Contractual follies

 Decisions come hard sometimes in life, and I'm not talking about deciding between the cruller and the cream-filled. I'm talking about deciding between Yakety Sax and Sad Trombone as background music.

One or both would work right now for the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray, who pratfalled their way into a carnival act of their own making this week.

I'm referring, of course, to the bizarre clause in Murray's new contract that stipulated he must spend a certain number of hours doing film study. Oh, and put down the phone/video games. Oh, and do your homework, young man, or there'll be no dessert for you! Those who are late do not get fruit cup!*

(* - Gratuitous Mel Brooks movie reference. See: "High Anxiety")

Hard to say what anyone was thinking here. The Cardinals, at the same time they were handing Murray a wad of cash, seemed to be saying "We'll pay you, but you don't work hard enough." Murray compounded matters by calling a bewildering impromptu presser in which he recited his athletic accomplishments. And who knows what Murray's agent was thinking?

Other than "Why won't Kyler return my phone calls anymore?", that is.

Certainly Murray should be rethinking his representation at the very least, because how could any agent looking out for the best interests of his client agree to this deal? And why would the Cardinals insert such a clause, anyway? Did they not realize it would open a can of worms that would be impossible to re-seal, and sour their relationship with the team's most valuable asset?

The clause was hurriedly removed once it blew up into a national story, but the damage is done. Being a high-profile quarterback in the NFL comes with pressure enough without every single gaffe being scrutinized to death, and that's what the Cardinals have sentenced Murray to. 

Every time he throws a pick this season, people will wonder if he slacked off on his film study that week. Every bad read, every less-than-stellar day, every underthrow to an open receiver ...

"Welp, looks like Kyler didn't do his homework again," folks will say, shaking their heads sadly.

Thing is, maybe he did. And maybe he does. Or maybe this is a matter between Murray and the coaching staff that should have been kept in-house.

What you say here, what you see here, what you do here, let it stay here when you leave here. Remember that one?

Now here comes Cardinal management itself breaking that, um, cardinal rule. And publicly embarrassing its star. 

Hmm. Maybe Yakety Sax AND Sad Trombone?