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Hines, 'Plex' have a lot in common
Plaxico Burress' contractual dissatisfaction is well documented. His refusal to report for a mandatory minicamp and the voluntary coaching sessions that followed have drawn the wrath of the organization and Steelers fans everywhere, or so it seems.
Now comes word that Hines Ward, who in the eyes of Steeler Nation plays the role of consummate pro and committed teammate to Burress' self-centered malcontent and underachiever, will also be an unhappy camper without a new deal.
Ward hasn't said as much in so many words (Burress hasn't, either, for that matter). But in responding to The Trib's Jerry DiPaola this week about a potential holdout from Latrobe, Ward left himself plenty of room to maneuver.
"Until Eugene (Parker, his agent) tells me otherwise, I am planning on reporting to camp," Ward said.
Translation: Plans can change, and Parker will be the one to decide if Ward's will.
"I'm waiting to see what (Parker) wants me to do," Ward said.
Ward considers himself underpaid, and with a cap figure for 2004 of $2.1 million, he has a point. But he also has two years remaining on his existing deal.
Burress has a year left on his current contract, which, like Ward's, wasn't signed under duress. He's said he'll show up ready to hit the ground running July 30 at St. Vincent College.
Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw became the latest to blast Burress this week.
"If I was him I'd shut up and get my (butt) in here and earn your money," Bradshaw said. "And if not, let him go, unload him, 'cause if you're only playing for the money, anyway, we're not going to win with him. I hate guys like that."
That said, Bradshaw must hate everyone, because -- this just in -- they're all playing for the money.
Burress is playing for the money. Ward is playing for the money. So is Tommy Maddox, the quarterback, and Mike Schneck, the long-snapper. So are all the guys on all the other teams. The NFL is all about the money, period. A great deal of it is at stake, and the players have a limited opportunity to make it.
So a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do (or what his agent tells him to).
No team that's ever asked an employee to renegotiate for salary-cap purposes can begrudge the players that. The sanctity-of-a-contract argument loses credibility when selectively applied.
You make your choices, take your shots and live with the consequences.
Burress and Ward are no different from anyone else in that regard, particularly from each other.
