The Poison Pill Bites Back

[Down to Earth]

Check these out from the contract Burleson signed with Seattle. It will be interesting if this goes before an arbitrator and how they rule. I hope the Vikings didn't set a precedent for stupid clauses like this. THis could only be the beginning.

"The first would guarantee the entire contract, all $49 million, if Burleson plays five or more games in the state of Minnesota in any season of the contract. The Vikings, of course, play home games in Minneapolis, at the Metrodome there. The second bizarre provision would guarantee the full contract if Burleson is paid more on average per year than all of the Minnesota running backs combined. At least for now, the averages of the Vikings' tailbacks fall well shy of the $7 million average of the Burleson offer sheet."

[cybermuskie]

That's kind of funny! Maybe if it was someone that we really wanted to keep I would be mad, but all I can say is BYE NATE!

[Chad Halvorson]

The Vikings didnt (dont) want Burleson (Huge Mistake) , They are putting their money on T.W. and Koren. No room for Nate, like I said, big mistake.

The Vikings made one correct move this season, that was firing Tice. Since then they have been horrible. Cant wait till the draft...

[cybermuskie]

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Cant wait till the draft...

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Why so you can say how horrible they did?

Nate is no big loss! Get over it.

Maybe you should be a Lion's fan, then you'd be right about how horrible they are doing!

[Chad Halvorson]

Yeah Nate isnt a loss. 1000 yard recievers are everywhere arent they, especially at 24 years old!

[PikeTipper]

I like Nate as a receiver but he's not worth that kind of money. I doubt the Vikes would have matched the offer even without the poison pill clause involved. We are starting to look a little light on WR now though.

[james_walleye]

Your trying too tell me that Nate Burleson is worth the same money as Steve Hutchinson?? No way the vikes would pay him that kind of money. Hes a decent reciever but not worth that kind of a contract. Let the Seahawks take up all that cap room in Burleson. There will be some very nice recievers come available in that June signing period. Recievers just as good or better than Burleson and not near the money if the vikings feel the need. And too say the only offseason move that the vikings have made this offseason that was decent was firing Tice is rediculous. How can adding the best guard in the NFC too the team not be a good thing? How can upgrading your RB in Chester Taylor not be a good thing? How can adding one the the best fullbacks in the game in Tony Richardson not be good? Longwell isnt a step back from last years kicking game. I guess i dont get how these things were bad moves.

[cybermuskie]

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Yeah Nate isnt a loss. 1000 yard recievers are everywhere arent they, especially at 24 years old!

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That was 2 years ago! Last year he didn't do anything! They will receive Seattle's third-round choice in this year's draft as compensation. Besides if the Vikes really wanted him they would have offered him more in the first place!

[cybermuskie]

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We are starting to look a little light on WR now though.

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there still left with Travis Taylor, Koren Robinson, Marcus Robinson, and Troy Williamson at receiver, plus five picks in the first three rounds of April's draft.

Only like 5.something million of Nates new deal is promised to him. That BIG money is only if the vikes wanted him back. It was kind of childish of Seattle, but I guess they got their point across that they were ticked.

[PikeTipper]

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It was kind of childish of Seattle, but I guess they got their point across that they were ticked.

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Big time. I would not be pleased at all if the Vikes had thrown that kind of money at a WR like Nate out of spite. Not a good way to run a business...

[JIvers]

Yes, this was more about Seattle letting everyone know what they thought of the Hutchinson deal than about Burleson's value. Burleson is a good # 2 receiver, but a replacable player, and not someone to build a passing game around. The Vikings have some depth at receiver without Burleson (Robinson, Taylor, Williamson), and can add more. A number three pick for Burleson seems about right.

[Havin' Fun]

What does Dwayne Wade think about this deal Chad?

[Down to Earth]

This is the reason's I hoped the arbitrator would have ruled against the Viking's "poison pill" in their contract to Hutchinson. Some obscure salary kick in should not decide a contract.I'm sue other teams are taking notice. I hope this doesn't become the trend in the NFL.

[nofishfisherman]

I think the clause that if Nate plays 5 games in Minnesota in one year promises him the $49 million is a little bogus.

Promising someone they will be the highest paid person at there position is one thing, that shows a level of respect and it says you are our man. This stupid minnesota clause doesn't do any of that it is just a bogus deal that may get thrown out by an arrbitrator becuase it is meaningless when it comes to the real meaning of the contract.

If I were minnesota I would appeal it just to see, if they win then it is basically like giving Seattle the finger all over again.

[Down to Earth]

Hutch was already the highest paid player at his position for Seattle, GUARD. He is not a tackle like Jones. There is a reason that in the NFL tackles are paid higher than guards, especially a left tackle. Also, the only way the Vikes offer could have been comparible was if they had a lineman making the same as Jones, not 1/2 of it. Now you have Seattle putting a stupid clauses in about how many games Burleson could play in MN as well as comparing his salary to that of the running backs. When will this end? Like I said, I'm sure other teams are taking notice and I bet in the years to come you will see more of these obscure "poison pills" written into contracts.

To be honest, though, I bet the Vikings could really care less. I'm sure they will challenge the clauses, but in reality they'll be happy to get a 3rd round pick for Burleson.

[nofishfisherman]

I guess when I said highest paid at his position I meant position being O-line, i didn't break it down into guard, tackle, center.

I am sure that the league will put some rules together that will block this kind of stuff in the future.

[cybermuskie]

Here's a little twist to the story :

Burleson Drama Continues

Viking Update Staff - Scout.com

March 27, 2006 at 9:28am ET

The problems that surfaced between the Vikings and Seahawks in the wake of the Steve Hutchinson offer have seemingly boiled over in the Nate Burleson matter.

The animosity that surfaced when the Vikings made a poison pill-laden offer to guard Steve Hutchinson apparently has no sign of stopping.

Prior to the offer sheet signed by Nate Burleson , the Vikings had tried to negotiate a four-year deal with Burleson worth approximately $14 million. The offer sheet he signed with the Seahawks was nearly identical -- until the Vikings balked at the offer of a trade.

According to a source with the Seahawks, Seattle offered the Vikings a third-round pick in trade to avoid the week-long wait (which could extend through Friday of this week) in exchange for Burleson. If the Vikes decline to match the offer, they would receive a third-round pick as compensation. Instead, the Vikings reportedly asked for a second-round pick to immediately approve a trade. As a result, the Seahawks imposed the two poison pill inclusions -- one of which required the Vikings to match the entire $49 million contract if Burleson played five or more games in the State of Minnesota.

VU has been told that the majority of the contract offer -- the final three years and $35 million of the deal -- are voidable at either side's discretion. Most likely, the Seahawks would be the ones voiding the final years, since few would be willing to pay any wide receiver, much less Burleson, $11.33 million a year for three years.

The Vikings appear content to make the Seahawks wait until Thursday or Friday to announce whether they'll match the offer sheet, but, barring an appeal, it seems clear that Burleson has played his last game as a Viking.