Player Entitlement v. the Greater Good

[EDS]

It is interesting how now at least three Bills players (Sammie, Mario and Dareus) have used their draft status or contracts as a basis for complaining about their role and usage this season.

Do you think these statements are a sign of the players putting their own wants/objectives above the team or are they making these statements because they think using them in a different manner will benefit the team? Seems like it is a little bit of both.

[Ed]

I think it's just that with high draft picks and big contracts come huge expectations and mountains of criticism if you're not performing/producing at a high level every week. Nobody likes having to go to work and take blame everyday if you feel like you're being put in a bad situation.

[YardRat]

How about Dumbass Coach's Over-Inflated Ego vs the Greater Good?

[Mace]

It is interesting how now at least three Bills players (Sammie, Mario and Dareus) have used their draft status or contracts as a basis for complaining about their role and usage this season.

Do you think these statements are a sign of the players putting their own wants/objectives above the team or are they making these statements because they think using them in a different manner will benefit the team? Seems like it is a little bit of both.

Well, Watkins ticked me off more than Mario & Dareus, but all three have a valid point imho.

You go out of your way to get a specialist at his expensive going rate, and then don't use them at it.

"Guys, guys, I just booked Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks to play the three shepherds in the grade school Christmas play for 75 million, it will be so cool."

Depp, Di Caprio and Hanks might do it, I mean they were paid, but they'd probably wonder about the expense in hiring them for less than Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

[EDS]

Well, Watkins ticked me off more than Mario & Dareus, but all three have a valid point imho.

You go out of your way to get a specialist at his expensive going rate, and then don't use them at it.

"Guys, guys, I just booked Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks to play the three shepherds in the grade school Christmas play for 75 million, it will be so cool."

Depp, Di Caprio and Hanks might do it, I mean they were paid, but they'd probably wonder about the expense in hiring them for less than Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Should McCoy dictate how many carries he gets versus Williams due to the trade to get him and the big contract the team gave him? Should Gilmore dictate the type of coverage he is required to play because of his new contract?

If the team was 6-0 would any of these guys have grounds to complain? Would Mario have a legitimate beef if the team were undefeated but he was dropping into coverage 75% if the time?

[EDS]

How about Dumbass Coach's Over-Inflated Ego vs the Greater Good?

Is it Rex's persona and/or management style which has caused or emboldened these players to make air their grievances publicly?

[Mace]

Should McCoy dictate how many carries he gets versus Williams due to the trade to get him and the big contract the team gave him? Should Gilmore dictate the type of coverage he is required to play because of his new contract?

If the team was 6-0 would any of these guys have grounds to complain? Would Mario have a legitimate beef if the team were undefeated but he was dropping into coverage 75% if the time?

Well no and that's what bothered me at this point about Watkins. But McCoy would have a legitimate beef if they used him at fullback role, or Gilmore if they used him as a linebacker role.

If the team was 6-0 they wouldn't be complaining because it was working but they can see as well as we can that it isn't.

A plumber can clean up the water under the sink for 25 bucks an hr a few times a day, but he'd wonder why you don't just let him do what he's good at and fix the pipe. At some point he'd probably say as much.

[YardRat]

Is it Rex's persona and/or management style which has caused or emboldened these players to make air their grievances publicly?

No, being paid handsomely to do something, not be allowed to do it, and losing in the process because of it is more likely the motivation.

We spent numerous resources to draft Sammy to catch passes...he can't do that if he isn't getting the ball thrown to him.
We spent millions of dollars on Hughes to rush the passer...he can't do that if he isn't allowed to get after the QB.
We spent millions of dollars on Mario to stuff the run and rush the passer...he can't do that dropping into coverage.

These guys, and many others, are getting paid to make plays, and the coaching staff isn't utilizing their strengths so they can.

[BillsImpossible]

If they just start winning they won't have to worry about the attention they crave.

[Mace]

If they just start winning they won't have to worry about the attention they crave.

True, I have to tweet Mario and remind him to press the win button every week instead of the loss button on the control panel in his locker.

[gebobs]

We spent numerous resources to draft Sammy to catch passes...he can't do that if he isn't getting the ball thrown to him.
As far as Mammy is concerned, the irony is thick. Coming off injury, he whines for more targets and then is back in the locker room before halftime nursing a tweak. Im officially done with him. He will never amount to a hill of beans in this league.

[Mace]

That was just an ill advised Spiller, Manuel, Maybin level pick imho. You don't go out of your way to get someone unless you can use them appropriately.

[Buddo]

The one thing Ryan doesn't do, is gag his players. In fairness, there is definitely some displeasure from guys at the ways they are being (mis)used, but I also think that even after wins, someone will say something, that will let the hacks have a go at creating a controversy.

It's what 'sells', even if it's taken out of context, or tarted up with baseless additional speculation.

Something to bear in mind here, is that Mario and Marcell, are probably getting their money, regardless, any sort of 'performance related' stuff, is just gravy to them, and they really don't need it, so if they are complaining, then someone needs to take note, as these guys want to win.