TJ on MMQB

[iRobot]

Interesting read. Mentions Cardinals...

mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/10/nfl-tony-jefferson-baltimore-ravens-free-agent-contract

 

[Jasper]

We offered 4m per year then upped it to 6 per year.

The only problem was we offered it 9 months too late. If we offered it last March instead of December I'm pretty sure he would have signed it.

So Todd Bowles did try to recruit him.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

After reading what he said about the Cardinals, my thought was, "He's no Pat Tillman."

 

[Krangodnzr]

After reading what he said about the Cardinals, my thought was, "He's no Pat Tillman."

Meh he is a blip on our radar. Losing Jefferson isn't like losing Boldin, Dansby, or other fan favorites.

I won't really miss him because he didn't really endear himself with us. Everything was always about Tony Jefferson.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Noticeably absent from the discussions were the Cardinals. They had essentially removed themselves with their offer back in December.

“They low-balled me,” said Jefferson. “The very first offer, which was disrespectful, was three [years] for $12 [million], with $6 million guaranteed. We didn’t even reply to that. And then about a month and a half ago, they offered the four [years] for $24 [million], $12 [million] guaranteed. What they told my agent was they wanted to show they were serious.”

Cardinals GM Steve Keim told The MMQB via e-email, “In my time in the league there’s not a player that I've been more proud of than Tony Jefferson… The unfortunate reality of the business of course is that you can't keep all of your good players. But it certainly doesn't diminish the great affection and high regard we will always have for Tony.”

 

[cardpa]

We offered 4m per year then upped it to 6 per year.

The only problem was we offered it 9 months too late. If we offered it last March instead of December I'm pretty sure he would have signed it.

So Todd Bowles did try to recruit him.

I have to agree, however since the team really low balled him at first I don't really blame him for blowing them off when they upped the offer. I too would have seen what the rest of the league was going to offer. He ended up with $9mm a year which is a far cry from $4mm a year.

 

[Mitch]

We offered 4m per year then upped it to 6 per year.

The only problem was we offered it 9 months too late. If we offered it last March instead of December I'm pretty sure he would have signed it.

So Todd Bowles did try to recruit him.

They first offered him $3M a year: 4/$12M/$6Mg. That is a freaking slap in the face. Significantly less than what they paid Bethel and Branch.

 

[football karma]

We offered 4m per year then upped it to 6 per year.

The only problem was we offered it 9 months too late. If we offered it last March instead of December I'm pretty sure he would have signed it.
.

Yes-- but who last March would have predicted TJ would do what he did, and then get $8mm per year

There is a reason the offers were low: with the Peterson and Badger contracts -- there is only so much you can spend on your secondary.

 

[TRW]

They first offered him $3M a year: 4/$12M/$6Mg. That is a freaking slap in the face. Significantly less than what they paid Bethel and Branch.

I wish someone would slap me in the face with that J/K Mitch.

I think, as karma said they didn't foresee him playing as well as he did. Time will tell if the Ravens were wise or looking for a safety AGAIN in the near future.

 

[cardncubfan]

They first offered him $3M a year: 4/$12M/$6Mg. That is a freaking slap in the face. Significantly less than what they paid Bethel and Branch.

This is wrong Mitch. It was 3 years 12 mil so 4 mil per year.

“They low-balled me,” said Jefferson. “The very first offer, which was disrespectful, was three [years] for $12 [million], with $6 million guaranteed. We didn’t even reply to that. And then about a month and a half ago, they offered the four [years] for $24 [million], $12 [million] guaranteed. What they told my agent was they wanted to show they were serious.”

 

[Mitch]

This is wrong Mitch. It was 3 years 12 mil so 4 mil per year.

“They low-balled me,” said Jefferson. “The very first offer, which was disrespectful, was three [years] for $12 [million], with $6 million guaranteed. We didn’t even reply to that. And then about a month and a half ago, they offered the four [years] for $24 [million], $12 [million] guaranteed. What they told my agent was they wanted to show they were serious.”

Thank you, I thought it was 4 years. My mistake. Regardless, 3/$12M/$6g is laughable, especially when he wound up with 4/$38M/$19Mg.

My point is---the Cardinals are losing valuable credibility and trust when they operate like this. Maybe this is one of the reasons why they haven't been able to sign any real UFA of significance -- that and perhaps BA's penchant for throwing players under the bus. It looks like the league is on to Keim and Arians now --- not a player friendly place anymore.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Thank you, I thought it was 4 years. My mistake. Regardless, 3/$12M/$6g is laughable, especially when he wound up with 4/$38M/$19Mg.

My point is---the Cardinals are losing valuable credibility and trust when they operate like this. Maybe this is one of the reasons why they haven't been able to sign any real UFA of significance -- that and perhaps BA's penchant for throwing players under the bus. It looks like the league is on to Keim and Arians now --- not a player friendly place anymore.

