Malik Hooker new contract breakdown

[big dog cowboy]

The contract numbers are in for his new deal. I won't shed a tear if he gets cut in August.

 

[Praxit]

...I wonder if Hooker can prosper in Parkers scheme?

He's been very avg, last few years. Did ok, in Dan's defense.

 

[Pentagruel]

I think he’s okay. Be great to replace him but not an immediate need.

 

[OGSixshooter]

Veteran presence who will be cut mid-season if all goes well.

I'm not overly impressed with Gary or Thompson signings as individual contributors, but I do think they are better pieces for a well-coordinated defense. It's all about the coordinator and how they are used for me.

 

[AsthmaField]

Veteran presence who will be cut mid-season if all goes well.

I'm not overly impressed with Gary or Thompson signings as individual contributors, but I do think they are better pieces for a well-coordinated defense. It's all about the coordinator and how they are used for me.

Yeah, the coordinator and his new coaches are what’s going to make the biggest difference for the defense. That scheme with those coaches should make a big difference, just by themselves.

As for the two players…

I’m ok with Gary. I do know that the defense needs players like him, and I think he will play a needed role in Parker’s defense. They needed a strong edge like that and he’s still pretty young, so I’m fine with the 4th next year. He’s not going to be the guy you can lean on to get you a bunch of sacks, but he can get to the QB. He’s really good at everything else he’ll be asked to do in this defense.

As for Thompson, I think I like him more than most on here. He’s got a high football IQ, he’s still young and his play and personality are well known by Ryan Smith. Thompson has been a good player in the NFL since the day he set foot in the league. There is a lot to like there.

However, there is still much work to be done as far as adding players on that side of the ball.

 

[Ironicalicon]

Hopefully not the 2nd best safety on the roster after the draft

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Hooker is just a stable veteran presence at this point.

Won't give up many big plays but won't make many either.

 

[blueblood70]

The contract numbers are in for his new deal. I won't shed a tear if he gets cut in August.

I see it differently—adding a safety in free agency means he’ll take one of the spots, but there are other guys on the roster who can compete for it.

Sure, they might draft one, but that doesn’t mean you throw away $2.7 million. For that, you get a backup or role player who can be used in certain packages, and at that price he’s pretty much guaranteed a roster spot.

I’d frame the contract as one for a rotational piece, not a cornerstone starter. He can slide into strong safety, hybrid outside linebacker, or free safety when needed. That’s the kind of deal you want for depth.

Spending $2.7 million on a player who’s been average but not bad makes sense if he’s used in the right role—it’s what the team sees in him.

Same with someone like Sam Williams; keeping him might seem odd, but he’s not expected to carry the load. Every team fills out its depth chart with guys who have similar backgrounds and skill sets.

You can’t build a 53-man roster plus 10–12 practice squad players without plenty of these depth pieces.

You’ve got 22 starters, and you hope they’re all starter-level, with strong backups in key spots. But in many areas, you just have “jags” who play special teams or serve as second- or third-stringers, like Bill Bates or Jeff Heath—guys who weren’t starters but had important roles and, in some cases, turned those opportunities into bigger ones.

 

[fivetwos]

This guy has had the strangest career I can recall.

Was a playmaker-type at OSU and Indy, but couldn’t stay on the field. Now, he is healthy for the most part yet rarely makes any plays.

How does one forget how to be a playmaker yet remain good enough to not be replaced?

 

[DCreppinBoysfan]

...I wonder if Hooker can prosper in Parkers scheme?

He's been very avg, last few years. Did ok, in Dan's defense.

He was average under Quinn too.. I never understood the hype

 

[BlindFaith]

This guy has had the strangest career I can recall.

Was a playmaker-type at OSU and Indy, but couldn’t stay on the field. Now, he is healthy for the most part yet rarely makes any plays.

How does one forget how to be a playmaker yet remain good enough to not be replaced?

Years in the NFL are like dog years. Each one takes a toll on the body, even if they are injury free.

Hooker is just less than what he was. Couple that with being on a historically bad defense and the motivation aspect is in question.

Id prefer moving on from him and hopefully we do come the draft. But if we are stuck with him, hopefully a new defense, coaching and better players will get him to turn up the motivation a few notches.

 

[speedkilz88]

...I wonder if Hooker can prosper in Parkers scheme?

He's been very avg, last few years. Did ok, in Dan's defense.

Coverage wise he should be fine. He just isn't the run stopper required. Parker's scheme usually has the two safeties work similar on their half of the field. Not really free duties vs strong duties.