Right Spin on a Wrong Move

Veterans Thurman Thomas and Junior Seau proved last week that they have mastered the art of being their own spin doctors.

When both skipped the start of their minicamps last week, it was assumed they were unhappy--Thomas because he feels he’s being phased out by the Buffalo Bills and Seau because the six-year, $27 million deal he signed last year with the San Diego Chargers is already obsolete.

Although both made their points by being no-shows, they were savvy enough not to whine in public. They both said they were simply being good family men. How clever.

Thomas said he was late because he was coaching his daughter’s team in a softball tournament.

“All the media and all the fans always talk about being role models,” Thomas said. “You try telling 15 girls that are 8 and 7 years old that I’m not going to be their coach. That’s hard to do.”

Explaining why he showed up after missing four days, Thomas said, “Once I do something wrong, it goes on for two or three weeks. I just decided to come in here and clear the air.”

Coach Wade Phillips promptly stroked Thomas’ ego, which is probably what he wanted.

“Some things never change. The Buffalo Bills aren’t going to win without Thurman Thomas,” Phillips said.

Meanwhile, Seau issued a press release saying he was late because he was on a family vacation.

Noting it was a “voluntary” camp, he said in the statement, “Due to a rigorous travel schedule, I will be away from home for most of the month of June. This is my only opportunity to enjoy a short family vacation.”

Meanwhile, Coach Kevin Gilbride said he was “shocked” at Seau’s absence and General Manager Bobby Beathard called him “selfish.”

So when Seau did show up, he did more spin doctoring. He again said he wasn’t unhappy about his contract and said he’ll make up with Beathard and Gilbride.

Seau, who often calls his teammates, “my players,” said, “I love Bobby. Bobby and I, we’re boyfriend-girlfriend. That’s my girlfriend and I’ll apologize to her and we’ll get back together. It’s quite all right. My head coach? That’s my other girlfriend. They get kind of temperamental, you know? ... We’ll come to a point where we understand each other.”

For Gilbride, that won’t be easy.

“I don’t even understand that, much less be able to answer it,” he said. “Sometimes when you don’t have a lot to say, you say some things that don’t make a lot of sense.”

Gilbride repeated a “leader” like Seau should show up for “voluntary” workouts.

“You know, when you’re 4-12, you’re got to be here. You’ve got to be willing to pay the price,” he said.

Seau showed he prefers to be a spin doctor.