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Bengals and Free Agency


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Bengals and Free Agency
 
...Michael Weston, Jason, and Numbers
 
  It’s a bit of Deja vu for the Bengals in free agency.  Just like last year it seems a big decision will need to be made on whether or not to pay talented defensive end Michael Johnson or put money into a starting tackle.  However, there are some major differences this time around.  Gone are offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer, off to head coaching roles in the NFC and potential landing spots for both starters and the rest of the free agent group.  Signed, by a grand total of 96 million, are defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins, a huge investment in the defensive line.  In all, the Bengals will have just 14 free agents (3 restricted) and while the franchise tag was once again in play, it went unused.  The team is saddled with around $29 Million in cap space which is either a great amount or a hindrance dependent on who you talk to.  With a huge contract for AJ Green on the horizon and potential long term deals for other key Bengals being discussed, the number is certainly not static.  The following is a look at each of the pending free agents with a couple of Go-Bengals regulars providing insight into why we should retain the free agents or let them walk.
 
Stats:  Bengals.com
Snaps:  Football Outsiders
Contracts:  Rotoworld and Sporttrac

 
1)  WR Brandon Tate 6-1 195, 26, 5 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 16 games, 0 starts, 1catch-6yards-6.0avg-0tds-2targets; 35kick returns-914 yards-26.1avg-0tds; 36punt returns-336yards-9.3avg-0td
Career STATS: 38catches-649-4tds; 154kick returns-3,870-25.1-2tds; 109punt returns-1070-9.8avg-1td
2013 Salary: 715K
2013 Snap count: 69 Offense, 6.1%; 157 Special Teams, 33.6%
Overview: Tate was the primary kick and punt returner once again in 2013 but saw his role on offense almost entirely disappear.  His offensive snap count dropped from 27% in 2012 to 6% in 2013.  While focusing on special teams he drastically improved his consistency in 2013 when he finished as the 9th best KR in the league and 13th best punt returner.  The questionable decision making that had been his hallmark also diminished.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
JASON: He has reliable hands and his ball security is a positive.  He has the speed to break one occasionally when he gets an opening.  He is learning better to play within the system.  And having one guy who can return kicks and punts gives more flexibility on the roster in other areas.
NUMBERS:  He knows the system and has the flexibility to play multiple positions. 
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  There is a glut of people on the market available for replacing Tate who can probably come in cheaper or at the very least on the same level of pay.
JASON: Make room for Devin Hester.
 
2)  WR Andrew Hawkins 5-7 189, 27, 3 years’ experience RESTRICTED-Tendered
2013 STATS: 8 games, 0 starts; 12catches-199yards-16.6avg-0tds-18targets; 2 carries-3 yards-1.5average-0tds
Career STATS: 86catches-995yards-11.6avg-4tds-132targets
2013 Salary: 555K
2013 Snap count: 118 Offense, 10%; 128 Special Teams, 27%
Overview: Hawkins was rehabbing an injury for the first half of the season and didn’t return to the field until week 9.  In his 8 games he racked up just 12 catches on 18 targets, one year after breaking out with 51 catches and four scores.  Despite the lack of production his electrifying quickness was evident when he did touch the ball, converting 7 first downs on his 12 catches. 
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  Hard to deny that WHEN he is on the field, Hawkins has the capability to make things happen. 
JASON: Hawkins has speed and quickness NO ONE else on this team has.  And he's a terrific gunner on teams.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: He has never played 16 games.  We have several slot players who can be effective and have more size to be an easier pass for Dalton.
NUMBERS:  Injury prone.  This makes a case for not being reliable. 
 
