Adalius Thomas sounds off on the NFL
FOXBOROUGH -- If the NFL wants more regular-season play from its players it's going to have to dole out more pay, said Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, who made it clear today he is vehemently opposed to the idea of expanding the regular season.
The NFL is currently considering expanding the season to 17 or 18 games by converting either one or two of the current preseason games into a regular season contest or contests. The issue was discussed at the NFL's annual meeting last week in Dana Point, Calif., and the league is terming the idea as a restructuring of the current 20-game slate (16 regular-season and four preseason games).
It could be voted on as soon as next month's spring meetings.
"My idea of it is it [stinks,]," said Thomas, who also dismissed commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that players are already getting paid for playing a 20-game season.
"No, we do not," said Thomas, who said Goodell wasn't being truthful. "...You get paid [in the] preseason totally different then you do regular-season."
Players receive 17 checks during the regular-season (including during the bye week), but are paid on a per diem basis during the preseason. All veteran players will make $1,225 per week during the preseason this year with an additional $200 for each of the four preseason games; rookies get $825 per week, according to the collective bargaining agreement and confirmed by the NFL Players Association.
"You're telling me that Tom Brady is going to play a regular-season game that would have been a preseason game for $1,200," said Thomas. "You got four preseason games that you're paying people, and you got a set salary from somebody that would make their normal salary. If you made $5 million that year, you're almost making a $1 million a month based off the football season, so instead of getting paid your regular check you're going to get paid [$1,225], and you're telling me I'm getting paid.
"No, don't even give me that. Your ticket price doesn't change for preseason, so why does your pay change for preseason. That doesn't make any sense to me saying we already get paid. No, [the league] gets paid [in] preseason."
Goodell was asked at the annual meeting if he expected push-back from the players because they don't play as much in the regular season as in the preseason.
"The fans also recognize that those players aren't playing in preseason games. That's why they're not attractive," said Goodell. "That's what they've come to expect. They want to see these players play. That's a key issue. As far as the medical issues, that's why we continue to do everything we can to make sure the game is safer for our players. We change the rules, make sure we're putting them in a position where the risk is at least minimized, make sure we can do everything to keep them healthy throughout the game and well beyond their years of playing the game."
He then went into compensation for an expanded season.
"As it relates to one other aspect of it, and I'll reinforce this point, which I have before, they are being paid for the preseason games," said the commissioner. "It's all part of our total gross revenue, and it's calculated up and they get a percentage of that. They might not get a check cut during that week, but that is how they're paid and those revenues are part of that. That's something that they have to understand, and I've said that to players directly and it's something we'll continue to reinforce it with them."
Thomas just wasn't buying that idea, and said that if the owners want players to play more regular-season games they're going to have to give something back in the CBA negotiations. The current CBA is set to expire following the 2010 season.
Goodell has said that an expanded season would be unlikely to take place until after 2010.
"You're telling me you're going to add a week, but you'll pay me like preseason; you're going to just stretch the payments over 18 weeks," said Thomas. "No, we're not doing that. You can mark me down on the injured list for two weeks. You can put that in your books. You've done lost your mind."
In a lengthy diatribe, Thomas, who spent four seasons in Baltimore as a player rep, also implored the owners to open their books to an independent audit and sounded off on the "Tom Brady" rule, the NFL's system for fining players, and the prohibition on alcohol being served at team functions.
"If you want to cry about money then open your books up to an independent audit to really show how much money you're making," said Thomas. "If you really want to cry about money open your books up put what you really make in the paper like you have put our salary in the paper every year so the fans can say, 'They're making this much money. Why aren't they doing this?'
"Why don't you do the same thing if that's the case. I'm sick of people talking about, crying about 'we need to make cuts here.' I mean that's your business, if that's how you want to run things that's fine. Going to an 18-game season for what? How about you give us two bye weeks, and then we make it like that. I'm just trying to figure out what's the purpose. At the end of the year when players go to playoffs it's like, look it's been a long season, so now you're going to say it's going to be a longer season. I don't understand that."
The "Brady rule," is actually an addendum to the existing low hits on quarterbacks rule that the NFL's competition committee recently passed. It outlaws a prone defensive player who hasn't been blocked to the ground or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the lower leg of a quarterback, as Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard did to Brady in the 2008 season-opener, leading to a season-ending left knee injury for the QB.
"Give him some pom-poms and put him in a skirt," said Thomas of the general additional protection for quarterbacks. "My thing is this, there is nobody's knee out there that is more important than the next person's knee. That person's knee is as important to him as the next person's knee is important to them. I don't know all the rule changes, so I can't really comment wholeheartedly on this. I don't know the real logistics of this new rule of you can't lunge at someone. ...Sooner or later it's going to be two-hand touch with all the rules. The guys are getting bigger and faster, and there are things that are unfortunate, but it's hard to tell somebody or practice...I mean, it's get the guy with the ball. You've always been taught that. I'm definitely for protecting the players. I definitely see some of the rules that could be justified or not justified."
Thomas also railed against the NFL's system of fining players, pointing to a $7,500 horse-collar fine he drew last year in the preseason for an attempted tackle of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
"The fine system has to be fixed," said Thomas. "It's like you getting a speeding ticket and going to jail for life. There is no ground work for anything. The first time you get roughing the passer it's this. The second time you get this it's this. ...I feel that any call that deals with a questionable call as far as a hit I don't feel that the appeals committee should be able to watch that play more than once because that player couldn't play that play more than once at full-speed."
The loquacious linebacker also pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of the NFL not wanting players to be associated with alcohol and banning it from team functions, but allowing NFL footage to be used in beer commercials.
"You can't drink and drive is what we're trying to promote, but you can sell beer at the game," said Thomas. "How the [heck] do you think the people got to the game? You can't make a beer commercial because it's unethical, but everybody that retires is in a Coors Light commercial at the podium, and it's the official beer of the NFL. Just say you don't want us to make a beer commercial because we want to take all the money from the beer companies."
