Many of us Eagle fans were wondering if the team really would place the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson or if they’d let him go for nothing. It was clear that either Joe Banner and Howie Roseman want something for Jackson or they want him to remain an Eagle after placing the franchise tag on him this past week.
I think it was a good move, because even if Roseman plans on moving the dynamic player, the team will be able to get something in return for him, whether it’s a couple high draft picks or another good player.
What pains me, though, is when I see teammates of Jackson, most notably the Pro-Bowler Jason Babin, act like the franchise tag is some sort of arrest for the explosive wide receiver and punt returner. If you missed the tweet Babin sent to Jackson moments after the Eagles made public they were franchising the four-year veteran, here it is:
@DeseanJackson10 It’s life….. just do your thing….
— Jason Babin (@JasonBabin93) March 1, 2012
So, according to Jason Babin, who is currently in a five-year deal worth $28 million, DeSean Jackson on pace to make $9.4 million next season is “just life.” Must be hard to make that much in this era of professional football, I guess. Babin went on to tweet again after being criticized by Eagles fans, and rightfully so. Babin said that players want job security and made it seem like a $9.4 million one-year contract was one of the worst possible things an NFL player can have.
See, the funny thing is, I get the whole job security part. I’m sure that Jackson wants a multi-year deal that has guaranteed money instead of a one-year deal. But he’s the one who brought it on himself. Whether the Eagles brass was treating Jackson poorly or not, the former UCLA Bruin could have acted in a more professional manner this past year. It was clear that Jackson didn’t help his case at all, and the Eagles franchising him is actually a good thing for him since he’ll at least be compensated almost $9 million more this upcoming season than he was last season.
But honestly, this isn’t about DeSean Jackson as much as it is about Jason Babin. After he was criticized, he continued to go after fans who were calling him out on his stupidity. This comes off the heels of last weekend when Brian Rolle tweeted that the linebackers working out at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis were “weak.” When he was bombarded by fans on Twitter who started calling him out and the rest of the Eagles linebackers, he continued to fire back at them. He even made a joke about one of the linebackers at the combine driving the short bus.
It’s clear that these current Eagles are not exactly fan favorites. I was pissed off when Michael Vick tweeted a picture of himself golfing two days before the Super Bowl, because that type of self-promotion is something that we sports fans in Philadelphia despise. Especially two days before the Super Bowl, which is the culmination of a playoff system in which the Eagles could not even qualify for this past year. Sad.
Where is the Eagles public relations guy? Why does the organization allow their players to act like jackasses on a consistent basis? They need to realize they’re not the top dog in Philadelphia anymore. It’s clear to see, on March 3, 2012, that the Philadelphia Phillies have the number one spot in this sports city right now. You can’t throw season ticket waiting lists at me anymore. I’m not talking about numbers, although I’m fairly positive the Phillies would be closer to the Eagles than many people think. I’m talking about attitude. I’m talking about relationships that players have with their fans.
You can throw charity work out there, too, because the Phillies do just as much for charity than the Eagles. Do you want to know what the difference is? Mostly, if not all, Phillies players get this city. Eagles players, and you can throw management into the equation as well, do not get this city at all.
I’m tired of the Jason Babin’s of this world telling his own fans how they should think. I get it that the Eagles are the center of the venom of most Philly sports fans right now. But they need to deal with it, because there’s a million good reasons as to why they are the center of the venom. And people like Babin telling us to use our brains don’t really make the Eagles as a whole more likable.
Former UCLA Bruin??? Good reporting Nick
The Eagles FO not less than a week earlier told everyone at the combine they are pursuing trading him to one of 31 other cities ——-so that’s life, just do your thing ——- sounds like an appropriate response to a colleague
@NickCamilloPiccone ——- this is the 2nd time for Andy, Joe, and Jeff acting like this with a wide receiver and allowing front office contract negociations to blow up a playoff team ———– remember Terrell Owens — now when the next time it happens is it going to be that Pro Bowl receiver’s fault also
My mistake, I knew UCLA was wrong but at the time I put it in there in order to go back and edit it before being published. I simply forgot.
I meant California Golden Bear, of course.
eagles0superbowls,
except they are professional athletes and it comes with the lifestyle. Not to mention making $9.4 million next season at least.
