Richard Sherman started it all, where will it end?

[insaniti]

The contracts of CB's this offseason has exploded beyond the ridiculous range, and into "what is that gm smoking" range. Richard Sherman started things off by signing a 4 year, 56 million with 40 million guaranteed deal. I think a lot of this had to do with how outspoken he is, and how much attention he brings to himself on and off the field. I don't think they would have entertained those kinds of numbers had he been a quieter guy like Ike Taylor or Champ Bailey. But what spawned from his contract has definitely changed things for the CB market (could be one reason we haven't heard of an extension for Cortez Allen just yet). Take a look at some of the other contracts signed this year by CB's.

Patrick Peterson - 5 years, 70 mil, 48 guaranteed
Joe Haden - 5 years, 68 mil, 40 guaranteed
Aqib Talib - 6 years, 57 mil, 26 guaranteed
Darrelle Revis - 2 years, 32 mil, 12 guaranteed (currently exploring an extension already)

Last year, WR's were overpaid, and it was started off with Mike Wallace 60 mil contract. One in which the Dolphins would more than likely wish they could have a re-do. This year, the WR market was paid more reasonably, with Eric Decker getting the largest contract at 5 years 36 mil. So does the CB market follow this pattern of teams learning from mistakes, or is this the new market for CB's?

Personally I don't see any of these players being worth that much of the salary cap. There are some good CB's in the group, but does anyone think that Sherman would be as dominant on a different defense? What has Joe Haden actually done to help the Browns defense to deserve that much money? Same with Patrick Peterson? Revis has yet to prove he's back from his knee injury completely... I just don't see them worth that much. I would love to have some of these guys on the Steelers, don't get me wrong. Talent is there, but enough talent to eat up that much cap space? I'd have to approach that much like the Steelers did with Mike Wallace, here's our offer take it or leave it. I hope that the numbers come back down to earth next year or we might see yet another young promising CB leave, one that we actually WANT to keep.

 

[t-man]

I personally am hoping players start looking past the contracts, to what can happen if they get to a team, work out cap friendly deals, and could create a dynasty similar to say the Steelers of the 70's, SanFran of the 80's, or Dallas of the 90's. Multiple superbowl trips will land you endorsement deals, and in Canton as well, a lot faster than big contracts. And guess what keeps on giving long after football? Endorsements. Some of these guys are too focused on the next big payday, rather than thinking about the fact they have x number of years to play, get with a good team, and make all of them count.

Troy, Ben, Heath, and Ike are going to retire Steelers, think about how many Steeler fans are going to buy things those guys endorse over the next 10-20 years.

Joe

 

[antdrewjosh]

The question would be could any of those guys be as effective playing in our 3-4 where guys are asked to play off and dont give up the big play. Would they have the same stats to warrant that kind of contract playing in Pittsburgh. Would of been interesting to see what kind of money Rod Woodson would of demanded if he played in this day and age.

 

[Litos]

Wait till at least one of those guys get a significant injury and another gets his team beaten like a drum because they didn't have enough money to spend elsewhere after those big contracts.

The market will slow down a bit next season, even if it doesn't the Steelers won't overpay for a position they don't feel is as important in their scheme

 

[insaniti]

The question would be could any of those guys be as effective playing in our 3-4 where guys are asked to play off and dont give up the big play. Would they have the same stats to warrant that kind of contract playing in Pittsburgh. Would of been interesting to see what kind of money Rod Woodson would of demanded if he played in this day and age.

No, the question is will their signed contracts drive up the prices of other CB's on the market or soon to be on the market in the coming years. This is one of those straight football posts, we're allowed to discuss other teams and players that aren't on the Steelers or will never be on the Steelers. My statement about wanting them on the Steelers was in the sense that I think they are very talented players, that any team or fan would want to have, but are they really worth that much money?

Wait till at least one of those guys get a significant injury and another gets his team beaten like a drum because they didn't have enough money to spend elsewhere after those big contracts.

The market will slow down a bit next season, even if it doesn't the Steelers won't overpay for a position they don't feel is as important in their scheme

You're right that the Steelers will not overpay, but how many players will we lose because of that?

Talib's contract has a lot stipulations having to do with his health. It's why his guaranteed number is lower than the others, he has the ability to earn as much as 40 mil in guarantees if he stays healthy, plays all 16 games in the first three years, etc. So the Broncos, while shelling out a lot of money on a CB, covered their ***** with how they worded the contract. In essence, his contract is 3 years, 27 mil with the option for three more years.

The others tho... If Sherman gets hurt, I honestly don't see the Seahawks losing THAT much, their over all D is pretty solid, and the rest of the DB's including their S Thomas are very good players in their own rights. Joe Haden, how much worse can the Browns actually get? I don't see what he has done to warrant that kind of money. The Patriots will somehow always get around money issues and find some all pro player on the scrap heap or for a 5th or 6th round pick. The Cards tho, they didn't learn their lesson when they signed Fitz to that HUGE contract. They didn't have the money for much else, let along a QB to get him the ball, they restructured his deal to make more room. Then go and make the same mistake with Peterson. I'm not sure what they would lose if he goes down to injury.

I just really hope that next years crop of CB's aren't getting paid like this. Especially if we don't get Cortez signed before the season.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I dont think Cortez can demand that type of money or even be unreasonable he hasnt played a full season yet. In the end even Keenan's contract wasnt unreasonable.

 

[insaniti]

I dont think Cortez can demand that type of money or even be unreasonable he hasnt played a full season yet. In the end even Keenan's contract wasnt unreasonable.

