Chaos could keep Chad in green BY KEN BERGER March 4, 2006 The delay to the start of NFL free agency wasn't a reprieve for only the Jets and Chad Pennington, who continued hammering out details Friday on a contractual compromise that is expected to keep him on the team. One agent actively involved in the buildup to one of the strangest free-agency periods in recent NFL history described chaotic conditions throughout the league in the hours before the Thursday night deadline for teams to get their finances in order. "It was like watching the stock market crash," said the agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "When the stock market crashes, they shut down the market for a few days to bring some stability." Some optimism remains that the delay could rekindle hopes for an extension to the collective-bargaining agreement, which would give teams more salary-cap room this season and more time to delay cap charges. But others view the 72-hour reprieve as more of a cooling-off period for agents and general managers who have been wrestling with uncertainty and confusion. "None of us ever have been put under these rules before," the agent said. One factor related to the league's labor uncertainty has been a key sticking point in the Pennington talks, two people with knowledge of them said. The nuance has to do with the "30 percent rule," which states that no player can receive a raise of more than 30 percent in a so-called "uncapped year." In 2007, which will be uncapped if a CBA extension is not reached, Pennington is scheduled to make $4 million in base salary. Under the current rules, his base salary for 2006 cannot be lower than $3 million because any further reduction would constitute more than a 30 percent raise for '07. That's why the flexibility to create cap space by slashing Pennington's $6-million base salary to the bone for '06 no longer exists. The two sides are working on alternatives, and an agreement is expected by Sunday's 6 p.m. deadline. "There are many ways to do it and give him a cap number in the 7's and have a contract which works," one of the people familiar with the negotiations said. The Jets continued wrestling with issues other than Pennington's on Friday, a day when one of their all-time greats posted a farewell address on a fan Web site. Center Kevin Mawae, whose release will become official by Sunday, thanked fans for their loyalty and also got in a couple of parting shots. "I have been nothing but a team player, an encourager and a teacher to my teammates over the years," Mawae wrote on Jetsinsider.com. "I have never let money be a motivating factor in the way I play the game and I never will. "I do believe that when you sign a contract, you are giving your word to the other party that you will perform at your very best to fulfill every aspect of that word. I have done just that, and expected to continue with that goal throughout the remainder of my contract. Only now, I face the fact that contracts and your word are only binding on one side in the NFL." Pennington's situation aside, the Jets seem likely to get under the cap through numerous contract restructurings, including one for guard Pete Kendall, who most observers now believe will stay with the team. ******************************************************** Well, that's some good news. I think we can all agree that Kendall is an awesome player, and it'll be good to keep him!!
You may be right but keeping Kendall around will provide some leadership on an Oline that doesn't really have any right now. It also doesn't make drafting a guard early in the draft a priority.
So Mr. Mawae....in your words, "I have been nothing but a team player, an encourager and a teacher to my teammates over the years," Mawae wrote on Jetsinsider.com. "I have never let money be a motivating factor in the way I play the game and I never will." Why then will you not restructure your cap # if it is not about the money?
Kendall's leadership didn't do crap for the line last year when Mawae was busted up. Sorry guys but I don't really buy into the whole "keep old guys around for leadership" thing- a young line can gell just as easily as a line spotted with vets and rookies- it might take a bit longer, but it will happen...
I absolutely agree with you! In fact IF he is going to be our center I predict our QBs will take an awful beating, as they did last YEAR! He simply is NOT big or string enough to keep BIG & STRONG DTs from putting too much pressure on the QB thus forcing him into a DE! Cqan you imagine CHAD playing behind a weak OL ! Lets hope his insurance is paid in full!
