Matt Roth Wants Out
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...m_hecker_2.html
AKRON, Ohio -- Browns linebacker Matt Roth asked to be traded on Monday, but General Manager Tom Heckert said "it's not going to happen."
It was a strong statement to Roth and the other four restricted free agents who skipped the first day of voluntary organized team activities on Monday -- Abe Elam, D'Qwell Jackson, Jerome Harrison and Lawrence Vickers.
Kicker Phil Dawson also no-showed for the session in a possible statement that he wants a contract extension. Dawson, a 12th-year pro, is in the final year of his contract. He sat out some of the OTAs last year in what was believed to be a contract issue and has reportedly been seeking a new deal for several years.
Heckert viewed Roth's trade request as part of the negotiating process. Roth received a second-round tender from the Browns worth $1.809 million. He has until June 15 to sign it or risk having the Browns reduce the offer. The other restricted free agents have second-round tenders of $1.759 million, slightly less because they're four-year veterans and Roth is five.
"It's really not a big deal right now," said Heckert at the Akron Browns Backers Banquet. "First of all, it's not going to happen. It's like that with everybody. Normally when guys aren't happy with their contracts, the first thing that comes out of their mouths is, 'give me a new deal or trade me.'
"It's not the first time we heard it and it's not going to be the last. It's part of it and we'll deal with it when the time comes."
Roth, represented by high-profile agent Drew Rosenhaus, was claimed by the Browns via waivers Nov. 25 from Miami and played the final six games here. He made an immediate impact as a pass-rush threat, finishing tied for third on the team with four sacks.
But Heckert explained that the Browns aren't ready to sign most of the restricted players to multi-year deals yet.
"It's tough for us to make a long-term commitment to these guys when we haven't been around them," said Heckert. "That's not saying they're not good players, it's just tough to do, when you're talking about financially quite a bit of money. Eric [Mangini has] only been around for a year, and we [Heckert and President Mike Holmgren] haven't seen them at all."
Asked if the players have any leverage, he said emphatically, "no."
"It's not like they have three years left on crummy contract," he said. "They have one year at a decent salary. They could've gone out and got a deal with somebody else."
But Heckert said the Browns are looking at the no-shows as a positive.
"We get to see other guys, especially at those positions, we have new guys for the most part," he said. "It's good for rookies who are stepping in and playing. Obviously we'd like those guys here, but they don't have to be."
As for Dawson's absence, Heckert said, "He decided not to be there. it's not mandatory, so we can't make them be here. It's up to them."
Later, he added that he didn't want to get into why Dawson didn't show. Dawson missed five games with a calf injury last season and there was some talk that he was overworked because of being the lone kicker in camp.
"That's not the whole thing with him," said Heckert.
Heckert said that all of the previously injured players are participating in OTAs, including Shaun Rogers (ankle), Dave Zastudil (leg) and Eric Barton (neck). He said Rogers' situation with the gun charge "is in the league's hands. I really can't answer that."
Extra points: Josh Cribbs was honored at the banquet for Player of the Year and David Bowens received the Good Guy Award from the Pro Football Writers of America.
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I like the kind of straight forward language I am hearing from Heckert. I think this franchise is getting the right foundations for the long term going on and not bowing to player power. This is what will make us a solid prospect for growth, not having a revolving door of staff and "star" players chasing the dollar. I hope we keep Roth, I love an angry LB, but it's all about Cleveland and not individuals.
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I like the kind of straight forward language I am hearing from Heckert. I think this franchise is getting the right foundations for the long term going on and not bowing to player power. This is what will make us a solid prospect for growth, not having a revolving door of staff and "star" players chasing the dollar. I hope we keep Roth, I love an angry LB, but it's all about Cleveland and not individuals.
I like the kind of straight forward language I am hearing from Heckert. I think this franchise is getting the right foundations for the long term going on and not bowing to player power. This is what will make us a solid prospect for growth, not having a revolving door of staff and "star" players chasing the dollar. I hope we keep Roth, I love an angry LB, but it's all about Cleveland and not individuals.
I fully agree, i have went from skeptical and unsure of "hecktard" to absolutely lovin the guy..straight talk and honest assessment to both the fans and players (when possible) is important and heckert delivers...we are finally barking up the right tree and my confidence in this regime and the browns future is very high..