3)  WR Dane Sanzenbacher 5-11 184, 25, 3 years’ experience RESTRICTED-Tendered
2013 STATS: 10 games, 0 starts; 6catches-61yards-10.2avg-0tds-8targets;
Career STATS: 34catches-344yards-10.1avg-3tds-65targets
2013 Salary: 465K
2013 Snap count: 79 Offense, 7%; 36 Special Teams, 7%
Overview: There is a lot to like about Sanzenbacher.  He fits the prototype for an underneath slot player in the league and shows up well when he is counted on.  The problem is that he has been unable to find a consistent role with the team.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
JASON: Dane is a clutch player.  He is reliable and quick enough to be a quality slot receiver in a WCO system.
NUMBERS:  He comes in at veteran minimum.  With time under his belt, he could evolve into a solid player.
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  Gut feeling is that he is not reliable because if he was there would have been more opportunity for him to get on the field.  Even with the injuries, he was not used any more or less than before.  Don't know why but suspect it has something to do with not enough knowledge of routes.  Doesn't mean he can't learn them, just means he didn't in the short time he has been here. 
JASON:  We have a ton of slot receivers as it is.
 
4)  TE Alex Smith, 6-4 250, 31, 9 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 16games, 1 start; 3 catches-12 yards-4.0 avg-1td
Career STATS: 163 catches-1,473yards-9.0avg-13tds
2013 Salary: 905K
2013 Snap count: 251offense, 22%, 272 Special Teams, 58%
Overview: Smith was an adequate third TE for the Bengals in 2013.  His contributions came more on the special teams units than offense as his days of being a solid pass catching threat are likely behind him.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  Sorry.  I can’t give any reason for keeping him. 
JASON: Decent blocker, good veteran presence.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: He does not bring enough play making ability to the offense.  Bring in a true FB, move Orson Charles back to TE and let Alex go.
NUMBERS:  Plenty of free agent TE’s on the market.  More versatility and higher upside. 
 
5)  T Anthony Collins, 6-5 315, 28, 6 years’ experience
Andre Smith, 6-4 335, 25, 4 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 15 games, 7 starts
Career STATS: 59 games, 25 starts
2013 Salary: 1.8 Million
2013 Snap count: 578 Offensive Snaps, 51%; 83 ST Snaps, 17%
Overview: Normally the swing backup at Tackle, Collins was moved into a starting role at LT after an injury to Clint Boling at LG and a shuffling of the line.  He has been noted as a better pass blocker than run blocker in the past but played well overall at the position during his time starting, likely earning a pay raise somewhere.  Collins should have a decent market with a league that is talent starved at LT.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
JASON: He is an exceptional pass blocker.  The light seemed to come on for him and he is learning how to be an NFL tackle with study and not just relying on his talent.
NUMBERS:  Knows our system and is competent in protection.  Will be difficult and disjointed training a replacement in his position.  Not sure any replacement will be up to speed before the regular season starts. 
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  Because there seems to be a premium placed on Offensive lineman, Collins will command a premium on the market.  There are replacements to be had in FA and in the draft that should be able to grow into better lineman than Collins.    
JASON:  Yes, he was very efficient as a pass blocker, but so-so as a run blocker.  This is a deep draft for tackles.  And was he so good late in the year because he was fresh?  Will he be as good playing 16 games?
 
6)  G Mike Pollack, 6-3 300, 29, 6 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 8 games, 5 starts
Career STATS: 67 games, 46 starts
2013 Salary: 715K
2013 Snap count: 366 Offensive Snaps, 32.4%; 38 ST Snaps, 8.1%
Overview: Pollack signed as depth at guard in the offseason and filled in well when the Bengals faced injuries at right guard this season.  The veteran guard ended up adding five starts to his career total of 46.  He provides solid versatility and veteran depth for a team coming off multiple injuries on the line.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  Solid depth at Guard. 
JASON: He played well when he stepped in for Zeitler.  Frankly, I'm hoping he gets a shot to win a starting job at LG or C.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: It is a good draft for guards, and we can get quality depth and youth in the mid rounds of this draft.
NUMBERS:  Could be a good year to draft a Guard but it is also a prime year to take one in the free agency.  KC has two of them due to hit the open market.  One of them will leave. 
 
