
Apr. 28, 2009 (Star Tribune delivered by Newstex ) --
The case of?Leroy Hill and the Seahawks is another example of a proven veteran?getting a raw deal in?favor of an unproven rookie.
Seattle slapped the franchise tag on Hill back in February. Hill didnt sign the deal, but, naturally,?no teams pursured him in free agency because?the cost of two first-round draft picks was too high.
Seattle then drafts linebacker Aaron Curry No. 4 overall. Suddenly, with Curry?on the roster at the same position Hill?plays,?the? Seahawks ?remove the franchise tag on Hill.
By now,?every team in the league has come fairly close to filling all of the holes on their rosters. So there?arent as many teams that?need?Hill.
Curry is a top rookie draft pick. He doesnt have to do anything but sit there and wait to be slotted into?his rookie salary. The going rate for a No. 4 pick?is about $25 million guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Hill has little choice but to negotiate a long-term?deal with the Seahawks .
Yeah, one can argue that Hill made his own bed because he refused to sign?the $8 million?franchise tender and turned down a six-year, $36 million offer.
But?as a?proven veteran,?doesnt he?deserve better treatment and more money than a college kid whose only NFL experience is walking on the stage and shaking the?Commishs hand???
Newstex ID: MS-3278-34491190