Maurice Jones-Drew not expected in Jacksonville any time soon

Don’t expect Maurice Jones-Drew’s holdout to end soon.
Although Jones-Drew’s camp and the Jaguars are in regular contact, his holdout is expected to last until the end of August and possibly into September, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Schefter reports that the Jaguars and Jones-Drew have been speaking almost every day during training camp, and that the communication is “cordial.” You know, except for the part about how Jones-Drew is refusing to show up for work until the Jaguars give him more money, and the Jaguars are telling him he can either honor his contract or find a new line of work.
Jones-Drew still has two years left on the five-year, $31 million contract he signed in 2008. Eventually, he’s likely to get back to work and play for the $4.5 million he’s slated to get paid this year. But that’s probably not going to happen until just before the start of the regular season.

source: PFT.com
author: Michael David Smith
photo:  Getty Images from SportsKing.com

Jags, Jones-Drew draw battle lines

There’s not much middle ground between the Jaguars and running back Maurice Jones-Drew. He wants a new contract, and owner Shad Khan says Jones-Drew isn’t getting one. To get Jones-Drew into camp, someone will have to blink.

We’ve seen this movie before. The two sides seem to be completely dug in. And then there are two possible endings. The player tucks tail ‘twixt the hamstrings and shows up — or the owner, G.M., or head coach decide that he’s had enough and just wants the player back.

The primary question is when will that happen? The secondary question is whether there will be an effort (successful or otherwise) to save face. For example, Khan could adjust the two remaining years on Jones-Drew’s current deal and claim that the player didn’t actually get a new contract. For example, Jones-Drew could be given most of the remaining cash on his contract ($4.45 million in 2012, $4.95 million in 2012) this year, the minimum salary next year, and language that voids the contract if he reaches certain performance levels in the coming season.

That way, he’d get more money now, and potentially become a free agent in March.

Regardless, we’re no longer buying the “honor your contract” argument. This isn’t a normal contract. The same system that lets the teams tear up contracts whenever they want also allows the players to take the calculated risk of holding out. If, after all, the NFL didn’t want players to have the ability to “violate” their contracts, the labor deal would contain a term that, for example, prevents the player from playing for any team in a given year if he doesn’t report to training camp on time.

Yes, the current system lets teams break contracts without repercussion. And it also lets players hold out, if they’re willing to pay daily fines of $30,000 and to refund specific bonus payments that are subject to forfeiture. Any player willing to assume that risk should be allowed to do so. If he guesses right regarding his value to the team, he may get what he wants, or at least something close to it.

The owners, of course, don’t have to give in. And it wouldn’t surprise us if the folks at 345 Park Avenue are urging Khan to hold firm. It also wouldn’t surprise us if Khan, with still-fresh feeling of gratitude to 345 Park Avenue for letting him into the club, is willing to take one for the 32-member team that doesn’t like it when players take advantage of their ability to get more by holding out.

source:  PFT.com
author:  Mike Florio
photo:  Getty Images from Sports-Kings.com