(1) despite all the arguments we had about elite RBs not being any more valuable than a very good RB when it comes to team building and (2) that according to many very good RBs can be found in the draft every single year, (3) and that Howard is a very good RB who has had issues in the passing game
everyone freaks out about trading Howard. If we truly believed what we say we do about RBs, team building, and the draft, trading Howard shouldn't raise so much angst. Would I trade Howard? Not this season, maybe after next season before he's due an extension. I wouldn't trade him for anything less than a 3rd. (I also don't think the Bears will give him a second contract.) But I won't panic when teams ask about Howard. The only reason we are freaking out that we still deep down somewhere inside believe that all the Bears need is a RB and a DEF to win Super Bowls. Personally, I think Nagy can use Howard in a way that plays to Howard's strengths and covers any weaknesses.
Let's just say that having a great RB is much more important than a great WR. Trading away your best player on offense would be a foolishly stupid thing to do right now.
(1) despite all the arguments we had about elite RBs not being any more valuable than a very good RB when it comes to team building and (2) that according to many very good RBs can be found in the draft every single year, (3) and that Howard is a very good RB who has had issues in the passing game
everyone freaks out about trading Howard. If we truly believed what we say we do about RBs, team building, and the draft, trading Howard shouldn't raise so much angst. Would I trade Howard? Not this season, maybe after next season before he's due an extension. I wouldn't trade him for anything less than a 3rd. (I also don't think the Bears will give him a second contract.) But I won't panic when teams ask about Howard. The only reason we are freaking out that we still deep down somewhere inside believe that all the Bears need is a RB and a DEF to win Super Bowls. Personally, I think Nagy can use Howard in a way that plays to Howard's strengths and covers any weaknesses.
Let's just say that having a great RB is much more important than a great WR. Trading away your best player on offense would be a foolishly stupid thing to do right now.
Who's talking about a WR? Do we believe that RBs can fungible or not? If we do, then trading Howard shouldn't be staggering, especially if in a draft full of good prospects Pace can acquire draft capital and find a replacement. If we don't believe they are fungible than Pace should have taken a RB higher in the draft.
I also don't believe that best player on OFF = untradeable.
Howard isn't going anywhere, so its just a thought exercise anyway. But for a 3rd I'd trade Howard in a heart beat. I think his true value is maybe a 4th, which for the value he brings right now, itsn't worth the trade.
Let's just say that having a great RB is much more important than a great WR. Trading away your best player on offense would be a foolishly stupid thing to do right now.
Who's talking about a WR? Do we believe that RBs can fungible or not? If we do, then trading Howard shouldn't be staggering, especially if in a draft full of good prospects Pace can acquire draft capital and find a replacement. If we don't believe they are fungible than Pace should have taken a RB higher in the draft.
I also don't believe that best player on OFF = untradeable.
Howard isn't going anywhere, so its just a thought exercise anyway. But for a 3rd I'd trade Howard in a heart beat. I think his true value is maybe a 4th, which for the value he brings right now, itsn't worth the trade.
Since we are all just talking about our own opinions here, I'll go on record as saying that RBs are not fungible.
But this does not preclude them from getting foot fungis (sp)
I wouldnt be surprised if they are shopping him around and wont be surprised if he is still a bear. Pace if he is shopping him wont be looking to give him away he will want something of real value back. I saw rumors it was to NY for a swap of firsts but he isnt worth that much I saw a trade with philly but they have ajayi and are happy with him. The best one i saw was with the colts which makes since for indy and the price is closer to reality. Bears then have a legit shot at barkley nelson or chubb and right now none of them are real possiblities
Who's talking about a WR? Do we believe that RBs can fungible or not? If we do, then trading Howard shouldn't be staggering, especially if in a draft full of good prospects Pace can acquire draft capital and find a replacement. If we don't believe they are fungible than Pace should have taken a RB higher in the draft.
I also don't believe that best player on OFF = untradeable.
Howard isn't going anywhere, so its just a thought exercise anyway. But for a 3rd I'd trade Howard in a heart beat. I think his true value is maybe a 4th, which for the value he brings right now, itsn't worth the trade.
Since we are all just talking about our own opinions here, I'll go on record as saying that RBs are not fungible.
