I posted this in a Bears thread on a fantasy football forum.
"Players get over paid all the time and it's been going on for years. If the Bears gave Jeffery a contract for $14.5 million a year I think that would be in the top 5 yet. What we need to think about though is what will that be in 2 to 3 years? Chances are that contract will be outside of the top 10 by then after a lot of guys come off their rookie deals. Now lets say Jeffery averages in the top 15 every year during his contract which is very possible if he doesn't miss too many games. If he puts up a top 8 season but his contract is not in the top 10, wouldn't that be considered a deal?
The problem with most fans is that they are only looking at the current moment and not the future. They look at what he just did and say that's not good enough to get paid that much. I'm not saying the Bears need to sign him but it's important when signing a player to consider what that player's future production will be and what his value will be in the next few years.
If the Bears really think he can be a top 15 WR for the next 5 years then sign him. If not then tag him or let him go."
I posted this in a Bears thread on a fantasy football forum.
"Players get over paid all the time and it's been going on for years. If the Bears gave Jeffery a contract for $14.5 million a year I think that would be in the top 5 yet. What we need to think about though is what will that be in 2 to 3 years? Chances are that contract will be outside of the top 10 by then after a lot of guys come off their rookie deals. Now lets say Jeffery averages in the top 15 every year during his contract which is very possible if he doesn't miss too many games. If he puts up a top 8 season but his contract is not in the top 10, wouldn't that be considered a deal?
The problem with most fans is that they are only looking at the current moment and not the future. They look at what he just did and say that's not good enough to get paid that much. I'm not saying the Bears need to sign him but it's important when signing a player to consider what that player's future production will be and what his value will be in the next few years.
If the Bears really think he can be a top 15 WR for the next 5 years then sign him. If not then tag him or let him go."
And I think it is the availability that factors into what the future production will be. It is pretty murky trying to predict how many games he will be available for.
I posted this in a Bears thread on a fantasy football forum.
"Players get over paid all the time and it's been going on for years. If the Bears gave Jeffery a contract for $14.5 million a year I think that would be in the top 5 yet. What we need to think about though is what will that be in 2 to 3 years? Chances are that contract will be outside of the top 10 by then after a lot of guys come off their rookie deals. Now lets say Jeffery averages in the top 15 every year during his contract which is very possible if he doesn't miss too many games. If he puts up a top 8 season but his contract is not in the top 10, wouldn't that be considered a deal?
The problem with most fans is that they are only looking at the current moment and not the future. They look at what he just did and say that's not good enough to get paid that much. I'm not saying the Bears need to sign him but it's important when signing a player to consider what that player's future production will be and what his value will be in the next few years.
If the Bears really think he can be a top 15 WR for the next 5 years then sign him. If not then tag him or let him go."
And I think it is the availability that factors into what the future production will be. It is pretty murky trying to predict how many games he will be available for.
Thats murky for any player regardless of history. I think my biggest issue is that the team knew this day was coming. They knew who the players were that would be available in FA, and they knew Jeffery would be the best player available at the position. If you were unwilling to be competitive with him in a contract extension why didn't they deal him at the deadline and at least get some sort of value back instead of losing him for absolutely nothing.
And I think it is the availability that factors into what the future production will be. It is pretty murky trying to predict how many games he will be available for.
Thats murky for any player regardless of history. I think my biggest issue is that the team knew this day was coming. They knew who the players were that would be available in FA, and they knew Jeffery would be the best player available at the position. If you were unwilling to be competitive with him in a contract extension why didn't they deal him at the deadline and at least get some sort of value back instead of losing him for absolutely nothing.
While that is true, I think it is also true that a player with availability issues in multiple years is more of a crapshoot. As far as forward strategic planning.... well, that has never been a Bears Forte.
You keep saying that Jeffery can't be replaced by any of these guys, and I know in his earlier years with the Bears while Marshall was here he had some very good years, But teams don't pay on what player did a few years ago, they pay on what players have done lately, and to be honest Jeffery hasn't done anything all that special except for a few games here and there. So you think the Bears should if need be over pay him in hopes he can once again play like he did in his early years. The only problem with your thinking is Marshall isn't with the Bears and White hasn't as of yet stepped up to fulfill the #1 WR slot. And even thou Jeffery is the #1 WR on the Bears, doesn't mean he a #1 type WR. and does it really matter how good he or any player is if they aren't on the field every game, he has only played in 21 out of 32 games over the past 2 years
Teams pay players on what they've done lately? JJ I respect the shit out of you...but have you been paying attention to the way contracts have been going in this league? Terrell Pryor is asking for 12 mill a year brotha. So you keep saying you won't over pay for Jeffery but the news flash is you're then going to have to over pay for someone who isn't NEAR as good as he is. Which sounds better to you?
