Darius Slay says he will not attend Mandatory Work Outs

[liongeezer]

This is crap, what is Slay thinking?

www.prideofdetroit.com/2019/6/3/18651222/darius-slay-says-hes-skipping-mandatory-minicamp

Is Slay's performance last year (2018) worth more than 12.5 million this year? 

[goldenlions]

He thinks he is worth it, I have a feeling Darius might never be resigned by the Lions. He might be one of those that are not in the Patricia mold, but he is a superior player and you keep guys like that. He might have been pissed that Glover Quin was let go.

I don't expect either him or Snacks to be there and I doubt they will be there for training camp unless they get an extension.

[Funkytown]

Do you guys have the cap room to get deals done? 

[Blaming Brad]

Is that normal to sit out with 2 years left?

[badnews3123]

Jun 4, 2019 9:48:04 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Is that normal to sit out with 2 years left?

Don’t think it’s common, but I’m sure it happens. Think this has a lot to do with potential CBA coming up.

Not that surprised with Slay. Always though the contract Quinn signed him to was one of his best moves since he took over, got great value. I think all his guarantees are paid up and he’s looking for more guaranteed added.

Lions have plenty of room, I think there’s probably something that could be done that would benefit both sides, not sure what will happen though.

[thedane]

Normal for someone who is underpaid. I wouldn't give him a raise but I would put escalators in it. If he makes all pro, games played, etc.

[TRUMP]

Redo them both. Cheaper doing it now than if they have a great season.

[Blaming Brad]

Is Slay really underpaid? He's set to make the most of any CB in 2019. Next year it drops but he's still top 10, which is more in line with where he should be. He's a great player but I wouldn't consider him elite level.

[badnews3123]

Jun 4, 2019 15:21:26 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Is Slay really underpaid? He's set to make the most of any CB in 2019. Next year it drops but he's still top 10, which is more in line with where he should be. He's a great player but I wouldn't consider him elite level.

Cap number isn’t really reflective of where his contract is valued. Lions got him on a great deal. His per year and guarantees I think are both outside the top 10.

And yes prior to last season he’d been an elite level corner for a couple seasons. Even last year he was still very good, playing beat up with no pass rush to help.

[Blaming Brad]

Even if you take out the prorated bonus money for 2019 he's 3rd highest in what he'll actually make. He has a case in 2020, but now is just ridiculous but I guess you can't blame him with the way the league is now.

[badnews3123]

Jun 4, 2019 17:42:31 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Even if you take out the prorated bonus money for 2019 he's 3rd highest in what he'll actually make. He has a case in 2020, but now is just ridiculous but I guess you can't blame him with the way the league is now.

Judging solely by his cap number this year makes no sense. His cap number was 6.1 last season, how high do you think that ranked? His per year is 13th and his guarantees is 10th.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 4, 2019 18:30:33 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

Judging solely by his cap number this year makes no sense.

That wasn't his cap number. $13,050,000 ($12,550,000 base salary + $500,000 roster/workout bonus) is his actual money earned in 2019, which is 3rd. His cap number is $15,934,375, which is #1, but I agree at least from Slay's perspective and what he thinks he's worth it doesn't make sense for him to look at the cap number, but from the team's perspective it certainly does. Slay's deal was heavily backloaded. It was good for the Lions but I'm surprised he agreed to it.

[badnews3123]

Jun 4, 2019 18:45:52 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Jun 4, 2019 18:30:33 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

Judging solely by his cap number this year makes no sense.

That wasn't his cap number. $13,050,000 ($12,550,000 base salary + $500,000 roster/workout bonus) is his actual money earned in 2019, which is 3rd. His cap number is $15,934,375, which is #1, but I agree at least from Slay's perspective and what he thinks he's worth it doesn't make sense for him to look at the cap number, but from the team's perspective it certainly does. Slay's deal was heavily backloaded. It was good for the Lions but I'm surprised he agreed to it.

And none of that money is guaranteed which is what Slay’s issue is.

Judging his contract by his cap number this year which is high, is as illogical as judging it last year when it was low. Slay’s argument would be that he’s outperformed that overall contract and is likely looking for some security with guaranteed money, so that he’s not worried about blowing an Achilles in camp and that money vanishing.

I get where he’s coming from and think there’s likely room for he and the Lions to work it out.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 5, 2019 7:12:20 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

And none of that money is guaranteed which is what Slay’s issue is.

Judging his contract by his cap number this year which is high, is as illogical as judging it last year when it was low. Slay’s argument would be that he’s outperformed that overall contract and is likely looking for some security with guaranteed money, so that he’s not worried about blowing an Achilles in camp and that money vanishing.

I get where he’s coming from and think there’s likely room for he and the Lions to work it out.

Based on this thread and the Calvin thread I guess I just have higher principles than you do. Slay earned $14.5 Million the day he signed that deal. If my math is correct he has earned a total of $26,676,269 on the deal and more than likely will earn at least another $12,550,000 in 2019. This for a guy who, yes, was great for 2 years, but wildly inconsistent and at times a liability last year (though not sure how much of that may have had to do with injury).

If they can figure something out that works for both sides then by all means do it. But you won't see me shed a tear for Slay and the deal he agreed to sign.

[badnews3123]

Didn’t realize you were a man of such high principle. My bad.

I’m not shedding a tear for him, but I fully understand why he’s doing it. I’m also fully aware that his contract is outside of the top 10 in average and guarantee and Slay has been a top 10 CB at worst for the past few years and I’d say a top 5 from ‘15-‘17.