People need to stop looking at sports as everyday life. They’re not. Athletes are compensated better than most professions in the world. Only in professional sports would stubborn athletes be mad at making multi-million dollars.
Being traded is part of being a professional athlete. Look at what the Flyers did to Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. They had enough of their bullshit, and got rid of them despite telling them they’re never being traded.
It’s professional sports. It happens. It’s time for players and fans to get over that life as a pro athlete isn’t a permanent lifestyle.
I would offer D-Jax the Following 3 Year Deal for $24.5 Million Package
2012- $4 Million Roster Bonus + $5.5 Million Salary ($9.5 Total Compensation)
2013- $1.5 Million Roster Bonus + $6 Million Salary ($7.5 Total Compensation)
2014 – $1 Million Bonus + $6.5 Million Salary ($7.5 Total Compensation)
And then could even set aside some Bonus $$$ for Receptions,Yards,TD’s and Pro Bowl Appearances..
Paulman –why would DJax accommidate the Eagles at a reduced salary —- every move since the summer has been who has leverage — DJax could not hold out and had to play underthe last year of his rookie contract — Eagles had to franchise him or he is a Free Agent — they own his rights for 2013 only if they pay him 11.28 or he goes to highest bidder in total free agency
paulman, I think that would get it done. With Jackson quitting on the team last season, regardless of what the front office did with him, I would not invest a long-term deal with him. Three years max.
Eagles0, so you would overpay guys just to avoid any conflict? Sounds like you’d be a prettyn shitty gm, your team would have a hard time surrounding stars with any quality players…
Babin has job security. He can get a job on Jersey Shore any time with his mental capacity. A guy averaging a little over $208,000/ year working 45 years would make what Jackson will make in a year.
I agree on your point about being set for the future and that 9.3 million dollars is plenty.
That being said, I dont see how you can be upset with Babin on this? He is sticking up for his teammate and saying that its life. And sorry to say, it is life. Athletes get paid a lot of money and we just need to deal with it. Why do they get paid? Numerous things, including the very high demand very low supply, how much interest the general public has for sporting events, and many other things.
If I’m DJAX, I would have held out and not played a down last year. Id DEFINITELY do that if I were Lesean Mccoy next year. The fact of the matter is, these guys don’t have normal jobs. They are in a position where they have the opportunity to earn a ridiculous amount of money, and they need to take advantage of that. They’d be foolish not to.
Add to that the lifestyles these guys had prior to coming to the nfl. I’ve read stories about Shannon Sharpe having to eat squirrels because they couldnt afford chicken or whatever. I can guarantee that 100% of the readers on this site havent dealt with that before. So its not a surprise that they put such a premium on squeezing out every dollar they can get.
Schiller — I am not qualified to be a GM, just like Howie and Joe but if they had a winner in town like Jerry Reese maybe the Correct solution would have been reached unlike the God Standard Way which everyone knows doesn’t work (0-17)
Eagles0, thats why I dont want to see them trade DJAX. Do you honestly have ANY faith whatsoever that they are going to be able to draft someone at or near the level of DJAX, with the pick they aquire?
Muimuiman— DJax is a top 15 WR so every year one maybe two are equal to his talent — most likely they won’t get an opportunity to draft a player like DJax because he would be drafted earlier like Green and Jones last yearat pick #4 & #6
Muimuiman,
the point is that I get it being second nature for players to stick up for their teammates. But to make it public like that, knowing the other Eagles players have gotten themselves into hot water just in this past season for making stuff public about criticizing the fans isn’t the best way to show your fans you care about their city and their team.
What Babin did was just stupid. No need to go on Twitter to do that. Shoot him a text. Personally, I think athletes are just too stupid nowadays.
It was a bit stupid and uneccesary I agree. I think Jason Avants comments were more insulting to the fans then this. Babin’s comments only bring out our insecurtiy.
Eagles0, I am talking about any position, not just WR. Given their draft history, do you think they can select a player that is eventually going to be able to play at djax’s level.
Also, you can find WR talent in later rounds. Look at Mike Wallace, Greg Jennings, etc.
It’s funny Muimuiman, I wrote on this site back when Avant made those comments and criticized him, but also criticized the fans for that same insecurity that you’re talking about. I think we are on par with each other, just feel the exact opposite about each situation.