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I guess if life in the NFL is to tough for A.D. maybe he should find some other work.
I am not sure I completely agree with how Adalius says it and I have a hard time feeling bad for the player in his example 5 million a year. But I am against the season expending to 17-18 games.
If AD goes after opposing QBs and RBs with the same intensity that he has toward Goddell, somebody is going to get hurt!!
Go get 'em AD!
I look at all of the injuries that the Patriots had even when winning Super Bowls (starting 43 players in the 2003-2004 season and 45 players in the 2004-2005 season) and really wonder if a whole team can stay healthy for 18 all-out games PLUS an expanded playoffs. I don't think it's feasible.
It's been reiterated by players before: it's tiring enough to play a 16 game season and go far into the playoffs ("shortened offseason").
I think this idea needs to be reconsidered.
Thats what's called, 'telling it like it is'. Good on ya AT.
How about the hypocrisy of a player whining about wanting more pay for the same number of games--just with one switched from "pre-season" to "regular season"--while that same player criticizes the NFL's sources of the revenue his pay comes from? Hey, Adalius, why don't you take a moral stand and refuse whatever portion of your 6-figure ccompensation comes from NFL contracts with beer companies?
Like Hunter Thompson said, "The NFL is the last bastion of fascism in the US." Tell it like it is, AD!
I actually agree with AD here. Everyone knows that no one goes "all out" in preseason games - they are completely different beasts from "real" games. So the NFL is going to ask the players to go all out for 18 games rather than 16, and as AD says, if they do that, the NFL needs to at least give something back in collective bargaining or add a percentage to the pay of each player, proportional to the increase in expectations. It's nothing more than any of us would expect in our own lines of work.
Just my $0.02....
Sad.... Extremely disheartening!!! When real people, meaning people who work very hard at their ordinary jobs to pay for tickets that pay his salary, are required to work harder to produce more during they work week either do the work or find other employment. Sorry 'PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS' may have to work for an additional two weeks! I would really like to see this over paid person state this in front of people who will NEVER make the millions of dollars a year he makes!!! He has a job! A good job! Could someone please tell me the unemployment rate in Massachusetts today!!!! SAD...... VERY DISHEARTENING!!!!!!
How about 18 regular season games and ZERO preseason games. Teams can do scrimmages against other teams during training camp.
Somehow NCAA teams can manage the intricacies of getting plays called and setting squads and personnel without a preseason game, and they're managing 85+ kids on the sideline.
The "go get a different job if you don't like it response" might be fun for fans, but Thomas is making a bunch of pretty reasonable points. The fining/disciplinary system IS arbitary and seemingly random. The idea that players (as opposed to the league) are already paid for a 20 game system IS ridiculous, because the vast majority of them don't actually have to play 20 games right now. The line of reasoning that the NFL and beer don't mix -- and then the NFL absolutely attaching alcohol to it's hip both at live games and on TV -- is completely absurd.
Now, whether this translates into enough leverage for the players to get something out of the CBA is yet to be detemined. But Thomas' complaints are logical, and he works in the NFL. Considering both (A) how much money is at stake and (B) how much physical damage NFL players take, I'm surprised more players don't get educated about the issues and speak out like Thomas. It's his paycheck, and his body. If he didn't care about these things, THEN I'd think he was an idiot.
A.T. - why dont you pick your game up a little bit , you overpaid, underproducing hack! You were not even an impact player last year. You don't deserve half of your paycheck chump!
Wow! Those answers weren't prepared by the Pats PR dept., thank you, Adalius, for sharing your honest and insightful opinions. I especially liked your comments about the "Brady Rule". In one hand you're fearful of the sport becoming too soft and in the other you're for player safety. I agree, it's a touchy dilemna.
I don't like expanding the season, risk of injury increases ect.... But, please do not cry about the money. I am a nurse and do not even make a fraction of what they make and I help save lives. In todays economy with people losing their jobs left and right, it might be best if the money issue is left out of this.
Bill Mac,
You're a complete moron if you don't know the difference between pre-season and regular season games.
And the point he makes about the hypocrisy of the NFL in regards to alcohol and beer companies is spot on. Adalius is obviously a smart guy.
There's enough injuries already...why lower the quality of play by extending the season? It's only going to make for more injuries to starters, which means more back-ups taking snaps at the end of the season versus the pre-season. Really dumb idea.
The players receive something like 60% of the revenue. If the league makes more money than the players will make more money...
The players receive something like 60% of the revenue. If the league makes more money than the players will make more money...
can I just ask.... who the heck is A.D.? isn't it A.T.?????
Here's comment for you fans: If you don't like the salaries don't pay for them, don't watch the games and don't buy the extras: jersies, plates etc. The reason why these players make what they do is based on the profit the orginizations make. Because if any you knew your history, you'd know that back in the early 1900s many players got paid next to nothing while the owners raked it all in. Now, granted the palyers unions have changed it to the extreme but the fact remains you're all complaining about what they make while still partaking in enjoyment of the sport and still sinking money into them. So Bill, why don't you take the moral standard, along with everyone else, and not monetarily support the NFL?
I love this guy.
I think that I will sign a contract to work for someone, complain that I get more work and want more money......because they are making too much, then see what happens.
If he had this much energy on the field, then he would have 20 sacks per year.
Thomas, Shut up!
I love the dolts that complain about protecting the QB....the guy that is under gun and has as many as 3 to 8 player gunning for him on most every play.
Yeah, when I'm making $5-6 million for 6 months of work, I could see myself being upset over this too.
You're welcome to your opinion AT, but honestly, look around you... there's much bigger finacial crisis happening.
Look out, AD: Vrabes got sent packing for talking 'bout The Man. You might be next.
