mesaSteeler
05-26-2010, 11:05 PM
Woodley hopes hard work pays off
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_683127.html#
By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley doesn't subscribe to the Chris Johnson school of contract negotiations.
Unlike Johnson — the Tennessee Titans' star running back who has protested the lack of movement toward a more lucrative deal while still under contract by skipping team workouts — Woodley hasn't missed a practice this offseason. What's more, Woodley can't wait for the start of training camp in July.
Entering the final year of his contract, Woodley said the best way for him to earn a new deal is to continue working hard on the field.
"I can't get better sitting at home, not being with my teammates while the new plays are being installed. I feel like I'm selling myself short if I'm not here," said Woodley, who played in his first Pro Bowl last season. "Everybody's different. I'd rather be at practice and going through the process, not sitting back and holding out.
"My contract will get done, one way or the other, I feel. That's not under my control. The thing I can control is being out here with my teammates, getting ready for this year and trying to win a Super Bowl."
The reason for Woodley's optimism are the new contracts awarded to players such as Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Willis, who like Woodley was drafted in 2007, recently inked a five-year, $50 million extension in spite of the NFL's notorious 30 percent rule that limits a player's yearly salary.
Philadelphia signed Kolb to a one-year contract extension and will pay him $12.26 million deal through 2011.
"When people talk about the 30 percent rule, you don't hear too many things about what can be done. It's more what can't be done. But when you see other guys getting (contracts), you see what can be done. You hear all the negative things. But there are positives," Woodley said.
The 30 percent rule will take affect during the league's uncapped year in 2010. It limits new salaries to a 30 percent increase during each year of the contract, with most of the money resulting from bonuses.
Woodley, a second-round draft pick who earned $460,000 last season, is due to earn $598,000 this year — a 30 percent increase. Because of his low base salary, the bulk of the money Woodley would receive in a new deal would result from bonuses.
Conversely, it was easier for San Francisco to re-sign Willis, a first-round pick, because of his higher base salary.
Still, Woodley sees no reason why a new deal can't get done.
"There's a strategy, a way of getting it done," Woodley said. "When I hear about people getting contracts, the negatives go away. There's no way the 30 percent rule can stop you when I look at other people getting stuff done."
Woodley, 25, has another reason to feel confident about his chances of negotiating a new deal at fair-market value. His on-field production speaks for him.
Woodley ranks fifth in league history with 29 sacks through his first three seasons, behind Shawne Merriman, DeMarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs and Dwight Freeney.
"The reason I feel so positive is because of all the things I did on the field. I've been productive ever since I've been here. If I had poor numbers, I wouldn't feel so positive," said Woodley, who recorded a team-high 13 1/2 sacks in 2009.
"I think my numbers really speak for everything. You've played your role, you've built your resume. That's all you have at the end of the day."
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_683127.html#
By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley doesn't subscribe to the Chris Johnson school of contract negotiations.
Unlike Johnson — the Tennessee Titans' star running back who has protested the lack of movement toward a more lucrative deal while still under contract by skipping team workouts — Woodley hasn't missed a practice this offseason. What's more, Woodley can't wait for the start of training camp in July.
Entering the final year of his contract, Woodley said the best way for him to earn a new deal is to continue working hard on the field.
"I can't get better sitting at home, not being with my teammates while the new plays are being installed. I feel like I'm selling myself short if I'm not here," said Woodley, who played in his first Pro Bowl last season. "Everybody's different. I'd rather be at practice and going through the process, not sitting back and holding out.
"My contract will get done, one way or the other, I feel. That's not under my control. The thing I can control is being out here with my teammates, getting ready for this year and trying to win a Super Bowl."
The reason for Woodley's optimism are the new contracts awarded to players such as Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Willis, who like Woodley was drafted in 2007, recently inked a five-year, $50 million extension in spite of the NFL's notorious 30 percent rule that limits a player's yearly salary.
Philadelphia signed Kolb to a one-year contract extension and will pay him $12.26 million deal through 2011.
"When people talk about the 30 percent rule, you don't hear too many things about what can be done. It's more what can't be done. But when you see other guys getting (contracts), you see what can be done. You hear all the negative things. But there are positives," Woodley said.
The 30 percent rule will take affect during the league's uncapped year in 2010. It limits new salaries to a 30 percent increase during each year of the contract, with most of the money resulting from bonuses.
Woodley, a second-round draft pick who earned $460,000 last season, is due to earn $598,000 this year — a 30 percent increase. Because of his low base salary, the bulk of the money Woodley would receive in a new deal would result from bonuses.
Conversely, it was easier for San Francisco to re-sign Willis, a first-round pick, because of his higher base salary.
Still, Woodley sees no reason why a new deal can't get done.
"There's a strategy, a way of getting it done," Woodley said. "When I hear about people getting contracts, the negatives go away. There's no way the 30 percent rule can stop you when I look at other people getting stuff done."
Woodley, 25, has another reason to feel confident about his chances of negotiating a new deal at fair-market value. His on-field production speaks for him.
Woodley ranks fifth in league history with 29 sacks through his first three seasons, behind Shawne Merriman, DeMarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs and Dwight Freeney.
"The reason I feel so positive is because of all the things I did on the field. I've been productive ever since I've been here. If I had poor numbers, I wouldn't feel so positive," said Woodley, who recorded a team-high 13 1/2 sacks in 2009.
"I think my numbers really speak for everything. You've played your role, you've built your resume. That's all you have at the end of the day."
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.