Jones’ Absence Is More Than A Hold-Out

The invisible man has a lot in common with Jones in his hold-out.
The invisible man has a lot in common with Jones in his hold-out.

Reshad Jones’ threat to hold-out wasn’t just hot air.

It’s official: Reshad Jones is serious about his hold-out. His no-show at mandatory mini-camp means Jones is willing to hurt the Dolphins plans and that financial repercussions of up to 76k won’t deter him in his pursuit of a more lucrative contract.

In a short re-cap:

Jones had a short lived hold-out and then signed a new contract in 2013. He followed it up with a four-game suspension for PED’s.

When he returned, he had a very good season in his 12 starts.

2015 was spectacular as we all know, and he now is holding out again.

There are usually three camps of opinions on this situation that I’ve been seeing:

‘Players need to honor the contract they signed, so trade him or move on’;

‘Pay the man’, he is crucial to the defense and Miami can’t let another young talent walk’;

‘NFL teams don’t honor their contracts, so why should he? It’s business’.

I can see the truth in each perspective, and since I’d like to look at a fourth perspective, I’ll let it rest on, “to each, his own”.

This fourth perspective I see is centered on the team building precedent that’s being set.

Shula, Marino, Zach, Taylor and to a lesser extent Cox were the only Dolphins that vied for my loyalty over the Dolphins. Older and jaded, no player is even close to vying for my Fins loyalty these days, so it’s all about the TEAM, and the TEAM’S pursuit of rings.

Jones’ hold-out might be partially based on the fact the last 2yrs has zero guaranteed money.

Whatever decision management decides as the “right” course of action will have a ripple effect on future contracts of other players as agents will use this as a starting point for their clients.

If the Dolphins buckle, how many hold-outs are lurking on the horizon? Will players who over-perform begin to hold-out one or two years into a contract as a norm for this Dolphins regime?

Then there is the opposite end of the spectrum. Do the Dolphins take such a hard-line stance that bitterness leads into a protracted hold-out and compromises this season and possibly this young coaching staff with the loss of a star player in a weak unit?

Yes, Jones is only one player, but dominoes could fall in such a way that that one player could be an anchor that drags the 2016 season to the bottom of the NFL standings.

Mike Tannenbaum must show strength, wisdom, tact, and be a bit of used car dealer to navigate this course – for the team’s well being. A deal must be done where management looks like it came out on top…by a little, but Jones decides it’s too good not to bite early.

Of course, there is always the option of trading Jones. But, trades are tricky and complicated. And it would be a real long-shot with even the best sportsbooks that Miami would recoup it’s losses this season by acquiring players, as the compensation would more than likely be picks that would only help 2017.

Dolphins can’t kneel to Jones, and the Dolphins can’t be so adamant in breaking Jones that they damage the team.

It’s a business deal over a crucial player that would be wise to maintain some honor for both sides.

A precedent is being set on how they control the cap, on how they control Jones, on how they control future contracts and their stars. This new regime is attempting to build a winning franchise and their isn’t anything more important on how you manage players and their contracts for success in the NFL. Go Fins!!!


 

 

 

 

Related Posts:

6 comments

  • Dunner
    June 15, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    As it pains me say it “Move him”. This staff can set the tone for the future. We desperatly need him to be here, he WAS a leader, a good player. However; no player is above the game or the team, just ask C\Kam Chancellor….

    Per SBNation “Chancellor, 27, will still be playing under a four-year extension he signed in 2013. Since then, he has cemented himself as one of the best strong safeties in the league, as he’s earned Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro honors in consecutive seasons. While he wanted a new deal, the Seahawks have been reluctant to accept his terms and Chancellor will return to the Seahawks without a new contract.”

    Kam Chancellor is a pretty good player, and that same move got him NO WHERE! This is what will happen to Jones should he choose that route (hold out into the season). No way does (or should) Miami give Jones a new deal w 2 years left on said deal. First off, he has 1 strike against him for PEDs, strike 2 and that is a year. Secondly; Jones should take into consideration that he is not one of this new regimes “guys”, although good, not one of theirs. Jones should be here at least for the mini camps to try and develop a relationship w his new coaches/staff/players while lobbying for new deal. Jones is making a bad choice or getting bad advice from his agent.

    Jones should be careful, he could find himself on a Browns or 49ers team, while Miami could surprise and make the playoffs while Jones is at home wishing he were there w his FORMER team. The new coaches/staff owes nothing to Jones, so shipping him to a non-contender wouldn’t bother no one except maybe his ex-team mates and of coarse Jones himself.

    VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING!

  • Lemmus
    June 14, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    …move him if possible, he’s just going to do it again next year and the year after …as will too many others if the wrong precedent is set now

    …I hate this mealy mouthed bit that he had a good year and his contract isn’t guaranteed …he and his agent negotiated and signed that contract …they damn well knew exactly what was in it

    …and then he got himself suspended anyway …did the contract require he give back any money for the problems HE created? …of course not

    …but then he has a good season and demands they pay him much more now or he IS going to screw everyone, team mates included

    …straight up, I’d rather pay Landry for his performance last year than I would Jones …but Landry isn’t playing the prom queen gig, is he …Jones is

    …I’d like to win this year as much as any fan but not at the cost of paying for it many times over in the future as prima Donna after prima Donna holds the fins to ransome

    • admin
      June 14, 2016 at 9:59 pm

      Jones really has damaged his brand among fans. It’s a difficult situation because even if he comes in say in week one or after a few games, will he try his hardest if he isn’t paid? He is a major piece and one that the D is built around and it will be a very difficult task to get this to end best for the Dolphins. I would like him moved for picks personally. This would offer cover fire in reducing this seasons expectations and give more ammunition to the future. I really like this regime so far, but Jones is doing his best to screw it up. Again, if it was the last year of his contract, if he hadn’t already threatened to hold out, if didn’t have a few failed tests under his belt. Heck Miami could give him a new contract and he could have a half year suspension as a surprise…wouldn’t surprise me…I’m sure Jones will lose sleep over this but, I have lost a ton of respect for the guy. Really glad we signed the Detroit kid.