Say what you want about AT but I am sure there most players feel the same way. How can any player be happy with the way Goodell presents this. He is asking for a strike by the players if he does not get some business done after next season. This is not going to be pretty.
First of all, Adalius isn't getting any money from beer commercials that he is not in, which I don't know of any. All he is saying is if alcohol is heavily associated with the game and its business, why aren't players allowed to drink at team functions? It's ridiculous.
He also makes an excellent point about fines on players for hits and penalties. The players are playing the game at FULL SPEED, doing their best to make tackles and stop the offense from moving the ball. There's no time to think about how hard to hit or when, you just do it out of instict. Yet the NFL is reviewing tape at HALF SPEED or in slow-motion. It's totally unfair. Call the penalty if there is one and move on. There is rarely intent on behalf a player to injure another player. Nobody wants that on their conscience.
I think Nick nailed it - how do you stay helathy for 18 games? You would have to expand the roster, probably pay players more as A.D. suggests and that going to give you a net gain of zero for the owners. I love as much football as possible but I'm more in favor of a format that allows our team to succeed.
The only thing I disagree on, and I'm not sure he specifically was "attacking" this rule per se, but if you're lunging at a QB's knee, that's not being an aggressive defender, that's endangering the player. Truly, every player's knee is the most important knee in their mind, but that was messed up what Bernard Pollard pulled last year. I just don't see how they called it legal.
"Wow! Those answers weren't prepared by the Pats PR dept., thank you, Adalius, for sharing your honest and insightful opinions. I especially liked your comments about the "Brady Rule". In one hand you're fearful of the sport becoming too soft and in the other you're for player safety. I agree, it's a touchy dilemna.
Posted by Scott O'Donnell April 3, 09 01:01 PM"
yeah, it is called Hypocracy.....
Hey,football's entertainment. I don't give a damn what they do. When I've had enough I won't watch it. I suggest we all do the same.
BooHoo....I am not making enough MILLIONS...I need to be greedy and want more!
Sports players need to shut up and play.....
AT is making sense, and I'm glad to hear someone actually call out the NFL and ownership for money-grabbing. Just like I'm sure the owners are going to want to adjust incentives in player contracts if there are extra games (how much easier to get 1500 yards rushing if you have two more games to do it), the players should be able to calculate a per-game salary and build it into their contract.
although i love football and cant get enough of it, 2 more games is, to me, a pathetic idea.
preseason games are there for a reason... to try out rookies and other inexperienced players.
and i dont see any more competitiveness when in week 19 the patriots are playing with 20 people on IR.
so i agree with AT..
but heres a pointer to any NFL player: shut up about money, grow some brains and use the economy to turn that million into 2. dont you know how much the avarage citizen makes? jesus.. i cant believe Michael Vick is actually filing for bankruptcy... how dumb can that idiot be, youd figure hed at least hire a consultant with the 15 million he made every year... fool
As has been discussed, infinately, the preseason quality of play needs to be addressed. People, fans, are feeling taken advantage of by paying premium price for preseason tickets and not being delivered a premium product. Players are frustrated because they feel they have less control over their working environment and potential changes are being made to the job parameters without their input. (It is a job to most players). Separately, in reading just the quotes you choose to include in this article, it is not difficult to hear the frustration in AD's remarks. It is hard to conclude if the quotes are just one man's opinion or the groundwork for the Player's Association stance regarding the CBA. Please find common ground. We like what we see out on the field.
What a joke...once again just proving the point that they are completely out of touch with reality. You get paid millions of dollars because you beef your body up with steroids. Most of you have the IQs of small children or house plants. Please don't try to defend yourself that you would deserve more money to play an extra game. You make yourself look even more ignorant than you already are. Time for all professional sports to go away for awhile until the salaries come back into line.
You are RIGHT ON Raynee01! You whiny "fans" crying about "if you don't like your $5MM job, go work at McDonalds then...". If you fans don't like pro athletes making that kind of money, then don't buy tickets, don't go to games, and don't watch them on TV! And since you won't be doing any of that, then there is no reason to read these articles and post your idiot comments!!
The notion of "you make a bunch of money, I don't, so you can't complain about your boss", is dumb. It doesn't matter how much money A.D. makes, he feels his boss is doing him wrong and he has every right to speak on it. You whiny fans are too much...
I think they should leave well enough alone. In the big scheme of things, the NFL without a doubt puts out the best overall entertainment product of any of the big professional sports leagues. I don't think they ought to mess with this balance in pursuit of a few more bucks. Keep the regular season at sixteen games.
"Here's comment for you fans: If you don't like the salaries don't pay for them, don't watch the games and don't buy the extras: jersies, plates etc. The reason why these players make what they do is based on the profit the orginizations make. Because if any you knew your history, you'd know that back in the early 1900s many players got paid next to nothing while the owners raked it all in. Now, granted the palyers unions have changed it to the extreme but the fact remains you're all complaining about what they make while still partaking in enjoyment of the sport and still sinking money into them. So Bill, why don't you take the moral standard, along with everyone else, and not monetarily support the NFL?
Posted by Raynee01 April 3, 09 01:14 P"
Someone needs to learn how to read.....Not one poster has complained that football players are making too much. The Complaints are that they make more than enough and cry that they are being treated unfairly. Whaaaaaa!!!
I agree.... this idea of expanding the season is ridiculous.... i like how this system is now. i like the anticpation that the incredibly boring preseason games create for the actual regular season. less preseason means less time to evaluate talent, something i would like BB to have all the time in the world to do. two games to see if X drafted player can hack it? not good in my opinion.
Somebody needs to inform Adalius that they are paid a SALARY...
As in milions and millions per YEAR. Nobody inks a "$312,500 over 16-games" contract... it's $5 million per YEAR. That includes how ever many games are on the friggin' docket. Just because they DIVIDE up your salary over "game checks" doesn't make it any less of an overall salary.
