Mike Brown's Refusal to Deal Carson Palmer and the NFL's 7 Most Hollow Promises

There are no guarantees in the NFL.

Just ask Mike Brown. All off-season he refused to trade Carson Palmer to another team but today decided to trade the quarterback to the Raiders for two first-round draft picks. 

In this league, there is no moral code or code of chivalry, and coaches and players alike often make promises that don't come to fruition.

These same people throw around guarantees like middle schoolers that tell each other, "I love you." 

Here are seven entities with ties to the NFL that made hollow promises they could not keep.

Nick Saban

Dear "Saint" Nick Saban: We all remember when you were affiliated with the Miami Dolphins and speculation began arising about you taking the coaching job with Alabama.  

Saban continuously denied these rumors all season. That is, until he took it.  

Last year in an interview Saban admitted that he did not leave Miami in the best manner, but it doesn't seem like he's regretting his choice that much.

It's hard to trust Saban's words after this fiasco. 

Bobby Petrino

Yet another NFL-to-SEC conversion,  Bobby Petrino went back and forth between in the NFL and college coaching. In January 2007 he took the head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, but resigned in December of 2007 to coach at the University of Arkansas. 

Petrino gave off the impression that he was committed to the Falcons organization and had them moving in the right direction.

However, he must not have been that committed to the team

Albert Haynesworth

Albert Haynesworth really pulled one over on the Redskins.  

He signed a 7-year, $100 million contract in 2009 because he thought the fan base in Washington was better than what he had in Tennessee.  

And the $41 million signing bonus wasn't too shabby, either.

Haynesworth caused trouble and was continuously penalized for his behavior on and off the field. He was suspended late in the 2010 season by the Redskins organization and then traded to the New England Patriots in 2011. 

Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan has been guaranteeing Jets fans everywhere that they will win a Super Bowl since he joined the organization in 2009. 

He did get his team close, reaching back-to-back AFC Championship games.

Still no ring yet, and it's not looking like the Jets are going to take the crown this year either.  

Maybe if Ryan stopped guaranteeing a Super Bowl and spent more time game-planning and watching film with his team it would happen.

Ryan needs to put his money where his mouth is.

Matt Hasselbeck

In the 2004 playoffs, Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks took on the Green Bay Packers. Both teams were playing great football and momentum seemed to be on Seattle's side.

Right after the coin toss, Hasselbeck said, "We want the ball, and we're going to score."

Unfortunately, they didn't score a touchdown until the third quarter, and Hasselbeck later threw an interception that later cost his team the game, and a chance at a Super Bowl ring. 

Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco has never been one to keep his mouth shut.

In 2002, the Bengals started off 0-7, to which he said, "Next week, I assure you a win.  I guarantee you we will win."

He was right about one thing, they beat the lackluster Houston Texans the following week. However, the Bengals went on a 6-game losing streak after the win over the Texans. And the season was a wash for them.

Good job, Chad. 

Jon Kitna

The 2006 season was a huge disappointment for the Detroit Lions. But they still couldn't keep their mouths shut. 

After going 3-13 that season, Jon Kitna promised they would win at least 10 games in 2007, only to finish the year at 7-9. Close enough, right?

Here's some advice: If you're in the NFL, don't guarantee anything. Let your play on the field back it up.