Eagles have a good eye for Offensive talent but an equally bad eye for defensive talent — yes they could find a player like DJax but not necessarily in this year’s draft –
It’s amazing how good they’ve drafted offensively and how bad they’ve drafter defensively. I don’t remember seeing such a disparity in football that bad before.
Agreed. But you could make a case that they messed up with Maclin when they drafted him over Nicks. But I love Maclin nontheless.
I think obviously our biggest need is D, which I why I say that.
The problem I have with this particular group of eagles, I don’t know if they know much about the history of our organization. They will tweet and say things, that make me believe they really don’t understand our feelings toward this team. They don’t understand that year in and year out we cheer, we spend our hard earned money for the same dam results. They don’t understand that it’s twelve dam superbowls in our division and we don’t have none. As a fan of sports it’s getting more and more difficult to argue with my friends and family in Ny, Dallas, and even washington about football when your team has zero superbowls. Dam We don’t even have the dam mantle you put them in. So when these guys like Babin and Avant talk their trash to the people who pay their salaries yes it bothers us. Hey boys try winning something first, before you open up your mouths.
social media is not a good thing for athelets. With the modern freeagency situation, loyalty and caring about the fans is out the window. Heck, it was probably like that a long time ago. We just didn’t hear directly from the players as much. I don’t care what babin says as long as he keeps playing well
Nothing to see here- fans are fans- players are players- that’s life, get over it. Wilt was asked how much a “normal” person was paid for a “normal job. He said 50k and that was 30+ years ago. Honestly- they don’t get us and that’s fine.
Is it really? What’s fine about going to root for a team full of players who don’t give a crap about you? It’s tough in a city like this to root for players like that.
Nick, I hear you, but with all do respect, I think you are reaching for a fantasy. You think players in other cities or other sports in phily care more? I sure as hell don’t. The players play for their enjoyment, egos, and wallet (in noparticular order) not the fans.
Dude, your following these guys on twitter and then saying fans have to realize sports is’nt everyday life. Sounds like you should be talking to yourself. Listen at somepoint there either gonna agree or there not. Paulman your contract and your numbers are way off base. Why on earth would Jackson or Drew agree to a contract with only 6.5 million dollars gaur. and really only 4.5 million is gaur. who’s to say the eagles would’nt cut him after this year. Lets say he plays out the year for 9.4 and then becomes a free agent He’ll probably get about a 10 to 15 mil. signing bonus next year thats in the area of 25 mil. for 2 yrs gaur. Drew R. is way smarter than that. Shit I’m pretty fuckin stupid and I can figure that one out.
I would offer Desean to the Jags for their 2nd this year and 2nd next year….he is not going to be here for the long haul……Reid is keeping him for this season because he has to win now…. after this year, Desean will be history as an Eagle.
The original point nick made is a good one, the phillies have athletes paid in excess of the eagles, but you rarely hear a negative word, this eagles franchise, from its owner, nerd gm, money boy banner, and many of the players are the most unlikeable, arrogant, clueless, turds you will ever find in pro sports, and babin is a jag to the worst degree, screw him
Jakedog will said, you to nick
This is a horrible article from yet another jealous, bitter football fan. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised it’s an endemic situation here in Philly with certain fans.
The reality is if Jackson was 4″ taller and had done the same exact things he’s done up to this point there wouldn’t be enough “Boo Birds” left to even have a public conversation about this. Job security…when you have 5-10 violently angry, vicious gym rat guys coming after you once a week is kind of important when you have a bull’s eye on your back.
As a long time Eagles fan who spends just as much money and time rooting for them as any other fan, I personally don’t give a dam about what they say on twitter or anywhere else. All I want them to do is go out and give all the effort they can to win, and when they don’t win I will continue to root for them because I feel like they gave all they had to give. I don’t believe for one moment that this group of players or any of the other groups don’t want to win the Lombardi, that makes no sense. This year was just as disappointing to me as it was to the next fan, however I understand that this group of players are (most) just coming to the team, I also understand that all the teams that have won the SB have been together for longer than a year. But to suggest they don’t want to win is ridiculous. And as far as to what they say on twitter who gives a shit, I just care about what they do on the field.
Yes nick I say its “fine”. Its fine that they don’t care about me. Why should they? They don’t know me? I don’t expect them to. Its fine because I also don’t really care about them. I mean… I care but let’s be real- this is a biz. They have a job to do and they are trying to earn money. I almost 100 percent sided with the owners in the lockout mess because it was best for us the fans. You are living in a fantasy world if you think these guys care about you. I’ve never been to a strip club, nor will I but guess what… Those girls don’t care about you either. They are there to “entertain” you…. Just like football players.
