ronnydynamic
08-01-2003, 12:31 AM
Hey guys!
I don't know if you guys posted this article or not, but I thought it was worth bringing up again. I admire the hell out of Champ and wish that other selfish, me-first players out there would learn a lesson from him. The man is a class act, and I hope he gets rewarded for his unique take on his approach to life in the NFL.
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have begun negotiations on a new contract for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who can become a free agent after the season.
Bailey is prized so much by the team that owner Dan Snyder was willing to cut starting defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson to free salary-cap space.
Snyder called Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, shortly after Wilkinson was released Tuesday, and the two plan to meet sometime during training camp.
That's fine with Bailey, who was getting frustrated over the lack of progress in negotiations. Though always soft-spoken and averse to controversy, this was one matter that agitated him just a bit when he arrived for camp this week.
"I know what my contract says right now. I know I'm underpaid. You guys know I'm underpaid. Everybody knows I'm underpaid," Bailey said Wednesday. "I know I signed five years; I'm going to live up to that and say it's my fault."
Bailey signed a five-year, $10.25 million contract after he was chosen as the No. 7 overall draft pick in 1999. His salary this year is just over $2 million, not even in the top 10 among cornerbacks in the league.
"It's pretty much out of my hands," Bailey said. "I could not come to camp, hold out. Man, I came in with class, and I'm going to leave with class, plain and simple.
"I've got one agenda, and that's to be the best cornerback in the league and to win the championship with this team. I've got enough to support my family right now. The big bucks are down the road."
I don't know if you guys posted this article or not, but I thought it was worth bringing up again. I admire the hell out of Champ and wish that other selfish, me-first players out there would learn a lesson from him. The man is a class act, and I hope he gets rewarded for his unique take on his approach to life in the NFL.
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have begun negotiations on a new contract for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who can become a free agent after the season.
Bailey is prized so much by the team that owner Dan Snyder was willing to cut starting defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson to free salary-cap space.
Snyder called Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, shortly after Wilkinson was released Tuesday, and the two plan to meet sometime during training camp.
That's fine with Bailey, who was getting frustrated over the lack of progress in negotiations. Though always soft-spoken and averse to controversy, this was one matter that agitated him just a bit when he arrived for camp this week.
"I know what my contract says right now. I know I'm underpaid. You guys know I'm underpaid. Everybody knows I'm underpaid," Bailey said Wednesday. "I know I signed five years; I'm going to live up to that and say it's my fault."
Bailey signed a five-year, $10.25 million contract after he was chosen as the No. 7 overall draft pick in 1999. His salary this year is just over $2 million, not even in the top 10 among cornerbacks in the league.
"It's pretty much out of my hands," Bailey said. "I could not come to camp, hold out. Man, I came in with class, and I'm going to leave with class, plain and simple.
"I've got one agenda, and that's to be the best cornerback in the league and to win the championship with this team. I've got enough to support my family right now. The big bucks are down the road."