Tom Brady
The face of the New England Patriots, quarterback Tom Brady, is in contract negotiations with the organization. Depending on which reports you believe this deal may already be done, according to the Boston Herald the Patriots offered Brady a three-year, $58 million contract.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that although other reports say a deal is imminent, no contract is in place at this time.
In 2004 the Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning signed a six-year, $98 million deal earning the franchise QB $16.3 million per year. The reported deal with Brady would put him at $19.3 per season.
The importance of that final number is that the Colts have already vowed to make Manning the highest paid player in the NFL.
Randy Moss
Moss is in the last year of his contract with the New England Patriots. While his QB Brady has to be happy about the previous number being speculated upon, Moss is unhappy about not having a deal in place after this season.
Moss finally spoke out about his unhappiness on Monday.
“When you have done so much and put so much work in, it kind of feels like I am not wanted. I am taking that in stride and playing my final year out and whatever the future holds is what it holds, but it is kind of a bad feeling. It is not like my production has gone down. I am speaking from an individual standpoint. I don’t know about Tom Brady’s or whoever else’s contract. “
Head coach Bill Belichick, who normally has little to say about topics off the field,had this to say about Moss:
“I’d just say, on Randy, he’s professional and had a good training camp. He’s played very well since he’s been here. He’s played at a very high level. I hope that continues. He’s brought a lot of passion for the game since he’s been here.”
Moss made comments about his contract situation in February following last season and it doesn’t sound like much has changed.
“You know the Patriots don’t really pay, so when I got my second contract from them that was a blessing in disguise. I understand the business. I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back. I’m not mad. I’m not bitter. It’s just the way things are in this NFL, so like I said after this year I’ll be looking for a new team. I think so.”
Albert Haynesworth
After a highly publicized off-season for Haynesworth, he is rumored to be on the trading block. The Washington Redskins organization is trying to find the trade level of interest in Haynesworth’s former team, the Tennessee Titans.
According to ESPN, this is the second time they have engaged in such discussions with the Titans since Mike Shanahan took over as the Redskins head coach.
A team source said the Titans would welcome back Haynesworth, but stand strong that the Redskins’ asking price is too high. The Redskins are reportedly looking for two draft picks in exchange for Haynesworth.
Redskins QB Donovan McNabb said Tuesday on his ESPN 980 weekly radio show that he hopes Haynesworth stays in Washington.
“Albert is one of our brothers in the locker room… he understands, ‘Hey, I got to put the time and effort in’. We can’t win without him. I think he’ll be here. I hope he’ll be here.”
Ben Roethlisberger
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently voted on their team captains and for the first time since 2007, Roethlisberger wasn’t named a team captain.
The Steeler’s offensive team captains are wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller.
Roethlisberger was suspended this off-season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension was recently reduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell from six games to four games. During this suspension Roethlisberger is restricted from all matters involved with activity related to Steelers football.
“The captain’s not just what you do on the field, it’s what you do off the field,” Ward said Monday. “Heath lives here, he’s constantly here during coaching sessions and off-season workouts. It’s well deserved.”
Ward went on to say, “Ben’s our quarterback. That in itself, he’s the leader of this team.”