(07-07-2020, 08:31 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: The article itself may not but Trae Waynes actual comments certainly seem to indicate that he feels he's being mistreated. 

Trae Waynes:

"That sh--'s terrible. It's still going on for me," Waynes said on the Behind the Mask Podcast when asked about free agency. "I signed here, but I ain't really sign here. It was cool at first and I'm thinking it'll be done and over with. Ninety percent of the league, it's done for them. I know Cincy and a couple of other teams, they still ain't pay nobody or let them take their physicals, so it's technically still going on."



He's basically saying that for the vast majority of the league this wouldn't be an issue, and that only us and a couple other of teams are delaying the process.

To each their own, but these comments just strike me as totally unecessary.  Anyone that has been around or even watched sports even a little bit can recite an appropriate response to any questions surrounding a new team and a new season.  Ex: "I can't wait to get started.  I think we've got a group of guys coming in and I'm ready to do whatever I need to to make sure we win ball games."  That's all you really ever need to say.

Why go out of your way to publically complain about your new team approaching physicals differently than "90% of the league"?  Comments like "they still aint pay nobody" don't really reflect any enthusiasm or confidence.

(07-07-2020, 08:46 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Umm, is Wayne's quote of "for 90%, it's already been done", is that completely accurate?  I can't find, or anyone that I've noticed on here, hasn't found any data in relation to the actual number or percentage of the total number of free agents that have "signed in principal" that have indeed been able to undergo their physicals and get the deal finalized.

I've already stated, in my previous post that I felt like that number Wayne's gave was arbitrary, and related to frustration over the situation.  Now, what I'd really like to learn is why the NFL has allowed some teams to conduct physicals and ink deals, and not others;  Rather than more interpretation of words that a frustrated athlete spoke.

(07-07-2020, 09:06 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm not sure if you read my entire post, or if I just did a poor job articulating.  I'm in agreement with you, no I don't think it's accuate.  And while I understand his frustration I complete disagree with publically airing it, while seeminginly painting the Bengals as a select few who are doing this.

You stated that you didn't think there was any wrong-doing implied in the article.  I was just pointing out that Waynes comments themselves make it seem like he's frustrating with the team as much as he was the situation.

As I understand it, the teams that are conducting physcials are having them done in private practices, off-site.  I can't blame the Bengals for not being on board with this.  And it sounds like there's a number of other teams that feel the same.

(07-07-2020, 07:03 PM)TSwigZ Wrote: So someone help my clarifying is Trae in the wrong for being upset or are the Bengals in the wrong for following protocol and waiting for their facility to open?

(07-07-2020, 09:30 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: So I read his comments yesterday (or the day before) on PFT, and I had zero problem with it, nor do I feel he was bad mouthing the team.

He was stating his displeasure that his deal is not done, therefore he is in a delicate position where he is liable and could invalidate the contract were he to injure himself trying to get/stay ready for his physical and training camp.

I think every one of us would be the same way if our employment contract hinged on passing a physical, but we are at risk for injury that would cause failing the physical if we work out, but we can't schedule the physical.

(07-07-2020, 07:36 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Darius Phillips reading the article:

(07-08-2020, 08:47 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Wonder what happened to all that talk of Zac finally bringing in "his type of player".  

Not just talent but "leaders with the right attitude"?

Also funny that this talk is coming from the one player who I feel we grossly overpaid to come here.

(07-08-2020, 08:47 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Wonder what happened to all that talk of Zac finally bringing in "his type of player".  

Not just talent but "leaders with the right attitude"?

Also funny that this talk is coming from the one player who I feel we grossly overpaid to come here.

(07-07-2020, 05:34 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I see both sides of this.  Obviously I understand it has to be frustrating for Waynes to not have a deal finalized, and to not be able to fully train.  But at the same time I completely understand the stance of the Bengals.  Of course you want your own doctors and personnel to sign off on a player's health.  Especially when you're investing tens of millions of dollars into them.  I wouldn't trust an outside source to do this either.

Unfortunately for Mr. Waynes we're in the midst of a pandemic, and the Bengals are unable to schedule this as they would normally.  Does it kinda suck?  Yeah, I'm sure it does.  But at the same time, a lot of things suck right now.  A lot of people have suffered much greater losses, and occur daily inconveniences and equally significant changes to their respective norms due to this issue.

Personally, I think he and his agent would be best served keeping this to themselves, at least until it results in an actual  loss of income.  Because as it stands right now, he'll still get paid. He'll just wait longer than normal.  Do you really need to be publically airing out complaints before you've even played a down here?  Can you really fault your new employer for things that are out of their control?

Let's be honest, Trae Waynes is coming off a 8 million dollar deal, and just inked a new deal for 42 million.  All of this at the age of 27.  Just to put into perspective of just how much money this is, it would take an upper-middle class person making 100k a year 80 years just to equal what Waynes made on a rookie contract.  And now his net worth is going to increase over 500% from that.

I'm sorry, comments from some of these athletes today strike me as more and more tone-deaf.  If you look at what's going on around this country right now, you'll find a lot of people are hurting.  No one is going to feel any sympathy for a multi-millionaire that has to wait a few extra months to sign a 14mil year contract.  So you can't work out like you would if the deal were inked?  Boo freaking hoo.  Just be glad you're not one of the millions of fans that support your league that are wondering how the hell they're going to pay rent next month.

(07-08-2020, 03:39 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: If it all falls through the great Dre Kirkpatrick is still on the market!

(07-07-2020, 08:05 PM)RunKijanaRun Wrote: I’d be able to live with this deal being voided, although I realize we currently have no cause for it.

He’s not getting this kind of money anywhere else.