Just say 'NO' to Julio
ATLANTA - Sorry, Julio...but the Falcons did the right thing. And kudos to the team for not knuckling under, which would have set a dangerous precedent by renegotiating a contract that still has three years remaining on it.
In fact, a FOX 5 Sports source has confirmed for us that today's "breaking news" is not breaking news at all. The Falcons position all along was that they would not renegotiate Julio's current contract which is valued at $71.5 million with $47 of it guaranteed. They reportedly told him this weeks ago.
Does Julio deserve to be the highest paid receiver in the NFL? Yes. No. Maybe. But timing is a fickle thing. Sometimes it works in your favor, other times -like now- it did not.
RELATED: Sources say Falcons tell Julio no renegotiation
The Falcons just can't do it. They have the contracts of Grady Jarrett, Jake Matthews and Ricardo Allen expiring next season and need to tend to those. Again, Julio has three years remaining on his contract!
In most labor disputes I almost always fall on the side of the player/employee. But this is a very tough sell for Julio and his agent, Jimmy Sexton. His client will be 32 years old at the end of his current contract. Perhaps he should have negotiated a shorter deal.
I love the fact that Julio is an Atlanta Falcon. I've been a fan since I first saw him playing for the Crimson Tide. But this is a business. A bunch of new off-season contracts around the league dropped him to the highest paid receiver in the league (see timing). Yet he didn't lose anything. He still has a contract that has three years remaining on it. He's just not getting what the other guys are getting --right now. The Falcons have offered to sweeten the current deal next year. But as everyone knows, anything can happen before then. Both sides are taking risks.
For those I have already heard argue that Julio ought to be taken care of just as Matt Ryan was, I say Matt Ryan didn't have THREE YEARS REMAINING ON HIS CONTRACT! Furthermore, Ryan touches the ball on every single play. Julio does not.
Are the Falcons better with Julio? Absolutely! Yes, he has made some spectacular plays and catches over the years, but he has also made some painful drops --just saying.
So, the next chapter of this drama begins next week when the Falcons open training camp. Will Julio be there? And if he is, What kind of mental and emotional state will he be in? He fancies himself a professional man and that quality will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
Tell KROD your opinion. Leave a comment on his Facebook page a facebook.com/KenRodriguezFOX5. And while you're there, make sure to LIKE his page!