More Ospreys Sign New Contracts

Ospreys

Two more Ospreys have signed new contracts, taking the number that has recommitted themselves to the Ospreys this year up to 14.  Andrew Phillips has signed a new 4 year contract, as has Cai Griffiths.  This means that the players who have signed new contracts this season are:

• Gavin Henson
• Jonathan Thomas
• Shane Williams
• Lee Byrne
• Huw Bennett
• Cai Griffiths
• Andrew Phillips
• Paul James
• Ben Lewis
• Ed Shervington
• Leigh Bevan
• Gareth Owen
• Rhys Webb
• Filo Tiatia

While it is good that the Ospreys are looking towards the future, is it good to have so many players on long term contracts?  I suppose it isn’t such an issue as it would be if they played in a league where they could get relegated and lose out on a lot of money (such as Leeds did this year), but it still seems quite risky to me.  Handing out 4 year contracts like they grow on trees seems a bit at odds with the ways that sports work.

Plus, it has to be said that I wouldn’t give Gavin Henson a new contract if he paid me for it - I think he is rather overrated, and hasn’t been anywhere near as good as he once was for many years (pretty much since he released his autobiography…)

js @ August 29, 2008