Each time L.J. Smith feels the pain he endured Thursday, when he aggravated the sports hernia that kept him out of much of the offseason camps, he can't help but second-guess his decision to play his contract out.
Smith and the Eagles couldn't come close to agreeing on what he would be worth down the road before the sports hernia. He considers himself a top 10 tight end - at the least. The Eagles obviously thought he should be content to play for the hometown discount.
Subsequently the parties agreed they should let it play it out with Smith becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season except in the unlikely event he's franchised.
For now, Smith has his fingers crossed the groin injury sustained in a non-contact drill won't be damaging to a promising career. The injury isn't concerned season or career-threatening.
If it was me, I'd be telling myself that next time around , take the discount because even a little upfront money is better than none in the most brutal of bottom line businesses.
Then again, maybe if I was 6-3, 255-pounds I'd be more confident of my ability to stay healthy and continue to earn a paycheck.