Matt Birk Ultimatum

[Diomedes]

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Despite pain that he has termed "excruciating," and the need for a fifth surgery in little more than a year to address chronic abdominal and hip injuries, Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk is willing to try to play the 2005 season with the aid of painkillers

But only if the Vikings grant the four-time Pro Bowl performer guarantees that he will be a part of the organization's plans beyond this year.

"The ball is essentially in the Vikings' court now," agent Joe Linta said Wednesday, as his client considered whether to play in 2005 or undergo hip surgery that would likely sideline him for the entire season. "They know what Matt has done for the team and what he is willing to do. But it's time to make a decision. Their people are saying Matt has options. But the option is theirs to make now. It's their call."

Linta has proposed the Vikings essentially guarantee Birk's 2006 salary of $3.94 million, perhaps by signing him to a contract extension which includes a signing bonus commensurate to that amount. Birk is currently under contract through 2008, and is due total base salaries of $17.14 million for that period, although that is not guaranteed.
....

"He's taken a lot of bullets for this team and always felt it was his responsibility to get back on the field as quickly as he could," Linta said. "But at some point, there's a responsibility to yourself and your family, to your future in and out of the game. I mean, you've got to ask yourself: 'When is it enough?' If he's going to take a risk, playing on a hip he probably shouldn't be playing on, the team should somehow share in that risk."

more at link, story by Fat Len.

[rjs246]

I don't think the Vikes are better without him, but to bow to the 'ultimatum' of a very unhealthy player would be foolish.

[Zanshin]

I think it's a good call on his part.  His play might slip, and if it does, they wouldn't hesitate to cut him.  If they guarantee that money, he can suck it up and give it his best shot, have the surgery later and not have to worry about getting cut because he played hurt.  At least this way it gives the Vikes some options.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't think there's a question of what the right thing to do for both parties is.

Birk should take care of his health, and sit out the season.

[MadMarchHare]

A center with a bad back and hips is an ineffective center.  It benefits neither party for him to play in that state.
Bowing to ultimatums is always a bad idea, too.

[Diomedes]

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He's gonna have the surgery.

MINNEAPOLIS - Matt Birk was willing to trade a risk for a risk. He would try to play with "excruciating" pain in his hip this season if the Minnesota Vikings guaranteed he'd be paid next year.

The Vikings declined the unique request, so the four-time Pro Bowl center will undergo his fifth surgery in a little more than a year and could miss three months.


Birk's agent, Joe Linta, said his client will have the surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip.


Birk had been cleared to play with painkilling injections, but asked the Vikings to guarantee his nearly $4 million salary for 2006 in exchange for him chancing long-term damage to his body and his career by playing through it.

more at link