Look, I'm NOT in favor of expanding the regular season. I think it's stupid for legitimate reasons. The money is not one of those reasons.
Not sure if someone touched on this above, but ticket prices aren't reduced for preseason games. If the teams aren't paying out the same amount in salary, why do I have to pay $125 to go see a preseason game (which season ticket holders are required to buy).
"You are RIGHT ON Raynee01! You whiny "fans" crying about "if you don't like your $5MM job, go work at McDonalds then...". If you fans don't like pro athletes making that kind of money, then don't buy tickets, don't go to games, and don't watch them on TV! And since you won't be doing any of that, then there is no reason to read these articles and post your idiot comments!!
The notion of "you make a bunch of money, I don't, so you can't complain about your boss", is dumb. It doesn't matter how much money A.D. makes, he feels his boss is doing him wrong and he has every right to speak on it. You whiny fans are too much...
Posted by bequietplease April 3, 09 01:38 PM"
LOL! If I complained about my job and pay as much as these big headed players did, I would lose my job.
The players should Shut up and earn their money!
Adalius needs a big frosty glass of STFU!
Ah, the idiot parade marches on. m1020us, who precisely designated you the arbiter of "making more than enough"? There is this bizarre undercurrent of resentment towards the successful in this country that makes me sick. Thomas is spot on with his comments here. An employee has a right to complain about work conditions and transgressions by his employer, regardless of his salary, and should be able to do so without a legion of morons deriding him for doing so. Just because you've failed to achieve the same level of success, and work a menial job that fuels your resentment, doesn't mean you have to lash out against those in a better financial situation. Employees are paid. respective to one another, what they are worth, after all.
Cry me a river ... the owners aren't getting cheated, the players aren't
getting cheated, the fans are getting cheated! Fans have to pay full
ticket-price for those lame pre-season games. Those games are
part of the season-ticket package. That is fair? So, if the players don't
want to play extra games, then prices for the pre-season games should
be reduced. Of course that reduces the pot that the players and owners
divvy up. How the players and owners handle that reduction is up to them.
The only victims here are the fans.
How many times do I have read about jealous people complaining about what other people make!!! I'm sorry most of you losers can't make money, but you don't have to bitch about others. Jealous much???? Don't worry Obama will fix it soon
Interestingly, I agree with both A.D. and the Rpger Goodell. The preseason games aren't up to NFL standards and the fans should expect more. Perhaps the preseason tickets should only cost half the price of a regular season game, and the player salaries and owner revenues should be prorated proportional to this "FAN BAILOUT" package. All the whining and complaining aside, it is just redictulous that we pay regular season prices for preseason games.
PRE SEASON IS TOO LONG And REGULAR SEASON IS JUST LONG ENOUGH..THE NFL HAS A GREAT THING GOING, THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE SPORT IN THIS COUNTRY AND GAINING POPULARITY ABROAD...WHY CHANGE A GOOD THING??? GREED ON THE COMMISHES PART,
I don't have a problem with Adalus' comments. Football players are involved in a very physical and sometimes dangerous game. Playing extra, meaningful games increases the odds of a player getting seriously injured. I believe that their compensation should reflect the additional risk. They could, let's say, increase the season to 18 games and cut the preseason games to 2 and pay the players the additional difference for the 2 additional regular-season games. Just one fan's opinion....
No holding back by Adalius at all :)
Goodell can spin it however he likes too, but that won't change the fact that everything Adalius said is 100% true.
P.S.
Anyone remember after the bears won the super bowl in 85, they were all off doing commercials? Ditka convinced them that they all needed to be focused on winning another championship. So they all stopped accepting the commerical gigs... and then Ditka swooped in and took all the commercial offers. :) Sounds kind of like Adlaius's take on beer commercials :)
"Ah, the idiot parade marches on. m1020us, who precisely designated you the arbiter of "making more than enough"? There is this bizarre undercurrent of resentment towards the successful in this country that makes me sick. Thomas is spot on with his comments here. An employee has a right to complain about work conditions and transgressions by his employer, regardless of his salary, and should be able to do so without a legion of morons deriding him for doing so. Just because you've failed to achieve the same level of success, and work a menial job that fuels your resentment, doesn't mean you have to lash out against those in a better financial situation. Employees are paid. respective to one another, what they are worth, after all.
Posted by Richter April 3, 09 01:57 PM"
LOL! You are really out of touch with reality.....I have no resentment towards my job, and I don't care what other people make. but when someone is well off and want to me more RICH and blab it to the world...that is friggin GREEDY!
AT is one of the highest paid players on the team and he isn't happy with his money? WTF? He needs to STFU and EARN his pay like the rest of us!
you are just a player apologist that thinks that the players are God and they can not do any wrong.
Someone get me Ray Lewis on line one PRONTO! What is he trying to get traded? Don't mess the locker room up, and ruin the chemistry there! But, I still dislike Roger Goodell as Comissioner! Oh yea, that 2 hand touch line is made me chuckle a bit.
Hey did Roger Goodell play football? How many of these owners and executives in the NFL actually played the game and went through the rigors of training for and playing the game. It seems to me they are just beancounters stuffing their pockets while somebody else actually does the work. The demands for more work for less pay echoes the reasons for creating unions in the first place. Pro football isn't just show up on Sunday and play a game. There's tons of preparation, physically and mentally, all year round to play this game. Never mind the limited longevity and non guaranteed contracts. The players should make as much as they can when they can. The owners sure are!
"How many times do I have read about jealous people complaining about what other people make!!! I'm sorry most of you losers can't make money, but you don't have to bitch about others. Jealous much???? Don't worry Obama will fix it soon
Posted by Ryan April 3, 09 01:59 PM"
Not jealous at all, they earn their money in the entertainment business.....It is just when Rich people complain PUBLICLY that they want more money.....that is what I really don't care about.
