[sportscurmudgeon]

Can we agree that as long as Brunell is healthy AND the Skins are not eliminated from the playoffs, Brunell will start this year? Good.

So, IF Brunell stays healthy and the Skins do not fold like a pup-tent in a tornado, Ramsey sits on the bench. No big deal, you say? Well, from what I've heard and been told, Patrick Ramsey's salary this year could DOUBLE if he meets a bunch of incentives - which are within reach. But he will reach NONE of them if he is on the bench. Same is true for next year but the percentages change a bit.

Therefore, he MIGHT look at this like a 50% pay-cut this year and a slightly smaller cut next year if he does not start next year which he WILL NOT DO if Brunell gets them in the playoffs this year!!. I don't know that he will view this situation in that way just as anyone else does not know that he won't. But I promise you that his agent will remind him of that whenever his contract is up for renewal.

So, be prepared for negotiations with the Skins to be a lot less "cordial" than they might be.

Imagine that you work for National Veeblefetzer but you have the skills to work for lots of other companies in the same field. Now, if you thought that Natioal Veeblefetzer had "reorganized" you out of a chance to earn a big bonus you thought you would make with ease, how happy would you be to keep on working for them? If someone whispered in your ear at a job fair, would you listen? If you wouldn't, you are an unusual human being.

Stay tuned to this little soap opera. I don't think it's anywhere near over...