nykshaknbake wrote:Problem here is it doesnt make sense considering the other moves. Shoring up the line with Solder, Zeitler and getting a stud running back suggest trying to win with Eli and make the playoffs. This trade, letting Collins go, trading apple, snacks say rebuild. So we are neither rebuilding nor winning. The only ray if sunshine is if we stink maybe we can draft a good qb next year.
Here is the market based perspective ( I am not saying I agree or disagree here, but simply this is how a progressive NFL front office will crunch the cap/money/numbers on it) - The game has shifted into a pro offensive air show. It has become increasingly harder for teams to field an effective modern defense. Many have sold out on fundamental defense and are now just looking for strips/turnovers/picks and hoping splash plays will compensate for what were previously more traditional defensive strategy.
Teams are running a nickel oftentimes as their base defense since so many teams are pushing standard three WR or 2 TE sets are their base offense. This changes the market structure for an already impacted position - cornerbacks. Also the "Move TE" is now a much higher paid position on the field. Teams are also seeing the value of locking up core special teamers like a Matthew Slater type.
The money has to come from somewhere.
The argument being some replacement level WRs at cost control, given the rule/game structure in their favor, with the opportunity cost of the cap space free from not having a large OBJ/Larry Fitz type contract, is worth more than the value of OBJ over a replacement level WR in terms of total impact. This was the complication of Khalil Mack. Outstanding defender but the question becomes can you pay him large money, plus large money to a QB1, and still function cap wise as a team.
The struggle in all of sports is what makes "winning strategy" is often in full conflict with what's marketable to the fans and networks and brands. Spurs brand basketball is fundamental. But classic Duncan/Manu/Parker ball was boring as **** to watch. SSOL Suns were fun as hell, but would never win a ring. Ground and pound might be classic football, but it's going to generate less ratings than an air attack where the scores are driven higher and higher on the average.
The game is not marketable with a ton of injured QBs. And they are hurt all the time anyway. If defenses were let loose without constraints, the QB ranks would be a walking morgue.
Several things that would help. Different cap hit implications to signing bonuses. It would modify the cash hit but not the total cap hit. A form of amnesty clause that rolls over once every two seasons. And roster expansion. The players would get more jobs and some injury reduction with depth, the owners and teams would get a better pipeline to cycle out older players. Still very complicated.
Good trade from a market perspective.
Bad trade from a winning perspective.
That duality usually means some type of systematic dysfunction in place.
3/12/2019 8:37 PM
