The Whining Game

There's a growing trend in the NFL that owners, fans, sportswriters and everyone else is already sick and tired of.

Multi-multi-multi-millionaire athletes whining and complaining for weeks at a time in hopes of getting a new contract worth millions and millions of dollars more.

It's a tired act that has played in front of franchises league wide, and only recently took centerstage here in Chicago.

Brian Urlacher is refusing to attend offseason activities because he is unhappy with his current contract that expires in 2011. Despite the fact his contract - when signed in 2003 - made him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.

Boy, how things change in only five years time. Poor Urlacher can't afford that island off of Australia now that his contract is sooo outdated.

The man who is the face of the franchise is now in jeopardy of becoming public enemy number one in the eyes of Bears faithful.

But aside from the point this man is asking for millions on top of millions while the rest of the nation prepares for the impending, or exisiting depending on who you talk to, recession, he may have a legitimate reason for wanting some more dinero.

In the NFL contracts aren't guaranteed like they are in the NBA and MLB. This means at any point during the life of such a signed and sealed legal document, a NFL team can cut any player at any given time.

So the logic behind this is flawed in favor of the franchise.

Play good and you get your money. Play terrible and you lose your money. Play better than expected, shut up and take what we give you.

It's unfair that players cannot be rewarded with a new contract when they exceed expectations.

How can they be expected to honor their contract at all times when a franchise is allowed to pick and choose when to void it?

The way Urlacher and his cohorts are handling their situations is unfortunate, but truth is, they really have no other options. Until the leagues designs a system that allows players and franchises to renegotiate contracts in certain scenarios, players will be forced to make public spectacles of their demands.

I'm ready for my closeup Mr. Goodell.