Worilds hasn't played a full season either, and we are paying him 10m this year. When the market is set high, it effects all players at the position. He won't be able to demand 60 mil, but he could try for 40. And Keenans contract was before this years explosion, we also didn't offer him a contract because of Cortez. Completely different situations.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I see what your saying but we kind of had no choice.. well we did we could of just kept Woodley. We value OLBs dont think we feel the same about CBs if he ask for too much they will let him walk.

 

[Litos]

more than 5 millions a year for Cortez would be crazy right now (even 4 millions sounds like too much for a not so good #2 CB), maybe after the season it is a bargain.
Maybe he's betting the house on staying healthy and becoming a #1 in the league looking for a payday next summer, if that's the case it will be difficult to extend him right now

 

[Ron Burgundy]

It's a passing league these days so guys who are good at catching the ball will command big money, as well as guys who are good at keeping them from catching the ball.

 

[Idioteque]

I personally am hoping players start looking past the contracts, to what can happen if they get to a team, work out cap friendly deals, and could create a dynasty similar to say the Steelers of the 70's, SanFran of the 80's, or Dallas of the 90's. Multiple superbowl trips will land you endorsement deals, and in Canton as well, a lot faster than big contracts. And guess what keeps on giving long after football? Endorsements. Some of these guys are too focused on the next big payday, rather than thinking about the fact they have x number of years to play, get with a good team, and make all of them count.

Troy, Ben, Heath, and Ike are going to retire Steelers, think about how many Steeler fans are going to buy things those guys endorse over the next 10-20 years.

Joe

I would too, but you gotta realize that even multimillionaires could use more money. All of the douches who ripped LeBron because he didn't take a MASSIVE discount to stay in Miami.. are douches. We say things like, "Oh, what's $5M to THAT guy?!" About 2-3 generations who are completely set up for life, is what. Take the extra $5M and play for the ******* Raiders and put 150 of your descendants through college.

When I was single and kidless, I bitched about players grabbing more and more money and wanted them to all take lower deals for the sake of team. Now, I'd probably scrub Michael Moore's toilet if it paid well enough, so I get it.

 

[F83]

Cortez 5 years 25 mill 5.5 mill SB

 

[keslerclan]

Insaniti, IMO the contracts you brought up are for "agent purposes" for the most part. They are still too high for my liking but are lower than the Revis deal that got him moved out of Jets camp and removed from the Bucs (he was due to make 16 million this season). He still stands (revis) as the highest single season earner at 13mil(signing bonus) +1.5 which Sherman won't be due to eclipse until 2017 (when he would likely extend his deal).

Still, 10 million plus/year is too much for ANY team desiring a "ring". SBs are not won often by teams with 'superstars' at any other position but QB in general. You have one chance to make a run usually before the players who 'think' they are the reason start calling to "get paid". It's happened to SF, Seattle, Dallas, GB, NO, NYJ, NYG and us. We just typically handle it differently than some others. Denver will soon follow and have to 're-load' as well. IMO, individual players can make a difference at QB but it still takes a 'team' to win consistently.

Make no mistake though...these contracts will drive up the asking prices of 'less than super' CB talent. We just won't pay it, IMO. We may have to see Antwon Blake as a starter next year if Cortez doesn't accept what is 'reasonable' which UNLESS he plays a full season as a starter, he may not get an offer at all.

 

[insaniti]

Cortez 5 years 25 mill 5.5 mill SB

That's a pipe dream right there. Alterraun Verner, who played more as a rookie than Allen did, but through three years had comparable stats (going into his fifth year this year), just signed a 4 year deal worth 27m with 14 guaranteed. That's what you're looking at to start with for Allen, at least 6.5-7m a year. If they don't lock him up before the season, and he plays well it's only going to go up.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Still, 10 million plus/year is too much for ANY team desiring a "ring". SBs are not won often by teams with 'superstars' at any other position but QB in general. You have one chance to make a run usually before the players who 'think' they are the reason start calling to "get paid". It's happened to SF, Seattle, Dallas, GB, NO, NYJ, NYG and us. We just typically handle it differently than some others. Denver will soon follow and have to 're-load' as well. IMO, individual players can make a difference at QB but it still takes a 'team' to win consistently.

Exactly. How's that working out for Flacco and the Ratbirds? The Brow got his money and his ring, so **** it.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Insaniti, IMO the contracts you brought up are for "agent purposes" for the most part. They are still too high for my liking but are lower than the Revis deal that got him moved out of Jets camp and removed from the Bucs (he was due to make 16 million this season). He still stands (revis) as the highest single season earner at 13mil(signing bonus) +1.5 which Sherman won't be due to eclipse until 2017 (when he would likely extend his deal).

Still, 10 million plus/year is too much for ANY team desiring a "ring". SBs are not won often by teams with 'superstars' at any other position but QB in general. You have one chance to make a run usually before the players who 'think' they are the reason start calling to "get paid". It's happened to SF, Seattle, Dallas, GB, NO, NYJ, NYG and us. We just typically handle it differently than some others. Denver will soon follow and have to 're-load' as well. IMO, individual players can make a difference at QB but it still takes a 'team' to win consistently.

Make no mistake though...these contracts will drive up the asking prices of 'less than super' CB talent. We just won't pay it, IMO. We may have to see Antwon Blake as a starter next year if Cortez doesn't accept what is 'reasonable' which UNLESS he plays a full season as a starter, he may not get an offer at all.

Very good post. Funny how you only have so much "CAP" room and certain players want most of it. Can't win if no money to pay average guys. Need to spread around to get above average guys at average wage. Balancing this is harder than a lot here may think. Colbert, Tomlin, Rooneys. all have a hand in the distribution of said wages. just a hard thing to do. So keep / extend / waive, all has ripple effects of the next "big" contract.


Salute the nation

 

[F83]

If Cortez hasa good year 5 years 32 mill 12 mill guaranteed
if average and hometown discount 5 years 28 mill 9 mill gauranteed