The sudden release of Jeremiah Trotter from the Philadelphia Eagles roster this past Tuesday was not only meant to be a message sent to the team but a statement meant to be targeted to every player in the league.  Its message: THE NFL VALUES YOUTH MUCH MORE THAN EXPERIENCE. 

Clearly this is an obvious statement that is not a secret among players and fans. However, I believe the manner in which Trotter was released was meant to be a statement more than a mere personnel move.

First, Trotter was released 1 week before the first set of preseason roster cuts.. This sent a clear message that the Eagles were not willing to go one more preseason game, let a lone another practice with having the possibility of getting Trotter hurt and placed on the Injured Reserve. The organization truly believed that Trotter is a greater liability to their bottom line than any other player on the roster.

Second, the Eagles are packed with “seasoned” veterans in key skill positions. Having Donavon McNabb, Brian Dawkins , Jevon Kearse, Jon Runyan, William Thomas and Takeo Spikes well into their primes, the clock is ticking how much longer the organization can be willing to continue to pay or wait until these players produce nothing less than a Super Bowl victory . By releasing Trotter, who is a great friend among most of these veterans and relied upon as a leader among the team, the Eagles sent a message to the rest of the veterans that they need to start producing or they may be next to be released.

Finally, Trotter will be replaced by an unproven, young and unknown talent at middle linebacker. You would think the Eagles would have made some off season moves in preparation for Trotters release, or perhaps they are banking on a release of a proven veteran from another team during the next couple of weeks. However, to say that they believe that Omar Gaither will do as well or better than Trotter is a complete fallacy. Clearly Gaither does not possess anywhere the leadership or the physicality that Trotter possessed, so why did the Eagles do what they did? Because the league values youth and fresh legs rather than leadership and wisdom.

The recent holdout by the Michael Strahan saga had seemingly started out to be the usual “am I too old or can I play” dilemma that all future hall of fame NFL players face at the conclusion of their careers. However, if you look at what has happened since the conclusion of the 2006 season and the comments that Strahan has made recently, I think it is overwhelmingly more about Michael trying to get more money than an athlete struggling with a difficult decision.                        

First of all it is common knowledge that Michael and his agent have tried to renegotiate an extension to his existing contract at the beginning of the year. However, according to many sources including NFL.com, the negotiations never amounted to anything significant or serious. 

Second, Strahan and his former wife finalized their divorce this summer with the Jude awarding her over $15 million in alimony. Half of which had to be paid now and the other half is in a temporary stay until a jury determines if the amount was too much.

And finally, why I believe this whole fiasco is about Michael trying to get more money than his dilemma in retiring is the fact that Michael had 7 and half months to think about this decision. If this issue was in no way about money he would have made a decision at the conclusion of last season and he would have committed himself 100% to that decision. (Take Bret Favre and Tiki Barber as prime examples). However, in Strahans case he is at the end of his existing contract and it would be financially beneficial if he could negotiate a new contract, get a signing bonus and then retire after 1 or 2 years within the contract. Unfortunately for him, management new he was washed up and he is not near the worth the player he thinks he is.

For that reason, Michael can only now whine and complain how he is being treated unfairly through his “decision making” process and how he is not getting the proper respect the single season sack leader deserves. He is only making himself look more like a fool than the great player and person he is.