Two-Faced and other Freak-show Villains

It's always been interesting to watch the difference in philosophies of playing out the contract for players vs. coaches.

If a player wants to move on or holds out or asks for a raise, the lynch mobs light the torches and sharpen the pitchforks. Cries of "Traitor!" and "Greedy Bastard!" ring out through the night.

If a coach does the same thing, this is accepted as an everyday affair -- even by the employers! The craziest part of this is the tolerance by the franchises themselves.

Coaches' contracts are guaranteed in every major sports league. Yes, there are buyout clauses, but usually these are negotiated away or the hiring team pays. This only adds to the insanity of expecting coaches to move for the better offer.

Perhaps we don't have the same emotional investment in a coach as we do in star players. Perhaps we compare them to our own employment. This comparison is grossly unfair. Most of us don't have guaranteed contracts with buyout clauses. Most of us aren't guaranteed millions in severance if we get fired.

At least in the NFL, the players don't have these guarantees either. College players aren't even making anything (theoretically). These players are the ones we should wish well with their futures. Their careers are a short flash in the pan with no guarantees. Yes, they can make millions. They can also get injured and have to leave the job they love.

Coaches don't put this much near as much on the line every day. Why should we be giving them the benefit of the doubt more than the players who do?