What utter BS!

Who other than you questions BA&SK credibility in the League?

Not asking for multiple sources for this particular idée fixe of yours; just one will do.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Thank you, I thought it was 4 years. My mistake. Regardless, 3/$12M/$6g is laughable, especially when he wound up with 4/$38M/$19Mg.

My point is---the Cardinals are losing valuable credibility and trust when they operate like this. Maybe this is one of the reasons why they haven't been able to sign any real UFA of significance -- that and perhaps BA's penchant for throwing players under the bus. It looks like the league is on to Keim and Arians now --- not a player friendly place anymore.

From what I still hear, from sports hosts and players around the league, when Arians' name is mentioned, is that they would 'love' to play for the guy before they say anything else. I like your opinions Mitch, though sometimes they wander far past what I think is plausible but that comes from you having innovative points of view which I enjoy and I take what I believe before your observations go too far because your football mind is far past mine and I am not being sarcastic in the least, but I do have one observation which is merely an opinion. If you where a coach in the NFL Mitch, you would be considered a player's coach, just like Arians is considered one but this is the NFL and the new professional athletes would take advantage of your good nature combined with your passion for the sport after one year because the new 'players' coach is someone like Arians who does have an edge or the inmates do end up running the asylum... I guess I am identifying you with Dave McGinnis which is also a compliment too lol

 

[Mitch]

From what I still hear, from sports hosts and players around the league, when Arians' name is mentioned, is that they would 'love' to play for the guy before they say anything else. I like your opinions Mitch, though sometimes they wander far past what I think is plausible but that comes from you having innovative points of view which I enjoy and I take what I believe before your observations go too far because your football mind is far past mine and I am not being sarcastic in the least, but I do have one observation which is merely an opinion. If you where a coach in the NFL Mitch, you would be considered a player's coach, just like Arians is considered one but this is the NFL and the new professional athletes would take advantage of your good nature combined with your passion for the sport after one year because the new 'players' coach is someone like Arians who does have an edge or the inmates do end up running the asylum... I guess I am identifying you with Dave McGinnis which is also a compliment too lol

JG---

I know people are sick of hearing about the Patriots, but they are the bell cow of the NFL and their HC Bill Belichick is the epitome of what a great HC is.

Belichick is about as demanding a coach as there is. He demands that his players play hard every day and that they keep their eyes firmly on the immediate task at hand. he demands that no one talk about the Super Bowl. When asked by the media to talk about a single player, he always talks about the unit that player is on. Like if he's asked to comment on how great Brady played, BB will talk about how great the whole offense was---but he won't use the word great, either. He will use the word efficient. He will say they made more plays than the other team. BB also treats the officials and the NFL with great respect. He honors the league's history and his place in it.

When BB loses...he always gives credit to the other team for "making more plays" and he always says he and his staff could have coached better. The man is not governed by hubris...he is thoroughly humble.

In these ways, BB is far more of a player's coach than Bruce Arians...and the vast majority of other coaches. Arians is a talker, BB not so much. Arians is a media hound...BB not so much. Arians will publicly rip a player...BB never. Arians will publicly rip the officials and the NFL...BB won't do that. And why do you think the Patriots get so many calls in their favor? The respect factor goes a long way.

 

[Lagerfilled]

Love your viewpoints Mitch. Keep em coming! However, the Patriots comparisons are beginning to be exhausting. We all get it... They are clearly the model franchise in the NFL and everyone else is chasing them. They also have by far the best owner, coach, and QB in the league, so they are a bad example. Trying to duplicate their success without their ingredients is foolish IMHO.

Don't get me wrong... I'd love for the Cardinals to achieve the same results as the Pats as much as the next guy, but I wouldn't mirror everything that another team(s) does to achieve their success. The Cardinals have their own culture and are learning how to win consistently on and off the field after years of abject failure. Seems we want microwave results. Personally I wouldn't trade the transformational journey for all of the success in the world. Our beloved birdies are making far more winning decisions today than in the not so distant past. Let's try to enjoy the ride!

 

[football karma]

Re: the Cards first offer to Jefferson

I don't think you can consider the initial offer in a negotiation- a situation that rarely becomes public in all the times it happens across the league- as somehow indicative of some poor approach by the Cards FO. It's called negotiation for a reason. Does anyone think Keims first offer to Chandler Jones was what was just announced?

The Cards had a number they could keep TJ at. It happened to be lower than what the market would pay. It happens.

 

[Capital Card]

Meh. He found a good landing spot. Said it before, I love it when undrafted players succeed and get rewarded with a nice contract.

Going into last season, I thought Tony was going to be a big drop-off from Rashad.