Edit:  RE-SIGNED 3/6/2014
 
7)  T Dennis Roland, 6-9 315, 30, 6 years’ experience
2012 STATS: 5 games, 0 starts
Career STATS: 71 games, 30 starts
2013 Salary: 715K
2013 Snap count: 23 Offensive Snaps, 2%; 15 ST Snaps, 3.2%
Overview: After five years with the team Roland was released during camp but re-signed for depth on December 3rd after Clint Boling was put on the IR.  Now 30, it wouldn’t be surprising if Roland consistently served as the next guy up, or depth off of the Roster, should the team face injuries again this year.  He knows the system, knows the team and wasn’t a hot commodity when he was released in 2013.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
JASON: He knows the system.  He is a good teammate.  He is a smart, technically solid player and can help any young linemen we draft learn our scheme.
NUMBERS:  Easy to spot from the upper decks of PBS.  Powerful and yes, he knows the system.  I give him the nod at veteran backup. 
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  An unnecessary cog in the machinery that is the Bengals.  Someone or anyone who can play Tackle can replace him. 
JASON: He's ok, but not great.  Again, he could easily be upgraded in a deep tackle draft.
 
8)  P Zoltan Mesko, 6-5 225, 27, 4 years’ experience
2013 STATS (PIT): 7games, 34punts-65long-42.5avg-36.7net avg-3inside20
Career STATS: 209punts-65long-43.9avg-74 inside 20
2013 Salary: 630,000
Overview: Mesko was signed to replace Shawn Powell who was signed when Kevin Huber broke his jaw.  Mesko punted three times in the playoff game but wasn’t special.  Huber is expected to be healthy for training camp.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  One statement.  .  .  “Huber is expected to be healthy for training camp.”
JASON: Insurance in case Huber has a setback.  Vet minimum cutable contract.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: 2 words.  Kevin Huber.
NUMBERS:  2 words.  Easily replaceable. 
 
9)  Michael Johnson, 6-7 270, 27, 5 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 15games, 15starts, 56tackles, 3.5sacks, 1ints 9passes defensed
Career STATS: 79games, 45starts, 202tackles, 26.5sacks, 3ints 25passes defensed
2013 Salary: 11.18Million
2013 Snap count: 906 defensive snaps, 84%, 34 ST Snaps, 7%
Overview: Johnson sacks dropped last season but his production otherwise improved.  His tackle totals increased for the fifth consecutive year, he forced 2 fumbles and most notably knocked down nine passes.  He has rare measurables, and might just be scratching the surface of what he can do.  He’ll get a big payday somewhere.  The Bengals will have to determine how much they can invest in one position group.
 
Why we should re-sign:    
JASON: He is smart.  His motor is better than he was given credit for.  This year he showed he can play the run well.  He is long and led NFL in passes defensed.
NUMBERS:  He is the best DE on the market.  A blue chip player amidst a team that has few blue chips (AJ, Atkins, etc…).    
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  Sorry, I can find ZERO reasons for letting him go.  Keeping our blue chip players and paying them in the top tier at their position is understandable.  Not attempting to keep him would be a travesty and most likely result in my permanent meltdown. 
JASON: He may price himself out of our market.
 
10)  Vincent Rey, 6-0 250, 26, 3 years’ experience RESTRICTED
2013 STATS: 16games, 3starts, 57tackles, 4sacks, 5 passes defensed, 2ints
Career STATS: 50games, 4starts, 88tackles, 5sacks, 2ints
2013 Salary: 555,000
2013 Snap count: 342 defensive snaps, 32%, 335 ST Snaps, 71%
Overview: Rey is a special team’s standout who showed exceptionally well when given a role in the defense.  He finished the season with 57 tackles, 6th on the team, despite playing in only 32% of the defensive snaps.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  Has the capability to expand his role on the team.  High motor kinda guy who takes what he can get and makes the best of the situation the team places him in.  One more year in the system bodes well for his future productivity.  It used to be LB was a position that could be easily replaced with a draft pick and make an immediate impact.  Lately this idea does not hold true.  LB has been considered very low on rookie’s ability to make an impact.  http://www.ourlads.com/suddenimpact/
JASON: Special teams leader, versatile and smart.  He played great when given the chance.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: Emmanuel Lamur and Sean Porter will be back.  Those guys bring more athleticism to the LB corps.
NUMBERS:  There are people on the roster who are capable of adequately replacing Rey. 
 
11)  Michael Boley, 6-3 230, 31, 9 years’ experience 
2013 STATS: 10games, 1start, 10tackles
Career STATS: 695tackles, 9.5sacks
2013 Salary: 700K
2013 Snap count: 56 defensive snaps, 5%, 154 ST Snaps, 33%
Overview: Boley had a nice career with the Falcons and Giants before signing October 1st to provide depth.  He saw most of his work on special teams in 2013 playing in just 56 snaps from scrimmage.

