We should simplify this. No more bonuses or guarantees.

If I was the Bears I would give him a take it or leave it offer expiring in 3 days. If he doesn't take it the Bears will let him rot a year in the CFL and he can enjoy being a 4th round pick next year losing tens of millions of dollars.

Try to read what happened there before making a comment.

Thanks.

When Hernandez was arrested for Lloyd’s murder in June 2013, the Patriots released him and refused to pay the remaining guaranteed money — a $3.25 million deferred signing bonus payment, and base salaries of $1.323 million and $1.137 million. They also declined to pay a $82,000 workout bonus that he had earned in June 2013.

So while Smith “committed” to UCLA, he never signed a letter of intent to play there. He never gave away his recruiting rights and embroiled himself in that mess. He only signed a financial aid agreement that contained full scholarship guarantees. Scholarship guarantees that effectively offered the same benefits a letter of intent did that athletes like him wanted, but without the harmful punitive language. That would later free Smith to back out of his commitment to UCLA as he had no outstanding ties to the Bruins, and eventually attend Georgia where he would become college football’s top linebacker and a top 10 NFL draft pick four years later.

The Bears have continually insisted they don’t want to set a precedent in negotiations with Smith. Yet according to the past, the young man they’re negotiating with appears to want to do nothing but set a new precedent.

I will say, I think the Bears did drop the ball by not looking into his past as a militant trouble maker. Mediocre player, terrible human being

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/ ... t-nfl-2018





We drafted an "Activist" not a football player.

At any rate while in principal you should not go back after bonus it seems the NFL would due better to redefine or structure these differently. Without going after bonus already paid they have little protection. Not that I care but very little pay is able to be fined for suspension or recovery.

Sounds like a really smart business man and a potentially great player.

If this was a white player, Nas would feel differently.

I'll never oppose a player's right to negotiate. Especially in the NFL. MANY people arguing against Smith are business owners and they would NEVER just take what someone offers them and forfeit their right to negotiate.

What do you mean?

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/04/20/aaron-hernandez-estate-not-likely-collect-more-money-from-patriots/q1lDGaTyyElNoSBAHwSgJM/story.html


What didn't I read? When he was arrested, no future money was paid out.

If this was a white player, Nas would feel differently.

I'll never oppose a player's right to negotiate. Especially in the NFL. MANY people arguing against Smith are business owners and they would NEVER just take what someone offers them and forfeit their right to negotiate.

Smith did not forfeit his right to negotiate. He negotiated. And lost. You don't always get your demands in a negotiation. Sign the contract and get into camp. Unless maybe he is just LAZY?!?!

It's not over until the ink dries!

If I was the Bears I would give him a take it or leave it offer expiring in 3 days. If he doesn't take it the Bears will let him rot a year in the CFL and he can enjoy being a 4th round pick next year losing tens of millions of dollars.

So while Smith “committed” to UCLA, he never signed a letter of intent to play there. He never gave away his recruiting rights and embroiled himself in that mess. He only signed a financial aid agreement that contained full scholarship guarantees. Scholarship guarantees that effectively offered the same benefits a letter of intent did that athletes like him wanted, but without the harmful punitive language. That would later free Smith to back out of his commitment to UCLA as he had no outstanding ties to the Bruins, and eventually attend Georgia where he would become college football’s top linebacker and a top 10 NFL draft pick four years later.

The Bears have continually insisted they don’t want to set a precedent in negotiations with Smith. Yet according to the past, the young man they’re negotiating with appears to want to do nothing but set a new precedent.

I will say, I think the Bears did drop the ball by not looking into his past as a militant trouble maker. Mediocre player, terrible human being

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/ ... t-nfl-2018





We drafted an "Activist" not a football player.

Bob this is foolish. This is a negotiation. The kid has a right to ask for anything and the organization can say no. This isn't a good dolphin review. The Bears aren't going to forfeit a first round pick and this kid isn't going to sit out the season.

I wonder if him requiring language that the team will not attempt to take his money for personal conduct violations isn't being made with the ulterior motive being that he is going to take a stand, so to speak, on the national anthem policy when he finally signs.

Interesting theory. No great player has taken a knee IIRC.