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Anyone else think the Mariota/Titans situation is bizarre?


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They took this guy with the number two overall pick but refuse to give him a deal unless offset language allows them to not pay him if he's cut and signed before his rookie deal expires?  Isn't this a guy that some analysts said would need 2-3 years to adapt to the NFL?

 

Last unsigned first rounder if I'm not mistaken.

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Sorry...I'm not getting it...What are they trying to do..

 

Sounds like they're telling him - If we cut you - and you sign with another team - then we're not paying you anything!

 

That doesn't seem right.

 

Yes, they're telling him that if they cut him and he signs elsewhere, they want to be "off the hook" for any money remaining on his deal, meaning a new contract would void the old.  Titans owner has said publicly that this is not a negotiable aspect of the deal.  Just odd to do it to a guy you took #2 overall and was expected to be a project.  It's not like these contracts are worth the tens of millions of guaranteed money that they used to be.  If they were to sign him to a rookie deal and cut him after 2-3 years I'd think the cap hit would be manageable.

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It's totally bizarre in my opinion. These negotiations are going on for months now. Don't know if there's much to negotiate in contracts since the holdout. Everything seems set from the beginning now in terms of contract details. The last thing I've heard was that Mariota wants the offset money while the Titans do not. Maybe he wants to play so bad that he gets cut in two years just to run in Chip's open arms while earning a double paycheck lol

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Yes, they're telling him that if they cut him and he signs elsewhere, they want to be "off the hook" for any money remaining on his deal, meaning a new contract would void the old.  Titans owner has said publicly that this is not a negotiable aspect of the deal.  Just odd to do it to a guy you took #2 overall and was expected to be a project.  It's not like these contracts are worth the tens of millions of guaranteed money that they used to be.  If they were to sign him to a rookie deal and cut him after 2-3 years I'd think the cap hit would be manageable.

 

 

Deadspin makes it sound like lots of player contract have offsets, including Jameis Winston.

 

http://deadspin.com/why-marcus-mariota-hasnt-signed-his-titans-contract-yet-1717943893

 

Weird that it has become controversial here.  Maybe there is an opening for Chip Kelly to make a trade ;)

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It gives off the wrong impression.  Because Mariota is "supposedly" your franchise QB, if that's

the case rubber stamp his contract and move on.  This dispute leads me to believe not everyone

in their organization is sold on him.  This sure didn't happen when IND selected Luck

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Deadspin makes it sound like lots of player contract have offsets, including Jameis Winston.

 

http://deadspin.com/why-marcus-mariota-hasnt-signed-his-titans-contract-yet-1717943893

 

Weird that it has become controversial here.  Maybe there is an opening for Chip Kelly to make a trade ;)

 

You know somebody lives in Philly when they're still talking  Mariota to the Iggles...I heard it being discussed as a topic the other day for this very reason on 97.5. 

 

"Still no long-term deal for Bradford...is there time to trade for Mariota?"

 

Just when you thought it had died down.

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You know somebody lives in Philly when they're still talking  Mariota to the Iggles...I heard it being discussed as a topic the other day for this very reason on 97.5. 

 

"Still no long-term deal for Bradford...is there time to trade for Mariota?"

 

Just when you thought it had died down.

 

Bro, we're still talking about Randal Cunningham potentially making a comeback.

 

Last year I was taking the bus home after an Eagles loss (Foles threw pass out of end zone as time expired) and two fans were talking about how if only they had Michael Vick, he would've run it in and they would've won lol.

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Bro, we're still talking about Randal Cunningham potentially making a comeback.

 

But Cunningham is the perfect QB for Chip's offense....#DoTheNewDeal

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#QBproofOffense

 

Based on the way Sanchez looked at times last year I was starting to think it might be...really looking forward to Jets defense vs. Chip's offense.

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I think the main issue here is that the Titans want offset language in their draft picks going forward, and don't want to set precedent with Mariotta. It's a future negotiating tactic with other picks, where they can just say, all our first round picks have offset language, so don't even bother trying to negotiate with it.

