Hutch: "You Never Called Me"

by Shrug on Aug 6, 2006 12:43 AM PDT

Are you kidding me?

FOX Sports blogger John Czarnecki reports that Steve Hutchinson harbors resentment against Seahawks management for not being more aggressive to keep him before the 2005 season started.

I don't know the whole context of the quotes, but this is Hutchinson's line of complaint. Tell me what's wrong with this picture.

"I could never understand what their management was thinking. They told me after the 2004 season that they planned to get working on my contract and then never contacted Tom Condon (his agent) until last summer. We told them then that I didn't want to deal with any contract stuff during the season. It never got done, then, either... They kept telling how important I was and how good I was and I thought I took care on my side...I worked hard, played hurt and tried to be a positive influence in the locker room..."

Hutchinson believes that the competitive nature of Seattle's lead negotiator, Mike Reinfeldt, and Condon got the best of them. "They played against each other in the old days and I really think Rino didn't want to get beat by Tom. Tom is always getting great deals for his guys and I don't think Rino wanted to be the next guy getting beat."

Say, Hutch, can you recommend a good restaurant over there in Area 51?

Sando's got some good points about the Hutchinson fiasco: The Seahawks probably underestimated his leverage because of his particular position, and didn't think anyone would match their offer. Minnesota did. Sure, the way they did, with some ticky-tack poison pill clauses, probably violates the spirit of good faith competition and bargaining -- but it's legal. And the Seahawks retaliated.

What bothers me is that Hutchinson seems to imply that he was undervalued, that all the hosannahs from management were just small talk. As I remember the 2005 season playing out, Hutchinson and Jones got a lot of love from the team, fans and press -- moreso than any other offensive linemen I can recall, from any team.

If they tried to get the deal done in "summer of 2005," why didn't he let his management sort out the contract in training camp? Because of his "policy" to not let it interfere with his "season"? That doesn't seem reasonable to me. If it gets done in the summer, well before Opening Day, then it's off his mind and back, and he can concentrate on the season if he wants to. You're telling me a July phone call, or even an August phone call, is past your personal deadline? "Sorry, can't talk now, gotta take my first Stairmaster of the preseason -- it's the most important one."

And his conspiracy theory about Reinfeldt holding an old grudge against Condon -- well, that's just kooky. It gets more bizarre when you realize that Condon currently represents Kelly Jennings and Chris Spencer. Where does Jay Mohr figure in all of this?

I'm shaking my head. Consider head shaken. Hutch is a great player, will always be a great player, but he really shouldn't be reading the written works of Terrell Owens for his media relations strategy.

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Comments

Didn't Hutch's agent

basically allow Minnesota to put that poison pill in? I was under the impression that the only way Minnesota signed that deal was if that pill was in the contract.

If Hutch really wanted to stay hear he would have been more involved in his contract situation. Agents have no ties to any team so they will always go for the best deal unless the player tells him to take less to stay.

I can't wait till Minnesota comes to Seattle and everyone boo's his ass.

by Scruffy Lefty on Aug 6, 2006 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

Oh

and I would much rather have Peterson than Hutch

by Scruffy Lefty on Aug 6, 2006 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

n/s

It's just bad form. He got his money. He (or his agent) set a new precedent in contract-writing that's going to piss off NFL fans all over the world until someone puts a stop to it.

So why blame the Seahawks? They called, he didn't answer. The end, welcome to Minnesota.

We'll miss Hutchinson, but I'm very happy we were able to pick up Peterson. And of course Burleson, who I still think is eventually going to prove himself an upgrade from Jurevicius.

--Shrug

by Shrug on Aug 6, 2006 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions