Adalius Thomas sounds off on the NFL

He makes some great points here. Definitly a good read

Adalius Thomas sounds off on the NFL - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/04/adalius_thomas_1.html)

Future contracts will obviously reflect the extended season, since TV monies will increase as well. It's a a fairly hollow argument from Thomas, who offered to forfeit none of his 16-game salary after playing only nine games last year.

Do you guys smell that? It Smells like.....like like ........A Fine!

BUT it is all true.

Yeah, im not sure about the whole expanded seasons stuff, espically since it is just talk as of right now. But the second half focuses on things that are in place:

"If you want to cry about money then open your books up to an independent audit to really show how much money you're making," said Thomas. "If you really want to cry about money open your books up put what you really make in the paper like you have put our salary in the paper every year so the fans can say, 'They're making this much money. Why aren't they doing this?'

The loquacious linebacker also pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of the NFL not wanting players to be associated with alcohol and banning it from team functions, but allowing NFL footage to be used in beer commercials.

"You can't drink and drive is what we're trying to promote, but you can sell beer at the game," said Thomas. "How the [heck] do you think the people got to the game? You can't make a beer commercial because it's unethical, but everybody that retires is in a Coors Light commercial at the podium, and it's the official beer of the NFL. Just say you don't want us to make a beer commercial because we want to take all the money from the beer companies."

Yeah, im not sure about the whole expanded seasons stuff, espically since it is just talk as of right now. But the second half focuses on things that are in place:

"If you want to cry about money then open your books up to an independent audit to really show how much money you're making," said Thomas. "If you really want to cry about money open your books up put what you really make in the paper like you have put our salary in the paper every year so the fans can say, 'They're making this much money. Why aren't they doing this?'

The loquacious linebacker also pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of the NFL not wanting players to be associated with alcohol and banning it from team functions, but allowing NFL footage to be used in beer commercials.

"You can't drink and drive is what we're trying to promote, but you can sell beer at the game," said Thomas. "How the [heck] do you think the people got to the game? You can't make a beer commercial because it's unethical, but everybody that retires is in a Coors Light commercial at the podium, and it's the official beer of the NFL. Just say you don't want us to make a beer commercial because we want to take all the money from the beer companies."

His argument about not being paid for their offseason and preseason is ridiculous. The training camp per diem and preseason pay was included in the CBA for the guys aren't going to make the team. Your signing bonus and inseason paychecks are for the year round work players must do.
He's right about the double standards on advertising though. And the rules about qb's is getting even worse.

Future contracts will obviously reflect the extended season, since TV monies will increase as well. It's a a fairly hollow argument from Thomas, who offered to forfeit none of his 16-game salary after playing only nine games last year.

???
He broke his arm in a game. He suffered a work injury and you expect him to forfeit his pay? This isn't China.
The season (including the so called voluntary workouts and preseason) is already too long. The level of play and contact steps up a notch from preseason to regular season, from regular season to playoffs, playoffs to superbowl. This is not a good idea.

???
He broke his arm in a game. He suffered a work injury and you expect him to forfeit his pay? This isn't China.
The season (including the so called voluntary workouts and preseason) is already too long. The level of play and contact steps up a notch from preseason to regular season, from regular season to playoffs, playoffs to superbowl. This is not a good idea.

My point was that many players see fewer than 16 games worth of action, and are paid handsomely.

With the economy the way it is im surprised that Thomas with his 35 million dollar contract would complain about money. I just feel so bad for these guys.