But this does not preclude them from getting foot fungis (sp)
Btw greatest myth going in the nfl is that rbs are easily found anywhere in the draft. Langford and carey should be examples of how hard it is to find quality starting rbs in any round. There are a lot of rbs taken in the middle to late rounds that amount to nothing. BUT if you are looking for a non lead role, a rbbc type ya you can get a guy like that just as easily in the mid rds as you can early.
Btw greatest myth going in the nfl is that rbs are easily found anywhere in the draft. Langford and carey should be examples of how hard it is to find quality starting rbs in any round. There are a lot of rbs taken in the middle to late rounds that amount to nothing. BUT if you are looking for a non lead role, a rbbc type ya you can get a guy like that just as easily in the mid rds as you can early.
Its also related to the fact that fans believe that any position outside of edge rusher can be found later in the draft. Yes some positions are more important than others, but the better players come from early in the draft at every position (exception maybe kicker/punter.) Antonio Brown doesn't change that fact, neither does Warner or Brady. Despite that, there were posters arguing on the old board that you don't need to draft a QB early because you can find a franchise QB in round 6 or as an UDFA.
There were 19 RBs taken on day 3 in the 2016 draft. 2 of them have more than 10 starts, one being Howard. Its not easy to draft starters late in the draft.
This is why Nelson at 8 is such a quandry. Tradionally Gs don't go that high, but he might be a generation player, so does that change anything? Maybe, maybe not. But if he is the best player in the draft.......Glad I'm not Pace. I'd panic, draft Lamar Jackson and then strip naked, set my hair on fire and run around the room screaming "positional value trade bait!!!!"
This whole situation is very strange. I get the speculation because usually a player doesn't do any of that unless they're leaving the team.
Some people are somewhat optimistic about trading Howard though. The thought of turning a 5th round draft pick into higher picks and replacing one of the easier positions in the NFL is enticing.
It is strange but in a followup I also read it was only his Instagram account. His Facebook hasn't been touched or altered and there nothing there or any Tweets either suggesting he's unhappy or being shopped. FWIW Ian Rapoprt also denies there's anything to it and as big a rumor generator as he is if there was any smoke at all he'd fuel the fire. So I call BS.
(1) despite all the arguments we had about elite RBs not being any more valuable than a very good RB when it comes to team building and (2) that according to many very good RBs can be found in the draft every single year, (3) and that Howard is a very good RB who has had issues in the passing game
everyone freaks out about trading Howard. If we truly believed what we say we do about RBs, team building, and the draft, trading Howard shouldn't raise so much angst. Would I trade Howard? Not this season, maybe after next season before he's due an extension. I wouldn't trade him for anything less than a 3rd. (I also don't think the Bears will give him a second contract.) But I won't panic when teams ask about Howard. The only reason we are freaking out that we still deep down somewhere inside believe that all the Bears need is a RB and a DEF to win Super Bowls. Personally, I think Nagy can use Howard in a way that plays to Howard's strengths and covers any weaknesses.
Btw greatest myth going in the nfl is that rbs are easily found anywhere in the draft. Langford and carey should be examples of how hard it is to find quality starting rbs in any round. There are a lot of rbs taken in the middle to late rounds that amount to nothing. BUT if you are looking for a non lead role, a rbbc type ya you can get a guy like that just as easily in the mid rds as you can early.
Its also related to the fact that fans believe that any position outside of edge rusher can be found later in the draft. Yes some positions are more important than others, but the better players come from early in the draft at every position (exception maybe kicker/punter.) Antonio Brown doesn't change that fact, neither does Warner or Brady. Despite that, there were posters arguing on the old board that you don't need to draft a QB early because you can find a franchise QB in round 6 or as an UDFA.
There were 19 RBs taken on day 3 in the 2016 draft. 2 of them have more than 10 starts, one being Howard. Its not easy to draft starters late in the draft.
This is why Nelson at 8 is such a quandry. Tradionally Gs don't go that high, but he might be a generation player, so does that change anything? Maybe, maybe not. But if he is the best player in the draft.......Glad I'm not Pace. I'd panic, draft Lamar Jackson and then strip naked, set my hair on fire and run around the room screaming "positional value trade bait!!!!"
I think there is value in drafting a qb in the first 4 rds...but anything outside of a day 1 guy likely needs to sit and develop for a few years