Now if Thomas had been earning his paycheck (one of the highest on the team), and keeping his mouth closed.....we wouldn't be talking about this.
He needs to STFU!
Two Americas anybody? Right now if my boss asked employees to give up one weeks vacation so that the company could stay afloat I would and be happy to do it! Geez AT.
Two Americas anybody? Right now if my boss asked employees to give up one weeks vacation so that the company could stay afloat I would and be happy to do it! Geez AT.
m1020us, you have absolutely zero business aptitude and your sports aptitude is also severely lacking. Go study up and then you can join the grown-ups in our discussion.
I am in FULL AGREEMENT with every word of Thomas' that I read. The one thing left out is that the Miami safety who nearly killed a defenseless Wes Welker didn't even get fined. Oh, you say that well that wasn't an illegal hit? Really? Ok well it sure should be if it isn't.
Is AD related to Curt Schilling perchance?
Give me a break AD... What an *&+@$#%^ whine bag... You make MILLIONS of dollars to play a game... How about you give back to money for all the games you DID spend on the injured list last year... What a jackwad...
"Two Americas anybody? Right now if my boss asked employees to give up one weeks vacation so that the company could stay afloat I would and be happy to do it! Geez AT.
Posted by Ror April 3, 09 02:52 PM"
Nobody asked him to give up his Bye Week, just make one of the games that he plays a regular season game rather than a pre season game....
"Is AD related to Curt Schilling perchance?
Posted by Trapple April 3, 09 03:19 PM"
never did I hear Schilling complain about money.
Now if you compared Thomas to Ty Law, then you have something.....
"I am in FULL AGREEMENT with every word of Thomas' that I read. The one thing left out is that the Miami safety who nearly killed a defenseless Wes Welker didn't even get fined. Oh, you say that well that wasn't an illegal hit? Really? Ok well it sure should be if it isn't.
Posted by D to the B April 3, 09 03:09 PM"
It wasn't Miami, he was a safety on the Steelers.
m1020us, maybe you should think about who is really out of touch with reality here. Wanting a share of money that is created by your efforts, that you receive none of, is not greedy, regardless of how much money you already make. If you weren't resentful and didn't care what other people made, you wouldn't have a problem with this. After all, YOU don't care what Thomas makes, so what does it matter that he thinks the wealth generated by the league should be distributed differently? I'm no apologist for the players, despite what you might think. The simple fact is, the league makes tremendous revenues on the often broken and impared bodies of the players, and does its best not to share those revenues with those same players. Thomas, like many other players, earns his money by putting his body on the line every time he puts the pads on, because doing so generates the ticket sales, television contracts, concession sales and endorsement deals that the league profits from so greatly. You are worth what you can do for your employer, and while football may be just a game, playing it at a high level creates a whole lot of wealth. You should get in touch with reality and realize that's a consequence of living in a captialistic society.
"m1020us, you have absolutely zero business aptitude and your sports aptitude is also severely lacking. Go study up and then you can join the grown-ups in our discussion.
Posted by Phil M. April 3, 09 02:53 PM"
LOL! Yeah....So says the player apologist! Keep sucking up, if you suck any harder Thomas may be able to feel it!
This isn't two Americas. The NFL cuts a HEALTHY profit. And will be fine and dandy even if the season stays at 16 games. They lost one point of profit over the last CBA and are crying about it. The players didn't want to make changes . . .the NFL owners do.
They are asking players to put their life's work on the line for one-two more weeks -- and lets be crystal clear about this -- SO THE OWNERS CAN MAKE MORE PROFIT.
That is right, if A.T. iss injured in the extra week, his contract can be voided. I would complain too. The owners can tear that paper up and he can't do a thing about it.
If contracts in the NFL were guaranteed it would be different, but they are not.
I can't believe people are complaining about millionaires complaining, when this whole fiasco is started by BILLIONAIRES complaing they are too poor, when they make BILLIONS apiece every season. Pulllease!!!!
Some of you guys are clearly missing AD's point here or maybe think that because NFL players make so much money that they shouldn't complain....but that is exactly AD's point, that the owners are making even that much more money and they're complaining. So where's the outrage at the NFL comish and owners?
Let me put it to you in simple terms, compare the NFL to any other business. There are workers (nfl players) and there are CEOs/Owners (nfl owners). Even if the workers are getting paid good money, the CEOs are getting paid a ridiculously greater amount of money. Now say the CEOs tell you the worker that the 2 weeks vacation you used to get is now 1 week and you have to work 1 extra week for the same money. The CEOs say they were already paying you for vacations why should they pay you more for working an extra week? How would you respond?
m1020us you are a tool. If you had talent you would not have the night shift at McDonalds you do now. See, they have Talent, so they can talk all they want. They are hard to replace and if you fire them, they go to another team. They have leverage, you don't, you are replacable. I know, you hate the fact that these guys make millions and have a voice in society and you don't. Just take your small self and end yourself, it will all be better that way.
Hello: "Mike [Perrera], this is Roger [Goodell] calling. We have a situation on our hands. Who is this Thomas guy? I thought we fined him already? I know its the off-season but I was wondering if you could look at the rulebook and let me know if there is some way that I could fine him again? What about during practice? Please call my when you have a chance. "
You people complaining that he is saying he doesn't want to work more and you wish you could do that are morons. You can't compare an athletes who works harder in 9-10 months out of the year than you do in two years. They play 6 month season that we see, but they are constantly doing thing we don't, like staying in shape, watching film. They are fortunate to do something they love but man are they bustin their hump to do that, all for our entertainment.
I'm glad AT is speaking out, maybe not so much about the money but everything else he brings up is needed.
While I agree with some of the things he says as far as expanded season and some of the rule changes, it is really kind of sickening listening to him say it the way he does. Seems like money is all AD cares about. Listening to very well compensated football players whine about money is kind of like listening to Wall street executives complain that people are upset about their bonuses after they receive bail outs from the government.
