll cut them without a moments pause.

Drew Brees is a Top 3 (Top 4 when Manning is healthy) QB in this league and deserves to be paid as such. He restructured his deal before to help keep pieces on the team. Now while his value is high, he wants to get paid like King Tut. Can't blame him for trying to get as much of the pie as he can while he can since the NFL is so cut-throat. Look at Chris Johnson, too. He knows because RB's are not valued anymore, he held out to ensure his value right now as it stands.

Ray Rice will understand shortly when Pat Motarity and Ozzie Newsome gives him the classic line. "Right Player. Right Price"

It's a business folks. That's it and that's all.

[Epyon_1]

There is no loyalty in sports, people. As a Player, you must lookout for your future. The team (And sometimes the 'fans') don't give a damn about your future. You're a rookie and signs a 3-yr deal worth 15 million with 10 million guaranteed, yet the team can cut you and after signing a 'legally binding contract', you won't see that 5 million dollars that's left on the deal. Just the 10 mill guaranteed to you. Happens all the time in the NFL. Teams give players X amount and when the big money is due, they'll cut them without a moments pause.

Drew Brees is a Top 3 (Top 4 when Manning is healthy) QB in this league and deserves to be paid as such. He restructured his deal before to help keep pieces on the team. Now while his value is high, he wants to get paid like King Tut. Can't blame him for trying to get as much of the pie as he can while he can since the NFL is so cut-throat. Look at Chris Johnson, too. He knows because RB's are not valued anymore, he held out to ensure his value right now as it stands.

Ray Rice will understand shortly when Pat Motarity and Ozzie Newsome gives him the classic line. "Right Player. Right Price"

It's a business folks. That's it and that's all.

Bingo! They want the players to live up to the contract but they (the franchise) don't have to. The franchise can cut that player at anytime and go after him for money they feel they can get back.

Brees has been tagged. The two sides were 5mill apart. Its kind of a better way to keep the player another year and still get a deal done.

To enforce your point about the RBs, they experience the most wear-and-tear on the body and they have the lowest years of any position.

To sum it up for the OP, they are looking out for themselves and their future. The next play can be there last.

[KillingSpree0]

Drew Brees just said he wont sign his Franchise tag lol

[The Black Wolf]

Drew Brees just said he wont sign his Franchise tag lol

Then it's either a long term deal or they'll have to cut him loose.

[KillingSpree0]

Ya, Saint are hurting right now, Falcons will fall, Bucs will rule the south once again!

[Epyon_1]

Ya, Saint are hurting right now, Falcons will fall, Bucs will rule the south once again!

Lol woah slow ya role before ya lose ya soul. Its the Panthers that will rule the south. In two years they will win the SB

[R_Mac_1]

Add to that the Saints have been getting Brees at a bargain for years now. He has been underpaid on his previous contract, and honestly deserves a good contract. If the Saints don't want to give it to him, that's their choice as a business. But they better be prepared to basically collapse because Brees is the Saints.

I don't think the 14.4 million franchise tag is an unfair number, but I'm sure the fact that he's not getting a longer deal with more guarantees is what he's pissed about. I think the Saints would be crazy to sign him to 24 million a year or whatever was originally reported that he wanted, but I think 16-18 a year for 4-5 years with ~40 million guaranteed would be fair. 16-18 million/year average is what top tier QBs are making right now.

[ps3freak18]

Add to that the Saints have been getting Brees at a bargain for years now. He has been underpaid on his previous contract, and honestly deserves a good contract. If the Saints don't want to give it to him, that's their choice as a business. But they better be prepared to basically collapse because Brees is the Saints.

I don't think the 14.4 million franchise tag is an unfair number, but I'm sure the fact that he's not getting a longer deal with more guarantees is what he's pissed about. I think the Saints would be crazy to sign him to 24 million a year or whatever was originally reported that he wanted, but I think 16-18 a year for 4-5 years with ~40 million guaranteed would be fair. 16-18 million/year average is what top tier QBs are making right now.

Yep that's the exact way that I look at it too. They got him for a bargain for 4 years I believe. Then contract renewal comes up they are 5 million apart. That's almost unacceptable. I know they are looking out for things like the salary cap and the huge FA they have such as Nicks and Colston but you honestly can lose Colston to keep Drew. Not like he is going to sign the Tag anyway so they still have to work this shit out.

@Greatness-I know this sounds biased coming from someone from Louisiana but you think Aaron Rodgers is part of that top 3 and Drew isn't when Peyton is healthy.I rank them Brady, Peyton, Drew, and followed very closely by Aaron. Mostly because he inherited a powerhouse and hasn't been stuck with a rough patch like Drew started with and built on. I know many share your opinion but I've never understood how why so many people give him all the credit after starting only 3 years not to mention being loaded all around him. Just my opinion but this is coming from a Saints fan.

@ Original Post- I feel the same way about College sports. I too fucking HATE Alabama for legitimate reasons, I'm an LSU fan. Diehard too. The atmosphere around is just so much stronger imo. The fans just seem to be more invested in their team than pro teams. Not to mention the players all share 2 agendas bettering their game and pride for their school. There really isn't too much pride when it comes to Pro franchises except for a few key players. Don't get me wrong I love both pro and college sports but when it comes to comparing my devotion to it pro sports don't even pale in comparison.