Defensive end Ray Edwards told 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he’d rather focus on his boxing career than play for the Vikings under his one-year tender.
“I’ve openly said I won’t play for the Vikings, because of the simple fact of my backup is getting paid 70 more percent than I am — there’s no way I can do that to myself. I’d rather do what I love doing. I love doing football as well. But if there’s nobody that’s going to trade for me, I will be definitely focusing on boxing.”
In case anyone was wondering if Edwards was harboring any hard feelings towards “his backup,” (Brian Robison) he’s not.
“I was happy for (Robison),” Edwards told 1500 ESPN. “He’s a definitely great guy. I love the guy off the field, love him on the field. Great teammate. I wished him all the best, because we both were up for contracts. So, I told him that more than likely they’re going to keep you because of the numbers situation.
“They’re paying Jared (Allen, who signed a six-year, $73.26 million contract in April 2008). You’ve got Kevin (Williams), who’s almost due for a contract and he’s been there forever and he’s a six-time Pro Bowler, I believe. I don’t know if they’re going to try to keep Pat (Williams) or not. It’s just a numbers game.
“In this business, and I understand that, sometimes there’s an odd man out, and I believe that I was always that odd man out.”
This goes against the cliched “it shouldn’t be about the money for athletes” that some writers love to overuse, but I actually don’t blame Edwards. The NFL is a nasty league and the life expectancy for players is short. Football is their career and they want long-term security just like your average Joe. Granted, athletes are making 10-times what your average Joe is, but it’s still the same concept in the end: they want to be financially set up for the long term.
Let’s say your contract is about to run up with your company and for the moment, let’s forget about the money involved. Instead of giving you a new three-year deal, your company hands you a one-year contract and on top of that, the guy under you is given a three-year deal. Assuming you deserved a raise, wouldn’t you feel a little disrespected by your company? If the answer is yes, then that’s how Ray Edwards feels.
That said, I still wouldn’t have handled the situation like Edwards is and he’s in for a rude awakening if he thinks he’s going to make more boxing than he is on that one-year tender. But I get why he’s frustrated and why he’s saying the things he is. He feels like he’s earned a long-term contract. (Although some fans feel like his production is a byproduct of playing opposite Jared Allen.)
