polamalubeast
08-01-2010, 07:27 PM
Still no extension for Steelers OLB Woodley
Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley said Saturday he isn't frustrated about not receiving a contract extension in a tight financial market highlighted by NFL owners accounting for every dollar.
Although teams such as Denver, Philadelphia and Tennessee found creative ways to sign linebacker Elvis Dumervil, quarterback Kevin Kolb and running back Chris Johnson, respectively, to new deals, despite 2010 being an uncapped year and the uncertainty of a lockout in 2011, Woodley said he didn't consider holding out.
"No chance at all. Holding out only sets me back from helping this team win. Can't help my team win sitting at home," Woodley said after yesterday morning's practice at Saint Vincent College. "I'll never sit out. I'm not going to pout like that."
Prior to the opening of camp, Woodley sounded off to Yahoo Sports not only about the lack of a contract offer, but also regarding the lack of communication between the Steelers and his agent about a new deal.
"It's kind of jacked up," Woodley said at the time. "... I'm not going to lie. I was a little disappointed they didn't offer anything at all. I felt that was a little weird.
"With me, no conversations ever happened. That's the crazy thing — we don't have any conversation going on."
Asked yesterday if talks have commenced, Woodley replied, "Couldn't tell you."
Woodley sent out mixed messages after the Steelers' first training camp practice. He attempted to downplay what he said earlier, when he compared Kolb's situation with his own.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_692959.html
And here are some comments from Charlie Batch on the situation of Woodley
Steelers quarterback and player rep Charlie Batch said Woodley is a victim of circumstance.
Batch agrees that Woodley, who recorded 25 sacks the past two seasons, deserves a new contract. However, Batch said the constraints of the current system encourage teams like the Steelers to wait until Woodley becomes an unrestricted free agent two years from now.
"With no salary cap right now you need six years to be an unrestricted free agent. LaMarr is going into (year) four so they have him for another two years," Batch said. "I heard talk about him possibly leaving via free agency at the end of the season. That's not going to happen. They still have a franchise tag so LaMarr is not going anywhere, but it is just a matter of making sure we are doing it right. And the right thing is to give him a deal, but it is not going to happen as the language is right now with no salary cap in place."
Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley said Saturday he isn't frustrated about not receiving a contract extension in a tight financial market highlighted by NFL owners accounting for every dollar.
Although teams such as Denver, Philadelphia and Tennessee found creative ways to sign linebacker Elvis Dumervil, quarterback Kevin Kolb and running back Chris Johnson, respectively, to new deals, despite 2010 being an uncapped year and the uncertainty of a lockout in 2011, Woodley said he didn't consider holding out.
"No chance at all. Holding out only sets me back from helping this team win. Can't help my team win sitting at home," Woodley said after yesterday morning's practice at Saint Vincent College. "I'll never sit out. I'm not going to pout like that."
Prior to the opening of camp, Woodley sounded off to Yahoo Sports not only about the lack of a contract offer, but also regarding the lack of communication between the Steelers and his agent about a new deal.
"It's kind of jacked up," Woodley said at the time. "... I'm not going to lie. I was a little disappointed they didn't offer anything at all. I felt that was a little weird.
"With me, no conversations ever happened. That's the crazy thing — we don't have any conversation going on."
Asked yesterday if talks have commenced, Woodley replied, "Couldn't tell you."
Woodley sent out mixed messages after the Steelers' first training camp practice. He attempted to downplay what he said earlier, when he compared Kolb's situation with his own.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_692959.html
And here are some comments from Charlie Batch on the situation of Woodley
Steelers quarterback and player rep Charlie Batch said Woodley is a victim of circumstance.
Batch agrees that Woodley, who recorded 25 sacks the past two seasons, deserves a new contract. However, Batch said the constraints of the current system encourage teams like the Steelers to wait until Woodley becomes an unrestricted free agent two years from now.
"With no salary cap right now you need six years to be an unrestricted free agent. LaMarr is going into (year) four so they have him for another two years," Batch said. "I heard talk about him possibly leaving via free agency at the end of the season. That's not going to happen. They still have a franchise tag so LaMarr is not going anywhere, but it is just a matter of making sure we are doing it right. And the right thing is to give him a deal, but it is not going to happen as the language is right now with no salary cap in place."