DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Matt Roth wants traded

Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert says Browns won't trade LB Matt Roth
By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
May 17, 2010, 11:37PM

UPDATED: 9:33 p.m.

Cleveland Browns introduce new leadersGus Chan / The Plain DealerBrowns GM Tom Heckert downplayed Monday's publicized trade demand from linebacker Matt Roth. "It's not going to happen," Heckert said. "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.’"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."

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If you take him at face value, doesn't sound like he's too worried about the RFA's..

Hell, if he's not worried, why should I...

I saw on www.KFFL.com that Andre Johnson isn't attending the Texans' workouts because he's unhappy with his contract situation. So, that must mean he's not going to be in Houston this coming year, right?

Also, while I like Phil Dawson, I am getting bored with his sitting out every single year. I mean, does anyone really expect him not to play for the Browns this year?

Do it once or twice, you send a message. Do it every year, and people just ignore you.

Quote:

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Do it once or twice, you send a message. Do it every year, and people just ignore you.

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If memory serves me correctly, this year and last year were the ONLY two times he's done it... So,, according to you,, he's sending a message

lol, maybe I need more coffee in the morning.

But I swear he's missed more than just this year and last year.

*Edit* You might be right, Daman. However, I know he's been asking for a new deal for a few years, at least back to 2008.

Hmm, I can only remember for sure that he wanted a new deal recently,, now,, going back about 4 or 5 years, he was wanting a new contract...

But I could be totally off,, didn't commit that stuff to memory...

Six months after Roth essentially forced his way out of Miami and the Browns claimed him off waivers, Roth asked Cleveland to trade him Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The unsigned restricted free agent wants a multi-year contract extension, and the two sides aren't close to reaching one. Roth had four sacks in six starts in Cleveland last year. He's expected to start this season.




o.k...I'm still in a foul mood about the Cavs debacle..so let me say this..get your butt into camp..U are no top FA ..U've been a slight blip on anyones radar..U came in for 4 or more games and because the Browns had no one better ,U think you're that good now??
GMAB..TRADE U ???
For what?????? Some food stamps?Federal ASSistance???
I'd cut you...

"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..he's saying he wants to go get a pizza and deal with your lame request after he burps.

Yup,, that about sums it up.,.,

Quote:

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]GMAB..TRADE U ???
For what?????? Some food stamps?Federal ASSistance???
I'd cut you...

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I dunno, after his performance for us last year, I bet we could get at least a 5th for him.

But you're exactly right, there's no way we could get compensation for the value he brings to us this season.

I just hope this doesn't go gray mid-season when he continues to play well, and we offer him a multi-year contract and then Matt Roth is like, well...........8 weeks waiting and I can see who bids the highest one me, be it the Browns, I'll stay in Cleveland.

But I hope that we make it very clear we're interested in offering him a contract, and to enjoy a 2 mil dollar salary in the mean time. I mean, it isn't that bad of a deal, he probably is getting a pay raise off the rookie contract miami gave him. (late 1st or 2nd round?)

Anyway, I like the guy a lot as a player, but as I said, MIA cut him........... why would they cut a starter quality guy in the peak of his career (27 entering 7th season?)


I just hope Roth has a good year here and we extend this contract of his. If he plays like he did last year, he'll be worth it. He's good against the run, and he has this tough guy style to his play. He's aggressive and tough, and I think Chris Cocong might do pleasently well and be successful with Roth. Competeing with Cocong is Benard and Bowens/Trusnik/whoever.

I'd love to see Benard play well for us this coming season. He did well last year in his two or three games. I always thought he was a 2 year guy who didn't have any experience that was cut and we picked up, I didn't know he was an UDFA rookie we originally signed in the first place last season.

Anyway, IMO I hope we don't ... Matt Roth off, he might be someone we want in the future. But I agree, he doesn't really have leverage (other than he can enjoy his 1.8 next year and plan on going to a different team)

Even espn agrees....

Quote:

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Player News (last updated: May 17, 2010)
News: In response to not receiving a long-term contract from Cleveland, Roth has demanded a trade, Adam Schefter reports.
Spin: This is ridiculous. Roth played in just six games for Cleveland, and his delusions of grandeur have left him with the idea that he's a player in demand. When you total 16.5 sacks in five seasons, you should just be grateful for a chance to start.

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From www.espn.com

Here's the kicker....if it does end up signing the 1-year tender he HAS to go out an play his butt off to earn a multi-year deal from another team (or us) at the end of the season when he can become an URFA. If he plays with bad contract mojo on his mind, nobody will offer him above the minimum. So, we truly own every card in the deck with this guy. He's holding the hand rankings card and a joker. He's got NOTHING.

And like was already said, if he holds out.....we still own his rights. He's stuck and his agent knows it. No other team called before the draft and no team will call now.

Asking for a trade means nothing. Heck, Lance Briggs said over and over again he would NEVER play for the Bears again. He promised that to everyone. Well, 4-5 weeks later....he signs an extension, with the Bears.

As far as Dawson goes, isn't he about done anyway? He's not that young. I know kickers can keep going but with his injury-plagued last season, a new regime running the show, and recent attitude with wanting an extension...I could easily see him gone after this season.

Now, people getting angry at Roth need to look at the rules and realize it's just a game.
The only game I'm pissed at is the Cavs..thus any BS I see from anywhere is going to get me riled up and I'm ready to explode..and this is BS..

If I had to guess I'd say he's also using it to get himself a little more rest since he's 35 years old and probably doesn't feel as good as he used to.