Vikings' man? Seahawks lose Hutchinson ruling ESPN.com news services SEATTLE -- The Seahawks must match the guarantee provision in the $49 million, seven-year deal offered to All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson by the Minnesota Vikings if the NFC champions want to keep their transition player. Special master Stephen Burbank, the University of Pennsylvania law professor who serves as the final word in many key contractual disputes, ruled against Seattle, saying a provision guaranteeing all of the $49 million in an offer sheet Hutchinson signed with Minnesota should he not be the team's highest-paid offensive lineman is valid. "The Seahawks lost," NFL Players' Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen said Monday. The Seahawks had until midnight ET Monday to match the Vikings' offer or lose Hutchinson to Minnesota. Berthelsen attended a two-hour hearing Monday morning in Philadelphia on the matter. The Vikings' seven-year offer, which Hutchinson signed on March 12, included $16 million guaranteed. It would be the richest deal ever given to a guard. And Monday's ruling means it just got richer. The Seahawks had argued Monday morning that because they have recently re-negotiated Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones' $54.5 million, seven-year contract by adding an eighth, voidable year, Jones' team-best lineman deal now has an annual value below that of Hutchinson's offer. After the re-negotiation, Jones' annual base salary would dip to $6.81 million -- just below Hutchinson's $7 million annual average if Seattle matched Minnesota's offer. The Seahawks argued Monday morning they should not have to guarantee the rest of Hutchinson's new deal. Berthelsen said special master Stephen Burbank did not elaborate in his ruling. But Berthelsen said the decision validated the NFLPA's stance that the conditions at the time Hutchinson signed the offer sheet with the Vikings are the conditions Seattle must match -- meaning Hutchinson wasn't the highest-paid Seahawks linemen then, so Seattle must guarantee all $49 million of the Vikings' deal to match it. "They wanted to put in additional language to make it from any point from now until the end of the 2006 league year," Berthelsen said. "That is contrary to the intent of the wording that was in the contract. "And the special master agreed." The Seahawks did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment. Information from ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton was included in this report.
If they match it, Jabe loses. If they don't...they have money to play with, possibly on Jabe, in which case...we get our first rounder!
Abe already said that he doesnt want to play in Seatle and has no desire to even listen to possible contract offers that they have. He has his mind set on playing in ATL and i think that its going to back fire on him and he's going to have to suit up for us this coming year or not play at all. ATL looks set in their ways on not giving up their 1ST
abe cant choose, well he can but it wont do shit for him. its either go where the jets FO says, or get used to green and white
Money talks and bs walks. If they offer the same money as ATL, there's no way he turns it down. Right now he's said ATL, because htye've offered him the money he wants. Seattle might have had Jabe's money all along as a plan b re: this hutchinson deal.
Ye I understand that. I hope that he is forced to play for us next year, and then we franchise him again and again and never trade him and ruin his life. He has to realize that he is a player and not an organization by himself.
This is good news for the Jets. Seattle can now be much more aggressive with their Abe offer if they want. If they can guarantee a couple million more than Atlanta, I'll bet Abe's opinion will change. Remember Seattle was close last year. A healthy, productive Abe might push them over the edge...
I wish someone could ruin my life with an 8+ million dollar gift. The nerve of that statement makes me want to inject my balls with botox. Or yours. Most definitely yours.
Ha by that i meant that we never give into his demands - that we make him play for us and play hard and that we dont let him think that he can order the organization around and use us as puppets
Man, I'm so used to getting screwed as a Jets fan that I was so sure that seattle would win that arbitration hearing.
I agree with you bleedinggreenwhite- Here's our problem: 1-Why would any team sign a player that doesn't want to play for them? Especially if the player is not even on the team yet ,but has already brought a negative vibe to the table. 2- If Abe doesnt go to Seattle and sign a new contract, then Hutchinson situation doesn't mean a hill of beans 3- NO WAY- Will Seattle sit and wait on Abraham to decide if he wants to play with them or not. Everyone on this board says that money talk and BS walk and that Abe will blink. Well, how Seattle woe Abe with money if nothing is ever negotitated between the two sides? 4- Abe is looking at how Seattle is trying to manipulate Hutch into staying on the team. Too many flashbacks. I could be wrong, but I doubt it very seriously if Abe ever plays for Seattle. That's just all to it! 5- Because Seattle isn't sure about the mindset of ABE, they will not take a risk on losing another FA so they will forcefully go after Peterson and keep their #1 draft pick. 6-Or...They may meet the offer sheet with Vikings. With that said..we will be just fine. I just don't won't us to get too greedy and get all caught up with trying to make a point, which will all be all null and void if this thing with Abe blows up in our face come August during training camp.
I'm just being objective. I'm a J-E-T fan all the way, but I try to look at things from both sides. I've been burned by this team so many times. Nonetheless, these athletes usually get what they want from Eli to TO. Its just not worth the headace. Good example: Eli came out of college and had not proven anything , but he refuses to play for San Diego...at that point San Diego said "screw this" we will take some one else. NO TEAM WANTS A PLAYER WHO DOESN"T WANT TO PLAY W/THEM. In 2006 we need to have people on the field out there to win and not act a pure fool. Yes, honestly I want him out of NY, but we might have to keep him next year because something tells me hes not going to play in Seattle. And I don't think money is the factor. He could have accepted more money on Friday. He knew he would get more more and a $$ for $$ match for Seattle, yet he refuses to even return their calls. NOt a good sign. Seattle will say bump that crap and keep going with thier offseason.