Sorry AD, if you are looking for the average guy to have sympathy for you, this is NOT the way to go about it! Whining that you don't want to change some preseason games to regular season because you aren't getting "paid" at the same rate (only 5 million, poor baby), or that you aren't allowed to make beer commercials so you can make even more, well, my heart just bleeds for ya. Wish I could help out, bt you know, most of us now are working even harder for LESS money. Take a look at the real world before you whine. Mostt of us don't even have the luxury of a powerful union to back us, we just have to suck up and DEAL with it.
I agree with you, but I think you need a dose of reality.
I agree with AD. These guys don't all make big money. NFL guys have the shortest pro career and make the least. The starters don't play much in the preseason. Now they will be forced to play an extra full game thus further limiting their careers. Injuries are bad enough in the NFL as it is. Don't compare this with an average job. NFL takes in $1billion per year just from Directv alone on the lives and health of these players. Let's see any of you bitching about AD's comments survive one NFL regular season game. You would curl up in the fetal position, suck your thumb and cry. These men earn every penny.
What a great thread the responsesare great ...Great points people...
Let's face facts here, AD is completely correct. NFL owners have used the pre-season to pad their pockets for years, and fans have gotten the shaft. No reason the players should get screwed, too.
1. MOST (not all) NFL Players don't work 6 months a year. They work everyday.
2. Anybody whining about what Adalius is saying should simply stop supporting football, because just about everything he said is valid.
3. Wes Welker was almost destoyed by Ryan Clark, the Steelers safety who also ended Willis McGahee's post-season, and possibly effectively ended his career.
4. Lunging at any player's knee is wrong, because you could cause irreprable damage. How about try to hit between the shoulder pads and the thighs?
I don't care how you get there, but I'm tired of watching in-season games with so many frontline players out of the lineup. I know you get hurt in football, but the quality of the player has gone down as injuries force lesser players into the lineup. Expanding the season means more injuries and a poorer product. I'd like to see 2 bye weeks per club, but we're going in the wrong direction for Money Bags Goodall. Now Lawrence Maroney can miss 17 games.
I see that most of the comments are pro AD and I add mine to it. What the NFL players need is a real union, based on baseball and basketball. Contracts that mean something and COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
This is nothing. Wait until Obama, Pelosi and Frank set their max income to 250k.
Yo? Why do Boston.com Commentors always Fail? First comment, Poster Commenter...Arrogant, Condescending, and hella Ignorant. Number one, how are you gonna even think about arguing with a Veteran..dyu know how far it is to get from your comfy chair in your living to where he is in the starting line-up on that field...Ever thought about the fact that theres practices, ritual midnsight that set and switch in transition between Preseason and Season...He's speaking from a player perspective. What we say, and really want dont matter...we dont pay them too play...We pay them becuz THeY PLAY...we want to go see their action. and Thomas is making damn reasonable points. The D-bags on this site are ridiculous. SUFMouth andf go to a bar andstop paying them for tickets if u dont like Adna
I totally agree with AD, however the problem is one of power. If the players were smart enough to have a real union, like baseball and basketball then they would have the advantage of COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. Are baseball players and basketball players smarter than football players?
It's too hot at the start of the season and too cold by the end. The season is plenty long enough already. The old 14 game season was perfect. Keep milking the tete of the cash cow and eventually she dries up.
While I can see that he has a legitimate beef with management, he really doesn't need to complain in public about it. It just doesn't look good when there are millions of people with financial problems of all kinds. Many of them also have a more important job than playing football.
ANd how do you think the fans like paying $40 to park at GIllette? How about paying several hundred a seat for next season in February? $7 for a beer? To PAY YOUR SALARY???
I don't blame Thomas for being PO'd. I love it that he makes as much money as he can. I hope that he votes for a Republican instead of Obama so that his taxes won't be as bad. I'd like to make his kind of money and be in the top 1%. But please Adalius, I don't need to hear you complaining and airing dirty NFL laundry in public!
So what do ya like about the game AT, OH YA straight cash Homey!
I think they should play 3 pre-season games and 17 regular season games - but the 17th game has to be outside of the continental USA. And each team should have a sister city so every other year, their 17th game is played in that location - so think London, Dublin, Mexico City, Moscow, Dubai, Sydney, Munich, Paris, Hong Kong... well you get the picture. And then this way, no team has an unfair advantage because they start the year jet legged with 6,000 miles traveled while someone else has a home game. And AD - we'll figure out the money...
These guys need to stick to football. When the microphones and cameras appear they need to do what they did at the combine years ago....run really fast but in the opposite direction.
Whats wrong with the OWNERS setting the rules ? thats the way it always is.
These guys are not bright, they are great athletes and get paid huge money to play a dangerous game that leaves many with debilitating injuries. thats the risk the knowingly take and they are typically rewarded handsomely.
It boils down to asking someone to do more of the same kind work for less pay. If anyone reading this was asked by their employer or if self employed to expand their job, put more time in for the same pay every single one of them would not feel good about doing it!!!. As far as the amount that they are paid it also has something to do with the fact that the wear and tear on their bodies that last a life time. Much longer than their carriers.
If you think Pro athletes are paid to much do not go to the games or watch it on TV. If we all did that they would not earn so much.
Thomas is right on. How many people realize the the NFL is a nonprofit organization? I love the game of football, but the special treatment of this privileged group of rich is so absurd.
Spoken like a true Unionist. Screw you, what about ME
What he mentions is just one reason the season should stay as it is. If the NFL expands the regular season to 18 games, the problems are:
1. The Super Bowl winner will often be just a decent team with the least injuries.
2. There will need to be more players on a roster. Therefore, you will have CFL players on NFL rosters and dilute the talent pool.
