You play for the team with the best regular season record in the league. You can stay with that team and make around $10 million a year.
--or--
You can play for a team that finished last in its division (albeit 8-8), a team that started 6-2 and still missed the playoffs for the 8th time in the last 10 years. You'll make, on average $14 million a year with about $40 guaranteed.
Which do you choose? I guess it depends on what you want out of life.
It's pretty obvious that Albert Haynesworth wants the money. It's why the Titans mammoth defensive end agreed to a deal with the Washington Redskins , 7 years $100 million with the possibility of growing that number to $115 million. Of that total, $41 locked in. He's got the possibility, according to ESPN, of making $32 million in the first year or so of the deal.
Too many players come out and make the silly statement that its not about the money as they sign a contract to leave a contender and sign with the Detroit Lions or some other team that has about as much a chance of winning a championship as I do of winning the Mega Millions.
The money involved here is hard to understand for those of us who will never make in two lifetimes what Haynesworth will make in half a season. What's the difference between $10 million and $12 million.. seriously, and don't tell me $2 million. When is enough enough? When do you focus on the win and not on the wallet?
Albert Haynesworth wants the Benjamin's, not the Lombardi. Or at least he wants the cash more than he wants the trophy...and that's okay. At least he's admitting it, which is more than you can say for many players.
