1/2 million per game for 16 buys you a Michael Strahan

[Grizz299]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/05/15/2008-05-15_michael_strahan_8m_or_goodbye.html

[TONKA56]

hmmm...

Interesting. 

[Grizz299]

   Means he's going to be back.   And for that I'm glad.   With him and Shockey we have to be the favorite (in spite of a brutal schedule) to win the whole enchilada.

  On the other hand, my happiness is temepered.  He's making four and signed to a contract, they offer him six and he's gonna push for eight.  And yes, I know that's the way of the world,but I don't have to like it ,do I?

[Gmo11]

No sir, dont have to like it if you dont want to, but I'm not too upset about this one.  The team already came out and basically said "if Strahan wants to come back we will make it worth his while" and to Strahan REPORTEDLY thats 8 million bucks.  I capitalize reportedly because these are the same yahoos that last year reported Strahan was holding out for more money rather that what was really going on which was that he was contemplating retirement and didn't want to suffer through another camp while he pondered the decision.  It will be one thing if we hear it from Strahan himself, but right now all there are is reports and we all know how reliable those reports have been in the past:  OH NO ELI WILL BE OUT A MONTH WITH A SHOULDER INJURY!!!  THE SHOCKEY TRADE IS IMMINENT!!!! and so on and so forth.  Lets just wait and see how it plays out.

[Jian]

To me what is interesting is the title of the article        Michael Strahan: $8M or goodbye
and then this line ~

 It's not clear whether Strahan is willing to play for less than $8 million, nor is it clear whether he'd be willing to come to training camp as a condition for getting that much.

 Imagine the Giants seeing the headlines and never reading the article because they're so pissed off! They offer Stray an extra 2 Mill and it's either 4 more or I'm outta here!

 Why does the Daily News take it upon themselves to drive a possible wedge into things. I guess they're Jets fans.

 From now on I'm no longer dealing with the media!  

 

[Sam56]

What did this "fan" mean by this:

"I just wish he and his ilk"

Sure a lot of hatred (strong dislike?) among some of the fan base (strong word, but read all the fan comments).  Not only would MS rate in the Top Five of all defensive players I have seen wearing Giant Blue over the past 55 seasons, he is one of the greatest "complete" defensive players I have ever seen in pro football - period.

[beaugestus]

Let's look at this from a CAP perspective. If he is entering the final year of his contract and if it his final year, how does it effect the team? The way I understand it is a signing bonus is pro-rated over the term of the contract. Hence, a $4 million bonus over 1 year still is an additional $4 million to his CAP number, which would equal $8 million. My question is how much under the limit are the Giants? Do they make it more than a 1 year deal? Does it leave them room for adding talent(FA cuts) before the season? I love the talent on the team, but...? If necessay, who will they cut to accomodate him?

Sam, I agree, MS is one of the all-time Giant greats, but when is enough, enough? When does it hinder a team's ability to operate more efficiently? Are we going to have go through this again next year? I understand it is a business and he is going to try to get the best deal possible, and I admit I hate this part of professional sports, but it does get old. And like the media Shockey soap opera I can't wait till the climax and hope not to see the re-run.

[Grizz299]

 Beau,  I don't think there's any chance that this extends beyond this year.  '

   I think I read somewhere that we were some five million under the cap.  That would have included his salary at four million.  So if he got eight the cap hit would only be for the second Four.    And there's posturing going on , Reese is just as likely to hold on to his offer of six.  And if Michael gets itchy as he sees his buddies suit up, he's likely to take it. 

  Taylor down in Miami is getting eight and that's probably why Michael went there.

   I think the renegotiation sets a precedent for OSi who always follows Michael anyway.  And that's the danger not the additional salary cap hit.

   I love the guy.  It's been so long now that I just can't imagine watching the Giants and not seeing him.  That plus I think he makes us much better make it an easy call for me.   But I don't blame him, the thrill of the sport, the comaraderie of closely knit buddies and the adulation of a publc.  But he has to weigh that against the increasing possibility of impairment and the fact that he probably can make just as much or more without the risks and pain.    Having said that .........I hope to heck that he come back. 

[Gmo11]

I'm no capologist but what would be the repercussions if they just extended him for like say 2 more years ontop of this one for the league minimum and with a 4 million dollar bonus.  That gives him his 8 million this year and disperses the bonus over the next two.  Now, I think its safe to say that even if Strahan comes back this season it will be his last.  If he retires what would that do to the Giants cap?  Would the remaining bonus and salary be included all at once next season or if not then what would happen hypothetically.  Considering its safe to say that Strahan will only play one more season I think they have more room to play with in regards to giving him that money without too much trouble down the line.  And for the record, if they can fit the number under the cap I dont care how much they pay the guy, hes earned every single penny.

[retrojint]

How about the different salary structures of MLB and the NBA?  The Yankees total cost for that bum Igawa is something like 55 million.  Pavano is collecting yet another 11 million this season not to play.  The Knicks told Marbury to stay away from the lockerroom while paying him 21 million.  And the Giants can't get 8 million to Big Mike?  Sad.

He is the only Giant player in history other than LT to win Defensive Player of the Year honors.  LT was overall league MVP in 1986.  He says he feels better today than he did this time last year. 

[Sam56]

After 40 years the Yankees are still trying to replace Mickey. I doubt if we will ever see the likes of LT and MS again on the Giant D.

[retrojint]

I sincerely doubt it Sam.  We were actually quite blessed that Mike came along just as LT was wrapping it up.  There are excellent defensive talents in Osi and Tuck, but I sincerely doubt they'll ever finish up there with those two.  It's about staying power, and the ablility to defeat offensive schemes that are drawn up with a central focus of stopping the great player.  Taylor and Strahan both commanded that respect.  Neither had as many sacks in a game as Osi did last season against the Trogs, but Philadelphia didn't do anything extra to block him, both in the preparations for the game and in-game adjustments.  Strahan pretty much shut down the strong-side running game of the opponents for 12 years.  Some pinheads have the notion that he was just a pass rusher.  He was so much more than that. 

[Painter]

If he wants 8 mil, it's 2 mil less than I thought. The least Michael is likely to get is $6 million if he plays. If he doesn't, he loses 4 million. That's a big differential.

It's up to the Giants to decide how much he is worth to them, and what they can afford for another year. He did contribute quite a bit last year. He's a rock against the run, had 57 tackles, 9 sacks and 2 FFs, which are pretty decent numbers for a guy in his 15th year. And of course, his leadership is of a not insignificant benefit.

Personally, it's a decision for which I'm not inclined to second-guess either party.

Cheers!

[spider68]

How many teams would pay more for such problems? Gee, should we keep the HOF DE who can still play? How many teams have a sure HOF er at any position?

The team will be better with him, the fans will love it. Pay the man.

Greatness is never appreciated in youth, called pride in midlife; it is dismissed in old age and reconsidered in death — because we cannot tolerate greatness in our midst, we do all we can to destroy it.
        - Lady Morella, in "Babylon 5"

[jimmyz]

Well, since we're talking very short term contract here, is there really any cap implications at all with such a large contract?  My guess is no.