More Bulger contract updates (UPDATED 7-27 6:00am)

[RamWraith]

Just reported on ESPNEWS, JUly 25th 3:00 pm CSD.

Marc Bulger and his agent are to resume contract negotiations with the Rams on Thursday July 26th.

GOOD NEWS INDEED!~

[jkramsfan]

I am a big bulger fan and I understand wanting to get a new deal and lock him up,hopefully until his career ends,but all this talk about holding out bugs me,he is still under contract,he is still making a s***load of money and he knows how important he is to the team,so holding out shouldn't even be an option for him.what would happen to any of us if stopped showing up at our job because we wanted more money when in reality it wasn't due to us until next year ? I admit a weak example but I'm sure you get my point.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by jkramsfan

but all this talk about holding out bugs me,he is still under contract,he is still making a s***load of money and he knows how important he is to the team,so holding out shouldn't even be an option for him.

Holding out is an option when you're trying to negotiate a contract extension, though. If it wasn't, the team would have no incentive to sign you to an extension prior to your contract running out, because they know you'd be at work every day with or without a deal. Why sign you early when there's no reason?

But it's important for the player to get the extension done before the season, just in case he gets injured and damages his future worth. Let's not forget that Marc's biggest payday in this league was the $19.1 million extension he signed three years ago. Most top QBs right now are averaging $10 million or more a year, whereas Marc's been averaging under five. Do you envision the Rams giving him a top contract if he gets injured this season? He wants the financial security before taking that risk, because he knows he won't get it after if something should happen.

Besides, if he does decide to hold out, it's not as if there isn't any punishment. He'll be fined $14,000 a day. So I really don't see a problem, especially considering he in all likelihood won't hold out anyways. You simply can't take the option off the table because you'd be losing leverage if you do.

[jkramsfan]

Originally Posted by Nick

Holding out is an option when you're trying to negotiate a contract extension, though. If it wasn't, the team would have no incentive to sign you to an extension prior to your contract running out, because they know you'd be at work every day with or without a deal. Why sign you early when there's no reason?

But it's important for the player to get the extension done before the season, just in case he gets injured and damages his future worth. Let's not forget that Marc's biggest payday in this league was the $19.1 million extension he signed three years ago. Most top QBs right now are averaging $10 million or more a year, whereas Marc's been averaging under five. Do you envision the Rams giving him a top contract if he gets injured this season? He wants the financial security before taking that risk, because he knows he won't get it after if something should happen.

Besides, if he does decide to hold out, it's not as if there isn't any punishment. He'll be fined $14,000 a day. So I really don't see a problem, especially considering he in all likelihood won't hold out anyways. You simply can't take the option off the table because you'd be losing leverage if you do.

Nick,I totally understand what your saying but in your first point if Bulger shows up on Thursday,does the incentive for the Rams to sign him early go away,I think the injury point is very good and I also think it would be in the Rams best interest because if a guy like Bulger hits the open market,who knows what another team would be willing to shell out for him,say the unlimited millions of the Redskins for example or any number of other teams,I think he will be signed by the first pre-season game but we need something to talk about.

[RamWraith]

Rams | Bulger wants to be highest paid player in franchise history
Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:19:56 -0700

ESPNews reports St. Louis Rams QB Marc Bulger will resume contract extension negotiations with the team Thursday, July 26. Bulger is looking to become the highest paid player in franchise history.

[general counsel]

Holding out is a breach of contract. Its breaking your word, legally and ethically. How would a player with a guaranteed contract feel if a team said if you dont take a pay cut, i wont pay you? Bulger has an obligation to play because he signed his name on the contract which no one forced him to sign. I think its a lot closer to extortion than negotiating to hold out under these circumstances.}

I will give you another reason why a team would sign him now before the contract runs out. Its a question of bad feelings. Why take the risk that he decides to hit the open market and get the rams into a bidding war at a time when the cap will have gone up again? From the rams perspective, they have more leverage now. From bulgers perspective, he has an incentive to get the cash now in case he gets hurt.

I dont think you can overlook the obligation to the team that a player enters into when he signs his name to a contract. Teams cut players all the time but not when the money is guaranteed without having to pay out the guaranteed money. Bulgers obligation to play is NOT contingent, its a guarantee to play in the same way that a team with a guaranteed obligation to pay him has an absolute obligation to pay. Bulger can retire of course, but no one is suggesting that is an option for him.