I won't say your wrong I am one of many fans that hope to hell they don't
I agree that the Jeffery of a few years ago would be a no brainer--pay the man!
But...he's had two straight "contract years" in which he's been unavailable far too often due to injury, suspension, etc. When he plays, he's a top-10 or 15 receiving threat. He just hasn't PLAYED ENOUGH the last two seasons.
Personally, I want to keep him and hope a deal can be worked out. But I suspect it won't happen and he will be gone. That would be a lot more tolerable if White hadn't been the unmitigated disaster he's been the last 2 seasons. Availability matters in both cases.
I agree that the Jeffery of a few years ago would be a no brainer--pay the man!
But...he's had two straight "contract years" in which he's been unavailable far too often due to injury, suspension, etc. When he plays, he's a top-10 or 15 receiving threat. He just hasn't PLAYED ENOUGH the last two seasons.
Personally, I want to keep him and hope a deal can be worked out. But I suspect it won't happen and he will be gone. That would be a lot more tolerable if White hadn't been the unmitigated disaster he's been the last 2 seasons. Availability matters in both cases.
Exactly the way I feel. No chatter on the FT on him, so I suspect that is a non issue, although I would not be against it in order to keep him another year even though he is not worth that kind of money.
Now the conversation is going somewhere. Forget about the name Jeffery since for many posters here, they can't see past the name.
1. Without the FA-to-be WR what does the WR group look like and what does that group need to be a positive for the team?
Who in the room requires a DEF to give them attention? Read the game commentary/analysis by Biggs and company to see who the DEFs were shaded towards last season. Who is the WR who works the middle depths? Who works down the field? Who can win the jump ball in the EZ? Is the running game helped or hurt? Include the TEs in this discussion.
2. Who in FA do you like as being able to duplicate the skill set or improve on the skill set of any of the WRs who get cut/no resigned/traded/etc?
3. Who is the next QB? Who will his reliable targets be? Who will be the safety blanket receiver?
4. What resources will have to be expanded to fill any slots left by cuts/leaving/trades? What positions will not be filled because of this?
Whats the plan?
FA + White with Meredith as the #3? White + Meredith with the FA as the #3? White + Meredith with Bellamy/Thompson/Braverman/draft-pick (in some order)
I don't have an answer. I prefer Jeffery because I don't like any of the 3 options above (and there may be other options).
I have to agree with you. I don't like any of the 3 options either. And it sure would be nice to have solid receivers for the new QB coming here. Especially if it is a green-as-a-gourd rookie QB trying to transition to an NFL offense. I'm thinking we may need to bring in as good a FA as we can get - AND - spend a high draft pick on a WR. Both. Otherwise we are just pissing in the wind again on offense. I can't imagine bringing in a rookie QB, to basically have Meredith as the only proven WR. And it's not like Meredith is a great WR either. I like him, and am glad he's here. But we need more than just Meredith.
Now the conversation is going somewhere. Forget about the name Jeffery since for many posters here, they can't see past the name.
1. Without the FA-to-be WR what does the WR group look like and what does that group need to be a positive for the team?
Who in the room requires a DEF to give them attention? Read the game commentary/analysis by Biggs and company to see who the DEFs were shaded towards last season. Who is the WR who works the middle depths? Who works down the field? Who can win the jump ball in the EZ? Is the running game helped or hurt? Include the TEs in this discussion.
2. Who in FA do you like as being able to duplicate the skill set or improve on the skill set of any of the WRs who get cut/no resigned/traded/etc?
3. Who is the next QB? Who will his reliable targets be? Who will be the safety blanket receiver?
4. What resources will have to be expanded to fill any slots left by cuts/leaving/trades? What positions will not be filled because of this?
Whats the plan?
FA + White with Meredith as the #3? White + Meredith with the FA as the #3? White + Meredith with Bellamy/Thompson/Braverman/draft-pick (in some order)
I don't have an answer. I prefer Jeffery because I don't like any of the 3 options above (and there may be other options).
I have to agree with you. I don't like any of the 3 options either. And it sure would be nice to have solid receivers for the new QB coming here. Especially if it is a green-as-a-gourd rookie QB trying to transition to an NFL offense. I'm thinking we may need to bring in as good a FA as we can get - AND - spend a high draft pick on a WR. Both. Otherwise we are just pissing in the wind again on offense. I can't imagine bringing in a rookie QB, to basically have Meredith as the only proven WR. And it's not like Meredith is a great WR either. I like him, and am glad he's here. But we need more than just Meredith. And White has proven nothing. He may just be a bust for all we know.