Hate! Hate! Hate!... Offensive Linemen Deals Criticized

[JonCJG]

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POSTED 6:16 a.m. EST, March 6, 2007​

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN DEALS CRITICIZED

The prevailing view in some league circles is that the Cowboys, Browns, Chargers, and Bills paid way too much money for Leonard Davis, Eric Steinbach, Kris Dielman, and Derrick Dockery, respectively. (Memo to Chargers fans: That fact that Dielman has been named as an alternate to the Pro Bowl doesn't mean that he has been named to the team.)​

As we've previously noted, none of these guys have ever been named to a Pro Bowl. Yet each of them are swimming in over $15 million in guaranteed money.​

So what happens when a true Pro Bowler on the offensive line hits the free-agent market? Will he get $25 million guaranteed? How about $30 million?​

As we see it, these recent deals guarantee that the franchise tag will be used more often by teams to keep truly high-end players who become eligible for free agency, since the high-end players are going to look at the recent deals and say, "If a perennial underachiever like Davis is worth $18.75 million guaranteed, I'm worth twice that."​

And that's the biggest problem with the combination of lots of cap space and a so-so free-agent class. The floor is getting pushed up for future deals, and the number will only continue to skyrocket.​

It's true for other positions as well. If Nate Clements gets $80 million over eight years, what would a guy like Champ Bailey get? And how does a guy like Champ Bailey feel about a player who is clearly one step below him breaking the bank like Bailey never has?​

Of course, Bailey isn't due to hit the market until 2011. In the interim, he's schedule to make good salaries. But in light of the Clements deal, how can Champ not suddenly be thinking that he's underpaid.​

Stay tuned. We have a feeling that many players will be privately -- or publicly -- having these same sentiments soon.​

 

[CrazyCowboy]

DAVIS has reason to earn his $$$$ now....he plays for his favorite team

 

[adamknite]

Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!

Kefka?

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

DAVIS has reason to earn his $$$$ now....he plays for his favorite team

this is why I am HOPING we have plans for him to play Tackle...and that he plays it WELL. We are getting very close to a point where players are now going to have clauses added to their contract that they be one of the top 3 highest paid players at their position throught the duration of their contract. Because think about it....none of these cats have EVER made the Pro Bowl.

 

[JonCJG]

Kefka?

Ike ???

 

[Mansta54]

this is why I am HOPING we have plans for him to play Tackle...and that he plays it WELL. We are getting very close to a point where players are now going to have clauses added to their contract that they be one of the top 3 highest paid players at their position throught the duration of their contract. Because think about it....none of these cats have EVER made the Pro Bowl.

But why, he's a much better G.. I don't get it... the guy is a much better OG, why force him to play T unless we have no other choice.. It makes no sense!!!

 

[burmafrd]

The stupid are hung up on who made the pro bowl. The intelligent realize that making the pro bowl really means very little. Steinbach and Dielman are both high quality guards. Not making the pro bowl means NOTHING to coaches who just want a good O line.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Another genius complaining about supply and demand.

 

[mmillman]

Briggs is already pitching a fit in Chicago.

 

[notherbob]

Methinks labor relations just got messy in the NFL.

Interesting how this big deal came on the heels of Jerry saying he wasn't going to be throwing a lot of money around like last year. Just positioning, no doubt.

 

[notherbob]

Another genius complaining about supply and demand.

Absolutely right, fanfronvirginia.

When the price of tickets, merchandise, etc get too high, fewer will be willing to pay the price and things will adjust out. This is a true supply/demand marketplace. Until then, if it ever happens, we're seeing some interesting changes in the way the game is being marketed and presented.

It's a far cry from the $6 end zone tickets and free parking of the old Cotton Bowl. The NFL has come a long way, baby. Back in the 50s-60s, you could always tell the pro athletes because they always wore white crew socks that came free from the teams everyday, everywhere. They didn't make much money.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

But why, he's a much better G.. I don't get it... the guy is a much better OG, why force him to play T unless we have no other choice.. It makes no sense!!!

i totally agree. play him where he can take advantage of his talents.

...meaning we really need to sign colombo.

...and if it were me, i would extend flozell for 3 years.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

To an extent I think the writer makes a valid point. This IS going to create ripples in the salary structure. The problem isn't the players, but the owners. They are creating the mess by offering the large contracts. What will happen is that it will more quickly cause teams to "use-up" what cap space they have.

Eventually there will be one group that pays for the escalating cap and contracts... and we all know who that is.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Absolutely right, fanfronvirginia.

When the price of tickets, merchandise, etc get too high, fewer will be willing to pay the price and things will adjust out. This is a true supply/demand marketplace. Until then, if it ever happens, we're seeing some interesting changes in the way the game is being marketed and presented.

It's a far cry from the $6 end zone tickets and free parking of the old Cotton Bowl. The NFL has come a long way, baby. Back in the 50s-60s, you could always tell the pro athletes because they always wore white crew socks that came free from the teams everyday, everywhere. They didn't make much money.

Good points but it's important to note that a big chunk of NFL revenues come from TV rights, which have exploded recently and show no signs of slowing down.

Salaries are rising because they can. NFL owners don't have to continually jack up ticket prices because of the golden goose that is TV.

 

[BLEU3ASY]

DAVIS has reason to earn his $$$$ now....he plays for his favorite team

not to mention he's gonna be playing in front of alot of family and friends at home games...i hope signing him works out...sometimes a change of scenery does

 

[Doomsday101]

not to mention he's gonna be playing in front of alot of family and friends at home games...i hope signing him works out...sometimes a change of scenery does

I hope that motivates him as well. No doubt people will be watching Davis closely this season and he needs to prove himself