BillsFever
06-25-2003, 05:43 PM
Folks around the league are questioning Neil O'Donnell's decision to wait around for the Titans to re-sign him, given that he'll now receive only $1.51 million in salary over the next two seasons in Tennessee (plus a $90,000 bonus).
O'Donnell had a lot more cash on the table shortly after the Titans dumped him in February in order to avoiding paying him a $250,000 roster bonus. The Vikings pursued him aggressively, and the Dolphins and Saints also joined the pursuit before O'Donnell decided to wait for the Titans to create enough cap room to bring him back.
As one league insider told us, "O'Donnell has never been known to be a risk taker, and that's one of the reasons why, in reality, he always has been a backup caliber player, even when he played in Pittsburgh."
In our view, O'Donnell should've gotten the best possible deal while there was a market for his services. In the end, he had no leverage when he negotiated his new deal with the Titans.
And the final numbers prove it.
Heck, he would've been better off waiting for the inevitable injury bug to take someone out during training camp and/or the preseason.
And please don't give us that post hoc spin baloney about O'Donnell always wanting to stay with the Titans program. For anyone who is still earning an NFL paycheck at age 37, the best move is to get the most money possible -- 'cause it won't be long before Neil is 9-to-5-ing like the rest of us.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
O'Donnell had a lot more cash on the table shortly after the Titans dumped him in February in order to avoiding paying him a $250,000 roster bonus. The Vikings pursued him aggressively, and the Dolphins and Saints also joined the pursuit before O'Donnell decided to wait for the Titans to create enough cap room to bring him back.
As one league insider told us, "O'Donnell has never been known to be a risk taker, and that's one of the reasons why, in reality, he always has been a backup caliber player, even when he played in Pittsburgh."
In our view, O'Donnell should've gotten the best possible deal while there was a market for his services. In the end, he had no leverage when he negotiated his new deal with the Titans.
And the final numbers prove it.
Heck, he would've been better off waiting for the inevitable injury bug to take someone out during training camp and/or the preseason.
And please don't give us that post hoc spin baloney about O'Donnell always wanting to stay with the Titans program. For anyone who is still earning an NFL paycheck at age 37, the best move is to get the most money possible -- 'cause it won't be long before Neil is 9-to-5-ing like the rest of us.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm