Will Christian Gonzalez Play In Seattle?

By Steve Atkinson 

We’re days away from the season opener, and Christian Gonzalez still doesn’t have a long-term contract with the Patriots. Coach Flight appeared on Felger and Mazz and said the language in the contract was “kinda trash” in response to Kraft’s comments at the start of training camp. You see all these other players getting contracts, but Gonzalez hasn’t. Seattle just paid their guys and is ready to go Wednesday night, but Christian Gonzalez might fake an injury if he doesn’t get a contract soon.

Christian Gonzalez’s contract is Trash

Thursday, he was asked about his playing status for Wednesday, and instead of saying I’ll be ready to go he said

“I’m focused on today.”

It sounds to me like he’s planning to hold out or fake an injury. If he plays on Wednesday without contact, he’ll only be at about 50 percent, and the Patriots’ secondary will be in trouble. So, if they want Gonzalez to be 100 percent for Wednesday, they’d better get a deal done before then because there won’t be any discussions during the season. You can count on a trade happening next off-season if no deal is made by Wednesday.

Doesn’t sound like Christian Gonzalez Will Play Wednesday

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said this about the discussions between the Patriots and Gonzalez.

My understanding of this situation is that if Gonzalez were to sign a market-setting deal — and it will need to be just that — then it has to be buttoned up. And the sides are not close on several elements of the deal,

Boston 25 asked Christian Gonzalez about the Seattle Seahawks; this was his answer.

That’s a great team, a great organization,” Gonzalez said. ”They built pieces, they kept their team, and did what they’ve done. I respect the organization and their players, and we look forward to it.”

They built pieces like getting players in the draft. They kept those players when it came time to sign them, unlike this organization, which is engaging in questionable practices and issuing its trash-incentive contracts. Gonzalez wants to be the highest-paid, guaranteed, not incentive-based money, and he feels he’s already proven himself.

Here was Vrabel on the chance Gonzalez may not play without a new contract

As the head coach, I expect every player that is healthy and under contract to practice and to play,” Vrabel said. “Again, that may change based on my conversations with different players and the plan that they have each and every day when you talk about practice or what the plan maybe for the football game. So that goes with this situation and anybody else who would fall underneath that, that is what our expectation is.”

Do I believe that Christian Gonzalez held out of joint practice? Yes, I don’t believe the injury was real, and all of a sudden he was good to go after the joint practices and games were over. He’s not giving 100 percent if he doesn’t get new contract. These guys just wanna be the highest paid; that’s it. Winning comes second. It’s all about who makes the most give me my money holding up the money sign.

On the other hand, the Krafts offer incentive contracts rather than guaranteed ones.  They’ve been doing that for years. It was just hidden behind Tom Brady, who won six Super Bowls left and won another in Tampa. Can’t hide behind Brady anymore.