I never said that this team wasn’t trying to win, I simply said they have never won shit. So until you win they should shut up. You know whats funny when I am spending my money I don’t want to be disrespected. Even if they don’t like us they should respect us enough not to say it. Dam I know sports is different but whatever happened to the customer is always right. It’s just not good busines to disrespect your customer base in any business. Also not to threaten your customer base kelce and mathis. I really disagree with you guys.
Not to harp on this topic but it bothers me that you guys really don’t mind disrespect. I have a question lets say I am a car salesman, and you come into my place of business. And I tell you hurry up and buy something idiot. Are you still going to buy from me. That’s ridiculous, I mean I know they don’t know us to care doesn’t mean they should disrespectful. Like i am sure ryan howard can’t stand philly, but he never says a word. I appreciate a guy like that.
Disrespect? Do u hear the crap fans say to players? Rodgerslife was threatened just because he replaced a retired favre. Give me a break. Don’t buy the jersey. Maybe write a blog to cry it out- oh wait, done. I hear ya man but really- root for the name on the front, screw the name on the back.
Nick, great article. I agree with you 100%. Something you have to understand, athletes do not give a $#!t about the common man & the fan. I don’t care if they say they do or not. As soon as that first big contract is signed, they lose all sense of reality, & lose touch with the real world. They should have to go to work 6-7 days a week & work 2-3 jobs, to support a family of 6, & put 4 kids through private school & college, like some of have to do, then maybe they have the right to say that’s life. $9.4M is more than probably all of on here will make in a lifetime, combined. I wish I had to suffer, in making only $9.4M for next year. I don’t know how I can afford to take care of, & feed my family on that measly amount. Before these stupid @$$ athletes go on social media & spew their verbal diarrhea, they need to take a look in the mirror first & realize that what they say, can’t be gotten away with, unless the proverbial, I got my account hacked excuse, is used again. This team, right now, from the Owner down to the water boy, have to be the biggest bunch of unlikeable @$$holes, that I’ve ever seen. I have never seen anything like it. This is the first year that I actually spewed my venom the way that I have. They are sickening & nauseating. That’s why I can’t wait for this team to be broomed clean & the atmosphere around this team gets better again, because it’s getting to a point that people are going to not root for them anymore. No matter how popular they are, in this town. The Owner could have took a step in the right direction, by firing this abortion of a coaching staff, releasing Asante & letting DJax go. But it’s too late now. The same incompetent morons are running the show, & they will get greedy with Asante & DJax, & expect top notch returns for both, only to have to release Asante & rescind DJax’s Franchise tag anyways. I have ZERO faith in this current organization, to do anything right or competent anymore. GO Phillies! GO Flyboys!?
If the Eagle fans became “out of touch” with the Eagle games and merchandise, just for one season, the Eagles organization would change.
Most of use have enougth Eagles merchandise that we could go 1 year without buying another piece.
I paid more to attend one game with my sons, than the cost of a season of the NFL package. So you don’t have to give up the games if you want to see them.
Jeffery Loser told me how much he gave a crap about the Eagle fans when he acknowledged how pitiful his team and coaching staff performed, but was keeping the pitiful leader in charge. Bottom line is his business turned a profit. At least the Cardinals owner once at admitted he was committed to making a profit more than winning a championship.
The Giants, Steelers, & Patriots have won multiple Superbowls under Andy Reids watch. Not particularly great teams. But Sound Coaching and steady play at QB.
The Eagles will not win a Superbowl under Andy Reid because they lack both qualities. They are always trying to make a splash, be cute and different. Offensive line coach to defensive coordinator was the Apex of Andy Reid’s arrogance and indifference for Common Sense.
He had the resources and misused them. A probowl secondary and probowl defensive linemen. When the linebacker that doubled the starters tackle output was replaced with a rookie, that told you all you needed to know about the new defensive coordinator.
Andy Reid does not have the winner’s gene. Like the PUNT PASS and KICK video, he only succeeds when the odds are stacked in his favor. And with the emergence of the 49ers, Giants, Packers and Saints.
Those days are over.
