Dirtiest Players In the Game - Part III

As most of you know, local boy Ron Dayne (aka the NCAA All Time leading rusher and Heisman Trophy winner) was in last Thursday for a free agent visit with the Birds. Also, as you already know, Dayne was not signed by the Birds as they decided to re-sign Buck and his string cheese knee ligaments. However, what most of you don't know is how badly the Birds used Dayne to get Buck to re-sign.

Here's the story I have received from "The Wife" who works with one of Dayne's family members. At the end of Thursday's visit, which by their accounts went very well, Ron was under the impression that a contract agreement had been reached with the Birds. He even showed up to the Nova Care Complex on Friday thinking that the remaining details would be finalized and the contract announced. When he arrived, he was told to go home as the Birds' plans had changed.

Undoubtedly, Banner and the Boys called Buck Thursday evening and told him if he didn't sign on the dotted line right there and then, Dayne would be signed and Buck would be left out in the cold. Realizing there isn't a market for guys with three season ending knee injuries in their career, Buck quickly signed a two year deal to avoid the unemployment line. Much to his chagrin, Ron Dayne, like Jeff Garcia and Donte Stallworth before him, was just a pawn in Joe Banner's evil, manipulative plan.

Whether Ron Dayne is the best big back option for this team is another topic altogether. (I happen to believe he is a more dependable option as compared to Buck.) In any event, quite naturally, Ron Dayne was left hurt and feeling used and abused. Who can blame him? He's just another victim of the dirtiest players in the game.