Hoffman's Take on Stallworth Situation

[Vote for Kalas]

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/16892067.htm

[Leonard Tose]

while i generally agree with the fact that losing stallworth isn't a critical blow, it burns me up that he took a cheap one-year deal to go to NE.

[saratoga]

So how come they haven't signed a capable back up RB?

[Vote for Kalas]

Who knows, 'toga...we have heard they have been sniffing around Dillon and Brown and still may have interest in bringing Buck back, but I can only assume they have not found the right fit yet or one they feel is valuable enough to sign or are waiting for the market to settle a bit and see what else comes available...

[Zepster]

I agree with everything he's saying in the article to a point. But damnit I wanted the Eagles to overpay for Stallworth anyway to keep him. I think he was way more important to the off than the stats were showing. I'm not one for wanting to over pay guys either. I think the FO dropped the ball on this one. I would have done what ever needed to be done to keep him.

[ThoughtProcess]

Here is some "salt in the wound" from the man himself, Mr. Stallworth.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports ... 906550.htm

WR Deion Branch recommended the Pats to Stallworth:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2798512

[FRESH]

Pretty much as I expected, TP.

Wanted to play for a championship team.
Didn't feel wanted by the Eagles organization.

Damn.

[Vote for Kalas]

If I had a penny for every player who felt unwanted at some point, I would be a rich man...and if players are looking for touchy/feely they are in the wrong business IMO...

The Eagles obviously felt he was not worth it...whether it be the injuries or the drugs or whatever...we shall see if that is a mistake or a good decision.

I am sure he will feel wanted when the Pats cut him before next year to avoid that 11M payment...lol..

[saratoga]

Geez, Vote. Put down the kool aid already. The Eagles decided too quickly not to pursue him.

Team sources have said the Birds pretty much gave up hope of signing Stallworth when they heard Rosenhaus' initial demands.

If they had engaged in well intention negotiation, not only would Donte feel "wanted", they would have had a decent chance to sign him at a reasonable price.

You're emotions seem to be clouding your perspective here.

[balto-eaglefan]

Hmm.........after reading that article, just look at what Donte says. How much do you think it would've taken for us to keep him?

Rosenhaus asked for $12-$15M and a long term deal, Pats are paying him $3.6M and we know it can be a one-year deal. Eagles obviously offered him less than $3.6M, and supposedly would've offered $3.6M if they had the chance (cue the angry rants that say it's a lie). Titans offered more guaranteed money but they're not as good a team as the Pats or the Eagles........

All right, what do you think? You're the GM, is he worth $8M and a short term deal? $5M? Anything lower, and really only in the same ballpark as the Pats, and I think you lose him anyway (I'd just forget what he said before FA about taking less $ to stay, again just read the article).

[Vote for Kalas]

Geez, Vote. Put down the kool aid already. The Eagles decided too quickly not to pursue him.

Team sources have said the Birds pretty much gave up hope of signing Stallworth when they heard Rosenhaus' initial demands.

If they had engaged in well intention negotiation, not only would Donte feel "wanted", they would have had a decent chance to sign him at a reasonable price.

You're emotions seem to be clouding your perspective here.

What kool aid? How many times have we heard players leave here or other teams saying they were "unwanted" or felt "disrespected"? How many times has it been proven the Eagles and other teams were right about letting players go?

Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles traded for him and got him out of a bad situation in NO? Did he feel unwanted when we put him in a great system for his skills and gave him a chance to be a #1? Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles saw him go down for 4 games with an injury and gave him his job back once healthy? Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles supposedly approached him about a long term deal during the season?

Again, if Stallworth understands the league and business he knows this is perfectly legit and is just trying to explain why he did what he did...he does not need to explain himself to me since I understand what he did and why...we see it every year on nearly every team...

He went with the best situation in his opinion...I would argue that the Eagles did as well. Why does the team get hammered only? Where is the condemnation of Stallworth?

It is silly IMO...actually my emotions have zero to do with this...I would argue the fans who are bashing the team over this are letting their emotions cloud their judgement...especially when we do not even know it is a mistake yet!!

Would I have signed Stallworth if I could for the contract NE gave him? Yes without question...can I understand why the Eagles chose not to? Yes without question...

[PhillyJack]

Geez, Vote. Put down the kool aid already. The Eagles decided too quickly not to pursue him.

Team sources have said the Birds pretty much gave up hope of signing Stallworth when they heard Rosenhaus' initial demands.

If they had engaged in well intention negotiation, not only would Donte feel "wanted", they would have had a decent chance to sign him at a reasonable price.

You're emotions seem to be clouding your perspective here.

What kool aid? How many times have we heard players leave here or other teams saying they were "unwanted" or felt "disrespected"? How many times has it been proven the Eagles and other teams were right about letting players go?

Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles traded for him and got him out of a bad situation in NO? Did he feel unwanted when we put him in a great system for his skills and gave him a chance to be a #1? Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles saw him go down for 4 games with an injury and gave him his job back once healthy? Did he feel unwanted when the Eagles supposedly approached him about a long term deal during the season?

Again, if Stallworth understands the league and business he knows this is perfectly legit and is just trying to explain why he did what he did...he does not need to explain himself to me since I understand what he did and why...we see it every year on nearly every team...

He went with the best situation in his opinion...I would argue that the Eagles did as well. Why does the team get hammered only? Where is the condemnation of Stallworth?

It is silly IMO...actually my emotions have zero to do with this...I would argue the fans who are bashing the team over this are letting their emotions cloud their judgement...especially when we do not even know it is a mistake yet!!

Would I have signed Stallworth if I could for the contract NE gave him? Yes without question...can I understand why the Eagles chose not to? Yes without question...

You're right... Hugh Douglas is a prime example of "not being wanted" by the Eagles. Ironic how the Eagles managed to sign him back, that he remains in Philadelphia. The cog that managed to make him feel that way before he fled to Jacksonville? Drew Rosencockroach. That is the person that I blame. The Eagles never had a chance to make a counteroffer to Stallworth after the Patsies made theirs. The "unwanted" thought came directly from his agent, along with not being completely forthcoming with his client.

[MDFAN]

RosensharkWhur(TM)-- "Donte let me tell you about Philly and the OD saga that we went through when we wanted to renegotiate a simple deal, looks they they screwed our plans for a long term deal by leaking your drug problem, screw them, the Pats will get another SB before the Eagles do... sign the deal, the Eagles won't give you that much!"