 
Why we should re-sign: 
JASON: A veteran presence that can be a strong special team’s player and add veteran depth.
NUMBERS:  Veteran depth for veteran minimum. 
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  There are people on the roster who are capable of exceeding Boley’s productivity.    
JASON: He was only here because of injury.  If the other guys are healthy he is unnecessary.
 
12)  Taylor Mays, 6-3 220, 26, 4 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 8games, 1starts, 19tackles, 3 passes defensed
Career STATS: 50games, 10starts, 89tackles, 6 passes defensed
2013 Salary: 630K
2013 Snap count: 202 defensive snaps, 18%, 132 ST snaps 28%
Overview: After years as a disappointment at safety with some success on special teams, Mays was just beginning to carve out a niche as a nickel linebacker when he went down with a shoulder injury in late October.

Why we should re-sign: 

NUMBERS:  Veteran depth for veteran minimum. 
JASON: He can play 2 positions and special teams.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: with Lamur back, his best role, Nickel LB will be taken.  He is a mediocre safety and this is a good safety draft class, and players better than him can be had in the mid rounds.
NUMBERS:  Too many other options for replacing a button that does not work and focus hard enough to live up to his potential. 
 
13)  Chris Crocker, 5-11 197, 33, 11 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 12games, 3starts, 37tackles, 2ints, 7 passes defensed, 1.5 sacks
Career STATS: 554tackles, 15 ints, 14.5sacks, 60 passes defensed
2013 Salary: 940,000
2013 Snap count: 507 defensive snaps, 47%; 23 special teams’ snaps, 4.9%
Overview: I feel like I can just quote what I wrote last year, all be it a little watered down “While he will be 33(34) in March and has obvious limitations, Crocker made an immediate impact after he was re-signed the third week of the season…..While he is not a long term solution for the team, it was obvious how important a player like him is to our secondary.”  Crocker made some big plays at big times for the Bengals again in 2013 and while I don’t think he had the impact he did in 2012, his versatility and veteran presence was noticeable.
 
Why we should re-sign:    
JASON: He is a solid slot corner and a coach on the field.  Our defense always seems to take a step forward when we bring him back.  This time keep him around from the start.

NUMBERS:  What JASON said.  Having a coach in the secondary seems to be a necessity in our system. 
 
Why we should let him go:
NUMBERS:  Tradition of letting him go and later resigning him.  Give him a vacation during the season to recharge.
JASON: He's old, and Zimmer is gone.
 
14)  Brandon Ghee, 6-0 200, 26, 4 years’ experience
2013 STATS: 10games, 0starts, 7tackles, 5 passes defensed
Career STATS: 17tackles
2013 Salary: 630,000
2013 Snap count: 79 defensive snaps, 7.4%; 143 special teams’ snaps, 35.5%
Overview: Ghee has hung around the Bengals roster for four years now without seeing much time.  He only played in 7% of plays from scrimmage at CB last year despite being active in 10 games and injuries to the corner back position.
 
Why we should re-sign: 
NUMBERS:  CB depth is hard to come by.  Seems we always get bit by the injury bug at this position. 
JASON:  The kid can play when he is healthy, and should come fairly cheap.
 
Why we should let him go:
JASON: He can't stay on the field.  We will likely draft a CB early.  He had his shot; it's time for someone else to come in.
NUMBERS:  Ghee is just not a quality CB and can be replaced in the draft or FA relatively easy.

[url=http://forum.go-bengals.com/index.php?/page/articles.html/_/articles/bengals-and-free-agency-r21]View the full article[/url]
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I love putting this stuff together in a more structured way, my first degree was in PR and it's an interest I don't exercise as often as I wish I did. Hope that you like this one and if anyone is interested in putting something together or contributing in the future let me know. 

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Challenging article.

 

Determining a Free Agents worth is not an easy task.  What factors go into determining a player's worth ?

