Personally, I only think its pretty ridiculous if you don't think every starter on this team should be evaluated every year. I think there are two starters that need to be seriously evaluated above the others.
In an ideal world, every team would do this. But in the world of reality, some players get more string than others for various reasons, and sometimes its because of what they cost. You dont give them an endless supply of rope, but you do give them some.
They both are in the 2nd yr of deals that they signed. They both cost alot of money, and both of them were proven players. Now both has struggled since signing their deal, so at some point you do have to pull back. I think we started seeing some of that "pulling back" late in the season this year with both of them. If they dont coem to camp and have solid TC's and preseasons, i'd suspect each will have their role greatly reduced, and potentially might be gone altogether. Its unlikely, but I could see it.
Do you think they've earned the right to win their starting roles next year by default? Simply because they're Vets?
No, and who ever suggested they did?
How about Crayton? He's a vet. Why not give him the #2? He's certainly proved more reliable than Williams.
He was the #2, they moved him back when Austin stepped up. The role he's in now is definitely his ideal role.
The coaches are under pressure to win. The coaches are also often under pressure to play marquee players
And I dont believe this applies here. It probably does with very poor teams struggling with attendance, especially a team with a high draft pick at a marquee positions like QB, WR or RB. But I dont think good teams worry about this that much.
.....until they've proven that they aren't marquee players. I think that's the case with Williams now. It has zero to do with the ego of Williams. It's Jones' ego/wallet that must be convinced here. You yourself mentioned his reduction in playing time...well? Which one is it? Are they doing the right thing by playing the Vet? Or to be applauded for reducing his playing time?
They reduced his PT because of his level of play, before he was a starter. What did you want them to do beyond that?
A lot of extremely successful coaches have also been made to look like geniuses by opting for the unproven youngster....including some of the coaches you've mentioned.
And the same thing will probably happen here. Especially in Barber's case, because they absolutely know what they have in Jones and Choice. The WR position isnt quite the same situation, but if RW doesnt look any different in TC and Preseason next yr, I suspect we wont see him on the field much once the season starts.
We're 0-0. Time to look at these guys objectively, regardless of contract.
I have no doubt thats exactly what will happen.
