Texans and Cowboys Protect their Stars

[enervate]

Texans and Cowboys Protect their Stars
Written by Travis Pulver
Thursday, 04 March 2010 22:12

With the start of the free agency season on Friday, there are a number of players that may be looking for new homes or lower salaries next season. Rather than risk losing their stars, the Cowboys and Texans have decided to do what it takes to hold onto them.

Miles Austin would have been one of the highest sought after free agents of the off-season had Jerry Jones not given him the highest tender offer possible, a first and third round pick (meaning that if another team were to sign that player they would have to give up a first and third round pick to the player’s former team). In doing so, Jones is in essence offering Austin a one year, $3.168 million deal. Rest easy Cowboy fans- Jerry Jones has already stated he would like to sign Austin to a long-term deal. Dallas also made tender offers to eleven other restricted free agents and resigned another. Amongst them is defensive standout Marcus Spears.

Read More at MVPTexas.com

[92bDad]

Becareful about the poison pill that can be associated within a contract.

On one of the local talk shows, they mentioned some stuff that took place between Seattle and Minnesota...with both losing their restricted free agents as a result.

Basically a team could structure a 5 year 49 Million dollar contract for Austin, with the contract being heavily back loaded. But in the contract, they can put a poison clause that states if the player plays 5 games in the state of Texas in the first year then the entire contract is guaranteed...picture a team like Washington making that type of offer.

For the Redskins, there is no guarantee as they would not play 5 games in Texas, but the Cowboys...they would be locked in.

That's what makes this a bit dangerous.

Again, I mention Seattle and Minnesota who have basically done the poison pill to each other...I believe Minn did it first to Seattle signing a lineman away...the name escapes my memory...then Seattle did with WR Burleson.

So don't breath easy, the Austin drama has just begun....