His play on the field surprised me, and he cashed in on it. Great for him. I think he surprised the Cardinals as well, and as a result, we weren't positioned to double what we set aside for him.

Win some/Lose some. We've got a big hole at Safety now with losses of both TJ and Swearinger. Keim will find someone. We'll probably take a step back at the position this year, while we grow another rookie for the future.

Looking forward to the draft.

Go Cards!!!

 

[Bodha]

After reading what he said about the Cardinals, my thought was, "He's no Pat Tillman."

This is a business. A player has 7-9 years to make as much money as possible to provide for his family for life. I dont like hearing fans complain about loyalty.



Larry Fitzgerald. Everybody in Phx looks at him like hes this great guy whos loyally served AZ for 12 years. Fitz is not a some servant of AZ. We paid out the ass to keep him fat and happy for 12 years. Dont think for 1 second that he wouldnt leave if we offered him a dollar less during that time. For the majority of his career hes been one of the top 10 highest paid players in the NFL.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

He is not a 9mil/year player.

Good luck in Baltimore TJ.

 

[Cardiac]

CC got a sweet deal but it wasn't prudent for the Cards to pay him that much. His last chance at a big pay day and he believes the Jags will have a chance because of Coughlin being there.

TJ got a sweet deal and good for him because he earned it. Did anyone really think he wasn't going to go for a money grab because he has that CHIP on his shoulder because he went undrafted. I was actually impressed he had a better offer but went with a better team. Again, Cards weren't going to have that much money tied up in the secondary and while TJ is very good he isn't special IMO.

DJ, yes we could have afforded him but again the writing was on the wall because when the season ended BASK didn't bring his name up. He obviously wasn't a good locker room fit and so he was allowed to leave without an offer from the Cards.

Okafor leaves for a chance to be a starter, wasn't happening here.

Cooper, this is actually a brilliant move. Got our money's worth from him for last season for just a 7th rd pick. Now he will earn us a comp pick better than that and truth be told he wasn't really that good. BA talked him up and even said he earned himself a lot of money in FA which tells me BASK wasn't looking to re-sign him and wanted a better comp pick.

Fells is a feel good story and had his moments but he is 30 something and not really good.

Minter was a good soldier but he wasn't talented enough and did not live up to his draft status.

Whoever I'm forgetting is not worth mentioning.

 

[Mitch]

CC got a sweet deal but it wasn't prudent for the Cards to pay him that much. His last chance at a big pay day and he believes the Jags will have a chance because of Coughlin being there.

TJ got a sweet deal and good for him because he earned it. Did anyone really think he wasn't going to go for a money grab because he has that CHIP on his shoulder because he went undrafted. I was actually impressed he had a better offer but went with a better team. Again, Cards weren't going to have that much money tied up in the secondary and while TJ is very good he isn't special IMO.

DJ, yes we could have afforded him but again the writing was on the wall because when the season ended BASK didn't bring his name up. He obviously wasn't a good locker room fit and so he was allowed to leave without an offer from the Cards.

Okafor leaves for a chance to be a starter, wasn't happening here.

Cooper, this is actually a brilliant move. Got our money's worth from him for last season for just a 7th rd pick. Now he will earn us a comp pick better than that and truth be told he wasn't really that good. BA talked him up and even said he earned himself a lot of money in FA which tells me BASK wasn't looking to re-sign him and wanted a better comp pick.

Fells is a feel good story and had his moments but he is 30 something and not really good.

Minter was a good soldier but he wasn't talented enough and did not live up to his draft status.

Whoever I'm forgetting is not worth mentioning.

Good summary. I agree with all of it, except that BA raved about DJS's preparation and the extra mile he went in studying film. His tone when discussing Swearinger was very positive.

 

[Cardiac]

Good summary. I agree with all of it, except that BA raved about DJS's preparation and the extra mile he went in studying film. His tone when discussing Swearinger was very positive.

IIRC that was during the season. BASK have been silent about DJ since the season has ended, at least that's my recollection.

 

[Lagerfilled]

Good summary. I agree with all of it, except that BA raved about DJS's preparation and the extra mile he went in studying film. His tone when discussing Swearinger was very positive.

I actually think it was Keim doing the raving about Swearinger. Never heard BA say much positive about him. And I think it was DJs dancing / celebrating week 1 earning a taunting penalty that sealed his fate. Just my opinion!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I actually think it was Keim doing the raving about Swearinger. Never heard BA say much positive about him. And I think it was DJs dancing / celebrating week 1 earning a taunting penalty that sealed his fate. Just my opinion!

His play in week 1 sealed his fate? It isn't like he sat the bench all year. He played well and earned himself a huge raise. The Cards FO stated that they wanted him back and they don't smokescreen in the media.