3. You will have to pay players more and it will make the new CBA harder to negotiate by even mentioning something so stupid.
If 2010 is an uncapped year, it won't likely be a year that too much football is played. The NFL should concentrate on getting rookie contracts (especially for high draft picks) under control so players who have proven themselves, and players that retire from the league, get the lion's share of the salary and benefits. After all, those are the players fans have paid the big money to come see.
For the amount of entertainment the NFL provides, players get less than baseball or basketball salaries. MLB charge fans for 160 games (ok half that) and have much more revenue to pay players that participate in a much less hazardous sport. NFL players train harder than any other sport but get paid substantially less comparatively.
Thomas is right on. How many people realize the the NFL is a nonprofit organization? I love the game of football, but the special treatment of this privileged group of rich is so absurd.
Why fix it, if it ain't broke ???
My opinion of A.T. just went down the crapper.
Talk about greed! Last time I looked players agree to a contract for x amount per year. That means if the nfl decides you are going to play 40 games you are going to play 40 games.
Put pom poms and a skirt on tom brady? is he brain dead?
Thomas sounds like a dumb athlete. I don't care whether you get 17 checks or 40 checks you get paid for playing on the team from pre-season to post season based on a contract. The only difference in pre-season is that some not under contract are receiving pay as well.
Is the week long practices consuming less time on the players in the pre-season?
Thomas admits that the NFL's intake is basically the same since ticket prices are the same in pre-season. The only added income for the NFL would be improved TV advertising.
Its good to here someone speak up about the NFL's head office. Its about time. King Goodell expects these guys to go out for a few games extra for free, when half of them don't make it through 16 games without major surgury at least once a year. He imposes fines at players for playing the game and is the very definition of hypocracy with the NFL commercials which advertise big hits ($7,500 fine) and "excessive celibrations" ($15,000 fine). Watch any commercial for the NFL Network and your likely to see $40,000 in fines.
Wow, there are some really naive people here. Signing a contract for a year is done with the understanding of what a year constitutes. Going from 16 to 40 games, like in the ridiculous example above, is a huge difference, and grossly violates the nature of the contracts football players sign. It would be like if your boss at work said, "Hey, guess what, we're going to keep paying you the same amount, but now you're working a 70 hour week!" But hey, you signed a contract for x number of years, time to get to work! That's ridiculous. Terms are established beforehand as to what constitutes the duties expected to be performed in exchange for compensation. If the employer wants to change the duties, he has to re-negotiate. Most of the people calling Thomas greedy here likely have never signed a work contract in their life before, they either get paid under the table or work a job that's menial enough that their employer offers no terms.
Maybe these guys shoull go on strike for higher wages like the MLB players did several years ago cancelling the playoffs and world series.
Anytime any professional athlete begins to complain abaout their compensation, as far as I am concerned, they can all go to hell.
Not only are they paid those obnoxious salaries, but what many people don't know are all the little "extras" they receive, per dium pay on the road, including the best resort hotels, food, they get paid for speaking engagements, they get paid for autographs and product endorsements, they get paid when their names appear on products that are sold, they get paid from the card companies, and my guess is that they rarely have to pay the bill if they go into a local place to eat, etc.
I say the hell with them. If the NFL TEAMS, who happens to be their EMPLOYERS wants to go to 18 games, or 20 games, or play year round for 52 games a year, then let the employee, the freaking player, negotiate a contract that he thinks is right and then let him collect his paycheck like normal people EVERY WEEK, and shut the hell up.
If he doesn't like it, then let him become a hairdreser, or gardener, or librarian.
I like Adalius Thomas as a football player, but there are times to shut your freaking mouth.
This is a tough hard cruel world we live in. These guys need to develop some humility and give thanks for what they have been fortunate to receive.
Skirts and poms poms. The exact opposite of what you'll need after sustaining a series of chop blocks. Football minus the tea and crumpets, add the ruptured spleen, abrasions, cuts, contusions, compound fractures and, dare I say it ,concussions equals long term health issues. Yeah these players know what they signed up for and it's not serving the buffet at the Gerry Cooney Hallmark Memorial Pancake House. Lengthening the season without expanding the roster or adding bye weeks would be ludicrous. The should not alter the schedule. AT will be awesome this year. e seems motivated !
Who built the stadium? Who arranged for the large TV & Radio contracts? Who makes sure they have the best facilities, medical team, coaches and trainers? Who puts together the apparell contracts, etc.?
How much money would the players make if they were in charge of all of the above?
I know fans there are more employees than employers, so the employer is always wrong.
AT has a great point about the hypocrisy in regards to the beer companies.
I agree with Thomas, the regular season should not be longer! Not for money reasons so much but football is an extremely violent sport. It is a very long season especially if you are fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs and Super Bowl. If they feel 2 weeks is enough for pre-season, then make it that way, just still play 16 games, but they wont........MONEY ! I just wonder how Brady and other quarterbacks will feel about his Pom-Pom, skirt comment. Yes, his knees are just as important but I think the league is just trying to protect it's most skilled, attractive players. Anyways.........GO PATS !!
Do your job! I don't get paid for overtime, or for a championship.
It's all about the $$$$$. Goodell and the owners want to extend the season just to make more money. They don't care if the players are overworked and sustain more injuries because of season extension. They think with their wallets. I agree with ADT.
Ill advised comments...This guy could play 32 games and he wouldn't be living up to his paycheck. What's he got about 100 tackles and 10 sacks TOTAL in two seasons here.
B-I-G-T-I-M-E B-U-S-T!
If I were Kraft I'd walk right up to this punk and "open the books" and show him the millions he's already paid this overrated hack.
