sholditch
Footballguy
If AJ Smith brings in TO at the vet minimum, Vincent Jackson loses whatever bargaining power he believes he has. He'll know that the Chargers can do without him for 2010 and he'll know that they know that.
One of two things happen, both of which benefit San Diego:
1. VJ makes good and sits the whole season.
San Diego get an upgrade over both their projected starters for the veteran's minimum, far cheaper than they could acquire anyone else who would represent an upgrade over what they have. Some potential media stunts and locker room headaches are a small risk compared to the potential gain.
2. VJ sees that they won't cave, gets into camp, and plays for his new deal.
Most likely if VJ comes back into camp AJ relents and gives him most if not all of the original tender offer. I could see him doing something like subtracting TO's salary from it, but I doubt he would risk losing Jackson just for that. TO is now competing with Malcolm Floyd for WR2 which will likely get the most out of Floyd through making him compete against a former great. Since TO will be signing vet min, if he can't beat out Floyd for WR2 and is becoming a headache, you cut him from camp.
San Diego gets either an upgrade at WR or VJ back or both for a vet minimum salary
TO gets his shot
VJ gets real and plays his way into a monster deal
Seems like a win-win-win. Does this make too much sense to happen?
One of two things happen, both of which benefit San Diego:
1. VJ makes good and sits the whole season.
San Diego get an upgrade over both their projected starters for the veteran's minimum, far cheaper than they could acquire anyone else who would represent an upgrade over what they have. Some potential media stunts and locker room headaches are a small risk compared to the potential gain.
2. VJ sees that they won't cave, gets into camp, and plays for his new deal.
Most likely if VJ comes back into camp AJ relents and gives him most if not all of the original tender offer. I could see him doing something like subtracting TO's salary from it, but I doubt he would risk losing Jackson just for that. TO is now competing with Malcolm Floyd for WR2 which will likely get the most out of Floyd through making him compete against a former great. Since TO will be signing vet min, if he can't beat out Floyd for WR2 and is becoming a headache, you cut him from camp.
San Diego gets either an upgrade at WR or VJ back or both for a vet minimum salary
TO gets his shot
VJ gets real and plays his way into a monster deal
Seems like a win-win-win. Does this make too much sense to happen?