 

1.  Fit into the teams scheme.

2.  Intangibles/Measurables

3.  Value for Performance

4.  Are there available FAs out there that can replace them for the same price or cheaper ?

5.  Depth at the position

6.  Durability

7.  Game Changer

8.  Value to other teams.

 

etc...  Lists are just that.  Guidelines.  Somewhere along the lines someone on the Bengals has a list they use to make the determination on keeping or dumping a player.

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With the reports out today on PFT that the salary cap is about to explode over the next 3 seasons all the way up to $160M by 2016, I think the excuse about AJ and other guys eventually needing extensions as an excuse holds a lot less water.

I'm not saying we should run out and sign a bunch of outside FAs, but we really need to make a very strong effort to keep MJ. If the cap is going to go up $30M, we don't really need to save money to carry forward like we would if it was only going up a few million per year...
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With the reports out today on PFT that the salary cap is about to explode over the next 3 seasons all the way up to $160M by 2016, I think the excuse about AJ and other guys eventually needing extensions as an excuse holds a lot less water.

I'm not saying we should run out and sign a bunch of outside FAs, but we really need to make a very strong effort to keep MJ. If the cap is going to go up $30M, we don't really need to save money to carry forward like we would if it was only going up a few million per year...

 

Good point.. Remember though, the agents are keeping an eye on this exploding cap as well and will surely use this knowledge in future negotiations.

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With the reports out today on PFT that the salary cap is about to explode over the next 3 seasons all the way up to $160M by 2016, I think the excuse about AJ and other guys eventually needing extensions as an excuse holds a lot less water.

I'm not saying we should run out and sign a bunch of outside FAs, but we really need to make a very strong effort to keep MJ. If the cap is going to go up $30M, we don't really need to save money to carry forward like we would if it was only going up a few million per year...

It's really going to change the whole way teams structure their rosters and probably in ways we don't even envision yet. One thing is for sure, QBs will continue to get insane money. I bet it also means that far fewer marquee guys ever hit the market. Which makes drafting and developing even more valuable, a good thing for us if we can continue our run of the last few years.

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It's really going to change the whole way teams structure their rosters and probably in ways we don't even envision yet. One thing is for sure, QBs will continue to get insane money. I bet it also means that far fewer marquee guys ever hit the market. Which makes drafting and developing even more valuable, a good thing for us if we can continue our run of the last few years.

 

One thing you can bank on.. Whenever it's announced that the salary cap will explode, expect record setting contracts to follow.

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Expanding the rosters is an interesting thought - Maybe 60?

 

I think this is an inevitable solution for adding the extra games into the schedule the NFL wants to do so badly.. It would make the NFLPA happy.  FTR I am against lengthening the schedule, just as I am against expanding the playoffs.

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With the reports out today on PFT that the salary cap is about to explode over the next 3 seasons all the way up to $160M by 2016, I think the excuse about AJ and other guys eventually needing extensions as an excuse holds a lot less water.

I'm not saying we should run out and sign a bunch of outside FAs, but we really need to make a very strong effort to keep MJ. If the cap is going to go up $30M, we don't really need to save money to carry forward like we would if it was only going up a few million per year...

Completely agree. I don't know why we didn't franchise Johnson if it's accurate. 

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The only real argument against resigning MJ is how much of your cap you want DL to eat up..can you fit three premium salaries in that part of the field and still be below cap.

 

With the current growth of the cap (even ignoring the projections) doing so seems a lot more affordable now than it looked last year at this time.

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Since we tagged MJ93 last season he would have been entitled to a 20% increase for 2014 and had a tag number of 13.4 mil. That's why we didn't tag him again

 

2 million a year at that position doesn't break anything. Especially considering we have the money and are not using it in order to save money for long term contracts for guys like Burfict and Green, and those large term contracts can be done in years where the cap has been greatly increased. You don't even need to think about paying Burfict until next year if you don't want to. 

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The only real argument against resigning MJ is how much of your cap you want DL to eat up..can you fit three premium salaries in that part of the field and still be below cap.


You can never, Jericho....e-e-ever, have too many pass rushers. Makes your whole defense better
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This is what Fantasy Football does to the game. More childish fantasies from children.

 

Yeah, pay MJ 13.4 Million DOLLARS, LMAO.

