Mangold Sets Example Revis Should Follow

Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis, both New York Jets standouts are hoping for a better payday before the season kicks off. They are both in contract disputes with the organization.

 Mangold, an All Pro center is in the final year of his contract before he becomes a restricted free agent in 2011. He is due to make $3.3 million this season. Revis is widely considered the best cornerback in the NFL and wants to be paid accordingly. Revis has two years remaining on his contract and is scheduled to make $1 million this season.

 Both players do deserve to be paid more than what their current contracts bestow them. They are two of the best at their respective positions and they should subsequently be paid as so.

 While the two have similar beefs, they are going about it in completely different manners.

 The New York Jets opened up training camp without their star CB Darrelle Revis. He has decided to hold out until he becomes the highest paid corner in the NFL. While Revis has decided to holdout, Nick Mangold has decided to do the admirable thing and report to training camp even though he is in search of a new deal.

 “I’m a football player,” said Mangold. “Camp is what you do. You know it’s just one of those things. I decided after thinking about every option to be here and put my best foot forward and try to have a good time up here in beautiful Courtland.”

Revis was notably absent from camp

 That’s exactly how you should handle a situation where you are upset with your contract. Mangold made the decision that he should be in camp and play even if he isn’t completely satisfied with his contract.

 Mangold is doing the right thing by getting prepared for the season with his teammates and letting his agent and the ownership take care of the contract issues.

 Revis is looking for a new deal that would pay him more than the current highest paid cornerback in the NFL, Nnamdi Asomugha who signed a lucrative three-year $45.3 million deal last offseason.

 Ironically, Revis is actually costing himself money while looking for more. He’s being fined a little over $16,000 per day he’s not in camp.

 The Jets have reportedly made three offers to Revis before camp, but they weren’t up to the standards Revis was hoping for; resultantly they were denied.

 Jets head coach, Rex Ryan isn’t helping matters either by saying, “If he signs a contract one day before the first game, Darrelle would be starting. It’s as simple as that. I’d love to get him in here.” It’s really not that simple, Rex. You are just making it easier for Revis to stay at home rather than report to camp.

 So, really, other than being fined every day, Revis isn’t being punished. He knows regardless of when he reports to camp he will be the starting corner. Plus it’s not like $16K per day is that much to a guy hoping to become the highest paid corner in the history of the game.

 Everyone understands that Revis has outplayed his contract and deserves a new one, but he is going about it in a completely reprehensible manner. He’s not helping anything by staying out of camp. He’s not only hurting his own pocket right now, he’s hurting his team overall by not being there with the rest of his comrades.

Mangold is setting a good example

 Nick Mangold is setting the example for his teammate Darrelle Revis by how he is handling his contract situation. Mangold is handling his situation like a man while Revis is handling his like a child.

 If I’m Mike Tannenbaum, then I make it a point to work with Nick Mangold on a new contract before I even discuss a new deal with Darrelle Revis. Let Darrelle sit at home while you reward the player that is doing the right thing. Maybe then, Darrelle will get the message although that is probably being overly optimistic.

 The worst part about it is, Revis is going to be rewarded for sitting at home likely even before Mangold is rewarded for working hard alongside his teammates in camp. There is no justice in that.

 If Revis wants a new deal, then he needs to get his butt into camp and start preparing for the season and follow the example that his teammate has set for him.