In a way I understand why they would do it. They hold the leverage in this negotiation, Mariotta needs all the reps he can get, so holding out isn't really an option that ends well for him. The usual downside for this is creating animosity between the players and management, so the player is more likely to hold out for top money when he holds the leverage in free agency. However, for a team like the Titans, placed in a non major market, they would've had to overpay anyway so it doesn't matter quite as much.

There were rumors that the hold up is based on other contractual clauses, such as Mariotta not being able to surf and some other activities, which teams negotiate into contracts on a fairly regular basis, especially if the guy is a top 5 pick, to protect their investment. I think the Mariotta group wants them to cave in on one or the other, and the Titans have no need to do so, hence the standoff. I expect a resolution right around training camp, with PR garbage like "holding out was never an option, it was a timing issue, blah blah blah" and soon forgotten.

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Really strange that your top pick QB is not signed- makes you think they really did not want to pick him

Or they twisted the owner's arm to let them pull the trigger on him but now no contract unless they're protected against releasing  him before the deal expires.  Would you really take a guy at number two who you fell this strongly may not make it past year two or three?

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Based on the way Sanchez looked at times last year I was starting to think it might be...really looking forward to Jets defense vs. Chip's offense.

 

Geno makes me miss Sanchez

 

 

I think the main issue here is that the Titans want offset language in their draft picks going forward, and don't want to set precedent with Mariotta. It's a future negotiating tactic with other picks, where they can just say, all our first round picks have offset language, so don't even bother trying to negotiate with it.

In a way I understand why they would do it. They hold the leverage in this negotiation, Mariotta needs all the reps he can get, so holding out isn't really an option that ends well for him. The usual downside for this is creating animosity between the players and management, so the player is more likely to hold out for top money when he holds the leverage in free agency. However, for a team like the Titans, placed in a non major market, they would've had to overpay anyway so it doesn't matter quite as much.

There were rumors that the hold up is based on other contractual clauses, such as Mariotta not being able to surf and some other activities, which teams negotiate into contracts on a fairly regular basis, especially if the guy is a top 5 pick, to protect their investment. I think the Mariotta group wants them to cave in on one or the other, and the Titans have no need to do so, hence the standoff. I expect a resolution right around training camp, with PR garbage like "holding out was never an option, it was a timing issue, blah blah blah" and soon forgotten.

 

If you get hurt surfing, the offset clause is triggered. Problem solved.

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Geno makes me miss Sanchez

 

 

 

If you get hurt surfing, the offset clause is triggered. Problem solved.

 

I feel like an idiot for saying "Any QB is an upgrade from Sanchez, how could anyone be worse?"....careful what you wish for.

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Deadspin makes it sound like lots of player contract have offsets, including Jameis Winston.

 

http://deadspin.com/why-marcus-mariota-hasnt-signed-his-titans-contract-yet-1717943893

 

Weird that it has become controversial here.  Maybe there is an opening for Chip Kelly to make a trade ;)

 

Yep, that's the key.  I've read most early contracts have the offset clause.  Mariota is trying to buck the trend.  Don't know that the Titans should cave

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Yep, that's the key.  I've read most early contracts have the offset clause.  Mariota is trying to buck the trend.  Don't know that the Titans should cave

 

Very odd situation.

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Hey who knows.  Maybe Mariota is trying to shoot his way out of town and get to Kelly

 

I stopped short of saying that because it sounds a little crazy...but why else would he be the only guy doing this?  Camp is just around the corner and he's still unsigned because of offset language?  Curious to see how it unfolds with the owner saying it's non-negotiable.

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The Titans are being dumb.

The likelihood that Mariota plays so poorly for them that they need to cut him after three years and that another team would sign him to a large contract after he plays so poorly is minuscule at best. I understand that sort of language in Winston's deal, because Winston has off field concerns. There are no such concerns for Mariota. They should happily cave on this point, and get something else they want (like the no surfing clause) in exchange.

They're holding firm on a principle, when there's almost no chance that they'd ever cash in on the offset money. A true cutting off your nose to spite your face position.

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The Titans are being dumb.

