Good topic and discussion.
Playmaker21":34xf8lbz said:
#1 Russell Wilson is not worth 20 + million a year
If there were such a thing as WAR (wins above replacement) in football, a stat that accurately isolated a players value to his team, then Wilson would probably be something like a +4 or +5 win player. Lynch is probably worth a couple wins. Earl might be worth a couple wins. Sherman might be worth a couple wins. We can't prove it with a stat, but everyone knows that losing Wilson would cost the team far more than losing any other player.
In baseball, a players contract value is mathematically tied to how many wins he adds to the team. In the NFL, it's a bit more willy nilly with guys like Sherman earning more than double what Lynch made, despite helping the team less. Earl is more valuable than Sherman, but makes 40% less.
If NFL teams paid players exactly what they were worth in the win column, Wilson's real value to the team would probably be something like 40% of the Seahawks salary cap. But because nobody wants to pay QB's such insane money, top QBs usually end up getting deals for about 15-20% of their team's cap number. Unless you are a QB that provides close to zero value (Dalton), it's never a bad thing to pay your QB. Especially since replacing a QB is the hardest thing to do in all of sports.
Wilson will not be a relative value at 22+ million, compared to Rodgers. But it's still a good value for the win total Wilson adds to the team. People also have to remember that we are comparing Wilson's contract to QBs who are in their 30s. When you compare Wilson to his 20-something peers, you're looking at 20+ million for Dalton, Kaep, Newton, and Luck. Compare it to those guys who are in Wilson's generation and it's not a bad contract at all.
#2 The Defensive Line is in need of a serious influx of talent
I have had similar feelings the last few months. For as much as we talk about interior pressure, I think what this team really needs is an ace DE to pair with Bennett. Avril isn't bad, but IMO he is a placeholder. He is the Tjack of pass rushers.
I think when Seattle is totally healthy, their 3rd down and situational pass rush will be good enough as is. But in games where we have to respect the RB, it's been a struggle to get 4 man pressure because we lack that elite difference maker on the edge.
#3 Byron Maxwell is not worth the money he will get on the open market
I kinda/sorta disagree, especially after seeing Simon get killed in the SB. That said, I've resigned myself to losing Maxwell. I would have MUCH rather seen my team pay Maxwell instead of Wright, but that ship has sailed.
#4 Winning Teams Don't Pay 29 Year Old RB's
Marshawn is not like your typical 29 year old RB, and when you look at comparable RBs to Lynch throughout history, most of them finished their careers strong and ended with significantly more carries than Lynch currently has. Players with elite athleticism historically age very well, and this is true in every sport. Lynch is one of the most freakish athletes at RB ever. If his back holds up, I think he's got three or four years left. Seattle can offer him a contract with an easy out after two years.