Aug 30, 2012; Detroit, MN, USA; Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd (31) against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US Presswire
The NFL along with the rest of professional sports is a job where qualified individuals have the chance to do what they love to do and get paid a lot of money. Just like a normal job there are the good days and bad as well as decisions that could alter your life. As many of you have read on this site from other writers the Jairus Byrd situation is not looking good for the future.
The Bills drafted Byrd in the 2nd round in 2009 and has had all good results thus far. His vision and ball skills have developed each year and he has become in many fans eyes a top safety in this league. Byrd is a guy that takes charge in the backfield and does a very good job closing and finishing plays. In his time here Byrd has also made the pro bowl.
When a player shows signs of becoming elite that organization has to think about what is needed to retain that player and build around him. In my eyes Byrd has that potential and has been showing it every year. Earlier this year the Bills slapped Jairus with the franchise tag and ever since it hasn’t been good. He for now is refusing to sign his tender and is rather only looking for a long term deal it seems. Questions for weeks have come up as to how much money he wants and also the term.
After hearing about this weekly and now daily I wonder if Byrd wants to play in Buffalo. His time here has been good stat wise but on the winning side there’s not much to be excited about. Also with this dragging on the Bills did select safeties in the draft and also moved Aaron Williams to the position. These moves are definitely things Byrd doesn’t want to see if he was to sign back here to a multi-year deal.
Now back to being a professional I wish I could ask Jairus some questions as to what he going to do (as would others). As a player in this league the Bills had every right to franchise tag him and retain him for one year unless a deal could be reached. Since that time as we talked about above it hasn’t been good and some think he may holdout. A question I would ask any player playing a professional sport is how could you holdout? I mean you’re getting paid to do something you love to do and in most cases getting compensated very well. Holding out to me is a selfish way to try and get what you want whether it’s a change in teams and/or money. They hold teams in some cases helpless and their forced to meet the demand of the player and move on. This can’t be done in the real world but sports players seem to be able to do it and get what they want in most cases.
So as we wait and see what’s going to happen I hope the outcome is good for the Bills and its fans. I have always been a fan of paying the player the money and retaining good players but when the player doesn’t seem to cooperate it definitely shows the bad side. So in these last days of a possible long term extension I hope the two sides talk and hopefully figure something out whether he stays with the Bills or has plans to move on. Just remember to be professional.