The likelihood that Mariota plays so poorly for them that they need to cut him after three years and that another team would sign him to a large contract after he plays so poorly is minuscule at best. I understand that sort of language in Winston's deal, because Winston has off field concerns. There are no such concerns for Mariota. They should happily cave on this point, and get something else they want (like the no surfing clause) in exchange.

They're holding firm on a principle, when there's almost no chance that they'd ever cash in on the offset money. A true cutting off your nose to spite your face position.

 

Exactly why I find it so odd.  What are the odds he's cut that quickly, and if so then why did they take him with the number two pick? 

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I stopped short of saying that because it sounds a little crazy...but why else would he be the only guy doing this?  Camp is just around the corner and he's still unsigned because of offset language?  Curious to see how it unfolds with the owner saying it's non-negotiable.

 

If they want to, the Titans could really screw him and trade him to the Jets.  :)

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It gives off the wrong impression.  Because Mariota is "supposedly" your franchise QB, if that's

the case rubber stamp his contract and move on.  This dispute leads me to believe not everyone

in their organization is sold on him.  This sure didn't happen when IND selected Luck

 

This IMO as well.  If this were just four years ago they would have had to pay him boat loads more and to make it a sticking point makes no sense.

 

Also while it is in Winston's contract it isn't some of the other top ten players drafted.

 

I agree with the OP and you something isn't right.

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The Titans are being dumb.

The likelihood that Mariota plays so poorly for them that they need to cut him after three years and that another team would sign him to a large contract after he plays so poorly is minuscule at best. I understand that sort of language in Winston's deal, because Winston has off field concerns. There are no such concerns for Mariota. They should happily cave on this point, and get something else they want (like the no surfing clause) in exchange.

They're holding firm on a principle, when there's almost no chance that they'd ever cash in on the offset money. A true cutting off your nose to spite your face position.

This 100%

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This IMO as well.  If this were just four years ago they would have had to pay him boat loads more and to make it a sticking point makes no sense.

 

Also while it is in Winston's contract it isn't some of the other top ten players drafted.

 

I agree with the OP and you something isn't right.

 

So they should cave to the #2 pick and create a precedent going forward?  The #1 pick has it, why should Mariota get a better contract? Because he didn't sign yet?  This is one project QB.  They cave to him and every pick they have going forward will ask for the same.  It is a negotiation.  You'd roll over and play dead just because the kid didn't sign yet?  Shrewd.

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Exactly why I find it so odd.  What are the odds he's cut that quickly, and if so then why did they take him with the number two pick? 

Furthermore, as slats points out, the amount of money that the Titans would get is (only) what Mariotta signs for.  Which would very likely be vet minimum, if he played so badly as to get cut.

 

I also think the "precedent" thing is pretty stupid.  Not all 1st round picks are taken in the same spot.  The 1st overall pick (or 2nd) could certainly have different conditions than other picks.

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So they should cave to the #2 pick and create a precedent going forward?  The #1 pick has it, why should Mariota get a better contract?

No, I believe Winston does not have the offset language, and so Mariotta wants the same benefit (i.e. no offset) as Winston. 

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No, I believe Winston does not have the offset language, and so Mariotta wants the same benefit (i.e. no offset) as Winston. 

 

From what I have read, Winston has the offset language.  Fowler and I think Gurley do not have it.

 

It’s odd that it’s even a fight. But it’s a fight because the first overall pick, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, has offset language in his contract and the third overall pick, Jaguars linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., does not have offset language in his contract.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/02/offsets-are-indeed-the-issue-for-mariota-titans/

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This topic was discussed several weeks ago. Can someone remind me again why Mariota needs offset language in his contract?

 

His situation is very different than others because he was so closely linked to another HC in a way few prospects have been, and he is (theoretically, anyway) uniquely suited for just Chip Kelly's offense. So I get why Tennessee doesn't want Mariota to have this leverage.

 

If Mariota isn't planning on screwing them over by shooting his way off the team, what's his downside of not having the offset language? He doesn't lose any guaranteed money; it just means he can't double dip No offset language is an incentive, of sorts, for him to purposely work his way off the team early (particularly if Kelly is still coaching then and is still looking for a QB upgrade).

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