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Some of these guys need to make a showing at all of the practices, voluntary or not. Use to guys would come in here and hang up their cleats so to speak and not perform to their expectations because they knew nobody was pushing them.
The new guys in charge, Hecktard and Holmgren are not marshmallows that can be pushed around.
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I read here >>http://bleacherreport.com/articles/392160-...son-and-vickers<<that the agent for Roth is also the agent for Vickers and Harrison. Maybe that explains part of the hold out ?
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Winslow, Quinn...he's been behind just about every holdout we've had. he represents high dollar guys and makes them holdout, the more he has the better it works--when they are the starters. all he's done is hurt the guys he represents in CLE. but what can they do? it's the model.
Rosenhaus is easily my least favorite person in pro football.
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I try not to worry about things that are irrelevant. The only thing that the whole situation will come down to is who makes the bell when it rings for keeps . Can't do anything about it anyway , and there is to much good happening on the team to even spend any thought on it at all .
jmho
NewEraDawg -
irrelevant to what? Roth holding out is pretty relevant to my offseason. i guess you just post to be included and start caring in August then?
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I care every day . But see we have the dudes in question under raps already . You can worry about what you want to son............I was just sayin
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i hear ya, he's under contract. but how is it irrelevant? in the big picture all the middle drama doesn't necessarily get you to a different place but it fills the gasps and keeps it interesting, right? i think this Rosenhaus thing is a trend too, the writing seems to be on the wall with his clients. so why the chip on the shoulder? maybe our perspectives differ because for me it is just observing life--purely entertainment. but trust me, with all this LB depth nobody's losing sleep over whether MR shows up this year.
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I try not to worry about things that are irrelevant. The only thing that the whole situation will come down to is who makes the bell when it rings for keeps . Can't do anything about it anyway , and there is to much good happening on the team to even spend any thought on it at all .
jmho
I try not to worry about things that are irrelevant. The only thing that the whole situation will come down to is who makes the bell when it rings for keeps . Can't do anything about it anyway , and there is to much good happening on the team to even spend any thought on it at all .
jmho
I think I may understand this post & I agree with it. The irrelevance is that we are talking about players who are either unproven over the long haul or (as with Vickers) a one dimensional player. I'm not bad mouthing Vickers, I'm just saying that his offensive contributions have, to date, been blocking. These guys were not top picks & have not established enough of a track record of excellence to hold the Team "hostage" for the big bucks & long term deals until they better establish themselves.
If the current FO sees fit not to pay what they want, I'm good with that. We needed change in Cleveland & we're seeing it. That can't be a real bad thing.
Mike
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maybe as we all have our perspectives. NED has yet to explain his/hers, but i took it as "irrelevant to the Browns future success" as well. i just hate assuming, and often with clarification people find they are in agreement...or they might just be passive aggressive. who knows, people are funny.
we are as deep as i've seen at RB and LB, and added competition everywhere. i just imagine losing Wimbley, Jackson, and a Roth this time last year. there's no way. huge strides since then, but Roth is a nice piece i want to stick around.
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I really want to keep Roth too, but some of these players have to learn that they're in a position (as a waived player last year) where they have to prove for a year or two that they're worth the bigger bucks. I believe Roth WILL prove that & I hope it happens here in Northeast Ohio.
Mike
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MATT WHO????? F THAT BUM.
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yeah o.k. so when you and all of your buddies are sitting around having a couple of brews and talking football and specifically dominate defenses the name MATT ROTH rolls right of your tongue. pleeez! who am i? who the f are you? why don't you learn how to spell before you stomp on my opinion.
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yeah o.k. so when you and all of your buddies are sitting around having a couple of brews and talking football and specifically dominate defenses the name MATT ROTH rolls right of your tongue. pleeez! who am i? who the f are you? why don't you learn how to spell before you stomp on my opinion.
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yeah, sorry. i know everyone must be in line with everyone else on the board or you're not a true fan blah blah blah. listen i know the guy can play but to ask for a trade. my point/opinion: trade him if he demands it. and...........F THAT BUM!!!
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I don't worry about not showing up for voluntary workouts. You can't even call it a holdout.
They start holding out of regular camp, then you need to start to be concerned.
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