And calling him a liability in any form is nonsense. We’d been spoiled with elite play from him the previous years so when he was good-very good last year despite injuries and no help, people overreact and say silly things like he was a liability.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 5, 2019 14:10:29 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

And calling him a liability in any form is nonsense. We’d been spoiled with elite play from him the previous years so when he was good-very good last year despite injuries and no help, people overreact and say silly things like he was a liability.

I didn't say he was a liability overall, but there were times when he had no business being out there and was hurting the team more than helping (again, probably due to injury).

And I understand why he's doing it as well, just don't agree with it. But I will never fault a man for doing what he has to to get paid if he's not hurting anyone while doing it. So go be you, Darius.

[badnews3123]

I know you didn’t say overall, that’s why I said in any form.

I don’t know what your definition of liability is, but if getting beat at times or having a bad game is being a liability, then find me a CB that wasn’t a “liability” at times. So if that’s your argument, it’s a weird one.

Like I said he had a down year for him. He went from being an elite CB the last 2-3 seasons to a good-very good one.

Still not sure I can name 5-6 CB’s that I’d take over him definitively.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 5, 2019 14:34:00 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

I don’t know what your definition of liability is, but if getting beat at times or having a bad game is being a liability, then find me a CB that wasn’t a “liability” at times. So if that’s your argument, it’s a weird one.

My memory ain't what it used to be, but I remember a few games where overall he was just not good. The first GB game comes to mind where Adams pretty much owned him. Then I think Seattle and Rams were subpar. Again, probably an injury or lack of support. Just don't think a guy coming off a down year that will have earned almost $40M in 4 years with 2 years left in his deal deserves a raise. Let's also not forget Slay probably has 2 more years of playing at a high level before production starts to quickly fall. Seems most of the good CBs start to fall very quickly at age 30. I'm sure he knows that and is a big reason why he's doing it (in addition to the CBA).

[Felix]

Jun 5, 2019 14:10:29 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

And calling him a liability in any form is nonsense. We’d been spoiled with elite play from him the previous years so when he was good-very good last year despite injuries and no help, people overreact and say silly things like he was a liability.

this

[goldenlions]

I wouldn't say he was good-very good last year....2017 yes, but not last year. He was pretty average.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 5, 2019 22:31:26 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

I wouldn't say he was good-very good last year....2017 yes, but not last year. He was pretty average.

It depends how you look at it. There were flashes of 2017 but he was very inconsistent and seemed to get burned a lot and as I've mentioned multiple times I think he was playing hurt at times.

[liongeezer]

Jun 5, 2019 14:23:30 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Jun 5, 2019 14:10:29 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

And calling him a liability in any form is nonsense. We’d been spoiled with elite play from him the previous years so when he was good-very good last year despite injuries and no help, people overreact and say silly things like he was a liability.

I didn't say he was a liability overall, but there were times when he had no business being out there and was hurting the team more than helping (again, probably due to injury).

And I understand why he's doing it as well, just don't agree with it. But I will never fault a man for doing what he has to to get paid if he's not hurting anyone while doing it. So go be you, Darius.

Actually Slay was asked to play more box and slot corner in 2018, where he performed very poorly due to the fact he had not played the position much during his career (College and NFL).  This article by PFF explains that Slay was his old self when playing outside, but when moved inside had some really bad days.

www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-darius-slays-career-excellence-should-warrant-heavy-praise-not-a-new-contract-yet

I quote..."What kept Slay from breaching the top-10 in coverage grade and ranking even higher in PFF’s advanced metrics was increased usage away from outside cornerback. He played 200 snaps split between slot cornerback and box defender, nearly 100 more than any other year of his career – and the results weren’t great."

"Slay earned just a 46.0 coverage grade across his 106 coverage snaps away from outside cornerback, allowing receptions on 10-of-18 targets for 125 yards, four first downs and three touchdowns."

P.S. Might be time to trade him to a team asking him to play outside only.  I think a 2nd rounder would do nicely.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 6, 2019 1:05:32 GMT -6 liongeezer said:

Actually Slay was asked to play more box and slot corner in 2018, where he performed very poorly due to the fact he had not played the position much during his career (College and NFL).  This article by PFF explains that Slay was his old self when playing outside, but when moved inside had some really bad days.

www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-darius-slays-career-excellence-should-warrant-heavy-praise-not-a-new-contract-yet

I quote..."What kept Slay from breaching the top-10 in coverage grade and ranking even higher in PFF’s advanced metrics was increased usage away from outside cornerback. He played 200 snaps split between slot cornerback and box defender, nearly 100 more than any other year of his career – and the results weren’t great."

"Slay earned just a 46.0 coverage grade across his 106 coverage snaps away from outside cornerback, allowing receptions on 10-of-18 targets for 125 yards, four first downs and three touchdowns."

P.S. Might be time to trade him to a team asking him to play outside only.  I think a 2nd rounder would do nicely.

Good stuff Geezer.

[badnews3123]

“P.S. Might be time to trade him to a team asking him to play outside only. I think a 2nd rounder would do nicely”

Or sign one of the best slot CB’s in the league in free agency.

[Blaming Brad]

Jun 6, 2019 10:29:03 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

Or sign one of the best slot CB’s in the league in free agency.

Yeah that's what I was thinking when reading Geezer's post.