The Brewster

Editor's Note: "Deadman Talking" features the unexpurgated views
of former Jackrabbit Les Deadman. You'll hear from Les every couple of weeks in this space!

Edmonton - April 14, 2048:

Dear Mr. Steven "Scooter" Collins III:

We loved you.

You were the face of the franchise, the most popular Jackrabbit ever, and just three seasons ago, you carried the team to the glories of a championship.

And on May 2, 2044, you willingly signed a five-year contract extension that you would have kept you in Edmonton yellow through 2049. It was worth nearly $73 million dollars, average about $14.4 million a year.

Buried in the fine print: an escape clause, an option to get out of the deal and test free agency after the 2047 season. An option you chose, just a few months ago, to exercise. And in doing so you showed your true nature: not a Jackrabbit for life, but a greedy bastard.

A mercenary.

You thumbed your nose at those of us who showered you in adulation, and walked away.

And let's take a look at where that got you: now two full weeks into the regular season, you have no team.

You went from a guaranteed income of $14 million dollars this year to zero.

You went from a starting job in the major leagues to sitting on your couch waiting for the phone to ring.

You went from the adulation of fans to being forever demonized in the annals of Edmonton sports.

And now, you're begging:



Deep down I hope your decision to exercise that player option wasn't your idea. I hope it was your agent's. And I hope you are now looking for a new agent.

But I suspect it was you -- I suspect you were that prototype of the modern day ballplayer -- concerned only about themselves, and their wallets.

You've lost our love, Mr. Steven Collins III. Scooter.

You've lost our adulation.

And you've lost the chance to be forever enshrined as one of the greatest athletes to ever play a professional sport in Edmonton.

Strong.

Dang. He's dead to Deadman.

Runor has it that the Talons have offered him a minor league contract.

Can't believe he's still around for that price.

Insiders are saying the price has gone back up significantly over the last week.

recte44 wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:16 pm

Insiders are saying the price has gone back up significantly over the last week.

When FA started he wanted multiple years and double digit millions guaranteed. Prior to the past sim he had said he'd take 1/yr at $7M. Now he's asking (at least to me) for 1/yr at $11M, which still is less than if he had just not done the player option.

That's a bold strategy Cotton. Let's see how it works out for them.