Cap Talk

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by firstdown

After all the talk yesterday that start with Washington paying la his 6.5 mil I read a link that he is probably going to drop his grievance for the bonus. If he does for the reason he stated that he only played in four games and did not earn the bonus only shows he is what he says he is. A REDSKINS FOR LIFE AND HE LOVES THIS CITY AND FANS!! Does anyone know the thruth and is this a big factor with the cap room?

I think LaVar is being earnest in his statements about possibly dropping the grievance. Shortly after the grievance was filed last spring, I had the opportunity to talk to LaVar privately about the situation, and the one thing he emphasized more than anything else was that he is going to be a Redskin for a long time, and that no matter what the outcome of the grievance, he intends to be a part of this team's return to greatness. He wanted to reassure the fans that he would be here for many years to come; that the grievance was strictly a business issue, and would not affect the passion he has for being a Redskin. He really seems to have a deep affection and appreciation for the fans, and he seems to understand the significance of this team and its players to the community.

The impression I got from him is that he was sincerely hurt by what he felt at the time was deceptive behavior on the part of the Redskins' FO. Obviously, he's had a lot of time to reflect on what exactly transpired during those "hurried" negotiations a year ago last December, and I think he senses that, at least from the standpoint of his relationship with the fans, it's in his best interest to put the whole episode behind him. I know it sounds absurd to think that a modern professional athlete would ever walk away from a chance to make more money-- even if he hadn't earned it-- but in the brief interactions I've had with him, I've gotten the distinct impression that LaVar really thrives more on the adulation of the fans more than anything else. He treasures that relationship, and I think he realized that continuing to pursue the grievance, despite its shaky premise, might cause irrevocable harm to his marriage with the fans.

Either that, or LaVar's a damn good actor.

As far as cap room goes, the roster bonus would have a huge effect on the 2006 cap, which is slated to be the most difficult year for the Skins cap-wise, with or without that bonus. Dropping that bonus obviously gives the Skins a little more breathing room, but I don't think they'd ever anticipated that bonus would be a part of the cap total, anyway. The Skins held steadfast to the assertion that the bonus never existed, and I'm inclined to believe them. I think the whole issue arose out of a mistake on the part of the Postons, and LaVar was simply caught in the middle. When I last talked to him, he was very loyal to the Postons, and I think his strong feelings about the team and his agents have really caused a conflict in him that I'm sure he'll be happy to put in the past. His pride may never permit him to admit that it was a mistake, but I think his actions will state as much.