This is good discussions… I’m siding with the players on this one. In this society of social networking, people have free will to attack you whether positively or negatively. If you are going to attack me on my opinion, then I can counter attack to defend myself. No one said we have to agree with each other. Take Desean for instance and just look at the contract. We all know that athletes make a lot of money, so why do we sit here and complain about their contracts, moot point… That doesn’t give us the right to attack them and judge them. You CANNOT compare an NFL salary to any other salary in sports. Basketball, Andre Iguadala will make WAY more in one contract than DJAX will make in his lifetime. See Basketball and Baseball get all guaranteed money. Football not so much… Football is the more violent sport, and injuries are much higher… So I have no complaints when these guys TRY and get guaranteed money.
DJAX will make 9.4 million this year, if he hurts a knee then guess what, he gets no more. Whereas in another sport, your entire contract is guaranteed. Football is a cut throat business. G knows that he played.
We watch sports to be entertained… What that player makes is really none of my business. If I don’t like it, I wouldn’t watch. One thing I won’t complain about is how much they get paid. That’s one of the reasons no one in the work place talks about their own salary. IT’S NO ONE’s BUSINESS.
Now back to the social networking… since everything is fair game, if you disrespect me and come out of your mouth to say anything to me, then expect it back. If you can’t take it, then do not dish it out. What the heck is going on, IT’S JUST A GAME!!! not life or death. The WR for the 49ers life was threatened for his 2 mistakes in the playoff game, are you serious…
Also, I do not need an athlete to be a HERO or a ROLE MODEL… you should be that yourself in your own world and to your family. Some of these sports remind me of one of my favorite movies… GLADIATOR… they throw you out there to entertain. If you get hurt, who cares, if you are 40 now and need assistance to get out the bed, who cares. “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED, IS THAT NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE”…classic. I just need sports to entertain me. I do not need insight into there lives. I have my own insight into my own life and world.
This guy called us idiots and that’s cool with you guys really. He gave us the name of ten foods that will make us smarter and that’s cool with you guys too huh? Wow I guess times have changed.
pdiddy – “he called us” – Babin made a statement about all Eagles fans? Update me please.
bsm, chuck, great posts.
Wow, The franchise tag has always been despised by players. This should not be new news to any of Philly’s sports fans. This is also a union town. Why wouldn’t any worker want a longterm contract? Babin didnt say anything wrong, get off of your high horses, no story here. Learn the sports you watch, people. If common knowledge offends the fans, then the fans need to get a brain.
Drew Brees is livid about being franchised, when will Philly sports fans learn the sport they watch? You and everyone else that works for a living wants to know they’ll be employed for more than a year. These guys are no different, no matter how much they make.
And DJAX had no control over the Eagles not wanting to give up the contract in the first place. Dont blame the reaction, blame the perpertrator of the 1st offense. You cant blame the players all the time, this scenario has played out in this town before. The only common denominator is the Eagles front office. Blame them.
Brees is livid for he would have to pay cut playing under th eFranchise Tag…
In D-JAx’s case, he was underpaid/overperformed his Rookie Deal and will make more $$ in 2012 at a $9.4 Million Franchise Tag Salary than 5 times what he has earned during his entire 4 Year NFL Career… I don’t think D-JAx is to upset about this.. Then if he puts up a monster season and he will be a true frr-agent next season sinec the EAgles can’t franhise him a 2nd Time, and then more $$$$.. This Franchise tag is exaclty what D-JAx and his Agent woudl hope for … Get a huge paycheck for 2012 and have the oppotunity to get a bigger Free-Agent Deal next Off-Season and if by some bad luck, or an injury happened during this Season, at least D-JAx was covered with a $9.4 Million Salary for 2012.. D-Jax has no real financial incentive in my opinion, to want a long-term deal with the Eagles.. HAve a great 2012 Season and hit the market is what will occur in which the EAgles get nothing for him next Season once he’s a true-free-agent…. ..
Brees is “reportedly” angry with the tag. I’d be very suprised if we would ever see him play poorly like Jax, dog it, sulk, miss meetings or all the other behaviours you’re willing to excuse diggedy.
Chuckrob. Most NFL players buy insurance against the possibility of injury. They still get theirs.
Besides, even if they don’t have insurance, the 9.4 million Desean might make this year equates to a 200g a year salary for about 50 years ….I think he could survive….