Loyalty in Sports

Teams take a lot of heat for not signing fan favorites and cutting ties with players who have given so much to one organization. I can think of Ty Law and Lawyer MIlloy for the Pats when they were let go it was like stabbing the fans and the players in the back. Also Brian Dawkins in Philly was the heart and soul of that defense. But the Eagles don't sign players to long term deals for big money when they are over thirty years old so he had to go.

On the flip side of that same coin players get as much heat for trying to maximize their earnings while they can to secure their future and their families future. They will leave a team where they were loved and thrived to go for the biggest contract when they have played out their current contracts or even hold out for a restructured deal when they feel they have the leverage to do so. Brandon Marshall right now has out played his contract and since he is a such a disaster off the field the Broncos won't sign him long term. So he is requesting a trade now when he feels like his production on the field gives him the best chance to geta big contract. Anquan Boldin in 2005 Signed a four-year, $22.67 million contract extension through 2010. The deal contains $10 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus.( 2009: $2.75 million, 2010: $3 million, 2011: Free Agent) and now wants to make as much as Larry Fitgerald. (Four year 40 million)

On February 19, 2009 the Raiders re-signed Asomugha to a complex three-year deal that makes him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. The first two years, worth $28.5 million, are fully guaranteed. In the third year of the contract, if Oakland wants to keep Asomugha, it must pay him the average of the top five highest-paid "quarterbacks" or $16.875 million, whichever is higher. If the Raiders fail to pick up the option, Asomugha will become a free agent with Oakland not having the ability to tag him again. With this deal in place I question whether or not he has any more or less loyalty to an organization that has treated him with such a high level of appreciation.

I really believe that Al Davis loves the players that play for his team and will always take care of the ones who perform on the field and for all the heat he gets I reallty think that he deserves to have players who are personally loyal to him and are willing to play their ass off for a man who will take care of them when it comes time to getting paid and securing their families future. This off season Kirk Morrison will be an UFA if the CBA is extended if not he will wait untill after the 2010 season but either way i think that Morrison and Thoms Howard for that matter will be resigned for the moeny they deserve. Thats the type of owner that Al Davis is he rewards the type of play that these guys have shown. He has made some mistakes Sands( Four-year, $17 million contract) and Kelley (Seven-year, $52.5 million contract)  who have been busts to this point but he can not be faulted for his approach he is taking care of his players and they have yet to hold up thier end of the deal. I can only woder if the players in Oakland have a sense of loyalty to a man and organization that while we are not winning at this time have not been afraid to spend money to reward the players that can help rebuild this frachise.

In my oinion the players on the Raiders should feel if they perform on the field that they will be taken care of by an owner that has shown over and over he is willing to reward those players whom he feels have earned it. And in the end i would like to believe that creates some sense of loyalty from the players toward the organization.