NFL 2016-17 Thread

[archibaldleach]

Mediocre QBs get overpaid all the time (compare cap hit for a mediocre QB to an elite one) IMO because GMs / coaches want to win now to keep their jobs, so it's worth overpaying to manage risk at the QB position. I have no idea where Cousins will end up, but stranger things have happened. Look at Osweiler and the Texans.

 

[cross22]

Cousins will get paid 20+ somewhere. There is no way he signs for 15.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I've been reading that Cousins is likely to get $125 million/5 years with at least $75 million guaranteed from someone. Going strictly by the numbers, he deserves it. I've seen him play quite a bit, and to my eye, he has neither the elite arm strength nor the elite ball placement to warrant that figure. The problem for the Redskins is that there's no Plan B if they don't re-sign Cousins. Colt McCoy and Nate Sudfeld are not starter material, and the upcoming draft is very thin for QBs. So the alternative is to sign a veteran (Tony Romo? Jay Cutler?) as a "bridge" while you look for your next long-term starter. Not very appealing.

 

[Texasmade]

Those are some ridiculous numbers if he gets that.

 

[thatboyo]

not necessarily.

Cap is always going up so you can't compare raw numbers. % of cap is better way of looking at it.

Is Cousins elite? No. But I do think he's starter material. Considering who they've had at the QB position in recent years, I'd be surprised if they let him walk.

 

[archibaldleach]

Cousins has basically had two pretty decent years starting 16 games (2015 and 2016). He's not elite, but if the numbers he's generating hold, he has potential to be a slightly above average starting QB. He could well end up being more successful than Eli or Flacco. I kind of want to withhold judgment until I see a bit more, especially when he plays on such a mediocre team, but then the Texans signed a guy who started less than half a season and played with thorough mediocrity during those starts to around $18 million a year. It's weird to think he's worth $20 million a year, but like I said, the market for average QBs has gone crazy. Makes me grateful Brady plays for cheap in comparison (I guess it helps if you have a wife that makes more than you).

 

[diadem]

Brady probably makes it all back on his endorsement deals with Under Armour and...shudders...Uggs...

 

[countdemoney]

One of the better cousins theories I heard was to franchise him again, then sign long term if he has another good year.

While I don't think Cousins is elite, I don't think he's garbage either. One of the things that happens with top quarterbacks is that it is tough to assemble the rest of the pieces around them, once they get paid.

So is Cousins good enough to be 20-25% of your cap and still take you to a Championship? I doubt it. Does he have the ability to be a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson or Joe Flacco and game manage you to that place - yes.

 

[cross22]

I wouldn't pay 24 for another year, it will give him more leverage next year so no certainty that you can keep him if he plays well ($34m to keep him another year). Sign him and build the rest of the team accordingly or let him go and find someone else.

Also, at some point resentment will start to set in if they string him along because they don't believe in him.

 

[lawyerdad]

**** Cousins sideways for even the remote possibility that he might develop resentment at the horrifying oppression he might be subjected to.

 

[cross22]



**** Cousins sideways for even the remote possibility that he might develop resentment at the horrifying oppression he might be subjected to.

It has happened before with players who aren't much better than Cousins. Either way, I personally think franchise tag is a complete bull ****.

 

[lawyerdad]



It has happened before with players who aren't much better than Cousins. Either way, I personally think franchise tag is a complete bull ****.

Agreed on both fronts. I was mostly kidding.
The reality is we all have egos and personal senses of entitlement. I've certainly gotten cranky over bonus decisions or the like, despite the fact that relative to most folks I was in a pretty fortunate and privileged spot. As ridiculous as it seems from the outside, I'm sure the sense of aggrievement and "unfairness" obscenely rich pro athletes feel in that situation is sincere and a natural human reaction.

 

[HRoi]

You've got to pay "pretty good" QB's anyway because how many truly elite QB's are there that have played at an elite level for a sustained time? Rodgers , Brady, Brees, maybe Cam. Ryan had a MVP season but he's flown under my radar all this time before that

Cousins doesn't seem like he's any worse than Tannehill

 

[countdemoney]



Cousins doesn't seem like he's any worse than Tannehill

Now that's damning with faint praise.

 

[HRoi]

I suppose it is