 

That would make him the 16th highest paid player in the ENTIRE NFL.  The only DE's making more than him would be Mario Williams and Julius Peppers, and even they would probably tell you they were grossly overpaid.  The cap might go up, but that doesn't mean MJ is suddenly a top 3 DE in the league, let alone top 10.

 

He barely scratches top 10 on his own team (MJ would be somewhere around the 7th most important player here).  It'd be great to have him back, but if we do, I can promise you it will not be for more than the relative percentage of the cap increase over his previous offer - which we can guess would be somewhere slightly above what they gave Dunlap - who jumped at a lesser deal bc he had another year over him.

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The only real argument against resigning MJ is how much of your cap you want DL to eat up..can you fit three premium salaries in that part of the field and still be below cap.

 

With the current growth of the cap (even ignoring the projections) doing so seems a lot more affordable now than it looked last year at this time.

 

Like you said in the last sentence, if the cap goes up, those guys who already have contracts take up a smaller percentage of it. 

 

Those Atkins and Dunlap deals at $8M a year or whatever are going to look great when the cap is $160M. Can you have 3 starting D Linemen making $25M a year when the cap is $160M? I don't see why not...

 

It was more of a valid argument that you couldn't have 3 guys at $25M total when the cap is $125 or whatever. That's 20%. But at $160, you still have $135M to put together the rest of your roster even with 3 relatively highly paid DL.

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Franchise tag at $13M a year doesn't make any sense...
 
Either sign him ($8-10M a year?) or let him go. 
 
But why overpay him for 1 year?
 
There are other good DE out there too if he gets away.

If you have the franchise tag and he is up for a contract and you need him, why not pay it? If tagging a player and paying him that amount keeps difference makers off your team then it doesn't make sense to do so, you are right. But if you don't sign him so you can extend guys already under contract, that makes no sense IMO. Especially when you will have more room to sign them next year. The first goal should be to win in 2014, with a team like this. Goal two should be planning for 2015 and beyond. There is nothing that says tagging him wont lead to a long term deal that is more reasonable for you. You have a blue chip player in his prime you should do whatever it takes to keep them.

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Franchise tag at $13M a year doesn't make any sense...

 

Either sign him ($8-10M a year?) or let him go. 

 

But why overpay him for 1 year?

 

There are other good DE out there too if he gets away.

 

Yeah, Jared Allen is a free agent. If the Vikings go after MJ, we could go after JA. He had a lot more sacks and generates more pass rush than MJ, even at his advanced age.

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This is what Fantasy Football does to the game. More childish fantasies from children.
 
Yeah, pay MJ 13.4 Million DOLLARS, LMAO.
 
That would make him the 16th highest paid player in the ENTIRE NFL.  The only DE's making more than him would be Mario Williams and Julius Peppers, and even they would probably tell you they were grossly overpaid.  The cap might go up, but that doesn't mean MJ is suddenly a top 3 DE in the league, let alone top 10.
 
He barely scratches top 10 on his own team (MJ would be somewhere around the 7th most important player here).  It'd be great to have him back, but if we do, I can promise you it will not be for more than the relative percentage of the cap increase over his previous offer - which we can guess would be somewhere slightly above what they gave Dunlap - who jumped at a lesser deal bc he had another year over him.


It's not ideal but at times you have to overpay to keep your talent. If you have the money now you can franchise him and hope for a long term deal. If not its still better for your team than renewing a guy like burfict before its necessary even if you may think burfict is more important in the long term.
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It's not ideal but at times you have to overpay to keep your talent. If you have the money now you can franchise him and hope for a long term deal. If not its still better for your team than renewing a guy like burfict before its necessary even if you may think burfict is more important in the long term.

 

No idea what point you are trying to make here...

 

You renew guys "before its necessary" because in the long run it is a lot cheaper to do it that way. They aren't just doing it for charity...

 

If we could have got a deal done 2 or 3 years ago with MJ "before it was necessary," we wouldn't have had to franchise tag him last year and worry about losing him now.

 

But with the cap going up so much, it shouldn't be an either/or decision between a Burfict extension and signing MJ. There should be plenty of room under the cap to get long term deals for both guys. 

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