I am as big or bigger a bulger fan than anyone on this board, but i will lose a ton of respect for him if he holds out. I strongly doubt that will be the case.

I will say this, i have much greater angst over where we will be one year from now negotiating with jackson because given the nature of how quickly a running back ages, i think jackson will want top dollar and who knows whether the rams will pay him the year before his contract is up. The rams dont want to take the risk on bulger i am sure, but i am less sure when it comes to jackson.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[maineram]

As a fan, waiting for these things to work out right is exhausting. Hoping they work out right I should say. I'm going with Marc reports to camp and has a deal that is good for both party's in the next week or so. It's a win, win situation for both sides.

I will feel a lot better when it's in print.

Jackson next year may be tough. We'll see if he's Marshall like, or Dickerson like. Leonard may be the best pick in years if there is a void in the near future.

Maineram -

[RamsNation]

I get your point jkramsfan, and I also agree with a lot of what General Counsel says. I can't stand the business side of football. I hate when a player who is under contract "holds out" cause he wants BIG MONEY, or security with a long term deal. But, I also hate when players get used and abused, play tough and honorably for league minimum or no where near top half of their position's salary only to be let go cause they are at or past the wrong side of 30, or because some highly touted young hot shot who never has given or shown anything but potential is waiting in the wings and has a loaded contract. Both sides are to blame, and who's to say how I would feel if I was in the position of these players and front office personel, all I can say is it just isn't the way it should be. I have seen the best and worst of the league, the best is on the field, the worst is in front offices and and where ever Vick, Pacman and the Bengals hang out.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by general counsel

Holding out is a breach of contract.

Which is why there are penalties and withheld salaries (depending on time frame) that accompany any holdout.

This is probably a moot debate though, considering just about everyone expects Bulger to be in camp, and it's been reported that he's likely to attend.

[RamWraith]

Bulger, Carriker absent from team meeting
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/26/2007

Quarterback Marc Bulger was not present when the Rams held a 1 p.m. meeting Thursday at Rams Park to officially open training camp.
"He was not here for the meeting," coach Scott Linehan said. "The Rams are meeting with his representatives here late this afternoon. And that’s a good sign."

Linehan spoke with Bulger on Thursday morning. He indicated that, in a sense, Bulger’s absence was an excused one.

"It’s complicated," Linehan said. "His representative (agent Tom Condon) was traveling, so this critical meeting could not take place until after the (team) meeting. . . . (Bulger) said he had a lot of things he had to do. He handled it the right way. Certainly, I’d be a lot more comfortable if it had been resolved before the (team) meeting."

With Condon and the Rams meeting Thursday, Linehan remained optimistic that Bulger would have a contract extension and be on the field Friday for the start of training camp practices.

"I’d be surprised if he wasn’t," Linehan said. "Because I think it’ll be resolved."

Since he is under contract, Bulger can be fined $14,000 a day for missed training camp time. Linehan said he would hold off on discussing any potential fines until after the Thursday meeting between the Rams and Condon.

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Adam Carriker, the team's first-round draft pick, also was not present at the team meeting.

Carriker is the Rams' only unsigned draft pick. Linehan said the Rams also are meeting with Carriker’s agents sometime between Thursday afternoon and evening.

[marccat]

hav'nt all the high DT and DE picks been signed? wonder whats up?

[TheBritishRam]

I like what i hear from Linehan, him saying he thinks it will be a done deal soon would make me feel real confident if he hadn't said the same thing about tye hill last year. How much of camp did he end up missing? So i'm kinda ignoring how Linehan thinks the negotiations are going.

[RamWraith]

From KSDK St. Louis. 6:00am Friday 7-27-07

Bulger will be on the field for practice this morning. Contract talks progressing nicely last night.

[laram0]

Originally Posted by RamWraith

From KSDK St. Louis. 6:00am Friday 7-27-07

Bulger will be on the field for practice this morning. Contract talks progressing nicely last night.

Wow! 7/27 6am, I was just wiping the sleep out of my eyes as I'm slamming the alarm to the off position. Thanks RW you are on it!

[general counsel]

the clan is THE #1 source for rams news on the planet. Of that there can be no question. Sign the kid!

ramming speed to all

general counsel