Column: AB holdout threat hypocritical, hollow

He deserves the contract he signed his name to nothing more nothing less.

But they DID pay him; and when they did the Steelers took ALL the risk that A Brown would perform well. If he didn't, they had just given him a boatload of money. Think about L Woodley here. He didn't perform, got hurt, and was cut. But he sure did take a lot of the Steelers' money along the way.

Anybody would do the same at there job if they were out performing ppl getting paid more and had the option to hold out. Fans get upset cause we are talking millions of dollars not $15 an hour but those same fans are the reason these guys make so much

He has no bargaining power in this situation. He has to honor his contract or lose huge money. Making it public by holding out won't convince the Steelers to restructure his contract. This is just dumb on his part, even if he is being paid below what his value would be on the open market.

jjvesc99--what you said about anybody would do the same is just not true. Just because you would doesn't mean everyone would.

jtwellen -

But the Steelers didn't really take all that much risk, did they? If he didn't perform to the standards of the contract, they could cut him for the cost of the signing bonus and a little dead money on the cap.

He was overpaid at the time he signed the contract. The Steelers took a gamble and paid off. Brown got lifetime security not even knowing himself he would turn out to be this good or he wouldn't have signed it. He won't win this battle with the Rooney's!

He has the option to hold out for 3 years and not play for 3 years and not be paid for 3 years. If that's his choice, I support him 100%. If it's not his choice, he should get his ass to work. Also, everyone here has the option to hold out at their own place of work. And just like the Steelers, all our employers have the option to let our asses sit at home without a paycheck. Choose wisely my friends.

It was termed "an extension"....Brown should do the same.

Good memory by both DK and you.

Yes he did and I was at training camp the day, August 17th he signed his extension and took the practice field. I remember it because the day before was my birthday.

If he had performed poorly, would he have refunded his signing bonus? Did Lamar Woodley?

But that's not the point because he's hasn't underplayed that contract.

If he was concerned about outplaying his contract, he shouldn't have signed a 5-year contract. He signed it because he wanted the financial security at the time. What he willingly gave up for that security was more money if he became a top-5 WR. He should have placed a bigger bet on himself. He did not, and must live with his decision.

But that's not the point because he's hasn't underplayed that contract."

Everyone has their own perspective on this, but you are saying the contract is one way only. If he underperforms, the club should pay what he is due, but if he outperforms his peers, then the club should ignore the contract and pay more. I just can't see contracts working that way.

You cant honor an NFL contract. If he underperforms, no he shouldnt give the money back but as a fan I would want my team to cut him. However, if youre overperforming, then you the athlete are not getting paid what your worth. Thats the problem with the situation

You cant honor an NFL contract. If he underperforms, no he shouldnt give the money back but as a fan I would want my team to cut him. However, if youre overperforming, then you the athlete are not getting paid what your worth. Thats the problem with the situation

They would get 2 first round picks from a bottom 10 team OR a first round pick from a top-20 team.

Man, I'll tell you what Dormonty. These guys werent lying about the WR visits. I expected 2 or 3 but they have met or plan on meeting 5 or 6. Couple 1st round talents too. Maybe doing their homework on potential Ravens picks but still pretty interesting.

Interesting. If we need to move him and the price is right, do it.

With Troy's retirement, the Steelers have a lot more cap space. It is possible that is why AB/Rosenhouse are doing this, too.

He is underpaid at only 6 million this year. He was OVERPAID in 2012, when he received 11 million after having only one good season. It's really easy to forget the "old" money.

Good points.

Spot on. Looks like Timmons might be done first (maybe this is his last year here). And Brown's possible departure explains why they've been looking at so many WRs in the draft visits.

Agree Sam. Timmons will be a cap casualty soon. Probably another bad hit too considered they have restructured it before.

overthecap.com ladies and gents...The math doesnt add up for me.

Remember that the cap is set to go up a pretty big amount in next few years as the new Directv deal kicks in, I believe.

True, jtwellen. But im kinda tired of cap hell, kicking the can down the road. Always being up against it. They may be able to fit everybody in they currently have, but just think its grossly tilted towards the offense. We all know they need lots of help on D...Sometimes I wish they could get a marquee guy, you know? Freaking New England always has space it seems. Same with Ravens always loading up on compensatory picks.

Um...there IS no possible departure of Brown. None.

Slim Deb, sure...but no chance? None. Hardly.

Look at the Eagles roster this time last year, to today.

Comparing the "Eagles' roster" and their current front office style to the Steelers and the way the Rooneys do business is like comparing bulldozers and butterflies!

My point was I think an Eagles fan a year ago thought it was pretty remote that they would trade Mccoy and Foles, let Maclin walk in FA. Only a year or two removed from cutting Desean Jackson.

Anything is possible with Drew Rosenhaus involved, Groat.

This is the first well-thought-out, unemotional discussion in this thread. Words like "honor" and "integrity" are simply missing the point. In all walks of business, contracts are re-negotiated when circumstances change. My guess is that AB's gonna end up getting more money one way or another here. The Rooneys won't play hardball for years, and there's little downside to AB holding out for an entire year if that's what has to happen.

In football he would get the signing bonus. If he gets career ending injury 1st year of contract, he is out of luck for the remainder of money.

I'd be more willing to accept that argument if the contract were guaranteed.

Since it's not, and since the Steelers are able to reevaluate it on a yearly basis, it's hard for me to begrudge Brown for doing the same. Holding out or potentially holding out is the only leverage he has.

If the NFL wants to remove the limits on rookie contracts, offer players a more equitable revenue split, guarantee contracts, and sufficiently provide for their medical needs post playing career, then I'll take issue with holding out.

Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry?

Nope, Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke".

Harry Calahan in Magnun Force