20 games is 20 games. It must be so rough ONLY making $1200 week to play a game in August. People will always bitch about something, even if they are making 7 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR! There should be a maximum salary in sports, every sport for that matter. No more than $10 million a year, Julius Peppers is gonna get a check for slightly more than $1,000,000 every Sunday and Mr. Thomas is complaining about NOT making enough money? Go work at one of the thousands of fast food chains in America for a couple of months and then tell me how you like the $1200 a week preseason pay. Without playing football he is a nobody squeeking out an existence just like the rest of us. Shut your mouth already, put your helmet on, play some football and earn your exorbitant salary. I'll save up for months just to get the chance to fly to foxboro buy a $150 ticket and sit in the stands purchasing $6 beers. Adalius and Ty Law ought to get together and have a pity party. Maybe they could invite Latrell Spreewell....
Tell this fatneck to quit his whining. If you're making 5 mil a year, you can work an extra week for the same money. What bothers me even more is that the pre-season is a complete joke and they're apparently not paying their players as much yet they still whack the fans full price for what amounts to a half-assed, meaningless game. Tell the fan who's paying $175 per seat per game (including the pre-season) for seats down in the lower sections that you want more money, which would no doubt translate into higher tix prices, for playing an additional game. You guys have it tough. You work half a year and get to retire in 12 or 15 years. Life's tough.
Goodell can talk all he wants about expecting the players to go to an 18 game schedule with no change in pay. It AIN"T Going to happen without the approval of the NFLPA, which means the players will get a bigger yearly salary/ or cut or whatever they call it, once they sit down & work out new contract. Everyone knows that there is a different level of play in real games, the fans are certainly more attracted to the real games & the Stadiums make more money during real games. more money for the owners & the League means that the players are entitled to their share. It doesn't matter what they make, it's entertainment, which is extremely profitable, especially when it involves sports. Why should the owners & the League expect to line their pockets even further without divvying some of that money to the actual entertainers whom the fans are actually watching?
brady was already practically in pom poms and a skirt the last time he posed for stetson...one person's knee isn't more valuable then another, that's why you can't sell organs
I cant stand when I hear the "to play a game" bit. Sure, I know it's a "game" but do these people have any clue how hard these guys work and train? I'd like to see some of these people get up from behind their computers and go through training camp- they'd be DEAD after about 30 seconds. This "game" is full time, hard work. Whether or not you think they make too much (and I think some DO) you can't downplay what a tough business it really is.
Until we all stop going to games, and watching games on TV, and supporting the advertisers, and all that goes along with a professional sporting event, NO ONE has a right to complain about what these guys are making and telling the guy to get a real job. Every single one of you on here would gladly play for that kind of money if you had the talent so don't act like you can stand on the moral high ground. It isn't AT's fault (or any other pro athlete's) that the unemployment rate is so high. That means he has to be uber-sensitive about it? Give me a break. If your boss told you he wanted you to work more hours, but only pay you a fraction of your current salary you would frwak. Just because they are making so much money doesn't make what the NFL is tryinng to do right. Again, until we stop supporting (and I don't plan on it) we are all guilty in this.
I agree with AT. This is about money. As a season ticket holder, I do not enjoy paying full price for meaningless pre-season games. Keep the 16 game season, and eliminate the pre-season games altogether.
Is next year the year of NO salary cap???! The NFL Players Union will be making millions of dollars for their Union. What a minute??!?! Unions have HURT the economy of late (GM, Chrysler, AIG, etc....). Why do we not dissolve the Players Union? Every player for himself!!??! That is how it is currently!!!! Agents are out for as much money as they can receive! Not thinking of the Union AT ALL!!! Then there will be no financial complaints by 'knowledgeable players'. Yes, executives of the named companies have hurt their own companies. Wrong individual people in the wrong spot of power. PLEASE, just stop complaining!!! Go to work!! YOu are in New England!!! Go Patriots!!!
"I cant stand when I hear the "to play a game" bit. Sure, I know it's a "game" but do these people have any clue how hard these guys work and train? I'd like to see some of these people get up from behind their computers and go through training camp- they'd be DEAD after about 30 seconds. This "game" is full time, hard work. Whether or not you think they make too much (and I think some DO) you can't downplay what a tough business it really is.
Posted by Scooter April 3, 09 10:59 PM"
This is an excellent point, if they extend the regular season, they will be shortening the preseason....thus he wouldn't be playing any exrta games and he would be working as hard for both.
You've got to be kidding me! Complaining about making millions of dollars and still saying it is not enough!?!? Are you serious? Hey AT, why don't you read the newspaper every once in awhile and realize the serious ramifications this recession is having on the rest of the country. The very people coming to watch your games, who are paying those tickets prices, and paying your salary are losing their jobs every day. Walk in their shoes for even a month, and then tell me that you’re not grossly overpaid to play a kid's game. Makes me sick….
m1020us, you are purposefully ignoring the facts.
Players are paid salary for the REGULAR season. Not the pre-season, not the post-season. It's simple, if the REGULAR season is increased, then the salary (which is based on the REGULAR season) should be increased as well. It's only fair.
Since you guys like to compare your jobs to Pro-Athletes, this would be akin to working for company that's still thriving in this economy (as the NFL is) and decides to increase the work weak to Monday-Saturday while keeping our "salaries". Not one of us would stand for that; whether we made 30k, 300k, or 3M a year. Fair is Fair. A.D. isn't complaining that he isn't making enough. He sees the NFL trying to get over on its employees, and that's wrong. Cheers to him for calling them out.
I'm actually surprised to see so many people agreeing with A.D. As far as the "Brady" rule, it appears to be not nearly as bad of a rule as I had originally thought. According to this article it doesn't apply to players who have been blocked to the ground. If you haven't been blocked (or fouled) to the ground, you have no business on the ground, get back up before trying to play again. A.D.'s a defensive player, so I'd expect him to be against increased scrutiny on defenders. So while I disagree with him, it is nice to here his genuine thoughts on the issue.
Thomas is wrong - his pay will go up substantially with two additional games.
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